For the last Monday Morning Debrief of the year it seemed right to reflect on how 2012 went and what we expect 2013 will offer; Chipps, Dave and Sim give their thoughts.
Chipps’ 2012 Review
I rode local a lot in 2012. A combination of a coal-dependent Aga, a needy dog and a partner who works Saturdays precluded too many weekends away, but I still managed some great days in the Yorkshire Dales as well as many of the Calderdale favourites. I did a lot of cyclocross racing for fun too, which took care of many Summer and Autumn Sundays and I did manage a week in Belgium and a few sunny days in Salt Lake City, so it’s not all been from my doorstep.
2013 Plans and bike resolutions
I think that more regular riding needs doing, so I’m going to aim to get back into the habit of night-riding, which has waned a little. And then I want to start ticking off those ‘must-do’ classic rides in Wales, the Lakes, Scotland as well as a long-missed trip back to the south coast. I want to ride more true all-mountain stuff and I also want to build up a fast hardtail again and remind myself that flat-out riding can still be great fun. Oh, and I want to get sunburnt at least once next summer – preferably in the UK.
2013 Industry Predictions
I’m afraid that 27in wheel bikes are going to be here to stay next year, whether we like it or not – and that’ll be especially true in the US. There aren’t many on the ground right now, but I expect the 26in to start being marginalised into being the size for 160mm+ bikes while manufacturers roll out more 29er hardtails and short-travel bikes, with 27in taking up the big middle ground. The UK has always been a bit quirky though, so don’t expect the Orange 5 and Cotic Soul to be going away any time soon. There’ll also be a couple of surprisingly capable longer travel 29ers that might rock the boat too.
Comments (2)
Comments Closed
I have to agree with most of the predictions about 29ers & 26ers, but these days I don’t really have to have the latest kit. I’ll be building a 29er HT with 120mm up front in 2013 but I’m very unlikely to get rid of the Five. Even if it gets relatively more & more hard work compared to the norm it’s still fast on the DHs & that is & always has been the main thing for me. I also think if it’s harder work the rest of the time then I might be getting fitter… And it should be in tyres for a long time as I tend to stick to trusty old Minions which are always labelled as DH, even the single ply. So unless DH goes to big wheels I’ll be fine!
Without night riding I think I’d hardly do any riding as a young family keeps me busy most weekends. Wednesday night is my time out and tonight it is Elterwater!