new season

[VamP]

Well you know that thing about a butterfly's wings...

I am having mid-season rethink about having adequate kit for this season. One tub dead, two hubs on their way out, the only wheel set that's in perfect nick are my diamond files, and they will likely not come out again this year!

Decided to bring in another wheelset (Chinese crabon) and mount up with Typhoons. With that, and a patch up job on the rest, I hope to last till January.

In the meantime, my spare bike will be on clinchers...

 

[VamP]

Mistley Cross was an object lesson in the importance of having a second bike. Snapped saddle rails on lap 5 would have been an instant DNF with just a pair of wheels in the pits, but having a spare bike meant I could rejoin the battle after limping to the pits standing up. Loss of two or three places instead of the whole race.

I'm also having a rethink on the wisdom of carbon railed saddles for cross

 

[The Couch]

Mistley Cross was an object lesson in the importance of having a second bike. Snapped saddle rails on lap 5 would have been an instant DNF with just a pair of wheels in the pits, but having a spare bike meant I could rejoin the battle after limping to the pits standing up. Loss of two or three places instead of the whole race.

I'm also having a rethink on the wisdom of carbon railed saddles for cross

Wow, you actually have a spare bike standing ready ... I thought you were just doing amateur racing?
(There are sometimes even "pro's" - like Alexander Revel - who only have spare tires available)

 

[dan_bo]

I'm also having a rethink on the wisdom of carbon railed saddles

First of the season on sunday now i've got over me throat infection- 'tis the Clough! Mainly mud and roots with a steep mossy tarmac climb in the lap. In fact there's LOADS of mud of all different kinds- slick slidy mud, grassy claggy mud and proper stop-you-dead-and-faceplant mud.

Can't wait.

 

[VamP]

Wow, you actually have a spare bike standing ready ... I thought you were just doing amateur racing?
(There are sometimes even "pro's" - like Alexander Revel - who only have spare tires available)

Hah, you think amateur equals unfocused? We take our cross seriously in these parts

A spare bike is a bit of a luxury, but I would say about a third of the League have a spare, about a third have spare wheels, and about a third wing it. The most focused ones have a pit bitch too . Mine's on maternity leave sadly

 

[VamP]

First of the season on sunday now i've got over me throat infection- 'tis the Clough! Mainly mud and roots with a steep mossy tarmac climb in the lap. In fact there's LOADS of mud of all different kinds- slick slidy mud, grassy claggy mud and proper stop-you-dead-and-faceplant mud.

Can't wait.

Yes! Get in there!

 

[dan_bo]

That was a tough race. Shimano make some good stuff don't they?

 

[oldroadman]

The rear mech/gear hanger did well to survive!

 

[VamP]

Good stuff. Hope your hanger is a replaceable one!

I bet the Shark loved that.

 

[dan_bo]

Feck yers all I got the clydesdale prize today. Tenner in my bin.

Haha.

 

[VamP]

Feck yers all I got the clydesdale prize today. Tenner in my bin.

Haha.

Nice one. Whas yer entry fees up north like?

 

[dan_bo]

14 Quid.

 

[dan_bo]

 

[VamP]

Last two races I made a profit of £13 after entry fees. I am refusing to consider all the races without payola, the fuel money, the cake money and the kit upgrades and replacement.


Yay I made a profit of £13

 

[oldroadman]

Last two races I made a profit of £13 after entry fees. I am refusing to consider all the races without payola, the fuel money, the cake money and the kit upgrades and replacement.


Yay I made a profit of £13

Don't give up the day job just yet then!