Bontrager Jones CXR cyclocross tyre // The All-rounder

The Bontrager Jones CXR - 700 x 34C cyclo-cross tyres are the only ones I ever tested and used, so I can't compare them to any other models out there but I think the more than 2 months time that I've been using them is enough to say: they are brilliant tyres! 

Since I have them I got to test them out on every surface in pretty much all sorts of conditions: dry, muddy, frozen, gravel, grass, singletrack, tarmac, etc... 

Ready to roll

 

 

The folding design provides super easy & quick installation, so it's very easy to work with even if there's a puncture on a cold winter spin. 

 

The traction is excellent so as the mud-shedding ability thanks to the pattern. They have great grip in the corners and the rolling resistance is low, so they are very fast as well. 

 

The puncture resistance is good, I managed to have a puncture-free run since I got them. Happy days! :)

I usually run them on 29 PSI (2 bars) pressure. This seems to be working out perfectly with my bodyweight in every conditions, so I will stick to this setup in the future.

Mudfest it is

Real winter testing

So, my own experience about these tyres is simply great. They never left me in trouble, I find them very reliable. Good traction, good weight (unfortunatelly I don't have any weight data, but they are light I'd say). What else I could ask for? I'm happy with them and will stick to them in the future! :)

Time to run again!

The "missing" running shoes are back

Yep, it's that time of the year again, so there's no other option but do some running sessions again. After some searching I managed to dig out my running shoes that I haven't seen for a loooong time! :)

Today, as a first running session I've picked a nice and short route. I also included a set of stairs (next to the Dropping Well Pub) to have a nice and intense segment within today's running session. Since it was my first day back running again I've done intervals on those stairs only 5 times in a row, but planning lot more in the near future! :) 

Great place to do some specific intervals

After I finished my planned time here I kept carry on towards the Sandford Road and came back home along the Dodder. I have been running only for 25 minutes this evening. This was enough to cover just a bit more than 4 km. Since I haven't been running for a very long time I have to say it was a little bit of a shock to the system but will get better in a short time I think. From now on I'm planning to run regularly just as I always do every winter. Will need to get used to it again though...  

Frosty spin in the park // Winter CX is great!

I thought I might go a bit arty this time, so I've decided to upload some nice B&W photos from today's frosty cyclo-cross spin. 

It's been a while...

...since my last post mainly because I wasn't doing much on the bike in the last 3 weeks. I've been busy with many things and also went for holiday back to Hungary. This time was special 'cause this was our first visit with Rhys! 

We had amazing weather!

I missed the bike indeed but it was so nice to go back to the family home and visit our family after one and a half year. Rhys was a little Super Star at home, he amazed everyone! Haha!! :)

But after this shprt break I'm back to Dublin and planning to do at least one more cross race, so there's plenty to do in order to feel good on the bike! To start my prep I'll be heading out for some good, old fashioned cyclo-cross spin tomorrow morning and put the bike through some proper mud in the park!

Yep, winter is here I think...

For me there's always a day on the bike that really means the beginning of the winter time. The day when I getting my fingers numb, my toes freezing and just generally feel cold. This day has hit me today...yep, it's winter, there's no turning back!

Yep, that's exactly what it looks like: frozen puddles on the side of the road this morning

This morning I went out for a real nice & civilized road spin with my good friend Csaba, and since we haven't been out on the bike together for a very long time we decided to head up to the Wicklow Mountains, so we can have a good chat on the quiet traffic-free roads. The morning was cold enough but nothing serious here in the city. But things changed when we got to the open Military Road after the Viewing Point. The road was icy and frosty at many places and most of the puddles were still frozen on the side of the road. Savage it was, especially with the strong wind that definitelly didn't ease the pain! :)

Fantastic view!!

Luckily I was on the cyclo-cross bike so the traction was more than perfect. But still the road was quiet dodgy at some places. It all got better after we started our descent back to Enniskerry through the Glencullen Valley. Got a bit warmer as well, so my useless toes and fingers finally started to melt. Happy days! :)

The route of the first spin of this winter

This bike ride was just perfect: got some slow paced and useful winter miles in on the road, got some quality conversation going with my very good friend and just simply had great time on the bike. We have done 43 km distance just a bit under the 2 hours and 20 minutes mark. 

This was my last spin for a little while because I'm heading to Hungary with my wife Anett and my son Rhys to visit our family back home. But after the holiday I still have a couple of the remaining cyclo-cross races planned, so there's plenty to do as a preparation! Bring it on! :)