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

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

Anyone got any thoughts on the Quebec Singletrack race?

It’s on my radar for next year..

Quebec Stage Race[/url]

Yep, & closer than BC..

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!!

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.

I’m getting very excited by Iains reports :D

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!

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!

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

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: https://www.facebook.com/CotswoldCyclesRT/posts/1740602226250909?ref=notif&notif_t=notify_me_page&notif_id=1489311007675119

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 https://www.facebook.com/CotswoldCyclesRT/

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).

Kryton, a 90 min XC race raced hard will give you a weeks worth of LT work, stacking more on carries a lot more risk than potential reward this close to an event.

I know its hard for a time crunched rider, but if you are targetting full marathon length events its really all about getting two solid engine building rides in per week. Long weekend z2 rides and 2-2.5hr ride midweek with 3×20@SS or a 90min tempo block midride.

Stick with the plan for first marathon and re-evaluate for later goals imo

I’m considering doing the Pines race this weekend. I understand that it’s not on the Red Route but on various bits of trail stitched together; how does it compare to the Kitchener? Also I’m (gulp) 50 so am looking at the Grand Vets – I imagine that there will be some very strong riders there. Is it brutal? Weather looks good.

Ferrals – I’ve looked down the list of entrants and quite a few of them ‘seem’ to be a similar pace to me on their Strava balls-out laps of the Kitchener. I completely understand that hot laps are not racing :-) Tempted by a baptism of fire.

Can anybody advise me on what licence I would need / want to race with (on the exceptionally slim chance that I scored some points)? Looks like Regional A+B only require a BC Provisional licence.

cubicboy – come and join us in Grand Vet’s, you’ll love it! I’ve got no pace anyway just now so plan to be tailing round at the back! It’s worth getting a licence if you continue racing as it makes you eligible for national ranking points, otherwise (I think) that your points will not count apart from in the Midlands series itself. It might be worth checking but I’m not convinced you even need a licence for a Midlands event, anyone know?

rich c – yes, there is usually time for a practice lap or two before the start, course should open at 9.00, race at 10.30ish.
See you Sunday, hope it’s dry :-)

might venture down south and race at Sherwood tomorrow – weather looks better than up north”!

For a 2.30 race I’ll have porridge or Shreddies around 8.30, then a couple of ham/salad rolls 11.30 or so. Topped up with a cereal bar or a couple of fig rolls between then and the race if I feel the need.

LS + 1 although i discovered these to nibble on: http://www.waitrose.com/shop/DisplayProductFlyout?productId=550127

Blimey that was hard racing at Sherwood today, felt like I was ok tactically but I was really lacking in out of the saddle kicks.

Nothing too surprising after the lack of training and motivation over winter.

Good day at Sherwood today, I think I was 4th in GV but cannot see the results yet, got passed by the winner on lap 3 and lost him in traffic, turns out the guys running first and second slid off, he caught them and won the sprint – note to self, should have tried harder to stay with him!

Pleased with the result as I have only done long miles this year with no XC type intensity, had no idea what to expect today, was thinking I’d be gasping near the back!