The Beacon Message Board

Round 2 was feckin hard...really hard. The course was mostly grass and loose dirt, so it really sapped the strength. Nothing too technical, but a couple of nasty dirt sections. Not sure how I placed, but it seemed ok and I didn't crash or have any mechanical's... Anyway, here's the vid I made of the...

CX are allowed btw James... and bar ends, no silly wotsit rules about tangling bar ends up. If you tangle and crash it's your own fault. :D Most people ride hardtails 'cos of the longer climbs, just depends on the course. Women race in the same event as the master males. Sheffield is grass along th...

More piccy's from today:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jdtate101 ... 591026602/

I'd have a crack at the more CX like events, on me crosser, but I'll leave the fast downhill stuff to those with a proper MTB.

Loved round 1, but it was quite hard work. Given that it was my first ever CX race, I'm happy that I didn't come last in my group, considering the huge mechanical I had on the first lap (my chain jumped and got jammed under the crank arm, it took me a good 30-45secs to clear it). I've since worked o...

As per the thread on FB, we're leaving from the Black Horse at 8.15am, grabbing a dirty fry-up on route and I've got two routes (there and back) that avoid the main climb and broadway.

Can I suggest 9.15am departure from the Black horse (as per the usual club runs)???? That should give us plenty of time if we take a direct route.

I do most of my winter indoor training on rollers and have a set of ELITE Arion Mag rollers so I can increase the resistance to get up to threshold. Once you've done a few hours they're dead easy to get used to, however you WILL fall off at least once, but don't give up. One tip,get a good fan and m...

I bought one originally (supplier sent me two by mistake) as sometimes removing them when the chain is really greasy can be a right faff. This tool makes it dead easy and you don't get covered in crap.

How exactly is the handicap worked out? Not sure I can tell from the above post. Is it a combination of age and other factors?

Well done everyone...great turnout and what a perfect evening for it too. Some fast times up there...

Nick Shenton and I are off to ride the Paris Roubaix Pave in early April, some other Beaconites have expressed an interest, so this is the tour we've booked as it covers: Pickup and drop off of rider + bike from Birmingham by coach. Ferry tickets 3 nights hotel near Roubaix Entry Into the challenge ...

My choice of CX bike was NOT the right one today. I really felt that extra weight, especially those heavy wheels - oh well next yr I will do better

School report says "Must Try Harder"....

Thinking about a set of these now:

http://www.raltech.co.uk/Prod_3-Wh-Cov.html

To fit over my Mavic Carbone SL rear with powertap (what I'm currently running).

Anyone have any experience with covers???

I'm after a cheap(ish) disc wheel / deep section front wheel (80mm+) combo. So far I've not found much from the main online vendors. I'd prefer to go clincher as I will be using these for training and not just competition next yr and would like ease of **flat** repair. Anyone got any recommendations...

Some of the descent video's I took whilst out on training (make sure you watch in 720p to avoid the Youtube compression):

Alpe D'Huez:
http://youtu.be/n8A0_T5zBiM

Col d'Ornon
http://youtu.be/wfuduGfatis

Col Du Glandon
http://youtu.be/4zcaiDVjbEU

For those who want to give the Marmotte a try I have 5 pieces of advise: 1) Sign up for an organised travel company as they are excellent (I used alpcycles.com and really recommend them). 2) However much base miles and training you think you have done...do more!! (and start ramping it up at least 6m...

Andy Terry wrote:Brilliant account and video, James. What next? (Apart from the Kidderminster Killer or Clee To Heaven, obviously)

Might have a go at the Paris-Roubaix challenge next yr on my CX bike (although I think that would kill it for sure)...Wouldn't mind some alpine action again soon, or perhaps Majorca.

Uploaded the video now:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GouDYm0u7fs

A potted history of the day whilst I remember it: We woke up for breakfast at 4.30am, then got the bikes and bits ready to descend the Alpe at 6am. It was clear and cold, about 6c, so we all wore plenty of extra clothes which were discarded at the bottom in Ade's van. Once at the bottom we all cycle...

Yep, what a brutal day in every respect. The temp was insane, close to 40c. I made it around in a total of 9hrs23mins (race time of 8hrs50mins). I was going slower that I normally do as I was holding back everything I could for the Alpe, and even then it took me 1hr24 to get up the top (the fastest ...

Gazza wrote:I will be doing the Marmotte in July and I was wondering if any other Beacon members were signed up?

Yep...me!

Going out for a camp on the 29th June. I'm in the 700+ batch so will be off the line early.

......When I go for a long ride in cold weather my vision goes somewhat foggy. It looks like mist/haze but it actually cloudy inside my cornea. My wife Nicky said she could see it when I got home today. It's now gone away, so it's not permanent or problematic. Google seems to suggest it's a combinat...

Who took part and what time did you post?? According to the strava segment for the ride I did 4:16:43. I did my usual trick of going off too fast and ran a short of energy for the last 10miles. If I had fuelled and paced myself a bit better I think I could have gone sub 4hrs...maybe. I will have to ...