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Off there in a few weeks and just wondering what's going to be preferable in terms of kit to avoid taking stuff that isn't needed.
Tyres - 2.5 DH vs 2.3 trail
Helmet - full face vs lid
Pedals - flats vs clipless
I know some are personal preference but I'm fine doing whatever is most suitable for the occasion.
Guess Mike would also have some advice but always interested to hear from anyone with experience.
And any other pointers would be great!
I'd use 2.5" tyres, XC lid and flats.
And I'd take a VERY big hydration bladder.
Have fun, I had an awesome time riding there a few years back.
I took a full face, everyone else took open faces, I sweated a lot, one of the other guys went home with a scabby face. Next time I'll probably go with an open face as I do tend to crash a lot more because it won't hurt in a FF helmet!
I took 2.5 dual ply supertackies and hated them, the descents probably make them worthwhile, but I hated very second of the climbing and the more along bits became tedious rather than fast. On the other hand I never got a puncture when everyone else had at least one or two. I'd probably pick something middle weight, dual compound and tubeless next time.
Pedals whatever you like and are comfortable in, I ride both types in the UK so used flats, you wouldn't want to be stuck in clips on lemmings for example!
Are you doing the AM option in Bubion rather than the DH option in Malaga? I'm just back from a week there with a group of eight.
Tyres - dual ply DH over trail - think everyone in our group had them and there was only one puncture (tubeless) all week, that I can think of. There's lots of jagged slatey rock and more heavy-duty thorny vegetation than you'd encounter in this country. Also, run the pressures higher than usual was the gneral advice, for the avoidance of punctures.
Full face helmets - you'll cook. It was 30C + on the hottest days in early June and if you're going there in a few weeks it's only going to get hotter. None of us bothered with full-face helmets and no-one came home with their face stoved in. Also, you want to limit the amount of kit you're carrying because most days involve a reasonable modicum of climbing, at altitude and in fierce heat. Except for the hydration bladder - take 3L rather than 2L if poss.
Clips v flats - depends which you usually use and how confident a rider you are when clipped in over technical sections. I usually ride with SPDs but on the steepest, most switchbacky descents I was constantly trying to find a way of positioning my feet on them where I wasn't clipped in. I considered removing my cleats at one point. But I'm not that confident on very techy stuff cos I hardly ever ride it. Think everyone in our group had SPDs with a wide platform on them.
Try and get an uppy-downy seatpost if you haven't already.
You should have a blast - it's a fantastic area, great village and the guiding was pretty good. Try and get a session with Mike rather than Dave towards the beginning of your week because Mike is better at passing on tips on adjusting your riding style to the terrain. Although if you're a riding god who doesn't need advice you might not need this.
Make sure you do the big ride from the Pico de Veleta at some point - an amazing day out.
in other news: move the biting point of your brake near to the grip (about quarter inch should be ok)
move the brake lever inboard so you can use ONE FINGER BRAKING (reduces arm pump by a load)s)
my vote: dualply
take a spare mech & mech hanger
use SHIN/knee guards (the plants are happy to pierce flesh as easily as tyres)
The spring water was fine for me & tasted great - I drank from every spring I could find.
Finally: Abject Terror is a fine ride, but the 'uplift' is a bitch. Hike-a-bike isn't funny in 30Deg.
I'd recommend:
Dual ply tyres with some kind of sealant (either tubeless or tubes with slime).
Open face helmet.
Whatever pedals you're comfortable with.
and:
[b][u]Shin[/u][/b] (and knee) guards.
Take your own pads - don't rely on theirs.
There's a restaurant further up the hill (beyond the next village) that was top notch. Worth the trip - they will drive you up there.
Ive just got back from a family tour around spain and got a few rides in around the bubion area. - Singlespeed rigid 29er with cheepie specialised tyres coped fine with no punctures. Even took the kiddie trailer 2 up on a few trails.
I could have ridden some of he trails a bit quicker on the full suss, but probably not a lot when you dont know whats around the next corner. Superb area. - Get out early 6/7 start and back before 14.00for beer and food or you will melt. Have fun
in other news: move the biting point of your brake near to the grip (about quarter inch should be ok)
move the brake lever inboard so you can use ONE FINGER BRAKING (reduces arm pump by a load)s)
This really works, wind the lever in untill it's closer than you think nececary, then keep going untill you're squeezing it into the lever when your braking hardest. It makes the steeper tracks so much easier to deal with.
you wouldn't want to [s]be stuck in clips[/s] look over the edge on lemmings for example!
(FWIW Lems is my fav)
Clips if you ride clips, flats if you don't. There's a fair amount of non-tech climbing so I'd go for clips every time.
Rigid blah, blah bike ALL WRONG! Switchbacks have a "winch & plummet" approach - so a bike you can trundle up a hill, set up for descending is what you're after. Soft suspension (& lots of travel) with a fastish rebound, thick, fat, thorn-proof tyres and brakes as above will see you right.
And any other pointers would be great!
Don't get drunk with Mike Seriously. He'll be on a bike the next day and you'll be ill.