Category: Mountain Biking

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Stripping and Weighing

A year on and with no racing this weekend I thought it a good time to strip my Corratec Bow and give it a good service. Whilst apart I thought I would have a little session with the kitchen scales (shhh dont tell Cath) and look for some cost effective weight savings before I put it back together. I might even treat the frame to a little Purple Harry polish 😉

weight in gms

Map Board 350  
Zefal plastic bottle cage 46  
Reba SL inc crown race 1618  
XT HT2 Chainset 772  
XT Rear Mech 230  
Chain 274  
XTR Pedals 326  
Seat Clamp 28  
XT Front mech 150  
LX Bottom Braket 98  
Lock on Grips 80  
Rest of headset and spacers 88  
3T ARX team stem 110mm 126  
ZZYZX Bar-600mm 5degree 230  
Front Avid Elixir CR 296  
Rear Avid Elixir CR 318  
Reba SL Lockout 42  
XT Rear shifter & Cable 188  
XT Front shifter & Cable 150  
Seatpost 160  
Seat 202  
Frame 2048  
Avid 185 rotor 148  
6 bolts 12  
Avid 160 mm rotor 102  
Rear wheel complete 1920  
Front wheel complete 1616  
  11356  
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Cough Cough Cough Cough!

I’m very aware I am not posting very much on my blog at present, having been ill and don’t want to be too negative but thought I’d better do a little update.
It started with a small calf strain following the snowy street orienteering event at the end of November. After a couple of days rest I stupidly took the Singlespeed out on a recreational ride round Hanchurch Woods. At the end of this my calf was worse than ever so I was forced to rest it. I then caught a stomach bug from Holly, followed by full on Flu. It wasn’t that man flu thing where you sniff a bit, I was flat out on the sofa for two days, finding it hard to do anything. The cold from this flu then went to my chest and I’ve been trying to cough my lungs up pretty much since.
I had been looking forward to the Military Challenge, and by all accounts it was a classic, won by Ben Plowman in a little under 3 hours just 47 secs in front of Ifor. Full results and maps available here

http://www.emituk.com/results/2010/101229_baoc/index.htm

The turn out for the event is a little disappointing, there usually being far more competitors when it is on the weekend before Xmas.
So what next for me, well I tried a 30 min recovery ride on the turbo last night which didn’t go particularly well, forcing more coughing a wheezing, so it was definitely the right decision not to go down to Longmoor.
Today (30th dec) I feel a little better so I might do another turbo recovery ride tonight and perhaps a slightly longer MTB ride on New Years Eve. I am meant to be running in the New Years Day score foot O event, and the club champs is on Sunday. Hmmm a bit too much too soon I think……..
 

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Drivetrain woes

After a few issues shifting into big ring and a little chain-suck during my last race I thought perhaps that , even though the current chain hasn't done that much, I ought to replace it before things got too worn, forcing wholesale replacement of the complete drive train.
A quick test ride on the chase has left me in a quandry. I'm getting a little bit of jumping on one cog at the back. Not much, and not on a gear I use that much but still annoying. The alternative £50 on yet another cassette, and the big ring at the front is a bit worn, where to stop? particularly with at least 3 months of winter racing before the international season gets going properly when the bike needs to be in perfect condition..
I think Ill just put up with it and replace the whole lot in March, when I put the bow on a bit of a diet!

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Preview – Military Challenge 2011

With Christmas fast approaching, its that time of year that brings a long trip down south for the event made to burn off those extra calories gained in the party season: The Military Challenge.

The Challenge for me over the last few years has been not just the event but the travel there and back, particularly last year when the event was nearly cancelled due to the snowy conditions.  

This year the timing of the event moves to the Wednesday between Christmas and New Year and the event returns to Longmoor Camp, with a promise of more intricate navigation with a series of butterfly loops. See you there!

http://www.baoc.org.uk/events/101229_flier.pdf

 

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Stodge-blog has the egg-factor!

Stodge-blog won ! Thanks to everyone who voted, my egg cup and certificate arrived this morning. Together with a case of cereal. Forget X factor, Strictly or any other annual reality TV voting extravaganza, the Stodge-blog vs Molly and the Princess battle topped them all.
So how come I won when Molly jumped ahead on the last night. I dont know much but apparently there was some voting irregularities by parties unknown that Dorset Cereals had to investigate before eventually declaring the mountain bike the winner.
Trouble is I'm now winning the December awards, time to take the vote for me widget down I think.
Thanks again and thanks to Dorset Cereals, other cereals are available but yours are the best, Stodge.