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 ...