Why not do the Southdowns Way. It’s very well sign posted and certainly a challenging ride, especially if you want to try for a fast time. I did it yesterday without a map and had no issues with following the route.

Just converted my Tesco points.

The Tesco and Evans websites both state 72 hours to receive the vouchers. Plus Tesco sometimes do security checks so it might take a bit longer.

Conti GP4000s here too, in 25mm

For the un-initiated the inflated prices from wheelies are due to the fact they will be giving the insurance company a significant discount in return for your business. So basically you’re being stiffed by your insurer who you’ve been paying your premiums for x years. in return you get limited choice and a lesser deal.

To be fair to wheelies they can’t give you a good deal simply because they can’t afford to.

Cold comfort now but I highly recommend a specialist cycle insurance product in the future.

Bumping this back up

Have you mixed up 40 with 14?

My wife said the same thing.

It’s official now.

I like Downward Spiral

This is my first cross season and I’m loving it.

As for kit you don’t need anything specific although I’ve found egg beaters are better for mud clearance. Oh and it’s all about the tyres and tyre pressures, but that’s a different thread.

What I have learned is more about what to do before and after the race. So for example drink plenty as you don’t use a bottle during the race. Energy gel about 15 mins before the start. You get hot so don’t over dress, which is easier said that done in the depths of winter. Get your heart rate really going before the race so when it starts you don’t feel like your about to have a heart attack when you go from resting to 190bpm in 30 secs.

I got myself a roof rack as car took a beating after every muddy race. Take a packed lunch for post race munchies.

There is nothing wrong with financing the scheme via a third party, however the scheme provider / employer does need to be transparent that savings will be slightly lower due to the finance charges. In my experience savings are reduced by about 5% when third party finance is used.

Th cost of the goods is still the same then a finance charge is added on top, eg, about £80. So if you were getting a £500 bike you would repay £580. This amount (£580) is what you salary sacrifice so the tax break still works in the same way it’s just that it’s costing you slightly more, but over 12 months it’s really not a lot and still is a really good benefit.

Google Santa Tracker

Whoops double post.

Google Santa Tracker

I’m 39 and regularly hit 200 – 205 max HR in cross race and average low to mid 180s during the race. I can rarely hit these numbers when training but I don’t think that’s uncommon. You need the competiton of a race to really push you. Even trying hard on the turbo I might max around 180ish. A max HR test suggested my max rate should be around 190.

I wish British Cycling would pump more £££ into cross as its just such a great sport to watch and i think us Brits could be real contenders with the right investment. Look what we’ve done in road and track racing.

I also think making cross more popular would be great for the public as its so accessible and such great viewing. Easy to show on TV too.

You need some Svenness

I’ve just stated racing in the London league where they split Vets and Seniors due to number of entries. I went straight into Vets and it was fine. You’ll find as an MTB racer you’ll have excellent handling skills and could do better than you think, but you’ll be amazed at the top end fitness and speed of the proper CX racers / roadies.

I’m a total convert to CX racing now and much prefer to MTB. Much closer racing and generally more accessible I find.

Standard clincher (rather than open clincher) Grifos are great in the dry and reasonable in the mud too, although they don’t clear that well.

What’s the difference between standard and open clincher? I’ve only seen Challenge open clinchers available?

Thanks.

Sorry to jump in on this but are tubs better / easier than going tubeless?

bump up

I was running about 35psi, probably could have been closer to 30 but I was worried about pinch flats

This is probably a stupid question but what tyres Are they CX tyres on your 29er?

Yes you can put cross tyres on a 29er as they are same wheel size, 700c.

I borrowed some Kendas from a mate at work. The low pressure and skinny tyre takes some getting used to.

I was on 690mm wide bars and they were fine. In fact I think they have some advantage on the corners as they are more stable compared to twitchy drop bars. My 29er had 35mm CX tyres and they were perfect for this course.

I really liked that farmyard section. Felt a bit post-nuclear wasteland but it levelled the field with all those turns. Good work.

Not sure if it’s coming from an MTB background but I found I could easily overtake on the corners but then had to battle on the straights. Then as the race progressed it came down to the fitness and sheer determination. Such a great format and the short course makes it really interesting, especially with the switchback turns where you can get sight of the people in front and behind. A cross bike is on my Xmas list now.

The MTB market is at best flat and has been for a while in terms of sales, whereas road has been seen strong growth for a number of years. Which i guess means more new customers keen to buy-into the lifestyle which attracts advertisers.

I would also take a punt and guess the road customer is more affluent, particularly as Rouleur follows / links so strongly with Rapha, and is more willing to support a high-end mag. There is nothing really comparable in MTB.

Further underlines what a good job the gang at Singletrack towers are doing in both print and digital.

Yep, definitely indented on drive side.

Brilliant. Love Tactical Chunder and Replacement Bus.

Great race again. That guy in yellow was brilliant and just what you needed at the top of the first climb, especially towards the end of the race. On my last lap he said “Consider this a confessional. You have been absolved my son.”

Perhaps next year there should be a prize for best marshal.

We came 8th in the men’s pairs, and that was with me crashing on the first lap and puncture on my second. The final decent from the back of the course to finish line was great. I loved that grassy decent into the arena. Made all the climbing worthwhile.

I’ve never seen so many photographers at a race. Everywhere you turned there was a lens!

Very nice. What’s the weight?

I’m sticking with my Maxxis Ikons summer tyres. Death or glory! (Gulp)

According to the Beeb it will stop raining by midday and the sun will come out. No more rain forecast. Keep thinking positive weather thoughts!

Course conditions were excellent on Weds evening so i doubt a few hours of rain this morning will do much to change that. Plus the racing line will dry things out.

Really looking forward to it now, particularly the guys from the Ride Journal spinning great tunes on the wheels of steel.

Just finished riding the new course tonight. I managed to get the KOM, but don’t expect that to last too long. I reckon the whippets will be getting close to 25 mins on race day. Had to mention the KOM as its such a short lived glory!

I reckon it’s only slightly harder than previous years and probably a little less fun, in terms of technical singletrack. The steep climb at the start is hard but I would say not really more so than either Badgers or the one out of Coldean. It’s over quickly and as long as you get a clean run at it probably easier as no off camber or roots to worry about. The hard bit will be on the first lap when it becomes a choke point.

I have to say riding up A&E trail seems like sacrilege given how good it is but I’m guessing the course designers have other concerns so had to sacrifice something. I like the fact it’s shorter.

Proper course map just published on news page of Big Dog website.

Best to reserve judgement until race day. Perhaps arrive early to get a lap in so you know what to expect. The organisers know their stuff so I’m sure it will be a good course.

Double post. Damn phone!

Best to reserve judgement until race day. Perhaps arrive early to get a lap in so you know what to expect. The organisers know their stuff so I’m sure it will be a good course.

The new route runs up the old way but then follows fire round round to the left (rather than turn right at that big tree) to bring you up to the singletrack entrance on the left. Down there, thru the bombhole, traverse across then turn right up the steep climb.

So basically if you don’t get in a good position before that left turn into the singletrack you’re stuck until the top of the steep climb as nowhere really to pass. Get caught behind someone slow or having a mechanical and it will be hard to recover. Stop on that hill and you’re walking.

Should make the start much more of a challenge but very tough.

Best bit of training you can do – if you’re local – is learning to get up the new climb right at the start. Im referring to the steep chalky climb, right after the bomb hole section. I reckon it will be mayhem on that climb, especially first lap, so being able to ride it quickly I think will be a real advantage. Not sure i’ll be quick after 5 or 6 hours though.

Please slam the stem. It’s breaking soooo many rules.