Benjamin Franklin famously once said that “nothing in the world is certain but death and taxes”. Wise words indeed, yet had he ever ridden a mountain bike in November out of Newton in Rawcliffe I’m sure he would have added “mud and hills” to his list. The inaugural Big Bear Bikes Saturday morning ride started with only a minor hiccup – namely me turning up 15 minutes late thanks to some parking “challenges” which had to be resolved by the boys in blue. Note to the man in the Peugeot 206 - never cross a bear when he is in a hurry to ride his bike! Especially when the sun is shining.
The ride started on time thanks to Dave and Wayne getting everyone rolling whilst Mike hung back to wait for me. We had been joined on the ride by Hannah, an experienced climber with York Mountaineering Club and Rob, an 11year veteran of BMX’ing who was now branching out into mountain biking as a way to get fitter and take advantage of the Moors on his doorstep. I arrived in Newton like a man possessed and within 3 minutes had the bike built, thrown on the helmet and shoes and away we went on our two man chain gang to catch everyone else up.
Now I should point out at this stage that I am not a navigator. Satellite Navigation was invented for people like me, so as well as leading the ride I was also having an “on the job” lesson from Wayne on map reading. More on that later though. Mike and I caught up with the lead group after about 15 minutes and en masse we pushed on. Now forgive me if I sound vague about where we went. There are two reasons for this – firstly as I said I don’t read maps so would struggle to say, however were I able to (and I will be able to very soon!) I wouldn’t tell you all because these rides we will be doing on Saturdays are secret and special to us. For the next 30mins we made our way downhill through spectacularly eerie woods , technical in places but not too technical that those who needed to push, couldn’t, and fast and flowy in other parts guaranteed to have us all smiling (cue Hannah “I want to do that again!”).
So back briefly to the map reading lesson. It had been agreed that on exiting the woods that I would endeavour to find our location on the map, which was duly handed to me by Wayne. After several moments of pondering I semi confidently pointed to a spot on the map saying “well I’m pretty sure we should be about here? But if that were right then there should be a big road on our left hand side, and there isn’t?” It took a couple of seconds, in between fits laughter for Wayne to point out that “the road” I was referring to was actually drawn on the map in felt tip pen and was the route we were following. Like I said – I am not a navigator.
The rest of the ride went very well, climby in places, gloopy in others, and some more fast downhill sections where you could really let the bike roll. In all we covered about 13 miles, climbed 1700ft and were out for 2hrs 15min. Not a bad ride at all and a big thanks to Hannah and Rob who finished tired but with big smiles on their faces. Having parked up earlier outside a Tea Room it would have been rude not to rest our weary legs and partake in some tea and cakes (crumpets and scones actually) and what a revelation – in a world where everyone seems content on charging the earth for things there is a little tea room in the beautiful village of Newton on Rawcliffe that sees fit to charge two whole English pounds for a pot of tea and two crumpets. Bargain!
See you all next week for a Hole of Horcum special!
Simon.
Monday, 8 November 2010
Friday, 5 November 2010
Contact!
Contact points on the bike that is. I have just had BBB fit some double gel tape onto my road bike as the original tape smelled really, really bad due to turbo training on it and sweating onto it for months. I have now learned my lesson and given up on the hugo-boss deodorant and gone for the most hardcore Sure I can find plus I wear a pair of gloves and then wash them after each session. I can only apologise to Mark and James for putting them through the process of unravelling the old tape! Anyway, the double gel is an unexpected surprise upgrade; as well as smelling fresh it is so comfy and springy and actually absorbs some of the road vibration. Recommended. I also had a little fiddle with the saddle and bar / hoods angle and that also can make a big difference to how the bike feels. ..It’s a bit nerdy but I got a spirit level and dropped the saddle very slightly so it tips down towards the bars; not so much that you slip forward but enough so it reduces pressure in the delicate area… after all there is nothing worse than numb bits after an hours riding. Turbo training exacerbates an uncomfortable aspect of your bike set up so it’s a good time to fiddle to get those last little angles changed and see if it makes it more or less comfortable.
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Will's a Down-Hill Winner!
Will Hugill's (our Team BBB rider) has had a fantastic first year in Down-Hill Racing. Here's his 'end of season' report. Very well done Will and good luck in the Nationals in 2011. D.
Northern Down-Hill - Round 6-Regional Champs, Kielder: http://www.northerndownhill.co.uk/Northern_Downhill/Home.html
This was the last race in the series and double points were up for grabs!
The track had been made using part of the existing ‘Dead Water’ black run at Kielder. Wet conditions on Saturday meant it was no breeze but it’s a good track littered with jumps, drops, and rock gardens.
The track stayed wet on Sunday and a parting with my bike left me with my thumb in a bandage and a sore back. Still I had two good runs and was placed third securing my win for the season overall. Another fantastic weekend and the guys from Big Bear Bikes even came up to cheer me on!
My Round-up for the year:
This year’s season has been amazing, and the highlight has to be winning the Northern Downhill series for my category. Next year I move up into Youth and I hope to ride the British Downhill Series as well as Northern Downhill. With Big Bear Bikes behind me once again it’s going to be a great year!
Northern Down-Hill - Round 6-Regional Champs, Kielder: http://www.northerndownhill.co.uk/Northern_Downhill/Home.html
This was the last race in the series and double points were up for grabs!
The track had been made using part of the existing ‘Dead Water’ black run at Kielder. Wet conditions on Saturday meant it was no breeze but it’s a good track littered with jumps, drops, and rock gardens.
The track stayed wet on Sunday and a parting with my bike left me with my thumb in a bandage and a sore back. Still I had two good runs and was placed third securing my win for the season overall. Another fantastic weekend and the guys from Big Bear Bikes even came up to cheer me on!
My Round-up for the year:
This year’s season has been amazing, and the highlight has to be winning the Northern Downhill series for my category. Next year I move up into Youth and I hope to ride the British Downhill Series as well as Northern Downhill. With Big Bear Bikes behind me once again it’s going to be a great year!
Sunday morning road ride
Just thinking about a regular road ride from Pickering and the fact that Sunday morning rides are usually a firm favourite with lots of riders… How about a regular monthly Sunday morning meeting at the shop for a 9.00am start? Moors focussed ride of 3-5 hours with a café stop of 20-30mins. LOADS of potential for good routes and good cafes. Excellent Sportive training for those interested in doing some winter miles. Some big climbs to do with at least one serious climb. Not for the faint hearted but not a race either. If you have not tried or succeeded in riding for 4 hours in the cold at 15mph average then this may be a step too far.. but.. it does not take long to build up your endurance so if you can ride for 3 hours then getting to 4 is not a big challenge! Let BBB know if you would be interested.
Tuesday, 2 November 2010
Cycle To Work - how to 'help' your employer...
The Cycle to Work scheme is a government initiative to encourage cycling. Employers that sign up usually let employees choose the bicycle and equipment up to a value of £1,000. This cost is met by deductions from an employee’s salary, before taxation, over a year, cutting the bike’s cost and spreading it over time. The scheme is still running and the government has signalled it will continue.
However, your employer has to decide to participate. This is straightforward and much of it can be done online at tinyurl.com/yeh988p. If yours is reluctant, you could canvass colleagues to gauge the level of interest and, if there is enthusiasm, try using that information to persuade your employer to join in.
For more help and for examples of how much you can save on the bike, clothes and accessories please contact us at the shop.
However, your employer has to decide to participate. This is straightforward and much of it can be done online at tinyurl.com/yeh988p. If yours is reluctant, you could canvass colleagues to gauge the level of interest and, if there is enthusiasm, try using that information to persuade your employer to join in.
For more help and for examples of how much you can save on the bike, clothes and accessories please contact us at the shop.
2011 Etape du Tour
What have they done - in 2011 its all change - we picked this up from the Sunday Times 'Cycle Guy' blog by Richard Caseby...
Round about this time of the year Joe Cyclist is jumping around as though he’s got ants in his Lycra pants. And why? Well, the route of the Etape du Tour is announced and the scramble for places on the premier sportive of the year begins. Ready on your buzzers . . . and I hope you’ve got a stack of cash.
Only this year there are two étapes, each for around 10,000 riders. The first follows the route of the 2011 Tour de France, stage 19, and runs 68 miles from Modane to Alpe d’Huez on July 11, ascending Col Télégraphe (5,138ft), Galibier (8,678ft) and finishing after the 21 hairpins of Alpe d’Huez (6,102ft).
The second, on July 17, is a flatter (but still bumpy) route between Issoire and St-Flour in the Massif Central, ending after 129 miles.
For the first time, British riders will be able to buy entry-only online from November 16 at www.letapedutour.com. Previously, you’ve had to buy an entire holiday through a tour organiser such as sportstoursinternational.co.uk.
The first 3,000 entries will be sold for €75 (£66), the next 3,000 for €95, and if you’re still left empty-handed you can go through a tour group. An entry-only from a UK company will then cost about £200 — but don’t blame the tour companies. Amazingly, that’s what ASO, the French organiser, is charging them.
Can the golden cyclist lay any more eggs? Certainly, it seems.
I hear that Club Med is charging tour groups more than ¤500 for a room after the Alpe d’Huez finish. Sure, it has to open the ski hotel out of season, but even so. Nul points, Club Med. Anyway, I doubt they’ll get many takers since the étape route is so short most will have finished by 3pm and can book a hotel off the mountain for a fifth of the price.
Oddly, the 2011 mountain route is putting plenty of people off, not because it’s hard but because it looks much easier than in previous years. The last time the étape ended on Alpe d’Huez it took in the cols of Izoard and Lautaret and was 51 miles longer. A tough, hot bugger, as I remember it, and really quite unpleasant. And if you’re paying all that money you want to suffer properly, don’t you?
The other drawback is that the big mountain-top crowds won’t be there to shout and hurl water over you. They bag their pitches for the real Tour, which passes through a couple of days later, and cheer you as though you’re the real thing. Believe me, it really does help when you’re grinding out the last few hundred metres. This year the Tour comes 11 days later.
My guess is that many étape veterans will try for the Marmotte ride on July 2 instead, which takes in Glandon (6,312ft), Télégraphe and Alpe d’Huez over 108 miles. The 100-strong team of amateur riders from Sky who rode the étape last year may look to this one or even a gran fondo in Italy.
Etapes are getting busy — a few previous ascents have been so choked that people have had to dismount. You can see why ASO wants to clone the golden goose. Sportives make big money and there is no sign of their turbocharged popularity waning. A second, flatter route encourages new riders into the fold and is an alternative for the 30% of entrants who don’t make the cut on a mountain stage.
There’s more to come. I hear of outline plans for a championship-style challenge in which the top 10 riders of each étape category finish in a race on the Champs-Elysées. But not next year. Maybe 2012
Round about this time of the year Joe Cyclist is jumping around as though he’s got ants in his Lycra pants. And why? Well, the route of the Etape du Tour is announced and the scramble for places on the premier sportive of the year begins. Ready on your buzzers . . . and I hope you’ve got a stack of cash.
Only this year there are two étapes, each for around 10,000 riders. The first follows the route of the 2011 Tour de France, stage 19, and runs 68 miles from Modane to Alpe d’Huez on July 11, ascending Col Télégraphe (5,138ft), Galibier (8,678ft) and finishing after the 21 hairpins of Alpe d’Huez (6,102ft).
The second, on July 17, is a flatter (but still bumpy) route between Issoire and St-Flour in the Massif Central, ending after 129 miles.
For the first time, British riders will be able to buy entry-only online from November 16 at www.letapedutour.com. Previously, you’ve had to buy an entire holiday through a tour organiser such as sportstoursinternational.co.uk.
The first 3,000 entries will be sold for €75 (£66), the next 3,000 for €95, and if you’re still left empty-handed you can go through a tour group. An entry-only from a UK company will then cost about £200 — but don’t blame the tour companies. Amazingly, that’s what ASO, the French organiser, is charging them.
Can the golden cyclist lay any more eggs? Certainly, it seems.
I hear that Club Med is charging tour groups more than ¤500 for a room after the Alpe d’Huez finish. Sure, it has to open the ski hotel out of season, but even so. Nul points, Club Med. Anyway, I doubt they’ll get many takers since the étape route is so short most will have finished by 3pm and can book a hotel off the mountain for a fifth of the price.
Oddly, the 2011 mountain route is putting plenty of people off, not because it’s hard but because it looks much easier than in previous years. The last time the étape ended on Alpe d’Huez it took in the cols of Izoard and Lautaret and was 51 miles longer. A tough, hot bugger, as I remember it, and really quite unpleasant. And if you’re paying all that money you want to suffer properly, don’t you?
The other drawback is that the big mountain-top crowds won’t be there to shout and hurl water over you. They bag their pitches for the real Tour, which passes through a couple of days later, and cheer you as though you’re the real thing. Believe me, it really does help when you’re grinding out the last few hundred metres. This year the Tour comes 11 days later.
My guess is that many étape veterans will try for the Marmotte ride on July 2 instead, which takes in Glandon (6,312ft), Télégraphe and Alpe d’Huez over 108 miles. The 100-strong team of amateur riders from Sky who rode the étape last year may look to this one or even a gran fondo in Italy.
Etapes are getting busy — a few previous ascents have been so choked that people have had to dismount. You can see why ASO wants to clone the golden goose. Sportives make big money and there is no sign of their turbocharged popularity waning. A second, flatter route encourages new riders into the fold and is an alternative for the 30% of entrants who don’t make the cut on a mountain stage.
There’s more to come. I hear of outline plans for a championship-style challenge in which the top 10 riders of each étape category finish in a race on the Champs-Elysées. But not next year. Maybe 2012
Tuesday, 26 October 2010
Downhilling in Wales
One of the junior riders we have been supporting, Will, recently raced the Juice Lubes/O'Neal downhill race in wales, heres what he had to say:
Juice Lubes/O’Neal Downhill Round 4
This was my first race in both Wales and this series, so I was keen to see how
the tracks fared against the northern venues. It was a much larger category
for me this time with 16 entries so I was expecting to be up against some
good riding.
The track was fast with good flow and many features like rocks, roots, jumps,
drops, switchbacks etc. You name it, this track had it. The other good thing
about this track was that it was long – even the tractor uplift took about 10
minutes. At the top the weather was damp and windy with the bottom
section being dryer and looser. The track was amazing, my favourite track so
far in fact and with plenty of good lines to pick up on meaning I could
increase my speed a bit with each run.
The track was dryer on race day and the ground was fast but this track is so
much fun that after a couple of practise runs I didn’t have the usual pre‐race
jitters.
My first run wasn’t great but at least having the right kit means the only
thing it costs you is valuable time, still, I was feeling the pressure to do well
on my second run. I decided to go for it opting for some harder lines and
leaving the brakes alone as much as I dared ‐ I came away with 8th place.
No podium but I was happy with my result in a sizable category ‐ overall a
fantastic weekend, the event was really well organised.
Thanks again to the guys at Big Bear for their support, much appreciated!
Juice Lubes/O’Neal Downhill Round 4
This was my first race in both Wales and this series, so I was keen to see how
the tracks fared against the northern venues. It was a much larger category
for me this time with 16 entries so I was expecting to be up against some
good riding.
The track was fast with good flow and many features like rocks, roots, jumps,
drops, switchbacks etc. You name it, this track had it. The other good thing
about this track was that it was long – even the tractor uplift took about 10
minutes. At the top the weather was damp and windy with the bottom
section being dryer and looser. The track was amazing, my favourite track so
far in fact and with plenty of good lines to pick up on meaning I could
increase my speed a bit with each run.
The track was dryer on race day and the ground was fast but this track is so
much fun that after a couple of practise runs I didn’t have the usual pre‐race
jitters.
My first run wasn’t great but at least having the right kit means the only
thing it costs you is valuable time, still, I was feeling the pressure to do well
on my second run. I decided to go for it opting for some harder lines and
leaving the brakes alone as much as I dared ‐ I came away with 8th place.
No podium but I was happy with my result in a sizable category ‐ overall a
fantastic weekend, the event was really well organised.
Thanks again to the guys at Big Bear for their support, much appreciated!
Thursday, 24 June 2010
The long Paw of the Law
Big Bear Bikes gave the Police a Ticket this week. In fact not just one but nineteen of them! BBB recently beat off the competition for a tender to supply Humberside Police with a fleet of Trek bikes. After some great work by the team at the shop followed by a long day in Hornsea police station car park fitting accessories and Police stickers, our boys in blue (actually isnt it more like black now?) were well chuffed. Thanks to Paul Pickering for his help too.
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Awww shucks. A nice comment from some of our customers.
Hi Big Bear Bikes!
Just a note to say how helpful you were on our holiday this half term. We visited your shop three times over the week: twice for new inner tubes and the third time you fixed our bike rack for us with some zip-ties. Ingenious! If you hadn't fixed it for us then we couldn't have driven home with the bikes! Your staff were very helpful and kind, and our biking holiday would have been ruined without you! Thank you!
Just a note to say how helpful you were on our holiday this half term. We visited your shop three times over the week: twice for new inner tubes and the third time you fixed our bike rack for us with some zip-ties. Ingenious! If you hadn't fixed it for us then we couldn't have driven home with the bikes! Your staff were very helpful and kind, and our biking holiday would have been ruined without you! Thank you!
Monday, 14 June 2010
Big Bears go Nutcrackers in Dalby...
Sunday 13th was round 3 of the Nutcracker MTB XC series held in our very own Dalby Forest. BBB had two entrants as the rest of the team are mainly enjoying themsleves on mountain bikes in the USA!
The race circuit was most of the UCI World Cup loop but without the Dixon's Hollow bit, the 'bus stops' in Worry Gill and the last section of Medusa's Drop over the roots which can be quite slippery if damp (!!!).
Sam B was in the Sports (20-29) category with a four lap race. The weather stayed dry and Sam was running a very strong 8th when he had to withdraw due to a reoccurrence of a knee injury and thought, with his knee rapidly tightening, that discretion was better than valour. However, the phrase 'pain is temporary, quitting is permanent' was heard to be muttered by one of the band of supporters...
Wayne E was riding in the Masters (30-39) category with a five lap race but unlike everybody else he had forgotten to bring any gears on his bike - mad! He was using the race as a last 'speed' training session before doing Mountain Mayhem next weekend in the Solo Single Speed class. During the race, the weather turned and Dalby retrurned to its usual mud-fest but we don't know how Wayne did until the results are posted. After the five lapper he continued on and led the two hour BBB shop ride for us - a very big thanks Wayne.
To see more of the photos check out our Facebook page here
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