I’ll be there in Albstadt this weekend…if I can get anywhere near the pits, I’ll definitely stick my nose in and wish him good luck 😀

Beastway starts tonight at Redbridge Cycling Circuit

http://www.beastwaymtb.com

As I say….I use M980 double with a Wolf Tooth (or Absolute Black) ring. No spacers etc and it works perfectly.

I can use the caps with the Wolf Tooth but not the Absolute Black as they don’t quite fit because of the cut outs in the A.B. one

http://www.ukxcnews.com/race-bike-focus-ktm-impsport-team-bike-garry-hurst/

Some pics of my set up here

Its the same as 96BCD, only different HAHA

I have M980 TRAIL double cranks on my 1 x 11 set up.

You have to make sure its the M980 and not the M985 though. Nick is absolutely right in the the M985 has a 96BCD but the M980 Trail double has 104BCD

I use mine with a 104BCD Wolf Tooth ring (without caps)

Well I thought the course was fantastic. Yes there was a lot of climbing but I don’t think any of it was mega steep (maybe the grassy bit that went back to the feedzone).

The technical sections were arranged perfectly for the wide range of abilities I thought. Taking the first bit out of Deanes Drop worked brilliantly, as did bypassing Triple Trouble and the Gap Jump on the first lap.

For me, the hardest part of the whole course was the off camber section at the exit of the B line at Triple Trouble. It was really hard to stop the bike from sliding down into the nettles. I feel for the guy in the first race of the day that ended up laying in the nettles for a good couple of minutes 🙂

So what are the technical features like in comparison to another technical XC course. Say compared to this years Newnham Park course?

Ok so heres what I do…

On Sunday at the Southern XC, I did a practice lap of the course at about 1130 (race start time at 1400) and then began my warm up on the rollers at 1315.

My tyres were caked in mud but they were perfectly fine on my rollers. The only thing was the mud flicking off they tyres.

I do a 20min warm up which consists of

10mins building progressively from HR zone 1 to HR zone 3
1min in HR zone 4
3 mins easy spinning (usually at zone 2.5ish) and then the last 6seconds a max sprint and repeat 3 times

I’ve tried doing it on a turbo with a turbo wheel but having to change the wheel that close to a race start time just causes more stress in my opinion so rollers it is for me

Gazhurst, how are you finding the road ones in use off road? Quite fancy a pair but unenthusiastic about the blue prizm trail model, the road ones are far nicer.

I haven’t really thought about them in that way I guess, they have been crystal clear and definitely make everything sharper, even in low light.

I’m sure it won’t be long before they release seperate lenses but I’m not sure how much of difference the trail versions will make. If it was such a big thing, surely any of the big XC names (pretty much all of the Oakley sponsored riders at the Sea Otter were wearing the road versions) would use them???

The thing I’m waiting for are the clear lenses so I can wear them all the time

With regards the outlay…they were considerably cheaper then my Radars AND my Jawbones and are twice the product in my opinion

Well the glasses themselves are incredibly comfortable (loads of adjustment to get a perfect fit). They haven’t moved or slipped off my face, even while sweating heavily. The lenses are clear and sharp. Great venting in the lenses means they don’t steam up. Liquid just runs off them (I even managed to squirt a bit of gel onto the lense and it just ran off without leaving a mark). I crashed in them and certainly hit them but there are no marks at all….need I go on?

I’ve just had a pair of the new Oakley Jawbreakers with the Road Prizm lense. I can honestly say that they are by far the best glasses i’ve used. I previously had Radars, Jawbones and Adidas Evil Eye Halfrim Pro 2 and the Jawbreakers blow all of these out of the water.

I’ve used them in 2 very conditions so far, at the grey, overcast and windy Scott Marathon 2 weeks ago and then at the hot, dusty and sunny National XC series in Plymouth the weekend gone.

They were perfect at both

I do want to try the Trail lenses though

I’m soooo glad I raced on Saturday, It’s going to take me ages to wipe my bike off with a baby wipe 🙂

Thanks for the shouts Nick, it was just what I needed and was very welcome…does the video look good?

Re the poor lad…I personally thought the Marshals, Medics and Commisaires did an absolutely amazing job. From where I was stood in the feedzone, the response looked awe inspiring. I spoke to the Marshal that was first on scene in the Cafe after the race but he was under strict instructions not to discuss the lads condition. However, he did tell me that he was still unconcious was was breathing unaided when they loaded him into the Air Ambulance. I have since heard various rumours of very different things but one thing is for sure, my thought and prayers are with him, his family, friends and team. And not forgetting those young Marshals that had to deal with it!!!!

Get well soon young man!!!

I would imagine it’ll use much of the same bits, just in a different order. Gorrick will probably throw some slightly new bits in too but yeah, I’d say it will be mostly the same

I was up there yesterday. While I didn’t find much of the course, I did find some of it and it was pretty dry considering.

I came across the guys digging a new feature and test rode it for them then went and followed that section of trail up to and including said feature. There wasn’t any standing water at all on that bit! It seems the fireroads are the worst affected bits. That said, as I left to carry on riding, the guys were walking along the fireroads blowing them.

I think X-kings (or similar) would be fine. I was on Mountain Kings yesterday

I have had a 1 x 10 set up on my 27.5 hardtail race bike for some time now. I was running a 32t with 11-36 and I never had a problem in areas like the Surrey Hills or Afan etc. I might have had to hike a bike a few times during a race but I’d put that down to traction issues and fatigue rather than the gearing.

That said, I changed to a 34t up front last week in anticipation of fitting my new XTR 11 speed and went to Brechfa. I was still using the 11-36 at the time and I really really struggled. If I was to carry on using 1 x 10 then for somewhere like Brechfa i’d be running a 32t max (probably give serious thought to a 30t).

If you need one, I’m pretty sure I have an I-Spec 1 XT M785 rear (right hand) brake lever spare.

I bought an I-Spec B one because I had to get new shifters so replaced the brake lever

Yep…indeed I’m in 🙂

Kiwi – sheesh! That’d be a Taswegian accent!

Bloody POMs

My bad….it was the conversation about living in Sydney that confused me

Matt – I went for the odd Waz!!!

I remember it like this

Me
Ngee
Bloke with the big tyre
Bloke on the green bike
The Aussie guy
Him with the camera
That guy that said it was perfectly rideable
The Welsh fella
And the other one

Indeed I was on the KTM

Caz was on the YT Capra

Well I thoroughly enjoyed that thanks chaps…shame we didn’t start earlier so we could ride longer.

My highlights have to be the squealing and screeching on Yogurt Pots. I assume the Fat Bike was fun 🙂 and almost having a 5inch tyre ride over my face…thank god I saved it haha

That be good! I’ll feel (marginally) less like a sex pest

Can someone email me the details please…gdhurst2001@yahoo.co.uk

I’m very very tempted by this….

I could offer njee a bit of support and join him in the lycra brigade 🙂

Lou punctured on that little gully section where you went in and out of the small bombholes alongside what was the camping field at TORQ. In the TORQ race it was where you turned up the fireroad before the mattress climb.

I didn’t see what caused it but it looked and sounded pretty terminal

It was a pleasure by the way

Jason – it just seemed a shame to have her get so close to the end of the lap and have to DNF while leading. It’s a shame it is such a heavy bike with gearing that didn’t suit her.

I have ridden with the Kingston Wheelers for a number of years now. In the majority, they are a fantastic bunch with a huge membership base.
They have massive club rides every Sunday with pretty much every pace catered for and they very often have rides going out during the week too.

That said however, in my experience, they are very heavily focused on road and TT. During the winter they do have a fair few members that do CX but for a ‘cycling’ club, MTB is very much the runt of the litter.

lazybones – I replied to your post this morning. I’m at work at the moment and don’t have access to my personal emails. I will email you when I get home later

Tried to ride Skyline about 2 weeks ago. As has already been mentioned, it seems to use most of Blade and the bits that split off have been a bit neglected. There is a trail closure at the end of ‘On the Edge’ and the diversion signs aren’t very good. We ended up riding Blade plus the odd section that didn’t make the extra mileage worth it (if that makes sense)

I’d recommend W2 or Y Wal plus an extra lap of Blade or Penhydd etc for added length

Amazing news…. I’ve just gone 27.5 and all I have is Race Kings

Cough – http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/ktm-myroon-ktm-race-action-frame-reba-29er-crest-29ers-on-hope-pro-2-evo – cough

I’m sure we could build one of these frames up to suit your budget

Would you be interested in a used build?

I have just gone 27.5 and now have 2 KTM 29ers sat surplus. Both size 17″

KTM Myroon Comp Carbon frame hardtail or KTM Race Action Alloy frame hardtail.

I also have a variety of components in great condition that would build up a great bike

Gaz

Why not give the Revelator a try in your next race? You might be pleasantly suprised

Gaz
KTM MTB Racing (I’m not biased in any way, shape or form :roll:)

Even 310w is a pretty impressive FTP in my opinion

I did a custom workout last night where I basically put one of the workouts from ‘Training and Racing with a Power Meter’ into Trainerroad. 15min WU at 175w then 10min @ 98% FTP (265w), 10min @175w, 20min @ 105% FTP (282w). After that it was straight into 10 x 20sec at >135% FTP with 2min rest intervals. 10min Cool down

It was doable but I was a bit moist afterwards

310w to 418w? Wow…thats some jump and thats a pretty hugh FTP anyway.

Looking at your workout (although I’m no expert)…a IF of 0.83 and a TSS of 63 for a 1 hour FTP test seems pretty low. I’d suggest either a problem with your settings or you should be a pretty handy Elite/Cat1 racer

Im not sure….I hadn’t really thought about it until now. I don’t even know what they are going for

I have an almost unused On-One Scandal 14″ that I could be tempted to split up

If it takes your fancy (and you’re thinking about 2nd hand) then I’m going to be selling my KTM Myroon Comp 2013. It’s currently my race bike but I’m going 27.5 so my 29ers will be going.

It’s currently with Crests on Hope Pro 2 Evos with FOX Forks (but I’ll be keeping them so the Rebas will be going back on). Full XT kit (currently 1×10 but all 2×10 bits there) and Ritchey WCS bars and stem with KCNC Scandium seatpost and Selle Italia SLR XC Saddle

I am also thinking about putting the bike back to standard with the very very lightly used original parts

Its a 17″

I’m thinking £1000 in standard format

Have a look at http://www.anthonypeasephotography.co.uk/

Anthony did the shots for our team (look at the KTM MTB Racing bit)

I’ve never ridden at Codham Park so couldn’t give you any pointers for where to go

Now,

Who wants to sponsor us with some white helmets??? 😛