Ken Ruffell reports back on his efforts to get hold of some ice friendly mtb tires:
"I have been trying to get hold of some mtb winter spike tyres ever since the weather became icy. I need to ride to work whatever the weather and it's been very dodgy. I asked Des at the shop if he could get some, but he couldn't. Apparently, there are none in the UK until January. Schwalbe and Conti are the main brands.
Anyway, the reason for this post is that I contacted Bike 24 in Germany and ordered a pair of Continental Spike Claw tyres with 240 studs. They were shipped from Germany on Wednesday and have just arrived via DHL (Friday, 8:30). They cost just £75 for the pair, including p&p.
The Conti Spike Claw is rated third only to Nokian's two top tyres - but they are nearer £100 each! They can be ridden on and off road. The only downside will be a bit of drag. Bike 24's website is easy to use and it's in English."
Need some spiked MTB tires?
Rob's SE & E regional X champs report
Rob McCarthy rode the regional cross championships, here's his report:
After a week of snow and frozen conditions, the race still took place, typically by Sunday the snow had melted, making the course conditions cold, wet and muddy.
I got a good start, but found the muddy and cold conditions hard, The course was a bit too long which meant riding with a heavily clogged bike most of the lap, before a bike change was possible. I spent most of the race battling with Dan Duguid (Sigma Sport) but unfortunately I had a small spill on the last lap, in the mud and lost 30 M to him.
Towards the end of the race my hands were struggling to brake and change gear due to the mud and cold, I finished the race with agonizing chilblains in my hands, to a 10th place
OK but not a top 5 which I wanted. Hopefully some better results are on the way. Jamie Newell put up a good fight to retain his SE+E title but was just edged out on the final climb by Gareth Montgomerie. (Sigma Sport)
A big thanks to Andy Dilkes for helping out in the pits.
New Weds spinning session?
From Simon Kidd:
Im a member of Farnborough and Camberley Cycle Club and I wondered if any VCmeudon members would be interested in a cycling club specific training session using a spinning studio in Camberley ? (for those that live around there)
I was thinking of Wednesday Evenings for a good hour long staring at 7:30 pm. There is space for about 15 cyclists and we would be using the spin bikes much like a turbo trainer with me leading the group through the various exercises.
These sessions would be targeted at club cyclists and, although we will be using the spin bikes, the routines would be focussed more on cycling needs and would include various pyramid and interval sets, and simulations rather than a general spin ‘fitness’ class, for example:
‘Intervals’ to increase aerobic threshold, we would use HRMs or perceived exertion.
‘Hill climbs and sit-stand-sit’ to increase leg strength
‘Sprints’ to simulate the breaks in a road race or track event,
‘Resistance’ fartlek to simulate under and overs going on the front of a line and then off
.. and of course some great music to keep you going...
Whilst this is intended for club riders, I would be encouraging everyone to work at their own levels, so you can take it easier (or harder), in some sections if needed.
I need at least 5 people to make it viable and the cost would be about £5 each a session or £20 for a block of 5.
I would be running the sessions from January through to end of March, by which time people probably would like to get out on the road as the evenings get lighter anyway and the early events start.
I had thought Wednesday about 7:30 pm since that was a day when people are probably used to going out on their bikes in the Summer evenings and would fit into their routine – although Im happy to take suggestions for other times and days.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you would like any more information.
(Ive invited people from Farnborough and Camberley and also Charlotteville)
Regards
Simon
0775 774 4795
(member of FCCC and qualified Performance Cycling instructor)
Chalk chase post script video - Cranstone falls over, Craig's Garden
At the end of the first stage of the chalk chase last week we bumped into a group of mountain bikers one of whom was wearing a video camera. As we met Cranstone managed to fall over just in front of the camera at which point I suggested they send us the video. Despite not giving them an email address they did manage to send over the video and blog link.
With the two groups mixed up for a bit (4:50 into the video, note Dave C in the last edition Meudon jersey barging past!) we explained that this was Craig's garden they were riding. I think they must have thought that this was the name of the trail. At which point we came to a full stop in front of Craig's house for a mince pie stop followed by the other group of mountain bikers who had now come to something of a dead end.
http://www.vimeo.com/17416682
http://www.diaryofamountainbiker.co.uk/this_week.php
Turbo for sale
Turbo Trainer £115
Bought this in October and only used this 5 times (maybe 4), I just don’t have the mental capacity for these things.
Elite Crono Fluid ElastoGel Cycle Trainer
Darren – 07722061375 or dgf@hotmail.co.uk (I’m in Camberley)
Training weekend 2011 - April 29th-2nd May
If you've got a big race coming up or you're doing the Etape this summer you might be interested in the training weekend being run by a friend of Paul Pickup's:
April 29th - 2nd May 2011 Training (long) weekend in Shaftesbury, Dorset.
12 riders in family run B&B mainly in twin rooms on farm in Dorset. Secure lock up for bikes.
2 ride leaders, 3 guided days of riding.
1 meal ready on your arrival, flexible arrival times.
1 evening meal organised in local pub.
Great pre-arranged (expecting you) lunch stops. Especially Gold Hill!
Fantastic riding area, not far from London (Lambeth to Shaftesbury 2 hrs 16 mins according to Google.) So pretty close to here.
Riding speeds about 15 -18 mph between 4 - 6 hours per day. Weather, ability and moods dependent!
GPS files and maps provided if you want to venture off from the group after lunch stop.
Cost £269 (£100 deposit non-refundable unless you get someone to fill your place as long as it is not your Nan, unless she can ride as fast as Mark Cavendish, then she's very welcome!)
If you're interested you can contact Paul or email us and we'll pass it on.
