Dirty Reiver 200 2022

What is ideal prep for a big cycle event or race?  Well it is not finding on the eve of travel for the event that you have destroyed your freehub and don't actually have a spare. So on the phone to Dave at Surrey Hills Cycleworks whilst madly messaging mates. After some digging around, Dave couldn't find one. But Taz had already offered, washed and packed a spare wheel and I threw in a spare bike I could at least cut the desired drive train over to.

 

 

Sonder Broken Road ready to go, or so I thought.

 

 

A very unhealthy freehub.

So the following morning I packed and headed for Kielder Castle to register and then join Taz and Dan at the lodge for some moderate wheel building and beers. It would take a very frustrating 8hrs to arrive, swift registration and I was lodge bound.

 

Quite light packing really.

At the lodge it was great to see Taz again and meet Dan, have a great meal cooked by Taz, sort the wheel (which Taz had kindly loaned me) and have a few beers and a good chat.  Soon it would be wise to go to bed, so quickly I sorted my stuff whilst drinking a whole lot of water and went to bed.

Go time! In the morning we were up, ate, sorted ourselves fairly quickly and headed to Kielder Castle again for the start of the event. The 3 of us mounted on singlespeeds ready for the 200 in my case and the 130 for Taz and Dan. Excellent challenges for all.

Soon we off! Riding amongst the pack and the fast guys and ladies charged off the front. We started the first climb getting the general comments from others in the pack "You're mad!", "Single speed, very brave!" the list goes on. But the encouragement you get from others is endless and would last for me at least until I walked into get the free curry at the end.

Eventually we settled into our rhythms and I rode away from Taz and Dan, and wouldn't see them until I returned to the lodge. Whilst the sun shone, the headwind we experienced for the first 70kms hid it's true soul gouging nature, that would come later. The first 70km prove pretty standard, good riding, tough hills, amazing views and company as you meet and chat to many different people, a pleasant but rapid feed stop more riding and chatting. Some you see again and again, others only the once.

I pushed on still enjoying the route and company that came and went. For a while I rode with a lady from Bristol who was suffering a little with a back injury and just after the special stage would make a very hard, but very wise choice and abandon. I hope she is OK and the injury is already healing?  The special stage itself is where my challenges started. At 2 points I had to walk just a short distance, 40-50 metres to pass the steepest. Not so, for the fast chap on his fixie blowing pass me. Damn fine effort by that man.

 

Me trying to look cool. 

 

From this point the descents get longer and faster as we encounter less traffic, these are where the Broken Road comes into it's own, stable, fast and agile. I start to play cat and mouse with those on gravel bikes as I put some time into them on descents and they catch me on the climbs. But this is always fun and in good humour with others. Breaks up the suffering and often starts a conversation.

Soon I would arrive at the Alpkit and Sonder feed station, basically the half way point. Chatting to Rich S and some of the others whilst I refuel on coke, bananas and flapjack. They have a great sheltered spot, a sofa and a generally chilled vibe, making some, maybe linger longer than they planned. I understand why.

 

Alpkit/Sonder feed station

 

Just as I was leaving I noticed some other riders, who we had exchanged encouragement with each other earlier. More yo-yoing would ensue. A relatively pleasant ride for a few k's and the 130 and 200 route separate and long but nice climbs awaits. Over this I was feeling a little light headed, but pressed on. The fight with the headwind beginning to grow.

Some more yo-yoing with riders and I suddenly realised the route we where on and how it would be affected by the headwind. I muttered a few words, it was going to be worse than I had imagined. After a slightly exposed climb a descent leads you to hell. Hell being an undulating gravel road with nowhere to hide from a soul gouging headwind. With a geared bike you stand a chance of holding your own in a group, catching a wheel as a group passes or just fidning a gear that makes good progress.

On the single, you suffer, suffer a little more, then suffer again. I cn recall the point my soul left my body. A few passing riders were close enough for a few short tows, but ultimately the elastic broke. Soon a group I had seen a few times passed again, being driven by a machine, she cheerily yelled 'C'mon single speeder!!" well that is what I heard in the wind. I doubt this was an offer of a wheel as they flew past. I think the rest of the group where struggling to hold her wheel anyway. Top bombing going on there. I would see them again at the last feed station. A chap I had ridden with on and off did catch the wheel and vanished with them into the dust.

I would never expect anyone to slow for me, especially when I make silly life choices, like riding a single speed. :) But I was impressed with some of the smaller groups speeds considering the conditions.

Not longer after, I did find myself in a group and things got easier for a few kilometers and broke the back of the war of attrition with the headwind. Eventually, I cut the elastic on that group knowing it may blow my legs out.

Last feed station approach was signaled by the Red Bull truck, music and encrouragement. At the village I have to say I felt embarrassed and sorry for the villagers as the RB team there was pretty loud, especially for the type of event, I guess it worked for some people. The volunteers dutifully made sure everyone was aware of what was on offer to refuel and we took what was resonable. Riders now felt they had made it, 50k to go and only a few hills left, only a couple really nasty ones. Smiles had started to reappear on faces.

I left moments after the group that passed me yelling encrouragement as we battled the head wind did, but I would never see them again. The short sharp climb out of Stonehaugh is brutal, the next longer meandering climb is much nicer, but reminded me of the job left to do and the nastiness that awaits the other side of the dam at Kielder Water.

Knowing what was coming is alway a double edge sword, but I do prefer the knowing. But things started to even tougher all of a sudden. I was starting to struggle to breath a little on the climbs, having to stop on a couple. Fortunately the terrain flattened a little and for sometime I was OKish and ended up riding a lady from Rotor. Thanks for your company, was great to chat and help me reset a little. (I hope the family and you enjoyed you extra few days in Kielder Forest).

On a long fast descent we parted ways, then my breathing concerns returned again on each steep climb (turns out I was getting a chest cold). But there was 35 to go, 30 to go, 25 to go............."Damn it!" Or should I say "Dam it!" We crossed the dam and headed for a short brutal ramp. Seeing the riders with gears just in front slow significantly, I span the legs up and made an effort to get as far up as I could. Nearly made it this year, had a short walk and remounted, for the moment.

The last hill of any concern lay 400 metres ahead, I rounded the corner and got out the saddle, it came at me like a wall, I stalled, got going again, this happened twice, then I dabbed and stepped off. As I did "OH, don't do that, I just caught you again!" came from behind. My Rotor friend appeared with a smile. Me: "nothing left. Allez Allez!" she rode strongly up the hill and away. I trudged to the top, jumped on and went for it. I pushed on for the finish, the next hill seemed easier than last year, around Kielder Water did to. May be the dirstraction I a fellow Southerner and chatting about the riding their help.  A new good natured game of cat and mouse with the fast moving lady along the shoreline help too.

The soft grassy field just below the castle was a different matter, that was just mean DR team, just mean! But when you hit the ramp to the castle, everything comes alive again, up, hard right and finished! 

This year felt harder and timing suggested it was. It was just as enjoyable as the years before and the atmosphere was great as always.  The one thing that still gets me is the encouragement riders give each other is un-ending. Even those having a nightmare, give a smile and say "Good luck!" "Enjoy!" "Are you mad single speeder or just brave?" Mainly mad, yep, the mad bit! 

 

You honestly can't go wrong with a Sonder Broken Road, but maybe apply gears liberally.

 

Thanks to all those that do yell encrouragement or slow to ask why? The answer is I don't know, it is fun.  Thanks to the dust covered lady as I entered the curry tent for the big congratulations, it was really appreciated. I hope it showed? I was a little wasted by then. I hope you and your friends had an excellent day out?

 

A little less wasted after some curry.

 

To the head wind, you were traumatic and there are a few hundred riders that want their souls back!

To the organisers, FC workers, sponsors and amazing volunteers, thank you again from not just myself, but I am sure every other rider. Keep doing what you do, it is an ace event!

I may not be back, as it is time to look for other adventures (there are a few in planning), but everyone must do the Dirty Reiver at least twice. I have done a few times, I might sneak back with gears and some proper training one day. Who knows? But do give it a go if you are gravel suffering inclined

Big shout out to:

• Sonder Bikes - Neil
• Alpkit - Alice and Hayley
• Wolf Tooth Components - Brendan
• Surrey Hills Cycleworks - Dave F

and of course Nik and the kids for suffering my foolishness. :)

Keep riding and have fun! 

Next up some trail riding and maybe a 200km loop around the South Downs. ;)

Big Day Out - Downs Link Loop

On 18th October I headed off for 180Kms+ loop of the Northdowns Way (NDW), King Alfreds Way (KAW), Southdowns Way (SDW) and Downs Link (DL).  I had concieved this idea only a few weeks before, quickly planned it and set a date.

 

My bike of choice was my brilliant Sonder Bikes Broken Road, which is a single speed and with Alpkit bikpacking luggage mounted and filled with al that I could need for a Big Day Out. Wolf Tooth Components drive train and KLite lighting the early morning and night.

 

 

A relatively early but civiliased start I casually rode to the start/finish of the loop. Set the Garmin to nav and off I went. The very first thing you do is climb and that is a bit of a theme until the last 60km+ on the DL.

Starting along the NDW out of Guildford, I rode over familiar terrain and predominantly sandy trails. It was great that the sand was still a little wet, making it a bit easier to ride, but not super fast. I crusied along these, passing quaint houses, farms, horse studs and large manor house, across estate fields and wiggled along some single track in places.  All in the gloom of the early morning and on/off drizzle for a little over 1.5hrs until I reached the junction with the KAW.

Joining the KAW on a fast section of road as the drizzle started clear.  I point down the hill, tucked and went, over the weak bridge, wondering if I had eaten too much the day before.  I sped to the next section of trail, a path through pine forest and fenced moor land. The habitat changes between these two main types for some time.  Now and then I ride through farm land, sometimes through farm yards (still an odd feeling for an Australian), past more stables and studs.

The KAW section I rode from the NDW to SDW, has a variety of different terrain from sandy moors over Frensham with views of both ponds, slick sandy bridleways, road, muddy fireroads through pine forest and some rocky climbs and descents. The most noteable are, the sandy wall I hit entering Hankley Common, one I thought I would be off walking, but some how managed to clear it, the rocky ascent out of Thursley was slick and loose and had be pushing for a little way. Then after many more K's of fun, undulating, varied trails and roads, the last two climbs up onto the South Downs came at me hard, sapped the legs a little, making the SDW sign post a welcome sight and a good place for more food and a comfort break (when the bike and foot traffic allowed).

 

 

Until this point I had seen very few people, due my early start and grey weather. Apart from an 84 year old man out for a run, I passed on the second to last hill before the SDW and a couple of others on the KAW and some dogs walkers. But now things were getting busy as the weather improved. So it was time to be extra polite and smile lots. Along the KAW, I had passed pubs, little villages, cafes and coffee stops, plenty to find along the way, even if you drift a little of course to do so. Up onto the SDW and I know things are fewer and far between and missing the taps can be a right pain in the butt. The times I have ridden the SDW, I haven't missed one. However there is always first time.

 

Out on to the SDW and the sun even started poking through the clouds, the weather improved and the spirits crept even higher (I am always happy on a bike). One of the things I found riding the "official" cycle route along the SDW was the little difference between it and some of the previous version of the route I have taken, certainly didn't change the level of damage done to your legs and the views even when grey, remain beautiful.

Lack of riding, lack of sleep and the relentlessness of the SDW would have me off walking a few climbs as I crossed the big whale backs of the way. I know the SDW and knowing what is to come and what has passed is actually an advantage in my mind. I can plan, I can literally plan on which hill where I am likely to fail on the singlespeed, accept it in advance and make up for it on the ones I know are on my limit. I know when the taps are roughly coming and can hydrate accordingly with no fear of running out of water. The taps are even better marked now, so the couple that are on fun descents are easier to spot.

Of course I also know that Richline Farm Shop is coming soon, another tap stop there as well. Over hill down valley, up over another hill, the SDW keeps coming at you, but it is a great place to ride. Soon I crest the last hill before the farm and drop down, preparing for a longer than normal stop. "I really need to ride more" I mutter as roll to a stop, say "Hi" to another fellow cycling adventurer (Tony).  Richline Farn Shop is basic, the coffee is instant, but the cakes home made, the ice cream is quite decent too.

I sit with a coffee, a large flapjack, can of Tango and some more natural snacks from my Possum frame bag. Tony and I chat about sleeping in ditches, the pros and cons of knowing your route ahead and Tony's best way back to Camberley. It is not terribly direct, but we share ideas.  Soon my need to ride on drives me to pick up my helmet, of course place my rubbish and recycling in the right bins and thank the shop owners. From hear on cold legs a farm track leads up to a rock hardpack trail, for the first part of this I hurt, cold legs, singlespeed and straight up hill for approximately 1km, from a stop. The gate 200ms from the farm doesn't help. But once warmed up my rhythm returns and it starts to feel good again.

Climb, descend, climb, descend, it is the charm of the SDW, or is it the curse? As the picture below demostrates, either way, I seem to like it up there.

There are a few more hills, to conquer and descents to enjoy, some of the toughest are to come. I know this, but I also know I am now getting close to my next junction. Strangely as I tick off hill after hill, ensuring I also enjoy views like the one below, I feel a little down, that I won't be riding to Eastbourne.

 

Crossing the road at Washington signals there are only a few more hills left to worry me until much later, for on the other side of these last couple is Botolphs and Steyning. Where I meet the Downs Link. But frst I must descend Pig Hill. You get the picture.

Down to the trail junction, it is time to update Nik on where I am and that I am approximate 1 hr 30 minutes behind schedule (it was a finger in the air schedule), but strangely bang on ride time. The much longer than planned lunch break had taken it's toll on my schedule. After a 10 minute snack break, I was off again. The DL was going to be tough, not because of hills or anything like that, but because of the lack of them. Spinning a single speed is tough, spinning one with 120km's already in the legs and knowing it is pretty much flat until the outside of Guildford is brutal.

 

So with my head down, a little too much, I made a slight nav error at one point, I chose a speed (18kph) and did my best to stick to it.  This is a boring piece of trail, hardpack most the way, no single track, no descents, and no climbs bar one short sharp and nasty (when it is wet) chalky-flinty climb about 2 3rds of the way to Guildford.

Along the DL, there are plenty of towns, villages and larger metro centres.  Plenty of places to stop and stay, refuel and relax. This added to my view that this entire route could be broken up easily, even for those that don't wish to sleep in a ditch or hedge (like me).

Ridng the DL geared, like I have done before, is actually fun, it is fast, wide and has no cars. On the single with 38km's to go, I started to think about the last real climb of the ride to come. St Marthas hill, I know it well, I know the route I was going to be taking well, I know the long soft climb and the sandy Black Heath, just before it well, I know them well in the dark. Fortunately, as it had got dark a while ago and my legs were going to pieces spinning like a loon.

I watched the DL disappear out of the light from my headtorch and Klite bikepacking light under my front wheel, being spat out behind me as the km's went under 20.  Soon I would be at Bramley, but more silly spinning first. I saw familiar houses and then the large white gate looming a head in the Klite. "Yes!" My language had more colour if I am honest.

As planned, I ducked down the service station just near the crossing point. Consumed a chocolate bar, a bottle of coke and poured another bottle of coke into a bidon and fresh water into the other.  I got back on the bike after a brief call with Nik, and a little pep talk and headed back to the DL, up over the climbs before Black Heath, across the sand, headed past the Chilworth Powder Mills and started up St Marthas, eventually at the left hand turn where the climb steepens, my legs were shot. It was hike-a-bike time, up on to my shoulders it went and a steady one foot after the other followed until I was stood near St Marthas Church at the top of the hill.

From here it is a short dash through The Chantries, turn south and head back to Shalford, cross the Wey and head back into Guildford, pass under St Catherines Chapel ruins, up a very steep alley and back to the start finish, where I started near the Law School.

Happy, relieved and entirely ruined, I stopped my Garmin and turned for home.  Around the Guildford area, it would have been easy to bail and head home, without finishing the entire route, but this would have bugged the hell out of me, and I really needed to burn off that chocolate bar. :)

I think I could get use to planning more local (UK) type routes like this and in this manner. Planning things to every little granular detail, sometimes for me anyway, makes such adventures seem almost artificial. From conception to turning the first pedal was roughly 2 weeks, I didn't really look closely at where there was support, I scoped some bail out options and knew that I could get food and water every 50-60kms which off road is a sensible limit. But I wasn't worried about elevation of terrain as such, just go ride the bike for a very long day.

Bike choice for me was simple, if there is fun to be had on a route I will have that fun, no matter what the ultimate plan is and as much as I love my gravel bike and MonsertX, the Broken Road was the right bike.

 

Would I change a thing?  No, not for my first ride of it.  Next time I plan to go with a mate and he will prefer gears, so maybe gravel bike next time?

 

As mentioned the terrain is varied and I think I got the timing about right. The sand along the NDW and KAW wasn't too soft, the mud not too deep, up on the SDW the mud was starting to dry and was a bit sticky, but not it's icy self.  Too dry and the sand would suck, too wet and the mud on the SDW sticks to everything, but your tyres don't stick to it.

 

Thanks to:

Nik for being forever awesome and understanding and I think we should take the kids down the Downs Link over few nights and back.

 

Sonder Bikes and Alpkit for and excellent bike, comfy outer wear and brilliant bespoke bikepacking bags.

 

Wolf Tooth Components for you unstoppable and insanely repliable chain rings, ss cogs and the brilliant EnCase tool system.

 

KLite, for the best dynamos on the market, brilliant clear light and relaible as Wolf Tooth.

 

Surrey Hills Cycleworks for all the little bits and the big round things either end.

 

Get out and ride folks!

Sonder Camino Ti by Alpkit

Sometime ago,as part of the Sonder Bikes marketing photo shoot and video, I as fortunate enough to ride the Sonder Camino Ti.  It is rare I jump on a bike and want to buy one with in a few minutes.  But with the exception of the SRAM components I really wanted to own one.

Being more incline to build a bespoke Camino Ti, the time came for me to order my rolling chassis (frame, fork, and wheels) and strip down the old KR810 for components.  Below is the bespoke build of my Camino.

All good things start with a nice frame with smooth welds as shown below. Campagnolo (Campag) BB, Thompson seat post and Campag front mech hanger installed.

 Next a Hope headset, Wolf Tooth Components steerer spacers, Easton EA90 stem and SLX bars.

Campag Chorus crankset and 53/44 chain rings, Chorus front and rear mech.

Stopping power provided by TRP HY/RD, with Alligator discs (not pictured).  Originally had planned to use TRP Spyre.  However, on fitting I found that even when shimmed, the clearance provided by the disc mount on the Love Mud hub was at least 1.5mm less (when I measured) than that of Hope hubs and the actuator on the inner side of the break would collide with the spokes.  My MonsterX now adorns the Spyres (possibly the best mechanical disc break on the market).

Next Specialized 143 Toupe saddle, Chorus shifters and Hudz hoods, Love Mud Orbit wheels, Ultegra 11/28 11spd cassette (this works seamlessly with the Campag and was required as the Love Mud hubs don't have a Campag free hub option at present) shod with WTB Riddler 47c tyres (these tyres are brilliant for gravel, cross, beach racing and mixed commuting, so good I got a set for the MonsterX) and Hope skewers.

Looking alright (steerer is now cut down to correct size, I needed to ride it both off road and on to find a flexible set of spacers with steerer cut to a sensible length).

Finally, some cables, Specliazed bar tape and bottle cages, Campag 11spd chain, Shimano XT pedals (Look KEO for the road) and the aforementioned Alligator 160mm discs.

Ride Report:

I have been riding the Camino Ti in road or gravel guise for the past 5 months and I can safely say it hasn't disappointed one bit. It is agile and fast across the terrain it is designed for.  Very comfortable and ensured my body didn't suffer much at all during the Dirty Reiver 200 this year.  It accelerates well off and on road, and with the 28c Specialized Rubaix tyres it is brilliant on the rough and often grot covered roads of Surrey and Hampshire.  It is a little heavier than the Enigma and Seven bikes, but that would be it's only drawback I can see against these brands having ridden and researched them over the years.  But is a fun, fast and comfortable frame set and the Love Mud wheel set is reliable despite the tiny issue with break fitting I encountered.

Sonder has a range of SRAM and Shimano options for complete bikes, and have built a couple bespoke versions as well, of course there is always the the build your own from their great frame and fork set.

It is a bike I feel confident on and off road, happy cruising or sitting on the rivet.  The Camino Ti is a great bike and has a little brother now in the Camino AL.  Both are worth researching and contacting Sonder (Alpkit) about.

Pack testing for the DR200.

Gravel Race Double Up

Double the Gravel

 

Dirt Reiver 200:
On the 21st of April Nick T and I headed for Kielder Forest, well the castle to be more precise, the sign on for the Dirty Reiver 200 a 200km gravel race in starting in the Kielder Forest and doing large figure of eight type route around Kielder and the surrounding areas around the Scottish Borders.

After a long casual drive we made it to the castle, had time to sign on and chat to some old friends then beat a quick retreat to our campsite and the hotel in Bellingham for dinner.

Back at the campsite after dinner we prepared our bikes, loaded them with spares and food, and made sure they still worked.

In the morning after a fitful sleep we ate, loaded the van and headed of the Kielder Castle for the start.  Loads of people had already lined up and we found ourselves towards the back.  Soon enough we rolled off towards the start gates.  Once through gates, Nick and I started to weave through the throngs as the first climb steadily lead us into 200km of excellent gravel route.

Soon Nick had to ease off as he was feeling unwell and he would eventually choose to complete the 130 instead of the 200 and was waiting when I returned happy and determine to return next year.

As I continued the field would thin out and I would get to ride and chat with some great people and some friends. An unscheduled toilet stop followed by a puncture which sealed quickly, but required some more air to be pumped into my rear tyre broke my rhythm, but I was ticking over again soon.

The nature of the route was pretty much up, down and a little bit of flat.  After each feed station the difficulty of the route seemed to increase.  After the last food stop, there were two more major climbs and then the route undulated around Lake Kielder and back to Kielder Castle for the finish.

However, it the top of the last major climb, my front wheel tyre flatted, after quickly repairing it the wheel was back in the fork.  At this point it went tiny bit wrong, my quick release would not tighten back up. After 20-30 minutes of faff and noticing the thread had worn, I managed to force the QR up tight and then would play a game of don't get a front puncture.  On fast gravel descents, this was difficult and at one point almost ended with me if a ditch after a very large and bum tightening 2 wheel drift (the sort on a MTB you would love).

I continued to watch the ground closely for sharp or square edge objects all the way to the castle and the finish. A beer, some soup and a big thanks to Paul Errignton, his happy helpers and the FC staff on my return and I was done. Smile on my face and I will return.

Not unhappy with that time all things considered and should be easily bettered next year.

Sonder Bikes (Alpkit) has designed and produced one hell off a good bike in the Camino Ti, it was the perfect bike for the event and I will do a build blog abut my Camino build very soon.

Grave Dash 100 - it's not a race:
The following Sunday was the Gravel Dash 100 (mile) founded and ran by infamous Charlie the bike monger and his band of merry elves.  A great bunch of velofiles and Dorset dwellers.

After a couple of drinks with Crispin the night before and a rocky night in the van on the foreshore in Swanage, thanks to the howling winds. It was wake up, get food and coffee and ready for the off.

I had no look at the route a great deal, but enough to know that riding it single speed I had to at least change my rear sprocket which I had to something a little lighter.  This was a good plan, whilst there was less climbing, the climbs were quite a bit steeper.  Especially the first hill hit once we left the road out of Swanage, I tried to clear it, but thought better of it about half way up, only 2 others would have me off walking, both at the hill fort sites.

For the first part the route undulated and took in some magnificent views, many from the tops of the numerous coastal cliffs in the Dorset region. Eventually we turned inland and the route flattened out a little.  By this time I had passed or been passed by Carla (the first woman home on the day) and would ride with her and a chap called James for a number of kilometers.

As it seems to be tradition my rear slider decided it would loosen off and force me to stop.  This did this multiple times and I eventually went gorilla on it and wanged the bolts up super tight, way beyond torque.  This fixed this problem and I found my rhythm again and tapped out the ks, through forest road and single track, cow path and over hill ridge. Belting along lose gravel paths with others and over the field of 1000 really bloody annoying bumps. Not long before this I had joined Carla and James again briefly, but sped away on a descent.

Relief came in the form of several ks on road and a surprise addition of a water, cake and beer stop at 80ks (half way).  Some water, a laugh with the guys there and being rejoined by Carla and I was off again.  Legs, no w feeling it, but some urgency as I was now in to the last half of the course and soon a large flat section (leads to the hill forts).

Once at the hill forts after riding with a small group I broke the elastic to them and snuck away.  A little bit of hike a bike at the first fort and then more of the same at the second then things would flatten out again.  Again the views had been amazing.

No I sped along the flats, through forest and over some heath land, some more forest and then back onto a coastal path, that followed the cliff tops towards Swanage, rounding a bluff you could see Swanage, roughly 15ks away, but with one more bluff and the finally climb to conquer.

As I approached this, I was cheered on by several walkers as I passed and very slowly made my way to the top of the final ridge line, a kilometer or 2 along here and it was all down hill. Off down the loose path Charlie had warned us about, low of the drops, saddle up my butt, I only paused for a second to choose which of the 4 deep chutes to take as an old couple sat on a bench a couple of feet away enjoying a cuppa.

Down through this, into Swanage and back to the Red Lion for cider and food and to hear tales of heroics and drink more cider.

I came home as the first single speed rider and feeling surprisingly OK.  Even a tubleless tyre repair at 30k to go minutes after a passing shower had soaked me, had not slowed me or dampened (pun intended) my spirits.

The Surly Karate Monkey that Phil Moore had encourage me to get and sourced and gave advice on the best build had finally had a proper hit out and it had been totally awesome.  Thanks Phil.

The KM post GD100 fun.

Chalie and Crew, thanks, what an excellent low key, fun event, long may it last.
Thanks to The Red Lion for having us and a fantastic cider selection.

Alpkit, Wolf Tooth and Surrey Hills Cyclworks, thanks again for your support and great products.

Gravel racing is ace!

#bemoremike

Gorrick Brass Monkey and Summer Monkey 2016

Hi everyone,
It has been an age, life has been busy, work, house stuff and of course the pitter patter of little feet have arrived in our house, with the birth of a first child Molly, over a year ago now.  She is awesome!

So a quick update.

Brass Monkey Fatbike category was won, without a win, but consistency across all the races including the first round in the Summer Monkey 2015.  Pretty happy considering there was plenty of illness and trip back home in amongst it all.

Next was Battle on the Beach, massively under prepared and I got the hosing I expected to, finishing 12th I think.  Always, a great event.

Then it was back to the a Gorrick race, the Gorrick 100.  It was going OK, not great but OK.  Until it went a little less than OK for a girl racing.  She fell and I assessed her arm to be broken and waited track side with her until help arrived (or in this case a close friend) which I then went to check where the ambulance was (about 100 metres away and heading to her).  I pulled the pin there as many riders had passed me now and there was little time to grab one final lap.  I hope she is recovering well.

Next Summer Monkey 2016, in a depleted field due to other races on the same weekend, saw only one challenger Duncan Hard and if I am honest, whilst I had done more training, certainly not enough to take on Duncan.  Add that to my bars rotating on the 1st lap, as I listened to the Torq settings and I was behind the eight ball.  Having said that, I did my best to ride as hard as I could and tried to make it around to grab one final lap, due to the new timing format.  I missed giving myself enough time to do another, by about 4 minutes.  The course was one of their best yet, with good climbers, fast sections and some very good technical bits. Finishing 2nd in the end in a field of 3 as even other entered on the day to race fat chose skinny instead.  Although, I was about 5th overall in the 3hr Cat. Silver linings and all that. :)

A few things are now planned, which I will update soon on.

I also, had a very fun if wet trip to Bike Park Wales the other weekend and can recommend it, even in the wet.  This was the first time it has rained on me in Wales when I have had a bike there.

 

Giving it the Black Beard snarl at the Summer Monkey 2016

(photo: Kevin Sheldrake)

Also, testing the Alpkit Love Mud Scope carbon bars thoroughly, on a rough technical course.

Battle on the Beach 2015

A Cycling's Battle on the Beach is fast becoming the must do race of the year, and that was only after one year. ;)  So there was no doubt that I would race it again this year and with an expanded entry, I was joined by 599 other riders/racers.

Held at Pembrey Country Park the site lends itself to a great family atmosphere, easy access and other activities to do over the weekend, even it is just have a walk along the ample beach.  There are kids events, roller racing on the Saturday eve, and a fun event mixed in with the race itself.

Out of the 600 riders, many choose just to enjoy a fun event and ride a course that is a little different than the normal mountain bike or CX course.  It is even a little different to what the professional beach racers from the Netherlands and Belgium are used to, it is really quite unique and Matt Page and the team at A Cycling know how to run a slick event that is befitting of a great location and super fun course.

So the course is fact, technical in bits, has some short nasty climbs (some sandy), soft sand and 4km (6km on the start lap this year) drag up the beach where in the right group you can fly.  There is a mix of fat bikes, CX, MTB, MonsterX even a couple of tandems this year, with Open, Age, Fatbike and Single Speed categories.

As usual this year Matt and the A Cycling crew had ordered the weather.  I had arrived and was in relatively fine fettle as wise the Fatboy. (see below)

(Photo: Anna Cipullo (BikeSoup))

After a week of study and a training course I was fired up to race and keen to give it a proper crack.  Getting to the start line early with Sam Pantling, had myself and many friends and familiar faces right on the start tape.  Being in the first bunch down the beach is pretty key to a good result I learnt last year.

 Crowded start line

(Photo: Anthony Pease Photography)

After the required start line encouragement and waffle (you have to have some waffle), we were under starters orders and away in a flash.  The for me went something like this, out the blocks well, avoid a 29er struggling in the sand, rider over a fallen bike, get into the front bunch after a bit of slalom and pin it.

The front group formed with some very very fast boys (KOGA Race Team) and other and 4 fatbikes, Roki Read, Paul Wynn, Sam Pantling and myself.  The pace was insane30+ kph down the beach, ebbing and flowing a bit, but I was lamenting the lack of a 34t upfront.  It settled for a bit then exploded (Old Man Crispin Doyle) attacked the bunch, this was too much for me and the elastic final broke. I couldn't spin that fast my knees were already steaming.

A few other groups edged pass before I found my legs again, wheeled on to the back of a small group and wheeled suck like a leech until the soft beach exit.  I took a tighter line an floated across the soft sand on the fat tyres, passing 20+ riders, I must have dropped from about 40th to somewhere in the 220s. A short stretch of road and a sharp corner and I stole a few more back and we charged onto a bumpy dirty road that narrowed and I went to work, weaving and pushing my way past other riders, at one point riding along an embankment using the extra traction to overtake a group nearly falling over itself.

So it was into the single track and the reason why I tried to stay with the front group, the queues, you have to suck it up and smile in a couple of spots as there is no way past. Soon I was on the charge again, using the advantage of the fatty on the soft sandy sections and the extra grip, not slowing much if at all for corners. The first charge through the Rollers was great, I could choose any line, so I did.  

We wiggled through the single track and double track at speed and before long charged through start finish and headed to the beach again, with a minor detour thanks to a meddling fool. But the A Cycling crew fixed this quickly and it didn't affect anyone much.

Back on the beach over the soft sand I gaped the group I was with passed a couple of other riders and then joined forces with another guy on a 29er and rolled 30 sec turns perfectly along the beach. The two of us hold 32ish kph along the beach and passing other riders at speed on their blind side.  As we approached the exit he slowed due to the wet and soft sand. We thanked each other as I speed off shouldered the fatty and climbed the sandy ramp off the beach and charged on. Towards the single track again.

My cohort and I on the beach, 2nd lap.

(Photo: Anthony Pease Photography)

After the first bit of single track, something didn't feel right on the bike.  I stopped and found my left crank arm loose, I tightened and got going again.

Back in to the single track picking lines to squeeze past or waiting patiently for the next fire road section a stole a few more places. Through the Rollers again, I spotted Anna C, we cheered each other on, the fatty made short work of the sandy climbs here and I managed to pass a couple more people, splitting 4 riders at one point as they struggled in the soft sand.

Realising my crank was loose again.

(Photo: Anthony Pease Photography)

Once again I soon passed through the Start/Finish, pushing hard, but it felt like my crank was loose again. Stopping again, this time I wanged the bolt up as tight as I could, losing a few places as I did.

Off again and on to the beach for the last time, once again I joined forces with another rider and buried myself taking the lion share of the work and belted along the beach passing others.  Leaving the beach I was determined to catch those I had already passed once.

In and out of single track I worked hard and soon climbed the last hard climb of the course and spotted Anna again who was on her last lap charged to the end.  Catching her again, we rode together for a bit until we hit the Rollers again and the fatty gave me the advantage in the soft sand.  I now charged towards the finish, in the Welsh sunshine, through the last few bits of single track and on to the road section to the finish, the big tyres rumbled to the line and 6th placed Fatbike.

6th and not far behind 5th and even 4th (maybe a loose crank arm behind them) with the sun shining at such a great event, I can say I was pretty happy.

Once again a great event, with a great course and atmosphere, with loads of like minded riders having fun, racing or not. I will certainly be back and Matt and his team at A Cycling have a winner on their hands with Battle on the Beach.

Still smile when I think of this event. :)

Rovaniemi 150 - Race Time

Long before I finished my last 24hr race (for the present) I had decided that I needed to do something new and I had penciled in the Rovaniemi 150. After waiting on a few other things to be resolved and Boom, I entered!

A few months of smashing around on the fatty in Surrey and a weekend of pushing my bike through the Cairngorms, and catching a chest and head cold two weeks before the race (as I write this I am still full of cold) and we were on a plane bound for Rovaniemi.

Rovaniemi is marginally below the Arctic Circle itself, so it is cold, utilitarian, due to its location and being leveled by the retreating Germans at the end of WWII. But it and the Finns are welcoming and warm and there is a great array of restaurants, little bars and of course tours to go on.  There is also Santas Village, which we visited on the Friday before the race with many of the other racers and organisers Alex and Maria.

After arriving I had a few days t sort the bike, meet some of the other racers (a great bunch of people). Below are a couple of photos from the pre-race rides.

On the Friday after visiting Santa we had mandatory equipment check-in and then race briefing.  Which covered the rules, safety and rescue for the North 66, Rovaniemi 150 and Roavve 300 ( only two guys had entered this).  Now the only thing left to do was final bike check and pack and head out for some carbs with Nik, Paul E, Grace, Dan P, Paul H and Ian B.

The next morning was game time, a big breakfast, final bike check and it was off to the start line on the frozen Kemijoki and Ounasjoki rivers. After signing in, there was time to wish friends many of the them new good luck. A few photos and then we lined up.

 Alpkiteers ready to roll, Paul and I.

(Photo: Nicola Jordan)

As we lined up with only a minute or so to go I noticed that my front tyre had lost pressure from checking it back in the hotel to the start line.  I made a decision to start, get clear of the other racers and then sort it out.  Shortly we were off and as soon as we passed under the main bridge I stopped and calmly inflated the tyre to a better pressure.

The start and racers going for the shot hole at the end of the 14km of frozen river. :)

(Photo: Nicola Jordan)

I had a plan before I started to finish in under 13hrs and I knew this meant I needed to be mid bunch at least, so I now made a decision to make up some time on the river as it was frozen and fast.  So I set about doing so and by the time I reached the 1st Check Point I had made up some time on the bunch, but not the 4 leaders that had got together and clearly worked well until the end of the race together (Congrats and hats off to you guys).

I pushed on, at my own pace, a little higher than planned.  I knew I would pay a little for this later as my race prep had not been the best and I was still full of cold.  But until then, I pushed on.  I was also on a learning curve as sections of the trails needed a calm and well paced approach and not a trail riding approach or you found yourself wrestling with your bike to wade out of ball deep snow.  (This I did a few times, until I learnt the skills).

At CP 2 I had caught a few more places and Ian B, I had passed Paul E earlier on the soft snow section. Ian and I joined another guy with a suspiciously light looking amount of mandatory gear and sped across the 11kms of Sinettajarvi lake. After this the course undulated all the way to CP 3 and I slipped away from the others and as I neared CP 3, passed another two racers (but they would join me at the Check Point as we learnt I was 6th the other two 7th and 8th.  I was quite surprised by this, but was feeling my cold a little as the climbs made me breathe heavier than normal. A few km's of technical trail to a road allowed me to slip away again without much effort.

Once on the road however, I started to suffer and for a while I could either eat and breathe whilst I stopped or ride and breathe, so the next 10kms was going to be very slow and the two guys just behind me soon caught me, they road with me for a bit, but I had to ease up a little more and they moved away. I wouldn't see them again.

I pushed on through the next few CPs without seeing another racer until I arrived at CP 6, Kuusilapi, a little wooden hut and the furthest point north and the point at a which a 35km stretch to the next CP 7.  I needed a rest here to clear my lungs and nose and take water, in all I was probably stopped for 10 minutes as I did what I needed to and chatted to the marshal (a member of the local walking club).  The rider behind me, came through as I made ready to head off.  So I followed his tyre marks until a couple of sharp climbs where he faltered and I managed to ride away.  This though would last about 15 minutes as we trudged up on to a plateau in soft snow and across its expanse, the rider behind also pushing seemly floated on the snow as he walked pass at speed.  I said "Hi" but he looked broken and focused and moved away quickly.

Soon there was a little down hill, we both remounted, and as I wandered into the soft snow and flew over the bars, right in front of Vice one of the marshals on his snowmobile. The Dutch guy went out of sight.  I quick feed and chat with Vice and I was on my way again. As I got onto the double track and soon the road, I started to feel really good and ate and drunk lots as I pushed on.  The light was finally starting to go. But I had only about 60km to go from here.  At the next major road crossing Maria yelled "Go Scott, Go!" as she had done at CP 1.  A little further along the next road section, she and another marshal drove past and gave me a wave and a grin and I would see them again quite soon as they made sure riders made the turn off the road to head to CP 7.

By now I had turned my lights on and even put my beanie back on.  The double track meandered on and on.  It undulated and at times was steep and cut up by the riders ahead foot prints.  I had found my mojo and rode all these sections and even found loads of speed on the descents and soon I saw a flashing light in front of me.  Slowly and calmly I closed in until at CP 7 we were together and 50km, lay in front of us.  I sorted some food and warm drink as he headed off, but by the time we reached a long section of road that started with a sharp climb, I was on his wheel.

I wheel sucked, to short of the crest and found the speed to attack and gap him.  With the aid of the dark, I could see I was pulling away steadily as his light grew dim and then disappeared.  I pushed on and came to the some great single track that led me on to the final lake, Norvajarvi. As I turned down the lake, I was hit by the worse block headwind I have every experienced and I have met some nasty ones in my time. I buried my head the best I could, found a gear that stopped the searing thigh pain and got down to business at a massive 6.9kph.  After much pain, I turned right and had some relief, I soon left the lake, found some road, only long enough to refuel before turning off it again, for the last section of trail.  Then more fast moving road and finally back onto the river, after 2kms, I was at the last CP and through it, but I had 11kms of headwind to deal with on the river return to the finish.

I pushed on and tried to raise the pace, but I was drained by now. I had to stop a couple of times to feed and drink as I couldn't breathe, ride and refuel once again (stupid head cold).  I pushed on and soon was in Rovaniemi again and soon wheeled my bike into the lobby of the Pohjanhovi hotel and to finish line in 8th and in 12hrs-16mins-58sec.  I was so happy with this result considering I could have had better prep.  However, I was soon promoted to 7th as one rider was DQed.

But what a race, it was amazing out there racing in this environment.  Alex and all his helpers had laid out a great course, through amazing wilderness and I will certainly be back again and couldn't recommend this race enough.  Even if you take it as just a fun and exciting adventure. Don't question, just do it!  Ask me nicely and I might even loan you some kit. :)

Firstly, a big thanks to Alex, Maria, the walking club marshals and all the helpers and the locals of Rovaniemi making us all so welcome.  The staff at the Cumulus for not just putting up with us all, but being amazing in doing so with a not wuckers can do attitude.

Next, a massive thanks to:

• Alpkit - for the wicked bike packing kit and winter woolies. Filo, Filoment, buff and beanie.
• Wolf Tooth Components - for the brilliant drive train upgrade.
• Cycleworks - for the service, the pedal, sourcing my boots and just being legends.
• Weldtite - for the TF2 All weather that works great in the snow.

Additional thanks to:

• Endura - for providing some great support at short notice and the stealth pants and windtex pro (Cycleworks) jersey were great.
• FortyBelow - for shipping my over boots so quick.
• Shaggy - for information about the race from a racers view.

And as usual thanks to Nik for supporting a hair brained idea.

I am still stoked and smile when I think of this race.

Rovaniemi 150 - Arctic Circle Race

A bit later this month, I head off to Finnish Lapland to Rovaniemi for the Rovaniemi 150 winter race, I am competing on bike of course on my trusty Specialized Fatboy Expert.  The race is close to the Arctic Circle has the potential to be brutally cold (despite current temps), the dangers and challenges of frostbite and ice overflow (frigid water overflowing onto the stable ice below it on the rivers and lakes we will cross) not very pleasant.

However, that is the doom and gloom, the race course passes through some remarkable Lapland country and if the sky plays ball, as the race enters the night, the northern lights may come out to put on a show.  Racing under them will be pretty special.

I use the term race loosely, for me this will be first and foremost a challenge against myself and the elements.  There is little navigation concerns as it is a marked course and does have check points to pass through, so one painful component of winter travel/racing is reduce.

The race is organized by Alex from Polarguide and Logistics who is already out working hard and battling the element to mark and bash the course.  Unlike a recent trip to Scotland, the course should be mainly bashed for the event, but heavy unrelenting snow could alter this in a few hours.  Fingers crossed we don't experience that like the did in the first year of the event.

A few thanks in advance go to:

Cycleworks.co.uk for supplying and helping fettle the Fatboy Expert and ongoing support.
Alpkit for providing lots of great kit to keep me warm and bike luggage to to carry the essentials.
Wolf Tooth Components for great chain rings and sprockets that are reliable, no faff and should help me make light work of the snow and ice.
Weldtite for keeping everything clean and running smoothly
Endura for some great products to help keep me warm, dry and comfy.

and of course to Nik for supporting the current bout of stupidity.  :)

Cheers and wish me luck.

S

Gorrick Merida Brass Monkeys Rnd 2 and 3

After a so so year. I decided over winter to do what I felt like doing.  First came the Morvelo Battle Royale, a great laugh and awesome event.  I avoided the first Gorrick Merida Brass Monkey as I just was that keen.  A good job, it was wet and horrible I am told.  But I entered Rnd 2 and 3 each week before as I felt like it and by then had formulated another plan and entered the Rovaniemi 150 more on that later.

Rnd 2 I decided to ride over and met Amanda (training partner and all round decent Kiwi) :) at the event village after a great ride over with the Fatboy Expert bikepack kitted out carrying my supplies for the race.  It was cold and clear and the track was running fast.  After suggesting I would have a slow start, bang we were off and I went out pretty hard.  But the track was so enjoyable I pressed on, the fatty was just too much fun on this course.

I pushed on as the legs started go heavy, I dug a little deeper, but soon a couple in my cat lapped me, but that was to be expected, all things considered.  With cramp biting a little in the second and a lot in the last lap, I slowed to ensure I didn't give away too many spots and soon hit the finish line in 10th, a pretty good result.

Next would be Rnd 3, a few weeks later and after Christmas.  But I had ridden a bit more in between and had decided not to ride over as the weather had been a bit wetter in between, but on race day, it had cleared up. However, tiredness on entering had caused me to enter the wrong race (first noticed by Sam P, when he popped over to say "Hi"). "You idiot Swalling" a slight panic and a few minutes later that I didn't really have that was sorted and I was in the 4hr Vet Cat again.

I rode around the field about twice and lined up far to far back for a quick start. We started and at the left hairpin the fat tyres allowed me to take an tight and fast line, passing 20+ riders. OK, that is a start. However, the Fatboy does take a little bit of winding up and the next two straights I didn't pass some of the riders I really wanted to by the time we hit the single track, "Balls!"

Calmly I waited and pounced when I could, stealing a place here, nabbing a trail position there.  The Fatboy allowing me to be every more creative with my off camber inside lines. Although at one point my speed was far too high for such a move, but fortunately I only took myself. Remounted and was in front of that group by the next single track.

I was loving this race, I had no idea since about the 3 lap where the hell I was, but everything was going well. However, at race pace the fatty does get heavy and takes its toll on the legs, which started to get heavy in the last lap. I lost one position here and spotting some late chargers, at the last 10 meters and squeezing a final hard turn on the cranks, I finished equal 6th. Damn that was close to being relegated to 7th, but I will take equal 6th.  if I knew they were that close I would have dug deeper earlier.

I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed both these races and they have a hidden agenda, as does the long fatbike rides, short sharp CX and XC rides in the cold.  They are all training for the Rovi150 mentioned above.

There is more training to come, which includes a Scottish adventure, my next blog.  But for now.

Thanks:
Cycleworks
Wolf Tooth Components
Alpkit
and, Weldite

for the continued support.

2015 will be a little different, but not much. :)