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Was thinkin of doing some XC races in the UK next year, what are the equivalent catagories for masters over there? what's the standard like? and what are the best courses? or more importantly which ones are definately not worth the trip?
Any advice would be appreciated
No smart comments from you either Byrner
Byrner
08-19-2008, 05:12 PM
i'll go with you, is that smart enough for you..and we'll probably get a few more
Sounds good to me Mr Byrne.....
afgan
08-19-2008, 06:10 PM
last time I raced over ther was the mid 90's, But from what I remember the coarses were not very technical compared to here, I would stay away from races in scotland simply because it rains even more that here up there, So unless you like racing in slomp, Go south.
Wales is not far from the car ferry and they have some great mountains with good trails.
here's some good websites over there.
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/mtb/mtb_latest_news.asp
http://www.xcracer.com/index.php?pid=1
If you really want a good foreign race do this, I did it last year and am going next year for defo.
http://www.activeeurope.com/Events/index.cfm?AC=EventDetails&E=47503
Here's some pics from Joe.
http://rocky2007.blogspot.com/2007/11/we-all-got-back-from-roc-couple-of.html
Nice one R.
Didn't know you did the Roc...is really as good as people say....or is it just a load of fireroad nonsense?
afgan
08-19-2008, 06:43 PM
Doing 60km in 28 degree's heat on rough old jeep tracks, and singletracks with 4500 riders in wave of 500 up the hills surrounding Frejus in the south of france was deffinetly not a load of nonsence, Maybe about 8km of fireroad, But the jeep tracks were good fun, they even had the coarse going along a beach passed restaurants, where everybody was cheering you on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4Zpbr9-H9Q
This is typical of what the coarse is, Took me 3:18 last year even with blowing up, Next year I want to get under 3 hours.
afgan
08-19-2008, 06:47 PM
Here's one of the starts,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fizfsxqumwI&NR=1
Byrner
08-19-2008, 06:51 PM
Lads its about time we took the whole XC racing thing seriously, I have big XC plans for us next year, all wil be revealed before the end of the year and hopefully at the Club AGM in October.
you should get a few teams into the trans alp or trans rockies. Us downhillers have represented the club at the mega its about time you xc boys stopped being a bunch of lay abouts and pulled your fingers out ;)
Byrner
08-19-2008, 07:10 PM
you're dead right there Al, actually
afgan
08-19-2008, 07:20 PM
[QUOTE=al Us downhillers have represented the club at the mega its about time you xc boys stopped being a bunch of lay abouts and pulled your fingers out.[/QUOTE]
Who are you calling Lay about, Right thats it, Im quiting the job, selling the house and going pro MTBer.
both of those events sound like a load of fire road nonsense from what i've heard and from the people i know that have signed up. Bleedin sports riders have done them. So maybe theres something a little more savage that could be done.
If Rory and Joey say the Roc is worth doin thats good enough for me...
afgan
08-19-2008, 07:35 PM
A team in the trans alps or trans rockies would be good, Anyone willing to join me sometime soon.
Dethshed
08-19-2008, 08:05 PM
Oz, you need to talk with Ryan or Mel from MAD - they've done a load of the UK NPS's this year - they know the story....
skippy
08-20-2008, 08:06 AM
A team in the trans alps or trans rockies would be good, Anyone willing to join me sometime soon.
Keep me post on what your thinking Rory. I have been reading the reports on mtbireland from the Torcies over doing the trans rockies and it sounds like quite a challange.
I hope to get that fit a try something like that someday hopefully.
John Damage
08-20-2008, 08:55 AM
I have big XC plans for us next year
Sounds good Richie. If we're going overseas then to prepare for it we need to be racing like they do. I believe his means a shift of emphasis from courses of a (too) technical nature. Essentially anyone who wants to will have to do a lot more pedalling. I think the club course is a perfect model. Race distance/duration is another matter.
Some of you may recall my my powerful & somewhat emotional oration at last year's AGM.
Limited number of signed copies still available.
Byrner
08-20-2008, 09:12 AM
I agree with you Johnny, I am still emotional over it..be ready for Winter training..lots of gruelling riding on the road..
Mel and I have been racing in the UK this year. We race the XC round of their NPS on the Saturday and the 100km marathon on the Sunday with some success - both of us write lots about the whole thing on our blogs.
http://ryansherlock.blogspot.com/search/label/British%20NPS
http://melaniespath.blogspot.com/search/label/British
we also did Mountain Mayhem (wash out - huge event - fun enough) and Bontrager 24/12 (best event that side of the Epic Blast...) as part of a four person and a mixed pairs team.
Each weekend away costs between 3-500€ each depending on flights/ferry/B&Bs etc...
I would recommend it though - good fun and pretty different from over here. You'll have huge, fast Masters fields to compete against!
John Damage
08-20-2008, 09:20 AM
be ready for Winter training..lots of gruelling riding on the road..
Donno if I've got another year in me old boy.
Byrner
08-20-2008, 09:44 AM
yes you have...don't be such a wuss
Some good insight there, thanks folks.
Ryan, might pick your brain a bit more at some point about specific races etc....
No problem - just grab me at some point. After the marathon I guess :)
The UK NPS races will be run by InEvent next year again (great organization - nice guys) - all will be UCI C2 or higher and they are going to be trying to take over big euro riders and get guys like Liam Killian to commit to the series...