Merida Brass Monkeys - Round 3 - 04th January 2015...

[yellowjack]

Following on from... First MTB Race this weekend? ...and... Brass Monkeys Rd2 - 14th Dec - Tunnel Hill ...a new thread for information and discussion relating to Round 3.

'Merida Brass Monkeys' is a three round winter enduro MTB series taking place in the Camberley area (Surrey/Hampshire border). Round three will be held at... Windmill Hill (aka: Porridge Pots), Deepcut, Surrey, GU16 6TU ...on Sunday 4th January 2015.

I believe there are at least two PHers who've ridden both Rounds 1 & 2, and there were at least four of us at Round 2. Spread the word, let's get a few more 'team' jerseys out there. Come on! What else will you be doing at 0900hrs on a cold Sunday morning in January? It's way past "New Year's Hangover" time, and there'll be plenty of Christmas excess to work off, and Santa will surely have brought you heaps of blingy new kit and upgrades to test ride

Closing date for entries is midnight on 30th December 2014. It's online entry only - no 'last minute' entry on the day!

Go on! Get yourself signed up...



(Edited to fix a link)

Edited by yellowjack on Tuesday 16th December 01:08

[yellowjack]

Too early for a list?

Name	Race Duration	Age Category
BadgerBenji	4 Hour	Male 40-49
-	-	-
-	-	-
-	-	-
-	-	-
-	-	-

I'm fairly certain I'll sign up. The wife is the 'on-call' nurse for her department that weekend, and usually relies on me to drive her in, out of hours. She's said she'll make other arrangements for the Sunday, though, so I'm short on excuses to duck out, to be fair.

Edited by yellowjack on Tuesday 16th December 21:56

[yellowjack]

Well. I rode up to Deepcut today, more as a recce to check the travelling time to get there and back than anything else. I had intended to cross the canal to ride a "hair of the dog" lap of the round 2 course at Tunnel Hill, but ended up exploring the round 3 area. The course designer chap for Round 3 was also out today. I met him at the bottom of one of the hills. Deep in thought he was, trying to re-jig his plan for the race in January. Apparently he had a lap all planned out, but his confirmatory ride today has left him with nagging doubts, and he's going to try to link up some of the sections in a different way. He was puzzling over how to do it without crossing over the route, though. We chatted for a few minutes, then I let him, and his mad, bouncy Spaniel get on with his ride as it was getting late, with the light about to start fading fast. I couldn't help him with his route selection, as I'd only ever ridden the area a couple of times before, and don't know the 'good bits' all that well.

The Army were out training up there today in small numbers too. I decided not to bother them, and kept well out of their way, but I think one of them wanted a chat toward the end of my ride. I heard an "excuse me!" over my shoulder, but feigned deafness, and rode off in a different direction. I was pursued up the range perimeter road by a crew cab pickup, but I was well away up a tarmac road on the opposite side of a barrier before they were anywhere near me. I couldn't spare the time for a "chat" with them, as I was rushing home to grab the car to fetch the missus from hospital.

[yellowjack]

List update...

Name	Race Duration	Age Category
BadgerBenji	4 Hour	Male 40-49
yonex	2 Hour	Male 40-49
-	-	-
-	-	-
-	-	-
-	-	-

...anyone else want to join in?

[yellowjack]

BadgerBenji said:

The overall points have been updated today

http://www.gorrick.com/racing/endurobm/brass_monke...

I'm 8th in the 4hr vets

Meh! Points? What are they, then?

I'm bitter and twisted, on account of how I've not placed 40th or better on either of the first two rounds. Harrumph!

I'm blaming my coach, to be honest (Hi MadDad! )

Seriously, though! Well done on that placing, Benji

[yellowjack]

Another 'bump' for this one!

Registration closes TONIGHT, that's 2359hrs Tuesday 30th December 2014, for entry into the race on Sunday 04th January. Race starts around 0930hrs for the two hour chaps, a little bit later for the four hour racers and slightly later again for the three hour (wizened old gits ) class.

Like a damned fool, I've entered again, just to be able to say I rode all three rounds of the series, so I've added myself to the list below. I started out at Round 1 as a complete novice, having never entered an organised event of any description. Not a sportive, not even a sponsored cycle. Two rounds down, I now have a better idea of what to expect, but I'm still feeling like a complete beginner. I've no chance of troubling the podium. Heck, I've not managed to trouble the top 40 (where the points start) in either race, but it's a lot of fun and weirdly addictive...

The list (PH entries wise) so far...

Name	Race Duration	Age Category
BadgerBenji	4 Hour	Male 40-49
yonex	2 Hour	Male 40-49
Daddy Cool	2 Hour	Male 18-39
yellowjack	2 Hour	Male 40-49
-	-	-
-	-	-

...any more for any more?

Entry costs £22 for the 2 hour race and £24 for the 4 hour race.

Seriously, now - what else could you possibly be planning for early morning on the first Sunday of the New Year? Make a resolution, and come and join the fun!




Edit to add a link to the race website... http://meridabrassmonkeys.com/?page_id=39

Edited by yellowjack on Tuesday 30th December 10:48

[yellowjack]

Well, as Sunday draws ever closer, I've had my first puncture on the 'winter' Maxxis Beaver tyres. New Year's Day, too, in the dark and the slop. Anyway, I limped it home, and sorted the puncture, and the rest of the bike, this morning.

I gave it a good wash down, WD40 on the derailleur pivots, chain lube on the gear cables, rotors degreased, brake pads lightly sanded to clean them up, and a brand new Shimano chain fitted. The rear tube now has 14 (!!!) patches on it, and the latest puncture was something very jagged that punched right through to the tube on one of the centre line tread blocks (ie: the thickest part of the tyre). So I've also super-glued the cuts in the tyre that I hadn't noticed through the gloop, and I took it out this evening for a blast to check for correct function of gears, and to bed in the brake pads again.

I still have an issue with "chain suck" on the inner ring at the front, and I'm baffled to be honest. It's a relatively new chainset, and in the early part (first hill) on tonight's ride, it was terrible. I couldn't get a full revolution of the chain without it jamming up, repeatedly. I even considered bailing and heading for home, but I switched to some hills I could get up using the middle chainring. Later, toward the end of the ride, I managed to get up the very same hill on the 'granny' ring without an issue, grabbing a 'PR' into the bargain. Anyone got any suggestions for what might be causing this, or how I might solve it permanently?

I've got my fingers crossed that, provided I keep it clean and well lubed, the chain/chainset will hold up at least long enough to complete the two hour race on Sunday. [touch wood mode] The rest of the bike seems just fine. The cassette seems to function OK with the new chain, it changes gear when it ought to, it goes when I push on the pedals, and the brakes bring it swiftly to a halt. [/touch wood mode]

It's just a shame, really, that I couldn't settle my compensation claim sooner. I'd have loved to have raced this series on a lighter, shinier, more modern bike (although I doubt it would have made much difference to my results )

Is everyone else ready for the off on Sunday? All I've got to do now is lay out the kit I'm wearing on Saturday night, then make sure I get up in good time on Sunday morning...

[yellowjack]

daddy cool said:

FFS man! Im going to dig out a spare 26" innertube to give you!

Oh, there's no need for that. I've got a spare tube that only has one patch on it. I'm "saving it for best"
I might sling an extra spare tube (brand spanking new, no less!!!) into my kit for tomorrow as well.

I was honestly more worried about the tyre cutting up. It's a winter, muddy conditions tyre, but it's cutting up like a Schwalbe Ultremo summer road tyre. Bedding in the brakes on the road outside my house was a mistake, too. The soft rubber compound of the tread blocks doesn't appreciate hard stops and the resultant skidding

[yellowjack]

I haven't managed a recce ride this time. Blind for me too, I'm afraid.

Kit is laid out, bike seems to be riding OK. All I have to do is get my rotting carcass out of bed in time to get there. Undecided at the moment as to whether I'll ride from home, or sling the bike in the boot and drive up. If I ride up, I might need to beg some space in somebody's car to lob a small backpack while I'm 'racing'.

Timings? Depending upon which part of the page you believe, registration opens at either 0730hrs or 0800hrs.
Two hour race is off at 0930hrs, four hour riders at 0945hrs, and three hour 'grand vets' follow at 1000hrs.
Venue is Windmill Hill, Deepcut, Surrey, GU16 6TU. http://www.bing.com/maps/?cp=51.313890~-0.692634&a... likely location for car parking and the event HQ is the big field bounded by Alma Gardens and Dettingen Road.

I'm keen to get a third lap this time, too. But for the first two rounds I was well over the cut-off time, so never had the option. I'm hoping that I can find some more 'mojo' from somewhere, just enough to get me round the first two laps before the two hours are up.

I was looking forward to this last week, when the long range forecast looked a lot better. Not so much now, what with the recent rain and low temperatures in the morning. But I'm pleased that I entered all three rounds, and it was nice to meet a few new people. Looking forward to seeing you guys there tomorrow, provided we all manage to get there in plenty of time. Good luck, all, and hopefully this won't be too much of a "New Year Hangover"!

[yellowjack]

gazza285 said:

What you doing still up man, time for some quality rest before the race.

Still up at 0020hrs, as the wife got called in to work earlier (on call nurse) and she needed a lift home. She's tucked up in bed now, so I'm off to get as much rest as possible. Not ideal race preparation, but real life's a bh when it interferes with cycling...

[yellowjack]

Arrrrgh!!!!

1 minute and 28 seconds beyond the cut-off time for a third lap.

That was just about the time I wasted at the top of one of the climbs wiping the rivers of sweat from the inside of my glasses. I wish I'd waited now, and wiped them after the timing gantry. I might just have made a third lap then...

Still. Good that I got close to the cut-off this time. I certainly feel that I'm getting better at this 'race' stuff.

64th from 77 riders in my age category. Nothing to be massively proud of, but hey, I wasn't last and I'm pleased I rode all three rounds of this winter series.

[yellowjack]

Well done, daddy cool and BadgerBenji. Good results for you guys, certainly a good deal quicker than me!

Sorry you couldn't make it, yonex, but you were right to trust your judgement, and rest if you need it.


Next one's in a fortnight. Who's up for it?

[yellowjack]

Damn it!

I've looked through those photos twice, and cannot find a picture of me. I must have been riding too fast, and the image was too blurred to use...

I have this one picture that I took today. I think it's Benji, crossing the line on one of his later laps, but I'm sure he won't hesitate to correct me if I'm wrong...

[yellowjack]

Strava Labs playback of the PHers who were known to be out this morning (including Gren, who passed through on his way to Tunnel Hill)...

http://labs.strava.com/flyby/viewer/#236721282,SHo...

[yellowjack]

daddy cool said:

richardxjr said:

Yes well done all. YJ go SS for next year

I think he will.


Only because his shifters will have completely packed up by then.

Is you disrespectin' my wheels, innit, Bruv?

Shifters are the least of my problems. I've never had an issue with those. I know it's old, and heavy, but it's been pretty reliable really. Brakes were upgraded from Tektro mechanical discs to Shimano hydraulics when the old ones (front caliper) failed. It's had the usual replacement of 'normal wear and tear' bits, chains, cassettes, etc, as required, the wheels are sound, and only recently did it need the bottom bracket and chainset replacing, after well in excess of 4,000 miles, most of which was off-road and a good deal of that during winter months.

Some of the replacement parts, such as the rear mech, have been "downgrades" due to budgetary constraints, and the biggest issue right now is intermittent 'chain suck' when climbing on the "granny" ring, but I only recently replaced the front rings so cannot work out why that's happening. That, along with a badly sealed fork leg (Suntour XCM, coil sprung, bottom of the range) means I'm not massively keen to spend much more on it (Bird Zero, or similar in the pipeline) but I wouldn't want to get rid of it. It was only £305 new back in 2008, so I doubt it makes a great basis for costly upgrades.

It might be a good time to "do a Benji" and stick a rigid fork on the front and lose (at least some of) the gears. Then I could press it into service when the local trails are at their most 'gloopy' without wrecking cassettes, mechs and chains in quick time.

I really enjoyed the Brass Monkeys series, and I'm so glad that I took the plunge and signed up. The big "But" for me is that I really enjoy riding my bikes, but I don't do so well at proper focused training. I'd like to do more racing, and get a bit more 'competitive', and I know that to achieve the results I'd have to "train", but all I want from day-to-day riding is the freedom to ride when, were, and how I choose, pretty much 'off the cuff'. Training plans, to me, sound like hell, which is why I'll probably just have to suck it up and get used to be near the back of any field in which I 'race'.

I'm off now to cogitate on the relative merits of entering the Saddle Skedaddle Spring XC series, although I could do with someone explaining the differences between "Enduro" and "XC" racing... ...as they seem to use pretty much similar venues for the XC stuff as they did for the winter enduro we've just finished.

[yellowjack]

daddy cool said:

...cant remember if you used SPD's but if you do you are welcome to take my bike for a spin if/when we all meet up at Swinley. Not that its anything that special but you can try out 650b (i suppose its a halfway house to the 29'ers favoured by the racers) and also moving to a double chainset (yours is a triple, yes?). I much prefer a double because it gives me LESS CHOICE. Big ring for everything until a decent climb appears, and just going up and down the cassette.

I'm not on SPDs (yet?). Still flat (crappy, OEM original flats at that!) pedals and trainers, I'm afraid. I'm not very good at all at spending money on replacing "fings wot ain't broke". Which means soldiering on with ropey low-rent kit because it seems that the more you are willing something to fail, the longer it stubbornly continues to function.

I'm also on 8-speed triple gearing. The recent addition of a 34 tooth lowest gear means I use the 'granny ring' far less than I used to, and with 10 or 11 cogs on the back, a '2x' front mech seems to make a lot of sense. I certainly don't find myself using the big ring very much on the triple, apart from the odd tarmac section or big downhill runs.

[yellowjack]

daddy cool said:

Oh, and i dont think im going to commit to the whole Spring series - its just too many weekends when i need to be getting some road mileage in for my 2015 target. But will probably do a couple - almost certainly the Crowthorne one as its 2 miles from home and will be interested to learn some trails there that i can link into my usual Swinley routes.
Trying to get my racing-virgin mate to join in with his £3,500 bike!

Saddleback Hill, Bagshot - appears to be at the 'bottom' of Swinley, near (just west of) Pennyhill Park and The Maultway, behind the Old Dean estate.
Crowthorne Woods - is that the one north of the Devil's Highway on the other side of Foresters Way from Swinley?
Porridgepot Hill - yesterday's venue
Tunnel Hill - round 2 venue (Mytchett) from before Christmas

I'm tempted to sign up for the lot, but that's a big chunk of money gone in entry fees (£90ish). They're all pretty local to me, although cycling to Saddleback and Crowthorne might stretch the definition of 'a warm up' to it's limit.

[yellowjack]

Thanks for the explantion, Gren

It makes more sense than the bike mags, who sell it as something 'technically' different, like you need a lighter bike for XC 'cause it's all about going fast over open country and bridleways, etc, and enduro is more technical, heavier going, through woodland and single track, etc, so it needs a stronger bike to take the bigger hits.

For what it's worth, I suspect that some of these genre specific labels are invented by the bike brands to convince us that we really need yet another different bicycle if we want to enter more than one kind of event.

[yellowjack]

Gren said:

That's a different type of Enduro confusingly. Enduro in the Gorrick sense is just endurance racing so tends to be longer - up to 24hrs and is about how far can you go in a time.

Not sure why the currently trendy Enduro is called that as it just seems to be timed 'almost DH' sections interspersed with untimed XC sections. I'm not sure where endurance come into it any more than other racing?

So. To sum up, there's no shame in having been confused by the various 'tags'. And as far as Gorrick events are concerned, 'Enduro' is based on a time limited event where the distance raced can vary, even between individuals in the same event, whereas their XC stuff is a set number of laps, a simple 'race' in the traditional sense. And 'trendy' Enduro is for the larger chaps on 'All Mountain' or 'Downhill' bikes, who use their mass to assist gravity in getting them to the bottom of hills as fast as possible, but who dislike flat and uphill sections, so don't count those bits for the purposes of race results?

I'm sure I've got that sussed now...

[yellowjack]

richardxjr said:

Re SPD shoes YJ, my second pair for muddy larks are these £20 ones from PX. Limited sizes left, but they are bloody brilliant both on and off the bike. Cleats from the aforementioned M520s fit. Go half a size up if poss to fit thick warm socks in without restricting air flow. Actually, mine are a full size bigger than my normal shoes and are fine in winter.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/SHCRIMUR/carnac-impac...

Thanks for that link, Richard, but I think I'm looking for something with a little more in the way of tread on the sole, probably even with the studs at the toe, too. Almost everywhere I ride locally can turn into heavy going with a bit of moist weather, and I'd like to be able to get up the sides of hills and gulleys dragging a bike if necessary. I've still got those SPD pedals you gifted me, I've just not invested in the shoes and cleats to go with them. That, along with the fact that I'm still considering something along the lines of the DMR V8/V12 pedals with some 'proper' MTB flat shoes.

Receipt of a decent sized cheque from my solicitor in the next week or so should have me in a position to buy something fairly decent, so I'll need to make up my mind about it soon. I've happily used SPD SL pedals on my road bike for the last four years, so I'm not 'scared' of clipping in, I'm just not convinced of the benefits (for me, at least) off-road, where (especially at the start of races) there is more need to dab a foot down at short notice. Those Carnac shoes do look ideal for the old steel bike that'll become 'Frankenbike' when I get a replacement road bike sorted.