Author: Cris Bloomfield

Yesterday I rode the 47 mile Mary Towneley Loop in a charity event organised by the Rossendale Harriers. It’s an event that’s stirred up some discussion elsewhere as these two links demonstrate: It could have been nasty and some positive notes. Here’s some pictures.

The weather started off looking bleak but improved during the day. I have to say that I had a really good day out, even though I was completely toasted by the time I arrived home. The FSR is sitting next to me none too impressed with it’s new mud coat and I have to say I was none too impressed to realise I had forgotten to fit a Lizard Skin over the rear shock only after I was about 10 miles into the loop – which was probably the muddiest bit. Cutting the seatpost down and fitting a quick release proved to be a big asset when it came to nailing a few descents, it just makes the whole thing a bit more chuckable. Good times.

A big thanks to Andy (Burger) for keeping me company especially when I hit the wall climbing up out of Hebden Bridge and for putting up with me walking a lot of the bits that he powered up. Maybe I should use that granny gear more, but I put it down to that old cyclo-cross mentality I established in Guernsey, if you can walk as fast or faster than you can ride you might as well stretch your legs. On the other hand having a Santa Cruz Superlight and being in much better shape than me probably helped a lot too.

Laura is back. The cunning plan for extra leg-room on the plane worked and I’m impressed.

Someone with more technical knowledge than me has hacked the Howies site. I’m boycotting Levis. The world is a big place, there’s room for both of them, but I’d only buy stuff from one of them – the one that sponsors up and coming riders, is trying to become ever more environmentally understanding and produces brochures you’ll want to keep.

Some people just know best and no matter what you tell them, they either don’t listen or don’t want to listen. Life must be great. Please, just don’t come back complaining when you realise that what you’ve purchased isn’t ideal for what you wanted it for. Somehow you just know that they will.

This is just a laugh, but what comes next is just plain scary. They’re organised, they have worked out how to use computers, they can communicate with each other, but they just don’t get that they are despised. Scallytastic. It’s like well heavy and well light innit?

Biker phoned today trying to tempt be out to Switzerland. There’s no need I’m going. More mountain adventure is offered by Pyractif and they want some one to redo their website…

It’s eleven-thirty and I’m just updating the site, trying to chill out after a phone call that shouldn’t have stressed me out, but did. It was one of those I don’t want to be talking to you right now, but it’d be rude to say so situations. Meanwhile whilst half listening, outside it has temporarily stopped raining, but there are enough ambulances and police riot vans shooting past, sirens blaring to think that central Manchester is in the grip of some major disaster.

Fortunately, Zero 7 are now providing some relaxing melodies in surround sound and by the time I finish this post, I’m sure that I’ll have forgotten what it was that really annoyed me. I think the weather has a lot to do with it, I managed to get soaked just riding in to work this morning and it rained all day. The Mary Towneley Loop ride this weekend is going to be a bit muddy I reckon.

Well the launch of the Singletrack Magazine Information Bureau seems to have been a bit of a success. Thanks to everyone who has offered compliments, support and constructive feedback. I’d just like to say thanks to Chipps, Mark and Shaun for putting so much time, effort and financial commitment into the magazine and the Singletrackworld website – I’m sure I’m only one of the few that appreciates the end result. It’s a work in progress and since launch there are now a few links to full on-line bike reviews, including this Soulful little number…

The Information Bureau name is actually ripped-off The Designers Republic which is ironic given one of their bits of artwork is entitled: talent borrows, genius steals. They have a rather radical concept of design that is nicely summed up by there remark: All Art is Shit. All Shit is Art. Apparently they in turn stole it from Terry Gilliam. I’m not surprised. In a similar vein, take a look at this.

I downloaded a copy of Stopadoodledoo on Wednesday and have to say that if you haven’t seen a copy yet, that you should check it out. I think the concept is great, the content amusing and the writing style representative of a new era in journalism. Take that any which way you want. I’m looking forward to the next instalment.

The 661 rep was in today. I didn’t know that they used to be Axo UK, this brought much amusement as we reminisced about day glow Axo Pony’s. I also now know that 661 is the area code of the part of California in which the company is based. The fact that the numbers add up to 13 is coincidental. Anyway some interesting stuff from them, I’m particularly taken with their full-face carbon lid, which might be suitable for a bit of boarder-x use. I’m contemplating a purchase.

Well there’s a fair few links to report tonight. The latest from James Annan (if it really was him that posted it) abot QRs and disc brakes is here, as you’ll see it didn’t meet with everyone’s tastes. Forum regular Ben Haworth has some nice bike-related photos for your viewing pleasure over at his site, Richard Barton has just finished fettling with the Stirling Bike Club site which is now back up and there is sad news from the Giro, Cipo has stacked it and is out, but Simoni is still in Pink. I’m not sure that I like the colour and I think matching shades is just going too far. Finally Mike Porter over at Pink Bike needs some help in keeping his sanity whilst he’s off the bike and Laura’s in the Jet stream over the Atlantic on her way back as I type:

From: Laura
Subject: Back in Boulder

Ahhhh it’s my last full day in Boulder! It’s about 80 outside! Just to rub it in that I’m leaving the sunshine I feel! But I’m heading up to my research site to finish that stuff off so get to be out in it all afternoon! Whooopeeee! Have to find something to do that doesn’t cost money as I spent the last of it yesterday! Oooops! Doesn’t feel like I’m leaving tomorrow! I’ve come up with a cunning plan to get a legroom seat on the plane! I’m going to wear my shorts and put a bandage on my leg so it looks like I’m injured and then get the sympathy vote for the legroom! How cunning am I?

speak to you soon

L

Returning from sunny Colorado to West Yorks in the current weather is going to be a bit of a downer I reckon. Odds on getting rumbled on the plane scam are pretty high in my book, but good luck.

Singletrack announced the launch of the Information Bureau (Mag Archive) today, read the full story here.

For those that have missed it whilst there’s been some technical problems, Drunkcyclist.com (not safe for work) is back up:

From: Big Jonny
Subject: DC

Ah, it is all fixed up now. I have no idea what happened, just that I’ve managed to sort it out.

Good times here in the states.

big jonny

Work has been taking over things recently, which is good because I’ve been pretty slack of late. Basically I’m modelling the environmental change of a region over time using software that can create images like those on the WCS website

Talking of amazing landscape images, I came across this website over the last few days. After the trip across France last year I would seriously consider something along the lines of what these guys did, although I’m not sure how much scope there would be for really fun offroad on a bike setup for touring. I’m sure it could be done.

Did manage to get out on the Singlespeed for just over an hour on Sunday without getting too wet. This has prompted two things. Firstly, for some perverse reason I am actually beginning to like singlespeeding now and am beginning to get used to the fact that I can’t change gear. I’m even thinking about a new SS specific bike, I have two frames in mind both classics from big US companies. I think I’ll see how the UKSS champs go first. The other thing is that all this wet and ‘orrible weather just won’t do. Therefore I have dug this out to remind me of much nicer weather from last year.

Corty and I ride the Tour of the Surrey Hills

Whilst on the STW Forum today it seems that few people have heard about Russ Pinders’s unfortunate accident that has left him paralysed from the chest down. This is the Russ Pinder story that was originally reported on the Singletrackworld Forum. For those that don’t know what happened to Russ these two threads capture the essence: This is Serious & The Worst.

There have been many subsequent posts about Russ since then and this was the incident that has started all recent discussion about disc brakes and front wheel quick releases – see this report. In all a very nasty business and one that makes us all appreciate the risks involved in our sport. I have never met Russ, but like many others on the Forum I wish him all the very best for the future. There is an appeal set up in Russ’s honour with all proceeds going to the air ambulance.

Another week’s flown by. Managed to get in the workshop yesterday and have finally finished rebuilding my ti-spoked rear wheel that I managed to destroy in Thetford at the end of February. I’ve also ordered some new tyres, those Conty XCs will have to wait for some really muddy weather before I get them out again.

Last night whilst doing the washing (exciting life eh?), I read Mountain Biking UK. Now MBUK introduced me to mountain biking in some ways, but I have to say there isn’t much about that magazine that still reminds me of those days. We’ve both changed, but I think I must have outgrown my old monthly read. I’m not sure what the target audience age range is, but whatever it is I’m pretty worried about some of the content.

Saying that I did enjoy reading a bit more about the Red Bull Ride that happened about five months ago down under and there were some interesting kit reviews, but there was nothing that’ll have me rushing out to buy the next issue.

It’s still raining outside. That said scenes like those in Pete Fagerlin‘s site are guaranteed to take your mind off the weather. Some pretty good video footage on there too. Bizarrely it seems to be reasonably good weather up in Scotland for some.

With the combined UK and Euro Singlespeed Champs approaching (the entry form is out now) there’s a lot of talk, banter and people getting on the SS bandwagon. It might just be me, but normally it’s Mountain Mayhem getting all the press coverage, so maybe there’s a lot more interest in the event this year. Sheldon ‘I look ten years younger’ Brown has an informed perspective on the world of one gear.

Elsewhere attempts to establish a high quality area of North Shore style elevated and technical riding have been dealt a bitter blow, by the loss of the Surrey Shore. Read more on this excellent site from STW regular, Wa. Videos like New World Disorder have really popularised this form of riding, but I’m sure that it’s a style of riding that’s not going to disappear overnight.

The weather outside is grim. Come on summer, pull your act together. Warm weather and sunshine needed please.

Well done to Femke for her results in the Student Track Champs, Gold in the Sprint and Bronze in the TT. The girl’s got style.

Some good news brought to the world by Singletrack yesterday, the quick releases coming undone issue is finally being taken seriously:

QR And Disk Brakes Under Investigation

Trek have today announced that they will be looking into the safety of QR skewers when used with disc brakes.

Many of you will be familiar with the awful news that mountainbiker and Singletrack regular Russell Pinder has suffered permanent paralysis after a major fall from his bike, but what you may not know is that his accident seems to have sparked off a growing suspicion that the combination of QR skewers and disc brakes may have contributed to his and perhaps other similar accidents. Read more…

I’m glad the issue’s been taken up and I hope that a good scientific test is undertaken. As for the results well it’ll answer a lot of questions if it’s done correctly, a bit like it has for the whole issue of homeopathy.

On a bike related note, there is some truly bizarre stuff here. I was witness to one attempt to produce such a homebuilt beast in my bad days on Guernsey, but given that those involved in it’s construction didn’t have access to welding gear it was all held together with jubilee clips, zip ties, string and rubber bands. Riding it was an ‘experience’.

Jed and I now actually have a bit of a plan. On Sunday 1st June we’re riding Peddar’s Way from near Thetford to Holme-next-the-Sea and back again. That’s about 120 miles in a day. As Jed put it: 10 hrs total round trip seems realistic if we take it easy and stop for food etc. Bit like a D2D distance wise without the hassle of lights failing.

Looking forward to that. Should be a good bit of training for the SSUK champs* the next weekend and the Coast-to-Coast we’ve been mooting for later in the Summer. Big Jonny and the Gnome share an apartment, I think it’s just a bit bigger than my flat. Cabin fever certainly makes you get out and ride that’s for sure. Anyway Big Dave’s latest news can be found on the DC site and the Gnome, well he has lots of news about racing, Arizona style.

On a techie note, a few people have been having problems with Mavic Crossride wheels. Well my pair performed flawlessly whilst I had them, but a quick nose on MTBR and the Singletrack forum soon shows that there are some problems. Even a few of the Team Jelly race team and sofa posse have experienced problems. Here’s Jed’s diagnosis:

From: Jed
Subject: Crossride Problem

The way I see it is:
If the bearing adjuster slackens off then the left hand threaded “nut” in the freehub can undo slightly. This “nut” has the axle bearing sitting in it. Only the freehub gets shafted but at 50-60 quid a shot it isn’t cheap.

Mine are Crosslinks but I know of similar problems with Crossrides (Ian
Jones has them). I can relate to the MTBR comments – the wheels are good
while they work but they have weaknesses.

Jed

Sort of says it all really. Singletrack have just brought some rather tasty new clothing to my attention. All I need to do now is justify to myself that yes, I really do need it. Which would be easy were it not for the three bags-for-life of kit stuffed under the bed because I no longer wear it or because it’s out of season. Oh well I suppose there’s no harm in looking…

And on a final note a bit of surfing this morning took me to this. The more I read about Roland Green, the more respect I have for the man. British Race Schedule here.

*SS Champs Dad’s Army Imagery from the Outcast.

Well having been stuck in doors yesterday, while it rained cats and dogs, I was happy to get out and about today. I’ve been planning on heading up to Calderdale for sometime, so I took the train out to Todmorden, sussed out the whereabouts of the Singletrack office and then rode the Expert route feature in Issue 4 of Singletrack. What I had failed to notice is that on the singletrack site there is a section all about trails which features a revised version of the route map.

The fact that I didn’t have that led to a bit of head scratching when I arrived at the bit where the written guide deviates from what the map shows, but after only a slight detour up the wrong valley, I was back on track and had a pretty good days riding. The weather was that sort of sunshine and showers that never leaves you drenched or cold and it was just good riding. The drop down to Cant Clough Reservoir is currently pretty boggy at the top, well boggy enough to swallow my front wheel and sent me flying over the bars into the mud, anyway, but improves closer to the bottom.

Well that mud had nothing on the bridleway river of crud that currently exists along the Lower Intake bridleway just above Shore. Stinky, stagnant, gloopy mud and lots of it. Having to dismount in that lot was a mid-calf submerged experience leaving my race shoes full of crap. I’d finally add that when you leave the golf club carpark and come to a T-junction, you need to turn right and then turn left at the next T-Junction, just a bit further down. Of course if you don’t and like me turn left at the first T-junction you come to you end up riding up a stonking big hill, only to realise about 20 minutes later it’s the wrong one. Doh!

Oh and that last descent down from the cobbled courtyard, certainly is some of the steepest and finest singletrack that I’ve ridden in sometime. Reminded me of a certain bit of cliff path trail in Guernsey.

Well what else has been happening? Well came across this from BBC Scotland, seems pretty ‘rad’… Anyway enough of this mountain biking mullarky. A real man’s race is here again and tonight someone will be wearing pink skin-tight lycra in Italy. Hopefully the colourful sight of watching muscular figures, some with bleached blonde hair and earings, prancing up the mountains with gay abandon won’t be marred with a drugs scandal. Personally I doubt the odds on a dope free race are very good.

Yes the Giro is back. I really hope Cipo gets that record, but I guess there’s a few who wouldn’t mind snatching his glory. Coverage from the official site, the BBC, Cycling News and this from Big Jonny over at Drunkcyclist, which definitely isn’t a site you should be reading at work. Well unless you already work for Hugh Hefner.

Oh and today I managed to get mud all over the flat before I even left. I guess it does pay to clean your shoes from the last ride before you put them on the next time.

Tomorrow I’m on call which means I can’t leave home. I’m planning a big ride in the South Pennines on Monday and I did some street riding this morning on the FSR. I managed to pull a couple of cool stoppies which put a big grin on my face. It’s always interesting to see what you can fit into half an hour before work. The highlight of today at work? Well Alwyn McMath was in and I sold a bike to his sister… I didn’t even try to convince them that knobbly tyres were the way ahead.

There’s some interesting stuff here. I might be tempted to have a look at Titec’s forthcoming telescopic seatpost. Seems like a reasonably good idea if they can pull it off. If it’s knock rated they’re obviously pretty confident that it can take some abuse.

Tonight I shall be mostly wheel building in front of the telly, but I leave you with…