For the past few years my wife has done the [url= http://www.corrieyairack.org/index2.html ]Corrieyairack Challenge[/url]. For her that's a 17 mile off-road run over the Corrieyairack pass followed by a 26 mile road run. But you can do the whole thing by bike (you can change wheels/tyres for the road section but not bike) and this year we might have sorted out some childcare so I can have a go as well.
I currently have two mountain bikes; a 2012 Giant Trance and a 2006 Orange Five (currently with angle reducing headset, offset bushings and 150/120 dual position Revs). Now, I realise that this isn't a particularly big challenge and I'm not trying to be competitive (just have a bit of fun). So, clearly either of my current bikes would do the job. But one should never turn down a chance to refine the stable, even if it just ends up being a thought experiment. So, I'd be interested to hear your take on the ideal Corrieyairack Challenge bike.
I understand that a bit of work has been done on the path over the last couple of years, so it is no longer the loose rock-fest that it used to be on the way down.
roverpig, your trance would be good with some fast tyres just put a bit more air in at changeover point .
We rode this in October. If I had to race it, I'd think about weight, as the climb is quite long, also it is likely to be wet so I'd think about some tough grippy tyres. From what I remember there are quite wide, deep, breaks in the path to let water down, and these seem to catch my 26 wheels and really slow progress, a 29'er would be perfect to get across these. Enjoy it, its a fine day out....
Did it last year on a rigid 29'er. Would have been perfect if the track had not been washed away the week before. If it is re-instated as before, that's your steed. Otherwise hard tail 29'er.
Thanks folks. So that's one vote for "do it on the Trance" and two for a new 28er. Sounds like a pretty clear majority to me 🙂
Hardtail 29er would be my choice. With a second pair of wheels ideally cross rims with disk brakes and some nice fast road tyres and a close ration cassette.
I'd probably agree with most of the above...I did it last year on my five...the only change would have been a wheel change..26miles on 2.35 maxxis was a pain..
Two mates did it on cyclocross bikes...any bike would be fine.the downhill bit is still pretty harsh,lots of drainage bars
My best time/ride was on a giant nrs with 3" travel...
So anything from a Five to a CX bike would be OK. Not exactly narrowing it down much are we 🙂 Actually that's probably close enough. It sounds as though my total inability to bunny hop is going to be a bigger problem than whatever I decide to ride anyway.