The Beacon Message Board

Roadies on mountain bikes are bad enough, but testers....anything without a straight line and RAB halfway

Just entered my first XC race since 2002, hope it's all uphill without any "tricky" downhill bits...

What race are you doing Ed? Thought about giving 'cross a go?

Ruth

Ed,
Let us know if you go to any others - can't find many races to go to for MTB - XC although went to Forest of Dean recently. Have not been back to Cannock yet but will keep you posted. Cyclo - X is the best though!
Best
Simon

It's Cannock on Saturday, still loads of time to enter.

And lets put a stop to the cross talk now, the thought of riding over mud on thin tyres. no thank you, I'm crap enough on a mountain bike....

I'd be very tempted if I wasn't already racing this weekend... I like the category system - think I'd be an unskilled enthusiast

Hmmm, interesting... any idea what the course is? Any of the dog/monkey or just fireroad?

Don't think it's either

After good feedback from our previous event we've kept the course very similar. You'll first start with a climb up to the main HQ area which should stretch out the field. You'll then head in to the bombs holes before dropping into the first singletrack section. A tight twisty trail before you loop round and return back into the arena. This is where you'll find the pits where a helper can hand you bottles or food, but sorry no outside assistance fixing problems! You'll now head out onto the main part of the course. More singletrack dropping through the trees on to a fast fire road. Following this a short climb before you again head into single track leading to the duel decent. Then a sweet twisty singletrack running parallel to the "Follow the Dog" red route. Unfortunately that’s where the downhill ends and the climbing starts. A real sapping climb hits you as you start to head back. More climbing before you reach the "drop off" section where you'll sweep round and climb up to the roller-coaster. From here your nearly home just a couple more sections to go. You climb up to the top of the course before entering the final section of single track dropping you out at the bottom of the start climb.

How did you get on Ed? Good event?

With leading pack (well at the back of it) after half a lap then tree roots got the better of me, cut my leg, finished half way down the field.

I forgot how hard racing was

Really enjoyed it, just wish I had the bike skills to get through the mud thats like glue..

Great event and good to see loads of children racing.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... =3&theater

That's probably upset the MTB community, forgot no tri-bars

Well done Ed. I think a bit of 'cross would suit you.

Ruth

Well done Ed we better get you measured up for cross bike then.