Monday 8 December 2008

Frosty Flux


Here is my report of the new flux, tested over this weekend.

My first ride today (Sat) I rode some tarmac, some fire road and plenty of singletrack. The great news is it feels like a flux to me but with a crisper back-end. Pedalling without some form of compression on the previous model felt a little sluggish - but the DW is great even with no pro-pedal. I would also say it feels stiffer and rides quicker, carving great through the tight stuff. On the ups (where I think the Turners are amazing) - it oozes grip and you feel you have more power without the bounce that you could sometimes feel getting out of the saddle.

(It was quite shocking on the road how hard-tail like it felt!)

I've yet to dial the shocks in properly and try any real fast downhill stuff but this is a great start. Oh and the bike feels a little heavier than the old flux with similar build - but feels quicker in the saddle.

Here is the link to my thread over at MTBR - even Dave Turner makes an appearance.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=5157113#poststop

And here is stuff about the DW-link http://www.dw-link.com/home.html

Thursday 4 September 2008

TransWales 2008 follow up

Ah....languishing in post-event blues now as my body takes the time to heal and repair itself - but all the while I crave the endorphin hit of hard efforts!

It's all a bit of a blur now. Each days stage rolls into the next and I can recall, mud and climbing and stunning views and ace downhills and river after river after river crossing. Also, the people I met, were an ace bunch. It was a lovely crowd and everyone was out to help each other.

It was definitely the hardest thing I've done on a bike. There were many ups and downs and I cannot stress enough how tough it was. But if one digs in and says "not gonna be last and not dropping out" it's amazing how much you squeeze out of your legs. Naming it a 'challenge' really is apt, because it is a proper hard event. A fair few riders dropped out....admittedly some through serious mechanicals or injury...but some dropped out due to the weather conditions or because they were finding it too tough (some even took the odd rest day and carried on the following day...!).

The weather really was woeful at times. The campsites were waterlogged and very muddy. You ride most of the day (admittedly if I'd been faster, that would have helped...:)) often in the rain, and get to the next camp....often till raining....and then have to locate your kitbag. Get clean and then get the bike clean and then get fed and then rest. Some people even ducked out and stayed in hotels and B&Bs....losers :)

I'm glad I went for the option of using the organisers tents and getting them to set it up each day and break it down each morning. There were definitely some days, when it would have taken me an age to set up the tent (in the rain) on my return. The food was fine - good fuel. The shower were adequate...when they were warm:)

My bike and equipment held up very well. I expected loads of rain and took plenty enough stuff. My knees held out, which is very good news as it seems (touch wood) i've got rid of the problem that's been bugging me for ages. My back....well my back hurts....but not acute and it'll go away.Must get my chiropractor lady to work on it.

Towards the end of the event, being worn out and finding it tough, I picked up a chill and started to get manflu...this made the last day vry hard....but I got through. I'm still very tired. Been out once (monday - 8 days after finishing the event) on my old hardtail and felt tired - but was good to spin the legs. The full susser is in for some TLC and can't wait to get it back.

The TW has taught me alot. Not least about nutrition on longer rides (and esp on multi day stage events). And at times I found it brutal - but I loved it and am keen to do something similar in the future.

Thanks go to, Jules, The Lucans, Rone (for kit and sms support), South African Julie for dragging me around on the first 3 days and making m eat, to Spike and Clare for lemsips and endless anecdotes, to steve for being knocked off by Julie, to Phil for being fast, but probably slower than he should have been due to inury, to Howard for plugging away and getting there in the end, to the organisers for managing to run an event at all given the conditions, to the 'fast ones' for being impressive and an inspiration, to Charlie Eustace - for being fast and for good words on advice, to steve(?) and doc for an energy bar and more words of wisdom, to the Irish guys who always brought a smile, to the amazing two guys who dragged me and my bike out of a fast moving river that had me very worried for a wee second, to Vic and Chris for a good few laughs, and to everyone else with whom I shared a knowing smile (as in, "we're all mad") or chatted to during the event and everyone else who made it.

Right, (assuming I'm at least almost recovered) roll on D2D :)

Wednesday 20 August 2008

Tom - TW Day 4

Fourth linking stage from Tregaron to Machynlleth.
Distance: approx. 82 Km
Metres of climbing: approx. 2045 m
Predicted riding time: 8 hours


"The toilets make me feel sick. They remind me of abbot."

"In okay. Long ride. 2K meters climbing, God knows how many rivers. Hard but got nutrition right, so feel good. Pleased with that. Bog all battery will try to update more later."

"The fast ones got in 4hrs 30 today. I was 3hrs behind. Didn't make the cut off but wasn't last and didn't up half way round."

Tuesday 19 August 2008

Tom - TW Day 3

Second special stage at Brechfa Forest. (Abergorlech Trail)
followed by –
Third linking stage from Abergorlech to Tregaron
Distance: approx. 71 Km
Metres of climbing: approx. 1856 m


"Not a great night's sleep due to weather. Tent held up very well. Bit of damp here and there but there's people much worse off. Rain, very heavy at times alnight. Trails will be awful today. Hard day ahead."

"I had an ace off in a rainwater power river. Nearly ******* went with it. My legs are fine. Knees great. Back not too bad. But I'm really ******* nutrition. Need to crack that tommorow or really gonna have problems. That's what ****** today. My own fault. Not sure I'll manage another special stage. They're thurs and fri. But might try. But really really have to eat and drink properly. Had some very low points today because of it."

"The conditions have been shit, they've sacked off a few of the slots. And the distances have been longer than they've said. I would never have made it today. Bike was nightmare shifting especially the front. In open men some have already retired. There are 101 left. Leader on 19hrs 7 mins. I'm 88th on 19hrs 50ish:)"

"Chatting to mechanic. He said we're 3 days in. We've changed 20 sram shifters and 10 mechs. We've only changed 1 shimano. That made my week."

Monday 18 August 2008

Tom - TW Day 2

Second linking stage from Cwmrhaedr to Llansawel via Brechfa Forest.
Distance: approx. 71.5 Km
Metres of climbing: approx. 1985 m


"Yesterday I loved the climbing. Legs strong. Few Showers but mostly dry while riding. Some nasty very muddy rooty downhills which I hated. Walked some of that. Got back, feeling good. Night stage was very good."

"Today I started of dehydrated and on back foot with nutrition. Own fault. Got it back but used up all my stuff and water stop was further out than I thought. So I had hard second half and that made much worse by really bad rain all ******* day. There was another special stage but I have sacked that off as have many. My legs are very strong. No Knee problems, lower back a pain but always is. Just need to feed and drink well tonight and rest. The mud was silly today. Was pushing downhill. Love it though!"

"Today was insane, I can't do special stage no way. But did the night one last night. Am 88 out of 105."

Sunday 17 August 2008

Tom - TW Day 1

Linking Stage OneBuilth Wells to Cilycwm, LlandoveryTotal distance: 67.5km Climbing: 1,812m

Followed by: Special Stage OneExposure Lights Maxx night time-trial, Cwmrhaedr Total distance: 7km Climbing: 260m


"Few Showers. But rain last night left course interesting :) 5hrs ride time. Legs good, took it steady. Brilliant climbs loved it."

"Night stage incredible. Bastard 3.5k climb and stunning downhill."

Saturday 16 August 2008

Transwales 08 - Tom


Transwales 08 - Tom
Originally uploaded by rone.b
I (rone) will be posting TW updates from Tom to here. Day 0 - Briefing and kit set-up: typically bad wind and rain in Builth Wells. Tom informs me he's ready and happy with the conditions.

Sunday 20 July 2008

Snake ride


Snake ride
Originally uploaded by rone.b
Tim almost jumped out of his skin when came upon this bad adder. Not what you expect to see on a country back lane. Ride was tricky today we felt rough and wind was blowing hard but we managed 37miles.

Friday 18 July 2008

Peaks out and back, this coming Sunday 20th - Cancelled

Neil, Matt, Bud and anyone else want to join us for the annual off-road to peaks ride? Be at mine for 8.30am if you do. Tom's coming, and hopefully Bison. Not too long - about 50miles, 4.5hrs.

Due to lack of popular demand this ride was cancelled and turned into the snake ride.

Big Sunday 13th July - 72miles 6hrs Bison/Angus


Somewhere on this picture you will see Angus and Tim, similar to spot the ball!

Great ride Sunday, picked Angus up at pines (so he did a little less), but Tim and I completed a full 72 miles round trip to Whitehall.

Tuesday was a trip over to Tom's to do a "fast" 3hr ride around Granthamshire, turned out to be the best weather of the week.

Friday 4 July 2008

One final stiff climb - Lac Vert

Café in the middle of nowhere served us with the goods to get us up this pig of a hill. You can just pick out Tim, Merv and Paul.

Tomorrow we leave for Troyes - back on the GSers.

The gang


The gang
Originally uploaded by rone.b
Sorry about the post!

Snow in July


Snow in July
Originally uploaded by rone.b
Had a bit of a snowball fight here...

Day 7 - Final biking day


Day 7 - Final biking day
Originally uploaded by rone.b
A big ride today... Well over 1000m of climbing, out for 4hrs. Some tough climbs today to 2000m.

Thursday 3 July 2008

Day 6 - Rain


Day 6 - Rain
Originally uploaded by rone.b
No big deal, had a day of rain and did an exceptional climb to 1700m off-road. Took 60mins. The track felt like one of those winding rocky paths where you expect to see an angry bear perched just around the corner.

I've got my climbing legs today - was worth taking it steady yesterday.

Wednesday 2 July 2008

Chamonix


Chamonix
Originally uploaded by rone.b
Had a run into Chamonix today (motorbike), great views. Had a laugh at Tim who thought he'd got a puncture and motorbiked into a field - completely harmless and upright but it was like a scene out of some mothers do have 'em

Day 5 - Telski


Day 5 - Telski
Originally uploaded by rone.b
Rest day, sort of.

Thought you might like to see Terry and Carol's place ...
telski.co.uk
Going to Chamonix to on GSs today.

Tuesday 1 July 2008

Old goat


Old goat
Originally uploaded by rone.b
The goat wanted to eat my flux. Tim made friends with it. After here we descended to Switzerland and had an amazingly heavy cheese filled toast sandwich.

Tim break


Tim break
Originally uploaded by rone.b
Don't forget to click on the pictures and see the location of the picture.

Merv


Merv
Originally uploaded by rone.b
Not sure what Merv was talking about here!

Downhillers


Downhillers
Originally uploaded by rone.b
It's probably 95% downhillers here. We're the other 5%.

Views...


Views...
Originally uploaded by rone.b

Day 4 - full of challenges


Day 4 - full of challenges
Originally uploaded by rone.b
Great day today. 5hrs of riding taking in several 800m+ climbs. (we reckon about 3500m of climbing today). An absolutely great off road climb in the middle of the day took 45mins and was very steep. Despite looking rough on the chair lift, I've never felt better. Several serious thunderstorms today

Monday 30 June 2008

Scoff


Scoff
Originally uploaded by rone.b
Bit too much food maybe for today's ride. Pizza all round.

Views


Views
Originally uploaded by rone.b

Food thoughts


Food thoughts
Originally uploaded by rone.b
20 mile up and we're thinking of food stop. Nice view. We rode down that cliff in the background. :)

Top of somewhere


Top of somewhere
Originally uploaded by rone.b
A bit of climbing and some chair lifts and then we're on our way down. A bit rusty so far, climbing better than I'm descening. Merv is riding his cheeky pace hard tail. 25c not too hot.

Day 3


Day 3
Originally uploaded by rone.b
First day, 400m climb then on bike park for log of doom. Getting on ski lift next. Bison considering bail out options on downhills already.

Hail Break


Hail Break
Originally uploaded by rone.b
Last 10miles and we hit a viscious storm driving up the pass (click thru the picture then press rone's maps to see the exact location.) We waited and saw some very special lightning. After 30 mins we set off again and arrived in Chatel at 6.30pm. Total 810 miles.

Sunday 29 June 2008

Spot the bison


Spot the bison
Originally uploaded by rone.b
A39 peage... Not far from Switzerland. It costs 25 quid to use the motorway there. GSers doing 55mpg but we paid 1.62 euro per litre today. Scenary getting too good.

Bread II


Bread II
Originally uploaded by rone.b
And here's the follow up.

Day 2 - Bread.


Day 2 - Bread.
Originally uploaded by rone.b
It was always going to come down to french bread at some point. Fantastic start to the ride, proper champagne country.

Saturday 28 June 2008

Hill Billy's bedtime


Hill Billy's bedtime
Originally uploaded by rone.b
Not exactly a picture of the hotel but it reminded me of texas chainsaw massacre... Food was great, both tired - early start tommorow, quick rip around Dijon via the N71 and then into Switzlerland and back around to Chatel. Good night.

Foie Gras


Fois grais
Originally uploaded by rone.b
Dinner time... Tim has got the waiter on his side and getting extra bread.

The bison sleeps tonight.


The bison sleeps tonight.
Originally uploaded by rone.b
Nearing our first french overnight we decide to stop for rest. Bison overloaded on bread this morning... Just getting to the nice roads at last, 270 miles for today and 290 tommorow.

Neck rash


Neck rash
Originally uploaded by rone.b
Had a shave before I set off... Bad move, the collar of my helmet is chaffing big time forcing me to resort to assos cream for it. Weather getting better..

Lost in Calais


Lost in Calais
Originally uploaded by rone.b
1 minute out of calais and Tim disappeared down a slip road. When I eventually found him he'd not got his helmet on and panicked. Just stopped for a powderey chocolate

3.30 alarm


3.30 alarm
Originally uploaded by rone.b
Not much sleep last night. Got in about 11, up at 3.30am. Waiting to board train. Tim growing a beard... Should be in france by 5.30am.

Friday 27 June 2008

Council Rapper


Council Rapper
Originally uploaded by rone.b
So.. First stop is a burger on the A14... Bison puts his new waterproofs on and creates a mix of dustman and mc hammer in one fell swoop.

Rainy start, but gradually clearing.

Ready to go!


Ready to go!
Originally uploaded by rone.b
I'm ready but tim's not. Is he even coming? He will probably forget his motorbike. Supposed to be leaving at two.

Tuesday 24 June 2008

Upping the miles

Upping the miles and efforts now as part of gradually increasing output in prep for this Year's TransWales.

Didn't hit anything like the miles I'd planned to in May. June should top out at around 400 miles (after the odd holiday and eating/socialising too much) so not too bad, but not quite where I wanted to be.
July really have to push it. Will need some good 40, 50, 60 mile rides on 3 consecutive days (supplemented with some sprint days and rest days). AND have to get some 'proper' (with respect to distance and climbing and offroad) riding in with you guys. You have to make me do a MINIMUM of two peaks rides with you in July or I'm shooting myself in the foot really.

Knees have been and are still a worry, so I'm not putting them under too much load where possible. Taking new joint supplement is also helping (even if it's only placebo, it works for me).
Back is holding up ok for now...but hard off road would soon make a mess of it I reckon.

So at this point I'm all on track-ish. Just need to make sure July goes to plan and then I can start tapering down to the TransWales which starts Sat 16th if August...I think :)
And need to keep an eye on overtraining...so easy to get carried away and do too much and before you know it, you're knackered for a few days a need a week off.

Tuesday 3 June 2008

Big derbyshire/notts loop 65 miles 5.5hrs

Another wet ride, myself and Bison out towards Eastwood and Watnall finishing up on route 6 from Nottingham to Pines.

A long ride with quite a bit of climbing.

Will update later with a map, so keep checking back!

Afan Sunday 25th May - Skyline

Very wet, very cold and very windy.

Had a great ride though - we all enjoyed it. It took 3.5hrs and only a couple of minor spills.

No pics though, just too wet to get the camera out.

Thursday 8 May 2008

wales trip

hi all.
just wondering if anyone is up for a trip to afan on 25 may,me matt and bud are in,more the better.hopefully it should be good.let me know so we can sort transport,thats if you all are not busy doin racing stuff.

Neily! Great idea. I would like to go. Sounds good, I can get something on my roof!

This is rone in Kiev, Ukraine at the moment sat in hotel bedroom feeling dodgy from the human burger I ate the night before.

Monday 21 April 2008

Revolver G2 night rider Sat/Sun

Great event, I think we can all say we really enjoyed it. All of us had iffy first laps, perhaps the decision to do two laps at a time can be finally put to rest.

We came 12th, which wasn't a brilliant result be were all getting better throughout the night. I personally put my fastest lap in at the start but my second consecutive lap was poor.


See here for laps and results.
http://www.timelaps.co.uk/assets/uploads/G2ShooterR1_20-04-08.htm

Weather stayed fair also, with a bit of misty rain in the morning.

Thanks to to Tom, Damian and Rupert for making up the Pitbikers Beta Team.

Sunday 13 April 2008

Ride to Lincoln .... and back

8.00 start turned to 8.30 by the time Tom was dressed, Bison on time for a change. 4hrs was the target - ride out to Lincoln using old railway line near powerstation.



Rode out Clumber way and found a great new track near Bevercotes that led us to Tuxford.



A little bit of roading later we approached High Marnham and were faced with signs telling us to keep out - but the railway was very disused and begging us to ride it. Bison took on the challenge to find a way around - which involved navigating a field near the trent and climbing up an embankment. We eventually got on the bridge (see bison pic), which was tough going to start with but eventually turned into nice concrete cycle route 64 - that led us to Lincoln.




A quick stop for bad fish, chips and burger and then turnaround, retrace.

Total miles for Tom and I 60.5 (320mins), Bison had to do a little more - 72 miles. (390) mins.

Monday 31 March 2008

Challenge Annika

Right....lovely day yesterday and all fired up now. So need to keep up the momentum.



So, here we go....I'm going to try and average 100 miles per week for April and May. It's not loads, but a big commitment/jump for me and I need to get it under my belt for the Trans in August. I'll still run at least once a week.



Now just have to make sure I do it.....past experience does not bode well, but I'm confident I'll crack it this time...

Lincoln and Beyond

Nice day yesterday day, wind pushed me all the way to West Ashby. Starting in Clumber and taking back lanes to Harby and then almost all cycle paths to Horncastle. 3hrs 40mins. 14.3avs.

Tuesday 11 March 2008

Running - exercise of the devil

Still plodding on and training to up exercise regime. Main aim is to up distance (and endurance)...someway off that but getting there.

Have been doing regular turbos (2+ times a week, for an hour) and am now getting out for a ride on my actual bike in the evenings. Just need to slot at least one good longer ride in at weekends,then I am happy.

I've also been running again. After shinsplint episode, I rested 2 weeks and then found my good old foot arch supports and have been sticking to my 4 mile run and trying to run on the verge most of the time (when it's light anyway).

Ran last night. I enjoy the cross-training, the endorphin hit and being to get my HR up for 35-40mins easily...but f*ck me, running is horrible. I'll keep doing it...but I have no idea while people bother doing it all the time and especially why they do mad miles.

Angus, you're off your head.

Thursday 6 March 2008

Pines 12hr Enduro 19/20th April

http://www.g2revolver.co.uk/site/70/241.html

So who's up for this? On a Sat/Sun - I'm up for doing it as a solo/pairs/team, however it falls. I know there is an Adventure race on the Sunday but I would sooner do this local.

Thoughts?

Wednesday 5 March 2008

Bar for Bison & Strathpuffer film of Bison/Bogus

I thought a few of us may need a bit of help in this department. £1.50 for a good Poo or just try some of Bison's new veg fest stew instead..

Strathpuffer film - BBC

Here is the link to the BBC film "The Adventure Show" of Tim and Angus's 24hr night ride enduro, "Strathpuffer" January in Scotland. Tim features at about 51 mins muttering all manner of crap. Please post if you spot Angus.

Hurry though as the film has only 4 days left to play.

Thursday 28 February 2008

Leap Year Ride


Took the long way home from work, it's almost lights off till six (pushing it). Rode past the sewage works and down to Budby then into Clumber, and finally back along the Carbuton road. Took my new path up Cuckney hill for this shot but I think I missed the best of the sun.

Sunday 17 February 2008

Burbage Loop 07 video August 12 - 07

Red hot day, 5 hour loop up into the peaks. Tom was on form, and so was bison.

57 miles, riding from Boon Hills ...

Friday 15 February 2008

More pics added

I think I'm up to 2004. There may be the odd pic missing! Some old stuff from an Afan trip.

http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/pitbikers

Wednesday 13 February 2008

2008 - a non-biking biker's start to the Year

Well, Christmas was full of pasta and wine and puddings and cheese and steak and more cheese and more puddings and and alot more wine and not a deal of biking.

Business was busy, so concentrated on that and manged a couple of small tiny local rides and some turbo trainer sessions. But that's an improvement on previous years...so maybe things will bode well for 2008?

Jan went well....-ish - upped Turbo sessions and I've started running for the first time since school. I reckon 20+years since I ran. Not looking to break any records. Just supplementing biking/turbo'ing and using it as way to drop way. F*ck me was it hard at first. Idea is to stick to runs under an hour and get up to twice a week. On 6th week of running now. Main route is 4 miles and I can do that comforably in 36 mins (I told you no speed records!) and I've done a 6 miler once. I'm also past the stage where I need to stop and walk briskly...:)

Feb upon us and the weather is glorious. Not sure how long that will hold...I foresee at last snow and ice blast come end of feb/march...who knows? Still turbo-ing and running. And done a couple of small local rides out on the lanes to get legs spinning. Need to get into some 3 and 4+ hour rides ASAP. Hmmm....maybe this weekend.

This year, I'm entered for the TransWales in August and the D2D solo in OCt. Maybe this Pines Niterider 12 thing in APril...if I can be ready in time. It's certainly in the diary. And I'll try and get a Merida or two in before TransWales. Not sold on 24hr solo event yet. Abbot and Bogus were insane for the Strathpuffer me thinks (much respect is due though) - but I fancy a 24hr as a two man team. Let's see if Rone and I can't get our fingers out and get something entered - should be fun.

Here's hoping we get the summer we deserve after last year's washout and that I actally get on the bike for longer than an hour in the next few weeks :).

Tom

Sunday 10 February 2008

Bison Superman video Newnham 2007

Bison, probably contributing to his frame cracking ...

Thursday 7 February 2008

Adventure race pic


Here is my pic from the start of the D&W adventure race 1, amazingly I managed to screw the start up going the wrong way out of the event centre. Angus did well though - 2nd, while I was stuck with 10th.
Hard climb start though just to get the map! There are more pics over at www.sleepmonsters.com and a write up http://sleepmonsters.com/racereport.php?race_id=5305

Wednesday 6 February 2008

Pitbikers 2008


The pitbikers are in turmoil, not seen bison for weeks since he and angus did the strathpuffer... tom is on holiday building up for the trans-wales.


Had a good xmas run with several nice rides though, almost worth being called pitbiker now ...