My Ellsworth is more or less finished with the recent purchase of some wider bars and a 38t chainring on a double.
Big thanks to Pete for persevering with the jetwash after a disastrous Gravity Enduro race at Afan that was more of a mud fight than a race.
I have fitted this rather pricy looking thumb shifter to take the place of the awful lever for the x fusion seatpost. I opened it up, took the ratchet out and packed it with grease. It now works really well. Will probably have to get a spare as i don't see this lasting well in a stack on the rocks.
I was going to take some pictures of Petes' new Commencal 666 but he has bought such ridiculously wide handlebars i couldn't get it out the garage.
Friday is qualifying day, and it's important to feel at your best for two reasons. Firstly it’s a tough course filled with riders of varying ability. Secondly, today decides which race you run in over the weekend.
For the actual mega race there are five races you can qualify in. Within these there are different categories as you would normally find at race events (vets, masters etc).
For the purposes of this blog I am only going to briefly explain how you place into the five races.
The below numbers are unconfirmed and approximate.
If you place 1-35 in your heat you will race in the main megavalanche race. (mass start).
If you place 36-70 in your heat you will race in the mega challenger race.
(mass start).
If you place 71-105 in your heat you will race in the mega amateurs race.
(mass start).
If you place 106 - 140 in your heat you will race in mega affinity one.
(timed run).
If you place after 140 in your heat you will race in mega affinity two.
(timed run).
You don't need to worry about getting a good enough qualifying position in order to take part in the Event. Everyone gets to ride ... As long as you don't collect any injuries on the qualy. Each qualifying heat is a mix of ability with the first two rows of the grid reserved for pro / semi pro. The rest is quite a random mix. And yes it's a mental mass start. Do not be late ! It's a long Q to get the gondola up to the start point so get there early. Timed run Affinity classes are races against the clock, so its actually a good place to be if you don't fancy the mental mass start and want to see how quick you can complete it. You would be surprised how quick the best times are in this class. The Mass start events are why we are all there really, this is not an average race and it one of a handful of events of this type. If you are crazy enough to do it and good enough to qualify then go for it.
First Timer
Last year (2012) I placed 108th in my
qualifier so I was classed into the Affinity 1 race. I knew I could have placed
higher as a few circumstances had held me back on the day. Initially I was a
little disappointed especially being so close to making it to one of the mass
start events... But, I soon realised, don't underestimate the utter madness of
a mass start.
I had spent many hours online researching
the races and I new I wanted to place well. There is a lot of rubbish
written out there on forums, on you tube and such like, about how it’s not
worth racing if you end up in the affinity classes. Frankly…that’s just not
true. And i guess that’s why i writing this blog. It’s such a huge
weekend that there are so many different perspectives and experiences playing
out for people all at the same time. I am writing with out the
pretentious stuff, just the fun stuff . So if you are thinking of going for the
first time, you can have a read of this blog and get an idea of what it will be
like as a normal guy like me.
My Level This had been my first downhill bike race in over 15 years, in fact the last time I did race had been on a GT Zaskar with Cantis and Rockshoxx Quadras.
As a first timer to Alpine riding and
to a mass start event it quickly became apparent that I had underestimated the
terrain and the mindset needed. The gradients are nothing like what you can
find in southern England, as far a my experience had been anyway. The
terrain is very dusty in places and the volume of traffic sharing the run at the
same time really kicks it up. The lack of oxygen in the air has a massive
effect on performance and recovery. However fit you are, you are not fit
enough. The Tour de France guys don’t get this high up Alpe D’huez, and
up at the snow line it can be a real struggle to keep going if you sprint to
early. Most of all, the mass starts are a bit nerve wracking, the ribbon goes
up and everyone guns it, there is no messing about.
Now for me the only big problems turned out to be the dust, and that start.
I have skied in the Alps a lot and I have even skied at Alpe D'huez
including the black run used for the main event. So steep stuff isn't a
problem for me, if you have skied or boarded on reds or blacks then you have
probably stood at the top of things that feel like cliff faces. It's fair
to say that there is very little common technique but at least you would be
used to looking down and not sweating too much. It's this same experience
that helped with the altitude. Was I able to cope with it better than others?
Probably not, but I new what to expect, how quickly I would tire and I knew I
had to manage how much I pushed myself in the opening stages of the main event.
Qualifying –
Somehow we had not managed to complete a
full run of the qualifying course during the days before the Friday. We
had covered most of the track, or so we thought, but the opening section, some
of which is though snow, was missing from our knowledge. This was the
first mistake, we stood at the top looking over the small valley section that
leads down to the snow, and then out of sight. The track starts metres from a
turn and quickly bottle necks on the bend. It is dusty, rocky and gullys cross
the track. My good friend Pete and myself watched the first wave go off.
Within moments the full mix of capabilities were all throwing full
aggression at the first corner. The pros seemed to be out of sight
quickly with a handful of the next line hitting the deck and others desperately
trying to not ride over them.I
was in heat two and my nerves started to kick in right there and then. Maybe
780mm bars aren't such a great idea after all!
We watched the front runners of heat one snake
their way through the turns throwing out a cloud of dust. In vain we watched
and tried to track their route so we had some idea of what was the good route.
I lined up in my row and mostly the mood was
good. There are plenty of groups who obviously know each other, that said
this is the only time I felt the competitive nature overtake the fun.
Pete reported similar. As the last minutes passed before the start
gate opened he turned to the guy sat next to him and said 'good luck mate'
..... No response, nothing, not even the slightest smile of acknowledgement. I
had a similarly grumpy sole next to me who seemed to be waggling his renthals
about and playing the psyc out game. Three minutes later I rode round him
as he scrabbled to his feet after digging his bars into another riders baggy
pockets.
The start wasn't actually as bad as I
thought. I couldn't help but hang back a little with the intention of
staying on the bike at the expense of a few places. I weaved round
various bikes and limbs that littered the first corner and laid down all the
power I had down the straight towards the next corner. My downhill rig
was slow to accelerate but I was able to take the more unforgiving lines and
make a few places up on the inside. By the third and fourth corner the field
had already settled down and I could look up to see the leaders were already
massively out in front. Corner four was where my problems started.
My skiing had taught me to keep breathing hard in order to get as much
oxygen though. This wasn't working and instead I had inhaled huge amounts of
dust. This combined with the sprint from cold left me with my first real
asthma attack in 10 years.For the
next three miles I had no choice but slow my pace and concentrate on regaining
control of my breathing.The
following shallow climbs and undulations across the smooth rock is amazing to
ride and I tried to focus on enjoying myself and let go of the competitive side
that had taken over.Small
sections of snow serve to bottle neck the field as riders come together for a
handful of narrow crossing points and then disperse again to take advantage of
the multitude of routes that make up the top section.Finally my lungs relaxed a bit and I coughed up some of
dust.The wide open space narrowed
back down to a 4WD track and the incline increased towards the technical single
track.I was able to make back a few
places before entering the step single track sections.We were now on more familiar ground as
I had practiced everything from here on.It was clear that some of the riders immediately in front of me had
either not been down this at all or severally lacked the confidence needed to
attack the berms with speed.Looking
back I now wonder if some of these guys were actually back markers from the
previous heat. This section is steep and you need the speed to stick to the top
of the berm thus staying out the rocks.Large drops that require serious arse on back wheel maneuvers are plenty
with the occasional one launchable.Along here is the small ‘North Shore’ section (as people called it) it’s
a few timber sections with drops that hug a very narrow and step bit of trail.A nice nerve trembling fallaway
threatens on the right with some strategically placed crash mats laid out to
save riders from impaling themselves should they not navigate the slight
turn.If your good you breeze this
part only slowing to gain control of your tyres on the relatively slippery
wood.If your like me then its at
the edge of capability.I had
attempted this in practice but nearly brocken my ankle in the process, learning
that trying difficult things in practice days can jeopardize the whole
week.Another rider had pointed
out at dinner that I shouldn’t try to ride this section.I had been expressing my frustration at
not having conquered it and he explained that on race day I wouldn’t be able to
ride it anyway as most people will be walking it.Sure enough every rider in front of me was off their bike
and looking over it deciding on how to get down.I dismounted with momentum and bounced down it on foot
passing some ditherers and remounted the bike while on the run.Three more places gained and I was
happy.
Pete had not even attempted this in practice
but with the spirit and aggression of the race decided to plough down it come
what may.The first drop he made
only to be clonked over the side by a pedestrian and his bike. He found himself
on the crash mat with a hole in his side… Literally!I wish I had seen it. He probably would have made it down if it hadn't been for the walker. I became stuck in a group of four and we were all being held up by one
guy who was not taking the hint,my asthma had fallen off enough for me to scream at him.
Chances for a pass here are few and he
wasn’t going to move.As we found
our way to the next short climb this chap pulled away from me and a few others
and I was still behind him as we descended down to the village of Alpe
D’heuz.The braking bumps down
here were already starting to get nasty and the poor high speed capability of
my boxxer forks started to show.Big thumps they loved but high speed stutters left me pining for my old
2004 triple 8s.
The next section is a lot of fun, it runs
alongside a road and into the town.Its quite flat but it swoops along with the option to takes some ramps
and maybe use them to make up a place or two.Three of us were still stuck behind this one guy who wasn’t
going to pick up speed or let us past, the rider in front of me took one of the
ramps and the local crowed whooped and cheered. I swooped round and took the
‘chicken line’.He nearly landed
on top of me as I tried to take the opportunity to get another place.I realised ramp or no ramp, with all
the dust we were creating none of us were going to change order.We started to drop into the town.This is brilliant fun, sweeping into
tunnels across paths, up storm drains and down grass banks.Finally we all past ‘that guy’ one buy
one, I managed to out brake him at a corner and I didn’t see him again.We crossed the bridge and dropped down
onto the road that is the last real chance of an easy overtake.The last section is DH4 and I love
it.
Most of it is not overtaking
friendly but if someone has a bad run on a berm you can take advantage pretty
easily.It swingsback and forth
across the incline and down through some trees where a hand ful of drops will
slow the less able riders leaving the more confident / practice a last chance
to nip past.Again its dusty, and
my breathing suffered again as I clug to another riders back wheel waiting to
take advantage of any mistake. Nice fast single track leads down to the final
bit of road and a sprint to the finish. I cleaned my bike down only to find my
seat pack was open wide and the entire contents had obviously strewn itself
along the course.They provide
with a free sandwich and drink at the finish so I took up a spot and waited for
Pete to turn up in the third heat. And sure enough he did, with a hole in his
side but a big smile on his face.
I’ll be posting back with a bit about race
day and also the bikes.
Pete being pete, he is always on the look out for bargains. Here are some of his latest-
If you see a great deal ... post it !
Maxxis Ardent 2.6 or 2.4 tyre currently £19.99 !!
Pete ran this as a front tyre last year and he is still running it this winter. It doesn't seem to clog much and runs nicely at low pressure, bags of grip. This is the cheepest we could find it anyway.
There are also other bargains to be had on this site.
Here are some picks of my build before i get started, for those who haven't seen it yet !
It's a 2012 Ellsworth Moment bought second hand from a works rider.
It's a 160mm travel (6.3) frame and I have married it up with a pair of Bombers 66 Ti sprung with 180mm travel. This is longer than the stock forks but I am hoping this will slacken the head angle a bit more a help me out on the steep bits.
I have gone with the bombers as last year I was a bit disappointed with my Boxxers, they just wrecked my hands on the brake bumps. Pete and I are going to have a go at sorting those with some different oil, but more on that at a later date.
Check out the machining on the rocker arms, Ellsworth went to town on the patterning obviously happy to let the machines work away making pretty shapes.
I bought a new 60mm Nuke Proof warhead stem on sale at Chain Reaction cycles, now thinking about it I may want to go shorter, but will get the bike built first.
Compared to my Rogue this should turn out to be a lot lighter bike.... the 8 inch bike was great last year and got me out of a few scrapes (but not always).
Its never going to be super light but hopefully a lot more manageable. This coming summer its going to be a single crown fork, the boxxer was great for stiffness and the direct mount stem meant the bars were always straight after a stack, but i am not sure this frame will take a triple clamp.
Snowy Sunday and I decided to finally crack on with the build.
The temperature outside the garage was a toasty -1c and I was interested to see how long I would last. After a while though I got used the cold metal with a bit of music, biscuits and lots and lots of tea!
It was a little sad disassembling the Rogue for parts but I have to say that now I have started I am really excited.
I pulled the hope tech m4 brakes, blackspire bars and shifters over in only an hour. The cranks are playing silly buggers and are going to take a little longer.
I went for an XTR Bottom Bracket, it's only £45 which is only a few quid more than XT. The nukeproof stem has a solid face plate which makes lining the bars up a bit more difficult as you can't see the guide marks on the bars.
There is that great moment when you get the bars on a sling on the wheels and seat and suddenly you can sit on the bike and get an idea of how it feels.
Here it is so far - Bike building tip from my days at the bike shop. Use some folded cardboard or pipe lagging to protect the frame from dropped tools or just the odd accidental knock/slip of a spanner.
The bike definitely isn't going to break any weight records but I can already feel its going to be significantly lighter than the Rogue (42Lbs). The front end does feel heavy but I will weigh it once its all built and then work on shaving off weight here and there.
