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!

Ice climbing, head spanners, chamois, Cogne and Chamonix

Every year a friend Dave Pegler organises Ice Fest, non-guiding, non-coaching, just accommodation, excellent food, wine and some local knowledge.

This year it was in Cogne and would be my first time ice climbing in 5 years and with the absence of any real climbing in the past 4 years, it was always going to be interesting.

But with some training under the belt and feeling surprisingly fit, other than a servere lack of sleep.  Daniel and I bundled our gear including skis into my van and headed off for a 12 hr drive to Cogne.  The drive went surprisingly well bar some confused French when buying some food.   We arrived in Cogne in pretty good time.

I had smuggled some Alpkit Frazils, my Filoment, Balance jacket, Qark and a number of their base layers and fleeces out of the country as well, to give them a proper beating in the mountains.  I will do a separate review blog on them.

Dave, Tommy and Andre all arrived safe and sound a little while after us, and Ice Fest 2019 Cogne was a go.

Dan and I had some ideas of what we wanted to climb but had no real goals (maybe I should have set mine even lower).  With a few routes picked as options for the week, we settled into a pizza meal and beers at Bar Licone.

I won't go through each day and climb in detail, but pick out the low and high-lights. Plus I am not convinced I am writing as well as I use to at present, out of practice.

Day 1, would prove to be the first low-light. Dan and I headed to Candelabro del Coyote WI4 as it looked good and we had both climbed many routes beyond this grade. After short and eventful very icy walk in and once of those little scrambles that warms the body. We arrived at the base and Dan opted for first pitch, which he dispatched slowly but confidently allowing for his return to ice climbing after a similar break.  I started to second and it was going wrong from the start.  Huffing and puffing like to 2 pack a day smoker I eventually made the belay, in no state to continue on.  I took a moment and then decided I really couldn't push on. So we abbed off, Dan calm and understanding, me disappointed, but chalking it up to exhaustion.

   Dan on the 1st pitch of Candelabro del Coyote



                                                                                                       Further up the first pitch of CdC.

There was some discussion of what to do over another great dinner prepared by Dave.

Day 2 would see us take a walk into Valnontey and after very close encounter with our first Chamois (about 3 meters from Dan, we would now see Chamois almost every day) and a walk up to the Super Repentence area (closed for vulture nesting), we returned to what we would later learn was Patri and enjoyed a fun easy few picthes in the beautiful valley, the only one with any real snow cover.

Dan appears from the fun, but short lived rock chute on Patri

On the exploration walk before getting on Patri

Day 3 we opted for Thule a surprisingly steep 3+, after a battery issue with the van, we made the short approach and I lead the first pitch. Whilst I got through this without any issues, there was a moment of doubt that caused some overt screw placing and slow progress.  Over the top and on to the annoyingly easy angled ice and up to a belay.  The sun had hit the ice on the last pitch, but the ice had clearly been melting for a while.  The thin ice curtain hung running like a shower.  As Dan arrived at the belay, we had the discussion and he decided the curtain was to thin and wet for his liking and we retreated. Again there was a very large chamois buck, whilst Dan threatened it with the pot, I am sure it would have had him.

I had felt overall better in the head on this day and was a bit more fired up.

The van being grumpy

Dan under Thule (how can it melt when it is minus 8?)

Day 4 and a complete and utter head spanner. Dan and I headed back to Candelabro del Coyote. I felt fitter and hadn't experienced any real head issues, none that I had not overcome before mid route.  I chose to take the first pitch.  Long story short, my confidence was severely misplaced and I would soon disappoint myself and in my mind let down Dan.  I basically lost the confidence in myself to repeat moves I had just completed on the shelfed ice fall and placed far too many screws, I hung around for ages, without any physically detrimental impact to my arms or legs, but my head would not let me move up.  I have never experienced such a loss of confidence and found myself along way from climbing much harder ice in Kandersteg, Vallouise and La Grave and much harder Scottish winter.  Basically I was confused at the monumental loss of confidence and I was stopped on the ice.  I had to backed off, and appologised to Dan about 50 times as we walked out and made other plans. (Dan was very understanding, one of the reasons he makes an excellent climbing partner and is a great friend).

Whilst Dan, Dave, Tommy and Andre were all supportive, I was pissed off with myself and needed my own head space to be even good company let alone climb, which I was given.

Day 5 started me with reminding myself I have done naff all climbing in 5 years and that I know how to get back to the best I was, but it won't happen this trip. That a few routes have now been chosen for fun.  A fun outing on Cascade Lillaz (a few photo's below) was calm and exactly that, fun, but we avoided the running water of the first pitch and got caught in the queues.  But everyone was pleasant and it was more like a day at the crag.

A) A busy Cascade Lillaz, B) Dan cruising the final pitch.

On Day 6 we walked back into Valnontey (it really is a beautiful valley) to the classic Acheronte. After an interesting and totally new approach and a little waiting at the first pitch for some other teams. I started up, head in a good place, happy and climbing with confidence. Once through the difficulties I mved the full rope length with a few well placed screws and Dan started up behind me. We moved as one until the route narrowed, we caught the other teams and I ran out of gear.  Not long after Dan arrived at the belay he could move up to the next belay (he had all the gear after all).  After a while his voice crackled over the radio to get comfy as we had a little wait. I watched chamois (about 20 or so), bounce from rock to rock, dart back into the trees and generally make our movement on such ground look slow and cumbersome. After being hit a few times by ice, he called me up and I soon joined him and member of another team "chained" to the belay.  The route narrowed greatly above and one of the teams above was about to abb.  It was far to tight to climb whilst they abb, not to mention the above belay was shit.

 Waiting for the first pitch on Acheronte to clear a little.

 Overjoyed with being hit by ice bouncing bombs, with only a small flake to hide behind.

Soon I could lead the narrow and thinly veiled (in parts) ice and rock, it was more like Scotland which strangely gave me a boost. Wiggling my shoulders through the narrowest bits, placing axes and crampons rather than kicking and soon the belay and the 2 seconds of the other team ahead were in view.  Shortly after, they headed off and I got on belay. Dan climbed up, just as the abb rope appeared from above and a little bit of good humoured chaos ensued. Everyone secure and no-one left above Dan, headed off for the last pitch, which had a fun Scottish finish to it.  I soon followed, enjoyed a short stint of dry tooling and we were at the top. A quick photo opt and then we abbed.  It was certainly a classic and a good recommendation from Andre Clarke.

 Dan leading the 2nd proper pitch on Acheronte.

Photo opt at the top.

We had been held up a bit by the other teams so time had got away.  As we sped out of the valley in fading light and on icy terrain, I hadn't noticed my threadbare socks rubbing, with about 1km left to walk out, I suddenly did. I slowed behind Dan and after a lot of very short but rapid steps we were back to the van and soon back in Cogne for dinner and wine, beer and Ruko gin.

 A and B, heading back into Valley Valnontey, it was tad cold.

As for my heals, I had taken several layers of skin off, I committed to Chandelle Levure 4+ with Dan. So repair would be conducted in the morning once the skin had dried a bit. No pics of that grimness sorry.

Day 7 and the last day in Cogne, we head back into Valeille Rive Gauche and onto Chandelle Levure.  I had to pace myself as my heals were killing me directly out of the van.  My goal was to climb enough to get Dan to the last pitch.  Once at the base of the climb I headed up the first easy pitch, using most of the rope and reaching a sunny belay and called Dan up.  The ground above looked supper easy and took very little time to cover. Although every step hurt.  I started off up the next easy pitch, with the assumption that the bigger cave was the where the belay was, as this would make the last pitch a bit longer and more interesting.  I should have read the guide book. with only 3 screws left I had to set up and ice screw belay in a safe location and Dan headed up.  But now my heals were screaming "Kill me now!" I muttered "STFU". Dan arrived grab some gear and headed up, theres was enough rope, but again number of ice screws on harness lead to actually finding the bolted belay in the cave above. I soon followed and could no longer bear the pain.  Shortly before the belay I hatched a plan with Dan, the last pitch being so short, if it was safe to do so, he would lead and then I could lower him off.  If not, I would have to suck it up. "Could I campus the last pitch?" I thought.

Dan headed off and made short work of the first half, then it steepened a little more. A little shake out and a final screw and he was on top.  I was joined by a great Italian chap by this time (from Tuscany), he had driven up that morning with his mate.  His English was better than mine and I asked him if he was OK with our plan and explained why. He was great!

 Dan starting up the last pitch of Chandelle Levure

Soon Dan was back down and we abbed off and started the slow walk back to the van.  I was happy to be able to get to that point for Dan.  All I had left to do now was worry about if my fitted ski boots would kill my heals more?

Every route Dan I did (or tried) was excellent, the atmosphere, the beauty of the valleys and the styles of route are endless and fantastic.  I will certainly head back and I will go back at the peak of my point end game and get on routes based on what I like the look of, that has always put me in good stead in the past.

That ended the week in Cogne on Ice Fest and as per usual we had to try and drink most of the alcohol that night, it is tradition really and we did OK.

The next day we were off to Chamonix for 2 days of planned ski randonee and to visit my sister Kathleen and her other half Andy.  Unfortunately a we couldn't meet until that evening so Dan and I headed for Les Houches and a ski randonee which I knew was going to kick my butt. Being able to ride uphill for ages is not the same as being able to ski uphill for ages. Not one bit! When your Norwegian mate makes it look as easy as walking, rubs salt into the wound a little, although not into the wound on my heals as those fitted boots hugged my feet comfortably to the top.

 Dan making it look too easy

 Worth the effort to ski up and "Earn those turns".

The route goes from the bottom of the Prarion Lift to the top and weaves a lovely route to the top, with some nice climbing through the trees and plenty of steep little turns to practice your kick turns.  Mine improved a great deal by the summit. But heck it actually gave me more of a kicking than I expected.

After a short while at the top, we kicked into downhill mode, but I could only last about 200 metres before I had to stop and shake my legs out. Whilst I stood shaking one leg whilst the other trembled, Dan laughed and laughed and made a comment I won't repeat, but it was pretty funny.  Surprisingly, as we descended further my legs recovered bit by bit. So not a bad sign after all.  The idea of earning your turns always appeals, but this has tended to be a short boot pack from the highest lift for me in the past.  But I really wish to do more ski mountaineering and get to those more remote places.

 200m's down from here, I as nearly crying. "My legs, my legs".

So all in all a mixed week in the mountains. But I was in the mountains, I had fun (mostly) and I am motivated again to climb (after I sort some major DIY out).  Of course I was in the mountains with great friends, got to meet a few new ones, to see my sister Kath and Andy, spending sometime with them in St Gervais.

Thanks to Dave for organising Ice Fest, do check them out on Facebook.
Thanks to Kath, Andy, (please say thanks to Estelle and Justin, again for us.)
Thanks to Dan for, well just being Dan.  If you meet him, you will understand.
Thanks to the long suffering Nik for suggesting going, whilst she stayed at home with our 3.8 year old and 9 week old. Thankfully Skype ensured they didn't disown me.

Of course thanks to Alpkit who have made some many climbing trips dry and comfortable in the past and this was no exception.

For those interested I will be reviewing the gear I took on this trip and other Alpkit bits I have been battering for a while now.  Also, Dynafit are getting a jersey with a multi-pupose helmet review, as it was basically near impossible to find a non-bias review on such helmets.

Happy climbing everyone and if you ever have an unshakeable head spanner. Remember to take sometime and space, reflect on what you have achieved in the past positively. Don't let it own you, but remember how you achieved those goals. Remember that and to have fun. If you need to scream to get the frustration out, go right ahead and do it.

Dorset Gravel Dash 100 - Beers, bikes and pirates. Aaarrrhhhh!

Charlie The Bike Monger, the purveyor of fine bicycles in Swanage, has been running the Dorset Gravel Dash 50:50 and 100 for a couple for a few years now.

The 50:50 is an over night bike packing, eating an drinking fest, which sees many participants enjoy the riding, food and the antics of the combination of alcohol, fire and bikes in an empty farmers field. Many of the 50:50 arrive back at The Red Lion in worse condition than the 100 riders.

The 100, bikes off the entire route in one day and there are brutal climbs to get the blood flowing in the early stages.  The 2 years I have done it now have been single speed over the 100. This year it was on the Sonder Broken Road and a slightly changed and more challenging course, with far too much sticky mud.

Before DGD100

After a few ciders, a great lasange at The Red Lion in he company of may pirates and their antics (Swanage Pirate Festival) and a group of divers, it was time for a walk watch the sun set, park the van up on the shore and watch the lighting show roll in and fall asleep.

Waking early to find my rear tyre flat was not ideal, then for the tubeless valve to snap, less ideal, first tube in was faulty, even less ideal. 2nd spare tube did the trick. I would need to buy 2 spares of Charlie shortly after the start. Food and coffee whilst I hid from the biblical rain, which stopped a few minutes before the start.

Once signed in and having made a plan with Charlie and Sam to get my tubes, I drifted to the back of the 100 riders.  After some fine poetry from Charlie, we were off, well, me to the shop first.

Paid for and stuffed in my saddle bag, I headed off confident in my new spares if anything would go wrong (it didn't). Having wasted 10-15 minutes I was very surprised to be catching people up this climb. I combination of single speed grinding and walking (running slowly) I crested the first obstacle.  Reward with fine views and big blue skies.

Onward, over familiar ground, spinning, grinding, running and walking, I paced myself making good time, enjoying the views and chatting to others as I went. Yo-yoing with others over the differing terrain, where the mix of gravel, mountain, CX and fat bikes, rubbed shoulders.

The weather was stunning and made me forget mostly about my legs, sore from kilometer 20, Charlies helpers, where in the perfect spots both times and filled us with water and treats.  The best of which was a Lance ball, I had two.  My short stop in the pub at Humble before the hill forts proved helpful also, OJ and more water was chosen over a beer and pub lunch.

From 30+ k's to go I found myself alone, having broken the elastic on my Yo-yo. My Garmin gave me a warning beep of Low Battery and my legs started to spin a bit faster. 20 to go I lifted the cadence again. It is not a race, but a personal challenge and I was doing just that.

The last punch in the guts comes at about 6k to go, Old Henry the climb back up onto Purbeck Way is tough after the day in the saddle, and the rough section before the crest was just too much for my legs. Off and brisk walk to the crest of the hill and straight back to work. Across the top and then through a herd of the most chilled cows in the world.

Now it was down for the last time, a tricky descent, made easier by some walkers opening the top gate for me and some 50:50 riders holding the bottom one open too. A slick descent and onto the road to run back into The Red Lion and the finish.

I managed to be 1st Single Speed back by some way and 8th overall according to the unofficial results board (It's not a race!). I felt like I had worked hard and finding a friendly face proceeded with some celebrations in food and drink form.

Again the after event antics were funny and certainly entertaining. Charlie with the combination of pirates, Drunk Cyclist and Surly International Drinking team, certainly made it lively.

After DGD100 and the very sticky mud

It is quietly one of the best events I do and I'll do again. It has a subtle international feel as riders are learning more about the event from near and far.  The scenery is amazing and The Red Lion is a super chilled start and finish venue and Charlie is a showman.

A massive big up to Charlie and his helpers and to Sam, who holds the fort down until every rider is safely home. I hope to see the event grow (not too big) but enough to make it a regular event on the calendar.

As for the Broken Road, I have to give that it's own blog. But I wanted one the first time I rode one a couple of years back.  I was right, it is an awesome bike.  I am excited about it as much as I was about my SIR9 Niner, probably more so, that is really saying something. More on that soon.

Thanks to Sonder/Alpkit, SurreyHillsCycleWorks and Wolf Tooth Components for getting me set up and the bike tweaked to perfection.

Hi all,
So I have had an Alpkit Arro and Balance jacket for sometime now and have tested both extensively.  I give a short review of both below.

Balance
This is a lightweight, small (not ultra small) packing waterproof. It breathes really well and is cut nicely so as to not be too baggy for cycling and still have room for a few thin layers and plenty of movement to swing an ice axe.

The hood is ample for most helmets and snugs down well, helmet or not. A slight smaller peal than my Crux Shock, but that is no issue, and the Shock is built for full gnarl, winter ice with sharp teeth (check out the Alpkit Definition).  The Balance is built to do a lot of things really well.  So far I have found it does this.

On the bike is always a real test for jacket.  The Balance has passed with flying colours, decent overlap with waterproof trousers, doesn't ride up and in wettest test days, 5hrs in the rain and grot, stayed dry. The top of my waterproof shorts were bone dry to prove this.  It has easily out performed my much loved Endura Flyte

The dual pit zip vent/map pocket vent really well and are good pockets, although I do think too many wet mild walks, and the lack of separate map pocket and pit zip vent might bother me. But on the bike and climbing, it is not noticeable as I keep nothing in those pockets.  Maybe a small phone/camera sized chest pocket could be added for little weight gain?

The only other tiny quibble would be I think the storm flap could be a little wider. I found sometimes that on a really active decent or just throwing it on quickly the storm flap easily folded back on itself and the wind cut through the zip a little.  But this was only on occasion and easily manageable.

I love this jacket and it is as minimal as I would go, but still give great performance from the elements. My Endura Flyte now sits as quality spare for when the UK really turns on the muddy riding weather.

 Balance proving it's breathe ability in a sunny but cold Kielder.

Arro
Not much to say here other than, just buy one.  It is the best lightweight wind stopper I own.  I have a couple of the Endura wind stoppers and they are great, but they don't pack like this does or are as light, unless you buy the FS260 Pro Cape.  But that is not a multi-purpose jacket, I have, biked (a lot) ran, climbed, carried the rug rat in her backpack and even cut wood in this jacket.

It is loose fitting, which allows some layering, but it is again not too baggy.  The cut ensures your lower back isn't exposed when hunch over the bars chewing on your stem. It has a small (I find) super useful zip pocket on the right side hem, which my keys nestle in - out of the way (even with a small pack on). Whilst it is not a brushed back soft shell, it certain is comfy against bare arms.

As for wear, this should be falling apart by now, as it gets used or packed for every 2nd ride. As you can see above, it still looks new.

The technical bit.
I won't go into details as Alpkit have them here in these links:

Balance

Arro

I say buy the Arro and really consider the Balance as a multi-purpose does it all really well light weight jacket, I haven't had the chance to test the Balance skiing yet, but I am sure it will be as great ski touring as it is biking. Super glad I got mine.

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.