competition prize

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Carl took this photographic study of Alex on a ride. I love this picture but we need a caption (nice one please) as Carl and I disagree on the message.

The best caption can have extra sweets on Tuesday or Thursday.

Carl is the judge – not me.

‘Still not getting any wind speed readings’ – Tail End Charlie
“gnarr = mc²”? Rich
“so, who hasn’t got a puncture?” Carloz
‘Yep, just totally crushed that hill’ – Tom
the first signs of trees withdrawal become obvious…Ronnie
‘I refuse to ride it anymore’ – Tommo

if you are not sure…..

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Having lived within easy driving distance from North Wales, moving to Shoreham was a worry – I was desperate to find some challenging single track, and trails worthy of regular riding.

I stumbled across Brighton MTB website a few times, and as I was still in need of a good local ride, and some new faces to ride with, I decided to give the informal meet a go.

I have not been disappointed so far; I’ve now ridden with the group on 3 consecutive weeks, each week being entirely different, bringing new challenges, and new faces.

It’s great to be discovering so many great trails at Stanmer park, they’re technical and varied, but no matter what your skill level, everyone involved is always prepared to help out with advice on your riding technique, and will always ride at a pace that suits everyone.

I will definitely be riding with these guys on a regular basis; informal, friendly, and no issues if you’re not up to speed. Definitely worth giving it a go if you’re not sure!

Luke

Make yourself sick

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Morvelo is organising another rolla thing which can include riding to and from the pub as well.

Some of us would do quite well, enjoy the ride, have fun on the rollers, not drink at all.

Those of you who do turn up may actually ride there, you will drink far too much, may collapse onto the rollers and need transport home.

I will post the best photos….

Information on the Morvelo website.

Stanmer’s European Single Speed champion

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Chris Noble used to ride with us every week when he lived in Brighton and still returns occasionally to re-hone his Stanmer skills. He was 5th last year in Big Dog so not much honing required really.

http://www.thebicycleacademy.org/2012/04/20/exposure-24-a-race-report/

 He has sponsorship now and writes up his race report at the new link above. Bike magic has a full race report too.
Obviously his success is not just talent, effort and dedication but due to playing in the dark on his bike with us.
Well done Chris from all of us.

Tuesday night ride

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As the day lengthens the night rides are becoming half dusk,half dark so if you want to try a fast night ride before the night is lost then come along on Tuesday and be ready to ride at 7pm.

This is quicker than a Thursday so it is not really for the less fit and will include hills as well as singletrack so you have been warned….

Saturday 31st March demo day Worthing

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Quest Adventure at Worthing are holding a demo day. Lots of bikes, but book to reserve, and rides of approximately 40 minutes leaving at 10am and every two hours.

This is a good opportunity to try some bikes as well as to see how some bikes ride if you follow behind or ride alongside. There will be some familiar faces with Jimbo returning from injury to ride at 10am.

If you want to try a bike or two then take your own pedals and remember to lie about your weight. If you take your own bike then you can ride all the loops or even try some of the more technical singletrack on offer nearby.

As the weather is set fair you get to see some more trails if you have not ridden across Worthing way and even try a superlight bike that is beyond your means and your diet plan.

If you have not been on a demo day before this can be really worthwhile even if you are really happy with your present bike.

Saturday 17th March Stanmer

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10.30am at the Tearooms in Stanmer Park for around two hours or so of singletrack. There will be a couple of hills and  all riders are asked to bring a spare tube and pump along with a drink and something sweet to keep them going.

This is an email club ride so numbers should be higher than just a forum ride and hopefully the faces absent since last year will pull the bike out of the garage and climb back into the saddle. The pace will be set by those attending so is likely to be slower rather than faster.

It is an easy place to exit the ride back to the Tearooms if you suffer a mechanical or are tired so a good starting point for riders old and new. Some obstacles but everything rollable or ride aroundable.

Big Dog 2011

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This year’s Big Dog entries are already being filled in and places are going fast so to encourage the racer in you here are a few reports from the race last year to give you a feel of the day.

All the photos were taken by Russ Gillespie and if you visit the site you can order the full size canvas to hang on your garage wall. Smaller photographs are also available and he has offered some small sizes for free. http://russgillespie.com/

There is an additional selection of photographs at the end of the report.

If you would like to add your own race report then email me at the usual address info@brightonmtb.org. If I have omitted any report then my apologies and re-send it please.

So this was my first Big Dog and although I hope it will be the first of many, especially if the organisers can bring that weather again. The course was brilliant, but really tough, the first half just seem to be a relentless ascent, although it was worth if for the descents. I would like to say that my ‘local knowledge’ meant that I was able to shred the singletrack but to be honest I had nothing left in the tank so it was a matter of just sending the bike in the right direction. I really did struggle on those hills! Fortunately my partner was an animal and as result we, as a pair came a respectable 31st. Regardless of the pain and cramp it really was a great day and every one, on and off the course were really friendly and helpful, some pretty good prizes up for grabs as well. I could have sworn my name was on that green Decade Virsa, was just my size.

I don’t think I was firing on all cylinders but nonetheless I am determined to smash my time next year and now that my legs have stopped screaming it seems like there is no time like the present to start ‘training’ for next year so I am off out. However I couldn’t help but notice that most of the quick riders (overtaking me like I was standing still) were on hardtails with clipless pedals, so just before I go out I think might have a quick nose around the internet to see what I can buy to make me quicker, besides it has just started raining!!

Thanks to all involved in the organisation and anyone who cheered me on as I looked like I might self combust up the hills.
Tom Jackson (231) Continue reading →