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Post by Karl on Nov 14, 2012 2:15:39 GMT
Megan doing those one looking forward to it.
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Post by priceyla on Nov 14, 2012 12:08:58 GMT
I've done a couple of these and they're great fun. Recommended!
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Post by Tarbo on Nov 20, 2012 0:02:33 GMT
As I never had the kids on Sunday, I finally got the opportunity to take part in one of the North Wales CycloCross series of races. Unlike last year’s races I now had a nice shiny CX bike, which meant that the hardtail could stay hanging up in the garage. So on Sunday, Sandi and myself and said bike made our way to the Lead Mines in Minera where the event was to take place. After registration and a little giggle at the fact that I had been allocated number 69 I set of for a couple of warm up laps and to get an idea of what lay ahead. The description on the NWCX site mentioned it was a tough course, so I was quite pleased that there wasn’t anything too daunting to contend with. However, after 50+ riders going around the route a number of times, I could see that there would be some big climbs and slippery descents, and I wasn’t let down I got back to the start line to see a number of friendly faces including Mark and Karl, who had brought Simon and Megan with them for the juniors race, and also Ponti and his wife, who had come along on their shiny road bikes to see what all the fuss was about. The race soon got underway and after a bit of congestion on the first single track section, the field sorted itself out and we got into a rhythm. However, this didn’t last long as half way round the first lap my crank arm decided to do a runner After darting back 20 yards to pick it up and put it back on I was now near the back of the race. I wasn’t helped by the fact that it only stayed on for another 200 yards before coming off again. Luckily I saw Mark, who I knew had some Allen Keys handy. I arranged to meet him at the Start / Finish line where we fitted the arm back on and tightened it up. This repair lasted about half a lap, until it came off again. After a good 10 minutes of head scratching, we noticed the black plastic cap that screws into the non-drive crank arm had sheared, and therefore, there was nothing stopping the arm from falling off So with some brute force, we tightened the bolts as tight as we dared, and off I went. With this in the back of my mind I was weary about pushing too hard, but after a couple of more laps I was feeling confident that it would stay in place, so started to pick the pace up again. This is when the second disaster struck; I was overtaken by Simon Price, racing in the under 16 age group. What made it worse was that he overtook me as I was pushing up an incline and he rode past me Anyway, now totally demoralised, I completed the last couple of laps to finish in about 40th position out of a field of around 50. Did I enjoy it ? At the time, probably not, but as soon as I’d crossed the finish line all the pain and disappointment of the mechanicals soon faded away and the smile returned to my face So there you have it. A pretty poor showing really, but the kick up the arse I need to get myself sorted ready for the next round. This incidentally is next Sunday, the same day as the Forum Ride. So a dilemma, race or Forum ride Cheers to Karl, Pete and Mark for the words of encouragement, help with the bike and for not laughing when they saw Simon overtake me. Also to Sandi for standing in a cold field for over an hour taking pictures and handing me my drink. And here are the pictures Sandi took. These show both Megan and myself in the MBNW tops and Simon Price racing in the Wrexham Fibrax kit.
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Post by oldgit on Nov 20, 2012 9:45:52 GMT
Tough luck Chris; hope you've sorted it Those two kids looked so confident on the descents, great to see modern kids in sport. Looked quite a tough course; have run there, but lugging a bike round in the mud is something else
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Post by oldbird on Nov 20, 2012 10:28:10 GMT
Well done Chris , That second picture of your calves, Im nights this weekend so if your racing Sunday will cheer you on, ;D
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Post by Rupert on Nov 20, 2012 13:12:09 GMT
Good write up Chris. I bet Simon was pleased to get that overtake in. Have to watch out for these MBNW youngsters, I remember Simon riding off into the distance on the climbs and leaving us all for dust on that Pie Run we did in Feb Hope you get the crank sorted - looks a nice bike
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Post by iggy on Nov 20, 2012 14:42:39 GMT
Well done Chris , That second picture of your calves, Maybe the cranks aren't rated for the torque them calves can produce it'll have nothing to do with dodgy bike building skills Well done for givin it a shot though mate.
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Post by buffypara on Nov 20, 2012 15:01:48 GMT
Well done, Chris. Next time your bike breaks you could borrow one of Simon's Sent from my HTC Wildfire S A510e using proboards
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Post by sally on Nov 20, 2012 17:27:41 GMT
good effort Chris but not as good as Simon and Megan who both looked ab, fab and put you to shame ( kids are annoyingly good at that) ;D ;D
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Post by motoxman on Nov 20, 2012 19:44:04 GMT
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Post by Tarbo on Nov 20, 2012 20:49:48 GMT
good effort Chris but not as good as Simon and Megan who both looked ab, fab and put you to shame ( kids are annoyingly good at that) ;D ;D Those two kids looked so confident on the descents, great to see modern kids in sport. To be honest, I wrote that report late last night and posted it up before I had chance to read through it. Having done so now, I realise that I haven't really mentioned how well Simon and Megan actually done. Their race, the under 16s, was on the same course as the adult race and over the same distance and they both rode really well and beat a number of adults in the overall classification. If anyone deserves some praise for turning up and giving it a go, it's them two
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pete
Have-a-go Hero
age is a barrier,and it's a damm nightmare
Posts: 170
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Post by pete on Nov 20, 2012 21:06:20 GMT
Got on a bike for the first time since the "Peaks weekend" for a steady ride to the Minera Lead Mines. Never watched a cyclocross event before,I must say that it was more enjoyable than I thought. Nice to see a few faces that I knew, who were racing as well. Managed to drag Margaret out on her bike,and the rest of the family came by car,eight of us in all. Seems a good sport to build stamina,strength and endurance,all in one go. Only took a few pics,including Tarbo's mechanical. "never take photos towards the sunlight"they said,wish I had turned my hearing aid up. p.s. I've been riding the "shiny bike" for 10 months now, :omakes a nice change,but won't stop MTB'ing.
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Post by woody on Nov 20, 2012 21:55:22 GMT
Getting overtaken by Simon Price is something we're all going to have to get used to!
Well done to all of you.
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Post by BenKMV on Nov 21, 2012 13:34:58 GMT
Great report Chris & photos from Sandi/Pete the look on Simon face, priceless ;D
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Post by Tarbo on Nov 23, 2012 21:41:55 GMT
If anyone feels a bit inspired to give this a go, then the next round is this Sunday at Bodelwyddan Castle, near St. Asaph. However, you may have noticed that this is the same day as the forum ride. Anyway, here's all the information you need if you're thinking of giving it a go, hot off the NWCX website Round 5, Evolution Bikes Cyclo X League, Bodelwyddan Castle, St Asaph Sunday 25th November.. The next race on Sunday will be run a bit earlier than normal at 10am (10:30 seniors) in the woodland park surrounding Bodelwyddan Castle. There's not a patch of tarmac, but Mark has seen to it that racers will experience gravel, dirt, tree roots, mud, grass and autumn leaves by the bucketful. Competitors are requested to park their vehicles in the lower car park and make their way along the marked roadway to the woodland. Check-in will be done under the cover of a large woodland barn. The North Wales League invites all riders whether elite level, beginner, local or visiting. The only rules are that riders are limited to one bike and must wear a safety helmet. Mountain bikers are especially welcome. Our thanks to Bodelwydddan Castle Trust for use of this venue.
Directions to Boddelwyddan Castle are --- From east or west Bodelwyddan Castle is located next to the A55 Expressway (Junction 25). Competitors should follow the brown and white signs. The entrance is no more than 100metres from the A55. Please remember the early start.
Cafe with Cakes (See Ruth) available !!!!! Please remember that members of the public will be in the park so best behavior and we will be able to use it again.
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