Mountain Bike racing

[sylv]

Just watched the replay of the men's Melbourne xc race - pretty exciting viewing for a discipline that usually doesn't look great on tv. Australian guy shot off from the start, built and increased his lead till more than halfway 1m30+!), when the chasers including Brits Killeen and Beckinsale started closing in. They got to him with less than two of the eight laps to go, and had a great British duel in which Canadian Mc Grath played a role at the start but eventually faded away. Killeen then went for the kill and won by 19s over Beck.

This is just the thing that gets me itching to get on my bike, rather than sit in front of a computer all afternoon! Aaaaarggh. Can't wait for racing season to start. Well it has actually started, but I haven't raced this year yet. Beastway should be good fun, 24h races, etc.

Are there any roadies planning to have a go at mtb racing this year? Come on, I'm having a go at the road!

[Toks]

[quote]Just watched the replay of the men's Melbourne xc race - pretty exciting viewing for a discipline that usually doesn't look great on tv. Australian guy shot off from the start, built and increased his lead till more than halfway 1m30+!), when the chasers including Brits Killeen and Beckinsale started closing in. They got to him with less than two of the eight laps to go, and had a great British duel in which Canadian Mc Grath played a role at the start but eventually faded away. Killeen then went for the kill and won by 19s over Beck.

[Grahame]

Toks, I should be able to lend you one.

How about meeting us at Eastway for one of the Wednesday evening Beastway races that start in May?

I'll be travelling there by car each week (direct from work) so it'd be no extra hassle to put one of the "spares" in the car as well.

[sylv]

Yes that move was bold especially considering he was overtaking his compatriot. Also Beckinsale tried really hard to pass him back on the straight leading towards the finish, but just couldn't. You could feel the pain in his legs.

I think it's on the Bikemagic "podcast" of Killeen's interview that he stated that, unlike in a road race where you'd shelter in the bunch, you can't be having a bad day in a mtb race. Kabush the Canadian who was one of the favorites, had been stating before the race he wasn't feeling 100%, and he didn't do that well. On the other hand I think if you are feeling good it should be easier to maintain a gap there than in a road race, where being in a group is so much of an advantage (it could be detrimental on a mtb as the group negotiates hairpins etc slower than an individual). But another rider also said that the Melbourne course was like a road race, very fast and not technical enough.

Yes Toks Beastway would be ideal for you. Runs from end of May to end of July. And you should know the road sections of the circuit by heart

[sylv]

Cool Huw! I forgot you'd made appearances there a few years back,

I always hear bad things about Evans but personnally I've always had good service from them - mind you I've never been there for bike service, just once I had some wheels built and discs fitted.

I'd go to http://www.bromleybike.co.uk/index.html, they have a top mechanic (Howard), say who has sent you there (and say who you are too!).

Here's a blast from the past ...

Pete Adams 2002

[img]http://www.beastway.com/series/race_pics/beast4/28.jpg[/img]


Marco who is this??

[img]http://www.beastway.com/series/race_pics/beast2/22.jpg[/img]

Elliott 2003

[img]http://www.londoncyclesport.com/pics/beastway_2_03/17.jpg[/img]


Nick Mann

[img]http://www.londoncyclesport.com/pics/beastway_2_03/51.jpg[/img]


Rory Black

[img]http://www.londoncyclesport.com/pics/beastway_3_03/39.jpg[/img]


Mr Cushtie

[img]http://www.londoncyclesport.com/pics/beastway_3_03/90.jpg[/img]

Aidan

[img]http://www.londoncyclesport.com/pics/beastway_9_03/50.jpg[/img]


Nina Hossain

[img]http://www.londoncyclesport.com/pics_2004_mtb/beast_10_syl/21.jpg[/img]

[sylv]

See my reply further up ... I don't know how that happened!

[sylv]

[quote="huw williams"]I'm intending to do a few Beastways - just gotta get the brakes on my Cannondale Scalpel serviced.

Sylv - which shops are trustworthy for high-end MTB maintenance these days - I need the Hydraulics on my Magura Martha's sorted from top to bottom. Evans were never up to the job in the past.

Any ideas where I should take it?

[Toks]

[quote]Toks, I should be able to lend you one.

How about meeting us at Eastway for one of the Wednesday evening Beastway races that start in May?

I'll be travelling there by car each week (direct from work) so it'd be no extra hassle to put one of the "spares" in the car as well.

[huw williams]

I'm intending to do a few Beastways - just gotta get the brakes on my Cannondale Scalpel serviced.

Sylv - which shops are trustworthy for high-end MTB maintenance these days - I need the Hydraulics on my Magura Martha's sorted from top to bottom. Evans were never up to the job in the past.

Any ideas where I should take it?

[Grahame]

Huw, I'll second Sylv's recommendation of Bromleybike. Howard is one of the best mechanics around - he understands the science and engineering behind how the systems work, and doesn't "just follow the recipe" like they do in some shops.

[huw williams]

Sounds good - thanks for the advice chaps, I'll take it over there

H

[Elliot M]

While I always say this, I am planning on doing the whole series at Eastway (well, as many as I can around holidays).

[Maria David]

The answer to your question : "are there any roadies planning to have a go at mountain biking this year ?"

I have to become a roady first - I have not cycled for so long, I think I need to get on a kids' "go ride" scheme to get back in the swing of things first !

Still, I'm sure I'll eventually dust down the old mtb at some point before christmas.....