Globalti
Legendary Member
Got back from Khartoum yesterday so took a day off work and went up to Dunsop Bridge (centre of the UK) in the Bowland Forest, where I thought I'd try the bike on Hornby Road, which is a very ancient track running NW about 10 miles from Slaidburn across the tops of the fells.
The first five miles on tarmac were fine although definitely slower than on the carbon roadie then I got on to worn out concrete shooters' track and dropped the tyre pressures a bit. The tyres are slicks so quite skittish on gravelly surfaces but with a bit of yomping I made it to the top of the fell. Turned left then and took a cheeky trail down into a little valley that leads back to Whitendale Farm. Riding down a gentle hill on tussocky grass was when the off-road limitation of the bike became clear - I just didn't have the confidence that I'd have had on the mountain bike and ended up walking some bits I know I've ridden in the past. Got to some horribly boggy sections and the bike was pretty good, bearing in mind I was on slicks it ploughed through bogs well, holding a good line and not sinking in as much as I expected - maybe the 700 size wheels are better for crossing boggy ground. Having quite a stiff ali frame might help as you feel as if all your effort is going straight to the back wheel.
Once I got back onto smoother ground it was great, blasting effortlessly along singletrack, then farm track and down through fields at a good rate, then really fast for the last 4 miles down a nice smooth tarmac access road. Back to Dunsop Bridge as darkness fell and drank a pint of tea in the cafe while yarning with Trevor the owner by a nice warm log fire.
Altogether a good couple of hours out. A bike like this would have been great for the Polaris trailquest events I used to do a lot, the speed would definitely give you an advantage.... I wonder if Polaris allow crossers?
The first five miles on tarmac were fine although definitely slower than on the carbon roadie then I got on to worn out concrete shooters' track and dropped the tyre pressures a bit. The tyres are slicks so quite skittish on gravelly surfaces but with a bit of yomping I made it to the top of the fell. Turned left then and took a cheeky trail down into a little valley that leads back to Whitendale Farm. Riding down a gentle hill on tussocky grass was when the off-road limitation of the bike became clear - I just didn't have the confidence that I'd have had on the mountain bike and ended up walking some bits I know I've ridden in the past. Got to some horribly boggy sections and the bike was pretty good, bearing in mind I was on slicks it ploughed through bogs well, holding a good line and not sinking in as much as I expected - maybe the 700 size wheels are better for crossing boggy ground. Having quite a stiff ali frame might help as you feel as if all your effort is going straight to the back wheel.
Once I got back onto smoother ground it was great, blasting effortlessly along singletrack, then farm track and down through fields at a good rate, then really fast for the last 4 miles down a nice smooth tarmac access road. Back to Dunsop Bridge as darkness fell and drank a pint of tea in the cafe while yarning with Trevor the owner by a nice warm log fire.
Altogether a good couple of hours out. A bike like this would have been great for the Polaris trailquest events I used to do a lot, the speed would definitely give you an advantage.... I wonder if Polaris allow crossers?