Ok, some more info on my prep so far:

I live in Brighton so the South Downs make up my local play area and I know the trails this end pretty well. I’ve ridden the whole South Downs Way before over a weekend, but not done that sort of distance in a day before. I also rode the off-road proper Coast to Coast last summer from St Bee’s to Robin Hood’s Bay. I’m fully expecting the Randonee to be very tough!

My training over the winter has been a 3-4 hour weekend ride, with running and gym work in the week to keep the weight off and the cardio fitness going. Over the last four weeks i’ve been commuting to work 3 times a week (13 flattish road miles each way) and getting in a 2-3 hour ride on a Saturday and a 4 hour ride on a Sunday. I plan to introduce 1/2 evening rides a week once the light improves, and also have a couple of 60 milers booked in the diary in the month running up to the big day.

Any tips or suggestions much appreciated.

Also Hope semi-integrated on mine, one of these:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=18084

Midlifecyclist & Molgrips,

Out of interest, what pressures do you run the RR’s at tubeless?

Fantastic. I plan to use them with Hope Hoops – DT 4.2 Rims.

SRAM X-9 and X-7’s fit with Hope Mini Mono’s.

Used to own a 2007 Stumpy Comp, nice bike in all conditions but never really inspired me. Nothing at all wrong with it and a great bike for most people IMO. So, in search of the grin factor, I demo’ed an Orange 5 and a Pace RC405. Both were fantastic and much better than the Stumpy climbing, descending and especially on fast twisty singletrack. I bought the Pace in the end as I got a better deal on an ex-demo frame, but would also have happily bought the Orange instead with no hesitations. You really can’t go wrong with this bike, and it’s British too which must be commended in the current economic climate.

I weight 80kgs or 12st 7 lbs and ride a medium RC405 with 08′ Fox Talas up front. I’ve tinkered with the HVR200 shock settings quite a bit. Initially I ran it at 80-85psi which gave the recommended 10mm sag, but used full travel every ride using the o-ring guide, even smooth South Downs trails. I’ve since upped it to 90psi which seems better as it only reaches full travel on big hits/landings. I’ve never had an issue with shock/frame contact though.

I’ve never found the need for ANY platform damping, even getting riding buddies to watch for suspension-bobbing, this is just not an issue with the RC405. I run about 40% rebound damping. The Fox Talas I find to be the ideal partner for this frame. I use it mainly at 120mm on my local SE trails but have the option of the 140mm slacker angle for Afan, C-y-B, Cwmcarn etc a few times a year. Tried 140 Fox Floats before them but found the headangle too slack for all-round use. 90mm Hope XC stem works for me with Monkeylite XC OS bars.

Paintwork (snow white) has been fine in the 12 months i’ve had it, but you do need chainstay protection on both. Helicopter tape on the non-driveside works well aesthetically.

Start at Afan and you get Glyncorrwg Cafe for your half way stop, works for me.

Pace RC405 :D

I’m 5ft10 and a ride a medium, it might be ok for you but only trying one out will really tell you IMO.

I use this stuff after each ride…

Stendec Easy Glide Fork Grease

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?PartnerID=79&ModelID=3150

They go to my LBS for a service once a year.

First step – get riding more; second step – do base in the winter and speed in the summer; third step – get a HRM and a book; fourth step – get a coach; fifth step – get a power meter, I reckon.

I’ve definately worked on my base fitness over the winter so thats the second step covered, now time to up the riding, and up the speed in the summer. I’m not sure I need steps 3-5.

Thanks for all the advice, i’ve started commuting to work this week to up my riding time (13 flattish miles each way) and will try to build in some intervals. I also plan to start doing some squats / leg-presses etc. :wink:

Harry Too

I think RR meant 5 mins rest x 5??

Hora

Yes I do eat after exercise.

I think I may have been focussing too much on my cardio-fitness over the last few months, as my legs feel drained pretty quickly out on rides now. I need to get that poer back a.s.a.p.!

What exercises might I include in a power-based workout?

What are the benefits (and drawbacks??) of using creatine?

I could easily introduce some squats into programme.

If eating is a problem maybe a carb-rich drink might be an alternative such as a smoothie or a sports energy drink?

Dusty

I’m assuming the axle to crown length for the Talas forks is for the maximum travel setting? Is that right?

Thanks

Paceman

Excellent, sounds exactly what i’m after.

Anyone know the axle to crown length for the 100-120-140 Talas Forks?

Just take the holiday. Since school league tables etc they have to cover their backs. An un-authorised absence doesn’t affect the school’s figures so negatively so they have to advise against holidays in term time.

Putting a patch and tube in a flint-torn tyre in below zero wind blasted conditions, when my hands feel like they’ve got frostbite, and they covered in wet mud and stan’s tyre sealant.

My language wasn’t pretty, I tell thee.

Here’s mine… at home

In action riding the Garburn Pass (Coast to Coast July ’08)…

Anyone use High Rollers with Stans No Tubes or similar? Do you need to use the LUST version or will the lighter XC ones work ok?

Ah I see, i’ll try moving the saddle forward slightly, my stem is already pretty short at 90mm for XC riding.

How will moving the saddle forward / getting a shorter stem help … more weight forward??

I’m 5’10” and ride a medium RC405. Works for me.

Details for mine…

White 2008 RC405 frame, DT Swiss EX200 Shock, Fox Float forks, Hope Mini Monos, 90mm Hope OS Stem and Semi-Integrated Headset, Low-Rise Easton Monkey-Lite bars, XT Crankset, SRAM X-9 gears, Hope Hoops Pro II / DT-Swiss Wheels with Stans set-up, Nobby-Nics, SDG I-Beam post and Formula FX saddle, Crank Bros Candy SL’s.

Comes in at just under 27 lbs. It rides very quick and seems to give you a bit more when you put the power down. Great for fast singletrack and climbs well.

The DT EX200 Shock is fantastic and worth the upgrade on this year’s frame deal IMO. It’s the shock the frame was originally designed to work with after all. I’ve tried both 120mm and 140mm Fox Floats up front. I’m currently on the 140mm’s which have the axle-crown length recommended by Pace for the RC405 (510mm), but i’m not sure yet if I preferred the 120mm set-up which was more XC orientated (seems slower but that might just be my winter fitness and muddy trails, i’m yet to dry them on dry summer trails). Pace recommend forks with 510mm axle to crown length, along with a 70-90mm riser stem and bars, 10-20mm spacers for aggressive/bike park use or 0-10mm spacers for XC.

I’ll post a picture later,

Paceman

Tried the Cwmcarn DH trail for the first time on Saturday … Terrifying in places (although it was very wet after heavy rain all night?!?!).

Much preferred the Twrych Trail.

Is the programme available online?

I missed it unfortunately, but can’t see it on Channel 4OD?

What’s the climb like on the DH course? (not using the uplift!)

Half-decent food?

Is there a bike wash at the visitor’s centre and can you get grub there?