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Honestly not sure what he’ll be running, maybe the same setup as last week but without clipons. We have fun stuff planned for nationals
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You’ll have a secret thread on here detailing everything though right? #opensourcemargarinegains
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Watford Velo are a nice bunch. Don't think the hill is that suited to fixed, if that's a factor.
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Don't think the hill is that suited to fixed
@Christono Mitre is two events, the morning one is OK on fixed, the afternoon certainly isn't as it contains a substantial downhill section.
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Aha - Hayley and Rich are both hoping to ride and will be sharing some kit. We’re in the process of looking at Rich’s bike overall to make it a bit lighter, he rode Haytor on Sunday on just his training wheels.
Cat and Fiddle last week he had the full whack with clipons and an AEOX Powertap disc but given he hasn’t used aerobars for 3 years he found it a bit hard going!
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Brighton Mitre is a fun event, first Hill is a classic British hill climb, second is a bit more interesting as you’ll see from the profile. The surface is terrible in parts and you might meet a car coming down but I really enjoyed it the last couple of years.
Really you should come and do the Bwlch in South Wales with me. Can’t wait to race a mountain!
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Based on Sunday I reckon I’ll ride my silly lightweight 20mm carbon tubs. There are some pretty steep sections and I don’t think much time can be made up on the flatter parts. All this unless there is a crazy headwind coming down the moor.
Well done to Rich on the win - 5 seconds separating the top three over a 13 min climb is pretty mad!
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Yeah it’s not bad, it’s only a little more expensive than borrowing a car and insuring it with something like Cuvva. The mileage over our allowance added up a bit for St Ives though.
We have friends in Swansea so gonna spend the night and do both events. Hopefully Ed Laverick is busy racing other pros 😬
Brighton Mitre is a good one. Steyning is a hill of two (three...?) halves. Smash it up the first ramp, recover on the flatter section then empty yourself on the second ramp. The second ramp was very slippy last year in the wet. Kinda weird, no leaves or anything, but everyone had wheel slip. I’m increasingly going with 60psi (22mm Vittoria Cronos) when it’s damp / slippy.
Mill Hill is fun if you get a clear run at it. So far I’ve been lucky, two years ago we had a low pressure day with a howling tale wind for the final section, think I was 12 seconds off the CR and flying by the end. I spun out on 40x11 (geared, 11-28 cassette and 40t single ring). If you have a tailwind and it’s a fast day I’d consider clip-ons. I forgot mine but went full bongo-aero with wheels; HED3 on the front and disc on the back. In the dry it’s fine but if it’s wet it can be pretty hairy, pot holes hidden by puddles and gravel on bends. Wear a helmet.
Steyning village is nice for lunch, there’s also a giant M&S in Shoreham. I’d warm up at the Steyning HQ, the carpark right next to the start of Mill Hill would be my warmup location for #2.
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Full zip leg warmers for autumnal HC warmups - highly recommended.
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So hands up who else is doing Catford on Sun? Just got start times, apparently I'm one of the first to go and one of three racing under lfgss.
My first competitive event, nerve-wracking!
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I just had to check that was a thing!
Is it based on average time for 3? I'm up about 2hrs before you (assume from your user name you're David?)
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Not watched it yet but this seems pretty handy for anyone racing the National HC this year
Hamham
xavierdisley
dbr
Christono
umop3pisdn
gbj_tester
andyp
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About
Hill Climbs
Posted by
@The_Seldom_Killer
I’m racing Haytor Vale tomorrow, a club open on the same course as the national champs at the end of October. Some proper hitters on the start sheet. Looking forward to seeing what wheels @xavierdisley has given Richard Bussell.