Summer Cross is dead. Long live #WinterCross and #schwalbeXone

Well that's it then, the end of Summer cx season and what a tough one it has been for me.  The weather has been surprisingly dry and warm which has made the courses vary in speed between fast and faster.

Last race was a couple of weeks ago in Scarborough.  In my opinion a boring course that I had targeted to perform well in and score highly in the league. 

Unfortunately the God of "Poor Preparation" sneered at me as I had not fixed my slow puncture from the gravel race the previous Sunday.  I had pumped up the tyre and it had held for several days-

"It'll be OK" are famous last words uttered by me far too often before racing and of course it was not. 

A combination of 5 years of riding and at least 6 discovered holes/splits/torn off nobbles and really poor sealing ability of the sealant I was using (and will not ever use again) led to the tyre deflating to <10psi after 2 laps. 

I chose to continue the race and use it as training effort. 

To do so I had to leave the course, ride to my car, get my track pump, return with the pump, re-join the course.  Now I was a lap down on where I should have been, but could ride again.  Every 2-3 laps I stopped to re-inflate the tyre.  Result out of the window but a good training effect.

Now I am waiting for the overall results for the league, am I in the prize money?

Preparation Starts

There are 3 weeks between Summer and Winter CX in Yorkshire, I chose to rest completely for the first of these.  I have been feeling a little up and down both physically and mentally with my riding and even lost my mojo for a day or two.  I hope that the days recovering will reignite me perfectly for the coming training and races. 

Instead I had a great week with the family camping - no bikes.  An hour pedalo and a 10k run were all I did with regard exercise.

New term, new boots

As I have binned my very old Vittoria xg pro cx tyre I have the opportunity to choose some new boots for my summer cx wheels.  I like to ride intermediates as my second pair as I just feel more prepared for changeable conditions and have decided to try some Schwalbe X One tyres.  I am really impressed with my Pro One tyres on the road bike which hold air really well and were a doddle to fit.

Where the Pro Ones could be eased on to the rim with just fingers, the X Ones have been a bigger challenge.  I had to reach for a single tyre lever to help finish the job. 

Inflation was instant and with some proper Bonty sealant inside I expect them to work well.  The tight bead will ensure that I can run these happily down to about 20psi if I want to although I usually race at about 25psi. 

The size of the tyre looks big enough for some gravel races as well which is another of my targets in the future.

Hit the Training Hard

First session since holiday was last night.  It went well, I put all I could into it and seem to have produced some good output. 

Power and power sustainability are the game for me this year, it is my main area of weakness.  Whilst I can hit pretty good power output figures, I do struggle to hold these for long enough. 

Hence coach Tom has prescribed me plenty of over/under and high power sessions to address these issues.

Power (w) over time

Guest Blogger

My good friends at  York Cycleworks approached me to write a piece for about cyclo-cross racing for their website.  They are very involved in helping riders try new types of activity and looked to me as an average Joe in the sport.  Read what I produced for them here.   

A Busy Week - #Agg100, #YorkCycleworks Elite Road Race, Last Wednesday evening Summer CX race

This is a long blog today, apologies if you fall asleep along the way.

 The last week of a busy few weeks of racing, training and recovering but what a way to finish!

Volunteering at an Elite Road Race

Sunday saw me giving back some time to a sport that gives me great pleasure.  As with all good things in life cycling is organised and run by a few people for lots of participants.  I am guilty of not volunteering enough to help behind the scenes so as the opportunity came up with my girls away for the weekend I was happy to put my name down to help out.  I have done some marshalling before and expected to be donning a bright yellow tabard, perhaps armed with a red flag to point, direct, applaud riders and stop, persuade, explain to members of the public who simply cannot wait for one minute to let 60 riders hurtle past at 40mph.

To my surprise Fraz asked me to drive a support car.  At this level there are 4 or more cars that drive either in front of the race, behind groups or the peloton and at the rear.  The idea is to monitor the race, allowing the race commisaires to have an overall picture and keep the riders safe.  As I had not driven before I was to have the top dog commisaire in my car - now known as comm1.
I was handed a radio, aerial and big magnetic sign for my car roof.  I duly put all the kit on, in and turned the radio on.  After a quick briefing and introductions we were off.

I was positioned behind the main peloton from where comm1 called other cars, neutral service van or medic car to different positions in the race convoy.  The race speed alternated between 10 mph up the climbs and 50mph on the downs through villages and those are the range of speeds I had to drive at.  At certain times I would be asked to move ahead of the peloton to stay with a break away and had to drive past them hand on horn to warn them.

During these races the roads are not actually closed and public can simply drive along as they see fit.  Marshalls do their best to hold cars or other road users in safe positions as the small race convoy go past but sometimes the public exert their rights and continue on regardless.  This race saw a couple of horse riders ignore the pleas of marshals.  I think they may have regretted this as the peloton and cars came hurtling down the hill on the other side of the road.  Although all riders slowed as best they could the horses were not happy and came close to becoming part of the peloton.  The rather pompous riders got the scare of their life as well.

The end of the race with me following

I really enjoyed the day, the riders were truly grateful for the organisation of the race and I feel that I have given a little bit back.

Final Wednesday Evening Race of the Summer CX league

Wednesday saw me driving to Huddersfield for the last evening race this summer.  To be honest I am quite glad, I have found these to be really difficult to perform at my best in as I usually arrive too near the start for a good warm up and start the race in the wrong mind set.  As always I enjoyed the ride, but came away with my worst result this year.  It was a great course that I knew from previous races and I should have done well.  I just made poor tactical choices at key places, but stupidly repeated these mistakes on future laps.  One more race this series, Scarborough on a Saturday, then I can look at my overall position and see if I'm in the money spots.

@aggregate100k gravel race by Kinesis

As I have said before I entered the first edition of this race based in the North Yorkshire Moors. I am taking this opportunity to write about all aspects of the day, I believe this is a way forward for cycling and want to help the organisers who I hope will read this, so sorry about any negative sounding bits.

Firstly this was not a cheap event to enter, in fact it cost in the same league as 3 Peaks and Etape du Dales, both of which contribute much of the takings to charity.  Not so this one, it had better be good.

Furthermore, as the event date closed in the organisers chose to attract more riders by reducing the cost to enter "on the day" to below that of pre-entries.  Hardly seeming fair, why would anyone ever pre-enter again?

So it was with some scepticism that I met up with my fellow mini-team riders on a near perfect morning in a field with a luke-warm coffee making man to prepare for the ride.  I was excited.  This is my perfect type of event.  I wanted to ride well.  I wanted it to be good fun, no I needed it to be brilliant fun.

A small field of riders made themselves ready and we were off.  The format of the day was simply brilliant.  100km of riding in total, mostly sportive riding with 4 timed segments (think enduro racing or rally special stages).  Timed segments would take about 20 mins to compete. The times would be added together to give a total time and hence a winner.


Segment 1 was the wildest with best views as well - climb Rudland Rigg to the top and then descend Monkett House.  The climb is not steep, but plenty enough to hurt if you go too hard and the descent claimed several riders with punctures.  Local knowledge informed me well and I kept myself just out of the red going up and knew to trust my tubeless tyres on the way down.  I also knew some good lines that kept me clear of real nasty bits.  As I rode over the timing mat at the end I felt good.  What a rush, just under 20 mins of effort and a big smile.  I had passed my friend and coach Tom on the way down, he had suffered the first of several punctures through the day.


I waited for the rest of the guys to reassemble and off we went to climb Blakey Bank, a climb I had never cleared before.  Today was different, cleared easily seated all the way.
Some more riding along disused railway to descend over Spaunton Moor and then into Cropton Forest.


Segment 2 was making use of forest roads, gravelly,hardpack and dry these were fast to ride but the uphill nature of the segment made it hard going.  I worked as hard as I could and was pleased to cross the final timing mats with a loud beep.  Food stop was there!  Really well stocked, whisky for those mad enough. A welcome rest and sharing of experiences so far with other riders.  And guess what, I was faster than coach Tom again as he had punctured again.

On we went at a leisurely pace to find segment 3.  After some disorientating signage we finally got to the start and off we went again.  I absolutely buried myself in this one, running through boggy sections and driving hard on the good roads.  A fully stood up sprint finish took me over the timing mats.
But wait.
Something missing here.
No noise.
I jumped on the mat, still no noise.
Nobody else had heard a noise either.
A man turns up, looks at the box of tricks and turns it on. Not happy. 
Tom was even less happy as he had really beasted this segment.

On we go again, we eventually get to where I believe segment 4 will be, but no start mats?  A lone marshal there informs us that this segment has been removed (never put in).  We take the path and are glad it is not a timed segment as it had very little to do with riding and more to do with carrying/pushing.

We complete the ride and semi collapse in the field.  100km is not far, but 100km off-road is pretty far as you use different muscles to absorb shocks as you plummet over the stones.







FEED ME NOW!
Hoping that some post event food is included in my entry fee I go and see the food man.  It is not included....... and whilst good food, not cheap either.












I have put some thought into my overall opinions of the day:  

• Yes it was expensive to enter, some food thrown in at the start/end would have helped.
• The concept for the day was brilliant and in my opinion one way forward for gravel racing in the UK.
• Expensive, important equipment that the day is based upon should be looked after and monitored by humans all day.
• Signage in forests is really important, a bit like proof reading have somebody who does not know the route follow the signs as they are put out.
• The route was great.
• The smiles I had were brill.
• Overall I really enjoyed the day and will look for similar events in the future.

I really wish Emma and Kinesis all the best with this format and event, I do accept first time glitches and hope to see it again, but better.  Thanks for a great day.

Have I said how much fun the riding was?

Oh, and I placed 6th overall - WHOOP WHOOP!

Of I go to search out some bigger gravel tyres...........

A big ride in the Dales, planning and leading a group ride

Last weekend saw me leading group of riders from Selby Cycling Club around 124km of Dales roads.  We took in some of the remotest and most beautiful areas of the area along with over 2000m of famous climbs and descents. 
Such a venture is not without challenge when alone or a pair, but what about when you invite a group along?
I have planned and led several of these rides and this is what I have found out.

Planning a Route

Buttertubs Pass

I always start my ride planning with a few key highlights - good climbs, cracking descents, fabulous views etc.  I use personal experience of rides in the area and books such as Simon Warren's excellent series of "Climbs" books to help.  Then I sit with Ridewithgps.com and plan the route as best I can.  It is usually now that I start to consider the best start/finish point if it is a drive and ride day.  I will endeavour to avoid major roads as much as possible.  The route length and climbing severity will evolve with the planning.  The ride needs a focus.  This latest ride was focussed on my favourite descents in the area and I chose 4 brilliant extended descents that always make me smile.  I just had to join them up.  I wanted to descend fro Birkdale Common to Nateby, from Tan Hill to Keld, Buttertubs heading north and down Whipperdale Bank to Leyburn.

The café stop is really important.  It needs to be between 1/2 and 2/3 way through the route and ideally a good few km from the next hill as you do not want anybody to be seeing their lunch again on a 15% gradient.  I always look for quality, it is after all a highlight of the day.  For this ride I did some extensive searching online and came up with a suitable pub half way around called the Moorcock Inn.

Timing the Route

Whatever time you think the group will accomplish the ride in, add 20% for first 5 riders, then 10% for each extra 5 riders and that will be nearer the truth.  This extra time is generated by waiting to regroup, waiting for food in the café, mechanical problems and general faffing that occurs with groups.  It is always better to over estimate the time for the ride as this keeps fellow riders in the good graces of their families at home.

Announcing the Ride

Different groups will have different vehicle to announce such rides, SCC use Facebook pretty effectively.  I will post an invitation on the Facebook page some 4-5 weeks ahead stating date, length, climbing, area and a link to the planned route so people can make an informed decision about joining the ride.  I will also be clear about the required speeds and abilities that I will expect from participants.  I try to be as fair as possible to all, I do not want riders to be too different in abilities as this is no fun for faster or slower riders.

Ride Rules

When I announce the ride I will always state the ride rules.  These will be repeated in posts nearer the date of the ride.  My rules are simple and, I think, there for clear reasons:
The group climb and descend at their own pace.  The group will regroup at the top and bottom of every hill.
The group try to stay together along valleys riding at an appropriate pace for all.
Safety and enjoyment are paramount, no rider will put others or themselves at unnecessary risk (eg descending on cross bar) as we will probably be out of phone coverage.

Changing the Rules as you go along

Sometimes it becomes clear that the ride rules need to be adjusted.  In the case of my last ride it was clear that stronger riders needed to be sent down the road to ensure their enjoyment whilst other riders needed to be allowed to set their own pace, once again to ensure their enjoyment.  A meet point was set (lunch café) and the break allowed.  Over lunch, adjustments were made to the route for all and suitable decisions were made for the remainder of the day.  These situations are not uncommon, especially when riding with riders for the first time.

Group Ride Mind-set

If you are riding in a group over challenging terrain such as this you have to change your mind-set.  You may be used to riding at a set speed, looking good in 2 nice lines all nicely spaced wheel to wheel.  This is going out of the window as soon as you get to hills.  The bunch explodes as each claw their way up the slope.  Descending is spaced for safety reasons as confident/competent riders exceed 35mph easily.  All riders need to exhibit more tolerance of other riders, smile when waiting again and be willing to spend more time than is usual chatting whilst stood still.  Enjoy the view and encourage others in the group.
As ride leader I will happily ride at the front, middle or back of the group.  On this ride I was the one who waited for others and tried to ensure that all were enjoying their day.

Safety briefings

At certain points in the ride I impart whatever safety knowledge I know to all participants.  On this ride this included a ford to cross, some steep hairpin bends on a descent and in one case I rode ahead to stop and flag a particularly nasty bend coming off Buttertubs which has claimed lives in the past.  It is of course down to individuals to assess personal risk, but it is my responsibility to warn of every known danger to inform personal decisions.

Another Successful Day

The ride was a success.  We had one fall and broken bike which meant one retirement and a volunteer to assist with transport.  I am very grateful to this volunteer as I could not really leave the ride as leader.  We only went off course once and I seamlessly took us back on course.  Lunch was acceptable, though not up my usual standards and the weather played nice. 

Where shall I go next?