24hrs of Exposure: Getting there & getting ready

I met Simon Ernest at Marble Arch on the Friday morning and we set about packing the car with the three bike frames and 6 sets of wheels. Unfortunately We couldn't get everything in so I had to leave one of the bikes behind. Not ideal for a 24hr race but not much option. So I chose the 29r hardtail. I had 8 good hours on it and I was sure this was the bike to take over the 26in full sus. 

We drove up steadily to Newcastleton via the M6. The drive wasn't too bad as we shared it and chatted the whole way stopping for the odd coffee. The moment we entered Scotland I lost O2 signal on my phone and never regained it. Pulling into the Rock UK center we could see the event organisation taking place. We were directed to our little log cabin we had booked and unpacked.

Big pile of kit outside our cabin

The cabins were great, basic but good enough for the job. Four beds a sink and a toilet and shower to share between the other dorms in the cabin. Myself and Simon built up our bikes and went for a test run around the course.

My bed for the weekend

The course started off with a short steep climb onto a grassy almost BMX looking trail that led to a little drop. From the drop we had a small rocky path to the bottom of what looked like a forest climb. This climb zig zagged up the side of the hill. It was never too steep and easily ride able  when dry but one thing that was clear was that the grip was going to be lost with the slightest amount of rain. Out of the last few switchbacks we than regained the rocky path at the top. This was very bumpy. It was here I noticed my rear tyre was leaking. I could hear the air coming out. Wiggling the tyre about  I can't image what it must have bee like on 26in wheels. Although I didn't have a rear suspension I could tell it would feel bumpy. My 29in wheels seemed to roll over it well. 

Bloody never did get the hang of Simon's pump

From this we went down into a little valley over a bridge then up a small gravel climb which led to a steep climb that seemed to be about 300m long. On my 29r this was to be climbed on the lowest of my gears using the middle ring (some people still have three up the front you know) . I was thinking this climb was going to be a tough one half way into the race. This climb was steep and it was going to hurt for sure. Over the top of this we came to a fireroad that was split down the middle. It looked like a out and back from 1st looking at it. The Fireroad was pretty flat but fairly long. When we got to the end we figured that it must go somewhere else or just do a U turn. We turned back (which was a mistake) down the firetrack. We went past the point where we joined it at the top of the climb and about twice as far again on the fireroad. This brought us to the top of some nice singletrack swithcbacks which took us back down to a gravel road.

200m down the gravel and back to some more single track which was up and down. I really liked this bit. This finished at the little valley where we crossed a bridge earlier. This then had a short climb to a very bumpy grass trail that led us back to the finish via a really (bloody awful) bumpy descent into the arena.

Upon finishing I spotted Kinesis Morvelo's Rob Lee and we discussed the merits of the lap. Now what myself and Simon had done didn't feel like an 11mile lap. Rob confirmed that we had missed over half out. Yeah we guessed that. Where? Turns out that the signs were not up where we did the U turn. We should have turned left and all would have been clear 200m up the trail. Oh well! It's not like I won't get practice I thought. 

The jerseys on display

Back to the log cabin to fix the punture take out the inner tube and make my tyre tubeless again. This time I put double the amount of Stan's sealant in the tyres.

The signing on sheet

We signed on went to the pasta party and waited for our room mates to arrive. Simon's team mate Chris Pedder and his partner Rachel Fenton. Chris was also riding the 12hr with Rachel supporting.

They arrived with some wine so we each had a big glass then went to bed. Big day tomorrow

Packing and getting it all together

I didn't realise how much stuff I would have to get sorted for one race. I suppose it's more like 6 enduros in one. The amount of food I will be taking is stupid but I will be needing to get a lot down my neck if I am going to survive the 24hrs.

• 10 waterbottles
• Enough High5 4:1 Drink to fill those bottles plenty of times
• A tub of Accelerade 4:1 so I can have a change of drink
• Two sachets of High5 /source Xtreme drink
• 24 High5 Energy + gels
• 20 other gels Mix of all sorts
• Two packets of Biscuits
• 6 Powerbars
• A fruit cake
• A big bag of pasta to cook when I get home from work
• A bag of Haribos (opened so they might not make it)

Kit wise I have a hell of a lot

• Scott Scale 29r Pro HT bike
• Lapeirre X Control FS bike
• 1 spare set of 29in heels 
• 1 spare set of 26in wheels
• 1 bike stand
• Spare tyres for the 26in wheels (Bonty XR1)
• Large bag of tools
• Exposure Diablo headlight
• Exposure MaXx D bike light
• Hope 4LED bike light (spare)
• Torch
• Lamp
• Track Pump
• Laptop
• 3 days worth of clothes
• 1 Skinsuit (always the optimist)
• 3 pairs of shorts
• 2 short sleeve jerseys
• 1 pair of Japanese school girl style compression socks (white)
• 6 pairs of socks
• This list is getting massive
• Lube
• Helmet
• 2 pairs of gloves
• A gortex Jacket
• 2 Gilets
• What have I missed?
• ASSOS CREME
• Garmin 705 GPS (It only lasts for about 14hrs) so + Charger
• 6 spare innertubes
• I'm sure I have missed something (please leave a comment if I have missed something I need)
• Oh a spare saddle (you never know)

24hrs with plenty of EXPOSURE

So we have had weeks of stunning weather. The trails are dry and dusty. There have been forest fires all over the UK. I've witnessed one myself at Cwmcarn (only a small one) and we now have 3 days to go until the 24hrs of Exposure race. The European & British Solo MTB Champs. The weather has not just turned a little bit bad but horrifically bad. The event is at the Rock UK center part of the 7Stanes. The course will be on an all weather track that should be OK but 200 of us riding around it for 24hrs should cut it up quite a bit. A week ago I was going to be wearing just my club cycling kit now I will be wearing a whole lot more. My fast wheels have some semi slicks on them. They will probably do for the 1st few hours but I will soon have to change to something a little more grippy no doubt.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/325?area=Newcastleton
The forecast is really something else. Thunder storms, hail stones and heavy rain but warm. 20C in the day which if true will take the edge off it a bit. Now why on earth did I leave my rear Crud Catcher mudguard in Wales?
I can't believe I am contemplating even packing my camo baggy water proof shorts. Racing in baggy shorts just feels wrong thinking about it.

Now I need to get myself a few more spare brake pads. I fear 2 sets is not enough

Less than a week to go

Sunday night I did my final bit of training for Saturday's 24hr race. 4hrs on the Scott Scale 29 up Cwmcarn three laps of the Twrch Trail and home. The Twrch Trail is a bit longer than a lap of the 24hr course but with the same amount of climbing it it. Three laps all under 54 mins wasn't too hard or two slow. I can do it a lot faster but when I'm not doing more than two laps I have to pace myself a bit.

Scott Scale 29 Pro as standard apart from the Ergon Grips & XT pedals

Really happy so far with the new bike. It was bit of a risk switching to a hardtail but it's got big wheels so it doesn't feel too harsh. How it will fair after 24hrs midday on Sunday I don't know. I will have my Lapierre X Control as back up anyway.
I'm as ready as I can be now. Anything I do from now on is not going to help. Preparation for the 24hrs of Exposure for me is all about eating well and getting my two bikes ready. I'm not that impressed with the Avid brakes on the Scott so I will be taking the Formula R1s of my Lapierre and fitting them. The Selle Italia saddle just doesn't get on with my bottom so that will be swapped out for my trusty Fizik Tundra Carbon. I have some Lighter wheels that need to have tyres, brake disks, & a cassette fitted to. The list goes on.

Leaving Newport last night with too much stuff

Racing at Hillingdon this evening on the road bike to get those legs going a bit if I get out of the office on time. It's windy so it will be a good work out. I will be riding the easier 3/4 race for the last time. A 1st win this evening would please me no end.

Two Weeks and Two Hours

It's 10am on a Saturday morning. My wife is in work and I'm looking after my kids at home. The sun is out and I think a family bike ride is in order. In two weeks the whole way I look at MTB racing will change. 24hr racing has been a focus of mine for the past 9 months. In two weeks and two hours I start my 1st 24hr solo race.
I really cannot wait. It's going to be awesome. I'm a little worried how my body will hold up. Mentally I should be OK but current  issues with my Achilles tendons and the back trouble I had a week ago worry me a bit. I've run out of Vicks First Defence so I better pop to Boots and get some more. I wouldn't want t get a cold again in these next two weeks.
I pick up my Scott Scale 29r Pro tomorrow. Can't wait to get out on it and set it up. I have two weeks to work out if it will be my race bike or my spare. It being 2.5kg lighter than my Lapierre lets hope it I get it dialled quickly and use it as my main bike.

The clock is ticking.

I'd be lying if I didn't say I was slightly bricking myself. Preparation has not gone to plan but shit does happen. I'm looking forward to the road trip. I'm driving up with Simon Ernest and I'm sure we will have some good music to help us on our way. From his Tweets I think we like similar music and you might hear us coming. I think there will be a lot of RATM and Beastie Boys. Simon's doing the 12hr and I'm doing the 24hr. The drive home is going to be Hellish I'm sure.

I will report back when I have those big wheels when I have done some intervals on The Killer

Big Wheels

More Illness & Injury

Off the back of my 3rd place two weeks ago I was in great spirits. Myself and some mates went for a long evening training ride. 5hrs out to Hampshire after work. It was an excellent ride but we got back a bit late and by the time I had eaten and tried to get to bed it was a bit too late I guess. During the ride I felt great but the following morning I felt rough and really felt that I was coming down with something. The following day I was coughing up some nasty stuff. Bronchitis again! Wonderful. I'd thought I'd had more than my fare share of illness already this year. 10 days off the bike. No training and only 4 weeks to 24hrs of Exposure. No sooner had I managed to get ride of the bad chest I hurt my back carrying my youngest daughter on my shoulders (I'm getting old). So the two days of riding I could have done in Wales were not going to happen. I was fearing I had done something similar to what I had done a few years ago which took me off my bike for a month.
Luckily for me a few days of rest and I was OK. 1st ride back on the bike 3/4 race at Hillingdon

1st, 2nd & 3rd in the Chipper

It's been a while since I raced at Hillingdon with a bunch of team mates Ralph and Ben were racing from my club. Being all third cats we decided to enter the 3/4 race. We had a little team talk and discussed tactics. Lets make sure we get someone or at least two of us in the break.
Not holding back at all we were a quarter of a lap into the race when I attacked off the front for the 1st time. Half a lap later I was reeled in so Either Ben or Ralph attacked. This went on quite a few times until Ben and Ralph were away with a lad called Gareth Thomas from Kingston Wheelers. The reaction of the rest of the riders was little slow. A few tried to jump across but failed. I sat behind a few of these fro a free ride but they all sat up. After waht I thought were bigger efforts from the stronger riders I thought they had had their chance and blown it. If I go now they will be not quite recovered.

Me still in the bunch with the trio up the road

A quick little sprint with a little look back to make sure I was alone and I was away. About 3/4 of a lap later I was in the break. A quick rest then straight to the front for my turn. We worked well together as a quartet. We put in a good effort and managed to get about half a lap on the bunch. We were suprised that the bell came so early for a lap to go but it happened to be at about 41 mins. They wanted us to finish early as there had been a nasty crash in the other race.
Nobody was as suprised I guess than Gareth from Kingston Wheelers. Unfortunalty for him he just happened to be on the front when we got the bell. Just where we wanted him. Coming over the top of the little Climb Ben attacked and we left Gareth on the front the chase if he wanted to. On the final bend Ralph jumped away and I followed. We soon left Gareth behind and we over took Ben. I closed on Ralph quite well but as I drew alongside him he kicked again and beat me by about a wheel or maybe more. 1-2-3. It couldn't have panned out better. Tactically and physically we shafted them.

London Cycle Sport Report

Just getting up to the group

Ben driving us forward

Not the best time for Gareth to hear the bell

 

Beaten by my team mate Ralph 'Magnus' deKaner 1-2-3 with Ben Moores in third

3rd in a Chipper Circuit Race

Tuesday night was the start of the Hillingdon evening circuit races. They run from now until August. Normally the 1st night is a crash fest so last year I decided to miss the 1st week for that very reason.
Normally the race was split in two with the E123 race and the 4th Cat race. This year it was split but a bit different. The 4th cat race had a real bad repetation for crashes. This year they introduced a different race. This was for 3rd cats & 4th cats but without the BC points. It is to be an experiment to see if people just wan't to ride for a bit of fun and to take the manic sprint for the line for 10th spot and that one BC point out of the equation. I personly think that people new to the sport focus too much on getting to the next level rather than learning how to race safe etc.. So this race if for people who want to learn to race or just race for a bit of fun.
I've been a 2nd cat for years but dropped down to 3rd this year as I didn't really race on the road last year to gain the points required to stay up as a 2nd cat.
For bit of fun & training I decided to enter the 3/4 race rather than get my legs ripped off in the E123. There was only 26 riders entered which is quite small. Although this was a 3/4 race there were some pretty strong riders. My former team mate Rudie Marais is pretty strong but seems to be back down to 3rd cat. He's pretty strong and attacks a lot but would be a big fish in this race but not so in the E123 perhaps. There were a few mates who were with me who had dropped down to a 3rd. We were in this for fun.
The race started pretty quick and it was like that for the entire length. Probably because I was one of the stronger riders and my love of attacking I was pretty much down the front and out of trouble. I thought we had had a 4 man crash early on around the back of the bunch but I was wrong. The crash had come from the E123 race on the 1st lap.
We only raced for about 35 mins and I had a little dig for a few laps but nothing really came of it. As soon as I was back in the bunch we were shown the 3 laps to go sign. The next three laps is where normally if there is going to be a crash there would be. I kept myself in the top 10 and made sure I was up there. Now with just over a lap to go a rider jumped away. I had no idea of this. Where was I looking at the time I wonder? Normally I'd have a clue but this evening I just didn't. Coming into the final bend I was convinced I was sprinting for the win. I was third wheel in the sprint and Rudie was leading it out. the young chap on his wheel heistated so much that when Rudie kicked he just sat there blocking me in. Eventually he let me past (maybe I sould have been less polite but we are supposed to be teaching these guys how to race.) but Rudie already had about 4 bike lengths on my. I drove for Rudie's wheel but I just don't have the power for that now. My little legs have turned into diesel legs now. A bloody good job as well as if I'd caught and past Rudie I would have thought I had won and you can guess what an arse I would have made of myself.
So 3rd in a Chipper Circuit race. I will do a few more of these 3/4 races and move up to the E123 where I should be.

My Local (little) Killer Climb

Killer Lane

This is the lane around the back of my house in Newport, South Wales. It's where I do some of my interval training. 20% for most of the way with a 26% kick at the top.

it's not very pleasant but it's not meant to be is it. Its only about 150m long and I can either turn around and roll back down or do a little loop that I have.

The loop starts at the bottom of the climb up to the top, I turn right then continue up a further 150m at 9% where you go round a one way system that is flat. I then shoot down a hill and turn left at the bottom. Turn on to a main road and ride along this for 300m. I then turn into my street and immediately off it up a steep cobbled climb. 15% for about 200m. This takes me to a very short downhill down some single track, over a railway bridge and back to the start.

Sprinting up this hill is not so good on my full sus MTB. When I get my hardtail 29er I should be able to put the gas down a bit better. I look forward to it. It's nice to get out for 30 mins or so and do some real hard training.

Feel the burn: Swain's Lane

After work I decided that I'd head to Regent's Park for some Chaingang action then do some hill sprints up Swain's Lane. The plan was to do an hour or so getting to the Inner Circle and around it and then head up to Swain's Lane. John my mate and I were lucky to join in with some of the London Pheonix club who where were doing quite a well drilled ride. It wasn't too hard but we knew the climbing later would be tough.
Coming out of the wrong gate (it all looks the same) we took the wrong turn and ended up going up a massive climb (for London).

The plan was to do 5 flat out (well as near as flat out as possible) climbs of Swain's Lane. It's Evil what ever speed you ride it. We scrubbed one go so we were down to four as we had just done the big climb to Hampstead.
The last time I did repaeats of Swain's Lane was the very last ride before I got Swine Flu. The pain was back.
The first one was evil. My legs were screaming before I'd even got to the halfway point where it gets steeper. 2nd time I just couldn't ride so hard at the start. Going through the steep bit I felt OK and this was the pathetic one. The 3rd was better as I went hard over the top. The 4th and final just felt terrible. I knew this was the last so I sprinted going over the top slightly cramping as I got to the last speed hump. Oxygen debt is an understatement. I couldn't talk. Just how it's supposed to be.
Back for more next week but with my PowerTap to see how pathetic my legs really are.
http://connect.garmin.com/player/73504640

7 weeks to go for the big one

Just looked at the calendar and much to my horror I realise I only have 7 weeks to go to my first 24hr solo. Great Scott! Now there's another thing. My Scott Scale 29r Pro should arrive sometime soon. Six or so weeks should give me enough time to get it dialed. It's a big move for me. From fullsus to hardtail and 26" to 29".
The training has been going well for the past few weeks. Accommodation and plans on how to get there sorted.
The big test of what food & drink is best is yet to be done. Should have that sorted by the end of the month.
Bring it on!

Black Park XC & what not to do before a race.

OK my first Short XC race of the season. I've missed two rounds of the Welsh series but I wasn't going to miss the Black Park XC. This was my 1st race back mountain biking last year. I did it on a borrowed Giant Anthem which a collegue kindly let me have for a few weeks as my Lapierre was delayed a bit. Last year I punctured on the penultimate lap and due to having no spare tube I ran half a lap to get it fixed.
This year I thought I'd have some luck. The forcast in the week before was for rain on the weekend so I left my trusty Rocket Ron tyres on my race wheels. later in the week it became clear that the race was going to be a dry one. Black Park is really fast and I decided I'd use my fastest tyres. I had limited room in the car so it was one set of wheels that's it. Choose wisely! So the night before I put my Bontrager XR1 tyres on. They are not Tubeless ready but I have run them plenty of times with out innertubes. They are super light and super fast. Never had an issue with them. Confidence was high.
I loaded the car and drove to London the night before the race. Staying at my sister in laws not too far away. The morning of the race we had rain. No hope in Hell in getting my wife and kids out there if it was raining. So alone and a little late (I wanted to spend as much time with my children as possible) I headed to the race.
On arrival I set up my bike to find no air in my rear tyre. Wonderful! All I needed. No idea why today the seal had gone but normally fine. I borrowed Simon Ernest's (AW Cycles) track pump and pumped it up. All was good again.
I didn't really leave enough time to do a recce of the course so I did half of it. It felt pretty similar the the previous year. I was happy. On the start line ready we watched the Elite guys shoot off into the distance. 15s to go then off went the horn. The mass sprint for the 1st corner was a long one. I think it was about 700m. A Hell of a lot further than the previous year. One chap obviously didn't do any sort of recce as he turned from the right hand side to the left to try and join some single track we had used last year. I really thought he was going to take everyone out. We were lucky all he did was put himself dead last. I think I joined the single track in about 4th or 5th place.
It took all of about a 3rd of a lap for me to start struggling with the pace through the twisty stuff. I must learn to ride a bike a bit better. I had a few chaps asking if they could have a go as I was leaving gaps. I let them past and tried to hang on to them. Most riders probaly don't think the Black Park race is technical but for me it is.

On the the thrid lap I was getting the flow of the course right and I felt like I was quick. Then on one corners I heard a burp noise from my rear tyre. It had gone down a bit and released a load of air under pressure on the side wall. Disaster! I stopped to make sure it was OK and it seemed a bit flat but OK. What I should have done here is put a tube in it. At this very momment. A lap later at pretty much the same place even though I cornered a little slower it burped again. I continiued a bit and it burped again. I stopped and filled the tyre with that Zefal foam. Jobs a good un. It was firm.
All this time I was faffing with my rear whel all the riders I had dropped had caught me up again and the leaders of the Vets race that started off 2 mins behind us were catching. One familiar face from road racing caught up with me Paul Crook of West Drayton MTB Club. I found that I could stay with him around the course and we seemed to be well matched. On the road though Paul would rip my legs off but off road we seemed more equal. Coming round to start our 2nd lap together I heard Jody Crawforth two more of the Elites thundering down the singletrack towards us. I let them past straight away as you do. I didn't want to hold them up at all. Finishing the lap we were back on the firetrack. I powered up the fireroad like a typical roadie trying to make up for what was lost on the singletrack. Simon Ernest popped from be hind me to join on the group of Elites. The pace they were doing on the firetrack was slower than I expected. I stayed behind them know that the moment the singletrack arrived they would be gone. Surely the moment we had rounded two or three tight corners in the trees the speed and class of the Elite guys showed. that's why I ride as a Master.
Must have been only 15 seconds or so later 2010 Masters Champ and now back to Elite Scott Forbes shot past. Looked like he was closing down on the group ahead. A few more corners and It was juist back to me and Paul Crook. Half a lap later my rear tyre burped out a shit load of air again on a corner and went totally flat in one go. I had to stop and push some more foam and CO2 in. I took my time as the valve wasn't palying ball with me and I squirted foam all over myself. I wanted to finish so I needed it to work.
As before the group of Masters in my race were catching up again as I'd stopped. I soon dropped them and finished the lap and the race. Coming accross the line I was told I was 27th. Hands on head "How the hell?" I totally believed somehow I was 27th. Moments later as I was warming down. "Sorry Jason you were 12th" That was more like it. With out my silly issues I'd like to think I'd have got around 6th. Turned out I was 13th. Not my best performance but I've not been back on th bike long. I did my second race of the season. I'll just take the miles on the bike right now.
So don't change your kit just befroe the race, don't turn up late & do pre-ride the course if you are technically crap.

I feel like a proper racing cyclist again

As soon as I knew I was racing for sure I set out to shave my legs.

There is nothing worse than hairy legs in cycling shorts. It's been tights weather until now (still is for training)

I'd keep mine trimmed if I was training on the track but when you have hair like I have shaving them is a royal pain in the arse. So out came the clippers then the 30 mins sat in the bath.

Women have it easy I tell yah. And if you want to know why male cyclist shave their legs I suggest you google it. If I had a pound for everytime someone asked me I'd be a rich man.

Finally the first race of the Season: Wentwood50

I'm lucky that I even got to the start of the race yesterday morning. I entered it late and missed out on an entry. When I was in Spain sunning myself I received an email from the organiser asking me if I wanted to take a place and swap names with someone. I made sure I had someone to look after my kids and accepted. Getting back from holiday we found out that my wife's Mum had been taken ill.
It wasn't until fairly late on Saturday evening did I find out that I could ride. I managed to get a babysitter.
I got to the start and went signed on. It was bloody cold standing in the queue but it went smoothly which was great for a 1st time event. The tent did smell of dog poo though. Wasn't nice. We were called for the start at about 10:20 for a 10:30 START. I was pretty cold but I knew we had some climbing to do from the gun and I'd soon warm up. If I'd been wearing what some of the guys were wearing I'd soon be over heating.
I didn't get to do a warm up as I had to drop my kids at the babysitter as late as possible. I got dressed, fixed up my bike just in time. Not ideal but hey you take what you have.
The start was on the road (which were closed for the start and finish) We went straight up the road for a few miles to the top of the ridge and into the forest. I was near the front on the road but not at the front. With no I was warming up nicely and made sure I didn't over do it early on. This was my first race of the year and only forth ride in almost 8 weeks.
I ended up in a small group of around 6-7 riders through the first few KM off road. At one point I was just following wheels and who ever was up the front of our group had taken us off course. I think a few of us had gone the wrong way as we were alerted by riders coming up the hill we were going down asking if we had seen the sign. Err nope. Anyway we soon found it. You really had to keep an eye out for the arrows. They were big and yellow but somehow we were still missing them. I don't know how we missed them to be honest as they were pretty clear but we were missing them.
I was enjoying myself but my body wasn't. Me legs were working OK but my arms, shoulders and back were aching. For some bizzare reason I was convinced I'd put my Skins compression tights on backwards. There seems to be too much padding at the front. All I had done was failed to pull them up enough. The shorts became a pain as I was looking for negatives. catching on my saddle. Fact is I was very rusty offroad. My skills are not the great at the best of times but pretty much two months without any off road riding I was struggling. I fell off whilst trying to put an empty gel pack in my pocket (I wish everyone else would have tried as much as me keeping the place tidy).
On the up hills as normal I would pull away from my group. then on the technical downhills they would catch me up. I really need to get out and practice more on the technical stuff.
about 2/3 through the race the small group of three i was with turned wrong again. This time we were defiantly off course and had clearly missed out some course. There were checkpoints around 3 in all for the 50km course. I had all three. I wasn't about to cheat but it was hard to find where we went wrong. A rider going the other way told us we had missed out 7km. turned out it was less than a km. I'd done more than that wrong already.
The great thing about the route which also was probably where so many went wrong is with some of it the route was natural. There was no obvious trail but easy to go wrong. It was great. With about 8km to the finish we had a long fireroad climb which then turned into a steep road climb. being local i knew this climb well. My head went. I was tired. The lack of fitness was showing. I got to the top of the hill knowing the way home was all downhill. Big ring the whole way.

I finished the 50km in about 3hrs 10. So way down. I didn't push myself too much but I clearly have a lot of work to do before my 1st 24hr race in 9 weeks time. basically I am in the shit. The 7 weeks of no riding has put me somewhere I haven't been for a long time. Can I do it YES I CAN

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/72107896

Pics and results up soon on http://www.wentwood50.co.uk/ I loved the event. Very well organised with the food stations and excellent route. I will be back next year for the event and back up Wentwood forest in a few weeks for a ride.

The Blackpark XC next week. Can't wait

Video: Norwood Paragon CC 2010 Season

What a season. I am looking forward to the 2011 season and what the guys can do. For much of us the season starts this week.

Can't wait

Holiday in the sun

I'm off to Spain in the morning for a week in the sun. When I booked the holiday I had planned to take the bike but although I've been off it for 5 weeks with only one 40mile ride I'm leaving it at home.
There is a gym in our villa and I will do some weights. The forecast is good. Family time!!
When I get back I will go for a nice 6-8hr offroad ride then download the Mountain Mayhem entry form and send it off with my solo entry.

Now where the Hell is my set of travel plugs?

One thing I don't need more of right now is....

MOTIVATION
I have plenty of this
I don't think I have been as motivated as I have been over this winter for this coming season. Keen is a word I'd use. I haven't been this motivated to train hard for a long time. Never so with cycling. When I was in Uni I pretty much up gave up road cycling as I had lost motivation. I was pretty crap as a junior and my 1st year as a senior was terrible. I turned to rock climbing. I really tried my best get get to a very high level. Training was something I was very good at for this. I was like a machine. At 9st 7 I was stupidly strong and had a body that had no fat and muscle only where I needed it.
Since I started my comeback (I should say restart on the road) four years ago I have learned to suffer, something I never did in cycling before. I'd give up too soon. I guess I learned to suffer when rock climbing. You don't have a lot of choice. 5 weeks off the bike is the longest I have had off since. I had a double knee op three years ago and only had 3 weeks off. A broken collarbone was only a week as I was straight on the Turbo Trainer. 5 weeks seemed like a long long time. I'm glad I put a lot of miles in before Christmas
Last night I re started my training. It's damn good to be back. I only did 2.5hrs last night but it was quality. I left my Powertap at home as for my 1st ride back I didn't really want to know how I was doing I just wanted to enjoy it. A big Gym session this morning and now I'm feeling it.

YES!

I've decided to have a crack at Mountain Mayhem solo

One of my favourite photos taken by my team mate on the final lap in 2010

This year wasn't sure if I should do Mayhem solo or as part of the mixed team that did so well last year.
Knowing that Norwood Paragn CC will be sending three teams this year. So many people want to ride this year they shouldn't miss me too much. Well I was the backbone of the mixed team last year but we do have plenty of quick riders.
Knowing that I will have at least 14 team mates at the event I know I will have plenty of motivational support. I have my first 24hr solo race in 13 weeks. Training hasn't gone to plan so far. It was going very well. Excellent in fact I was very happy with how things were going. The the Swine Flu which I still haven't recovered from. Come tomorrow I will have missed two races which I was keen on using to build my form. Not trained for over 4 weeks now. Fingers crossed I will get out this coming week.
So Mayhem it is. I'm really looking forward to it. I am still really focused on the 24hrs of Exposure which is 6 weeks before Mayhem. I am though realistic with the chances of my performance here being one I could write home about. Being my 1st race I was really going to try hard at winning the Rookie jersey. I'm not daft I know my chances of this are slipping. This year I will have a hardtail 29r for Mayhem. I feel this will make me a little quicker on this not very technical course. I know a hardtail would have made me a lot quicker on the climbs (not that my Lapierre is crap on the climbs) I'm Aiming for top 10.
Between now and then I have one more week in work then a relaxing family holiday in Spain. When I get back I will have the 2nd round of the Welsh XC resies then the Black Park XC. A week after that I will be catching the train down to Winchester to do the South Downs Way. Plans plans plans. I've made them before, lets hope I can stick to them this time.

Looking forward to getting this at the end of March

I better make sure I get my entry in on the 28th of Feb. I can get another years supply of shower gel again.

http://www.osmountainmayhem.co.uk/

Can't See The Wood For The Trees

All I can think about at the moment is when I can get back on the bike and start training. It's driving me mad. Three weeks off the bike. I feel a lot better and I can ride my bike but no training. I now have Bronchitics which I know for past experiences with my body will take a few weeks to shift. I have to think of this years as a whole. I'm not going to risk trying to get riding in time for a XC race in a weeks time when I can mess up my season by keeping this bad chest for longer.
Time to step back and sit this one out. I will be ready to train when I am ready. My focus on the season was 24hrs of Exposure on the 1st weekend of May. Christ I'm still riding that as my first 24hr race but with no illusions on a sterling performance.
I remember as a junior I had this small stage race just outside Bath that I had planned to do for months. Two weeks before I managed to get a bad chest. I was taking all sorts of mediation to shift it. Well the day before the race felt OK. I finished the short prolgue TT coughing up little bits of blood and came last way way down on the rest. I've never done so bad in a TT and never felt so shit on a bike. I'm not letting that happen again.
I'm desperate to test myself over 100 miles off road and by now I'd expected to have already ridden the length of the South Downs Way. I have a nice family break in Spain this month. I'm sure I will come back from that fully fixed.
Then we will 'AVE IT!

I feel like all I do at the moment is moan about not getting out on my bike.

The Recovery

The Virus

So what I have/had is/was Swine Flu. Six or seven days of sheer Hell. The really cool thing is now I am getting better. I feel better every day. I have had nasty flu like this before about six years ago. That time I caught it out in Tarifa, Spain. I was out there on a kitesurfing trip became ill on the last day then had to travel home with the flu on the plane. My ears didn't pop for two weeks. Last week was almost like that. My left ear still has a good bit of fluid in it. The thing is I am getting better. I'm working at least. Five days off work on the sick was bad enough. I was told by the doctor that I probably wouldn't be fully recovered until three weeks of the crap. I can't see me being back on the bike until the first weekend in February. I have to wait I know until I'm totally recovered. Too many times in the past have I come back from illness too early only to get ill for longer.
I have a three day rule normally. Three days of no illness at all and then I feel like I am ready.
So my 'new' first race of the season is Round One of the Welsh XC series. I will be there if I am ready. Oh and I need to get down to some serious training.

Until then I better pop to Tesco's and get another few boxes of Kleenex anti-viral tissues. They are like pimped up Balsam ones.  Oh and some more Lemsip Max Flu.

Badger Flu

The plan was to wake up on Sunday morning nice and early to do a long ride on the MTB. The alarm went off at 6am and up I got. I felt a little groggy to say the least. Feeling very tired I reset my alarm for an hour later to see how I would feel later. (still with hope of getting an early ride in). I woke up later on and felt even worse. My whole body ached, I had swollen glands in my neck, a slight fever and a sore throat.
Ah great I thought. I'd only just had 18days off the bike in December due to a chest infection.
Four days later with as many packets of Lemsip Max Flu consumed I'm still no better. Three days off work and Four days of training missed. I think tomorrow I better get my ass to the doctor. Swine flu who knows? I'm sure there is nothing I can do other than do what I'm doing. Spending most of my day lying in bed feeling sorry for myself. Today was the first day I managed to watch a bit of TV. District 9 on Sky Movies. Thank God for Sky + as I paused it and went for a sleep for an hour half way through. It wasn't boring I just couldn't stay awake.
So to the doc's in the morning if they will see me and fingers crossed this doesn't go to my chest or I'll be out for another 2 weeks at least.

I've got some training to do. It was starting to come together well. On Sunday I had another 4hr Gorrick Brass Monkey event planned. Well that's not going to happen. Kettles on for the final Lemsip of the day. It's a Blackcurrant one. Ohh Nice

Oh and that film District 9. Wow bloody awesome. If you haven't seen it I think you should.

Twrch Trail Winter Nightride

Sometimes there are not enough hours in the day. The training has to be done though. The plan was to get up early and get out on the bike before me wife goes to work. Normally I have to get back by 11:30 so a decent ride is possible but I woke up to find my dog wasn't feeling too good. He's been sick. by the time I'd checked he was OK and cleaned up the mess it wasn't worth it. I'll be honest I didn't get up super early either.
I took the kids out on the bike midday when I could have been watching the Manchester United v Liverpool game. My eldest on her little 20in MTB and the other behind me on the trailer bike. However much fun it is it's not training.
When my wife got back from work I cooked the dinner, found the Moon with my daughters telescope, washed up etc.. All this takes time and delays the start of my ride. 8:30 after reading my kids a story I manage to get out.  Lights charged and ready I was off to Cwmcarn for two laps. It was very cold. The days have been mild for the past week but as the sky was clear the temp dropped. No idea how cold but was below freezing I'm sure. I was dressed OK so I would be fine. I was thinking of riding up off road up the canal path but I guessed it would be better just to get there do my training and get home.

Lighter, Brighter, Faster? Diablo/Prolight Combi

I was going to use my Exposure Diablo for the first time. On my Giro Prolight helmet I don't think you can get as much power for such little weight. My helmet with light probably weights quite a bit less than quite a few helmets on their own. Hopefully will be an excellent combination for racing. Coulpe d up with my Hope 4LED it was out riding (hope replace this with an Exposure MaXX D asap).
By the time I got to Cwmcarn it was just past 9pm and there was not a soul in sight. The puddles in the carpark were already starting to freeze and there was an amazing frost. With my bright lights shinning on it it looked like someone had tipped a massive tub of glitter and spread it on everything. As I know the trail pretty well and the lights were good found I could ride pretty much as quick as I could in the day. I shot up the first few climbs up to the top. Some joker had randomly stacked rocks around the trial. Some were un-naturally balanced so there is no way they would have landed like this. This was all over the trail pretty much every section. I found it funny. I wonder what time some would have bothered to have done it. I probably wasn't the only person to have ridden in the dark but was probably the last person to have that evening. At the top on my 1st lap I must have had a good mobile signal and received a few texts and Twitter alerts. I stopped and answered and then carried on. The down hill was good fun in the dark. I'm not the quickest in the day but felt like I could go just as quick.
Starting my 2nd lap I put in a big effort. This was today's training. I might as well make it quality training. Big efforts on the climbs then take it easy on the down hills and as quick as it was safe on the flat. It feels a bit odd being out on your own so late. All you can hear is your heart beat most of the time. Anything that is reflective is a distraction. Sheep are just plain spooky at night, all you see is their eyes at first. Someone had dropped their Specialized thermal Winter Glove. You'd never see it in the day I'm sure but the reflective bits were clear as day with my lights shining on them. On my second lap just as you get to the concrete bit that you some times have to walk up if its a bit damp I totally shat myself when I caught a glimpse of what I though was some random person just standing there. I'd never noticed it before. I hadn't seen it on the previous lap as I'd put the bike in the granny ring and ridden up the concrete. this time I got off and walked. So I saw the big wooden statue for the 1st time. Spooked with my pulse racing on I went. I went a bit quicker on the final downhill bit knowing where the jokers had left the balanced rocks. I finished the lap just after 11pm. It was really cold so I stopped and put my Goretex jacket on. One very swift ride home on the road and it was time for a well deserved bath. Really impressed with the Exposure light. I can ride with confidence with it.

Lower down the trail.

A View from the top
Not a very impressive pic but the view looked fantastic to the eye

The Spooky Wooden Man

Taking the kids to the races: The Welsh Madison Champs

On Saturday evening I took my two girls to see the Welsh Madison Champs at Newport Velodrome. I wasn't sure what they would think of it. I guessed they would get bored and we be leaving after half an hour. Well how wrong was I? They loved it. Explaining the rules of the Madison Devil was a little hard so I just told them about the hand sling. The fact they were paired up and you if you came last you were out. Seemed simple enough. I took some colouring pens and some puzzzle books for them to at least not get too bored.
The warm up confused them as they couldn't understand why they were not racing even though some of them were going very fast. The racing started and they kept asking me who was the best. I had no idea other than that the 100%Me guys would be fast and probably the Wiggle boys to. They picked Wiggle Team as they were easy to spot and Wiggle is a funny word. I had no idea Ben Simmons of Wiggle was doing the National Cyclocross on the Sunday and just assumed the one Wiggle rider was him. It wasn't it was Jon 'Euro' Cannings and Anthony O'boyle of team Torq. So my kids were shouting for Ben and Boyler. Only later when I spotted Cannings in the crowd did I realise. Oh well.
The Wiggle boys got a bit confused with 3 sprints to go and thought they were out but sadly they were not and they had already dropped back. 100% won the Madison Devil my kids had no idea what was going on but loved cheering and that was that.
The next race was the 'B' Madison, the race for riders not keen on racing with the Elite riders. There were Girls in this race. My youngest found out that number 27 was a girl called Emily and that's what she screamed every time she passed. I think they like this event the best as there were girls riding. There was a crash on the far side which we missed as the girls were in the toilet. Glad they missed it. Not nice to see crashes.
The main even was one of the most one sided races I have ever seen on a track. The 100%Me boys who are GB development are both awesome. Both local lads. Jon Mould and Sam Harrison. They didn't win all the sprints but they did lap the field five times. Matt Rowe was commentating and is clearly quite pally with they boys riding. Lots of banter about Jon Mould's yellow Mavic shoes through out the race. This time my girls shouted for Wiggle and Cwmcarn Paragon. My daughter shouting Cwmcarn as loud as she could was quite funny. Most of the evening we were sat next to Legro and Lee Povey of Fast Track Coaching. They had some riders in the races and Lee was coaching them from the wings.

What a night. They announced that the next races would be held at the Velodrome on the 5th of Feb. That should be a little easier for the kids to follow.

British Cycling Report

Early Season Race Plan: Jan - Apr 2011

Been trying to work out what to race in prep for the season ahead. The early focus of my season is the 24hr Champs starting on the 7th of May. I have to try and mix family life, training and racing. It's not easy. With my wife now working both Saturdays & Sundays I can't travel too far too often. My two girls will have fun travelling about with their Dad no doubt.

1. 23rd of Jan Merida Brass Monkey Round 3 Aldershot, Surrey Website, Course, 4hr Enduro 18-39
2. 13th of Feb Welsh Mountain Bike Series Round 1 Treforest, South Wales Website, XC Masters Race
3. 5th of Mar Welsh Mountain Bike Series Round 2 Builth Wells, South Wales  Website, XC Masters Race
4. 6th of March Wentwood 50km Mountain Bike Enduro, Wentwood, Newport, Website, Enduro
5. 13th of Mar Black Park XC Race Black Park Country Park, Bucks Website, XC Masters Race
6. 3rd of Apr Welsh Mountain Bike Series Round 3 Website Coed Y Brenin, North Wales, XC Masters Race
7. 9th of Apr Exposure Lights Big Night Out Builth Wells, South Wales Website, 40km Night Enduro 18-39 
8. 10th of Apr Legstretchers Memorial to Betty Pharoah Road Race Wick, South Wales, Reg B RR
9. OR 10th of Apr Cycles MTB Marathon Series (powered by Mercedes-Benz Vito Sport) Builth Wells, South Wales Website, 100km  Enduro

I will be adding in some Road Circuit races as well as the above no doubt (need to get my BC 2nd cat back). This with some damn hard training should be ideal prep for what is planned for May. South Downs Mission Towards the end of March. 

First (& Second) Ride of the Year

The first ride of the year was on New Years Day. I got out for an hour with my eldest daughter. She is 7 1/2 and rides a pink Specialized Hot Rock 20in Mini MTB. We are lucky that there is a disused golf course not far from out house where people walk their dogs. I've been teaching my daughter to ride off road here. It's not bad at all. Some single track and lots of different paths to follow. The Golf course has long over grown but you can see clearly from the Google Map shot what it once was. It would make a great venue for a cyclo cross race but it would never happen as it's private land and I'm not sure your allowed to walk your dog there let alone ride a bike there.

What was Tradegar Park Golf  Course

The scond ride of the year was on my own. I had planned to ride the South Downs Way on the Bank Holiday Monday but plans don't always work out. I stayed in Wales a day longer and headed out to Cwmcarn like I do often. I had planned to get a good six hours plus in but feeding my children and a quick rebuild of my Crankbros
rear hub meant I got out of the door a full two hours later than planned.
Over the New year the temperature outside was quite mild. I was in my garden fixing my bike and it felt OK. So I headed out in leg warmers, clubs shorts, no overshoes, one thermal top my Assos Jacket and a Gilet. I'd only ridden about 2 miles and it had started to snow. my buttocks were pretty damn cold. Why spend £175 on winter tights if your not going to use them. Riding fast to keep warm down the canal tow path that runs from Newport all the way to Cwmcarn and I was OK.
Getting to the Trail Centre car park the snow was like the slight dusting on the top of a Victoria Sponge cake. The lower sections of the trail were still very muddy like they had been a few days before. It was quite slippy over the rocks but that adds to the fun right? With my legs getting cold as I stopped for a drink and a chat in the car park I decided the training starts now. I hammered it up each climb like I was in a race.
My legs felt very good. You get enough of a breather in between climbs to recover quite well. On my second lap the snow was coming down quite heavy. The Trail was pretty much covered white now. Just brown where the tyre tracks we pushing the fresh snow down into the wet mud. The massive snow flakes were annoying as I had forgotten my Jawbones (glasses) and the odd one was hitting me in the eyes. On one occasion I closed my eye, hit a tree route and went over the bars. So glad I didn't hit anything hard.
Second lap was the same as the first. Fast up the climbs recover on the flat and downhill bits. Third lap wasn't quite as fast but only 90 seconds down on the previous two but it wasn't down to a lack of effort. The snow was getting pretty heavy and it was getting a little slippy out there. I don't think I have put my foot down so much apart from when we had the solid ice. A muddy ride back home on the canal path. Long bath and relax.
A good days training. I felt a lot better than I did on the ride a few days before. Time to get back on the road bike and get some miles in.

Pics from my last few rides: All Twrch Trail

The first short fire road section of the Twrch Trail

One of the many hairpin corners

The second and longer fire road up to the top of the Twrch Trail

The Mist up the top. Couldn't hear anything apart from my heart beating

Looking down the trail (see snowy pic below to compare)

Where has Twmbarlwm gone in the mist?

A light dusting of snow

Looking down the trail from the top

This is the amount of snow that settled in about an hour

Looking down the valley from the bottom of Twmbarlwm 

The only place I have ever used the granny gear
on my Lapierre

I have been riding the Twrch Trail for about a year now. It's always been great in bad weather. It has this almost all weather surface that until now hasn;t really cut up. After the tow lots of snow and the freeze thaw that goes with it the whole trail has loosened up quite a bit now and is really cut up. I have never seen it so muddy.

All pics taken with my crappy iPhone 3GS camera
Twmbarlwm
Twrch Trail