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Dear Big Doggers, its that time again to share your thoughts, fears, questions, wheel size, training plans and gossip regarding the 2014 Brighton Big Dog.
Me, I will be on my Niner Air Nine, aiming for seven laps solo.
Been riding akk winter but need to up my game!
n.b. must beat timp this time round.
which reminds me I haven't signed up yet.
Can I join in...?
I'm in for 6hr solo, on my uber niche on-one scandal SS....
Looking forward to an event in the sun TBH!
DrP
Doing it as a pair...no idea what to expect, never entered before, haven't a clue on how many laps expected to do but its fairly close and looks like it could be a laugh 😀
Also on a on-one scandal but with some gears
hmmm single speeders, need your own thread I think!
just kidding, the more the merrier.
sounds tough with no gears though.
One thing is possible... A different podium in the men's 6hr solo as Ben and Tim may not be there this year!
Solo Vets for me, hoping for some sunshine too, will be riding the Tallboy I expect, aiming to beat Darkcyan and TimP 😉
One thing is possible... A different podium in the men's 6hr solo as Ben and Tim may not be there this year!
Would be great for a local rider to win BigDog, I'm hoping the organisers go back to the original technical loop with more downhill singletrack, that would benefit those with local Stanmer knowledge (as well as making the course more fun 😀 ).
that's a fine goal Paceman, tough though;-)
I sense a space on the podium for DarkCyan.
sounds tough with no gears though.
Indeed it does.
That's why I'll be running [b]one[/b]...
DrP
What tyres and indeed pressures?
Haha yes the old 'XC racers can't ride downhill' thread...
GB
the old course was better though. kinda felt wrong without badgers. any news on the 2014 course?
tyre pressure around 35 psi in the dry, in the wet around 30.
I think you missed my point Gee 😉 , the XC race leaders I've seen at BigDog most definitely can ride downhill very quickly, I was just pointing out that last year's course was more about climbing fitness than anything else and not as fun to ride as the course in previous years. The techy bits of Stanmer Woods are the only sections that local knowledge might give even a slight edge over the pro riders.
got to agree with paceman, why ride up the best trails e.g. a&e.
no doubt there is a good reason.
where are Ben and Tim. CWG?
Yep, Solo Vet, Kinesis Sync, can't wait for dusty trails.
Pairs or team for me and also on my Kinesis Sync which should be better than my 32lb full susser from last year! If the organisers read this can we PLEASE HAVE THE OLD COURSE BACK or something more techy and fun than last year!
Wasn't Ian Leitch was a local when he won it?
Riding it with the OH for the second year running, my sixth overall. Nothing gets booked in for august until big dog is on the calendar. I believe according to the pattern this year we are in for a wet day!
I quite enjoyed the change in the course last year, not my favourite but nice to see some sections a different way round. I hope they switch the far side of the road back to the other way though.
Plan is to eat a lot of cake, drink a lot of tea and maybe even think about attempting a podium finish.
More important question, anyone know what colour the mugs are this year?
I hope they switch the far side of the road back to the other way though.
I completely agree, climbing up the Coldean descent just to then come down the bridleway was annoying at best.
My favourite event if the year though, can't wait 😀
Purple mugs would add to my set nicely!
tyre pressure around 35 psi in the dry, in the wet around 30.
Are you using cx tyres? 🙂
I'm still negotiating family holiday dates.
Given DrP will be on my lightweight race bike I'm wondering if 6 hours on a Fat bike round Stanmer maybe asking too much of my legs. It would be a very good excuse to walk up *that* climb, though.
John_I ... 😆 😆
Wwaswas, do it, you'll get maximum kudos each time you pass the crowds at the start/finish area.
[i]you'll get maximum kudos [s]each[/s] both time you pass the crowds at the start/finish area[/i]
ftfy 🙂
The way my legs felt after 6 laps on the Scandal last year I'm not sure I could face the same distance on a fat bike, tbh. Maybe I'll drag it out for a lap or two if it's finished in time...
Signed up for the pairs again. I've 'raced' it every year and to be honest I didn't mind the course last year (easier to overtake) although the previous route is more fun. My team mate hated the other side of the A27 though and up A&E is wrong.
Bike - depends how i feel on the day
Tyre pressure - a quick squeeze of the fingers
Agreed the 2012 course was better - badgers and the coldean trail the other way round was better. The final downhill was longer and more fun in 2012 too. Scared the crap out of myself down there more than once.
Ben might be racing Excalibur if he can get a free/cheap entry and Tim is racing abroad that weekend I think.
Given DrP will be on [s]my [/s] [b]his[/b] lightweight race bike..
FTFY 😉
I serviced the forks yesterday - a winter round here had turned to foam rings into the state of a messy nappy, and the oil looked like vomit!
Buttery smooth again now!
DrP
will we be seeing many dropper posts I wonder? if it's dry no point imo based on previous years, but in the wet could be handy.
if you had one fitted would you remove?
[i]Buttery smooth again now![/i]
cool 🙂
they do a good job given they 'only' have 100mm of travel.
On a similar yet separate note...you riding tomorrow night???
DrP
I was going to but a customer's rescheduled a call to happen tomorrow night.
Will probably head out at lunchtime today and avoid this evening's rain. Getting quite adept at playing dodge the showers now. Weekend weather's not looking too bad?
Might try a Sunday PM spin then if you're interested? Fancy riding 'my neck' of the downs?
DrP
emailed you DrP.
It's not inappropriate pictures of you in lycra again is it?
DrP
*wanders off to look for 'recall' button on hotmail*
Will we be seeing many dropper posts I wonder? if it's dry no point imo based on previous years, but in the wet could be handy.
if you had one fitted would you remove?
The benefits far outweigh the 200g weight penalty, and I think a dropper post is more relevant in dry conditions when you lean the bike more into corners and need the saddle tucked out of way; in the wet it often pays around Stanmer to keep the bike more upright in my experience 😯
You'll see Darkcyan, well maybe you will 😉
can anyone share any information on the course this year.
Also what kind of training hours / routine you putting in, any special reps for big dog i.e. going up and down short sharp hills for example or old school just riding lots.
DC
It's in August, isn't it? Just checking 🙂
Darkcyan likes to start worrying about BigDog as early as he can 😉
Everyone needs a bit of time to experiment and find the right tyre pressure.