Moab Slickrock

Slickrock at Moab, its surprising what you can climb if you commit but that's easier said than done. Yet 30 mins into the ride you realise your back wheel isn't going to spin out, the next problem is keeping your front wheel on the deck.

Porcupine Rim, Moab

A 1000ft drop to the right. Just a tad scary as was most of the trip. A fear of heights is not good as you ride as close as 3ft to the edge. I am not to ashamed to say I pushed around a few of the bends when an abundance of sky was all I could see, this was more so at Gooseberry Mesa in Hurricane, Utah.

Ben Stiller on Night Riding

Gorrick Exposure 100

Not long to go now until the Gorrick 100! The title is linked to Gorrick's web page for all the info regarding the race.

For Sale
I’ve got a front and rear set of Magura Marta SL brakes for sale, and I’m sure I’ve also got some spare pads and Magura blood somewhere. Cost me a fortune, Chain reaction have them on offer at £149.99 a wheel (reduced from £220/Wheel) they have very nice carbon levers.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=9453

Open to offers but would like £120 for complete set with spare pads and fluid.
Call Ian 07760471785

For Sale - Specialized Epic S Works 2009

This is my custom built XC race bike and comes with a new rear shock and brain (February 2011).
It weighs 21lb (without pedals).
This fantastic bike is a genuine all-rounder, at home on the race track and the downs.
£2000 - Call Ian on 07760471785.

Frame - Specialized Epic S Works carbon – large (19 inch)
Fork - Rockshox Sid world cup (with poploc)
Headset - Cane Creak / Specialized
Stem - Ritchey WCS 4-Axis Stem 90mm 6 Deg Black 1.1/8" 31.8 Clamp
Stem - Spacers - Carbon - 3 x 5mm
Handlebar - Easton EC90 MonkeyLite CNT SL Riser - MTB Carbon Black 1" Lo Rise x 31.8 clamp
Grips - foam
Shift levers - Sram attack (twistgrip)
Brakes - Avid juicy ultimate carbon levers with elixir calipers (custom for Specialized) with 160 Hope Pro rotor
Wheels - Magura Pro S (DT Swiss 240) hubs, Stans Podium rims (288g) / DT revolution spokes incl. tape and tubeless valves – under 1300 grms.
Quick releases - Magura
Tubes - Tubeless Stans latex
Tires - rear Schwalbe Rocket Ron evo 2.1
- front Schwalbe Rocket Ron evo 2.25
Crankset - Shimano XTR with TA 42T and Extralite 30T chainrings (can also supply very good condition standard XTR triple ring set at small extra cost)
BB - Specialized direct fit bearings with shim to XTR
Chain - XTR
Cassette - XTR 11-34 ti
F. Derailleur - XTR direct mount
R. Derailleur - XTR shadow
Seatpost - Thompson Elite (trimmed to 390 long)
Seatpost - Clamp Specialized
Saddle - Flite ti

MK's Old Steed(s) - For Sale

With the arrival of the new steed I need to make some space in the garage and in this case two spaces!

Here are some pics and details of my large (19 inch) 2010 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Hardtail. The bike has been upgraded with a USE Atom flat bar, SRAM XO Gripshift, and a Hope BB. It's a fun all rounder and a great race bike. It weighs in at 24.2 pounds.

The bike has been used and raced for about 9 months and has some chips and scratches but is otherwise in good condition.

It's for sale for £1100.

If you're interested or know someone who is please email me at matt_knight21@hotmail.com

MK

Coming soon 2009 Anthem X frame and Rock Shox SID Team fork






The headline spec is:

Frame : M5 manipulated alloy frame, curved TT, SS w/ disc brake mount
Fork : Fox Float F90 RL, 90mm travel,
Brakes : Custom Avid Elixir R SL, alloy backed organic pads, S/M: 160mm rotor
Front Derailleur : Shimano M660 SLX, 34.9mm clamp, top swing, top pull
Rear Derailleur : SRAM X-9, 9-speed, mid cage
Crank Set : Custom Shimano FC-M542, 15.5: 170mm, others: 175mm
Rims : Custom DT Swiss X420SL, 24mm w/ eyelets, 28h/32h
Front Hub : Specialized Hi Lo disc, CNC flange, sealed cartridge bearing, 9mm DT RWS, alloy QR, 28h
Rear Hub : Custom Shimano M525 SL, alloy QR, 32h
Spokes : DT Swiss 1.8mm stainless
Front Tyre : S-Works The Captain, 26x2.0", 120 TPI, tubeless ready Kevlar bead, dual compound
Rear Tyre : S-Works Fast Trak LK, 26x2.0", 120 TPI, tubeless ready Kevlar bead, dual compound

Stephen’s view from the back of the pack

Gorrick Frith Hill – last is the new first!

Matt greeted me in his usual friendly manner with an assertion that left me with a puzzled expression. It was resolved when Matt explained his own statement: ‘I can tell you are an experienced mountain bike racer!’

How? By my technical skills? My strength up climbs? My designer race shirt? Nope, I was carrying a Sainsbury’s bag concealing a toilet roll. Ahh, that early morning whiff of chemical portaloos, bacon sandwiches and GT85. It must be a Gorrick.

Sweat trickled into my eyes in the 24oC on the startline prior to the twisty and technical singletrack course on offer in the fast dry and dusty forest of Frith Hill. Encouraging everyone beforehand to wear a heart rate monitor, I am caught faffing with my watch on the grid when the starter sounds the hooter. I’m not clipped in properly and prompted crush myself on the cross tube. Experienced bike rider? Much nibbling of humble pie.

The sun and eagerness for the series final to start overheated brains with a crash between four riders after 50 yards. Followed by 3 more body-over-bars 300 yards later. In avoidance I was now near the back of the pack, when on the first bumpy downhill I am in an argument with a guy over the same patch of dirt - and lose. Five days later and I am still picking grit and bits of fir leaf out of my arms and knees. Experienced bike rider? Lots more munching of humble pie.

So now I am well and truly last and spend the rest of the race head down overtaking people. Yes, all 14 of them. I felt like I’d won my own battle. It’s really tough, aiming for a target rider and busting a gut to overtake but then, when everyone is spread out on the final lap, it’s difficult to pace oneself. I had been playing leapfrog with a guy in a Hope shirt. Great fun, till a lap from the end he overtook me again prior to a short incline over some roots. Whereupon he missed his gears and broke his chain. Oooops. Must have been due to my race pressure, of course. Ahem.

Another great turn-out by 9 SD riders. Hats off to Emma in third and especially Steve C for second on the day and second overall in the series.

Alex T beat Alex D this week. Must have been his baby cheering him home. Bit of a panic near the start-time as he picked up a puncture on the practice lap but a new tube saw him fixed OK. Otherwise Alex D was 15 minutes before race start indulging in a bowl of porridge mixed with rice this week for ultra power?! Unfortunately, a minor detour ‘off-piste’ saw him lose time and places.

Heart rate notes (only ones received from folks):

                                Resting HR            Theoretical Max                     Av. in race              Max in race

Matt                                   40                            188                                          158                          169

Stephen                            57                            164                                          143                          163

Alex D                               48                            192                                          184                          198

Stephen.

MK's New Steed

Here are some pictures of my new Epic Marathon Carbon. Most of the kit is as it would be out of the box but I have changed the stem and seat pin to KCNC offerings and the rotors to Alligator Aries to save weight. It tips the scales at 23 pounds.

This morning it got a proper trail shake down on the North Downs to see how well it handles gnarly trails... So far I have raced it once and hit the trails at Whiteways which it handled smoothly. I was not disappointed, the performance was super smooth and plush over the rough stuff. I'm really impressed, loads better than the last Epic I had. Still smiling about the ride now.

Any Thoughts?

Race Organier vs Marshall cartoon

Some of the issues race organisers face translated into cartoon form. Very funny but contains strong language.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5CJXvWXkK8

Ciclisti Vecchi Road Race, 10th April 2011

The first road race of the year is always a shock to the system. I thought entering a vets only race wouldn’t be too hard until I turned up to the stat of the Ciclisti Vecchi RR near Basingstoke yesterday. I was the fattest guy there. Oh dear. Quite a few are still racing as 1st cats and some of the 50+ guys are really fast. The 50 mile event for 40 -55 year olds was well run, quite fast, 2 hours on a good, safe, undulating course near Alton. It was a war of attrition on the two climbs on the circuit. In the end I was 13th overall and 5th in my age group which wasn’t too bad as I’ve only ridden my road bike a few times this year. I would say the standard is 2-3 in BCF terms. All over 40’s are welcome to LVRC races. The age groups are in five year groupings. Races are cheap at £8 an entry.

Brass Monkeys Report

Brass Monkeys Winter Series 2010/11 I rode two rounds of the Gorrick Winter Series of four hour enduros in the 2010 series. I DNF’d in one at Ash Ranges whilst leading at about halfway. Broken glass doesn’t mix too well with tyres! Three of us went out at the same spot within ten seconds.Fortunately I managed to keep my tyres up for the last round, run off in freezing conditions (snowing on the start line) to take a comfortable win. Having the opportunity to do all three rounds this year was too good an opportunity to miss, so hoping for good weather, I entered the series…. Round One Porridgepot Hill It was bright and cold at the start, with the course rock solid. I got a good start in the top five riders overall. At the start of the second lap, I was feeling really good and in the lead of the vets field. Pride goes before a fall…I crashed in a very easy corner. As it turned out I was very lucky. I’d punctured my front tyre and the sealant wasn’t holding in the freezing conditions just before a large bomb hole. Crashing there would not have been good. As I fixed the flat I watched about 100 riders go past me. Not quite last but not too far from it. I chased for the next three hours or so and finally got second. Not bad, but not quite to plan. Round Two Ash Ranges Back to the course I DNF’d on last year. The organisers had done a good job of clearing 4 inches of melting snow off the course. I got a reasonable start and focused on going round carefully, not wishing to DNF again. The course thawed on the first lap and then turned into a bog. I started in about 4th place in the vets category, then picked my competition off as they slowed or had mechanicals. I’ve rarely seen so many mechanicals in a 4 hour race. In the end I managed to win by staying on my bike and not breaking it, even though I did the last 90 minutes with no brakes. The guy who beat me in Rd1 snapped his rear mech off at about 2 hours. Instead of singlespeeding his bike, he retired. Round Three Parkhurst Hill So, leading the series overall by quite a margin due to my second and first, it would be pretty easy to win the series overall right? Wrong. Things were going wrong even before the start. In a hurry to pull of my warm up kit, I tugged a glove off with my teeth and shattered a front tooth. Great start! On the line I thought things would be fine. Wrong. The klaxon sounded and someone started their race by falling into me and bending my rear mech. The next 4 hours were spent in damage limitation. My gears slipped every time I tried to apply some power, which was frustrating to say the least. Persistence pays off! I only felt good in round one. In the others, I was average, but managed to get a reasonable result in the last round and the series win.

2012 XT Groupset

2012 XT groupset, sweet!!! http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/new-shimano-deore-xt-groupset-for-2012-29882

Damian's New Steed

Scott Scale 29er

The first 29er, Damo has been leading the way, Ian P and Ben C have now picked up their Spec Stumpy's. Photo's please.

Damo's view.

Heres my new Scott 29er, Frame and forks are from original bike, had a new wheelset built up and the rest off my old cube.. Was blown away when i rode the Scott Pro 29er so ordered one and got one of the few spare going in the UK. Will definitely ride this in the Gorrick Enduro but not sure the back will take a 12 hr solo on it as its still quite a stiff ride.

Weighs in a large with pedals at 20.4lbs

Gorrick Spring Series Rd 5, Frith Hill

On Sunday Frith Hill, Deepcut played host to the final round of this years Gorrick Saddle Skedaddle Spring Series. The conditions were bright, breezey and perfect for bike racing.

Everyone was hoping that the previous weeks rain had not stuck around on the course and were not disappointed. Out on the practice lap we found the course to be dry, fast and surprisingly short (only 4 miles). As with most Gorrick courses it was very technical offered little respite but everyone loved it!

South Downs involvement started in the Masters with Steve, Marc, Simon and I joined on the line by Ben Connor on his bling new S-Works 29er. Steve was in with a remote chance of taking the series win if results went his way. The track was a bit soft in places which caused a few crashes. Marc managed to twist his bars and unfortunately Mac hit a tree which forced him to retire with a damaged knee. At the line Steve finished in second place securing second overall in the series. Marc was 7th and I was close behind in 8th. Unfortuantely, Ben punctured on the first lap and after going back to his car to fix didn't get a result which is a shame as thats two races on the spin he's had bad luck. However, I'm looking forward to hearing how the big wheeler handled on the twisty course.

Ian was next off and in his own words had a nice uneventful race! A small off cost him about 20 seconds but came in to finish 4th in the Grand Vets.

Emma did have an eventful race...Afer having a competitive start with the lead constantly changing during the first lap a big stack on the second left her a little dazed. Showing her grit she charged on to take third only seven seconds adrift of second.

The late off was the battle of the Alexes, a finely poised contest with a higher placed finish each. Alex T had a big group of family there to spur him on but it looked like Alex D was going to steal the show until a wrong turn on the final lap cost him vital seconds and one very important place. Well done too to Stephen Turner for a solid race.

All in all a good day for SDB scoring two podiums and a hat full of top tens. A big thanks to Tim for his support and driving, Steve Atkinson for the loan of his van, Sharon for photos and support and Cliodhna, Sarah and Olivia for their support.

Goodwood Duathlon 10th April 2011

Not a 100% bike race, but a bike is still used...

The race was at the Goodwood Race track (well run race by Portsmouth Triathletes) and consisted of a 4k run 24k bike then another 4k run (Duathlon). I was really looking forward to this race, as it meant I could get on my TT bike around the flat and perfect surface race track (surely it can't get any better on a TT bike). 90 people set off for a run around the track which I came in 3rd (I was a little surprised, as I am not normally a good runner). Overtook the first 2 guys in transition and headed onto the bike, which managed to pull away from the other guys. It gave me a nice gap to not panic in the final run and claimed 1st. Thus a happy Chap :o)

Gary

Scientific comparative report for SD riders

To: All SD bikers competing in 10th April Gorrick

 

Please wear a heart rate monitor for the duration of your race. Download the results and send the graphs to me at stephen.j.turner@btinternet..com and I will endeavour to construct an unscientific comparative report for a bit of fun.

 

We'll see who's warmed up, who died and who got their second wind towards the finish.

 

Thanks for your help.

 

Stephen.

Not my new steed but these are what I would be considering!!!

Funk Bikes

Alchemy Bikes

DeSalvo Bikes

                             

                       

Be Good To See Pictures Of Your New Steeds Lads & lasses