I recently discovered that iTunes had some Mountain-Biking videos for download and I couldn’t resist them.
The first I downloaded was ‘Seasons’ from the Collective which was amazing, loads of good footage, some excellent filming and a good mix of riding. At about an hour long you just can’t go wrong for £1.89. The sound track was good too and it just made me want to get out and ride.
Here’s the Trailer for Seasons:
Next up was Kranked 7 which was pretty good, but not quite as good as seasons in my view. I also downloaded ‘Virtuous’, which was a little shorter but just as good. Some really good downhill footage, although I wasn’t so sure about the soundtrack on this one as it would require an ‘explicit’ tag so I couldn’t really let Morgan watch it.
If only iTunes had some windsurfing movies too as it is so easy to download them and at £1.89 each you don’t mind paying for them. I know you can get such things for free if you look in the right places, but I’d prefer not to do that – I must be the only person who has actually acquired all of his video, music and software legitimately – if the products are available at a sensible price then I’d much rather buy them and support the people making them. It isn’t as though I don’t already give Apple enough of my hard earned cash, so they may as well provide my media as well!
Head on over to iTunes now and get inspired to get out there on the trails. Even the Guardian has an article about Mountain Biking video clips. All I need now is to find a way of viewing them on the TV in the living room.
Tags: DVD, Mountain-Biking, MTB, video
I’ve just noticed that my Commencal Meta 5.5 Mountain bike has recently hit the 1,000 mile mark.
Not that far in the grand scheme of things, but not too bad going for me really. It has actually logged 1,067 miles to date, so hit the 1,000 mile mark on the ClimachX Trail on February 13th, pretty much a year after I bought it on February 18th 2009. I’m sure there have been a few rides where I forgot to start my GPS as well, so the actual distance is probably bit further.
So, that’s 1,000 miles in a year on that bike. Guess I’ll have to try to beat that this year!
There have been a few changes to it since I bought it of course. In addition to the inevitable brake pad changes, the RaceFace bottom bracket has been replaced with a Chris King one, the Sun Ringle rear wheel on XT hub has been replaced with a Stans No Tubes ZTR Flow on Hope Pro II hub, the cassette has been upgraded to a SRAM PG990, the chain rings have been replaced and the chain has been replaced a couple of times.
I’ve also been good with the servicing of the forks and rear shock and have replaced the bearings in the suspension rockers.
Still on the list of upgrades is some sort of gravity dropper seat post, a Chris King headset and maybe some slightly wider bars.
Roll on the next 1,000 miles.
March 7th 2010, Mawddach Goldrush day. The first MTB event of the year for me.
Last year I did it as part of a 3 man team so only did one lap but this year I had decided I ’should’ be able to do it solo and do all three laps on my own. The weather was gorgeous, blue skies, cool and little wind. I drove up to Coed y Brenin bright and early, registered, had a coffee in the Visitor Centre with Andy, James and the Martyn and then we headed off to get ready.
After the usual indecision about what to wear Martyn and I headed across to the start area. Martyn managed to get a puncture on the way there so we stopped to fix that and while I was waiting for him to do that I realised I had forgotten to put my timing chip on, so I had to make a quick dash back to the visitor centre, up the hill to the car and then all the back across to the start line. At least I was warmed up I suppose.
Mawddach Goldrush Route 2010
Martyn was waiting when I got back to the start line so we set off straight away. Martyn went off ahead of me and I followed him up the first climb. I half expected to see him head off into the distance, but we were both taking it easy and I kept up with him. The first little bit of singletrack downhill felt nice and again I kept up with Martyn. We then had a fire-road climb and Martyn pulled out a little lead over me. The route-markings weren’t that clear much of the time and there didn’t seem to be many marshalls around either so we weren’t entirely sure we were on the right track all the time, and on one corner on the fireroad Martyn carried straight on as there were no signs or marshalls, only to get a few yards down the track and be told it was the wrong way. I managed to avoid this mistake as I saw it happening in front of me and caught Martyn back up.
The course then headed uphill along a long fireroad climb. I stayed with Martyn for a bit but as I got warmed up and into a nice rhythm I left him behind me and continued on my way. At the top of the climb the route took us through the section known as ‘Heart of Darkness’ – which I have never liked, down the fireroad and then into ‘Snap, Crackle and Pop’. I was descending well, my bike felt good and I overtook quite a few people through these sections. We then climb back up to a section known as ‘Al’s Loop’ which felt fine, before going across the top on fireroads and down the descent known as ‘Rocky Horror Show’. I was flying on this descent, in my big gear and sprinting between the corners, then drifting on the loose gravel, jumping off the little rises and having a great time.
The next little climb felt OK, even though it was icey in a few places and then it was just a matter of a fireroad descent and then into the rocky sections of ‘Mantrap’, ‘Pins and Needles’ and the final berms into the start/finish arena. Again, the sign-posting in Pins and Needles wasn’t great and the course not very clear so I overshot a corner at one point, but I was feeling good and still riding fast.
Lap 1 completed in a time of 1hr 4 mins and onto lap 2. The lap was slightly different this time as we also had to do the section known as ‘R74′ in reverse which is a bit of a singletrack climb. I was still feeling good and overtook quite a few people along here, although on the long fireroad climb afterwards I was overtaken myself by the two leaders who were now on their 3rd lap (They had started before me though!).
Heart of Darkness which I never enjoy wasn’t much fun though as I came off on one of the rocky bends. No damage done though so I continued on my way. The sign-posting caught me out again on the climb to Al’s loop. A sign had fallen over and exposed a different sign pointing off to the right. I knew it was wrong but followed it anyway for a hundred yards or so before realising the error of my ways and returning to the proper course. I didn’t loose much time, probably 30 to 1 minute, but the sign-posting and marshalling really wasn’t very good.
By the time I got to Al’s loop which was about the 15 mile point I was beginning to slow down and start feeling it. I guess my normal rides are around 10-15 miles in length, so it was time for the extra distance to make itself felt. I was still OK though and it was mainly downhill from here to the start finish line and once again I was sprinting along the fireroad at the top and flying down the descents.
As I came into the finish area Matt Page overtook me to finish his 3rd and final lap and pulled off to the side just as I was starting my 3rd lap. I was now beginning to suffer and part of me wished I was in he position, but I wasn’t so I continued on my way. Lap two done in a time of 1 hr 13.
As I started the first climb, my legs started to cramp up a little. I could feel my inner thighs just about to cramp on every pedal revolution as if they were getting strange little electric shocks every time I pedalled. I knew it wouldn’t be long before they cramped up completely but pushed on through the pain.
R74 was hard work, but I did catch and overtake a few people on it, so although I was suffering, I figured everyone else was too. I hoped Martyn was as well, as the last thing I needed at the moment was for him to go sailing past me! At the bottom of the long climb I caught up with some guy and had a bit of a chat. he said he was feeling good, I was feeling terrible but we were climbing at the same pace. He did pull away from me at the very top into Heart of Darkness, which I took really cautiously anyway. I manged to catch him (and quite a few others) up on Snap Crackle and Pop though and pulled away from them all on the climb up to Al’s loop.
It was really hurting now. The twinges of cramp were non-stop and there was no power left. Everytime I had to put in a little extra effort to get up over a little rock or something my legs were in agony and I was just thinking about getting to the top and coasting home. If the terrain pointed upwards at all I was grabbing the granny ring just to keep my legs spinning and my bike moving forwards. If my legs had stopped I would never have got them going again. No sprinting on the descents this time, just keep it going to the end.
As I turned into Mantrap there is a little rock that needs some effort to get up over. As I tired to put down the power, my legs cramped up completely. The quad in my left leg locked out so I couldn’t bend that leg and my hamstring in my right leg cramped up meaning I couldn’t straighten that one. I just about managed to get off the bike but couldn’t move and had to stand there for a while trying to get my legs back into motion.
Eventually I got back on and the next few pedal revolutions were agony, but there was only about a mile and half to go and it was all down hill. I wasn’t going to stop now. My legs never really got going again but I managed to cross the line and after a rest waiting for Martyn to some in even managed to ride all the way back to the car.
My 3rd lap was done in a time of 1 hr 20, for a total time of 3hrs 37. I was pleased with that as I was expecting to be over 4 hours. Martyn came in at around the 4 hour mark, so I was pretty surprised to have beaten him as well.
The weather stayed perfect, I was pleased with my performance, although I do need to do some longer rides so that I’m used to the distance and I had a good day out. The course was tough, the organisation could have been better and with only 140 entrants I felt as though I was riding on my own much of the time.
Here’s a graph of the terrain and my heart rate.
Mawddach Goldrush 2010
Here are the stats from my GPS:
- Total Distance: 28.16 miles
- Total Climb: 5,142 feet
- Total Time: 3:37:54
- Average Speed: 7.8 mph
- Max Speed: 25.1 mph
- Average Heart Rate: 157 bpm
- Max Heart Rate: 172 bpm
Ouch!!! – Next up is the Dyfi Enduro.
Tags: Mawddach Goldrush, MTB, MTB Events, MTB Races
Typical isn’t it, I get a load of new windsurfing kit in my quest to hit 40 knots before I’m 40 and then there’s a conmplete lack of wind forecast.
I’ve just taken a look at the forecast on Windguru for the next week and there isn’t a single star showing. Oh well, I’ll just have to hope that Ivor out katabatic wind can do something about that!
Wind Forecast for the week ahead
Tags: Forecast, life begins at 40 knots, wind
With the Mawddach Goldrush looming on Sunday I’m now taking it easy for the second half of this week so that I’m fresh for it. I did however have to do some bike maintenance earlier this week and whilst at it did a wiper seal service on my forks and a rear shock air can service too.
So, yesterday I felt that the bike needed a bit of a shake down before Sunday so went for a ride around the Pendam Trail at Nant yr Arian. All felt fine with the bike, but I’m not getting any faster. Last time I did the Pendam Trail it took me 40 minutes and 42 seconds, which was pretty slow in comparison to my best ever of 37:22. Yesterday I was slower still at 41:05.
It was pretty windy out there which may not have helped, and I did go to circuits and swimfit the night before so wasn’t well rested. However, it doesn’t look like I will be breaking any records at the Mawddach Goldrush on Sunday!
Pendam Trail - March 3rd
After the first lap of the Pendam Trail I then went around the lake again and did some geocache maintenance on one of my Watery Wales 1 series of gecoaches before fiddling with the suspension settings on my bike and doing the Hippity Hop section again. A nice afternoon out in the hills, but I’m not as fast as I should be!
Tags: Goldrush, Mawddach Goldrush, MTB, MTB Events, nant-yr-arian, Pendam
My quest to hit 40 knots on a windsurf board continues with the delivery of another new board last night.
Boardwise in Cannock did me a great deal on a brand spanking new Fanatic Falcon Speed and delivered it in person for me last night… Although it may have looked a bit dodgy on any CCTV in Machynlleth as we both pulled up on the main street in the middle of the night, shook hands, had a quick chat and then exchanged the board in its bubble wrap packaging, before heading our separate ways… Dodgy dealings on the streets of Machynlleth!
The board looks awesome and has just one thing in mind – Top end speed.
The first stage of the quest, equipment acquisition is almost complete – I just need a suitable 430 mast for the 6.3m sail and I’m ready to go. Then all we need is some wind, some time to get out there on the water and the nerve to hit 40 knots.
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- Fanatic Falcon Speed
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- Speed Machine!
As well as signing up for the Dyfi Enduro 2010 yesterday I managed to get an entry for the Manx E2E, or to give it its full name the Isle of Man End 2 End Challenge.
It’s another Mountain Bike race, this time, as its name would suggest, from one end of the Isle of Man to the other. The course runs from the Point of Ayre at the northern tip of the Island to the Calf Sound at the Southernmost tip – about 75km in total. It isn’t until September so hopefully I’ll be a little fitter by then, but it should be a good day out on the bike. I won’t actually be racing of course, the idea for me is just to finish it and have a good time.
It’s also a good excuse for a long weekend on the Isle of Man.
Tags: E2E, End 2 End, Isle of man, Mountain-Biking, MTB, MTB Events
Entries for the 2010 Dyfi Enduro opened today and soon sold out completely. I managed to get an entry in though, rider number 282. Most of the local riders also got a place so it should be a good year.
The course will be similar to last years – Click here to see the Dyfi Enduro Route from last year. It is a 75km off ride ‘challenge’ around the Dyfi forest with around 800 riders. Last year I did it in a time of 4hrs 13 minutes which wasn’t too bad for my first attempt, you can see my Dyfi Enduro Race Report here. I came 222nd but as there were 35 people who finished before me but did the shorter route, I could say I was 187th,
I guess my aim (after finishing it) should be to get around in a quicker time this year.
Did you manage to get a place? What are your aims for this year?
Tags: Dyfi Enduro 2010, MTB, MTB Events
I try my best to support my local bike shop. Afterall, its good to have one fairly local when you live somewhere like this, but sometimes they don’t make it easy.
The other day I snapped a bolt off in the pin that mounts my rear shock to the frame. No problem I thought, it looks like a fairly standard part so I’ll pop to the Local Bike Shop and get another. They didn’t have one in and said it would be too much trouble to order one in for a part that would only cost £15. Not a lot of help there then and £15 sounded quite expensive to me for a pin and a couple of bolts.
So, I got on the phone to an internet bike shop and ordered the part with no problems at all for a grand cost of £3 plus £2 postage. A fifth of the price the local bike shop would charge me for the part and a lot easier too.
As you should know by now, it the big 4-0 for me this year and I’m trying to hit 40 knots on a windsurfer.
The first stage is to get the right tools for the job so I’ve been doing my research and have come up with a list of kit.
The Boards
Mistral SL Red Dot
I couldn’t decided between a dedicated speed board and a small slalom board. The dedicated speed board is very small, narrow and the fastest thing in a straight line under the right conditions. They are also pretty challenging to sail and don’t cope well with choppy water, gusty wind or poor technique. The slalom board is still quite a small board but being a little larger and slightly more user-friendly it is the fastest thing on the water in a wider range of conditions. It copes better with some chop and gusty winds and is a little more forgiving. Both are really fast in comparison to the wave boards that I usually sail. The slalom board is likely to be the fastest in most conditions, but when the conditions are perfect the speed board would be considerably faster.
Unable to make up my mind I decided that the only option was to get one of each! The speed board I’ve picked is a Fanatic Falcon Speed (242cm long, 48cm wide and 68 litres), which Boardwise in Cannock are getting for me. The slalom board is a Mistral SL Red Dot Team Edition (240cm long, 55cm wide and 80 litres) which was delivered on Sunday night by Jim from Puravida Boardriders.
The Sails
The boards are crucial for top speeds, but the sails are just as important. The wave sails that I usually use are designed for ease of use, to feel light in the hands and be manouverable. Perfect for the jumps and gybes and general hectic sailing in waves, but lacking the power, stability and aerodynamics needed for top speeds. New sails were therefore needed too. I’d need a couple to cover a range of winds and my engines of choice ended up being a 6.3m North Warp and a 5.2m North Warp. These are stable, powerful sails that should be capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots.
North Warp 5.2
North Warp 6.3
Both arrived last night and I’ve just rigged them in the garden.
The 5.2m rigged beautifully but I wasn’t able to get the 6.3m rigged very well. Either I need a better mast for it or more strength to add more downhaul. The former is probably the case!
The Fins
Fins are probably the most crucial part of a speed-sailors equipment. Top sailors will have loads of them and will fine tune them for the board and conditions in order to get maximum speeds. The shape, stiffness, size, foil-profile and rake are all important. I don’t have the time (or money) to bother with all of that, so a couple of speed fins will have to do. So far I have fins, Fanatic Falcon fins in 28cm and 30cm.
Other bits
This windsurfing malarky isn’t cheap! New sails require new masts. All of my wave masts are RDM’s (Reduced Diameter Masts) which are stronger and therefore better able to cope with the demands of jumps and crashes in the waves. Speed sails however all have camber inducers in them which provide an aerodynamic, wing-like shape to the leading edge of the sail. These are designed to fit on Standard Diameter Masts (SDM’s) as the larger diameter mast improves the foil shape, so at least one new mast was needed (North Viper 380cm) for the smaller sail. Since rigging the new sails though it looks as though I may need one for the bigger sail as well.
Similarly the booms I have are designed for wave sails and would be a little too small and too flexible for use with such large powerful sails. A new Simmer Silver Series boom was in order!
The Cost
This really is getting expensive now, and all to eek out a few extra knots of speed, I hope its worth it!
Tags: 40 knots, Boards, life begins at 40 knots, Sails, Speed, Speed Sailing, Windsurf
