The new route, which is also the 2016 route is EVIL. Enjoy! :)
No Galibier again, but the Mollard is a tough one and the Croix der Fer is very steep for several KM.

Same total climbing, but it seemed much harder this year for me than previous years and times reflected that.
It was pretty hot this year, but the top riders are fully supported so for them it shouldn’t make much difference.

For those that have done both, is it harder than the Cristalp?

I’ve only done Cristalp once and that was the 140km one, which I would say was harder. I think year on year it would just come down to weather conditions.

I moved from 34sp to TSO. Seems faster, customer service is much better and cheaper too I think.

How much do you like climbing?

If you answer “Lots and lots and lots”
Then Maderia is good – but not popular at all.

Very scenic, mostly quiet roads, but more climbing per kilometre than anywhere else I have ridden.

Tathra is possibly my favourite place in the World. Great trails, nice town and a wonderful community.
Australia in general is very friendly, I think if you put out a few feelers in the areas you go to you will probably get offers of someone to guide you around the best local trails.

Which town are you staying in?
I went there a few years ago, but took the road bike. Its popular with triathletes and the roads are OK.
Off-road looked like it had potential. I would definitely look for a guide if you find one.

Flew with them to Calgary in 2014. No issues, I’d recommend them.
Good policy with bikes too, especially compared to Air Canada.

Schwalbe Smart Sam performance 35mm.
60psi rear, 55 psi front
Schwalbe 19a tubes (I think)
64kg

No flats.
Good grip, not too heavy, fast on the road – I’d recommend them.

£300 more than a Open 1.0.

They have pedigree and its the lightest frame you can buy.
£2400 for a frame from a new company? Can’t see that going too well.

If you can build a brand, then I think thats possible achieve eventually.

Very contrasting courses too, a good thing – I am slightly biased though :)
Good to see Dalby back in too!

FYI Rotel only rode the Prologue & Stage 1.

I had a set of I9 hubs with the 120 point engagement.
Whilst it was fast, it was also draggy. I removed 3 of the 6 pawls and I am sure the lesser drag made for a faster wheel than the reduction in engagement points.

Search around, I’m sure I’ve seen them cheaper than that.

If you can’t bunny hop something the size of a snak I’d suggest practicing that, especially if you think it might happen again.

Pivot in general are very low maintenance. Good quality bearings throughout and no bushings.
I’ve had them for years, Mach 429C and not Mach 4C and never had to change a single frame bearing.

Road ID phone app

Squirt here too. I find it brilliant dry or wet.
You don’t need to apply it the day before, but it does need time to dry. 10 minutes is more than enough in the summer. A little more in the winter, but works just as well through slop.

Great stuff.

You won’t get 40 mph from a Suzuki Swift Sport.

Pretty sure thats how it works in the Netherlands?
If there is a separate bike lane, cyclists must use it.

So long as they are well thought out and well kept/swept, then it makes sense I think.

Biased, but I say Wales :)

After a recent steady coast to coast ride, the place I’d like to live is around Machynlleth.
Amazing riding, close to the coast, great community. Many rural towns are getting priority fibre broadband, so that won’t be an issue.

Rains a bit and a pain to get anywhere else.

Bikehike or Wheresthepath

+ compressor.

Troublesome tyres no longer a problem.

SFN installer.
Chain “quick link” pliers
Headset press (also PFBB press)
Hydro hose snips
Pedros tyre levers

Village near me is called Bethlehem, there is a downhill segment on the road from the village called

“Jesus Christ Leaves Bethlehem”

Rock Razor is more of a cut down DH tyre than a semi slick.
It has a chunkier, sturdier carcass designed for trail/enduro.

Thunder Burt might be better for you, it uses the Rocket Ron & Furious Fred carcass and its slimmer, lower and designed as a more XC racing tyre.

I don’t have heights, but the Burt is the lower tyre.

I don’t know the course or if Neil has been building, but I do know Crychan and the existing tracks.

I’m guessing it will be rocky, steep, technical and but fast for good riders. More like the Dyfi area than Coed Trallwm.

Why are events so expensive ?

Try organising one yourself, you will see why.
There 2 reasons why events might carry a higher entry fee than you might expect:

1 – Supply & demand.
2 – It costs a lot to run.

Toe covers are ace!

My experience of SRAM is that its great when fresh, but a real pain when the cables get a bit sloppy. Much harder to index and get a perfect shift.

On a race bike that doesn’t see much winter/water it might be fine though.

Official event video:

Still early days on the weather forecast, but there is a chance of a tailwind!

My personal experience, I went to state schools until 13. I was heading the wrong way, in the wrong crowds, getting into trouble and not interested in school or learning in the slightest.

I discussed the situation with my parents and I was lucky enough to get into a local independent school in the last year that the government offered assistant places and was also offered a part scholarship.

The school slowly but surely transformed me. It was not an instant fix, but the teachers and staff were more willing and able to spend time and by the time I entered 6th form I was loving it.

I would say that as a broad generalisation the teachers are better in independent schools. The pay and conditions are usually better, which attracts the best teachers.

The options for sport & arts was far superior, although this is only comparing 2 particular schools. Instead of having the choice of rugby, rugby or rugby I was able to pick and choose from anything I wanted to do and pupils were able to start new clubs or sports if they wanted.

The decision is very much dependant on the individual person and the area, but if I am able to put any children we have through an independent education, then I will bend over backwards to make it a possibility. The one caveat is that I wouldn’t let them board until 13 at the earliest if boarding becomes the only option.

TSO here too. I have a reseller package and have no complaints so far.
I used 34sp before them, which I had endless problems with.

Brilliant video, thanks for posting.
How did you get sponsored by Go Pro? Bet thats a good gig.

Bont is worth a look for a lightweight shoe.
Won’t be comfortable on all feet.

Try and visit some of the trappist breweries… or at least the cafes they run.

6/10 IMDB.
Not great.

But now you are not talking about strictly MTB XCO races – and probably not BC regs at all.

If the race is run under BC regs (which this is?) then I don’t think the organiser can impose their own rules, they need to stick to BC rules.

Otherwise I could decide that only pink bikes with yellow spots and 1:1 gear ratio are allowed to race.

UCI rules about MTB events:
During MTB races no traditional road handlebars may be used.
bis The handlebars extensions of a triathlon or time trial type are forbidden, but traditional
barends are authorized.

British Cycling rules about MTB events:
Bicycles used in competition must be capable of safely
and efficiently completing the task and must, as a
minimum, be mechanically sound, have efficient
brakes on all wheels and all reasonable steps must be
taken to ensure the safety of the rider and others. As
part of the latter, bar plugs are compulsory.

Unless the BC rules are out of date (not likely) then cyclocross bikes are allowed. This is my understanding as an event organiser as well. If someone turned up to of of our MTB XC races (BC registered) I’d allow them to race on a CX bike – unless it was UCI registered (only National Series events are).

I’ve got a VIRB elite.

Plus points:
GPS overlay is good, loads of options on what you can show
Don’t need another GPS to sync, the Elite has GPS built in.

Bad points:
Not as good quality as equivalent Go Pro
VIRB edit software is limited. Best to use it to create the overlays, then transfer to iMovie or similar.
Shoulder mount is useless, no option for chest mount. It means that realistically bar mount is the only option.

As just a camera, I’d get something else but if you want the overlays then its good.