Scottish Cyclocross Callendar Park

I travelled down to Falkirk on Sunday to the second round of the Scx series.  This was my first cyclocross outing since the three peaks and my first Scx round of the season.  The course was mainly on grass with various up and downs with only a small distance being on red ash.  I rode a lap of the course  before the start and my bike was left looking like a farmers tractor at ploughing time.  The start was hectic as usual but I got a good start in amongst the other 89 starters.

Then I started going backwards for the first few laps maybe paying the price for my fast start before settling in and dicing with  a few riders.  I was able to get close to a big group but I wasn't able to pass any of them with the elastic finally snapping with only a couple of laps to go.  I rolled over the line in 34th position which I'm reasonably happy with when glancing over the results.  The field was very strong with big names that are usually right up there all over the top 20.

Anyway that's the first one under my belt and I know that I have work to do.  Here's hoping for an improvement at Knockburn Loch next weekend and an overall improvement throughout the remainder of the series.

Ibis Hakkalugi Disc

If you have been following my blog you may well have been wondering where the Lugi part of the name came from.  Those in the know might have put two and two together.  Some may not have any idea.  Well time to put the mystery to bed.  I've know this has been coming for a long time but with supply and distribution uncertainties it has taken a wee while.  I raced the three peaks on my Felt but little did I know that it would be my last race on it.  A few days later my prized new frame turned up. 
A frantic internet ordering session took place to gather all the parts needed.  All that was left to do was wait for the parts to be delivered.  There were a few wrong orders and long delivery times and with my first Scottish cyclocross race looming it was going to be tight to get it built in time.  Luckily it all came together albeit I was still building it on the Friday before race day but I was finished in time to take it for a shakedown ride prior to racing on the Sunday.
So here is my Ibis Hakkalugi Disc. 

I've built it up with a Sram drivetrain, Hope V-Twin brakes, The wheels were built by Strada wheels using Hope hubs and H Plus Son rims, Challenge tires and Deda finishing kit.  It really is a thing of beauty and it doesn't weigh very much at all.  It's all up to me now.  Bring on the racing.

HiVelo Big Battle Sportive

Saturday arrived with weather fit for a  sportive.  Fresh but with little clouds it would make the Big Battle one to remember.  Setting out from Culloden academy I was faced with a two mile climb up through Balloch to get to the start. I had contacted the organisers to step up to the longer distance midweek and I was told that there were plenty requesting to drop into the shorter distance but only one nutter wanting to go the other way.  I lined up with the other starters for a 10am roll out.  The field quickly lined out on the descent under the Culloden viaduct. I sat with a work colleague for the first fifteen miles before I pulled away and started my own little chase.  I was picking riders off on all the climbs and getting into groups where I could make good progress.  The road around Lochindorb was windy from all angles but with another climb towards Grantown I found myself on my own again.  A quick stop at the feed station to top up with water and grab a banana and I was back on the road again. 

It was on the Nethy Bridge road that I made up a group of three and by Boat of Garten we had become four hooking up with a strong lady on a Ti Planet X.  We were all taking turns and the miles were ticking by nicely.  At the turn for Ferness I took a comfort break and our group had discussed soft pedalling until I got back on.  A quick stop and I was on again only to come round the corner to find two of the group in a pile at the side of the road.  A touch of wheels had brought the guys down  I waited until they were sorted and we set off.  I don't quite know how it happened but I just seemed to ride away from the group that had been working so well and this was the last I saw of anyone from behind for the rest of the ride.  I was still catching and passing riders but none were able to stay with me at this late stage of the route with exchanges being brief but almost all mentioning cramp.  It was a lonely last forty miles and by the last few miles I was ready for the finish myself.

I crossed the line in a time of 4 hours 23 minutes for what was a thoroughly enjoyable 85 miles.  The event was very well organised and no doubt the weather helped greatly.  Maybe next year I'll have a go at the 43 miler.

Pictures by Donny Mackay

Culloden Battle Sportives

This Saturday will see the newest event on the sportive calendar take place at Culloden. Split into two distances the organisers have given riders the choice of the Wee 43 or Big Battle 85 with both distances starting at the Culloden battlefield site.
I'll be on the Ridley for what will probably be it's last outing before it's winter hibernation and it will also be my last big run out before my Scottish cyclo cross season kicks off next weekend at Callendar Park, Falkirk.

The Big Battle will see riders take in Dulsie Bridge and aloop passing Lochindorb, Grantown, Nethybridge and Carrbridge. The route then joins the Wee Battle at Ferness before returning to Culloden.  With over 3300ft of climbing in 85 miles it will be a decent leg stretcher.

3 Peaks Cyclocross 2013

The dust has settled on the 3 Peaks for another year and by writing this means that I survived.
I travelled to Edinburgh on Saturday to meet up with VCM team mates Addy Pope, Maddy Robinson and Fraser Waters our team support/ mechanic for the weekend. Our stop off for Saturday night was at Maddy's folks in Dacre near Penrith.  Mr & Mrs Robinson clearly knew what lay ahead for us as they had dinner that was fit for hungry athletes.

Sunday dawned early for us at 05.30.  We still had a wee bit to drive to get to the start at Helwith Bridge and we wanted to get there early for a couple of reasons.  Parking being the first and getting a good place on the start line as anyone that has done the 3 Peaks before will know trying to get 650 cyclists jostling for position out and over the bridge is utter carnage. 

Thankfully I got myself into a good spot and I had a trouble free start.  I soon found my pace in the pack on the road to Ingleborough.  Turning off the road I got my first glimpse of Simon Fell with a long line of riders snaking their way up the hill side.  I would get there soon enough.  I had heard horror stories of how steep Simon Fell is and yes it is steep having now experienced it but I must have prepared myself mentally for it being much worse.  It wasn't easy but I just kept putting one foot in front of the other and it seemed to pass quite quickly.  Up on top of Ingleborough the challenge was to keep hold of the bike as it was incredibly windy.  I had a reasonably good descent off the hill but I did witness a lot of over the bars action.

The next stretch on the road was welcome relief for my tight calfs after the climb.  Turning off the road Whernside was in view.  Again I plodded on keeping my momentum steady along with those around me.  The climb up Whernside is easier due to the stone steps. Once close to the summit the wind came into play again with everyone desperately trying to stay on their bikes or hand onto them. 
I spent the top part of the descent running with the bike as it was all I could do in the gale force wind.  Not what I was hoping for but you just have to take what your dealt.  Lower down I got going again and I had it in my mind to be careful as this was the high puncture risk area as was evident all the way down with riders stopped fixing punctures, chains and rear mechs.

I reached the stunning Ribblehead viaduct in one piece only getting a quick glimpse of it while getting my head down for the road section to the last hill.

I found myself on my own battling a headwind on the road to Pen-Y-Gent lane and the last climb.  Ascending the lane was where my gear modifications came into their own with me being able to climb on my 34x32 for longer that those around me.  Pen-Y-Gent was the warmest climb of the day with the sun now beating down.  I stuck with my previous plan of simply keeping moving forward.  All I could think of at this point was getting to the top so I could start descending as the riders already descending were making it look great fun.  The top seemed to arrive pretty quickly and all that was left for me to do was to get down the hill without puncturing as this would be a disaster having come so close to the finish incident free so far.

I had a trouble free descent dodging both drainage ditches and riders still ascending. Dropping onto the road for the last two miles to the finish brought out the smiles knowing that I had survived my first 3 Peaks.  A few twinges of cramp were nothing to worry about at this late stage and I held position to the finish.  I was delighted I had completed the 3 Peaks in one piece in a time of 4 hours 23 minutes 19 seconds for 221st place.  I thoroughly enjoyed the race and I'm already planning what can make a difference to try and break that 4 hour barrier next year if I'm lucky enough to get in again!

For those thinking of the 3 Peaks I learnt some valuable lessons.

1. Plumbers insulation on the top and seat tube is your friend when shouldering.
2. Refuel on the road sections, its the only time you will be able to.
3. Low gearing makes Pen-Y-Gent more enjoyable.
4. Tyres pumped up hard avoid punctures but you still have to be careful.
5. Don't expect to do anything on the Monday you will be burst!

Cross Monday

Today was the last shakedown ride for the Felt before the 3 Peaks Cx in the Yorkshire Dales on Sunday.  I'll most likely get another small spin on the bike sometime before Sunday but the miles are in the legs so all I can do is hope for decent weather and a dose of good luck to see me through what could be the toughest thing I've ever done on a bike.

3 Peaks Cx bike prepping

With a little under two weeks to go until this years 3 peaks cyclocross in the Yorkshire Dales I thought it was about time I changed some of the parts on my bike to try and make the whole experience slightly easier for myself.  Hopefully this means I'll still have the legs to cycle as much as I can up Pen Y Gent.

Finest Italian Rubber

Riding for Velo Club Moulin has its little perks.  A recent hook up with Italian tyre manufacturer Challenge has given me the opportunity to run some sweet rubber.  That means I'll be rolling on Griffo 33's for this seasons Scottish cyclocross campaign and Strada 25's on the road bike.

The Begining

The start of something new bike related.
26" 29" HT FS CX?   Whichever shape, size or wonder material it's all going to be about the bike and the journey.