@Straightliner never thought of it like that about the motivation. But like you say it’s getting a racing partner at the same level which is difficult. Those that I ride with we are all at different fitness levels. Probably most of those wouldn’t want to race, and possibly the only rider that would consider racing our fitness levels is vastly different so wouldn’t be fair on either of us.

Looks like it could be fun, I’d love to do some mtb stage racing. But why the hell do they make these events where you have to do it in pairs? Why can’t they do a solo category?

Imagine spending all that money then you or your racing partner is much stronger or weaker than you, you’d feel like either you are letting them down or they are letting you down. Or worse still, if one of you fails to finish or crashes out, it’s game over for the other one. All that money down the drain.

I’ve done 2up time trialling, where I’ve had a difference in ability and it feels like a waste of money and time for those races, and that’s only £10 to £15 to race, so would hate to spend all that money for this race and feel the same way.

I know the logistics and costs of putting on a stage race must be a lot so don’t really begrudge the very high cost. It’s actually great events like this are getting put on. So the organisers need recognition for putting on the event, but for me the pairs thing means it’s not something I’d do.

Wouldn’t worry about the speed. On country roads it will be fine.

A few years ago I stopped using my big bike and went back to a 125. Ok it’s slow on dual carriage ways and motorways but most of the time I’ve never really felt I’m not keeping up with traffic.

Seen some very good reviews of the hunter cub. There are some great videos of it in action on YouTube. Buy as danny said its currently not available in Europe, which is a massive shame

Don’t think it will happen, but every year I always hope to see a breakaway hold of the bunch. If a break stays away my guess is Jasper Stuyven for the win.

If not can’t see anyone beating Cavendish in the sprint

@lunge thanks for posting these every day 👍👍

As the value of the car isn’t that high, is it possible to have the immobiliser bypassed? Not sure how practical that is with modern cars, but had to do it about 20 years ago with my old car. Obviously you’d need to inform the insurance about this. But then you should be able to use the key to operate the car so not as costly.

Is it worth checking with your home insurance, maybe they would cover the keys? Don’t know if they would, but worth asking.

Would normally be an ideal stage for Thomas de Gendt, don’t think he will win as he seems to be struggling this year, but hoping he’s in the days break.

@crazy-legs yes I know that. But you do know that the time limit is a much smaller percentage of the winning time in the shorter stages than the longer stages. So it actually makes it harder for the sprinters to make the time cut on these short mountain stages 😉

It will also be the last chance for climbers to take take time back, so the stage could be raced at a very high pace making it more difficult for him.

Been enjoyable races far, and liking the attacking rides by Guillaume Martin and Ben O’Connor, think these type of long race attacking are the only way to gain time or put Pogacar under pressure. Don’t think the Ineos train and Carapaz are strong enough to take much time back.

Not sure what others think, but I think that after winning the opening stage stage Alaphilippe is now trying to get ready for the Olympics without showing how good he really is. He is constantly attacking and getting in moves only to drop off towards the end of the stages, getting dropped by riders that he would normally out climb.

Looking forward, I’m worried cavendish won’t make it through the pyrenees. Especially the day to Luz Ardiden, at only 130km long and with 2 HC climbs to deal with the time limit is going to be very tight for him.

Remember Bernhard Kohl from Gerolsteiner team coming 3rd in the 2008 tour? He looked absolutely broken on one of the summit finishes, so much so he needed to be treated with oxygen. And there were comments at the time that it was good he looked human. But it turns out he was doped up to the eyeballs.

I’d really like to think that all riders are dope free now, but from what’s gone before I just doubt it.

Funny how some think Pogacar’s performance are not normal and a bit suspect, and think he must be doping. Yet when Van der Poel attacks and makes everyone else look like amatures everyone is full of praise and admiration for his ability and don’t seem to question his performances.

Block headwind normally won’t do the break any favours unless there is a good amount of riders in the break and they all work well together.
Problem for Cav and his team is there may not be many other teams wanting to help bring back the break, which then could play into the breaks hand.

Ineos chasing Ben O’Connor the other day was a shame, but also good tactics on their part, had O’Connor got yellow then AG2R would have to ride on front to defend yellow. By chasing him it kept Pogacar in yellow meaning UAE have to ride on front. And the only way to defeat Pogacar will be to isolate him from his team and make him ride to chase any dangerous moves.

Or save your time and get a big bore upgrade with a kit like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/163250311065

The support staff do seem to do some very long days. Must seem like a good job to travel round the world and work at bike races, but it must be a very hard job

Back in the day it was the riders responsibility to do their own washing. So after a long stage, instead of relaxing they would have to wash their team kit ready for the next day

@footflaps most team buses have washing machines, from the ones I’ve seen at races they are located in the area of the bottom of the bus that you would normally store suitcases. So they do not rely on hotels to do the washing

Was really pleased to see Ben O’Connor’s great ride, hoping he can stay in contention for the podium. After his stage win in last years giro, I put a bet on him to win the Tour at 500 to 1 odds. Wish I’d put more on than 50p each way now 🤦‍♂️

I am expecting to see we some interesting attacking rides by those now out of the GC battle who will now be aiming for the Olympics, as they try to improve their form.

You maybe using a camelbak or something similar, but if not where is your water storage?
Like the 2nd stem mount. Great idea.
Seatpack does look a little low and like it could push mudguard onto back tyre over bumpy ground.

I record on both my garmin watch and my garmin Edge. It may seem pointless to do both, but this is because I’ve had several failures of either watch or computer in the past and lost all ride data, which is a bit annoying. But I usually wear the watch all the time so think I may as well record it at the same time as the computer

So I start both devices and at end of ride, I usually stop the Edge and save it. Once I see it’s saved I then stop and discard the one on the watch.

But sometimes I save both by mistake and when I do this, sometimes garmin will see it as 2 separate rides and sometimes only the one. If it counts it twice I just delete one of them. But it is interesting to see the differences between the two devices, there is usually a small discrepancy between the distance, but usually a much bigger difference in the elevation gain.

Didn’t actually notice which way round it was. Personally I’d go anti-clockwise. As I think that’s the better way when doing high Cup nick.

I’d say most of it looks good. Cow Green to dufton via high Cup nick is brilliant.

However i think someone asked about the bridleway from Brough to baldershead on here a few weeks ago and I think the response was don’t bother. I was looking at that to ride on my fat bike and from the Google earth images the track doesn’t seem very clear on the ground in some places.

If you had more time, I’d go to kirby Stephen, tan hill, then pick up the gravel Road to Bowes and then down into Barnard Castle, then old railway line back up valley to Middleton in teesdale

Won’t be watching it live. But will watch it tonight.
There’s been some great women’s racing this year and it’s getting a lot more coverage which is great for the sport.

Totally agree about the attacking, its not as controlled as the men’s racing, so it’s never short of any action.

Ah. Didn’t see that bit. Sorry

I use challenge tyres for cx these are good for muddy conditions:
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/challenge-limus-33-open-cyclocross-tyre?lang=en&curr=GBP&dest=1&sku=5360520758&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=&utm_medium=base&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_dWGBhDAARIsAMcYuJwhl7M3JoeRGKtb_z0ZQUTXaekFwCmMzUJU8t8_OmFcJMDMo768xA8aAmZ-EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

I have giro’s and probably wouldn’t recommend them. They are similar to the ones you linked to except they don’t have the boa system, just 2 velcro fasteners and a ratchet. They are ok. But not a patch on the old shimano shoes (can’t remember the model) I use to have. They were very comfortable. Whereas the giro’s don’t feel that good. They felt great trying them on in the shop, but not so comfy riding. I can put up with them for about 4 to 5 hour rides, but i start to get numb feet on anything longer. First pair of shoes I’ve ever had this problem with. I use them for road, cross and mtb rides. Need to get replacements when I can afford too.

Not sure about bit north of London, but from Lincolnshire I’d pick up NCR 1 and follow most of that, with a few tweaks along the way.
Good mix of quiet country roads and some traffic free sections on old railway lines

@nbt make sure your neighbours impact driver is a 1/2″ Square drive impact driver and not one of the smaller 1/4″ hex drive ones. As the 1/4″ hex ones simply do not have the torque required to loosen it.

I use my dewalt 1/2″ impact driver. Will have it out in seconds.

For years I would use methods mentioned above to hold the splined tool in place. But impact driver just gets it done quickly without putting much strain on the frame. I use it now for all mine bb’s.

Only problem is you need an impact driver or know someone who has one.

My setup is a lot heavier than yours. Don’t know exact figures, but usually my touring set up consists of 4 panniers, handlebar bag, tent on top of rear rack and a small saddle bag.

Could I go lighter? Definitely, but when I’m touring I’m in no rush and would happily carry a few extra kilos for just in case scenarios than take the bare minimum. But that’s my preference. Its definitely not the best way to do it, especially if you want to go fast, but I am happy with what I take and happy to go slowly, and that’s what matters to me.

For example my tent is probably 3.5kg, it’s 2-3 man, with a small entrance porch, which is completely overkill for just myself, some would be horrified with such a weight and size. But I like the extra space and like having a entrance porch which gives me plenty of storage space, and it allows me to cook in there when it’s raining heavily without getting soaking.

Tried the waxoyl spray and it made a right mess and couldn’t get it in all the tubes. Good stuff for cars, wouldn’t recommend it for bike frames.

Then tried this: https://www.condorcycles.com/products/progold-steel-frame-protector-spray

Easy enough to apply and seems do to the job

A chicken parmo from Middlesbrough! Only once and never again!

Wonder why there is an asterisk against his name? And its surprising he hasn’t got a team listed against him

Great racing this weekend, should be a interseting season. Pidcock was super impressive, especially considering that in his post race interview said he had a slow puncture and he needed to stop to put more air in his tyre.

But is it all BC’s fault that there is no Olympic qualification spot? I think it is more lack of talented riders wanting to race XC. Look at DH racing, multiple world Cup and world championship British riders over the years, these riders have managed to perform well at the top level without the input from BC.

If BC had thrown money at other british XC riders do you think that they would be top level international XC racers and would have qualified for this years Olympics? Apart from Pidcock, the last British male XC rider capable of performing on at a high international level was Liam Killeen, and there has been many years since where we haven’t had riders of that calibre.

I wouldn’t normally defend BC, as I’m not really their biggest fan, but I don’t think the lack of top level XC racers is necessary all their fault.

On any obstacle/section of trail that I think I could do myself a serious injury, instead of using a brave adage like Colin McRae’s “when in doubt, go flat out”, I much prefer to use the less brave approach of “when in doubt, miss it out”. It may involve getting off and pushing, but its a lot less painful 🤣

Went to meet a mate for a night ride at Hamsterley forest and just as I was getting there I’d remembered I’d left my lights on charge back in the office.

Luckily he had a cheap headtorch as an emergency backup that I was able to borrow. But it was about as bright as those old Eveready bike lights from the 80’s.

@seadog101 I’ve been riding at Hamsterley for 20+ years and would previously agree with your friendly locals comment. However in the last year it just seems to be full of ignorant and rude riders. Still a great place to ride.

Revelate Nano seem the smallest pair. A list of other small panniers can be found here: https://bikepacking.com/index/panniers-for-bikepacking/

Problem with trying to master something is it doesn’t help doing it it for 10,000 hours or even a million hours, if how you are doing it is wrong. And I think thats my problem. I’ve mastered the technique, just mastered it very badly!!

I’d probably class myself slightly above starter, but not quite intermediate. Basically i’m rubbish!

Cheers for the replies guys 👍

@simon1975 thw answer to both of them questions is yes. But it doesn’t make it right. Especially if you end up facing an angry land owner, for riding on their land when you are not meant to, despite others previously doing so.

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