RTI Race Photos

Finally got round to posting some of the photos I took during the race. We finished in 7 hours, 41 minutes, putting us 88th in group and 298th overall - not our best results but we weren't expecting them to be. It was nice to not be soaking wet all day and Northerly winds meant the RIB run from Hamble to Cowes was dry (thanks to Ian at C2 RIBS). A 5:50 start was an early one but plenty of coffee fixed that! HEre are some of the photos I took during the day...

Reach to Hurst castle then a run down to the Needles

Approaching St. Catherines Point

Gusty conditions round the back of the Island

Crew were still awake, 4 hours of racing left...

Approaching Bembridge Ledge bouy

Beating back up the Solent, looking a bit too nice for a RTI

Approaching the finish line

Links

Round the Island Race

Round the Island Race - 1 Week to Go

It's nearly time to get up early for the Round The Island Race so here's some information about our entry this year.

Link to RTI page: Old Pulteney Kurketrekker

A Beneteau First 35, crewed by friends with far too many years experience between us. We start at 05:50 (It really is that early) and in good conditions will be looking to complete the course in 6 - 7 hours. 

I'm the media representative on board and will be on Twitter, posting race updates when I'm not on the foredeck as well as communicating with the press office who will be posting a live race blog. The boat is registered for tracking - search for 'Old Pulteney Kurketrekker' on the Official GPS Race Tracker - it should show our course as we race round the island but 2 years ago it stopped transmitting at St Catherines Point after the phone in use received a call, family that were following us thought something bad had happened but we were OK so use with caution.

Please show your support for the race on Twitter if you can - JP Morgan Asset Management (the title sponsors) are donating £1 to the Ellen Macarthur Cancer Trust for every tweet containing #raceforall. They're aiming to raise £3000 to help children and young adults on their way to recovering from cancer, leukaemia and other serious illness. It's a fantastic charity and the trust will be competing so please show your support by tweeting! More information here: The Race For All Tweetometer and The Ellen Macarthur Trust.


Here's a photo from the 2011 edition:

We are approaching the finish line at Cowes after approximately 7 hours of racing in 20 - 25 knots and heavy seas, I'm third from the left. Photo by Paul Wyeth photography.

See you on the water!

Southern XC Round 2 - Crow Hill

A rather different race this time...

Rocked up at Crow nice and early, got bike numbered up and was out on my practice lap early. The course was great, and open start area with a steep dip just to spread everyone out a bit; the first section was just like riding at home - flat and open but lumpy with the odd muddy puddle. After a short section on a farm track, the course entered the next section of singletrack - slightly uphill and incredibly rooty and slippery made for good riding. The rest of the lap was similar - the hills were short and sharp and there was more technical downhill sections to make the riding good. I chickened out on some sections and let the HR settle by walking, crashing on the practice lap would not be fun. Lots of very short steep section meant weight shifting and gear selection were key. In short the course was great and I couldn't wait to race on it.

Bike all ready to go! 

(Does it say something that I kind of wanted 69?)

I lined up for the start and could feel the nerves kick in. As it was also the Southern Championships I didn't want to be in the way of anyone who stood a chance so when the gun went I held my lane and tried to find some space. By the time we were out of sight of the start arena the group had spread a little but a bit of jam formed as everyone entered the first section. I found a wheel to sit behind at a good pace and rode as smoothly as possible to avoid pushing up the HR too much - there were 3 lap left!

I quite literally hit the first steep climb - shifting down a little too quickly, spun the legs and then while trying to shift up again my front wheel came off the ground and I went sideways. I ran the bike for the next 30m of the climb before a unplanned cyclocross re-mount (was pretty pleased with myself for that, had a bit of a grin for the next few minutes). The rest of the lap went great - my legs felt great and the climbs seemed easier since round 1 (bit more training and technique paid dividends). I even managed to overtake the girl in front of me - an adrenaline boost carried me back to arena where I realised I'd lost my bottle. A shout for a new one in the feed zone and a pro style grab-drink-chuck manoeuvre remedied that problem and I settled down for the next lap.

The first section was great, I decided to have a bit of fun on one of the hairpins with a motocross style drift with foot dab - not sure if it was quicker but I felt cool doing it. At this point the junior men were starting their practice laps and were flying past me. I heard a rider call from behind me with a feminine voice and got frustrated as I wondered how fast the pro's must be going to have lapped me this early - right until the 12 year old boy flew past me (sorry for thinking you were a girl). Just before the first farm track section there was a mud filled dip on the track. More riders were churning it up and it was deeper than on my first lap. I didn't think I was going much faster but I must have hit something badly as I managed to flat both tyres. Well, if you're going to do it you may as well do it properly...

Flat Tyre Number 1...

...And Number 2

In typical fashion I flatted at the furthest point from any of the marshals so a walk up the track followed (it was further than I thought, I was walking for 10 minutes) until I found the marshal and discovered I was about as far from the start arena as the course could get.... A walk back through some horse filled fields eventually got me back to the start where I gave dad the bike and walked back to the car. This was not how I wanted the race to end - my legs felt good and the bike was riding well. The course was good and felt I could achieve a good time but apparently it was not my day.

It wasn't all bad though, I got to watch some of the pro's ride one of the technical sections and after a chat with an ex-elite rider some new tubeless ready wheels might be coming from my sponsors (or my parents as they call themselves). We stuck around to watch the start of the junior, vet, grand vet and super vet men’s races and to see the women’s presentation. I found that as there only 3 juniors they'd given me 3rd place even though I had retired (not bad at all!).

Junior Podium

A somewhat frustrating day but lots was learnt. The races really highlight what I need to improve in training and with my exams nearly over I have more time to ride. My training plan has been suitably tweaked - a little of bit of change is good, it freshens rides up a little and gives a bit more motivation.

Thanks to Southern XC for another great event - the course, the location and the people were all fantastic. I can't wait for the next one (where I will finish properly!)

Southern XC Round 1 - First Race

Well that was an experience... Brutal and tiring but all I know is that I have to do it again! My first cross country race was amazing, although I'd been thinking about it all week as soon as I turned up at the venue the adrenaline started flowing and any plans went out the window. 

Rocking up at Matterley Basin in the morning made me start wondering what I'd go myself into. You didn't need to get that close to see that the climbs would be killer even though I'd seen photos of the site already. We got my bike down and I couldn't wait to ride the course and actually race. After signing on and picking up my race number I got kitted up and ready to ride.

'I totally know what I'm doing'

'See, the number's the right way up'

We headed over to the start line to ride a lap of the course. My race didn't start until 10:30 so riding the couse at 9 was ideal. The place was swamped with children riding full on XC race bikes (carbon frame, expensive groupsets and choice of tyres ect), I felt somewhat out of place on my £650 Halfords bike (albeit quite a nice one at that, well I think so anyway). Dad wanted to walk as much of the course as possible so we started up the first climb (about 10m after the start line) at walking pace. At the top we entered the first woody section and it felt like proper mountain biking. Dad agreed to meet me later so I found an easy rhythm and found some flow. For about 2 minutes. The first tight corner was off-camber and blind into a rooty section. I had a graceful slide on to my side. Deciding to take it a bit easier (I didn't wan't to crash out before the race) I got to the first climb. Short and reasonably steep (500m and 8% gradient so says Strava), I knew my legs were going burn after the race. The next bit of techy singletrack was great fun - until my glasses steamed up and I was riding blind (more fun than I thought actually). We were spat out of the woods and confronted with the big climb. 20% gradient with 100m of flat halfway. My legs were screaming 'STOP!!!!!!!!' but I carried on. By the time my legs were feeling better we faced a rather nasty bump. Two 1.5m high lumps with a run that was just about the width of your pedals to fit though and some slick mud to mix it up a bit. This was followed by a switchback climb that led to a field and the final section of the course. I did it 35 minutes and although I knew I could go faster on some sections, the number pretty meaningless at the time.


Getting back to the car for a drink and a banana I realised I had a massive grin on my face (like I'd just won the lottery). I was super stoked for the race - 2 laps flat out!

Being by the line made me really nervous. I don't know why, it was some grass with spray painted lines on, nothing scary about that. When the bloke made the call for all the women I was bricking it. Stood on the line made me realise I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I remember the bloke calling names and then reading some rules and then all too soon it was time for the start. 

Sally Bigham (271) of Topeak-Ergon Racing was in the same start...

'OK I have zero idea what I'm doing now'

The gun went and we started up the first climb. I realised had no plan so would just find someone whose pace I could match and follow them for a bit (great plan). I don't really remember much of the actual race, it's kind of a blur however I distinctly remember wanting to throw up after the big climb on lap one. I didn't and just pushed on instead. 

'I think I'm going to throw up'

I finally found some flow

By lap two I realised that I was being overtaken by 12 year olds on their race machines. That did not sit well especially as I crashed ( read: fell off sideways in a particularly ungraceful and unimpressive manner) and ended up pushing my bike up the main climb and the switchbacks. After attempting to get back on my bike and getting nothing but wheelspin before I could clip the other foot in I felt a pain in my leg. In my typical fashion I ignored it and rode on. Seeing the line at the end of lap two was amazing. I realised I'd done it and completed something I'd wanted to do for the last year. I wanted to cry but I was too tired and there wasn't enough water to cry out when I realised how much I was sweating (yuck). I looked down to address the pain in my leg and realised that the pedal had spun round and whacked me in the shin and I had a nice line of blood down my left shin. The sense of accomplishment was huge and all I could think was that I had to do it again. 

(Short of Breath) 'I did it!'

After recharging with the chocolate milkshake I'd been saving (probably the best milkshake I've ever had) we headed over to the start area to see what was going on. We watched that start of the male juniors race (crazy) and had a look at the trade stands - according to my father I did not need some high powered lights for night riding. To get back I bought some bits from Torq and had a nice chat with the guy on the stand. Dad wandered off to find some results and in the process discovered that on the day, the number of laps had been changed to 3 for the female juniors and as I'd only done two this was incredibly frustrating. Still the women's race results were announced and I'd come third in the juniors! OK, it was out of three and I was lap behind but I still came third dammit, for my first ever go I was super chuffed to even be on the podium.

Pride of place on the trophy shelf!

Despite being knackered and finding a huge bruise on my leg I know I'll be back for the next one! A bit more training and some experience will no doubt pay dividends and after an awesome first race the only way is up - hopefully I'll do the right number of laps next time!

See you next time,

Kim



Links
Southern XC
Torq
dhb
Boardman

1 Week To Go!

1 week until my first race. Still not sure what to expect but I have a feeling it's going to hurt afterwards. My training has really paid off - I'm fitter now than I ever was before. Plenty of climbing, especially out of the saddle efforts, and a fair few miles have really pushed my fitness up. Training has been a mix of on and off road; mixing it up meant I always had something to focus on and aim for. Higher intensity training has also been included, being able to recover quickly after the hills will no doubt pay off. 

My focus has now shifted towards metal preparation - a technique I used for sailing last year to good effect. Being able to focus on the right thing at the right time was enormously helpful, as well as being able to switch off and relax. Diet has also played a big part of my preparation - finding good foods to eat around rides as well as fuelling during a ride. I find planning as much as I can really helpful; knowing that I haven't forgotten anything (spares, food and clothes) is somewhat calming.

With my first race fast approaching I'm both excited and nervous. I don't really know what to expect or how I'll perform. All I can say is that I can't wait!

Kim

Gear - Part 2

Beena while but here it is:

Part 2 – The Mountain Bike

We were taking my road frame to the local bike shop to have the bottom bracket taken out and replaced when somewhere along the high street my dad had an idea. He offered me some money towards a mountain bike as an incentive for my exams. Happily I agreed and the very minute we got home I started looking for potential bikes within my expected budget.

As it turns out, my dad and I were thinking different things – come August, I picked up my results and was chuffed to find that the budget I had expected was correct. Dad however, was less chuffed. Suddenly my bike budget was a little larger than he was expecting! Anyway, two days later we were touring round the local bike shops looking for my next bike.

After a many hours of internet research and visits to several different shops I had made my decision. Brand was less important and for the money the bike I had selected gave me the best spec for what I needed. I'd chosen the Boardman HT Comp. Hardtail; 120mm travel SR Suntour Fork, SRAM X5 groupset and Elixir 1 Brakes. Not particularly flash components, in fact somewhat distinctly bottom end but they were the bottom end of very good product lines. The fork was more of a gamble – I really wanted air over coil but getting a half decent groupset on other bikes as well as an air fork was stretching the budget a little too much.

Here she is

White bike looks damn fine in the snow...

Another angle - Budget forks aren't bad!

Still in original spec (apart from pedals) and I'm very happy with how everything has worked and lasted. Only tweaks have been cables bedding in, brakes pads needing adjusting and controls re-ordering. For was easy to set to a good pressure - when I got the bike it was stupidly firm, a quick tap on the valve set it straight to 22% sag - a value I've been pretty happy with so far.

Spec:

Fork: Suntour Epicon LOD, Air, 120mm, damping adjust, lock out

Shifters: SRAM X5

Front Mech: SRAM X5

Rear Mech: SRAM X5

Brakes: Avid Elixir 1

Chainset: FSA Alpha Drive 44x32x22T

Cassette: SRAM PG950

Chain: KMC Z99

Bottom Bracket: FSA Powerdrive

Rims: Alex DP20

Hubs: Formula Disc (Apparently – they're unbranded)

Tyres: Continental MTN King 2.2

Handlebars: cboardman

Stem: cboardman

Headset: FSA integrated

Seatpost: cboardman

Saddle: cboardman

Nothing needs upgrading straight away but I'm considering a double chainset, an inline post and new saddle and new grips. Big upgrades for the future (read: when I can afford them) are obviously the wheels and fork. I'd probably go for 100mm (bit more xc and less bulky, would also lower the from end, racy!) and the wheels will definitely be much stiffer and hopefully lighter. In an ideal world I'd have gone a model or two up but I love the bike I have and love riding it. I’m hoping for a good first race season so I can properly ride the bike to its (my) limits!

Happy riding,

Kim

Links:

Boardman Bikes

A Little Bit About Me...

Thought I should start by telling you a bit about myself...

I'm 17 and this year will be my first as XC MTB racer, I'm also a sailor and will be doing all this while studying for my A-levels.

I've been sailing since I was 8 and currently own a Europe dinghy  for club racing. I'm lucky enough to also have a spot as foredeck/mast on a Beneteau First 35. My aims for this year are to keep up the sailing, retain my ladies race trophy and compete at the Europe nationals. 

I don't remember a time when I wasn't riding bikes but I made the decision to take it to the next level last September  This season I will be racing in the Pedal-On Southern XC series as a junior. XC MTB riding was my decision as I own a road bike and and hardtail but always preferred riding off-road, XC was an obvious choice as good downhill and trails are hard to come by round my way an there is good XC riding on the doorstep.

Details of my bikes and boat will be in future posts but for now, get out and ride!



Links:
Europe Class
Beneteau First 35
LOSSC
Southern XC

Gear - Part 1

Right, here’s what I’m riding:

Part 1 – The Road Bike

Used for winter training, getting to college and when the MTB is in the work stand. We rescued this from a friend’s garden and a bit of work got it back to a rideable condition. My dad came home and told me he had a ‘present’, walking out to the car he opened the boot and there was a road bike in bits. Over the next week I cleaned it up, decided what was worthwhile keeping and budgeted for the bits that needed replacing.

The Bike Then (September 2012)

At this stage we had replaced the crankset, chain, bars (and tape), seatpost (and clamp), saddle, cables (inners and casings), the headset bearings and the pedals. Everything else was original and cleaned up.

This was what really spurred me to ride some more – I had a good bike and study leave & summer holidays meant I had all the time in the world to ride. If I could go back to last summer
I definitely would and aside from a few upgrades I wouldn’t change a thing. My old bike (a 2008 Mongoose Rockadile AL) was left in the garage after a few offroad rides where I really found the bikes limits – which as it turns out weren’t much. I finally realised that cycling could be for me and I knew I wanted to race.

That summer was spent on the road bike but for most of the time I was wishing I had a better mountain bike to go and explore the trails and have some fun. Parts were changed to keep up with the wear they were now experiencing – a new bottom bracket and rear derailleur were added.  After a trip to the local bike shop in May, Dad had offered a new MTB as an incentive for GCSE results. A week after the results were out I was off-road once again and keen to race XC. In September I started A-levels and was now riding 14km there are back to college. The road bike became my commuter and it became very clear that parts needed replacing pretty quickly. New wheels, cassette and tyres were quickly ordered and fitted after college. The next hour was spent fitting tyres and tinkering with gears followed by a very nice ride.

The bike is now my commuter and winter training machine although winter seems to last too long and it’s frequently ridiculously muddy in summer…

The Final Spec:

Frame: Claud Butler San Remo 2005 7005 ‘Aero Profile’ Alloy

Fork: Hi-tensile steel ‘Aero Profile’

Wheelset: Shimano R501 Black with Monotone Decals

Crankset: Shimano FC-2300 (52/39)

Cassette: Shimano HG50 8 Speed (13-26)

Rear Derailluer: Shimano Sora 8 Speed

Front Derailluer: Shimano Sora (original)

Shifters: Shimano Sora 7 Speed (original)

Chain: Clarks 7/8 Speed

Bottom Bracket: Shimano Square Taper

Brakes: Tektro Alloy Dual Pivot (original)

Pedals: Shimano M520

Tyres: Schwalbe Lugano Yellow

Seatpost: Unbranded Inline Post (from my spares box)

Saddle: Mongoose (it's comfy)

Bars: Cinelli Vai – Standard Size Clamp

Tape: Charge U-Bend

Stem: Unbranded (original)

Headset: Unbranded (original with replaced bearings)

The Bike Now (February 2013)

It doesn’t bother me that the finish on the fame isn’t perfect, that the components aren't top spec or matching, that the chain drops more frequently than I’d like or that the shifts aren't super crisp every time. It’s my bike and I own it - I can look at it, tweak it and ride it whenever I want and in that fact I take great pleasure.

Happy Riding

Kim

Links:

Claud Butler Cycles

Shimano

Tektro

Scwalbe

Clarks Cycle Systems

Charge Bikes

Cinelli

Mongoose