Let's offroad / mountain bike / mtb / ride dirt

That is part of what appeals about the POC as they are meant to get softer when warm (and just harden on impact).

d30 was the wonder material with those properties when I last looked at pads 3/4 years ago.

I went Swinley today, it was ok. Blue trail was more technical than the red. I felt the red was a complete waste of my time as I seemed to spend most of the time on fire roads with only about two good runs. It was also badly sign posted.

If I visit again, I think I will just do multiple laps of the Blue route.

I think you may have missed some bits out, but it is mainly a fast XC course.

@AdsH Yeah, myself and my mate Andy finished it. We're both pretty fit. He did Tour Divide this year in 24 days, and in total he's ridden over 7000 miles this year already, I've ridden around 3700. I wasn't far off him fitnesswise.

It still took us 32 hours total, which is double the record! But we messed up sleep a bit by only sleeping about 4 hours the night before, so we bivvyed up on top of the Downs for 1 hour in the middle of the night. Other than that and a pub lunch at Devil's Dyke we were on the bike non-stop.

My ass has blisters.

http://www.strava.com/activities/190934532

Wow that's an immense effort!

I think I'm at 3,700 so far this year and I've done 2x 12hours but I don't think I could do this.

HT or FS? Did you have a period of crushing depression? (I always do in endurance events)

Hardtail. No real depression. We did have a 2 minute discussion at Eastbourne about getting out early, but we were both pretty determined, so just got straight back on the bikes and carried on. We stopped to bivvy for an hour somewhere on the way back about 11pm, as we were falling asleep on the bikes on long grinding climbs, and both nearly fell off, so 1 hour rest helped a lot. It's great training for the BearBones 200 next month in Wales, which I did last year, but a new course this year makes it an unknown, as the course is only going to be released 3 days before the event! 130 miles in Wales, in october, with 5000+ metres of ascent, It's going to be tough.

Thought I'd drop this in here- http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/absalon-back-in-rainbow-stripes-after-seven-years.

Grew up reading about his racing, for him to win the champs and the cup again this year is absolutely amazing. Love watching the world cup xc races when they're on.

Ratboy getting second at the world champs DH, broke his foot when he overshot the last jump

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBDpu4-pQhM

"I didn't want to break for that jump"

"I noticed"

:)

But great run, no idea how they ride that fast.

That video would be at least 20 minutes if it was me, probably longer.

And you'd still break your foot!

I'd be happy if that was the only broken thing when I eventually cross the finish line.

I'd be walking 95pc of it. There's another video of that run done by someone only slightly less competent [than ratboy] and there's a whole lot of oh-shhiiiiiitttt moments.

Look's easy.

He's on a magic carpet, right?

snottyotter teenslaining it down the course

There's actually another video of rat boy doing a warm up run, it's about half the speed, but you get a lot better perspective of how difficult it is.

Last words on the video:
"Oh wank"

Planning on riding the south downs way between Newhaven and Ditchling beacon in the next few days.
Was thinking of doing it single-speed 32-18 (26"). Is this a stupid idea? Will there be a bit too much walking involved? I've got a geared bike, if that's more suitable.

I wouldn't want to go much lower than 32x18 on 26''. I'm sure you'll be fine, bit of pushing but that's what SS MTB is about.

Nah, mincing up hills with a good grimace and an excessive gear ;-)

Got a new frame for Emma to replace the undersized Identiti Crisis I built at the start of the year.

18" Voodoo Bokor.
Aluminium, sliding dropouts, "Designed by Joe Murray" sticker.
Straight 1 1/8th headtube, BSA BB shell.

Will probably swap over the geared drivetrains and Deore hydraulic brakes from the Identities but first on the to-do list is to find a suspension fork (need to check what the full build spec has, travel-wise) and check what size seat post it takes.

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I used 36-24 quite a lot - 36 on the rear that is! Not sure exactly where you mean but it is pretty relentless.

I'm driving down to Peaslake tomorrow to meet some Norfolk mates. Anyone interested?

Thanks for the replies. I'm coming round to the feeling that gears might be a better option.

If I remember correctly, after doing the Double last weekend the part between Newhaven and Ditchling has some pretty steep sections, but it also has a nice long section up on the ridge. I'd ride gears just to not be topping out on the gentle inclines/downhills. It's rideable singlespeed though.