Sport can be pretty fast, so try Open first which is still pretty competitive. The course is pretty flat with about 50:50 fireroad:singletrack so should be very fast. More variety of speeds in Open so you are always racing with someone which I like. Have you seen the preview video…
Southern XC videos

Bit of a mixed bag down there. If the course stays away from the lakes anything will do as the fireroads and main trails are gravelly sand otherwise it can be very slippy. The main downhill is fine as long as the leaves have been blown.

Just use a lead held in one hand and practice. I find the faster I go the better he is because he's concentrating on running rather than chasing other stuff. Also your momentum will keep him going straight if he pulls away after another dog. Only ever come off once with him and that was on sheet ice!

Don't forget to warm up before you stretch! Ride your bike to warm up then stretch. What brought it on? Ride position or lifting or a shock? Just keep moving regardless.

Why not use your MTB tyres – it'll slow you down to the pace of the rest of your group. Its a ride not a race!

The video is mostly of the Expert and Elite races and yes lycra is mandatory there! Enduros anything goes really!

Have a look at these two videos of the course used for SouthernXC races last year. The downhill is great at speed but not technical.

Round 6
and
Round 3

I find long knee length socks help – keeps blood warm before it gets to the toes I suppose.

I thought this thread would be about watching porn while on the turbo. Oh well…

Well if you're touring the whole state just about everywhere has great riding (except the Central Valley!). Don't forget to go to Santa Cruz (Soquel Demo Forest) and the Peninsula trails (Skeggs, Saratoga Gap). Driving down to Monterey (Fort Ord for the Sea Otter trails) and on to Santa Barbera mountains. Big Bear near LA then on to San Diego. Then back north for Mammoth (visit Yosemite and Death Valley for non riding scenery). Tahoe then Downieville,and back through Marin. The trail reviews on MTBR.com are pretty good for ideas. If you have time pop over to Zion and Bryce Canyon near Las Vegas. How long have you got!

I've always found big winter gloves too warm unless its very cold so I bought some Gore Run wear winter gloves – thin light warm windstopper and working well so far. No padding but fine for on road.

Rumour has it there is a SouthernXC race in Blackwood next year just before the motorbike enduro. How muddy does it get?

Sounds like you need to go to another school! Not all schools are like that.
Try to find a cyclist teacher, get a transport plan done (see the geography dept¡), get govt money for bike sheds, get the head teacher to sort out the thieves. Change your school or find a new one!

Thats lovely BeagleBoy. Where?

Volvo XC70 because it says 'Cross Country' across the back (thats all!).

Yes, not 'easy' definitely. Not scary agreed but the climbing involved especially at Pippingford. Course starts with a one mile downhill and inevitably has some tough climbing.

Check out these videos for an idea of the courses. SouthernXC

Last round this weekend – see you there!

Photos and video from the race now available at…

http://www.picasaweb.google.co.uk/SouthernXC

and

http://www.youtube.com/SouthernXC

If this is what your are referring to – its NOT a race!
http://readingcyclingclub.com/anthonymaynardsportive/

Just enjoy it – and don't get killed!

Sorry but for years I thought LOL was ‘lots of love’. Can I start a campaign to reclaim it?

Two medium tesco torches and one small for helmet, with those block things from ebay sorted. For one lap on a not technical marked out trail should be fine. They do wobble on rough stuff but as a one off try it – use the torches for other stuff too.

And the video is now ready…

http://www.youtube.com/SouthernXC

It did dry out well during the day didn’t it. I ride Fun and it was just getting right for the last lap – so much I went and did the descent again! It will be a great course once the new trails have bedded in and there is plenty more space on the estate – and the owner is MTB friendly (for races anyway!)

I’ve put some photos up at http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/SouthernXC/SouthernXC2009Round3Pippingford?feat=directlink

Well the estate is enormous! And Steve can only follow taped trails…

Mach Ss are ok but Panaracer Razers are better overall – watch the front washing out though…

Its probably just a cynical attempt to get the MBUK kids to buy the mag by mistake. As long as they don’t look at the 90s lycra article. But then maybe in 20 years time piss pots and goggles will have caught on!

Is this it?

pedalon.co.uk

Try this guy. Recommended by Reading CTC crowd and others. I think he’s blind which is a good thing for wheel-building apparently!

Bike Repairs
Contact Bob Bristow on 0118 958 2056 for cycle repairs at very reasonable prices. Wheel building a speciality. Resprays arranged.

I did and I love it. I teach Maths and its a different experience every day. The routine can get a bit tiring after a while (you know what you are doing in 6 months time) but the kids change all the time.

Just started mentoring new PGCE students and its fascinating watching them screw up just as badly as I did while training. My tip – if you are not organised then don’t bother – its hard to learn to be organised and you have to be to survive. Oh and GTP (while tempting money wise) is terrifying!

I used to buy mostly from CRC but I’ve started trying pedalon and although the range might not be as big the delivery is just as quick and prices as good. And they support XC racers!

I think it happened twice actually – I rode two sections in practice which were cut. Very wierd – seemed to be a constant change and looking at the expert time they must have cut more.

Some of the better condition trails were cut out as well which was a shame.

Good shake up for the new season though – real shock to the legs!

bikemagic

Only on my own. It stops me singing…

I had a big knee problem last year and I’m afraid I have to recommend prescription drugs – Diclofenac – its an anti-inflammatory. My doctor was kind enough to prescribe nearly 200 and I’ve still got loads left – pop one as soon as it gets sore. Also no noise now!

Say it quietly… bikemagic

And what comes up on Ads by Google for this topic….

Injured?
How much could you claim? Find out in 30 seconds.
http://www.AccidentAdviceHelpline.net

Perhaps we should blame Google!