When's a banned drug a bad drug?
1 week ago
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Merida MTB Marathon - Selkirk
I was back in the bouncy Saddle on Sunday, taking on the Merida Marathon in the Scottish Borders. I had entered this ages ago and had decided to go for the 45Km middle distance. How glad was I that I took this option? There was also a 25Km, a 70Km and an 85Km option but I now believe that last one is for the terminally insane!
As usual, I was probably unprepared for the effort required. Not hugely since I had covered a fair few kilometres on the road bike but I suffered badly in the last 10Km with cramp that completely seized my upper legs and I had to walk with the bike for a fair bit before it eased off. After that, my legs felt a bit dead so it was a huge effort to overcome the last hills. 45Km sounds a bit pedestrian but I would reckon that more than half of this was uphill, some of this on steep techy terrain - so it was no easy Sunday day trip.
Selkirk Rugby Club
The start was from the Selkirk Rugby Club, which had plenty of marquees containing all of the sponsors and a lot of bikers had gone for the camping option and were tented around the outside of the rugby pitch. The start was on the road behind the main stand and as you can see from the picture below, plenty of bikers (masochists) were there to tackle the torture ahead.
This was my first marathon and the start was less chaotic than I thought. The first few miles were on a closed road and were "neutralised" behind a control van. We took this road section at a fair clip though and it already felt like I was in race mode as the field began to spread out with the rapid pace. When the van peeled off, all the competitors began a rising traverse up through a forest, a fairly easy drudgery of a climb with some small steeper sections to further thin out the vast lines of bikers.
The busy start area
There was no respite though, as we were straight off the hill into some technical descending down into the Yair Hill Forest, this was interspersed with some very small sections of forest road and just when you though you were going to get a breather, the organisers course would whip you back into some steep pitchy descending. During a section through young forest trees, I got my braking wrong and crashed into a tree. Luckily these were young trees and the low soft branches broke my fall. After that, I was a bit nervy. About 10 minutes later on another rough singletrack descent, it felt like the fork was locked out and I was descending like a donkey. I stopped but couldn't find anything wrong so I just adjusted the rebound to be a bit slower. This helped but the track was so rough, I am sure the fork was packing down now.
After a lot of mixed terrain through the forest, it seemed like an age before I got to the next feed stop at 35K. I felt time was getting away from me so I made the fatal error of not stopping here. The cramp hit me after about another 2-3K and I could hardly walk never mind pedal. I got off the bike and did some stretching and then some tentative walking. On each stride, the upper outside of my leg would spasm so it took a good ten minutes for that to fully wear off. Just as the cramps were dispersing, the sadistic organisers had thrown in another steep hellish drag (120m of height gain) and my (now heavy) legs just wouldn't take me up there. I was back to walking with a merciless sun now beating down on my shoulders and back. This climb actually took us back onto the flank of the Three Brethren where we crossed over more rough moorland, then fiercely dropping down sheep tracks and Grouse butts before a rising traverse into some fields. Even the descending was starting to drain my upper body of strength. Every spin of the pedals was hurting now.
The traverse led us through a couple of forest plantations before a very long and rough double-track descent, which even with the Full-Suss was jarring every single bone and muscle. It was such a relief to drop onto the road, about 100m from the Rugby Club and the finish. I think my poor legs took on wings. The finish was into the club and through the big air-filled red tube marking the final turn of the pedal. I got my picture taken and my red Merida 2009 T-shirt.
I was done and so relieved. I even won a spot prize for being the 100th rider!
THE END with the spot prize - a tyre!
Lessons learned:
As usual, I was probably unprepared for the effort required. Not hugely since I had covered a fair few kilometres on the road bike but I suffered badly in the last 10Km with cramp that completely seized my upper legs and I had to walk with the bike for a fair bit before it eased off. After that, my legs felt a bit dead so it was a huge effort to overcome the last hills. 45Km sounds a bit pedestrian but I would reckon that more than half of this was uphill, some of this on steep techy terrain - so it was no easy Sunday day trip.
Selkirk Rugby ClubThis was my first marathon and the start was less chaotic than I thought. The first few miles were on a closed road and were "neutralised" behind a control van. We took this road section at a fair clip though and it already felt like I was in race mode as the field began to spread out with the rapid pace. When the van peeled off, all the competitors began a rising traverse up through a forest, a fairly easy drudgery of a climb with some small steeper sections to further thin out the vast lines of bikers.
The busy start area We then crossed into the Bowhill Estate and I just about registered the remains of Newark Castle. We crossed the main road at Yarrowford and a feed stop at about 15K. This signalled the start of the relentless and lengthy climb up the rough double track called Minchmoor Road. We were out of the tree line now and there was a nasty headwind coming across the rough upper moorland. At this stage, before the Minchmoor climb with about 50 minutes gone, I could still see the leaders way up ahead, so I was going quite well. They were dots on the hill side but I could still see them! Just when you thought you were reaching the crest, the course veered right on a very pitchy old drovers track to the summit of Brown Knowe (523m). We kept to this 2Km long undulating ridge, which was part of the Southern Upland Way passing Broomy Law (463m) before reaching the cairn of the Three Brethren (464m).
The view from the top of Minchmoor
There was no respite though, as we were straight off the hill into some technical descending down into the Yair Hill Forest, this was interspersed with some very small sections of forest road and just when you though you were going to get a breather, the organisers course would whip you back into some steep pitchy descending. During a section through young forest trees, I got my braking wrong and crashed into a tree. Luckily these were young trees and the low soft branches broke my fall. After that, I was a bit nervy. About 10 minutes later on another rough singletrack descent, it felt like the fork was locked out and I was descending like a donkey. I stopped but couldn't find anything wrong so I just adjusted the rebound to be a bit slower. This helped but the track was so rough, I am sure the fork was packing down now.
After a lot of mixed terrain through the forest, it seemed like an age before I got to the next feed stop at 35K. I felt time was getting away from me so I made the fatal error of not stopping here. The cramp hit me after about another 2-3K and I could hardly walk never mind pedal. I got off the bike and did some stretching and then some tentative walking. On each stride, the upper outside of my leg would spasm so it took a good ten minutes for that to fully wear off. Just as the cramps were dispersing, the sadistic organisers had thrown in another steep hellish drag (120m of height gain) and my (now heavy) legs just wouldn't take me up there. I was back to walking with a merciless sun now beating down on my shoulders and back. This climb actually took us back onto the flank of the Three Brethren where we crossed over more rough moorland, then fiercely dropping down sheep tracks and Grouse butts before a rising traverse into some fields. Even the descending was starting to drain my upper body of strength. Every spin of the pedals was hurting now.
The traverse led us through a couple of forest plantations before a very long and rough double-track descent, which even with the Full-Suss was jarring every single bone and muscle. It was such a relief to drop onto the road, about 100m from the Rugby Club and the finish. I think my poor legs took on wings. The finish was into the club and through the big air-filled red tube marking the final turn of the pedal. I got my picture taken and my red Merida 2009 T-shirt.
I was done and so relieved. I even won a spot prize for being the 100th rider!
THE END with the spot prize - a tyre!Lessons learned:
- I should have stopped at the feed stations, even it was just for a couple of minutes to take on water. I believe I cramped up because I didn't take enough water on board. I am sure I would have easily have made up this lost time, especially in the latter part of the course.
- Pacing was probably important and I probably went off too fast and paid for it later.
- I had one Clif Bar and two gels. Not enough even for the 45Km.
- Training: This is the first time I have taken the Mountain Bike into "Big Country" so more of this big hill specific training would have paid dividends. The miles on the road bike really helped though but the last big killer gradient got me stone dead.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Felt Z35
Yes, I know this is meant to be a mountain bike blog but I have gracefully perspired over 200Km on the new road bike and I thought I would jot down some thoughts.
This is my FIRST road bike for many, many years and the only thing I can compare it to are my mountain bikes, so please excuse the MTB references.
Frame - FELT 1.3 Carbon design with 3K Finish
It's Black (of course!) and to say I was impressed is an understatement. This is the first carbon frame to find a home in the garage and aesthetically it goes to the top of the class. Sleek, rounded junctions with a huge profiled down-tube. I suspect that this frame is one of the reasons that I am drawn to bikes in the first place and whilst there are many frame materials on a manufacturer's jig these days, very few come close the to the functional beauty that is layed-up carbon.
I had read about the ability of carbon to soak up the vibration of the road, and whilst it cannot match the sofa-like comfort of a large rubbered, suspension shod mountain bike, I was again impressed by the bike's ability to smooth out a lot of rough tarmac. Felt by name, Felt by nature.
Wheels - MAVIC CXP-22S with Felt Hubs / Vittoria Zaffiro Tyres
On the first spin, I did notice a few, unsettling creaks from the wheels as the spokes settled into place. I thought I had probably made some rookie mistake about not breaking in the wheels properly but after that initial sounding, everything has been quiet as a church mouse. The reviews I have read of the Felt seemed to suggest that the first upgrade would probably be to a lighter set of wheels from these workman-like rims. It already seems responsive on the hills, so a lighter pair could set the touch paper alight. In my dreams...
Drivetrain - Shimano 105
You are either going to like Shimano's 'Terminator Movie Set' design philosopy of very rounded and smooth cranksets, or not. Personally, haven't made up my mind yet.
Gears - Shimano 105
No problems with the rear cassette as the changes are reassuringly smooth and quiet. However, I have quickly changed through the 11-25 block at the rear during some uphill struggles, so road gear ratios are taking a bit of getting used to. I felt the front double rings to be a bit 'grabby' but then I am used to the smaller jumps of a 3 ring MTB. Certainly, not as good as XTR. I then had a problem with the chain over-shifting the big front ring and flopping off and it took me a hour of head scratching and adjusting. On the small ring and large rear cog, the chain still rubs the brazed on front derailleur and there seems to be no way to avoid this as the cage will not move any further to the left.
Saddle / Stem / Handlebars - All Felt
The Felt saddle does not match the glory of a Fizik Gobi and is probably average on the comfort stakes. The stem has an adjustable internal shim and can also be mounted upside-down. All of this translates to a massive amount of positional adjustment with which you can play with to your hearts content. The lowest position felt a bit too low and racey for me as a road rookie, but the high position seemed too upright and pride forbade me to leave it in this setting. I have gone for somewhere inbetween. I think this feature could be quite useful - if you can be bothered switching that is. I feel that the supplied stem (100mm) on a large frame is a tad long for me and 10mm/20mm less would be the ideal position.
The jury is still out on the handlebar - as I have nothing to compare it too, but my instinct is telling me that a very slightly wider bar would be more comfortable and I can't seem to find a comfortable position when I move to the drops. This might be lack of experience but who knows.
Pedals - Shimano 105 SPD-SL
Again, felt weird moving to this pedal from standard MTB SPD's. The firmer soled road shoes probably help as well, but the platform seems huge in comparison. I was a bit worried about spec'ing the SL's due to many reports of stiff and difficult unclipping. Fortunately, they are only slightly harder to unclip than MTB XT/XTR SPD's and if you are used to these, then getting out quickly shouldn't be a problem. Being a big 'scaredy', I run all my pedals at least resistance anyway. The large platform feels solid underfoot, especially when applying the power. My only gripe would be the cleats, which are plastic and will probably wear quite quickly.
Summary
When you move from the 'tank-like' assertive nature of most mountain bikes, it is a weird transition onto a finespun road bike. Examining the thin chainstays and delicate rear hanger structure, part of me wonders if these can take the punishment of the road. In North Ayrshire, the tarmac is slopped on like badly buttered bread and the pock-marked gutter that is loosely labelled as road, serves up more than a decent quota of tremors. However, so far the Felt has behaved admirably, although I draw the line at bunny hopping the kerb next to the house.
It took me a while to find a position I liked when experimenting with the adjustable stem. I have plumped for a more upright position for long training rides. Initially, I was getting sore shoulders but this was because after 20 years absence, I wasn't used to being on the road and for the first few rides, I operated a 'grip the handlebar as tightly as possible' routine. It has taken me a while to relax amongst the traffic as opposed to quiet secluded woodland.
The Felt is probably more upright and sportive-like than an eyeballs out racing machine, but for a rookie like me, the handling is very assured even on pulse-raising descents. More importantly, the bike makes me want to get out and surely that is the best measure of importance. At this level, it could be argued that there is no such thing as a bad bike and it is down to personal taste and whilst there is a ring of truth in that statement, I don't think anyone would be dissapointed with the Felt.
Even with its relaxed nature, when your turning for home after a long training run, the Felt still wants to help you up the ascents. It encourages you to stand up and put in a few digs, even when your feeling tired. So, just point and head for home and this bike will convey you there in style.
This is my FIRST road bike for many, many years and the only thing I can compare it to are my mountain bikes, so please excuse the MTB references.
Frame - FELT 1.3 Carbon design with 3K Finish
It's Black (of course!) and to say I was impressed is an understatement. This is the first carbon frame to find a home in the garage and aesthetically it goes to the top of the class. Sleek, rounded junctions with a huge profiled down-tube. I suspect that this frame is one of the reasons that I am drawn to bikes in the first place and whilst there are many frame materials on a manufacturer's jig these days, very few come close the to the functional beauty that is layed-up carbon.
I had read about the ability of carbon to soak up the vibration of the road, and whilst it cannot match the sofa-like comfort of a large rubbered, suspension shod mountain bike, I was again impressed by the bike's ability to smooth out a lot of rough tarmac. Felt by name, Felt by nature.
Wheels - MAVIC CXP-22S with Felt Hubs / Vittoria Zaffiro Tyres
On the first spin, I did notice a few, unsettling creaks from the wheels as the spokes settled into place. I thought I had probably made some rookie mistake about not breaking in the wheels properly but after that initial sounding, everything has been quiet as a church mouse. The reviews I have read of the Felt seemed to suggest that the first upgrade would probably be to a lighter set of wheels from these workman-like rims. It already seems responsive on the hills, so a lighter pair could set the touch paper alight. In my dreams...
Drivetrain - Shimano 105
You are either going to like Shimano's 'Terminator Movie Set' design philosopy of very rounded and smooth cranksets, or not. Personally, haven't made up my mind yet.
Gears - Shimano 105
No problems with the rear cassette as the changes are reassuringly smooth and quiet. However, I have quickly changed through the 11-25 block at the rear during some uphill struggles, so road gear ratios are taking a bit of getting used to. I felt the front double rings to be a bit 'grabby' but then I am used to the smaller jumps of a 3 ring MTB. Certainly, not as good as XTR. I then had a problem with the chain over-shifting the big front ring and flopping off and it took me a hour of head scratching and adjusting. On the small ring and large rear cog, the chain still rubs the brazed on front derailleur and there seems to be no way to avoid this as the cage will not move any further to the left.
Saddle / Stem / Handlebars - All Felt
The Felt saddle does not match the glory of a Fizik Gobi and is probably average on the comfort stakes. The stem has an adjustable internal shim and can also be mounted upside-down. All of this translates to a massive amount of positional adjustment with which you can play with to your hearts content. The lowest position felt a bit too low and racey for me as a road rookie, but the high position seemed too upright and pride forbade me to leave it in this setting. I have gone for somewhere inbetween. I think this feature could be quite useful - if you can be bothered switching that is. I feel that the supplied stem (100mm) on a large frame is a tad long for me and 10mm/20mm less would be the ideal position.
The jury is still out on the handlebar - as I have nothing to compare it too, but my instinct is telling me that a very slightly wider bar would be more comfortable and I can't seem to find a comfortable position when I move to the drops. This might be lack of experience but who knows.
Pedals - Shimano 105 SPD-SL
Again, felt weird moving to this pedal from standard MTB SPD's. The firmer soled road shoes probably help as well, but the platform seems huge in comparison. I was a bit worried about spec'ing the SL's due to many reports of stiff and difficult unclipping. Fortunately, they are only slightly harder to unclip than MTB XT/XTR SPD's and if you are used to these, then getting out quickly shouldn't be a problem. Being a big 'scaredy', I run all my pedals at least resistance anyway. The large platform feels solid underfoot, especially when applying the power. My only gripe would be the cleats, which are plastic and will probably wear quite quickly.
Summary
When you move from the 'tank-like' assertive nature of most mountain bikes, it is a weird transition onto a finespun road bike. Examining the thin chainstays and delicate rear hanger structure, part of me wonders if these can take the punishment of the road. In North Ayrshire, the tarmac is slopped on like badly buttered bread and the pock-marked gutter that is loosely labelled as road, serves up more than a decent quota of tremors. However, so far the Felt has behaved admirably, although I draw the line at bunny hopping the kerb next to the house.
It took me a while to find a position I liked when experimenting with the adjustable stem. I have plumped for a more upright position for long training rides. Initially, I was getting sore shoulders but this was because after 20 years absence, I wasn't used to being on the road and for the first few rides, I operated a 'grip the handlebar as tightly as possible' routine. It has taken me a while to relax amongst the traffic as opposed to quiet secluded woodland.
The Felt is probably more upright and sportive-like than an eyeballs out racing machine, but for a rookie like me, the handling is very assured even on pulse-raising descents. More importantly, the bike makes me want to get out and surely that is the best measure of importance. At this level, it could be argued that there is no such thing as a bad bike and it is down to personal taste and whilst there is a ring of truth in that statement, I don't think anyone would be dissapointed with the Felt.
Even with its relaxed nature, when your turning for home after a long training run, the Felt still wants to help you up the ascents. It encourages you to stand up and put in a few digs, even when your feeling tired. So, just point and head for home and this bike will convey you there in style.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The Marvel of Mavic
For those of you who keep up to date with the latest news in the world of cycling apparel (just me probably), will know that a recent surprise entry into the multitudinous assemblage of bike clothing manufacturing, was the French company, Mavic. This continental concern is probably more known for wheels than hats but being previously responsible for the Adidas cycle line (as it happens, my first jersey and bib shorts were Adidas), Mavic had decided not to renew this license agreement and have decided to go it alone this year, with a range of self-branded soft goods for the discerning bike stylist.Now, I apply many different criteria to my cycle clothing of choice but mainly, if it's black, then I will be reaching deep into my recession-hit wallet. Black may not be the wisest choice of apparel out on the tarmac though. I have seen many fellow road rollers, resplendent in a dizzying array of sensible, luminous tunics and my stealth bomber routine just attracts automobiles to zip past my right arm with an alarming intimacy.
However, on the lookout for some decent togs, to accompany my recent foray onto the road, Mavic with their limited, almost Teutonic selection of black, white and the occasional splash of colour, seemed to fit the bill. Similarly, the designers have also borrowed colour inspiration from the back catalogue of Kraftwerk, where even the humdrum grey is now called ‘autobahn’. Germanic names from a French company are unusual but at least they are manly.
The only fly in the ointment was quickly discovered when I realised that Mavic offerings were pricey if not downright expensive. However, not one to admit to vanity on the saddle, it seems churlish not to splash out on the uniform when I have just committed large amounts of cash on a new road bike.
So it was onto the usual internet retailer from Ballyclare, since my LBS offerings are Gore or Specialized and nothing else! As a primary incursion, I ordered an Espoir Jersey, Pro Rain Shoe Covers and Avenir Shoes. There is certainly a more Gallic flavour to these names, and the Avenir treads are a tad futuristic for my tastes. Mavic humbly describe them as ‘high end performance for the neo pro’; so I am there in the fashion stakes, if not the fitness ones. I have to admit though, the shoes do fit like a pair of winged slippers and when I took them for a spin, I felt I had to go fast for the sake of appearances. These shoes are going to land me in all sorts of trouble as I overtook a shocked, speed-restricted Sunday driver in his Rover.
Alas, not everything was rosy in the wonderfully monotone planet Mavic. The large size Espoir Jersey had to be sent back for being too short. Disappointing to have a large that only went half way down my chest. This is not a boast, but is a common complaint (by me) often flung at jersey producers. I infer from this that most cyclists must be wide, muscled midgets. Well, there is Mark Cavendish…
I am very happen to fly against the vivid day-glow attire that cohabits the A78; I just have to stay out of the shadows and avoid dawn or dusk.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Highway to Hell
Haven't had an update in a while mainly due to life getting in the way! Stag Weekends and AC/DC Concerts... so please excuse the Auzzie rocker references throughout this blog.
But in the interim, I have done something very reckless. Yep, It's official. I have bought a road bike! A Felt z35 to be precise.
Back in Black
Well, when I say bought, what I really mean is a finance deal and 'don't pay anything for 12 months'. This doesn't mean that I am turning into a 'roadie' though, more like dipping a toe into the world of skinny wheels. Since the recent weather has been so reasonable here in Scotland (for once!), I have managed to take the carbon beast on a couple of local maiden voyages around the Ayrshire coast and so far have been very impressed.
Nice light carbon frame, Shimano 105 across the board. More thoughts on the bike later, once I have journeyed a bit further into the scary world of tarmac.
Shoot to Thrill!
But in the interim, I have done something very reckless. Yep, It's official. I have bought a road bike! A Felt z35 to be precise.
Back in BlackWell, when I say bought, what I really mean is a finance deal and 'don't pay anything for 12 months'. This doesn't mean that I am turning into a 'roadie' though, more like dipping a toe into the world of skinny wheels. Since the recent weather has been so reasonable here in Scotland (for once!), I have managed to take the carbon beast on a couple of local maiden voyages around the Ayrshire coast and so far have been very impressed.
Nice light carbon frame, Shimano 105 across the board. More thoughts on the bike later, once I have journeyed a bit further into the scary world of tarmac.
Shoot to Thrill!
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