Time Trials, Road Races and Lakeland Hills

 Photo: James Ruskin

The last couple of weeks have contained some annoying distractions for me, meaning I couldn't ride my bike as much as I would have liked, exams I think they are called, and I wouldn't recommend them. However, I've still been riding a bit, so here is a little picture update of me riding in the sunshine. 










University 10 mile TT Champs

I travelled down to Cambridge to do the uni time trial champs, it was really sunny and warm and I had the loan of a disc wheel. I rode to the start line, got there ahead of time and heard the noise no one who has just drive for 5 hours to ride 10 miles wants to hear; my back tyre going flat. They let me start later on but I didn't get an official time. I was in no way frustrated. Moving on...

Ingliston Criteriums

There were five criteriums being run at the Royal Highland Show ground at Ingliston, which Maddy and I both took part in, they were a lot of fun, and provided a very welcome excuse to not revise.

Lakeland Sportif

On Saturday I rode the Lakeland Sportif, I really enjoyed it. The route was 65 miles long, and was kind of like the Fred Whitton Challenge with all the easy miles taken out. It went over Whinlatter, Newlands and Honister from both sides, in a figure of eight loop which my anti-sense of direction would on no account have allowed me to ride if there hadn't been signposts telling us where to go the whole way around. The route was pretty spectacular, I hadn't ridden in the Newlands valley before, and was really pleased this gave me the opportunity to do so without getting completely lost on the way there. My Polar tells me that the maximum gradient was 28% but I think you can see from the route profile below that some sections are quite clearly overhanging. 

I've also done a couple of road races, the Cheshire Classic in which my chain dropped off the first time up the hill, I rode around in a group of around 15 and got pulled out before the finish by the organiser. I also rode the first couple of stages of the Bedford 2 Day but got ill probably due to trying to revise in between pedal strokes. All fun and games. 

Muir of ord Road Race

My first road race in 17 years. I was a bit nervous at the start not knowing what to expect. I haven't been on the bike for the last 3 weeks with a bit of man-flu, so form was not great going into this.

The distance was 50miles of 4 13 mile circuits finishing short on the last lap with a dirty little climb about 300 yard from the finish straight. Two boys went off the front quite early and stayed away for the rest of the race i think they had about a 3 and half minute lead at one stage, not sure what the final time was, but it was reduced .

My main plan was to stay in the bunch and see what happens. And thats what i did; the pace was highish, but when your sheltered at the back it was pretty easy, just watching out for water bottles flying over the road with the rough surface.

then 3/4 the way round on the 3rd lap i decided to move to the front and do some work it felt pretty good, i did about a minute stint, hoping so more people would work properly and try and reel in the two at the front, it didn't work so i moved back through the field where i was at home and save myself for the group sprint.

The last lap was a lot quicker with boys attacking, and l was struggling to get near the front again.I was boxed in most of the way round, until i seen an opening and a boy going through, i got on to his wheel, and got towed to front 5. About a another 5 or 6 boys came through and i got boxed in a bit. Then on the sprint my legs ran out of steam, and a couple more guys pasted me.

It was good fun, and lets hope its not another 17 years til the next one.

10 Under the Ben

So, by the sounds of it, the whole of Scotland was bathed in glorious sunshine on Saturday except for Fort William, where Maddy and I (and about 1000 other die hards!) slogged it out for 10 hours at 10 Under the Ben in the heavy rain.

Looking back, it felt like it pretty much bucketed down the entire time, with the odd dry spell here and there. Nonetheless, the testing course held up well and was really enjoyable to ride. And at least the rain kept the midges away!

The route was slightly different from last year's (so I'm told) with extra bits of singletrack cut in, keeping it interesting and not simply following the existing World Champs course. These singletrack sections proved to be quite challenging as the day wore on and the fresh roots became more and more exposed.

Also new for this year was the Le Mans style start, which, after agreeing that it would be unfair to expect Maddy to do (broken ankle at Christmas), I was totally dreading. However, the run was more like a 100yard dash across the carpark and I was just about capable of this!

Lap 1 went as expected with queues (?!) at most of the tech-y features with people either crashing or getting off and pushing. But by lap 2, it had all strung out well and Maddy and I found our flow. We decided to take turns doing 1 lap each, which I think was the fastest option for us, and we were sitting in 3rd place from the off (I think!).

Photo: Pete Morgan

We were completeing our laps in quite consistent times with no mishaps, until.....BANG!! Two thirds into my 4th lap I though one of the other competitors had resorted to underhand tactics and tried to take a shot at me. Turned out they hadn't and it was just my back tyre exploding! With no option but to leg it back the 4miles to the finish area carrying/pushing/swearing at my bike, it felt like I was on foot for hours and was convinced I had lost us our 3rd place. But it turned out it only cost us about 15-20mins and we were still safe.

In the end, Maddy & I completed 9 laps in 10hrs40mins and earned ourselves a respectable step on the podium.

The Walkers Cycling girls Alexis Barnes and Julie Nimmo took second, while the Craigie girls Kim and Lee took 1st with 10 laps.

Photo: Ross Black

We also took the opportunity to model the new kit at the race. The fists on the shorts seem a lot bigger when I'm wearing them though....

Farewell Ride

Serendipity; left the music on random all afternoon and when I decided that I just had to go out for a few hours for a last ride on the trails-from-the-door, Beck was playing 'Farewell Ride'. He was being a bit melodramatic as I'm only moving five miles and will be able to ride these trails on my way home, but it still felt odd.

Gorgeous ride, trails were perfect, bluebells still out, creatures everywhere; more muntjacs than I've ever seen - at one point following two down a trail they parted, one to each side as I rode through like Tracey Island palm trees.

Refreshed and ready for new trails from the door...

local trails and the log o doom

Didn't quite get the hopping dialled enough to take on the log o doom and didn't want to snap my Ibis Hakkalugi or stop with my face (as Marty so beautifully put it) in the process. Will keep practising those hops though - log o doom, you will be mine one day!

cobwebs be gone

Ae Avalanche Enduro.

This weekend was the Ae Avalanche Enduro. Format: friday and saturday course opens for practice. Basically it consists of select parts of the big loop and 'the shredder' one of the downhill runs there. You have a generous amount of time to make it between the timed sections where you race 2 up. Your compatriot is found by doing a seeding run on the saturday afternoon, after practice.



The timed sections are not long - about 3-6 mins....but some are pretty balls-out hard efforts. A lot of fuss is made of stage 4 (of 6) that includes a (gasp!) climb. But for me, stage 6 is the issue - the shredder. i can get down it, and indeed do the jumps on it courtesy of the new bike (well all except the road gap, but that is taken out of the race after a bloke rips half his face off) but i cannot descend it anywhere near in control at race pace.

Saturdays practice (which takes me 3 or so hours) is useful. I'm getting to know the Vertigo, and to be honest i'm pretty overwhelmed by what this bike can and will allow me to do. It is best on hard & fast mountain terrain, rather than table tops and ultra rough dh type terrain, but the limit is definitely the pilot. I crash in qualifying on one of the '7 stanes-typical no edge (tm) corners on loose stones', then again trying to take a poor line on a slimey fresh cut drop in - much to the baying crowds enjoyment.

In the end, i'm top hardtail (though there are precious few) in 74th. Top 25% is good for me. My friend Rob Hamilton Smith smashes into the top 20 and Nico Vouiloz is in 7th ( i think) after on-sighting the seeding run...yep. No practice...amazingly fluid rider....and fellow Moulineer Lyndsey is right up there in the dames (the race organisers term, not mine!).



Race day after an early start: My fellow rider is Stuart Bond - a good bloke. A veteren of several Avalanche and mash up type events, he is really helpful keeping me right. We decide (as many other pairs do - due to the narrow tracks and lack of passing opportunities) to take it turn and about for leading into the sections. We have good banter and are pretty evenly matched, though i use the xc fitness and hardtail to my advantage on stage 4.



On stage 5, stuart has the lead. Unbeknownst to him, i launch off a steep transition on one of the table top jumps. These seem to be more bmx suited than mtb to my mind and many others, and they are pretty unpleasant if you dont soak them up. Needless to say i am skywards and over rotating before i touch down off course heading down a fortunately grassy slope over the course tape and into a small gully. Regaining the course gives me a lot of work to do, but i come in a second or 2 down on Stuart with only the Shredder to come. It is my turn to lead, but i gladly hand this over and Stuart dissappears off nto the distance. A poor line choice loses me more time and my nerves start to jangle as i hit some of the bumps too fast and ragged. Into the final drop on Omega man trail and there is a crowd. At some point i have picked up a puncture and the rear end is fishtailing as i try to soak up the drops. Onto the ladder trail with a last minute adrenalin kick as my completely flat rear tyre refuses to steer me off the end without a caveman effort to keep from flying face first into the brush.



I lost some time on that last stage (probably close to 30 seconds) but that was to be expected. Even so, i made it into 58th place - which i'm pretty pleased with. Next time i need some burlier tyres (stiffer sidewalls really) and some bigger cojones. Lyndsey did really well (i'm sure she will post something soon) and Rob punched it into 13th on a borrowed bike. Given the calibre of the field that is a pretty impressive result!.



Some guy called Nico won, and i'm sure he'll go onto great things.

Good fun indeed.

Spotted!

Jimmy at Mule Bar saw me sporting the Mule logo on my jersey at the Enduro Avalanche at Ae and blogged a photo of the VCM jersey (with me in it!) here.

Report of the race to follow soon ....

Bealach Beag

You couldn't have asked for a better day in the West for the Bealach Beag Sportive on Saturday, Sheildaig was a picture postcard in the early morning sun.

Once all the pre ride faffing and numbers secured to bikes and riders was complete we set off for the start on the main street in Sheildaig.

Leaving Sheildaig there was enough time to warm up before Tornapress where the serious business of climbing the Bealach na Ba begins in earnest, Ascending 2408ft in just 6miles. Dropping down towards Applecross riders had to battle with a with a nasty crosswind and rather lumpy road surface leading to a few very hairy moments. An evil headwind conspired against the riders on the long stretch to Fearnmore, Seeking to be as aerodynamic as possible left precious little time to take in the glorious views of Skye and Raasay. Finally with the wind in our favour the sting in the tail was about to be unleashed with countless short sharp climbs evenly interspersed to weaken already tired legs in the run back to Sheildaig village.

Gordymac's Bealach Beag stats:

43 miles with 6500ft of ascent.

Climb time: 36 min 10 sec, 12th fastest.

Finish time: 2 hr 34 min, 17th place.

Ae Avalanche Enduro.

No, we didnt beat nico....but tomorrow is shaping up good....


More shortly...

it'll go?

maybe take the death spikes off first. watch this space.

out of the saddle sores

The romanticism of the 'epic' ride is something that still gnaws I am guessing at all of our hearts, I know it certainly does at mine. Recently the overuse of the word epic has turned it on its head and devalued those rides that are truly epic. If I put my hand on heart I can probably list my own epic rides over the last 5 years on one hand, it just doesn't work out that way. Family, time, work and time again conspire to eradicate any chance of 'epicdom' from my riding, something I both accept and reject equally. The problem is the further away from the big riding one becomes the harder it is to embrace it, the 2 hour rides I once took for granted become the pinnacle of my riding, it's all relative, I'm not complaining merely stating the facts.

And so I found myself with 5 days to ride with fellow Endura workmates, Matt, Dave and Kev, good guys all juggling their lives in a similar vein to myself, good riders and good fun the hang with. Accommodation had been booked, a cottage just south of Kyle of Lochalsh with the aim to do some riding, regardless of distance or speed, one thing we had planned though was an assault on the Bealach na Ba, that most infamous of passes. It is an account of this ride that follows.

We had ridden the previous day, nothing ferocious however a very frisky 45 miles (my biggest ride of the year!) that night I felt pretty beat up, not ideal prep for the next days undertaking. The plan to set off at 9am very quickly deteriorated and it was closer to 11 than 10 by the time we eventually got rolling, from the off it was straight into the first of many climbs, feeling good as I warmed though, it was a welcome surprise. The first big descent and into a nice tuck and whoargh, the computer was quickly rising through the numbers when bang around about 50kph the front end started to wobble, I gingerly feathered the brakes, nothing, I started hauling on the back brake and fumbled trying to get a foot out of my pedals in preparation for the worst. By this point the front end was oscillating wildly, I was nothing short of shitting myself. Somehow I got the bike under control and stopped at the side of the road to watch a timber truck come thundering by, I was shaken. I set off again this time a lot more steady, rounding the corner and there was Matt in a layby looking in a state of shock. He too had experienced a massive wobble and had managed to guide his bike to an ungainly stop, the conversation that followed was along the lines of "what the fuck?" Unsure what had caused it we tightened everything, skewers, headsets, stem, handlebars, we set off.

For the next miles we laughed, farted and swore;

"The vocabulary of the Peloton is a masculine one. . In fact, the vocabulary can suddenly become offensive and violent because it is resolutely macho and phallocentric."

Jean Bobet, "Tomorrow We Ride"

A coffee stop at Loch Carron quickly passed and all too soon we were at the start of the Bealach. I had ridden this before in fitter better prepared days, my memory served me pretty well, it was a slow climb that had a violent pitch towards the hairpins near the top, this was the crux. Matt and Kev set a brisk pace flaunting their compact chainsets while Dave and myself set about an altogether more controlled pace. The weather had continued to niggle with classic Scotch Mist conditions and a hoolie of a wind blowing over the pass, slowly and steadily the hairpins are reached offering a little respite before the final push over the top. By this time it was in fact raining and cold, any thoughts of photos, views or a blistering descent were quickly replaced with survival, I just wanted out of this wretched place. Tired, cold and hungry the road dropped us down to Applecross where tired, cold and hungry we hit the pub for food. The weather set in and the pub sapped our energy until the inevitable moment when we had to set off once more.

The road north is lumpy one, I remember hating it the last time I rode it and very quickly I was loathing it once more.

Shieldaig appeared and marked the turn around point as we headed back for Loch Carron. This stretch wasn't so bad, gentle climbs and fast rolling tarmac, in fact our first dry tarmac of the day, though not for long.

For the next miles we farted and swore.

Loch Carron was reached we knew the end was close but some big climbs were still ahead, a final coffee and cake stop and off we went, the fast rolling flat road out of town was welcome and allowed me at least to get my legs spinning, I was very wary of the climbs to come though and tried not to let myself get sucked into any heroics.

For the next few miles I farted and swore.

When the going gets tough, it's everyman for himself and that was the way the final 20 miles panned out, I couldn't see anyone in front or behind me, grind grind grind, it will be over soon. Finally I recognised the road where my wobble incident of earlier had occurred, this was the final climb, steady and relentlessly it rose until the gradient dropped and gears upped, hello big ring it's been a while and over the top I went, a brutal headwind mated to constant rain and a rough road were less than ideal for the final descent but it was the last of the day, reaching the main road I set into a more sprightly pace, still no one in front or behind, grind grind grind. One last turning and the cottage was in sight, on reaching the front door, climbing off the bike, I swore.

96 miles
10310 ft climbing.
2 double espresso
1 bowl lentil soup
1 plate of Spaghetti Bolognase
1 Fruit Slice
1 Mule Bar
1 PowerBar

Contin Mudfest

Velo Club Moulin's Gordymac, Johnvcm, and Lindsay took to the hills of the North on Sunday at Contin. Back on the radar after a few years break it was set to test all those involved.



An uphill start was always going to make it tough.

Round the bend and out of sight riders were faced with the brutal climb up to View Rock, with this track usually reserved for descending, heading skyward was a shock to the system.

The ringing of cowbell welcomed riders to the top of View Rock before a short off camber section took them over the mud covered camelback and round Loch Na Cran. More slippery single track ensued dropping riders to the short water splash, Futile in it's efforts to free some mud from riders bikes as the following descent was a muddy toboggan run back into the finish arena.

Johnyvcm and Gordymac duelled it out in Masters with me getting to within sight of John at the start of lap three it was enough to spur him onto a 7th place finish with me following closely behind in 9th no doubt both of us aided by the vociferous track side Vcm fan club. Lindsay finished a very muddy race with a well earned 3rd place.

I must have been doing something right as i was still smiling a the finish, Although the quest for a lighter bike for next time has started already..........

Pictures by Ross Nixon.

NZSS10

Tristan models a daring blue vintage number with matching dodgy tash and tats...

Lots more images from the Queenstown MTB Club gallery

Well, since cross doesn't really happen here in NZ, we've been occupying ourselves with a little bit of single speeding. NZ held our national single speed race in a spot called Queenstown. Better known for perfect postcard scenery and having earned the title of NZ's adventure capital, Queenstown was a welcome choice of venue. Although the day itself was a less than perfect - actually it was pretty yuck, as it dawned cold and drizzled right up to the race start. My specially purchased mid-calf-length pure white socks were stained before I even hit the race track.

Anyway, it was bad... In a good way. But also in an evil way. The track was squashed into a peninsula on Lake Wakatipu called 7 Mile. Somewhow they managed to jam 330 verticle meters of climbing into the 6km loop and then forced us to ride it 5 times. Add it up - that's a shade over a mile of vert. On a single speed.

Anyway, the outcome was favourable for me, but part way through the last lap I started worrying about where I was going to put the winner's tattoo...

Above two images courtesy of Scott Kennedy of Adventureskope.com

We've also written a bit about the race for the NZ importer of my lovely Ibis Tranny - Hyperformance Hardaware. Although, to understand it, non NZer and non-squash-enthusiasts might need to do a little prior research to understand it: wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_Devoy

20 miles too far..

Inspired by the Goatee of Filth ride and with the day off work and the sun shining, I took to the road bike on one of my most favourite rides, with a few tweaks:

Peebles to Traquair then over the 'Paddy Slacks' to the Gordon Arms in Yarrow Valley. Straight over here and another steady climb up and over the 'Berrybush' and a screaming fast descent with added loose gravel twitchiness to Crosslee in the Ettrick Valley. Left here and tailwind assistance down the valley to Kirkhope.

Fox, sadly deceased, at a layby on the Paddy Slacks climb

Swire climb from the summit back down towards Ettrick Valley

Left again and a relatively short, steady grind up the Swire and descent to Yarrow (singletrack for road bikes!).

Amazingly bright red house at Yarrowford

Right and down the Yarrow valley towards Selkirk, taking in the road/dirt track through Philiphaugh estate. Resist stopping at the Watermill cafe, but soon regret this on the rough, lumpy road towards Yair bridge. Starting to fade/hurt now, even though i've been shovelling food down all ride - my lack of fitness and endurance becoming all too apparent!

Start of unpaved section at The Yair estate

At Yair bridge I skip off the main road heading straight on instead, singletrack road first then 3km ish of dirt road, rough at first then faster and looser approaching Yair Forest. Anyone who's done the Selkirk 'Merida' will be familiar with this bit.

Dirt road through Yair forest

The final stretch is along one of the hidden gems of the Tweed Valley - the oft deserted back road that runs along the south side of the river all the way back to Peebles. Sadly, although sheltered in places, a headwind is sapping any remaining zing and all I can do is soft pedal along, legs heavy like concrete and mind starting to blur. The thought of stopping for a quick sleep at the side of the road crosses my mind often but it's late and need to get back to feed Frog the cat.

Back road between Peel and Walkerburn.

20 miles too far methinks..

Stats for cats: 60 miles, 3hr 53, 2 x 750ml Torq energy drink, 5 x energy bar (various), 1 x Torq gel. Post ride: 10 mins stretching and Torq recovery ~ 400ml, shower, 30 mins sleep then more food!

West Coast Chopped.

So this report was supposed to be from the west coast of the US of A. From Monterey, to be exact, where i was going to be doing a bit of arms-race research for VCM at Sea Otter. A volcano put paid to that: instead i hit the west coast of Scotland as the sun was out and i wanted to see how much i have in the tank at present.

Most years, the lowland contingent of VCM put in a biggish mtb ride at this time of year. Primarily to get the long-site going (there's this strange thing that happens to time when you ride for more than 6 hours straight) and also to dust any cobwebs off the bikes.

For one reason or another, this has become known as F.B.R.O.T.Y - the first big ride of the year. Most often the route is one that has become legend as Mangrunt. Named, if i remember correctly for the hump out of Inversnaid after tackling Loch Lomond sides technical singletrack, before re-entering the Queen Elizabeth forest park and closing the loop.



The loop is about 45 miles and is usually started at Drymen, then to Balloch - either by Conic Hill if you are feeling masochistic (not because of the gradient or the altitude gain - its just the trail is chewed up entirely from rain damage) or on the trails to the south and west.



Then up Loch Lomond side, pump the big meat from the Inversnaid hotel up to Stronachlachar, and then back in to the forest and run along side Loch Chon. After muscling up to the top of the Mustard route, a roll along forest trails before a final pinch up the back road to Drymen and you're done.

This time, i decided to start the same, but take the switch back climb over the bealach between Cruinn a' Bheinn and Ben Lomond. This drops to Comer, where you can take the trail north west past Loch Chon, to Stronachlachar and circumnavigate Loch Katrine, before taking the trails south of Ben Ledi and climbing out of the forest past Loch Drunkie, decending into Aberfoyle from the north and join the Mustard route at that point, following the Rob Roy Way, and hitting the road back over to Drymen. I have no idea how much further this variation of the route is, but it adds a chunk of climbing.



I started at Garadhban - where incidentally i met the support/fim crew for Rob Lee who was attempting the West Highland Way there and back. I passed on my commiserations about Conic Hill and took off myself. The trails were in startling condition.



The recent sun and heat have dried things up and everything was running fast with epic traction. After Balmaha, i made it round to Sallochy with minimal walker-action.



Then up for the first glimpse of the Ben. Fast trail until the Cailness Bothy and then i adopted the position.



Up and up and up...



To give some idea of the gradient...



At the top, the view onto the North face and Coire a Bhathaich was spectacular.



The decent down to Comer stole tears from my eyes, but the heat was back on as i made the decision to bite off the Loch Katrine loop. The legs felt good. so up the steepish climbs on the north side of the Loch after the Macgregors burial ground at Portnellan. As the stone there says, "E'en Do bait Spair Nocht", even do and spare not.

Ducking back into the forest as the sun began to set and i knew i still had 3 long-ish climbs to make. The first up and past the Dukes pass Toll took the wind from my sails.



(click to make big)

Fortunately my Heed was doing the job and i dropped to Aberfoyle ready to push out the last 1.5 hours or so.



Round the Mustard loop and the temperature dropped by 10 degrees as the sun finally became obscured by the horizon. A tail wind until the last of the forest trails was free-speed and a cheery wave from a forestry truck was a good sign.



Then out into the wind turbine that was blowing down the Dryment road. A cruel way to end but a world class ride to make up for being grounded in Scotland.



7.5 hours on the nose. Distance: some. Climbing: lots. Visuals excellent. Route assessment: tough guy but worth it.