The Gravity Enduro format doesn’t appeal to me tbh. I have had a lot of encouragement from people I ride with to have a go but I just don’t really fancy it. I like the comfort of the big bike, and the one area I am better is the jumpy stuff rather than the techy rooty stuff. I like the ‘acuteness’ of the DH format. It has to be right, it has to come together perfectly….but then this is also the reason I hate it.

I am planning to do a 24 hr solo next year, but that will be for fun. I guess the pressure is less for me mentally. All I have to do is pootle round as long as I can and it’s a personal endurance challenge rather than a mental challenge. I’m struggling to explain the difference, but there is one. I guess maybe because I don’t feel any pressure to perform on a 24 hr solo…..just doing it and getting round will be such a massive achievement for someone like me who is not naturally fit. I wouldn’t expect to place anywhere.

No I haven’t crashed when I have been having moments of poor judgement whilst in practice. (Well, once, but I kind of knew before I hit it I was probably going to case it, I just wanted to see by how much :p ). I did get told at my last race practice (which I got a DNS) I was either going to break myself or the bike though after a bit of a heavy landing. It wasn’t out of control, just untidy.

The question is – does racing REALLY require someone to race right on their limits, or can people be happy knowing that they raced to the best of their ability within their own comfort zone? Also, would I ever be happy doing that (the answer is no, I know this already, I’m just in denial). I guess racing makes me realise my own technical ability isn’t anywhere near as good as I want it to be….but the stupid thing is, no matter how much I improve, I’m still not as good as I would like.

olddog – I totally agree with that.

In the end, I also thought seeing a head doc was probably taking things a bit too seriously

Interesting. I guess a lot of people will feel the same when I tell them I am taking this route, but no-one ever seems bothered about the fact I have bikes that are way more capable than I am. Skills 1:1 training/coaching is also becoming ‘the norm’ for a lot of people…..and yet the ‘head doctor’ seems to still be a step too far. Even though, for most, it is probably the biggest bearing of all on their success. Much more so than either the equipment or their innate technical ability.

Is Malvern too far North for you? Pretty all weather up here. :)

Thanks for the linky Jimmy – will look into it :)

It’s fine, I don’t mind answering :)

It’s not ‘the fear’….I have totally dealt with that and am happy to know when I can and can’t push my limits (thanks to Jedi at UK bike skills, of course!) Although it can be infinitely frustrating to sometimes have to walk away, I know I can always come back to stuff when I am ready for it and know that tends to happen a lot quicker than it used to. On the whole I ride bigger stuff than I ever thought possible and am happy on the bike, even though I am never going to be a genetically gifted ‘natural’ rider.

It’s directly a ‘racing’ issue. Very complicated and I could be here all day trying to explain it and getting nowhere, which is why I want the sports psychologist. Essentially, I want to race DH more than anything, but I hate it when I do it. So I tell myself (and everyone else) I’m never going to race again. But then I wake up every weekend cursing that I was too weak to overcome it and deal with the nerves/fear of failure. Marshalling was torture…I thought it may have been good as it would get me involved so I could enjoy the atmosphere without the pressure, but it just rubbed salt in the wounds. I’m never going to be a pro/elite, but I can hold my own in an amateur field and my results have been reasonable even though I can’t ride anywhere near as well in a race as when I’m just chilling with the guys. Also, part of the problem was that racing was making me take much bigger technical risks on days when I may have walked away just to get that bit of extra time….so hitting a road gap with a dodgy run in on a slippy wet day rather than saying ‘stuff it, chicken line for today’ and I think I scared myself when I realised I maybe couldn’t trust my own judgement any more.

mike-at-dialledbikes – Member

If you’re anywhere near Derbyshire, there’s a chap called Dave Doig. He’s dabbled in DH, 4X and BMX racing, and helped a few people I know overcome “the fear” to race again after bad crashes.

Thanks Mike. Is this the guy?

http://www.lifedevelopments.co.uk/

I am member of MCS, but have asked around and not got anywhere yet. I imagine if there are any, they have gone into hiding at the thought of having to deal with me :lol:

Thanks olddog.

I know it wont be cheap, but if it helps, then it’ll be worth it. :)

Will look into the uni options. A book isn’t going to do it, I really need someone to talk through the issues with.

So, Missy arrived today and is just the cure I need for the post-Alps-blues :D

Yes riding a ht definitely makes me a better rider. If I spend too long on a fs then I get lazy and stop using my legs and picking lines. The ht has taught me how to use my natural pump to jump rather than relying on the suspension rebound. When I get back on the fs after riding the ht I find I flow better and pop over trail obstacles more rather than being lazy.

Were out at the moment and so far (4 days) in we’re loving the:

Black off mont chery
Supermorzine river run
Fluid and people at chatel

Les gets, although often criticised, is good fun…..all the berms start to feel a little repetitive but on the whole the jumps etc are well made and good for all levels. Seems to make everyone feel like a riding god! Good place to warm up for the rest.

Lots to come yet though….

“you don’t always know when someone’s the right one, but you do always know when they aren’t”

Any other recommendations out there?

We are booking tonight and were thinking of going with dog tag.

Anyone had a bad experience with them?

FoD (if we can actually get there).

With spikes on, that’s for sure.

Thanks for this PSA! Just managed to program the skymachine :D

Old guys, and gals, with tattoos look amazing when they are not ashamed of them and wear them as happily as the day they had them done.

I’ve always loved tattoos, even when I was a little girl. I don’t regret ANY of mine, even the early ones. They were all done for a reason and I have learnt something about myself every time I go under the needle. I was warned by a tattooist about 15 years ago that:

….there is a line where you move from ‘having a tattoo’ to ‘being tattooed’ and, particularly for women, this makes you public property and people feel they have the right to judge you/grab you/challenge you on your decisions……

This has, thankfully, lessened as tattoos have increased in popularity meaning that people don’t have as much fear about going under the needle. I know a lot of people dislike the rise in popularity of tattoos, but for me I see it as having improved the freedom for people to choose without excessive societal pressure.

If someone wants (and has thought deeply about having) ‘a generic piece of flash off the wall’ or ‘something with blah blah blah meaning’ then they should have it. It’s their decision, no-one else’s.

Or it could be global warming. I think the weather control machine is more seductive though. It means I can still drive my SUV.

Yup, if there is a conspiracy, the oil companies/car companies/corrupt governments making people believe there is a ‘weather machine’ is quite likely to be it.

Good luck and if you need any help and all that… And enjoy the new bike when it arrives, though you’ll wanna chop it in for a lightweight XC race machine soon enough!

Thanks mboy :D

Ha! I won’t want to change it….I just NEED the light bike as well ;)

Make sure it is properly diagnosed.

I have a friend who was told CT and as it turned out it was something else completely (MS)

Can I have a Friday tradition of not posting Kylie and instead posting Drake?

Purely for harmless end of week fun of course.

Ta

If you like spending time with the family, then family break

If not, then go with the boXXers

Thanks all.

I guess I did the Bristol BF 12 hour off the back of having never ridden more than 30 miles in a day (mostly much less) and having no idea what to expect (it was my first ever race, nevermind solo) and churned out 86 miles so maybe I’m worrying too much. However, that was a long time ago (2008), I was fitter, younger and worked much less (50-60 hr weeks and very irregular hours are all too common now). Maybe the ‘not knowing what to expect’ thing was also a bonus….I just know that the 24 hour is going to be more than the ‘next stage’, it’s going to be waaaaay harder due to the lack of sleep.

As recommended by crazy-legs, I think I’m going to draw up an outline plan for the year with goals on the way rather than just “24hr solo next year”. Enjoying the journey will be the critical aspect, so getting in some big epics will be part of those goals.

I will definitely look again at the coaching options out there. Thanks for the links.

Oh, and today I am finally putting a trail bike on order at the LBS to help get me through all those miles ;)

Thanks all. Maybe I should reconsider the coach option. Seems a bit overkill when I am not, and never gonna be, a top level racer though.

Guess it comes down to what price will I pay to reach my own personal goals.

Then again, maybe part of that goal is to see if I can manage the 24 hr solo thing with the resources I have.

Lavajava is the ultimate.

In all serious, it has totally changed my coffee habit. I make home-made soya-lattes with it but it’s as good black as it is white.

I’m surprisingly good at getting out and riding even when I don’t want to. I think my biggest challenge will be being organised enough with life, work, food, etc to make the best use of the time.

I may also have to reduce my internet use significantly, but that is probably a very good idea anyway.

Wowzers, still so much useful advice coming. Thanks all, I really appreciate it. Especially as I seem to have come down with a stinking cold for the first time in ages so can do little other than plan for my next round of training.

It’s pretty clear that training the mental aspect is as important as the physical. I’m kind of excited about the prospect of becoming properly endurance fit again (well, in relative terms for me, obviously!) but also know that, although I would probably be better following a specific plan and being structured with my training, it’s unlikely to happen. I’m probably best off working with what I have and making the most of the time available by getting in more non-stop riding (most of my rides are stop, start, take photo, fly down, push up, pedal a bit, chat a bit kind of affairs) and working out ways of gradually increasing the time on the bike.

I may look at doing some other events as a warm up, maybe another 12 hour or something, but may also just go with planning some big epic rides (and maybe even bivvys) which is something I have been missing out on for the last few years.

The goal will definitely be to keep going for the 24 hours…albeit very very slowly.

I don’t think I’d ever keep up with the machine-that-is-Dragos though…not even if you filled his tyres with sand and made him ride with his brakes on :lol:

I did, although he seems to be in the lead atm. Although his bikes can NEVER beat mine for bling.

And I’m just about to spend a small fortune on a new one.

So then I WIN AGAIN !! :D

It’s been awesome seeing Hill come back to form. Sure, he may not be bothering the likes of Gwin atm, but it’s such a pleasure to watch him ride.

Malvern in summary:

Good:
Technical XC at it’s best, if you know where to look
Awesome views
Proper soul riding
Has ‘something’ about it
The riders are lovely, there is always a good deal about and the clubs (MCS and velosevale) have become much more welcoming of late.

Bad:
Weekends are very busy, especially at the North End of the hills where the majority of legal riding is.

There is a a good deal of hatred for mountain bikers from a small minority of locals/walkers who leave branches across trails, refuse to move/block trails rather than let MTBkers past and feel free to comment on ‘ugly bikes and how Elgar would be turning in his grave’

The conservators are a bunch of over-powered_______ who’d rather see us ride along (and chew up) unsurfaced bridleways than let us use gravelled hardpack on the area by Gullet Quarry

Definitely clarify the diagnosis. Asbestosis and mesothelioma are very different and true asbestosis is rare to occur nowadays.

The HSE website is a brilliant source of information to help understand the basics.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/dangerous.htm

DO NOT accept settlement payment of any sort until you have received all the legal advice possible and you know the ins- and outs- of all options.

inigomontoya – Member

Have you considered talking to Brian? I’m sure he could work with your time constraints to come up with a training plan. Glad you enjoyed your laps so much Jo, or was it the jump of doom?

Laps? Try lap haha! I was just a stand-in and had the luxury of pootling home to sleep in comfort to come back and find I wasn’t really needed on the Sunday. I did enjoy it immensely though, it was great to see so much support for the riders, despite the fact that the arena was dead quiet. I think the mud helped, it was soooooo much fun sliding around in that on the descents, and it didn’t take long to realise killing myself on the climbs was a bit pointless when I was having to stop so often to strip the mud off the tyres anyway.

I hadn’t thought about talking to anyone from the club tbh, they all have more important proper racers to support!

jimmers – Member

One last tip from me…

Rice pudding! Record number of tins consumed = 16 at Mayhem 2008

I went for Alpro custard when I totally bonked at Bristol. It was amazing stuff…..changed me from the ‘I-can-do-nothing-but-think-of-food-and-cry’ point to knocking out another lap and coming in with just two minutes to spare (all laps had to be within the 12 hrs back then). It was so close….I’d have never managed it without the custard :lol:

Agree about the bike handling. Can always work on that. I can hold my own if there is gradient to help and I remember to concentrate. Technical pedalling XC I am not so good at.

mboy, I don’t really ride that much tbh and it is pretty much all casual unstructured riding. I’d love a training partner, although I’m not sure it’s something that would work out on a practical basis as my job is so unpredictable. I struggle enough to make sure work doesn’t over-run on the one day a week I organise anything (Ladies MCS Ride Thursdays) so to be able to commit to anything else would be difficult.

Guess I need to dig the Garmin back out then.

I am not good at pacing myself, that’s for sure. I think it comes from riding with guys most of the time….I have to be about to blow a gasket just to keep up, so I end up working close to my max on most rides rather than just taking it easy.

I wish I could afford+justify a coach, but, lets be honest here, I’m just a ‘weekend warrior’ out to prove a point to myself and have a good time being abused by hecklers, not to podium or become adept at endurance racing in the long term.

Bit more to go wrong if you fall asleep at the helm than just crash into a muddy woodland though………..I’d be quite concerned about the road safety aspect of riding whilst sleep deprived.

Blimy, so much useful advice :D

I’m not so worried about the actual race day….I’d not do it if I couldn’t have a decent support crew, tent, 10 changes of clothes, spare bikes/components, suitable tyres, loads of food etc. It’s more about the actual training commitment required before and, if I decide to do it, exactly what would be the best use of the time.

I think IanMunro has probably made the point that’s hit closest to home. I need to make a commitment to exactly what I want (ride for 24 hrs), neuter that with what I have time to train for, my likely fitness level and likelihood for several injuries between now and then (likely result = turn up and hope I can manage to ride the minimum number of laps heh heh)

I love the idea of a proper training holiday before

It’ll be a one off, I like the challenge of the 24 hour race. I did a 12 hour not long after I started mountainbiking and did pretty good considering, but by the end I was thinking “how the hell do people do this for 24 hours”…now it feels like the next challenge and I need something to work toward as my brief foray into DH racing has been rather un-motivating and very stressful.

DGoaB – advice most definitely noted. I know it wont always be enjoyable, but I tend to force myself out on the bike even when I don’t have a goal, if anything it’ll probably be easier for me once I have a reason to keep training. I feel like I need some focus now DH has fallen by the wayside

It’s not something I want to ‘get into’ or ‘get better at’….although whether this one-ff will be MM is another thing, it all depends on what date it falls and whether I am physically able to commit on that date (ahem, certain times of the month are a definite no because I am not physically well enough to do much so would look at entering a few and hoping that I at least one of them will fall at a good time, as I struggle to ride even 10 minutes, never mind for 24 hours on approx 4 days a month)

You could stick to what you’re good at & love doing? Training for an event can be good in that you have something to focus on but it could suck the fun out of your hobby.

This is also very true. For a start I’m going to have to start riding uphill like Bernaard says ;)

I went with the “pressed-on to find someone who likes me for who I am option” and then found I actually liked me too.

Which resulted in – more money to spend on bikes not implants :D

EDIT: although if I had known they would glow I may have changed my mind….

I figured the ‘ride a lot’ option was the way to go. However, I have a very busy working life which limits my time somewhat in the week. I can’t commute, but am thinking about ways to increase my time on the bike around other responsibilities. Riding to the gym, riding longer at weekends, etc.

What kind of mileage do I need to be looking at and how is the best way to build it up? Would I want to start now…or would that leave me burnt out over the winter, for example? My job is pretty physical which takes out a lot of my recovery time.

Do people who train ‘seriously’ always keep track of mileage, or are there people out there who really do ride ‘as much as possible’ and don’t worry about the numbers?

I’d love a SS (I have been looking at the possibility of a cheap retro-bike for that purpose. I’d love a Ti beauty, but funds say NO!) Also am already committed to getting a trail bike this year and already have the HT and DH bikes…..in a very very small house. I’m not sure I can justify one as SS in Malvern would likely kill me so I’m not sure how much use it’ll get either.

I use the Targa Minis – fab wee set of goggles and fit really nicely inside my helmet (a D2 in small).

The anti-fog lenses are brilliant for them too.

Would recommend 100%

Fab pics salsaboy!

no free good-enough-to-eat smelling shower gel definitely not-for-the-win