10 December 2006 Mainly Roads

When I did this route last week the computer sensor slipped for a while and I had to estimate the distance.

I repeated the route today under similarly harsh conditions (except that I started out in the dark at 7am) and discovered it had only been 34km, not the 36 or so that I had rounded up anecdotally to "nearly 40km". So I felt I had to do the honourable thing and added on an extra loop (with a big long hill) to ensure I did a full 40km.

This is certainly the time to see deer - about 7 of them in 4 groups. Funny how they don't seem so threatened by a human on a bike and wait until you're pretty close before they move on. They're obviously very perceptive about my performance and worked out that it wasn't like I was going to catch them or anything.

40km, 2hrs 40min.

3 December 2006 Mainly Roads

Part of me thinks there should be no excuses for not maintaining training momentum for an undertaking of this magnitude ...

But life has conspired this last week or so to stop me getting out.

This was my first experience cycling in very bad weather, and it seemed mad to do it, but I reckon I have to experience and train in all kinds of weather. It's the only way to find out how stuff (including me) works under duress.

Cold and wet, wind blowing the bike off course on exposed sections - even felt the wind behind me a couple of times and I don't think that's ever happened before. Usually any forward motion is more than the prevailing wind speed so you always feel the wind in your face, but this was very strong. Had to slow down on some dowhills as the rain was stinging my face too hard.

Stayed on the road for the vast majority but it was getting dark near the end so I did the last few km through the woods with my new lights :)

34km, 2hrs 15min

Smart BL201 Twin Headlamp System

Since the clocks changed it has been difficult to get out sharpish on weekends due to the darkness. I'm not keen to ride in the dark, but it would be handy to get out in the gloom so I'm well under way when the sun comes up. And I do need to try some off road at night to see if I'd want to attempt the night sections of the TransUK events.

After a good deal of searching around, I have just sniped a Smart BL201 Twin Headlamp System on Ebay for £25. Seems a good deal as they are openly on sale for £45-60 elsewhere.

These have a 2.4W lamp and a 10W lamp, both halogen. The idea is that the 2.4W should be ample for road riding to get to somewhere and has pretty long battery life, the 10W entry-level ok for off-road if I need it.

Will report back once they've been road tested.

TransRockies 2007 Registration Opens

Registration for the 2007 TransRockies Challenge opened on 1st Nov, is already 80% full.

5 November 2006 Tracks n Backroads

Late posting this, but today's riding plans got mashed so it's a chance to catch up.

Another trip round this route including the recent Clatto extra.

Ground a bit drier and firmer than before and I felt I was quite "attacking" the course. Ended up back in 2hr 30 min for the 30km which is the same as last time - except that I stopped for a few minutes to help a guy on a hybrid who had tried to pump up his back tyre but due to a valve mistmatch had only succeeded in emptying it.

Actually, I was hailed down by two impressive roadies who had already stopped. Husband and wife, both in the free bus pass age group, drop handlebars and wooly hats. They were both interested in MTBing - maintenance, weight, where to put the panniers, etc. 60 miles a day was nothing to them a while ago - they've "done Inverness in a day" apparently; about 130 miles.

Weight Log

12st 12lb

28 October 2006 Tracks n Backroads

Extended this to take in an extra bit of forest - all the way up to Clatto. This added in a long moderate uphill on the return on an unused forest track. There is also another loop of forest beyond this that can be used to extend the route further.

Very wet, lots of mud and bits of badly drained track pretending to be streams.

Felt good all the way round, rode pretty much continuously except for rain jacket on/off stops. Longest distance ridden to date.

30km, 2hr 30min.

26 October 2006 Static Bike Session

No chance to go out since Sunday, back home late every night. Eventualy climbed on the exercise bike about 9.45pm.

13.8 miles, 1 hour.

22 October 2006 Pentlands "Killer Loop"

The killer loop from MBR magazine, but following the higher resolution Harvey's map (thank goodness - my map reading skills are soooooooo bad, we even managed to take in a whole extra hill).

Quite muddy in many places, all tough going.

23km, 5 hours.

English Merida Marathon Announced for 2007

Looks like there will be decisions to be made in May next year.

Just read at BikeMagic that there will be an English Merida event in 2007 for the first time. In Penrith, during the Cumbria Bike Fest which runs 7-13 May. The location suits us, but its the same month they're talking about doing a TransScotland.

I see they've also dropped the "100" from the series name to put as much emphasis on the 25 and 50km distances.

TransScotland 07

I have been hearing that following the success of the TransWales 7-day event in August, they were looking at a TransScotland equivalent for 2007. At least that explained why their website was called "TransUK".

Assuming this would be in August, Neal and I reckoned it would be to good a chance to miss and that we should aim for this rather than postponing our first multi-day event until 2008.

I have just discovered that the plan is to actually run both events next year - leaving the TransWales in place and adding the Scottish event in May.

Yikes! Too soon?

15 October 2006 Tracks n Backroads

Keen to try this route again without the downtime for mapreading and the one short dead end.

Accurate stats messed up by the computer sensor not being on for the first few minutes (presumably got knocked a mm off when the bike got washed) and then again during the trip. This time I can only think that a rocky trail section vibrated the sensor out of range.

Anyway, with a little guesstimating ... 25km in 1hr 52 minutes, almost all of it continuous. This is more like it - the minimum Merida event distance in a sensible amount of time. I did feel like I was pushing against the clock all the way.

The offroad sections were actually muddier in places than a couple of days ago, though we've had no more rain. My guess is that more water has drained into the lower areas that tend to muddyness - and then these got churned up by horses.

This is the only area I've cycled in with lots of horses being ridden - passed a live one each time out so far, plus steaming mounds of evidence everywhere on the trail. Why don't they have to clean up after themselves like dog owners?

Weight Log

WooHoo - 13st :)

This is going very slowly, but among other excuses I have to try and actually fuel my training. That means making sure I take on enough calories to perform as well as I can on longer rides, and replenishing stores afterwards. Not quite the same as pure "eat less, do more" weight loss program.

TransRockies 2006 DVD

I see the official 2006 TransRockies DVD is now available from the TransRockies store.

Was surprised to see the Canadian Dollar:GBP exhange rate is now about 2:1 - thought it was much more favourable than that. Need to factor that into budgeting.

12 October 2006 Tracks n Backroads

As per previous blog, I realised on the way home last night that there is a reasonably flat area to the East of here that I haven't explored - mainly because there are no decent sized areas of woodland etc within it, and no major towns that have given reason to travel into it.

On the map however, it is littered with several small areas of woodland linked together by back roads and lanes.

In practice, it proved to be a worthwhile route to add to the training mix. There are a couple of short steep hills - one a real farm lane, the other tarmac - but in general its undulating enough to keep the pedals going. First time out there was a lot of downtime to check locations and next steps on the map (a skill I must improve) and there should be scope to extend it further out as time goes by.

Must have a look at Google Maps/Earth and see if I can document any routes here - or if I have to get a separate piece of software.

27.5km
2hr 45min total time, of which 2hr 05 min actual cycling.

Weight Log

Delayed posting Saturdays weigh-in.

Hoped it would be a landmark, but 13st 0.25lb. Where are those diuretics :)

8 October 2006 East Lomond

The extended loop inc Gilven fields warmup, up to the relay station, across to Craigmead and home via Leslie.

17km, 118minutes.

Upsides - faster to the relay station, faster overall.

Downsides - though technical uphill is important (and tough for me so needs work) I'm not sure this route is going to be right as a regulr "long" ride even if I extend it. I need to find a way to spend more hours in the saddle continuously.

I really don't want to ride on the road, so need to decide which nearby forest is best for longest lengths of forest track without tons of crazy hills.

4 October 2006 East Lomond

82min, 6.1km very disappointing performance.

Still tired and sore from Sunday football and Monday kendo, but dragged myself out early as its nearly a week since I've been on the bike.

In contrast to Kirroughtree (dry trails after torrential rain) this was very wet and muddy after no real recent rain to talk about. Amazing - and depressing - just what a difference mud makes. I'm not even talking about axle deep churned mud - just a soft wet layer on most of the trail and the occasional inch or so deep mud for a few metres.
If an hour of this is so tough - how will I cope with a day (or 7) like it? :(

Reduction in grip/traction means more energy used for same distance, slower progress and the odd wavy moment in the deeper stuff.

Weight Log

13st 1.25lb

28 September 2006 Kirroughtree

Another 7 Stanes location ticked off the list.

A happy juxtaposition of work commitments allowed me to stay overnight in Dumfries & Galloway (stayed overnight at the Ellangowan Hotel, the "Green Man" in the original The Wicker Man movie) and have an early morning session round Kirroughtree.

Kirroughtree is very nice - more mixed woodlands than is typical in our forests and although there had been torrential rain for hours the night before, the actual trails weren't at all bad. Puddles in places of course, but generally the trails had drained very quickly.

I stayed to the blue routes, partly because I'm nursing a shoulder/rib injury from kendo on Monday, but also aware of the need to work the rest of the day and therefore not maim or disfigure myself. Did all the optional loops plus the taster loop to make up a reasonable distance. This combo takes you down at least one man made section of trail a second time which is a nice chance to try and remember what's coming next.

An evening spent reading "Mountain Bike Like A Champion" didn't do any harm - especially concepts like looking ahead at where you want to go and using only peripheral vision to watch the wheel and immediate obstacles. Also looking further ahead the faster you're moving. D'oh.

14.76km, 95m total elapsed, of which 83m moving.

23 September 2006 Traquair Cross Country

Neil and I on the 7 Stanes XC course at Traquair, near Innerleithen

20km, 600m climbing, graded mainly red with some black.

5 hours total.

Upsides - 5 hour session is a good endurance build.
We're closer in fitness than the last time we did this route. That time I hardly saw Neal at all, this time he still climbs faster (higher gear) and longer than I do, but not so markedly ... and I do the downhills faster. Dunno how much that is recent practice, how much new bike.

Downsides - the number of riders who passed us, though most of these in the first half so we suspect they were only going up to do the downhill.
Both getting cramp towards end.

Spill count - Neal 3, me 1.

Weight Log

13st 2.75lbs

Thank goodness for scales that don't round up :)

16 September 2006 East Lomond

Gradually extending this course.

Added a few minutes flat warmup through GilvenBank Fields, then up to Coul and through the edge of the woods to Pitcairn.

Turned right at the top of the forest and picked up the path to the relay station.

Aha - technical uphill. Bad combination, much work needed in this area.
Before hitting this section, I was something like 45min elapsed time, 39min actual pedalling. By the time I reached the relay station this had become 75/45 or something stupid like that.

Mainly because of my rule that says if I should (theoretically, ultimately) be able to ride something, I won't push up it. I think it's the only wau I can get an accurate impression of progress on routes like this one.

So this was half an hour of finding it difficult to get going in a low gear on loose ground uphill, managing to ride a few feet then coming off again. But I got there, then cycled round the side of East Lomond (I'll leave the actual summit section for later) to Craigmead, then back on road to Leslie, then paths via Whinnyknowe and Foresters Lodge to home.

Overall times weren't helped by taking a wee tour of the limekiln remains rather than catch up with a walking family on a steep/narrow section ahead. Interesting also how what used to be (er, up to 10 years ago) very sharp rocky twintracks are now almost completely covered by a layer of hard packed green.

Lessons learned:
1) get in the right gear at the start of steep climbs - or learn how to/get a bike that can gearshift under load.
2) drink more. One problem with the hydration bladder is that it's hard to monitor how much you're drinking. Need to develop a feel for how much each drink is using.

Suffering: Cardiovascular, side of knees, tops of thighs - all in climbing.

17km, 135m elapsed, 90 actual.

New Toys Update

Now that I've had time to fit/use my birthday presents:

Track Pump. Excellent. Had a 40psi target in mind but based on previous use of mini pump with no guauge (at the limit of its/my abilities) turns out rear was 30psi and front only 25! Handful of up-downs and they're both up to spec.

Computer. Mmmh - not very happy with my pals at Specialized right now. Asked for and was given the "Turbo Elite" - wireless computer (wired cadence). First off, the manual is miniscule (50x90mm) with 6pt type and tiny illustrations. I don't know if the illustrations show anything useful - like which part of the sensors are actually supposed to line up with the magnets?

Then there's practicality - magnets and sensors are supposed to be within 1-2mm of each other. On a mountain bike, off-road, and with them all attached with cable ties? How the *%$! are you supposed to attach smooth plastic things to other smooth metal things with a hard plastic tie that has a ratchet mechanism - and keep it all in place within 1mm on a mountain bike?

Finally, there's the cadence setup. Unfortunately, my Specialized bike doesn't have enough room between the Specialized chainstay and the Specialized crank arm for the Specialized cadence sensor and Specialized cadence magnet to fit. So it has to go on an angle on the bend of the chainstay - with cable ties - so it's always liable to slip round the bend. Aren't we all.

Need to find somewhere at Specialized to rant to about this.

Hydration Pack. Great. Lack of bite valve might mean its a bit trickier to use in the saddle, but I think that is just practice. The tube routes nicely through the shoulder strap and clips to the side. With 2l bladder installed, there's still room inside for tube, multitool, waterproof, pump and a little more.

Rear Crud Catcher. It catches the crud, but the bracket design has created a Catch 22 for me. Because of the angle it sits at - and my short leggies meaning my seat post doesn't sit that high - the bracket has to clamp to the very top of the seat post under the saddle. That means my pre-existing saddle pack can't attach there too. I could drop the crud catcher a bit and make the actual guard sit at a more acute angle - but that would prevent me ever dropping the saddle. For now will just try to use the hydration pack instead of saddle pack.

Clothes. All good :)

13 September 2006 Grass Climb Circuit

Another one of my "marker" routes. Also a test of spirit as it's a boring slog. Let's see if I'm still doing this one in a year (month ...)

It has the advantage of being a circuit round our part of town, so it can be done with minimal prep. Ideal for those early morning (yawn) mid week sessions.

There are two aspects to this circuit. First, 90% of it is on grass which even on the level seems to be tough going. Second, it includes a 1/2 mile or so climb. So it's slog round the grass, climb the hill, short downhill, little tarmac back to the start.

I'd measure and time it, but see the post about my new cycle computer ...

Game On

Just remembered I should say for the record that this is now an official attempt :)

Spoke to Neal yesterday and he said outloud he was committed to it - so we're doing the TransRockies in 2009. We have acknowledged that life's events may get in the way so we're not going to fall out if something stops us at some point over the 3 years - but we are approaching this with the firm commitment to do it, and to work through the intermediate objectives over the next couple of years.

We've booked our first joint outing for a couple of weeks - Pentlands or Inverkeithing XC if nice, Glentress if not.

9 September 2006 Fife Coastal Path

2 hours, 11km.

One of the MTB mags recently did the whole coastal path from dalgety Bay to Tayport over two days. Gave the impression the whole thing was eminently bikeable.

Drove to Leven to pick up the path as I thought that would give me a more picturesque section to try.

The main problem is that the signage disappears at points, so you often don't know if you're on the right route. It might seem kinda obvious that you just keep the sea to the same side all the time, but I ended up riding up the path to the clubhouse (from the course direction) of one of the golf clubs, round it, up their driveway and through their car park. Looking at the website later I see where I went wrong, but it wasn't signposted - and the magazine people did the same thing.

I guess the path is really designed for walking. Some sections along the dune tops are on narrow deep ruts that make pedalling impossible, and coming back through Lower Largo, you hit a one-way street no entry sign that forces you up a steep tarmac hill and onto the main road.

It is a beautiful route though so I may do some more research and find a section that works better than starting at Leven.

Update: After cleaning my bike, and upon reflection, I can't really recommend this to anyone. That amount of sand in the drivetrain just can't be a good idea. Maybe some other sections will be a little more inland/higher level.

8 September 2006 East Lomond

This will be one of my progress "marker" routes as the months go by, as basically it's out the front door and climb the hill. Mix of tarmac path, singletrack and forest track with about 300m nett climb by the time (if ever) I get to the top.

First time out, 45 minutes took me 4.5km to the top of the forest below the radio masts but I'd gone left when I should have gone right so came to a dead end. Looked at the map when I got back and think I see a route up the next stage.

Total 70 minutes, 9km.

5 September 2006 Static Bike Session

Frustrated by working into the evening, did an hour on the exercise bike at 9pm while watching the TransRockies documentary DVD to remind myself what it's all about. Trying to concentrate on pedalling circles. Then shower with lots of stretching.

Light Bikes and Fat Blokes

It's easy to get obsessed about weight with mountain bikes, shaving 5g here and there. The difference between bikes described as "cumbersome tanks" or "racing whippets" seems to be about 5lbs, so I reckon it will be easier to lose (say) 14lbs from me than from the bike and components I use.

Need to get a better fix on my ideal weight, but I'm sure I can afford to lose that stone at least. Maybe recording progress in public will be a useful motivation to stay on plan.

I have started to lose a little since this TR idea became serious about three weeks ago. Starting point 13 stone 7lbs, last week 13 stone 5.5 lbs, today 13 stone 4.5lbs.

New Toys

Today was my 46th birthday - the impending (now arrived) landmark that triggered this whole idea.

My wish list was pretty much MTB centric and so the gear collection has a few new additions:

Track Pump. I want to experiment with getting those bigger tyres up to higher pressures. Looking down when I ride, seems to me my back tyre is quite squished even when pumped as much as I can get it with my mini pump, but now I'll be able to see what pressure they're running at and see if I can/should go higher.

Computer. Wanted wireless and wanted cadence, but both together is v expensive, so got wireless with wired cadence. I find it hard to believe that MTB'ers really achieve the kind of cadence I keep seeing quoted as ideal - I can hardly do them on easy gearing on a static bike - but now I'll be able to see.

Hydration Pack. Reeled at the price of CamelBaks, etc then saw this item in Tesco. 2l bladder + 4l storage, main internal + two external zipped + net storage. Push/pull (not bite) valve. How much? wait for it .... £9.50 !!!!

Rear Crud Catcher. stop those muddy lines up the spine.

Bike Clothes. A "proper" biking jersey from my sister, plus two technical fabric tops (Nike and Quicksilver) I found in TK Max for £15 each. Not clear what sport they're designed for but they're lightweight wicking fabric with a bike-style cut and ventilation panels.

Update: You might like to see the update on these items after fitting and first use.

The First Big Step Forward

Things took a big step forward yesterday when I mooted the idea to my son Neal. It was he who first told me about the TransRockies and he who first talked about (him) doing it. Although we've referred to it several times it had kinda taken on a running joke quality and I wasn't at all sure how he would respond when i made a more serious suggestion.

I didn't doubt he would "fancy" it, but the practicalities of training, time, finance, where he's going to be in his life in 2, 3 or 4 years time had to be considered.

But he took it seriously and I reckon we're on. Prob looking at a 3 year program to allow us to get from here to there, but that's ok. Seems like a long time away, but it will allow us to ramp up our fitness and skills within the context of our rest-of-life commitments and make the finances easier. This time next year we'd want to have completed the whole Merida Marathon series of 100k events, the year after add in the Trans-Wales, and then 2009 will be TransRockies year.

The Bike

I've been riding a fully rigid Specialized HardRock Sport since something like 1994 ... yes, the same one. I guess I secretly enjoyed being old skool hardcore - certainly it was the only rigid I ever saw at the trail centres over recent years - but mainly I was caught in the catch 22 of not riding enough to justify a new bike, or was I not riding as much because of the old bike?

Finally bit the bullet a couple of months ago to break the viscous cycle (that's like a viscious cycle, only thicker).

Did my research into bikes around £500 and recent magazine comparisons led me to believe the GT XTC SE was the best value for money around this price point. Would have preferred a Spesh, but was determined to buy with my head not my heart.

As fate would have it , went along to my local bike shop (Giant and Specialized dealers) to see if I could ride the XTC and they didn't have one. However, they did just happen to have a Specialized Rockhopper Disc in my size ...

Came back home to check the reviews and it became clear that the basic Rockhopper beat the XTC in every department ... except that it had V-brakes rather than discs, which add £100 to the price. Once LBS made that problem go away it was a no-brainer.

So there it is:

• Frame :A1 Premium Aluminium, double butted front triangle with ORE DT, externally machined HT, frame designed for 100mm travel fork, forged drop outs with replaceable 06 derailleur hanger and reinforced disc mount, disc only
• Rear Shock :None
• Fork :Rock Shox J3SL, 100mm travel, 1-1/8" 7050 alloy steerer, adjustable rebound damping with lock out and preload adjustment, 13-17" "standard"/19-23" "stiff" coil spring.
• Headset :1 1/8" threadless
• Stem :Alloy 7 degree rise, TIG-welded, 4-bolt face plate
• Handlebars :Specialized butted XC rise, 6 degree upsweep, 8 degree backsweep, 640mm width
• Grips :Specialized Enduro, dual density
• Front Brake :Avid Juicy 5, hydraulic disc, 160mm Polygon rotor
• Rear Brake :Avid Juicy 5, hydraulic disc, 160mm Polygon rotor
• Brake Levers :Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic
• Front Derailleur :Shimano Deore, 34.9mm clamp, top swing, dual pull
• Rear Derailleur :Shimano LX, SGS cage, standard spring
• Shift Levers :Shimano Deore, 9-speed
• Cassette :SRAM PG-950 11-34t
• Chain :SRAM PC 951, 9-speed with Power Link
• Crankset :Shimano Hollowtech Octalink
• Chainrings :22S/32S/44A
• Bottom Bracket :Shimano BB-ES30, 68x113mm
• Pedals :Alloy 1 piece
• Rims :Mavic XM-117 disc, 26", 32 hole
• Front Hub :Specialized disc, with machined disc mount and hi-low flange 32 hole
• Rear Hub :Shimano 475 disc, 32 hole
• Spokes :1.8mm black stainless, brass nipples
• Front Tyre :Specialized Fast Trak 26x2.0", 60 TPI, Aramid bead, dual compound
• Rear Tyre :Specialized Fast Trak 26x2.0", 60 TPI, Aramid bead, dual compound
• Tubes :Specialized schraeder valve
• Saddle :Specialized Body Geometry Sport MTB, semi light foam
• Seat Post :Alloy 30.9mmx350/400mm, micro adjust
• Seat Binder :Alloy collar with Q/R
• Notes :Chain stay protector, reflectors, clear coat, owners manual

But has it broken the cycle (the viscous one, not the wheeled one)?

It sure has! It's been the stimulus to regular riding, trying trails furhter afield, and even some boring grunt-style training runs ... and this TransRockies idea. Not sure this model is up to the actual TR, but we'll see.

Quick Carron Valley Circuit

"Quick" meaning squeezed into a working day rather then being especially rapid.

However, it was fairly satisfying. First visited Carron Valley about a month ago, when I did the whole thing (four feature trails plus links) twice - first time round took 90 minutes including map reading stops, second time 75 min.

Today, it was an hour exactly. Fewer rest stops, more commitment to speed on the singletrack sections, but still haven't ridden the Kelpie's Staircase.

The Germ of an Idea

I have this idea that before I'm 50 I'll do the TransRockies Challenge.

That gives me a bit under 4 years.

So, having decided that much "in principle", all I need to do now is get a partner to make a team, raise the money, get fit and skilled enough to do it ...