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The 2018 XC Racing Thread
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r8jimbob88Free Member
Might do that final Welsh round at Llandegla. Never done a Welsh series round before!
heavy_ratFree MemberAnyone know of any races in the Gloucestershire area? Moved here recently and it seems to be devoid of any regular action.
There were some Mean and Dirty events last year but its not clear what they’re doing in 2018
Kryton57Full MemberDid the Gorrick 4h today, an excellent course at Minley. Good to meet Yak (again) and Dr P for the first time.
I’m in week 11 of a 12 week Anerobic block so my coach – who turned up at the race like I didn’t need any more pressure – had said I could expect to be tired and to treat this like a training ride / specificity on the new bike in prep for later in the year. I’d also had an issue mid- week, aching all over so either a virus or overtraining had happened.
Excuses done then I managed 6 laps and 16th, faded sooooo badly on the last two when I had expected to pick up the pace on the last, just had nothing and lost 4/5 places there. Still, not so bad an a very enjoyable day out – in the XC race kinda way.
Fresh Goods Friday 696: The Middling Edition
Latest Singletrack VideosFresh Goods Friday 696: The Middlin...qwertyFree MemberHeavy Rat – not so sure of XC racing within the county. MaD have a XC/CX ride planned for Feb, HOTS is a fab MTB sportive, HONC likewise. CX wise LoveCrossed is next weekend in Tetbury. In the FoD there is the XC enduro race which has had some very competitive XC racers in previously. Probably best to check the BC website for your nearest races. MaD is the Slam69 guys so you could phone the shop.
padkinsonFree MemberI was at the Gorrick too, good to meet DrP, must have missed Kryton though.
Managed to win the 4hr with 8 laps, and my first 4 were the fastest of the day too. Surprised myself a bit with that one. Annoyed that I didn’t do the second round as a series win could have been on the cards. Next year maybe.
Properly surprised at how well the course held up to the rain we’ve had recently, I reckon the Gorrick crew have made an artificial microclimate around there as part of some shady army weapons testing deal. Or they’re just excellent course planners.
YakFull MemberYes, did the brass monkeys too. Good to briefly catch up with kryton and a passing shout to DrP (him passing!). Came in 33rd in 2hr vet male. That was my lot today, so good enough.
Congrats to DrP and padkinson on your wins!
Cracking course and amazingly dry. Awesome work Gorrick.
r8jimbob88Free MemberSo midlands venues are have been announced. Saving the best until last! Dudmaston, love that place.
Finally got my Scalpel back form the LBS…. Almost ready to ride, just need to source a missing spacer from the headset, fix the damn lockout remote (Rockshox Full Sprint remotes are garbage!), most likely a warranty replacement on a 3 monthly cycle… and convince the wife I must have another power meter for it!
Heading to Gran Canaria on 28th, cant wait. It better had be sunnny! I’m sick to death of the turbo now
iain65Free MemberSo who’s racing what this year?
Heading of to the Andalucia Bike Race in about a week and half’s time for six days of suffering, training has gone well so far with last big weekend finished and time to taper. First marathon race in National Championship jersey so trying to not turn up and ride like a tw*t!
After that it will be National XC and Marathon Champs, will try and do a few Midlands XC but found last year when trying to do both it killed my fitness as I hated going into races without a reasonable level of rest. My son is planning to do all the Midlands races in Youth category though.
Hope to see some of you guys out again this year, nice to meet up with other STWers last season.
Iain.
Adam_BucklandFree MemberSo Wessex league cross finishes up this week – anyone recommend a central Southern XC series I can bring a couple of boys along too (U10, U12 cats) with a ‘hanging on at the back’ category for me?
Don’t actually have an mtb thats ‘raceworthy’ at the moment (chubby plus rigid bike and a T129 lump) but thats a minor issue 🙂
I’m one of the organisers of the SouthernXC and we offer racing for all ages and abilities, our website is currently under construction but should be fully up and running in a few weeks but to be totally honest all of the information you need is our Facebook page (look out for SouthernXC news) and the entry site, both are linked below
https://www.facebook.com/Eventrex/
http://my1.raceresult.com/g2730/?lang=enweeksyFull MemberThought I’d tag onto this thread even though 2017,
As stated, I didn’t really feel the Crit stuff, so it’s back to XC as a push to give me a little something to train for etc.
Just a bit of an incentive really
SOUTHERNXC 2018 ROUND 1
29TH APRIL 2018 | CHECKENDONBoth me and my lad have entered as he doesn’t have any football that morning.
Let the games begin.
Happy days
r8jimbob88Free MemberMidweek Madness races are in the North West and start in May I think. They’ve just announced their race dates and locations on their facebook page. Good fun series and very popula with an Enthusiast category or a Racer category.
I’m thinking of making a trip up to Glentress the week before the British Nationals to loosen the legs up at the first round of the Scottish XC series.
Kryton57Full MemberWell, I had a crap start to the season yesterday. I have a rational and emotional response to it and I’d love to hear from someone more experienced who could advise between the two. I already have some from my team mate, not that I don’t trust him!
So, bear in mind I’m 4.5 months into my first proper coached training. I am training for marathons, but these races are scheduled in. I had no taper and this forms part of my intensity in the block. I’m 2 weeks into a block of constant 2×15 and 2×20’s currently.
Race was Mud Sweat and gears at Hadliegh, sanitised technical but still with 1000m of climbing in 25k/90 mins. Of course, it was cold. I start the race on -0.2TSS. I did have and “episode” at 2am in the morning where I felt very sick. Sat with my head over the bowl for 1/2hr. Jnr has been the same. So, got held up at the start but as soon as I cleared the staled rider I went for a second attempt but knew immediately my legs were compromised. I had nothing, just no power in my legs all race – 90 mins of survival. All not helped by a very strong field yesterday.
Rational – I’m collectively fatigued, probably carrying a tummy bug had no rest leading up to the event and on top of that stronger riders compromised my result.
Emotional – although I know not to expect miracles I finished 10 places down out of normal position at 29th of 46.. I would have expected to have been stronger as my training numbers are all “up”, and some social rides have reflected that. There were people 10 places above me whom I’ve been racing with last year.
Would welcome any words of wisdom, although perhaps writing it down has helped make a couple of things clear…
steve_b77Free MemberRational – I’m collectively fatigued, probably carrying a tummy bug had no rest leading up to the event and on top of that stronger riders compromised my result
Simply put, you’re sick / on the verge of sickness, don’t expect miracles or even normal levels of performance. Have a rest until you feel 100% again and then crack on, no point training when you’re not well it’ll only ruin you in the long term.
On another note I had a crack at XCO yesterday down at Cannock, as I’m not training specifically for XC, but for the 24hr Euro champs, my work hasn’t exactly been speed based (not that I’ve got any to begin with!!). So with the opportunity at hand, I rode 30k to my mates who then drove there, did a lap of one of the trails another 10k, did a warm up, raced Enthusiast (think Sport level) in a good standard field and rolled home 33rd out of 112, which is nice. We then drove back to my mates and I ride 30k back home again.
So 90k in the bag including a bit of racing, mushn’t grumble.
weeksyFull MemberEnthusiast (think Sport level) in a good standard field and rolled home 33rd out of 112, which is nice. We then drove back to my mates and I ride 30k back home again.
So 90k in the bag including a bit of racing, mushn’t grumble.
And some of us train what we think is hard and would finish 50 places further down LOL. That’s most impressive that !
rollindoughnutFree MemberKryton, you should also add to your post that you couldn’t get your heart rate anywhere near normal race levels. Normally I’d associate this with massive over-reaching but I know you’re following a sensible coaching plan so can only surmise that you were really unwell yesterday.
My advice is to bin that result as an anomaly and move on (after a couple of days off, please!)
weeksyFull MemberIsn’t it also the case that in really cold conditions getting the HR high is tougher ?
mrlebowskiFree MemberSounds like you overcooked it Kryters – pushed when you should have listened to your body. You were sick, tired & hadn’t slept..
I’ll bet you won’t make the same mistake again, though you’d be excused if you did….I know how hard it can be sometimes to attempt to push through..
I’d take a week off – do nothing, your season sounds long & it’d be a shame to come down with something so early on!
Kryton57Full MemberThanks chaps. Come to think about it I forgot that on Thursday I woke up with what I though were the beginnings of a cold – stuffy nose and headache. I do have a slightly swollen lumph node under my jaw today.
I hate below par performances, and as I’ve mentioned to Rollindonut before, I’m desperate to get to the right place in my training plan where it all comes together, as everything I do currently is mid plan/block and compromised. Its tough mentally, and as we all know this winter period is depressing also.
I’ve moved my plan back 2 days to start Wednesday and finish Saturday this week, I’ve 550 TSS to achieve before Saturday night. Sunday is my birthday with a lie-in steak and beer planned with Monday off as prelude to a rest week. I think two days rest now, 4 days on it and then a short break will be OK.
Next race is mid March, so as I start to freshen up for my April A race – the first Scott Marathon – so I’m hoping for a better performance.
ferralsFree MemberRealistically as well, focussing on marathon means your xco performance will surely suffer somewhat even if you are on form
Kryton57Full MemberSure maybe.
Brief analysis – race in December maxed at 174hr off the start then consistent 165-168 throughout. Yesterday, 154 of the start and 145-158 ragged throughout.
And as if I needed anymore convincing, my coach just emailed me as he noticed all of that plus my post race comments and feels I have an underlying illness, and to consider to take time off the bike exactly as mrlebowski last para if necessary. Well wh’dya know…
Thats that then, must move on!
ernieFull MemberWow, the race at Hadleigh was nails. I wasn’t gridded so started two rows from the back (in a massive vets field). Start fun went and I tried to calmly make progress towards the pointy end, no point **** up yours and someone else’ race being silly, and on the big long climb I thought I had made it to 2nd. I continued chasing (hr made above 160!) and bridged to Roger Fowkes who was storming. I kept getting delayed when passing tail enders, wasting energy making up the lost 10s here and there. I attacked a few times but the legs weren’t responding. Eventually Roger dropped me heading into the final lap, my legs blew, and to add insult turns out there was some dude off the front I didn’ know about! So, 3rd it was. It’s progress and on reflection I’m happy. My breathing difficulties seem under control which means I’m on the right medication, though every day closer to summer I get a little more nervous that my asthma will kick off again.
Anyways, plenty of people have it worse. When’s the next race?
Kryton57Full MemberThat was Matt Webber, Matts no slouch as you just found out. Congrats on the podium!
Next one is at Henham 18th March. https://www.mudsweatgears.co.uk/venues-eastern/.
I’ve never raced at Henham so would appreciate any feedback on the course from anyone?
weeksyFull MemberDue to conflicts with my lads Footie i’m really struggling to find anything that’s on a Saturday in the south of the country. It’s a bit of a shame for me, but at my level of ability i’m not sure extra racing make that much difference as it’s only the difference betwen 30th and 40th i’ll be battling for 🙂
Sitting here at work debating
“Do i need to train differently on Zwift than i am currently”
“how much would more riding at Swinley/outdoors actually help me instead”
“Should i use the Parkwood or look for a 2nd frame, it’s light enough isn’t it…..”
Kryton57Full MemberA) If you want to progress further Weeksy then yes. You need a proper periodised training plan but then your really into the seriousness of it all – do you really want that, or just happy to keep pretty fit?
B) Yes – FWIW my weekend rides are ALL specified as outdoors, You need specificity on the bike for XC and it will help train your muscle memory/core for XC riding – less fatigue more ability. As the clocks go back I’m like to replicate some of my sessions outdoors in the evenings as well.
C) See A above, I did read a stat that said a light more fancy bike is only about 2% of a factor. Rollindougnut is significantly faster than me on his coil sprung SLX Blue Pig with me on my race bike for instance. Better to train yourself first is what I’ve learned. Use the Parkwood until you’re at your peak and a 2% margin will make a significant difference.
weeksyFull Memberbut then your really into the seriousness of it all – do you really want that, or just happy to keep pretty fit?
Due to time constraints that’s not really what i want… Of course i do want to be better… but there’s a limit to the reality of that.
Yes – FWIW my weekend rides are ALL specified as outdoors, You need specificity on the bike for XC and it will help train your muscle memory/core for XC riding – less fatigue more ability. As the clocks go back I’m like to replicate some of my sessions outdoors in the evenings as well
A lot of my weekend stuff is with a mate, he’s a bit more steady, i will struggle to do super race replication stuff with him and i wouldnt ride often without him as hes a mate
See A above, I did read a stat that said a light more fancy bike is only about 2% of a factor. Rollindougnut is significantly faster than me on his coil sprung SLX Blue Pig with me on my race bike for instance. Better to train yourself first is what I’ve learned. Use the Parkwood until you’re at your peak and a 2% margin will make a significant difference.
Fair point. 2% wont make any difference to my results.
ernieFull MemberWhat Kryton says. After hell of a time with my health last June – December I started training again in the last week of December. This has been made up of 60-90min turbo sessions between 5-7 days/week. Focus has been 100% on rebuilding my aerobic ‘engine’. I haven’t touched anything anaerobic. There has been a large focus on sweetspot sessions plus longer periods just below http://FTP. I’m not sure what zwift does (never used it of bothered to investigate it); I write my plan first by populating the races I want to complete (fitting around work/family) and then build my training around that (periodization). The question is; does zwift give you this or would you be better getting a coach to give you a 10-12 week plan?
Do you train on the mtb? Yes, absolutely. In the past this has been a massive failing for me. As above, due to time constraints most of my training is on the turbo. As the kids get older I am able to hit swinley for post work or early weekend rides (up to 2 laps). I use these to my advantage; aim to hit technical sections at race pace (climbs, ascents and descents). It helps develop the mtb specific muscles and reactions. If I had my way I would ride/train on the mtb 100% of the time.
Does the bike matter? Nope (to a degree). A few years ago my sponsor couldn’t provide me my race bike until May. I couldn’t afford my own high level bike (or mid level tbh) and instead was racing my wifes 2004 Specialised Rockhopper (yes, my wife’s bike). End result was I got several top 5 placing in Gorricks and Southern xcs (elite). I think a lot of people fell off laughing at me. The only change had been my old race wheels (Hope Pro2 on Stans) and that is the one recommendation – upgrade the wheels.
Bit of a brain dump there. Let me know if you want some detail / example of a training week (email in profile).
Kryton57Full MemberUnfortunately Weeksy as I’ve found, you need to find the time, and to a degree at least drop your mates*. You need to train in your Zones and not have them hold you back and you need to put the time/effort in. It can be pretty lonely. If you don’t want that, carry on as usual.
*You can still make time for them, but you need to separate “training” from “riding”. I still ride with mates from time to time and its still useful for skills, mental relaxation/banter, or – and I mean this in the politest way – holding myself back to a pace.
weeksyFull MemberThe only change had been my old race wheels (Hope Pro2 on Stans) and that is the one recommendation – upgrade the wheels.
I’m slightly loath to do that on the 29er as i’ve recently just updated the 27.5’s to Pro4’s so updating the 29ers are not on the cards right now.
On that side of the discussion, the T-130SX is my other bike, which is upgraded with Pro4’s/Hopes and a cracking machine, i’m going to do some testing over the coming months at Swinley to see which of the 2 is quickest/best over the various terrains. They’re both coming in at a very similar weight, although i have just dropped 600gr off the Parkwood by sticking the new Fox’s in the front end.
I’m only planning on a couple of XC races this year as i said, due to my lads football stuff. But if i’m quicker on one bike or the other, then it makes sense to use it when i do.
john_lFree MemberAnyone racing the Gorrick this Sunday? Cracking course at Crowthorne 2 weeks ago, so looking forward to this one too.
Been doing all my riding outside on the SS the last couple of weeks, which has been a very welcome change!
windygFree MemberKryton, Henham is comparable to Thetford but with more climbing or Shouldham if you have been there. More natural terrain, just have to hope it is dry or it will be a greasy muddy nightmare.
rollindoughnutFree MemberI think time on the MTB is so important. When your front wheel washes out or you face a big chute like at Hadleigh on Sunday (I came 4th in your race Ernie), then you need to be able to rely on your inbuilt reactions to sort it out. Riding through the woods all winter on a mix of ice and mud, in the dark most of the time, gives you so many experiences to draw upon.
brassneckFull MemberThanks Adam – recognise the name from Wessex Facebook!
Will get along to something for sure, possibly one of the duathlons too.
crosshairFree MemberSilly thing is Weeksy, you are putting in good hours of consistent riding and often working very hard. What you don’t do though is put the final polish on to replicate the demands of XC.
If you could find a way to turn two of your sessions per week into fun training sessions where you worked on your 30sec – 2min Power either through structured workouts or by using Zwift or real life hills to do Hill repeats, it would make such a difference.
If out with Crust, try and ride every little hill twice to his once. If he beats you to the top before your second rep then he gets to crack on and make you work harder to catch up etc etc
ferralsFree MemberI have learnt to my cost that turboing may make you very fit in a virtual world, but without technical ability you’re never going to get anywhere, every b-line ridden is another 30 yards off the back of a group.
Also more likely to pcik up niggling injuries without all the activation of core and supporting little muscles in legs that comes from xc riding
weeksyFull MemberIf out with Crust, try and ride every little hill twice to his once. If he beats you to the top before your second rep then he gets to crack on and make you work harder to catch up etc etc
I’d feel bad doing that in honesty… often being there next to him is part of the appeal for both of us… I’m aware it’s detrimental, but there’s no real alternative that would keep us both happy as mates
If you could find a way to turn two of your sessions per week into fun training sessions where you worked on your 30sec – 2min Power either through structured workouts or by using Zwift or real life hills to do Hill repeats, it would make such a difference.
I struggle with motivation for stuff like this as you’ve seen over the years… Again, i’m aware it’s having a negative impact on results.
I have learnt to my cost that turboing may make you very fit in a virtual world, but without technical ability you’re never going to get anywhere, every b-line ridden is another 30 yards off the back of a group.
Also more likely to pcik up niggling injuries without all the activation of core and supporting little muscles in legs that comes from xc riding
Due to picking my lad up from school and usually turboing after that while he’s doing flute and x-box stuff, jumping out in the real world isn’t as easy as i’d often like. It will change in summer a bit as it will be lighter…. But it’s certainly something i need to work on more, getting out in the real world. There’s very little locally though to push myself on in a tech context. Swinley is the closest, but is still 45 mins each way driving.
ferralsFree MemberDue to picking my lad up from school and usually turboing after that while he’s doing flute and x-box stuff, jumping out in the real world isn’t as easy as i’d often like
I know that feeling, my week day time is currently pre 7am and post 7pm, neither of which is viable for outside riding, and not ideal for turboing unless I’m feelin very motivated!
Kryton57Full MemberI know that feeling, my week day time is currently pre 7am and post 7pm
With the exception of a few lunchtimes, welcome to my winter! But when warmer weather comes dawn rides are pretty cool, and as for evening rides who wants to watch trash TV after the kids are in bed anyway?
Also Weeksy, competitive cycling / training is selfish by nature. You can still ride with your mate but if you want to move onward have a chat with him and just explain you need a bit more from a ride – or do another one without him, Swinley laps with, harder Swinley lap when he goes home!
crosshairFree MemberI can’t imagine he enjoys you riding alongside him up the hills chatting away to him casually whilst he’s seeing stars and struggling to breath anyway 🤣🤣
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