Last friday Mark2, Dave and I got up very early to hit the M25 before the morning rush and headed up to Woburn Sands, near Milton Keynes, for an MTB coaching session with Tony "Jedi" Doyle of UK Bike Skills. I've been researching MTB coaching since our session with R Kelly and had come to the conclusion that Jedi was just what we need in terms of moving on our technical capabilities.
Fortunately this turned out to be correct! Tony focuses a lot of effort on the phsycological aspects of riding, although of course the technical skills need to be present too. This included working out our individual learning styles (all visual kinetic) so that he could tailor his approach to us. I think we had an advantage in terms of understanding (if not always doing) the basics of looking, footwork and VPC's etc that we had picked up from Richard.
Tony built on this with energy management, introducing us to the push and bilateral pumping. We then moved onto a small drop to implement these techniques.
Once he was happy we had got it he took us to a tabletop to practice and then onto a linked series of berms to focus on our cornering.
We had the advantage of a lovely day at Woburn and the new technical trails there certainly pushed us.
The finale of the day was a steep track, starting with steep loamy berms, running through a "black grade" drop of about 3 feet and finishing with a 7 ft double. Tony broke it into sections for us to session and then we finished with several runs at the whole thing. We all cracked the trail and came away very stoked!
As a part of the deal Tony asks you to keep in touch by mail and to ask him any questions which arise as you try to put the skills into practice day to day. He's keen that we share and discuss our learnings with our riding group (apologies to Dunnie and Andy who got the first taste of this on saturday!).
From my own perspective it didn't contradict the RK experience (they are both CTC qualified) but built on that foundation and took it to the next level. I also feel really confident at the moment, demonstrated by the fact that I took on the double on Donnie Darko for the first time on saturday without issue.
I would absolutely recommend that any of you guys who want to move your riding on look up UK Bike Skills and get yourselves up there. There is also a blog and some photos of our day on the link.
Rich
A quick ride through the Surrey Hills with a group of 40 something mtbers who really should know better!
Monday, 2 August 2010
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Mark's Hardtail Project
The Dunnie hardtail project is also underway - current purchases:
-Bikestand
-Avid Elixir CR (£200 from Merlin, complete set & shifters)
-On One 456 in Chocolate Brown (can't see the mud so much...) - see above
-Fox Float RL 150mm travel front forks (black)
- Refurbed V12 Pedals from my Trek
- Various other bits from the Trek (bars, stem etc)
I have taken a different approach to budget - as far as Mrs Dunnie is concerned all of the strange packages arriving are 'bits for the bike' (note that I haven't said whcih bike...
Estimated completion date - just before Andy's bike!
See you on the hill
Dunnie
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Prince Albert Hardtail Project
Project Update - 8th July 2010
Business case written, presented and approved.
Financial authority granted - but with monthly budgetary constraints.
Planning phase and trial phases complete.
Procurement phase in progress.
Purchases this month :-
Business case written, presented and approved.
Financial authority granted - but with monthly budgetary constraints.
Planning phase and trial phases complete.
Procurement phase in progress.
Purchases this month :-
- Bike stand (not strictly part of the build, and therefore not classed as part of the project from a financial perspective).
- Fox Float 32 RL 150 15mmQR in black (who needs compression adjust anyway - when have we ever adjusted our compression settings??) - £399.00. New!! Bargain I say!
- Dialled Bikes Prince Albert Hardtail frame in orange.
Monday, 5 July 2010
Double Demo!
Date : 3rd July 2010
Riders : Bish, Grievous Andy
Area : Leith, Holmbury and Abinger
With the Higher Authority permission gained, I am embarking on my self build project! I have been granted a monthly budget, with governance arrangements if I need to go over that!! So with the nod given, I arranged to demo a Dialled Bikes Prince Albert Hardtail, with 140mm travel!
Bish and I met up at 0845 at cliftonville and headed down to Head for the Hills. Whilst I was picking up the Prince Albert, Bish decided to take out the Alpine and give that a go!! We headed off on our “new” bikes, out to Milton Heath, to take the road behind Westcott and up to Leith via Squires farm. Both us us were immediately struck by how squeaky our front brakes were.... which unfortunately stayed with us for the whole of the ride.
The first thing I noticed was how bouncy the rear end was – it's been a while since I've been on a hardtail! But also how light the bike was – easy to control and fun to through around! We headed straight up to the bomb holes, past deliverance and on to the tower. The climb to the tower was fast – due to the lightness of the bike, and I found it remarkably easy! We didn't stop and instead headed off to the play area on the other side of Leith. We sessioned this area a number of times, trying out the drop and the nice kicker with both bikes. I found the jumps much easier with the hardtail and the bike just seemed to glide....
After a little while, we headed off towards the quarry, disappointed that the the large rock pile had disappeared!! We rode through the quarry and bombed down through High Ashes farm. Half way along the bridle way, my chain snapped, so we needed to take a forced break to fix it. Chain repaired, we headed off to Holmbury, guiding some South African contingent back towards Leith, as we went.
We headed to the summit to look at the fantastic sunny, if a little hazy view, and then blasted down yoghurt pots, racing past a group tentatively waiting at the entrance. Yoghurt pots caned, we headed on down towards the Volunteer pub and then up over the back fields towards Abinger Roughs. A smooth squeaky brakes ride back towards Dorking.
The Alpine
So aside of the error with the fork travel setting, the ride overall was very successful, and roll on the Prince Albert purchase......
Riders : Bish, Grievous Andy
Area : Leith, Holmbury and Abinger
With the Higher Authority permission gained, I am embarking on my self build project! I have been granted a monthly budget, with governance arrangements if I need to go over that!! So with the nod given, I arranged to demo a Dialled Bikes Prince Albert Hardtail, with 140mm travel!
Bish and I met up at 0845 at cliftonville and headed down to Head for the Hills. Whilst I was picking up the Prince Albert, Bish decided to take out the Alpine and give that a go!! We headed off on our “new” bikes, out to Milton Heath, to take the road behind Westcott and up to Leith via Squires farm. Both us us were immediately struck by how squeaky our front brakes were.... which unfortunately stayed with us for the whole of the ride.
The first thing I noticed was how bouncy the rear end was – it's been a while since I've been on a hardtail! But also how light the bike was – easy to control and fun to through around! We headed straight up to the bomb holes, past deliverance and on to the tower. The climb to the tower was fast – due to the lightness of the bike, and I found it remarkably easy! We didn't stop and instead headed off to the play area on the other side of Leith. We sessioned this area a number of times, trying out the drop and the nice kicker with both bikes. I found the jumps much easier with the hardtail and the bike just seemed to glide....
After a little while, we headed off towards the quarry, disappointed that the the large rock pile had disappeared!! We rode through the quarry and bombed down through High Ashes farm. Half way along the bridle way, my chain snapped, so we needed to take a forced break to fix it. Chain repaired, we headed off to Holmbury, guiding some South African contingent back towards Leith, as we went.
We headed to the summit to look at the fantastic sunny, if a little hazy view, and then blasted down yoghurt pots, racing past a group tentatively waiting at the entrance. Yoghurt pots caned, we headed on down towards the Volunteer pub and then up over the back fields towards Abinger Roughs. A smooth squeaky brakes ride back towards Dorking.
Stopping in a field to hoist our bikes over a gate we decided to photo them for prosperity! It was only then that I realised the forks were Fox Talas and set to 100mm travel, instead of 140mm – D'Oh. Adjusting them to 140mm immediately changed the ride position (for the better!!), and I only had a mile back to the shop! Bugger!!!
The Prince Albert
The Prince Albert
The AlpineSo aside of the error with the fork travel setting, the ride overall was very successful, and roll on the Prince Albert purchase......
Monday, 28 June 2010
Are We All Getting Too Old for This????
I know I haven't been out with you guys for a while but have been riding in other fields. I rode end to end of Ireland last week. 400 miles in 4 days on a road bike. Spit. Great countryside with more hills than the LEJOG version. Once finished, I got the old hardtail out, dusted it down and arranged atrip with the girls on a Wednesday night at Swinley. Your blogs about injuries and scrapes and falls put me off the Thursday nights until my skills are improved.
Seven of us, set off at 1830 with only me on a hardtail, the rest on their comfy sofa bikes. I managed to keep up as the temperature hit 25 degrees. We rode the normal trails and I asked if 'the labarynth' could be on our schedule. Simon had stated that it was a cracking ride.
We went down this great track and it lived up to it's reputation. After it was knocked off, Andy, an ex downhill racer suggested we go and do a jump he had done last week. We made our way to an area furthest from the car park and virtually on the M3. Andy went to the top of the hill to get the required speed for take off. The rest of us lined the route to watch the spectacle. Andy made two aborted approaches and appeared to be going too fast for the corner before the jump. On the third attempt, Andy hit the jump, off line, and launched into the air. He landed off line on an incline and was thrown over the front of the bike and landed with an awful thud against a substantial tree stump.
I was fearing the worst but Andy moved and got to his feet. However, he had taken one hell of a bang on his left shoulder and back. His helmet was split on the left side also. The bike was a mess with all the cables wrenched out snapped and fluid peeing out. A quick assessment said that Andy needed to be checked out properly and quickly. Two guys went to get a vehicle in to evacuate and we started to walk out with Andy. He deteriorated after the initial adrenilin rush and shock set in. It would now require Ambulance.
Andy was evacuated and the ambulance took him to Frimley Park Hospital. He suffered, Collar Bone- fused joint- displaced. two #ribs, Shoulder ligaments ripped and back muscles torn. Big bump on head.
You can see him jumping on 16/6 and 23/6 on you tube. Put in Bracknell Cycling with 23/6. He is such a nutter that he only had one day off before returning to his loft extension business. RESPECT.
Seven of us, set off at 1830 with only me on a hardtail, the rest on their comfy sofa bikes. I managed to keep up as the temperature hit 25 degrees. We rode the normal trails and I asked if 'the labarynth' could be on our schedule. Simon had stated that it was a cracking ride.
We went down this great track and it lived up to it's reputation. After it was knocked off, Andy, an ex downhill racer suggested we go and do a jump he had done last week. We made our way to an area furthest from the car park and virtually on the M3. Andy went to the top of the hill to get the required speed for take off. The rest of us lined the route to watch the spectacle. Andy made two aborted approaches and appeared to be going too fast for the corner before the jump. On the third attempt, Andy hit the jump, off line, and launched into the air. He landed off line on an incline and was thrown over the front of the bike and landed with an awful thud against a substantial tree stump.
I was fearing the worst but Andy moved and got to his feet. However, he had taken one hell of a bang on his left shoulder and back. His helmet was split on the left side also. The bike was a mess with all the cables wrenched out snapped and fluid peeing out. A quick assessment said that Andy needed to be checked out properly and quickly. Two guys went to get a vehicle in to evacuate and we started to walk out with Andy. He deteriorated after the initial adrenilin rush and shock set in. It would now require Ambulance.
Andy was evacuated and the ambulance took him to Frimley Park Hospital. He suffered, Collar Bone- fused joint- displaced. two #ribs, Shoulder ligaments ripped and back muscles torn. Big bump on head.
You can see him jumping on 16/6 and 23/6 on you tube. Put in Bracknell Cycling with 23/6. He is such a nutter that he only had one day off before returning to his loft extension business. RESPECT.
Monday, 21 June 2010
2-Headed Dave
Following Thursday nights' successful Leith/Redlands jaunt with Dave2, Mark, Andy & Tom (taking in Milton Gore, Bombholes, Ghurka, Windy Willows, Bossanova, Personal Hygene, No Cycles, Regurgitator, Foot and Mouth and finally Firebeater) Saturday brought a smaller crew of three riders.
Heading over to Peaslake at 0800 by car & van Mark2, Dave and I popped into Pedal and Spoke for some final directions to a trail on Winterfold and then headed up to the summit of Pitch. From there we dropped down to the quarry car park and climbed up to the Windmill. We tried a drop I had discovered last week (and filmed it for posterity) and then carried on to "2-headed dog" (another feature I had located last week). Having left instructions about the severity of the 2nd section and the need to kill your speed I rolled down and set up the camera to film Dave's first attempt. Dave hit the first drop quickly and didn't appear to brake at all before the second, flying over it and crossing up the handlebars, whilst dropping several feet and landing dramatically on his head and shoulder.
He scraped loads of skin off his shoulder, ripping his sub gear armoured top in the process and complained of a sore head and wobbly vision! Mark and I administered some first aid on his shoulder which was gleaming white with adipose tissue!
As Dave was now showing all the symptoms of concussion we decided to head back to the cars. However as we passed the trail head for "Orange Clawhammer / Christmas Pudding" Dave felt well enough to have a look. It's a cracking bit of singletrack and I look forward to riding it in anger soon. We headed back to the car park via some nice flowing trails and had a cup of tea and some food at Peaslake. Dave went to the Doctors later and was confirmed as concussed.
On sunday I went for a ride with Rog from Head for the Hills. He led up onto Ranmore via the Pilgrims Way and took me to a completely new area on the Denbies side. A corking trail split into 3 sections christened RWR (Red, White & Rose) it will be a welcome addition to our thursday evening repetoire. We then took on the horrid Box Hill climb to ride China Pig - very fast at the moment and then ascended again onto the back side of Box Hill. From here we rode over heathland to the old water tower which is the start of one of the gnarliest descents I've ever ridden! Rooty, skinny and off-camber to start with it drops into a huge bermed bowl which is so steep I basically hung off the back and locked up both wheels all the way down - it's like Numbskull, Blind Terror and Abba Zabba turned up to 11!
It spits you out (literally) to the old lime pits in Brockham and we took the rode back to Dorking from there. Gnarly dude!
Heading over to Peaslake at 0800 by car & van Mark2, Dave and I popped into Pedal and Spoke for some final directions to a trail on Winterfold and then headed up to the summit of Pitch. From there we dropped down to the quarry car park and climbed up to the Windmill. We tried a drop I had discovered last week (and filmed it for posterity) and then carried on to "2-headed dog" (another feature I had located last week). Having left instructions about the severity of the 2nd section and the need to kill your speed I rolled down and set up the camera to film Dave's first attempt. Dave hit the first drop quickly and didn't appear to brake at all before the second, flying over it and crossing up the handlebars, whilst dropping several feet and landing dramatically on his head and shoulder.
He scraped loads of skin off his shoulder, ripping his sub gear armoured top in the process and complained of a sore head and wobbly vision! Mark and I administered some first aid on his shoulder which was gleaming white with adipose tissue!
As Dave was now showing all the symptoms of concussion we decided to head back to the cars. However as we passed the trail head for "Orange Clawhammer / Christmas Pudding" Dave felt well enough to have a look. It's a cracking bit of singletrack and I look forward to riding it in anger soon. We headed back to the car park via some nice flowing trails and had a cup of tea and some food at Peaslake. Dave went to the Doctors later and was confirmed as concussed.
On sunday I went for a ride with Rog from Head for the Hills. He led up onto Ranmore via the Pilgrims Way and took me to a completely new area on the Denbies side. A corking trail split into 3 sections christened RWR (Red, White & Rose) it will be a welcome addition to our thursday evening repetoire. We then took on the horrid Box Hill climb to ride China Pig - very fast at the moment and then ascended again onto the back side of Box Hill. From here we rode over heathland to the old water tower which is the start of one of the gnarliest descents I've ever ridden! Rooty, skinny and off-camber to start with it drops into a huge bermed bowl which is so steep I basically hung off the back and locked up both wheels all the way down - it's like Numbskull, Blind Terror and Abba Zabba turned up to 11!
It spits you out (literally) to the old lime pits in Brockham and we took the rode back to Dorking from there. Gnarly dude!
Monday, 14 June 2010
trouver le chien a deux tetes (finding 2-headed dog)
This week has been one of longer rides and discovery. Longer rides because I'm keen to be in good shape for Cwm Carn and Afan, and discovery, as Chris Bonnington said when asked why he wanted to climb Everest, "because it's there".
On Thursday evening Tom, Andy, Mark2, Kik, Dave2 and I charged up over a slightly slippery Ranmore, taking in Abba Zabba and Numbskull, then headed up onto Leith via the Dearleap and a footpath (tut tut) past the church at Wooton Hatch. We traversed Wolverns Lane all the way to Coldharbour and then popped into Redlands, riding through the woods over a few jumps then taking Foot and Mouth (new to most) and finding Rogers' "Firebeater" trail. This is a really good technical way off Leith Hill down into North Holmwood, the only drawback being the longish roll back to Dorking and the pub - still plenty done in just under 2 hours.
On Saturday I was riding solo and decided to head over to Pitch and Holmbury for a bit of exploration. A couple of trails turned out out to be bum steers but I did follow some guys and found the famous 2 headed dog by the Windmill on Pitch. As they pulled on their body armour I thought it must be a really gnarly feature (it's only about 50 metres long) but I had a quick look then hit it - no problem at all. I guess it's a sign of how far our riding has come in the last year. I also found a sweet little drop into a gulley and finally found Death Star, a really rooty fast gulley with some little drops which I'd previously failed to locate.
I climbed up onto Holmbury and found part of "I should coco" but the end seemed to be decimated by the recent forrestry work (unless I lost the trail!) Finally a blast down BKB and into Pedal and Spoke for a chat with Howard who gave me some directions for "Christmas Pudding", something for the next visit.
On sunday I went out again, this time with Dave2 and Neil, a trail veteran and neighbour from Dorking. We left at the rather unsociable hour of 7.30 and headed to Holmbury. We took in many of the usual trails, BKB, the T trails on Pitch (including a new ending to Ewok/Proper Beau) and climbed back up to Holmbury to take in Parklife and a new variation to Telegraph (much better) finishing with Mutiny.
Plenty of top riding!
On Thursday evening Tom, Andy, Mark2, Kik, Dave2 and I charged up over a slightly slippery Ranmore, taking in Abba Zabba and Numbskull, then headed up onto Leith via the Dearleap and a footpath (tut tut) past the church at Wooton Hatch. We traversed Wolverns Lane all the way to Coldharbour and then popped into Redlands, riding through the woods over a few jumps then taking Foot and Mouth (new to most) and finding Rogers' "Firebeater" trail. This is a really good technical way off Leith Hill down into North Holmwood, the only drawback being the longish roll back to Dorking and the pub - still plenty done in just under 2 hours.
On Saturday I was riding solo and decided to head over to Pitch and Holmbury for a bit of exploration. A couple of trails turned out out to be bum steers but I did follow some guys and found the famous 2 headed dog by the Windmill on Pitch. As they pulled on their body armour I thought it must be a really gnarly feature (it's only about 50 metres long) but I had a quick look then hit it - no problem at all. I guess it's a sign of how far our riding has come in the last year. I also found a sweet little drop into a gulley and finally found Death Star, a really rooty fast gulley with some little drops which I'd previously failed to locate.
I climbed up onto Holmbury and found part of "I should coco" but the end seemed to be decimated by the recent forrestry work (unless I lost the trail!) Finally a blast down BKB and into Pedal and Spoke for a chat with Howard who gave me some directions for "Christmas Pudding", something for the next visit.
On sunday I went out again, this time with Dave2 and Neil, a trail veteran and neighbour from Dorking. We left at the rather unsociable hour of 7.30 and headed to Holmbury. We took in many of the usual trails, BKB, the T trails on Pitch (including a new ending to Ewok/Proper Beau) and climbed back up to Holmbury to take in Parklife and a new variation to Telegraph (much better) finishing with Mutiny.
Plenty of top riding!
Monday, 7 June 2010
Angels & Demons
Yesterday morning the drop near the top of Grevious Angel claimed another victim as Dunnie stacked his landing on a decent first ever attempt. No pics unfortunately and no real harm done apart from some grazing to the arm.
Dunnie was not the first (or even second) victim of the week on this particular trail obstacle. On thursday evening Dave 2 and his mate Kick(?) gave it a go and both crashed, in Kick's case leading to several rather nasty chainring punctures on his calf. We tried our best to help numb his pain by plying him with drink in the Star.
It seems that following Andy's dramatic crash a few weeks ago the notoriety of this drop is growing so remember
.....be careful out there
Dunnie was not the first (or even second) victim of the week on this particular trail obstacle. On thursday evening Dave 2 and his mate Kick(?) gave it a go and both crashed, in Kick's case leading to several rather nasty chainring punctures on his calf. We tried our best to help numb his pain by plying him with drink in the Star.
It seems that following Andy's dramatic crash a few weeks ago the notoriety of this drop is growing so remember
.....be careful out there
Sunday, 6 June 2010
Bike porn
I thought you like minded men would like to have a look at some pics of my new bike. I hope you enjoyed that?
Tom AM
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