Out of interest chaps, that course looked about 10 miles long? It twisted and turned all over the place. How long was it taking you to do a lap? The down hill back to main arena was great fun to watch. Never seen so many low speed crashes! It really looked unrideable in parts. But the most important question of all.......did the sumo wrestlers keep their costumes on till the end?!!
Yes, those sumo guys did keep their kit on...
Course was 10.2 miles as per my friends Garmin and yes, twisted all over the place. I was able to ride the while first lap, but after that it got gradually worse and more of the course became unrideable. In the end, even the elite guys in the pro teams were seen pushing their bikes :w00t: My first couple of laps took under 2 hours, then it gradually got slower as more pushing was required and less riding took place and the riding slowed down due to the mud as well. Funnily enough, it got better in the night when we had torrential rain, as the mud got watered down and was easier to ride through and it didn't quite stick so much...
Originally Posted by Wheeze
Think I'll stick to the road ...
As opposed to the 'road' sticking to you !
I still found some bits of 'road' behind my ear, after two baths
Goodness... this had sunk right into the bowels of the forum!
Been out 5x this week... Ride on the crosser on Sunday, first decent carrying section as well, pppcx training has started
Another ride on the crosser Wednesday, recce-ing some new bridleways... I have now foudn a way of getting home from Abergavenny train station, only having to go on the road for 2 miles
Road ride with the Ajax Thursday. Round one of the downhill freewheel league... Needless to say, I was cack... I simply don't weigh enough... bike is light, I am at 57 kgs at the moment... Interestingly, finishing order was more or less weight order too
Now covered in sheep sh*t and mud after a strenuous afternoon and evening testing a Whyte 29er... 2 hours on Sugarloaf, 1.5 hours on my familiar Haterall Ridge. Couple of laps of Cwmcarm tomorrow. The verdict is still out there. It is a very nice ride for the money, but not as fast or smooth as the Qoroz... Nice play bike but maybe not a race bike...
Nik, have you tested any 29ers? Any thoughts?
Well, the bike didn't cope very well with Cwmcarn and as a result neither did my shoulder :w00t: what a harsh ride! Aluminium defo not a good material for a 29er...
My friend offered me his Stumpjumper full susser halfway around, as he realised I was suffering badly and beyond enjoyment. MUCH better ride with that. Now I want one
The testing of the Niner air 9 carbon HT 29er is next this week
Trek Superfly is a very plush ride but a little slack in the head.. I really like the Giant XTC 0 but it is full-on race geometry.Well, the bike didn't cope very well with Cwmcarn and as a result neither did my shoulder :w00t: what a harsh ride! Aluminium defo not a good material for a 29er...
My friend offered me his Stumpjumper full susser halfway around, as he realised I was suffering badly and beyond enjoyment. MUCH better ride with that. Now I want one
The testing of the Niner air 9 carbon HT 29er is next this week
Interesting you mention those two...
Friend of mine (my pit bitch) has just bought the Trek, he has a dodgy back... He has just ridden 24/12 on it, so am waiting to hear how he got on with it...
Another friend recommended the Giant as an out and out race bike.
Testing the Niner carbon air 9 this week, see what I think... I may actually be 'forced' to g that route, as I am seriously considering accepting their offer of me joining the race team... Need to know what is involved first though, apart from having to race a Niner bike :w00t:
Thing is, I keep coming back to the Qoroz as it is both an excellent race bike but also comfy enough for playing on the hills and trekking... but if I race for Niner, I have to at least race a Niner and although I get deals from both, I doubt I can afford both...
Qoroz is currently working on a 27.5 ins full suss race bike as well, for next season... So that may be my answer: Niner 29er HT, Qoroz Ti 650b full suss to add to the stable next year???
Last edited by Hanneke; 08-07-2012 at 07:08 PM.
Rode in my first sportive event yesterday 'le tour de staveley'. Enjoyed it but found it hard work at times. 50 mile and 4300ft so quite bumpy. It took me about 3 hrs 30 which I was happy enough with. Thinking of doing a 90 mile one in September. Maybe biting off more than I can chew but only one way to find out! Had cyclocross tyres but thinking of changing to slicks for next time.
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