The view from the Summit is awesome.

Now we’re off to ride down the other side!!!

Ps. This post has been created and posted from the top. You gotta love technology when it works.

The Team at the end of last years race

We are still awaiting confirmation on our second entry comprising of shop staff and customers, aptly named the Red Kite Allstars

SRP £449

Only 1 set left at the Special Offer price of £390

Gorrick Action

Round 2 of the Gorrick Spring Series yesterday was my first race of the year, and first race on my new Whyte 19. The course at Crowthorne was the usual Gorrick mix of twisty singletrack and short power climbs, a mix that means flat out racing with nowhere to rest, or hide. Having only done one mountain bike race since last June, my start was never going to be spectacular, but going from the front row to about 20th in 2 seconds meant I had a lot of work to do to see the front of the race before the first section of singletrack. Luckily for me, there was a long fireroad section off the start that gave me a chance to get up to speed, and by the time we hit the narrow stuff, I was tagged on to the back of the leading group as we pulled away from the other riders. This lead group of seven riders contained no fewer than 4 Pedal On riders (Adrian Lansley, Chris Minter, Scott Forbes and Steven James), Dave Collins, Ben Thomas and myself. We stayed more or less together for three of the five lap race, before, early on lap 4, Adrian Lansley and Steven James both attacked at the same time. Unfortunately for them, they didn’t let each other know their plans, so they crashed into each other, and out of the race. The crash also caused the group to split as we all tried to work out what had just happened, and halfway round the lap, Scott Forbes and I were trailing the other three by 5 or 10 seconds. Then followed the second unfortunate incident of the lap… As we tried to get passed a lapped rider, with the leaders still in sight, the lapped rider crashed in front of me. I rode straight into them and proceeded to flip over the bars, put my fingers in their spinning back wheel (not recommended, even with gloves on…) and give myself cramp. Scott managed to squeeze past and was on his own in 4th while I got up and tried to stop my big toe from trying to bend itself under my foot due to cramp. It took the best part of half a lap to stop the cramp, so I ended up cruising round the final lap to finish in 5th.

All in all I was pleased with how the race went. I had to strength and speed to get up to the leaders after a useless start, and to get back up to them after being held up by lapped riders in the singletrack, and if it wasn’t for a few little mishaps I am sure I could have been up with the leaders at the end. So all good, especially as I have made conscious decision to not hit top form so early this year as I have in the past, where I would peak by May and the plateau for the rest of the year.

So, 3 weeks until the first National Mountain Bike Series race at Sherwood Pines, I know my training is working and things are on track. Only problem is next weeks training is going to done solely in the gym in a hotel in Gibraltar as I will be out there with work. I think I will end up very familiar with the spinning bikes…Fun…

Results from the Gorrick can be found on the Time Laps Website, and pictures on Joolze Dymond’s website.

My next race is hopefully going to be the WXCRL road race at Barnsfield Heath on Saturday before jetting off to Gibraltar.

No this isn’t an advert for another shampoo - it’s all about what’s getting us excited gear wise.

This week it’s time for the Crud Roadracer mudguard set.  These things are very simple yet brilliantly effective and stopping that moisture flinging it’s way over you, your bike or other people and their bikes!

The ultralight Roadracer mudguard just hovers in place, so there is nothing to rattle or rub. The brushes instantly dampen any road vibrations, settling the mudguard into its neutral central position.

Cycling Weekly say
“Its high time someone developed easy-on, easy-off, road guards that are low profile enough to fit a race frame, with zero rattle. Pete ‘Mr Crud’ Tomkins, the brains behind one of the simplest and most successful mountain bike guards of all time, might have just done it.
The superslim, superlight Crud Roadracer has a number of neat and unique features. First off it is slim enough to pass under the fork crown and rear brake bridge rather than just butting up against the fork or brake caliper. This should enable it to perform more like a traditional guard.
The safety stays will, reassuringly, break away should anything become jammed, important up front, where a snagged mudguard would otherwise see you sailing over the bars. The best ideas are often the simplest, and the Crud Roadracer uses nothing more than a brush strip, alongside the rim, to eliminate rattle, with the additional benefit of cleaning away grit from the braking surface. The rubber O-ring mounts are a familiar and effective way to keep fitting simple, fast and tool-less.
Compatible with 23-25c tyres, and we’re told, almost indestructible
We’re genuinely excited the Crud Roadracer guard might well be the best looking, lightest and simplest solution to the age-old quandary between a dry backside and a fashion faux pas.”

Another Session on Wednesday evening helping you exploit all the possibilities from your Garmin.

Wednesday 10th March at 18:30 with Nick

Don’t forget to bring your unit and laptop.

The scenery was incredible in the winter and should make for some world class mountain biking.

Spaces are very limited so if you are interested contact me at the shop for full details.

A view from the apartment:

This 3 bike towbar mounted carrier is the best way to transport your bikes.

Towball racks are extremely safe and secure bike transportation and with the electrics mounted below the bikes you are road legal too.

SRP £299

Special Offer price £199 - only 1 left at this price.

Bike carrier in the latest design. With a patented and adjustment-free towbar coupling.

Thule EuroWay is safe, stable and easy to mount. The patented coupling is suitable for all types of towbars, and needs no adjustment. Fits all types of bikes and wheel dimensions. New, easy-to-use tilt function makes EuroWay the most convenient solution for your trip. Simply fold and store the bike carrier when not in use. The futuristic design has been harmonised with modern car design to bring you a world-class bike carrier. You can hold 3 bikes with this model.

A 52cm Specialized Tarmac SL (S-Works) bike in QuickStep team colours.

It is equipped with a 10 speed Campag Centaur groupset and Fulcrum Racing 5 wheels.

Original price £2,400 - Offer price £2,000

[View with PicLens]

With the first races just around the corner, training is being ramped up, and all the new things for the year are being tested out. Firstly, the Whyte 19 Carbon. Quite simply the best mountain bike I have ever ridden, and I have ridden quite a few! It feels so fast and responds to you putting the power down like no other bike. I have yet to give it a proper test off road, as the New Forest has turned into a lake, so I will let you know how it handle the rough stuff after the Gorrick race on the 7th March. I have also been eating Mule Bars on long rides this winter, which, unlike most energy bars, actually taste nice as well as give you the energy to keep on riding.

So, racing starts in a week, the new bike is all set up and ready to go, training is going well, time for a reward. I am off to get pizza!

Will let you know how the first race goes, wish me luck!