Tommy rocks

Yes, I was out for quite a bit but thought I may as well get value for money. It also seemed that the PYG ‘pond’ got deeper as time went on – by the time I got there on the way down it was almost waist deep.

Account of my first and ultimately aborted attempt here.

And my account here http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=223400

I shall add my words into the mix. Long day. Awesome race by Terrahawk, same time as last year! Wonder what he’ll get up to this weekend?

I am in awe of anyone who did that. We went to watch as usual but had to go pretty quickly as small boy’s waterproof suit was too small and he was getting pretty cold.

aye Clover, I’ve had the munchies since I crossed the finish line!!
Commuted to work on the bike every day this week, but it’s SORE.

I now feel like a complete pansy (especially after reading all of the reports of everyone else that tougher through it)…didn’t make the cut off at chapel-le-dale. Had done lots of walking up steps, thinking with hindsight that practicing RUNNING up steps would have stood me in better stead! No clue on race pace and a complete lack of rain in the middle section of the states made riding in mud a completely alien activity.
Hoping to give it another try again next year (assuming it will be run) now I have better feel for what to expect.
Kudos to all the volunteers for standing out in that stuff so we could play out in it!
STL (flying home at the weekend with tail firmly between legs in shame). 😳

Some great reading folks 🙂 Brings back the whole thing. My only aim was to finish and tick the 3 Peaks box, with the looming weather this was turning out to be a challenging target. I did manage though at just a bit over 6hrs. This included 4 over the bars incidents (3 comical, 1 ouch) and the realisation that I should have practiced carrying the bike and walking up hills a lot lot more than I did! On the day I thought I cycled Ok, but the carrying bits and ascents killed me.

Leading up to the race I had two separate conversations about doing something then leaving it alone. If it all goes well why tempt fate by going back when so much could go wrong? I keep telling myself this but can’t shake the urge to go back and get up those hills that bit quicker.

I’ve never done it on cantis as this was my first time but have recently switched to a disc braked bike.

They were much easier to use than my cantis, lighter touch to get powerful braking so I was able to relax my arms and hands more.

They always worked at all points the limiting factor (other than skill) was the grip of my tyres.

They did wear down a lot but I think I had organics in. They are bb7 and I had to wind them in a bit to keep them working. Pads went from used on the road, burnt in and virtually new to about 1/2 wear.

I’ve done it the other way round, first time was on a borrowed bike with cable Avids. Then I got my own bike with Tektro cantis. Much as I like the ‘stuck out of time’ nature of cross, it was definitely easier with discs. Decent Kool-Stop pads helped, but they’re still cantis.

Greg’s right though, I probably just use the brakes too much…

Ceramic rims with Avid Shorty cantis. No other choice, my CX bike isn’t disc compatible.
They worked OK, like they have for the previous 5 years…

😉

(Yes, of course I’d prefer discs!)

What’s Tommy wearing on his feet ? 🙄

http://seekingmountainsport.com/2012/10/03/thomas-frischknecht-3-peaks-cx/

that’s a magic vid!