[Closed] 2017 XC Racing Thread

If you look on the BC website it gives all the information, and a table of the points for the different designation:
[url= https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/search/article/mtbst_National-MTB-Ranking-Points-Explained ]National ranking points explained[/url]

I guess the reasoning is that as the sport cat in the national champs isn't part of the national series its just considered a regional race.

About setup; is there any secret to the pro inverted stem configuration? I have a straight stem, 20mm of spacers and a 15mm rise bar and am wondering if i should lower it for er power/aero/pro etc.

Im concious of leaving less steerer if resold thats all.

Lower stem helps keep the front wheel on the ground on steep climbs. It's slightly more aero. I personally prefer decending with a low front end, feels more precise in the turns

RE stem flipping.. It's because 29er wheels (clearly) raise the front of the bike, so you can flip the stem to bring the weight and position forward/down.

I've got a flipped 10% stem on my XC bike - feels much more comfortable.

However, it it wasn't I wouldn't do it just for 'looks'!

DrP

Righto thanks. Seeing as I have 0 degree stem I'll lower it to the headtube for a race and see how it feels, leaving the spacers above and minding my teeth - before I cut.

I don't have any issue with wandering on climbs on my bike as it is.

Pic of current setup FWIW:

[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2913/33319936165_029bb9cea2_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2913/33319936165_029bb9cea2_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/SLnob2 ]Untitled[/url]

(Yes the saddle is too low - the seatpost slipped by 3cm on that ride)

IT entirely depends on what you like and what your hip flexiblilty is like.

Personally I like a low front end, same as jimbob it improves my cornering, as a natural mincer I don't weight the front wheel enough, a low front end forces me to slightly more. Additionally ridign a cx bike a lot, a high front end makes me feel like I'm going shopping. I dont have a massive negative stem though (maybe -6deg but its only 70mm), just no spacers and a flat bar

I run my bars 3-4cm lower than my saddle.

I may have over trained - had a rest week, have restarted and have the motivation of a sloth. Having the events I targeted as 'A' cancelled doesn't help.

I may have over trained - had a rest week, have restarted and have the motivation of a sloth

I felt the same in Feb ADSH. I had a varied effort at "training" and didn't achieve much. But, I raced, poorly IMO and my mojo came back.

My output is still flat compared to last year - FTP anyway - so I'll look to change up my routine perhaps for next years winter training, but it is what it is for 2017. I have 20 events left to go so maybe I'll naturally train through racing and peak later in the year.

Can you enter something else?

and have the motivation of a sloth

I think that motivation and sloth-like-ness is a real issue this time of year, been dark a long time and the cumulative training stress is large.
Sure with a race or two under your belt will feel differently and the legs will be in good shape when it counts.

what was cancelled? get soemthing else in the diary!

Despite feeling like I could have done a lot better last Sunday I'm pleased to see lookin at roots and rain that actually I placed better tan previous years, rnd 1 2015 i came 13th/19; round 1 2016 i was 11th/20 and this year was 9th/17. Obivously differnet courses, different competitors but still quite pleased, especially as I'm (allegedly) not taking xc seriously this year

As this is the XC racing thread I though I'd ask what people are using for tyres this season?

I've traditionally run the standard Nobby Nick/Racing Ralph combo, however this winter I've had some heavier Maxxis Ikon/Ardernts and really like them so I'm thinking about running the lighter versions of these instead.

Most likely as a Ikon 2.2 rear and Ardent Race 2.2 on the front.

Will be running ron/ralph as normal until the new bike turns up when I'll swap to ikons because they're what it comes with and I've not got any other 29er tyres!

I ran Ron/Ralphs for ages, but used to get quite a lot of flats, so last year I changed to Vittoria, and (knock on wood) haven't flatted in a race since.
Currently running a Barzo front and a Mezcal rear. They're a little heavier than the Schwalbe's, but the Mezcal especially rolls really fast.
And they're cheaper than Schwalbe evo's...

Am on Rons front and back at the moment. the rear ron is almost bald so while normally I'd switch to a ralph when it gets drier, i'm not going to bother till the rear is totally gone.

Pembrey nat. is next for me. Nice to see a good long lap length planned. Last year was crazy fast even in the rain

That Roots and Rain website is a great one! Racing Ralphs for me too.

Cheers,

Matt Lewis

Ralph on the front and the back for me. Should probably stick a Ron up front but not sure I can be bothered!

I've got a spare Thunder Burt that I've yet to use. One for the driest of days perhaps.

My first race is Sherwood pines a week on Sunday. I'm a bit apprehensive as I'm a lot fitter than last year and really hoping this will show in the results. I've also gone from a hardtail to a short travel full sus. I'm a little lighter than last year and FTP is a good chunk higher too.

I'm targeting the Midlands series and the Nationals. I'll try and do some Nutctacker events too.

Anyone else noticed that Midlands have Round 5 & 6 on the same weekend!? Saturday and Sunday!

Giving Maxxis Pace a go this year - they seem to have the speed of Fast Traks and Race Kings without the sketchy cornering, and seem tougher than Schwalbe. They've coped admirably in some horrible mud so far, don't clear very well but have just enough tread to get up stuff.
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I've nort contributed for a while but noticed a couple of recent postings, a little interest in XCM stage races, I did the Andalucia Bike Race last week which is a UCI 6 day XCM event in Spain, I thought it would be a bit of fun and good early season training but it is one of the biggest MTB stage races on the calendar which was a bit of a shock, it's not often you get the chance to compete against world and Olympic champions past and present in any sport but this was one of them. There ws about 700 competitors with a TT first stage to grid riders and then mass starts from then - the starts were mental, 22 mph average on the flat before the first hills on gravel roads plus the town centre start in Codoba made it a bit of an 'on the rivet crash fest' at times!
The stages were brutal, 4+ hours in the saddle each day but some awesome singletrack, even more awesome descents and horrific climbs. Once you got over the fatigue, the grin factor was huge!
I finished 15th in Master 50 category which I was pleased with, best stage finish was about 208th, I went with three other team mates, one is the current XCM vets champion and he finished 5th in Master 40 - an amazing achievement considering the world class field.
If anyone wants a proper challenge I can highly recommend the ABR - much better than any training camp and brilliantly organised by friendly people- it's a proper major event. I'm still grinning one week on after it! Mail me if anyone wants more info.

The other thread I spotted was about stages power meters and accuracy, I used one in the ABR and it was essential on long climbs and the early stages of the event to pace myself (too much adrenalin early on can kill your legs later). The stages readings corresponded well to my Quark unit and to a Wattbike so I can say that in my experience it's pretty accurate, it's not an ideal tool for XC racing though as the data is interesting but there is not much you can use during the race, good to look at for later analysis however.

Anyway, it's back to UK mud now and first Midlands XC in a weeks time!

what was cancelled? get soemthing else in the diary

G100 and Summer Monkey. Had specifically targeted 6hr races ahead of BBD but unless Erlestoke happens there aren't any now.

I can race once a month - 80minutes XC doesn't really seem long enough.

Wow! Well done Iain65! That sounds incredible. Any good blogs from the event?

Great performance Iain65!

I have looked at that race as a bucket list item, think I'll need to delve a little deeper into the logistics of it after reading that.

that sounds amazing Iain ! Jelous beyond words.

What Weeksy said, awesome! I've always wanted to do the BC race, but I have an issue with flying so that remains a distant dream for the moment.

ADSH - Scott Marathon 9th April?

I've always wanted to do the BC race

Find a way Kryters!

It's well worth the pain - I'm going back this year!

Another vote for BC Bike Race - I'm hoping to get back in 2018, it is well organised and great fun.

As to this year I am fresh back from a month in New Zealand where I rode The Pioneer which was very hard and rewarding but just not fun enough for me to want to return for that particular race. Other riding we did around the Port Hills of Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington and best of all Rotorua was amazing.

Events I am currently booked in for in the UK are a little thin at the moment.

@Iain did you opt for the all inclusive accommodation package or book everything yourself?

(not that I'm planning or anything, no no)

Well done Iain65! Sounds really good!

Anyone got any thoughts on the Quebec Singletrack race?

It's on my radar for next year..

[url= https://quebecsingletrack.com/ ]Quebec Stage Race[/url]

that looks good.

Yep, & closer than BC..

Tyre wise I'm like Adam up there, Vittoria Barzo up front and Mezcal G+ out back, bomb proof and fast enough for me

I am all lined up for Singletrack6 at the end of July too. I am trying hard to live the dream somewhere in the middle of the pack!!

Thanks for the comments on the ABR, I did not do a blog but one of the guys did, if you scroll down a bit on this link you'll find it: http://m8group.co.uk/#page_wellbeing_fitness It's the bit with the four of us grinning at the camera, the other stages are further down.

The ABR facebook page was great, with videos of the stages each day and worth a look at:

If anyone wants to know what to expect, my strava data is open and you can see it easily, this is a link to the stage 4 (it had the most pictures attached!): https://www.strava.com/activities/883859995

One of the guys, Marc Chamberlain is in the process of writing a full race report, I'll put a link on here to our website when done.
Cheers, Iain

Swedish Chef - we did not opt for the package and organised everything ourselves, we got lucky in that we had great hotels with ample secure, covered space for working on and cleaning bikes, the down side of this was that we had a lot to manage between sorting out kit and eating at odd hours, having a package would allow a lot more 'feet up' time which is really important. We also had Carlos Coloma in our hotel who helped me manoeuvring the van after stage 6 so he could get his car out, not often you can say an Olympic XC medalist has to do this!

We also hired some big vehicles (Renault Trafic and Seat Alhambra) as we had six bikes between us, having to move venues mid event meant we wanted space to transport bikes fully built up, this definitely worked well as it saved a load of trouble with not having to strip and rebuild bikes mid way through.

shortcut - Member
I am all lined up for Singletrack6 at the end of July too. I am trying hard to live the dream somewhere in the middle of the pack!!

No mid-pack if you finish after 6 hours, it goes on for 7, it's also in May 😆

I'm getting very excited by Iains reports 😀

I contacted my friend in Squamish today and she's confirmed I could come visit them and ride the Whistler trails either side of the BC if I wanted to extend my trip...

This could be good!

Thanks for the links Iain! And well done on your ride!
Sounds so amazing. Ironically, it's the one month of the year I know I can be free for.......

Worth a daydream or two 🙂

Crosshair - worth doing but don't go into it unprepared, the stages are hard but do-able I would love to go back and ride them on a bigger travel bike and look at the scenery a bit more if possible......one day!

Thanks Iain, that's good info, and even more inspiring.

Wentwood 50 for me - not exactly a race but what a great event. 50km, 1400m climbing in a tad under 3hrs. Decided to get max benefit and went rigid single speed - ouch. Average HR 86% of max

And I feel like I've been hit by a train.

I was asked if we had a blog from the Andalucia Bike Race last week, my team mate Marc Chamberlain has now written his race report which is on our team Facebook page here:

Hopefully the link will work, this is the first part of the report with more to come out during the week. For those that don't know Marc, he was vet's XC champion in 2014 and 2015 and XCM champion in 2015 & 2016, I also seem to spend a lot of time looking at his back wheel at weekends as I try and hang on.

Enjoy the story!

ps full FB page is here

Some training advice if I may. I've not managed to get as much Training "volume" in for the Scott MTB on 9th Fed as I'd have liked. I'm using Trainerroad, and this and the following weekend I have 2 races - a 90min XC, then Battle on the Beach so a bit longer.

My train is planned to be all short intensity in between races - but should I defer to some 2x20 sessions of similar to try to get more volume at threshold in my legs before the Scott MTB?

Two 90 minute XC races is pretty intensive if raced at pretty near max.

Given that TR plans normally have 90 minute sessions at weekend then I'd continue with the short stuff in the week and not risk over loading the body too much. I'd rather go in under cooked not over cooked.

That said if you're properly recovered and feel you'll mentally get more out from 2*20 then go for it. (IMO one session won't make the difference from going from average to great performance, but it could well tip you backwards).

FWIW my training plan for the Builth marathon is to do the ELBNO ride the night before. Now that's what I call last-minute.