Well I’m off to Munich for Raphas SuperX (last years was superb!!) then Keswick Monster miles is my first foray back into long distance racing, from a self imposed lay off. I’ve kept up riding to about 70% fitness (goal was 80%) but I’m having too much fun surfing.

As to that rainX, nah. You kinda just get used to the gloop that attaches itself.

You were going well today, ferrals, good work.
I on the other hand had a shocker. Who knew that a newborn child, sleep-deprivation and a skinful at the club awards dinner the night before wasn’t good prep 😀 Began to find my feet then had a stupid crash in the sandpit when I was dismounting but my left foot remained in the pedal as I tried to run with it… whoops. Mashed my knee and hand and just took the go out of me.
Bring on Hereford next week.

Had my first stab at cross in Llanishen. Pleased with how I went and happy with making up time on the obstacles.
Not sure where I finished but felt string right through considering my lack of riding and felt my lap times were pretty consistent.

Easy going bunch and the weather made for an enjoyable event!

Double post!

It does.
Ok, i’ve not tried that particular stuff (rain x) but a coating of light spray oil (WD40/GT85) or furniture polish on the main tubes, stays and forks does slow the build up quite noticeably. Or anywhere else that mud can build up. I’ve even used it on cranks, cassette and pedals (spray oil, not furniture polish).

Sometimes needs a bit of encouragement if the mud has lots of grass in it, so i used to ride through a puddle if it got too bad. You could then see the muddy water beading up on the oily (or waxy) surfaces and then running off.

Probably worth a try even if you do have two bikes. (Not that i have that sort of luxury any more, hence mucking around with oil/wax and puddles)

Yep – Foxley always a good race; 80% out of seat pedalling – too bumpy to sit.
Pembrey next week should be a fast course.

I’m missing you guys! 😆 I’m working Sundays, so can probably only get to the Abergavenny race.

Dave M arrived in Llanishen to be told that entries had closed because they’d run out timing chips. He protested that he’d driven for two hours to get there so was allowed to enter, minus chip. They charged him £18 (£10 race entry, £3 for absent chip surcharge plus on-the-day?). Dave got twentieth in V50 – should have been 19th because there was a lady in the results who is most definitely not male or over 50. So much for chip timing!

Congratulations. It carries on for a couple of years and then you have your second. Repeat.. 😉

Yes Thom, that extra bit of time in seniors seems to be making a lot of difference. Very few looked like they were racing the last 15-20 mins of it.
How is the fewer numbers in the race affecting yous? there seemed to be big gaps, and lots of guys kinda in no mans land of having nobody close enough chase … and just doing enough to not get caught by those behind.

I dropped two positions in the last lap when somebody in front of me cut into my line as we went into the 1st stream … bit too heavy on the hydraulic brakes – straight over the bars lol

Anyone doing any of the scottish series? did local south lanarkshire series last year but think this is another level. got a new bike coming too this week 🙂 to replace my heavy genesis cdf

I’m thinking of having a go this year at a race or 2 around Lincolnshire. I don’t really know know the courses though, but I fancy riding something a bit more….trail like than just hacking around a field. Can anyone recommend a round/venue to have a go at?

I prefer the vets getting our own race – fields were way too big last year.
Had fantastic races last two weeks … half a dozen of us swapping positions first half of race, then down to 3 of us last couple laps.
Pembrey will open it up though … the roadies will get opportunity to make time up on the open bits.

Mooman; I’m still undecided on the field splitting so far. I just turn up and dig in and it’ll be what it’ll be. When I was feeling good on Sunday I was catching Ferrals up, which was a far cry from the previous weekend, but then I wasn’t feeling so back so I went 😀
The numbers are still ok I think, although the fields in total don’t seem to be as large as last year yet. I don’t think it has the loneliness that Lovecrossed had towards the end when it seemed you’d see someone briefly and then that was that. It generally settles down after the first couple of laps on a technical course like Foxley, everyone seems too pooped to continue digging in. Less so at Llanishen where the flat and openness means more space for the faster boys to make the gaps.
I used to enjoy the mid field battles with the Vets and ladies; but I’m never going to be one of the front runners anyway so I can see why some of them were getting miffed.

And then show their awesome bike handling skills as they get off to walk down the sand dune. 😆 (I don’t think he’s including that tricky descent this year?)