This thread inspired me to kick off the process, so we’ll see what happens and how long it will take.

Online form sent in and paid for. Very easy.
Passport sent off registered post. No business trips for a bit then.

Kudos to all those pining a number on.

Few more weeks until I kick things off, however I spend Sunday afternoon walking our XC course planning new lines and extensions for the new season which really sparked my interest in racing and race organising again.

Thanks for the opinions, I run a pair of Tufo CX types when it’s super muddy and whilst they are tougher they do lack that certain loveliness that a cotton walled tub gives.

Agree that it’s not comparable to compare a heavy duty commuter to a racing tub with regards to puncture protection.

Thanks, that’s kinda my worry too, as well as the valid point of just how much “better” are they than a good clincher.

Thumbs up to the inverted method, nice 8)

@Slowster what a cracking film, thanks for that.

Big Aeropress user whilst out camping, never tried the inverted method before. Will try it out at home later before tonight’s session on the bike.

I’ve been looking at this too:
SunRace – 11-46 – 465gr – 665kr
Shimano XT – 11-46 – 450gr – 829kr

local prices, but quite a difference and only 15grams in it.

Have a clubmate with the SunRace and it seems to have handled winter fine

Thanks for the suggestions,I’ll try and hunt them down over here

What’s the “best” print publication for F1 and motor sport in general?

I feel like getting into motor sport more these days and want more than just a passing interest.

Nice work there Warton, that’s a significant gain in FTP, be interesting to know how hard you find the sessions now in comparison to your previous plan

@colournoise , the TR podcast, (excellent listen), advice would be to say do low volume base. Its not traditional base and is hard work based on sweet spot intervals. As you’re not racing then these sessions would give you the most benefit. Else marathon XC plan or rolling road race seem good general plans for long days on the bike.

Yeah saw that, thanks.

Having many Swedish friends who have done military service I have no issues with that. Also the headline is somewhat click bait like.

Yup that sums it up nicely. Thanks.

When did you apply?

Starting to look into Swedish citizenship due to Brexit, wasn’t before as I didn’t see a need.

But seems like a good backup plan now. Everybody needs a backup plan 🙂

@HowsyourDad and Bream, how long did it take?

Two 90 minute XC races is pretty intensive if raced at pretty near max.

Given that TR plans normally have 90 minute sessions at weekend then I’d continue with the short stuff in the week and not risk over loading the body too much. I’d rather go in under cooked not over cooked.

That said if you’re properly recovered and feel you’ll mentally get more out from 2*20 then go for it. (IMO one session won’t make the difference from going from average to great performance, but it could well tip you backwards).

Thanks Iain, that’s good info, and even more inspiring.

@Iain did you opt for the all inclusive accommodation package or book everything yourself?

(not that I’m planning or anything, no no)

You can become a friend of The Cycling Podcast for a tenner and get £14 worth of SIS free. Plus you support and get access to a very interesting podcast.

http://thecyclingpodcast.com/

Very interesting thread on XC rim width:
http://forums.mtbr.com/xc-racing-training/rim-width-xc-racing-1026042.html

I’m erring to the mark 3 Crests at 23mm width for XC wheels

Good work there sweaman2 😀

@ jase
The last week of SS base is a recovery week, so you should go into the build phase, which starts with an FTP test, quite well rested. That’s the theory.

I assume that you’re doing the low volume plan?

Are you doing anything else like gym work, football, normal riding that is causing excess fatigue?

I found the 90 minutes sessions hard in the second block, and there is a subtle move towards higher intensity VO2max work in that plan too.

I’ve done their SS base a few times now and do feel that that by concentrating on the specific aspects of base fitness I can then move on to the more VO2max work and really push myself.

Great performance Iain65!

I have looked at that race as a bucket list item, think I’ll need to delve a little deeper into the logistics of it after reading that.

Lamarck or Darwin would be close.

I kicked off short power build this week and managed Grassy Ridge tonight.

Actually that’s a good call. I had the American Classic Race in 26″ a few years ago. Trouble free and off-the-peg.

what about by a Volvo?

Its a start, Pedestrian Airbag:

I’ve been looking to upgrade too and have been using Action Sports in Germany to get ideas as they have a nice tool to play around with:
https://www.actionsports.de/en/wheels/custom-wheels/mtb-disc-29-/

They’re not off the peg but do seem to offer better value for money, plus I need a lefty front hub which is not always an option on some sets.

As this is the XC racing thread I though I’d ask what people are using for tyres this season?

I’ve traditionally run the standard Nobby Nick/Racing Ralph combo, however this winter I’ve had some heavier Maxxis Ikon/Ardernts and really like them so I’m thinking about running the lighter versions of these instead.

Most likely as a Ikon 2.2 rear and Ardent Race 2.2 on the front.

The new XC60 is absolutely stunning, (there’s one next to me at the moment 8), it’s bigger, especially in the rear seats, and the infotainment is brand new and straight out of the current 90 platform.

However the current, now classic XC60 should be available with a ton of options thrown in so it represents considerably better value for money.

The older Bora tubs are lovely, these can be had a little cheaper now as the new ones are slightly wider, (on trend), and also available as a clincher.

Nice choice to have, plenty of other pairs in that price range but I’d take the Bora’s as I’m a huge Campy fan.

Just finished reading The Man in the High Castle by Philip K Dick, (of Bladerunner fame).

Very interesting read set post WW2 where Germany and Japan have won and split the US into three differently controlled zones.

Hoisted by their own petard

is about right.

An excellent piece from Dec 2016 by Irish Peloton (Cillian Kelly)

Opinion: Team Sky’s reputation shredded by Brailsford failure

@igm:
In so much that it appears to have a sustainable business model, it meets the needs of its fan base, and has removed itself from the original meaning of “amateur” then you could argue that’s clearly its doing something right.

Give me a cobbled farm track or a mud bath of a cross country course any day.

Professional sport is a spectacle, pure entertainment, it has nothing to do with fairness. Riders caught trains in the first editions of the TdF, people have cut the course in marathon majors, teams have sought medical assistance by blurring rules.

Competitive sport only reflects the cheating seen elsewhere in society.

https://www.firstonetv.eu/Live/United-Kingdom/Eurosport-2-35

working for me in China

top marks sir for posting the women’s link!

Will be hitting the Chinese media feeds to try and watch this, cracking race and gutted I’m not back in Euroland to fully enjoy it.

Spent the last 8 days in China using TrainerRoad on my Android phone. It’s been reading my Ant+ HR strap and I’m able to use the hotel gym bikes that have power to match my plan!

Managed to string together a couple of good sessions as well as a number of 45 minute recovery rides. Much better than I’d expected.

One more hotel night to go then I can look at kicking off a build block when I’m back home.

Yup, over and unders are hard work, more so than simply keeping at one power level, still I think they work well and much better replicate actual XC racing.

In China on business at the moment and trying to perform sessions on random hotel gym bikes, with varying success.

Definitely head outside.

I’m doing the low volume plans as it leaves me the chance to get out on the bike a rip it up once or twice a week to keep my head and technical skills in shape.

I’d be fitter doing the mid volume plan but I know that I’d never be motivated enough so this seems like the best compromise.

Well I made it through Lamarck but had to dig deep mentally.

30 minute spin tomorrow than back at it Saturday before a week of trying to make the best of it in hotel gyms halfway across the world.

Yup, back on the bike after a short flirtation with running last year.

Couple of marathon distance events early on and if they go to plan then i’ll commit to the national series with an aim of placing top 10 in vets 40.