2014 European XC Marathon Champs // Update # 7

I was keeping busy on the bike during the last couple of weeks, so I figured it's about time to write another update about the progress.

I have been doing big, long MTB spin lately but the main goal was to have a spin that is very similar to the race in June. So, I've decided to go for a 75 km long full off-road training spin around the trails of Ballinastoe.  Now, just to give a little extra kick to the project I created a charity page to raise funds to the Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team. This way I'm doing what was planned but also hoped to raise some money to them. 

So, picked a day, got my gear prepared and went for it. The alarm went off at 4:30 am this morning and before I knew it I was all ready to go in the car park in Ballinastoe. 

Stunning sun rise at 6 am

The plan was to stick to a steady pace and try to keep consistent laptimes. So, off I went and started to clock up the miles. The weather was ok enough, thankfully I didn't get any rain. Lap after lap and as it was planned I finished the 75 km long spin just under 5 hours and 12 minutes and climbed 1750m along the way. Completed 5 full laps and did a little extra at the end to make up the 75km. Also kept all my laptimes around the 56-59 minutes time, happy days.

5 hours and 12 minutes later at the trail head. What a spin it was!

The F29 was a freakin' rocket today, serious bike it is!

Today's spin shows that to me that the training is going 100% the way it shoud be. Feeling great on the bike and I'm full of motivation. There's only a few weeks left until the race, so no time to rest now. Keep the pace going and I'm sure I going to have a great race in June! Bring ot on!! :) 

http://www.mycharity.ie/event/ballinastoe75/ 

http://www.strava.com/activities/134715887 

Big thank you to the guys from Biking.ie for the free bike wash after the spin. Nice one lads, I appreciate the help! 

 

Misty morning

Ballinastoe 75 // 11 days to go

So, here's my next project. I've had this idea in my head for a good while but it's time to go ahead with it and do something different!

As part of my preparation for the upcoming European XC Marathon Champs I have decided to ride the distance of 75 km around the Ballinastoe Mountain Bike Trails (the same distance as the Master's race will be in June) and use this opportunity to raise funds for the Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team. I can't think of any better way to thank their effort for rescuing people (including mountain bikers) when they're in trouble up in the mountains. 

If you think this is a worthy way to support them, please help me to raise funds for them and visit my fundraising page on Mycharity.ie! Thank you!

http://www.mycharity.ie/event/ballinastoe75/ 

2014 Cannondale F29 Carbon 3 // First thoughts

Since I got the new Cannondale F29 I took it out two times and got about 6 hours riding time on it. I tested it on many different terrains & trails around the Dublin Mountains (Threerock, WW) and it's definitely time to write a short post about my first impressions!

The first thing to say is: man, this bike is fast. I mean FAST! It rolls seriously well thanks to the 29 inch wheels, the travelling speed is on a whole new level. The big wheels just roll over everything in the way so they are great on the more challenging technical sections. 

The other main thing that I find particularly good is that the bike is very compact compare to being a 29er. The wheelsbase, the chainstays and the horizontal lenght is nice and short, so the bike feels very comfortable (don't have that "big bike" feeling at all) and handles very well on the techical trails. I tried many of the singletracks with tight turns and the bike handles very well I think. Didn't have any issues whatsoever. 

The other thing that I find great is the wide (700mm) handlebar. I have been using narrow (580mm) bars in the last 14 years and I thought they are the business. Until now...there's so much better handling with the wider bars. 

   

After getting back to hardtails one of the most noticeable thing is the stiffness of the frame. Once you put the power down on the pedals the bike moves like a rocket. Very efficient machine indeed. The Lefty fork performs really well. Smooth and definitely light making the front of the bike very easy to shift. The handling precision is very good as well. I might need to play around a bit more with the rebound adjustment but all in I'm impressed with the Lefty!

So, my first impressions are 100% positive, no doubt about that. It's a super light, very stiff but still comfortable XC weapon. Absolutely lovin' the big wheels and if anyone looking for a light and agile XC bike then the F29 is definitely a brilliant choice. 

Simply puts a smile on my face every time I ride it and I can't wait to hit the trails on it every time I'm heading out!! 

2014 Cannondale F29 Carbon 3 // My new race bike

Getting a new bike is always very exciting. Getting something that I have been dreaming about since I started mountain biking is a whole new level. I am a very big fan of Cannondale bikes for a long time and finally the time has come for me to get my hands on one of their race hardtails, the F29 Carbon 3.

I was thinking about getting a 29er for a good while. Even though I was on a 27,5" bike for the last 6 months, but I made my decision and went for the big wheels.

The size small F29

This model is the first in Cannondale's Flash range that comes with a carbon fibre frame. I've had a carbon MTB before so I knew what to expect. Light, stiff, comfortable and not to forget the stunning design. 

The frame is a Ballestic carbon frame with Cannondale's own Speed Save design for increased comfort, with BB30 bottom bracket and 1,5" SI headtube for maximum handling precision. The cables aren't internal but that's ok with me, I prefer to have them nice and straight forward when it comes to maintenance.  

Great looking design

Now, that is a straight line!

Direct mount front mech design

Slim rear triangle for maximum comfort

The bike comes with a Lefty PBR fork that has 90 mm travel and was built with Hybrid Needle Bearing Technology. As we all know the Lefty fork is one of those things that create a huge difference of opinion between riders. Although it is out for 13 years and have had many generations over the years, riders still looking at it with a funny eye. Some riders just don't like it and some others (like myself) are do. They are light, stiff, smooth and look brilliantly unique. What's not to like? :) 

The Lefty PBR with the new plastic protector plate (nice touch Cannondale!)

The front wheel's soul is the Lefty specific hub that is being fitted to the fork with a single bolt

Rebound adjuster & lock-out on the top of the Lefty + the neath looking OPI stem

The specifacion of the bike really suits my taste since I'm a Sram guy myself. The X.7 shifters and X.9 derailleurs creating a good system with the PG 1030 10 speed casette (11-32T) and with the KMC X10 chain. It does what it's ment to be doing: works without hassle.

The Magura MT2 W/BAT brakes are great choice too. They are light and very powerful brakes with lever adjustibility. The bike comes with 160mm rotor on the back and 180mm on the front.

The tubeless ready wheels with ZTR Rapid 29er rims and X.9 rear and Lefty SL front hubs are built with 32 DT SWISS Competition spokes and got fitted with Schwalbe Racing Ralph Evo 29x2.1 tyres. They are still running tubes but will be converted to tubeless asap. 

The final touches are the Cannondale C2 flat handlebar (700mm wide) and the C2 27.2mm x 400mm seatpost with my own Fi'zi:k Tundra saddle.

So, this is my new machine that I'll be riding from now on. Can't waith to ride this savage bike and I'm sure I will have countless hours of fun in the saddle. The funny thing is that I got back to my roots, I'm back on the hardtail again. Old habits die hard as they say! :) 

Change is coming!