Thetford MTB winter Series 2011/12

C0LL0

1 Training session left to do on Monday morning, 2 to 2 1/2 hours around hadleigh downs, then rest all week. Just started to read Joel Friels book, on the first couple of pages I can see what I am doing in regard to fatigue.
Will be hoping to do four laps in the race this time, this will be my 5th race and have improved my finish at every race so far, I'm never going to win but if I can make the top 50% by the end of the series I'll be happy .

The long range weather forecast looks okay

stylish

Round 2 will be interesting, entry full again and another good course, some nasty little rough bits with a real draggy feel, and the first fire road is sandy and hard work, couple of good bomb holes and some fast fun single track, just hope it stays dry again.

stylish

Update on the course, good old beanfield gave me a guided tour yesterday morning and its riding really well, have to admit, i missed a small part the other day when i went round, but it want anything too important, there are a couple of places where there could be people coming to grief, into Howes run (last bombhole) there is a rut in the middle of the trail, and you hit this at a hell of a speed as the the entry is steep, it will try and send you over the bars as the forks compress! but sit back and use the free speed to get up the following slope, and there are a couple of really loose draggy turns, which might see someone on their face, (me after the last race i reckon).

but all in all its a cracker, some lovely flowing singletrack and it will certainly keep us busy........

Glad i am not doing 4 hour, its all uphill!!!!!!!!!!

C0LL0

What is the weather conditions up there, wet or dry track, muddy or just enough to keep the dust down?

stylish

We have had the odd shower overnight, but enough wind to dry things off quickly, the course was fairly hard last weekend so it should be ok.

C0LL0

Looking forward to this round, nearly shaken off the cold I had last week, so should be okay for Sunday, trying a new bike and a new nutrition regime, hope to shake off the calf cramps I usually get.

evo3ben

C0LL0 wrote:

Looking forward to this round, nearly shaken off the cold I had last week, so should be okay for Sunday, trying a new bike and a new nutrition regime, hope to shake off the calf cramps I usually get.

Im trying a new bike too but cant decide between 70mm stem and low riser or 110mm stem with straight bar and bar ends. Im use to using low risers so might just stick with that set up rather than a complete change to play it safe.
I had cramp in my thigh half way around the 4th lap last time so like yourself im going to try somethink a little different nutrition wise and see how it goes.

Looking forward to it 8)

stylish

Dont worry about cramp on lap 4, it will be with you before that with all the climbs on sundays lap

C0LL0

stylish wrote:

Dont worry about cramp on lap 4, it will be with you before that with all the climbs on sundays lap

Your not helping, stylish

stylish

Collo, i was right, cramp hit me big time on lap 3, had a real battle to get shot of it too seeing as it was a non stop lap.

C0LL0

Sorry to hear that mate, I had a good ride yesterday, didn't cramp up at all, even thought my missus missed me on the end of the third lap feeding station, and I'd lost my bottle half way round lap 3, so did a lap and a half with no drink.

I was shattered at the end of four laps though, was wretching in the last mile, which wasn't that nice, but good finish for me and I can only get better......... roll on January ( and I get to use the 29er again if my new bike isn't here in time, which is nice)

stylish

Been racking my brains as to what i did different from every other race and i worked it out, i forgot my pre race banana!

What a plank, never mind you live and learn, and i was almost happy to see others suffering more than me at the end, which is a bit cruel.

C0LL0

I know what you mean, I was only crawling along but I still passed people who had stopped for a rest, which I vowed I wouldn't be doing, just counted down the mile boards and kept pedelling away.

evo3ben

Another great course. Very tough and testing best I can describe is riding over blue tac, mega sticky. Managed to keep the cramp at bay this time. Two bandannas though the morning as well as breakfast and 750ml of water with high5 hydration tablets in. Plus high5 energy for the race.
Lol I didn't even notice the mile boards! Still, had a great race and completed 4 laps beating my personal best by 13 places!
Hope everyone had a good one and looking forward to the next round.

C0LL0

I used the High5 products this race, and have just ordered another 2 of the mrathon kits for £5.99 special offer for the final 2 rounds as well as use some for training.

I had a suprise phone call yesterday afternoon, My New Trek super fly al elite has just been delivered to my lbs, pick it up on Monday, I'm a little excited about this now, was told on Monday when I took Eric's bike back to the shop, that we are still looking at February delivery, so I get to use the new bike for the last 2 rounds, excellent. :-)

stylish

Nothing like a new bike to make you want to race in the new year, although i wont be joining you on that one, as my next replacement will be a new roadie, and carbon.............just got to get it past the Chief Financial Officer first though.

C0LL0

stylish wrote:

.............just got to get it past the Chief Financial Officer first though.

mine just accepted that I was going to buy it, just a pity I have to pay for it now,before christmas, February would have been much easier on the wallet :roll:

C0LL0

New bike is safely in the garage, will have my 1st ride on it on Monday morn as long as the snow stays off

stylish

Its cold enough for a new bike to be allowed indoors i would think....................

C0LL0

She's quite understanding, she comes to the races with me, allowes me to go and train instead of shop with her, got the new bike, I think putting it in the house would probably be going a little far...... unless I can gift wrap it and slide it under the tree....... now thats an idea :-)

C0LL0

The std tyres on the Trek are Bontrager, For the 3rd round it will probably be wet & muddy, can anyone recommend a good mud tyre for Thetford????

evo3ben

Personally i dont think it will be muddy enough to warrent mud specific tyres. Be interesting to hear what people think. I spoke to a few people at the last race and one of the subjects was about tyres. They said that never do they use mud specific tyres when racing unless its an absolute bog fest. Racing Ralph, Rocket Rons and Nobby Nics are all you need and use them in combinations to suit conditions.

I will be using Conti X-king black chilli compound front and back.

stylish

Round 3 is on what is known locally as the "dry side", as it seems to drain well and you only ever get some bits with a few puddles. However due to extensive logging by the forestry commission, i am led to believe a few new bits have had to be used, which if not ridden could turn out to be a bit soft and sticky if it is wet beforehand.

C0LL0

Thanks for the info Guys, much appreciated, Is round 3 still on at FR6, I thought I heard at the last round that the venue may be changed due to the logging???

paulmgreen

evo3ben wrote:

Personally i dont think it will be muddy enough to warrent mud specific tyres. Be interesting to hear what people think. I spoke to a few people at the last race and one of the subjects was about tyres. They said that never do they use mud specific tyres when racing unless its an absolute bog fest. Racing Ralph, Rocket Rons and Nobby Nics are all you need and use them in combinations to suit conditions.

I will be using Conti X-king black chilli compound front and back.

Hi mate ... could you expand on ' use in combinations" ??? I currently have a Rocket Ron ready to fit for Thetford ( fun race !! ) which I planned to fit on the rear..... but am undecided what to fit on the front as i'm quite new to all this and have heard a few different ideas! i have been recommended various combinations and its tied my little brain in knots!!!

ollie51

paulmgreen wrote:

evo3ben wrote:

Personally i dont think it will be muddy enough to warrent mud specific tyres. Be interesting to hear what people think. I spoke to a few people at the last race and one of the subjects was about tyres. They said that never do they use mud specific tyres when racing unless its an absolute bog fest. Racing Ralph, Rocket Rons and Nobby Nics are all you need and use them in combinations to suit conditions.

I will be using Conti X-king black chilli compound front and back.

Hi mate ... could you expand on ' use in combinations" ??? I currently have a Rocket Ron ready to fit for Thetford ( fun race !! ) which I planned to fit on the rear..... but am undecided what to fit on the front as i'm quite new to all this and have heard a few different ideas! i have been recommended various combinations and its tied my little brain in knots!!!

Muddy: nics
Muddy/Intermediate: nics/rons
Intermediate: rons
Intermediate dry: ron/ralph
Dry: ralphs

Or if you're me:

Muddy: rons
Muddy/Intermediate: rons/ralphs
Intermediate: ron/ralphs
Intermediate dry: ralphs
Dry: ralphs

evo3ben

Not using the Conti x-kings now as have gone tubeless and they are a right pain to seal :roll:

I'm pretty much the same as ollie51 but with a Specialized Renagade thrown into the mix

paulmgreen

Would you guys recommend 2.1" or 2.25" ???

stylish

2.1 is best for Thetford, as it rolls faster and produces less drag. One of my co-horts runs ralphs all year round, and never moans about a lack of grip!

Evo3Ben, i found the best way to seal my x kings was to run an extra layer of rim tape (i dnt use the strips) and then wet the bead of the tire with some sealent before i put it on the rim, then they will pump up and seal. Conti rubber also seems to be quite pourous, and you need to run a touch more goo than with schwalbe"s.

C0LL0

I bought a set of 2.1 Bontrager XR3's yesterday as an all round tyre, having a 29 er we dont have such a wide choice of tyres to use. but I'll be fitting these in time for round 3.