Thanks julzm. Is it bad form to wait until it is safe to pull over out of the way assuming the guy behind you won’t be a front runner anyway?

In the mortals group, are riders likely to get bunched together? Do you start at intervals or one straight after the other?

Magic Mary’s on (Front and rear!) but not expecting them to perform miracles!

Update if anyone is interested. Haven’t fallen off or got stuck since that first ride so after 23 years of SPD use it hasn’t taken long to tune into the Mallet system and IMHO it’s much better. Can also ride with flat shoes very easily which was almost impossible with the SPD pedals.

Got the 2FO Lites in the end and love em! Much much lighter than my old AM45s and whilst nice and stuff, they’re still good to walk in. The cleat sits nice and far back too which is better and they interface very well with my Mallet-E pedals.

The double BOA setup is ideal – don’t see how a single one would be very good.

S5 is 8 minutes 30. That’s what it took me in the 2014 EWS, fastest time was 4:48, slowest 20:19, average 7:50

Good Lord – those pros are just on another level!

Just been YouTubing some of the tracks – Flat White looks awesome fun!! My fitness is as good as it’s ever been but is more focused towards going hard for 2 hours rather than 6…..

Now where did I put that hidden motor….

That’s great BoardinBob – perfect insider info! Think we’ll focus our practice efforts on stages 5 and 6.

is it a big climb to get to those sections?

This is my first time at Tweedlove and first time racing Enduro! Starting to get a little nervous, especially looking at the weather. Fitness is as good as it’s ever been but am more concerned about the steep bits!

How steep are they compared with say the black run at Aston Hill if anyone has done both?

We were planning to drive up Friday morning (6 hours or so) but that means we can’t register until the evening so couldn’t practice until Saturday morning, so I think we’ll now travel up Thursday afternoon so we can practice the tougher sections on Friday.

Is it stages 5 and 6 that we should be looking to focus on? Any other trails which could catch us out?

Am I correct in thinking a full face is the sensible option..?

Hob Nob – Member
That really sucks. I met him in Whistler, a really genuine nice guy. Riding the lift he chatted away, just about life & bikes, got to the top & did the usual of grabbing my bike and riding off & he catches up, next question “hey man, wanna do some laps?” Hell yes!
I got repeatedly smoked, but it was great fun.

That’s a great story.

Remember his part of Seasons more than any other – his poor mum.

RIP Stevie

Yes it was! Thanks – not had anything through yet though?

Yes please!

Love these! Get a Seasucker bike rack and the jobs a good un!

I’ve been training on a Wattbike at the gym for about 6 months – they hold classes on them a few times a week so I try to go at least once a week, often with a spin class in between and then my big MTB ride at the weekend. What I like about the Wattbike is that you can easily measure your progress. I usually try and do the 3 minute MMP, 20 minute and 2 x 8 minute tests every 6 weeks or so and am seeing decent progress of roughly 25% increase in power in the last 6 months. In between the tests I usually just do interval training and mix it up to keep it interesting,

Last week was a 10 minute warmup, and then 3 minutes at Zone 5 power then 3 minutes at Zone 2, repeated 5 times with a view to keep the power at the upper end of the zones at all times which I just about managed.

Previous week was a 10 minute warmup and then 10 seconds absolute max power, then 50 second recover repeated 5 times. The aim being to keep the max power as constant as possible. Mine went from 1150 to 950, to 750 then 480 and I could hardly do the last one which was sub 400. Couldn’t get off the bike for 10 minutes afterwards!

Only discovered the app this week so will start using that – have been taking photos of the screen at the end and am slightly annoyed the trainer hasn’t pointed out I could just sync my phone..

Why the hate for the Hans Dampf? I’ve never had an issue with them and found them a pretty good do it all tyre?

I’m aiming for top 200 so every little helps!!

More importantly, it might help me beat my mates, which we know is the most important thing..

Cheers guys. I’ll take a few options with me. I could be a crazy and go with a Magic Mary/DHR2 combo as have both of those already….

Can I mix brands and still be #FullEnduro?!

Unsure where you are based, but we have one with a net which is being upgraded soon as it’s a bit small for my tribe and you’re more than welcome to have it FOC. Based in south bucks – Think it’s 10″ wide with an 8″ jumping area within the net.

Thanks for that. Hans Dampf on offer at CRC so will get one ordered.

Cheers

mikewsmith – Member

Got the cleats in the fast release way round? Mine come out as predicted same spot every time, tried the bigger angle and it didn’t feel as good.

Yes, I double checked that. They come out fine, but the twist is further than is needed with SPDs, and the increased show/platform/pins contact means the twist is firmer too.

Will be fine with a few more rides under my belt I am sure.

I have been riding SPDs for 23 years or so, Trail ones since they were launched and have never found them to be any good with any shoes if you want some sort oif platform feel. AM45s with XTR trails and there’s zero contact and zero grip when unclipped.

Switched the Mallet Es this weekend and can confirm that there is masses more shoe/pedal contact and they feel much more solid when clipped or not.

However, I can also confirm that they need a much bigger twist to unclip as my falling on my side three times this weekend when going up some very steep, very muddy climbs will attest! Literally have never NOT got unclipped before (started with SPDs at 15 so they are totally second nature) but the Mallets caught me out.. Will stick with them though as the improved feel was much nicer.

Update for anyone interested. Got a 32T oval from Works and got round to fitting it last week. TBH, I can’t tell it’s there which is a good thing I guess. Felt ‘different’ initially but within 5 minutes it felt perfectly normal. Can’t say it felt any more efficient but my old one was worn so happy with the purchase.

I’d also forgotten how smooth and quiet a new chain feels – lovely!!

One comment on the Works is that it needed a few taps to get onto my XX1 cranks – almost as if the machining was ever so slightly out. The SRAM spider dropped off as I loosened the bolts but this certainly wouldn’t. Unsure if that’s good or bad but thought it worth mentioning.

My wife’s got a Ramin One and loves it. Great bikes.

Do Trek still make the Soho? I’ve got two and they’re fantastic.

Tried some on today in Evans – they didn’t have my size in the Lite but they were super light and the regular 2FO was very comfy so I think I’ll bite the bullet and order some.

Sir HC – Member
http://forums.mtbr.com/apparel-protection/specialized-2fo-cliplite-vs-5-10-kestrel-review-986581.html

Interesting read and I did think that the single BOA would restrict adjustability somewhat.

Thanks

Thanks for all the feedback. Not too keen on the look of the Kestrels but will make an effort to try them all on and make a decision based on what fits the best.

Cheers

Bump

Mud guards do seem to fit on the GT Grade

https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/152013311921

I like the look of the GT Grade.

kimbers – Member
check out qecp, dont think day/night is sold out yet?

WES next weekend at CYB, while not local!, is a good challenging 1 day race, definitely recomended

QECP is the weekend before Tweedlove so possibly risky and I probably won’t get a pass she who must be obeyed for two weekends away back to back!

Sadly am already away with the family for the next weekends so can’t do the CYB or Afan events – what is it they say about poor planning…?!?!

Will be able to get a ride in this Sunday so will make it a super early start and up the length to 4-5 hours and try to make that a regular one.

Thanks for all the input. Might treat myself to a Garmin so I can track my efforts more accurately!

weeksy – Member
Have they got a Ferrari California? Most Aston like of all the ‘raris and aimed very much at the GT market rather than supercar.
They have the California yes, this would also give the abilty for me and our 8 year old to go out. I was thinking of the Mountain tour or the Panoramic tour which is an hour or so driving tour.

No real point in doing it on track as we’ve been there and done loads of trackdays so not sure she’d get anything out of the track side of things in honesty.

Your 8 year old might get in the back but unsure you would for an hour anyway! If she hasn’t driven any/many sports/super cars then the Cali will steel feel pretty special and in Italy I’d far rather drive on their mountain roads than on track. That is very much on my bucket list.

I suspect the Aston is more about the way it looks and the 007 connotations as although they are very pretty, they’re not all that to drive bar the noise the make, when compared with Italys finest at least.

Aston most ‘normal’ to drive (along with Maserati). 458 can be a little hyper but has a full auto mode and is happy pottering around. Dash ergonomics and steering wheel mounted indicators etc can take some getting used to which may be tough in an hour. Lambo is hardcore and would be quite intimidating I think with poor visibility etc.

Have they got a Ferrari California? Most Aston like of all the ‘raris and aimed very much at the GT market rather than supercar.

All bar the Speciale may feel tame after an R1 though!!

Eek – maybe I should’ve kept pottering along in my blissfully ignorant world!! Am nervous now….

Thanks for all the input – will certainly make an effort to get a longer ride in on Sundays – happy to start super early and make the most of the increasing daylight.

Upper body and core is fine and technical, steep climbs have never been an issue. Have done several weeks in the Alps and Portugal over the years where we’ve spent 7 hours+ in the saddle each day and legs have always failed before my hands. Time is my biggest enemy so I just need to use it wisely.

Unsure finding bigger hills is going to be easy living near that there London but I can certainly try and get an uplift day in at BPW or similar before the event.

I was hoping to do some local Enduro races but the one I had my eye on has just been cancelled so I’m on the hunt for another! Does anyone know of any happening in the next month?

Thanks again

Great Tapas bar that all the locals go to but amongst the best I have tasted – http://www.carlesabellan.com/mis-restaurantes/tapas-24/

Facebook has it up

https://www.facebook.com/Enduro-1-X-Fusion-Southern-UK-Gravity-All-Mountain-Race-Series-295989153757987/?fref=ts

Bugger! Never mind – have signed up for the newsletter so will see if I can get into the next one.

Any idea when and where that might be? Was hoping to get a local race in before I toodle off up to Peebles to do the Tweedlove international…

perchypanther – Member
If you manage to get a place, be sure to dress “sharp” this Enduro Season.

Oh I always look sharp, worry ye not!

I’ll be there with my 10 year old daughter who’s entering her first race. My 8 year old was going to too but has been asked to play in a rugby tournament and has chosen that. I was half tempted but had a big morning at Aston Hill today and feel pretty knackered. I’ll be on the yellow Bronson wearing baggies if you want to say hello!

My own company opened it’s doors 6 years ago today. Not the oldest, but I’m possibly the proudest!

thebees – Member
Thanks for all the replies. From my experience of 10k running I’m expecting the pacing to be the hardest bit to get right !

I had no idea about pacing at all – just set off at a comfortable rate and found myself in a pack that I could keep up with on the flat bits but get away from on the technical bits so just picked my way through slowly. Hardest part was being on my own (leading!) for half of the last lap and not knowing what pace to go at. The guy who beat me was fitter and faster so reeled me in on the slog sections when I found it hard to keep my pace up.

Good fun though but I’ll be sure to enter a longer category next time and hopefully pick up some racecraft being in the midst of it all.

Suspect Enduro racing will be a whole different ball game though!