Let's go for a night ride

"Let's strap on the bright set of lights and have a adrenalin filled off-road spin up in the mountains!" We've had a brilliant night ride tonight with my friend Csaba. The weather was more than perfect to go up to the mountains even the sun was down already. First we have climbed the Kilmashogue Lane climb and we have crossed from the Kilmashogue car park to Ticknock.

The fire road climb was all right, nice and steady but the fun began on the top of the Bone Shaker. We hit the new trail that leads back to the upper car park. It might not be too techical at day light but I'm telling you it is quiet serious at night. All the little drops seems smaller than they truly are and you don't see more then couple of meters ahead of the front wheel! Fun-fun-fun! 

After the exciting downhill bit we got back to the Ticknock car park we have decided to head home because the weather got cold and windy also. We have covered 30km of distance in 2 hours. I haven't ride at night time for a good while now but it was so much fun I'm sure I'll be doing spins at night more often. If you haven't tried it yet, you should give it a go for sure.

Another cold day on the bike

This morning was very cold again but it seems to be normal this winter. The sky was bright and sunny but the temperature was -3°C in the city. I really enjoy these cold and clear winter rides. 

                       The Sugar Loaf from Threerock - Beautiful, isn't it?

I have spent 2 hours and 20 minutes on the bike this morning. The distance I've covered was only 30km but and the total climb was 1040m during the spin. I have climbed up to the top of Threerock from the lower carpark many times and did the same also from the other side on the fire road.

The mountain was quiet busy, I've seem so many mountain bikers on the road and on the trails. It is normal on a Sunday I guess but it was still early so I didn' expect so many people up there.

Enniskerry (Powerscourt) road spin

This morning my destination was the Powerscourt Waterfall. I haven't been there for a good while now so it was due to visit this beautiful place.

I left from home at 8:30am as I usually do in the winter time and I cycled towards Enniskerry village. The route was the following: 

Milltown - Dundrum - Stepaside - Enniskerry - Powerscourt - Enniskerry - Stepaside - Dundrum - Milltown

When I got to the gate of the waterfall I've had to realize: it is CLOSED... "Hm...This is just great..."

 

So there was nothing else to do but turn back and head home. The spin was ok, I have covered the distance of 40km in 1 hour and 50 minutes on my mountain bike. The total climb was 814m which I think isn't too bad for a short spin like this.I couldn't stay on the bike for longer this morning because I am under preassure to get back in time to go to work.

Altura Pocket Rocket - Waterproof Jacket

The Pocket Rocket jacket is something that I would like to write about for a while now. The weather is not the best so far and even if it is very mild sometimes but still very wet also. I think nothing is more important on the bike than try to stay dry. During the summer if I get rain that's not a bother but in winter conditions it is a different story all together.

But now a bit more about the jacket: it is a very light waterproof jacket. The fabrique is thin so it 's super comfortable to wear on the bike. It has race fit design so the front of tha jacket is very short and the back side is long. It gives proper fit on the bike when you have a bit lower riding position. This way the front wont get loose on the chest and the back is perfectly long enough to cover the back pockets of the jersey even with bigger load in them. 

                          The inside on the jacket with waterproof seams.

It has good enough visibility thanks for the reflective logos and panels. You can find them on the back of the neck, left hand side front and the right hand side back.

The neck is pretty high so it gives a nice protection against the rain and wind. Also useful feature the little fabrique loops on the sleeves. Sits around the thumbs to ensure the sleeves wouldn't slide up durig the ride. 

                                          Useful touch on the sleeves.

One of the most important feature of the jacket is the compact size. It comes mainly from the light weight and the thin layer. Because of them it is very easy to fold it into very small size. So I can take the jacket any time, it wouldn't even take a full pocket. And if the rain has stopped I can put it away very quickly, don't need to leave it on like you do with some other heavy jackets.

                                                  Size comparison.

The pocket Rocket is available in 3 different colors (black, red and reflective green) and comes from size XS up to XXL. The XS size is the bonus feature for the small riders becuase this is the only size that is small enough and fitts well. 

I use the jacket for 2 years now (mainly for mountain biking) and I am very happy with the result: it is fully waterproof, not too warm, strong and durable. I think it is definitely worth it's price if you need to get a light waterproof jacket for training and racing.

Puddles everywhere

 

I just got back from my spin. I have gone up to Threerock just to have my 2 hours spin just before I go to work. The weather was nice and warm, it was 7°C at 8:30am when I left my apartment. It seemed like the rain could start in any minute but lucky enough I didn't get a single drop.

Today I have focused a bit more on the climb rather than the technical trails. I have climbed up to the top 4 times from both directions on the tarmac road and fire road also.

Everything was very wet up there, all the trails were very muddy. But still: it was a lovely winter mounatin bike spin. I like the mountain in the morning because it is very quiet.

1st timed climb of the year and MTB spin afterwards

I have completed my 1st timed climb of the new year this morning. I started to feel better and better on the bike in the last 2 weeks so I have decided to go ahead and check my time on one of my favorite climb. 

This climb is the Kilmashogue climb. I have started from the well known Yellow House Pub in Rathfarnham and headed to the Kilmashogue car park's direction. This climb goes all the way uphill from the Yellow House, there is only one place that has a little bit of downhill section close to the start point. During the way I have passed the M50 just right next to the Marlay Park. After the M50 I hit the Kilmashogue Lane and from that point the road leads you all the way to the top. This lane is a dead end so you need to turn back when you get to the very top.

During the way there is a steep section just before you get to the car park. After this the gradient gets a little bit more friendly but once you get up to the houses and the big opened fields the road gets steep again.

 

The steepest section of the climb

After I have passed the houses on the right I was nearly on the top, just a little bit more to go. Even if this road leads nowhere for some reason I like this climb becuase it is long enough and some of the stages are steep.

Details of the Kilmashogue climb:

Start point: Yellow House Pub (Rathfarnham)

Distance: 6.16 km

Elevation of start: 130m

Elevation of finish: 396m

Total elevation gain: +266m

Total ascent: 300m

Total descent: 34m

Duration: 23min 57sec

After the climb I went for my normal off-road spin. I have started from the Kilmashogue car park. I have climbed all the way up to the very top of Threerock and covered some of the trails on the sea side of the mountain. 

It seems like the winter does not want to give up the grip up there because everything was still very icy. Also the clouds were sitting on the top of the mountain so everything looked a bit like I am in the middle of nowhere. Brilliant!

 

The spin took 1 hour and 35 minutes (only the off-road bit) and I really enjoyed it in the winterly conditions. It seems like the low temperature and the icy surface isn't too bad after all. 

The overall time I have spent on the bike today was 2 hours and 20 minutes and I have covered 38km of distance.

Short spin in the cold

This morning was very cold again. It was -5°C at 8:45am when I have decided to go ahead with my planned spin before I go to work. So I had to put on all the winter gear I have.

I went up to Threerock as I usually do but I have realized quickly: it was probobly about -7°C up there and even the tarmac road was very frosty. I have decided to climb all the way up to the top on the road and hit the fire road that leads to the Kilmashogue carpark.

                       The fire road between Threerock and Kilmashogue.

This way I have a nice loop and I get back in time. The fire road was brilliant, I allways enjoy to ride this way. I got to Kilmashogue car park and from there I started to head back home.

This spin was very short unfortunately but it was kind of enough in the very cold weather. On the way home I really did feel the cold and the last thing I need is to get sick.

Double chainset for XC bike

 

The standard set up on most of XC cranksets is 22-32-44 and usually 11-32 ratio on the rear casette. This was the exact set up also on my bike. If you think about it the 22-32 ratio is as easy as it gets and that is very light gear no doubt about that. During training and racing I'm able to cover all the climbs on the middle (32T) ring so the lightest gear I use is 32-32 (1:1). 

I have been thinking about to take the small ring (22T) off since I don't use it at all and set up a double chainset. 

So this project was based on my standard Shimano SLX chainset. I have removed the original rings from it. 

Then I have prepared the next items that I have bought before:

28 tooth "small" ring - TA Specialites 64mm/4 arm/28T

42 tooth "big" ring - TA Specialites 104mm/4 arm/42T

Narrow chainring bolts - KCNC Alloy

The TA Specialites rings are very light and good quality parts. Also they produce chainrings in every single size and dimension known on the market. KCNC is also well known name if you looking for light parts. 

 

                                     The weight of the necessary parts

The next step is to fit the 28T ring on the chainset where the original small ring use to be. Then you need to bolt the 42T ring on where the original middle ring was resting. This way the chainset is all good to go, ready to be fitted.

The next important step is adjusting the front mech. First of all it has to be lowered a bit since you have 42T ring fitted instead of the original 44T. After this the cable tension has to be adjusted as well. The last thing to be done is the "H" limit srew adjustment to ensure that the front mech does not go that far as it did before.

The final step you need to do: just put the chainset back on the bike. While you doing this be sure there is enough gap between the frame and the bottom bracket cup on the drive side to ensure the 42T ring wouldn't hit the chainstay during rotation. You can adjust this with spacers between the frame and the cup. 

                             The project is done - chainset is on the bike

Crispy morning - Lets go outside!

This  morning was nice and fresh. Still a bit frosty and crispy but very sunny and bright. Just perfect for my regular running session. I am not the biggest fan of running in general but I find it good for my fitness during the winter time.

Based on this I normally run between November and February once a week.

This morning my route was the following:

Milltown - Sandyford Road - Ranelagh - Upper Rathmines Road - Dartry Road - Milltown

Wasn't too long but I really enjoyed it and I think it was just enough for this morning.

About SealSkinz socks

This year we have seen sirious weather conditions already and we still have good few weeks to go before the spring hits us. For me the biggest issue on the bike during the winter time is: keep my toes and my fingers warm. Even if I use proper waterproof overshoes the cold temperature allways causes problems. And of course it is more critical when my shoes are wet. I'm sure we all know the feeling!

In November I got a pair of SealSkinz socks as a present from my friends Csaba and Dóri. I have heard about these socks before and of course I have seen many reviews on them but I never tried them before.

So I use them since November and I think they are the best to wear on the bike during wet and cold conditions. They have a completely waterproof membrane between the thermal inner and windproof outer layers. I've had them on during some really wet training and I am very satisfied with the result. It is warm and dry in all conditions. If you ask me: 100% recommended for the winter time.

Savage day out in Ballinastoe

I haven't been in Ballinastoe for long time so it was due to visit the place.  Especially the upcoming 1st round of The Biking Blitz off-road event.

We have planned an early start for the day so we left the carpark at 9am to go for the planned 2,5 - 3 hours spin.

The weather was warm enough (10 °C) but the wind was extremely strong and we also got light, sometimes heavy rain. But I was on the bike and that what's count. I really enjoyed spin, the rain made the technical sections even more fun.

In the end we have cycled 2 hours and 30 minutes in serious weather conditions. I'm telling you guys: we appriciated the dry clothes and the heated car after the spin. 

"Race day"

Here is an excellent video just to help keep up the motivation during the winter time. It gives back everything: excitement, preparation and the adrenalin during the race. Fantastic stuff! I hope you guys will like it too.

                                          "Race day" - Irina Kalentieva

Nice winter training

Ticknock is one of my favorite place to go when I want to do proper XC spins. I really like the place because it's close to the city and the trails are fantastic.

I was planning to climb up on the new trail for a while now but it is not too easy because there is always somebody is on the way down. So my friend Csaba and me have decided to give it a go early enough in the morning while the mountain is quiet enough.

I have to say: it is a lovely climb. If you like to climb you should give it a go.

Believe me: it is just as fun to ride uphill as it is on the way down. I will do it again, that's for sure.

Ashima AirRotor 160mm

I was planning to get these lovely Ashima rotors for a while now and today I finally got my hands on a pair. I prefer to build my bike as light as possible. Since I am a very light cyclist for me the overall weight of the bike is important. You might say now: "...what difference does it make?...it is only few gramms..." It is true but many times few gramms all add up and in the end it will have a sirious effect.

They are 160mm and 6 bolts version. The weight on each disc is 86g (on my scale) so it is very light. I just put them on now and try them tomorrow morning.

So once I have a proper test spin, I will post my opinion on them.

 

                   Weight difference between Avid and Ashima AiRotor rotors.

Early start for the 2011 racing season

I have decided to start the racing season early this season. Many of the mountain bikers race CX during the winter time but I am not one of them. Mainly because I don't have a cyclocross bike and I prefer to follow particular training methods and the winter racing doesn't quiet fit into that.

So my season will start on the 6th of February in Ballinastoe. The Biking Blitz spring series will start and I have decided to do the 1st round of their league. The 2nd and the 3rd ones are very far for me (Limerick and Galway), but the famous location in Wicklow is perfect.

I will try to spend the following weeks with useful training and get ready for my first race of 2011.

Look 986 - My bike that never leaves me in trouble

The latest photo of the bike

Here it is: my race machine. I have been planning to get this bike for long time but finally it is here. I got it couple of months ago and I am super happy with it so far. Works brilliant, just as it should be.

Specification:
Frame: Look 986 carbon fibre frame S (16")
Fork: Magura Durin Race - 80mm
Headset: FSA 1 1/8" integrated
Crankset: Shimano SLX with TA chainrings (28/42)
Bottom bracket: Shimano SLX
Front mech: Shimano SLX
Rear mech: Shimano XTR
Front shifter: Shimano XTR
Rear shifter: Shimano XTR
Brakes: Shimano SLX (with Ashima AiRotor 160mm 6 bolts discs)
Casette: Shimano XT 11-32
Chain: Shimano XT
Hubs: Tune
Rims: Olympic ZTR
Tyres: Kenda SmallBlockEight  26x2.00
Stem: Truvativ Race
Handlebar: Race Face Next SL carbon fibre
Saddle: SLR
Pedals: EggBeater C

Of course few things could be upgraded, but everything needs to happen in the right time. Isn't it true?

Introduction

Hi All!

Let me introduce myself: my name is András Gercsényi and I am racing XC for ThinkBike.ie Cycling Club.

I have created this blog to share my experience and opinions with everybody who would be interested to follow the adventures of a mountain biker. I will upload posts in relation of training, racing and technical things also. Anything that could be interesting for all of you. I will do reviews also about gear that I have my own experience with.

I hope you will like the page and will follow me in the future. 

Bye