The "Photos From Today's Ride" thread...
Discussion
yellowjack said:
Yup, exactly what I've told others in the past (we've all got 4 point fully independent 'suspension' built in 
) but this was just odd jumps, built onto otherwise flat sections of not particularly 'techy' terrain. The proper jumps/tables/berms sections I've no argument with, but random features totally disconnected with the 'flavour' of the trail at a particular point? Silly, IMHO, and too much potential for a spill if you're not expecting them, as I wasn't (they're on a new section, where water pipe works are forcing a diversion of the main trail).
The main complaint re: the 26" unfriendliness of the trail was more to do with the surface, and some bad braking pots on the 'good' lines, to be fair. Being honest, I'd not have gotten caught out by those small jumps if I'd been concentrating more.
I know the bits you speak of - I was in the team building that new sections, though I didn't work on those bumps myself, and I don't *like* them. That said, since ive been riding that section its been on a 650B hardtail and they can be rolled over at full attack speed. In fact, im just about to head out and do them for the first time on my full sus! As for the Blue & Red in general, ive been riding a 26" there for the last few years and never found any issue, but to go fast round the whole course you need to know every section like the back of your hand. ) but this was just odd jumps, built onto otherwise flat sections of not particularly 'techy' terrain. The proper jumps/tables/berms sections I've no argument with, but random features totally disconnected with the 'flavour' of the trail at a particular point? Silly, IMHO, and too much potential for a spill if you're not expecting them, as I wasn't (they're on a new section, where water pipe works are forcing a diversion of the main trail). The main complaint re: the 26" unfriendliness of the trail was more to do with the surface, and some bad braking pots on the 'good' lines, to be fair. Being honest, I'd not have gotten caught out by those small jumps if I'd been concentrating more.
But yeah, get yourself some proper SPDs!
daddy cool said:
yellowjack said:
Yup, exactly what I've told others in the past (we've all got 4 point fully independent 'suspension' built in ) but this was just odd jumps, built onto otherwise flat sections of not particularly 'techy' terrain. The proper jumps/tables/berms sections I've no argument with, but random features totally disconnected with the 'flavour' of the trail at a particular point? Silly, IMHO, and too much potential for a spill if you're not expecting them, as I wasn't (they're on a new section, where water pipe works are forcing a diversion of the main trail).
The main complaint re: the 26" unfriendliness of the trail was more to do with the surface, and some bad braking pots on the 'good' lines, to be fair. Being honest, I'd not have gotten caught out by those small jumps if I'd been concentrating more.
I know the bits you speak of - I was in the team building that new sections, though I didn't work on those bumps myself, and I don't *like* them. That said, since ive been riding that section its been on a 650B hardtail and they can be rolled over at full attack speed. In fact, im just about to head out and do them for the first time on my full sus! As for the Blue & Red in general, ive been riding a 26" there for the last few years and never found any issue, but to go fast round the whole course you need to know every section like the back of your hand. ) but this was just odd jumps, built onto otherwise flat sections of not particularly 'techy' terrain. The proper jumps/tables/berms sections I've no argument with, but random features totally disconnected with the 'flavour' of the trail at a particular point? Silly, IMHO, and too much potential for a spill if you're not expecting them, as I wasn't (they're on a new section, where water pipe works are forcing a diversion of the main trail). The main complaint re: the 26" unfriendliness of the trail was more to do with the surface, and some bad braking pots on the 'good' lines, to be fair. Being honest, I'd not have gotten caught out by those small jumps if I'd been concentrating more.
But yeah, get yourself some proper SPDs!
That plastic 'Newt fence' is bloody annoying. I had my bike weighed today, and "as ridden" it tips the scales at over 15kg, so lifting it over things is no fun. Apart from the jumps, the new stuff is pretty darned good, but (bearing in mind I'm not an expert on the segment names) Deerstalker and Labyrinth (I think) are a bit of a mess. There's a few too many shortcuts being used too, which can catch the unwary off guard, but that's lazy riders 'cheating' at Strava, not trailbuilders to blame.
Main reason for the 'teddy in the corner' hissy fit was disappointment at not getting round in under an hour. My fastest time (pre-GPS) was 57 minutes against my own stopwatch, and my fitness (in my opinion) has improved since then, yet I went round in just over the hour. You are probably right in so far as I need to learn it better to get the best out of myself around the route though. And maybe a lighter bike with bigger wheels might 'buy' me some lower segment times...
Representing roadies and PHers at the inaugural Parkour Ride in Tobacco Dock. Great event and cool course but definitely one for the BMXers and MTBers I reckon. The trickier obstacles were on the top two storeys which were open to the elements. Heavy rain crushed any temptation to hit the box jump. Although at 6'4" the most dangerous part was the lack of clearance everywhere. I'm not balancing on the start gate, I'm using my head 
I'd already slipped out of a qualifying position by the time half the amateurs had ridden. The top spots are BMXers and MTBers including several ex-pros (David Millar for the roadies). I'm heading back in a bit to watch the head-to-head finals.
I'd already slipped out of a qualifying position by the time half the amateurs had ridden. The top spots are BMXers and MTBers including several ex-pros (David Millar for the roadies). I'm heading back in a bit to watch the head-to-head finals.
Had an interesting coming together on a club ride this morning (my first ever club ride!). Coming to a stop at a T-junction as a car was approaching and a girl behind me didn't and punted me hard right in the butt leaving me folded over the handlebars of my bike while simultaneously receiving a wedgie. Got myself up, dusted off and something felt weird.... Turns out that lycra doesn't hold well against brake hoods and my 80kg lump. Had to cobble them back together with some insulation tape and wave enthusiastically at any passing drivers who noticed for the 20 odd miles back. Got home and when my girlfriend answered the door she set about laughing too. Poor girl was mortified and is going to reimburse me, but I wonder if I should squeeze in some spare undies to my kit in case of another mishap as insulation tape did nothing to help 
(sensitive souls look away now)
(sensitive souls look away now)
Went out to cycle out some frustration after the Bianchi accident and ended up with 2 punctures today..
2 punctures today... by Alastair Cummins, on Flickr
The first a tiny flint, then the 2nd a big rock right on my line which I couldn't avoid...
2 punctures today... by Alastair Cummins, on FlickrThe first a tiny flint, then the 2nd a big rock right on my line which I couldn't avoid...
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