Today's Bike Ride

First post on here in ages and hopefully the start of many more over the winter.....I rode across the Malvern Hills yesterday with my Dad and his MTB mates. Cracking ride over a few hours, intense off road climbs with lovely views over to the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains and some thrilling singletrack and technical descents.

Very hot. I struggled with my bike handling, especially climbing rocky tracks. I kept losing my front wheel but for a MTB novice I didn't do too badly.

The road beckons this week.....

Friday, Saturday and Sunday... 2-3 hours each day on the MTB... Dark Peak trails in as good condition as I've known them.

just back from 1,400km across the south of France in 12 days, including jaunts up the Aubisque and Tourmalet, over Haut-Languedoc, up the Gorges du Tarn, across the Cevennes, up Mt Ventoux, throught the Luberon, on to Nice and a last ride up into the Alpes Maritimes ...

I have been cycling... Had another cross race on Sunday... came 2nd this time, even though noth the commissaire and I thought I had won it, an embarassing moment! She thinks she lost me on one of the laps... That is what you get, with these multi-lap events with one woman having to keep track of us all going round God knows how many times, lapping each other! I lapped the whole women's field again and was about to lap the woman who is now the winner, but should have been 2nd... ah well, just have to make sure I am more convincingly in front this Sunday.

Apparently, it is a technical, old school course. Proper off road with trees and roots and rocks and mud and leaves and a steep drop off most people walk... I suspect my 2 Peaks expereince will stand me in good stead :)

Daz, anyone, how does one exactly train for this cyclocross? I have a race every Sunday between now and the final on 18 December... I want to get quicker... do I do speed work on the turbo? Treshold sessions? Pyramid? I also must start tracticing hopping over those planks, I am pathetic at it... Mind, I was told last weeks planks were too high... and they were on an uphill, could barely lift my legs over it!

Ah the old cyclocross dilema. Im going to do some this winter. Not racing though just training.Hann i dont know how your going to get faster ?. You want me to ask nick craig

Hann you need an ultraburner to do bunnyhops better

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Originally Posted by Hanneke

Daz, anyone, how does one exactly train for this cyclocross? I have a race every Sunday between now and the final on 18 December... I want to get quicker... do I do speed work on the turbo? Treshold sessions? Pyramid? I also must start tracticing hopping over those planks, I am pathetic at it... Mind, I was told last weeks planks were too high... and they were on an uphill, could barely lift my legs over it!

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Hann, i've got an old book on cyclocross training and techniques, pm me and i'll send it you, no charge for Orange Ponies.

Steve, that would be fab! :)

Daz, yes, if you know Nick, ask him please... he knows what he is doing ;)

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Originally Posted by stevefoster

Hann, i've got an old book on cyclocross training and techniques, pm me and i'll send it you, no charge for Orange Ponies.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hanneke

I also must start tracticing hopping over those planks, I am pathetic at it... Mind, I was told last weeks planks were too high... and they were on an uphill, could barely lift my legs over it!

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Hann if you need some pointers let me know, they are easy when you know how.

please! everything will help, I am a total numpty!

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Originally Posted by eavesy187

Hann if you need some pointers let me know, they are easy when you know how.

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