Battle On The Beach

[gazza285]

Who's going then? I'm there on my single speed, and I've noticed Yellowjack is in as well. Anybody else flying the PH flag?

[gazza285]

I have bought a 17t sprocket, gearing up a bit for the sandy section, and I'll grind the singletrack.

There's a few of us going down Jack, and we'll have the double pop-up Stadium Riders gazebo out if you are lonely...

[gazza285]

Struggled to maintain pace on the beach, I'd geared up the single speed to a 36/17, but was still spinning out. Ended up having to pass loads of people once we were off the beach. Great fun though.

Vet 40, 110th.
Overall 261st.
Singlespeed 13th.

1st lap 38:54.37.
2nd lap 41:41.67.
3rd lap 39:31.17.
Overall 2:00:06.20.

A bit pissed off at missing under two hours by six seconds, I'll drop another tooth off the back sprocket for next year, or go the more sensible route and use a cyclocross bike...

[gazza285]

I'm in again, thinking about riding a hardtail this year, with gears. No camping though, as it is in the Easter break I am thinking about a cottage for the week.

[gazza285]

Not bothering this year, after being told I could not have a refund last year and writing off two entry fees.

[gazza285]

yellowjack said:

gazza285 said:

Not bothering this year, after being told I could not have a refund last year and writing off two entry fees.

That's disappointing to hear. I'm pretty certain they mentioned a refund on this year's pages, if the event had to be cancelled.

Maybe in your case it's because the event insurance was taken out pre-Covid? I knew they'd rolled entries over from 2020 to 2021 after it was postponed a few times to new dates. I was grumpy about that to be honest, because it meant they didn't sell entries for the 2021 event in anywhere near the usual numbers, if they sold any at all.

Fingers crossed that things settle down before April now. My brother has already promised me dinner after the race, and is loaning me my niece and nephew as a cheerleading squad...

The window for a refund finished about eight months before the event, not really ideal.

[gazza285]

Me and the youth are racing again. Being sensible this time and riding a bicycle with gears.

[gazza285]

Sat in my Airbnb in Burry Port. I have ridden a bicycle twice this year. “Preparation?” I hear you cry…

Well I bought a new chain, but I’m not going to fit that before a beach race. Squirted some wire and chain lube I nicked from work on the drive chain, then wiped off the resulting mess. Chucked the bikes on the roof rack, should maybe have checked the pressures first, but I’m sure they are fine. What could possibly go wrong?

First XC race in just over three years, covid fked up my racing lifestyle, I’ve never felt the urge since I stopped in 2020, but we will see what happens. Probably still beat Yellowjack.

[gazza285]

Beat Yellowjack.