Will Racing Downhill

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Big Bear Bikes

Prissick Park Criterium Races

Did the first of these tonight in Middlesborough on the new dedicated cycle track. There are six races in total, 1 every week on Thursdays. There is a 4th cat / go ride 30 min race followed by an hour (plus 2 laps) handicap race for E/1/2/3/4 riders. I did the latter race which started at 8.00pm.

The course is only 1K in length but is nice and wide, super smooth and has some nice corners which you can roll into at speed with minimal braking.

It got dark during the race which made it interesting and the shadows of wheels was initialy offputting but once it got dark the led lights around the track gave enough light to keep it safe.

I started off at the front and really tried to stay in the top 10 to push myself but with so few people taking a turn I dropped back a bit and stayed in the top 15. There were only a handfull of second cats but they came through with about 15 mins to go and the pace hotted up. I managed to hang on and ended up sprinting into 7th place.

I thought it would feel like a bit of a hamster run but with some nice corners it keeps it interesting and I will certainly be doing more of these if I can get away from work on time. Mph.

Trek 2.3 Aluminium

Trek 2.3 Road Bike

I took the demo Trek 2.3 for a ride last week. I wanted to ride it as it shares the geometry of the more expensive carbon frames which always get good reviews. Currently I ride a top of the range Scott Addict which has a superlight carbon frame and is designed as an all out race bike. I also have a Titanium Van Nicholas which I bought in the autumn to ride as my ‘second’ bike / winter bike. The titanium frame is certainly more forgiving than my Scott but is not as quick and responsive… but it is designed as more of a ‘long haul’ bike which puts comfort before performance.

I did a two hour loop on the Trek on one of my favourite rides up to the Blakey via Bell-end climb and back via Cropton. I have to say I was very impressed. Its one of those bikes where you get on it and it feels instantly right. Usually when you first get onto a new bike it takes a few rides to ‘dial in’ to its riding characteristics… not his one though.

I was also amazed to find it a lot more comfortable than my titanium bike. It’s hard to gauge and score how much more comfortable but there is a significant difference.

So that’s two big plus points for starters. The third thing I noticed was that despite being more comfortable it felt noticeably stiffer when climbing. I did not time the difference but it certainly made the long drag up to the Blakey easier.

And finally the fourth plus point was the way it feels when cornering. This is linked to the first point about how right it feels to sit on… it carves a really nice line when cornering and feels planted and very secure. No twitchiness but no sluggishness either; a really nice balance.

It usually takes me weeks to make up my mind about anything I buy but I sold my Titanium bike 2 days after doing the demo ride and have bought the Trek demo bike… So if you want to try it you will have to ask me (nicely)! Whilst I very much like the Scott I have, I don’t think I want to try out the carbon Trek Madone version as it may be hard to go back to the Scott afterwards… not just yet anyway! Mph.

Whinlatter MTB Challenge

There was once a famous book that start something like this: 'and in the beggining there was'...something or other, blardy, blardy, blare. Well with this race review in the beggining there were HILLS, in the middle there were HILLS, and yes you got it, in the end there were...wait for it! HILLS! 

Richard Mcguire (the creator of this illustrious blog and in the photo!) & Joe Spencer both racing for Big Bear Bikes were on the start line, & ready for battle. In front of us were lots of fast looking racer dudes & dudeses with their 'race faces on' that said they were ready for blood. '3-2-1-go'! was the cry from the starter and away we went. I set off like a house on fire (well smouldering) & Joe was the same. The thought half way up the first climb was 'how the hell are we going to do another 30 miles like this.' Luckily there was a slight bottle neck at the top leading into the first part of singletrack. 'Phew, a rest I thought.' Away we went again and the further into it the more comfortable it became. I was in around 50th place at the half way stage with Joe just a little further back. The hills kept coming and coming and with no granny ring & the rain get into the surface more and more the task of holding our places became harder. after several gels, bars & carb drinks supplied by Big Bear Bikes the fatigue started setting in after about 26miles,and the harder i pushed the worse it got, then the brick wall was about to be hit for a few miles. At around this point I went A over T straight off the edge of a bloody big wet fat root. And that was that. After a quick dusting down, and several peoples passing me I carried on in true couragous style. Joe at this point was seamingly getting stronger & passing people for fun after hitting a flat spot spot around the half way stage.

About two miles out my legs came back a little but by this point it was too late the damage had been done. Guess I'm not quite as fit as I thought I was.

In the end I finished in the race in 74th in a time of 3hrs 16mins. Joe finished in 142nd in 3hrs 54mins. Upon reflection fairly respectable for a first attempt on a demanding course with so may competitors - 476 doing the full enduro as we were. A great day out on a well set up & run event. More to come from both of usin the future I'm sure. RM

MAD Road Rides - The Malton & District Easy Riding Group.

Malton And District Cycling

The fifty plus and easy rider group

Contact Keith Buck tel: 01653 628211

Email: bucksawpit@btinternet.com

www.maltonwheelersrc.co.uk

Runs will start from Slingsby Maypole, Slingsby, North Yorks.  Unless an alternative is given.

Pace, steady touring about 13/14 mph.

See your MAD page on the Malton Wheelers web site.

The route will be circulated on the Monday/Tuesday before the ride.  Please join the group where it is convenient for you and liaise with the leader to coordinate times.

For events shown in (brackets and italics) contact the organising club.

Sun 3^rd April. 08:30  Slingsby, 09:00 Newbiggin X-roads Malton, 09:30 Settrington School.  Ride to Driffield.

Sat. 16^th April.  10:00  Great Northern Inn, Cromwell, Carlton on Trent (nr Newark).  Veteran Cycle Club “Windmill Ride”

Sun. 17^th April.  George Herbert Stancer Memorial Ride to Pocklington. 

Meet at Norton (Malton) St. Nicholas Street car park 10am  50 miles in 6hrs.  Organiser: Mike Fielding 01751 432626  Email:  fmwfielding@aol.com 

Sat.23^rd.April.200k Audax York Keith Benton

Wed. 27^th April. 7:00pm Malton Wheelers evening TT’s begin.

Fri. 29^th April Royal Wedding Bank Holiday

Sat. 7^th. May 300k Audax York Keith Benton

  

Sun.8^thMay. 09:15 Kilnwick Percy.  60m

Sat. 2^nd July. Slingsby 100 miler

Sun. 21^st Aug.  Tan Hill 200k.  Clifton C C

Mountain Biking Kit List - the Bear minimum...

This list of kit is just the bare minimum that we at Big Bear Bikes think you should have with you on all rides especially when out with us:

Specifically to you and your bike:
 Brake Pads
Rear Mech Hanger
Chain Links
Personel Medication
Mobile Phone in waterproof case and fully charged! 


And its always a good idea to have these:
 2x Tubes
Puncture Repair Kit
Tyre Repair 'Boot'
Pumps - low and high pressure
Multi Tool inc Chain Tool
Tyre Levers
OS 1:25k Explorer Map of the area you are riding 


There is lots more stuff that we could recommend from years of MTB experience but any questions or queries, just call or email us at the shop, 01751 474220 / shop@bigbearbikes.co.uk.
 
Ride safely - the Bears.

The Countryside Code

Downhill Racer - What's Will doing this season?

What’s Will doing this season?


Last year was my first year of downhill racing and an awesome year it turned out to be, but this year is sure to be even better.  After months of anticipation I am now entered into the Halo British Down Hill Series and I can’t wait!  The series will take me to Wales and Scotland, including the world cup track at Fort William. I’m also hoping to enter the Northern Downhill champs racing at my local track in Hamsterly Forest to finish the season off. 


Once again I’ll be riding for Big Bear Bikes who provided me with the personal and technical support and equipment which made 2010 such a great year, it wouldn’t have been the same without them. This year I move up into Youth category ….. faster competitors and far more entries so it’s sure to be a tough season - bring it on. 


These are my race dates and all are fully booked already:


1 20th March     Nant Gwrtheyrn             UCI Cat 2         
2 10th April       Moelfre                        UCI Cat 2         
3 29th May        Glen Coe                      UCI Cat 2        
4 26th June       Llangollen                    UCI Cat 2         
5 11th Sept       Fort William                  UCI Cat 2

6 24th July        Llangollen - The 2011 National Championship


All the best
Will Hugill

BBB - Dalby Demo Day - Sunday 3rd April !

Dalby Demo Day - Sunday 3rd April,10.30am @ Adderstone Field


We've got loads of Trek, Orange, ibis and Ragley mountain bikes and some gorgeous Trek road bikes to.  To book a ride (free of charge!) on as many bikes as you want just give us a call on 01751 474220 or drop us an email at shop@bigbearbikes.co.uk.


These are the bikes and sizes we've got for you and they are all the latest 2011 models:

Trek Mountain Bikes:

Remedy 9.8 18.5" (OCLV Carbon)

Remedy 9 17.5"

Top Fuel 9 17.5"

Fuel Ex 7 15.5" / 17.5" / 18.5" / 19.5"

Superfly 100 Elite 19.5" (Gary Fisher Collection 29er Full-Sus)

Paragon 17.5" (Gary Fisher Collection 29er Hard Tail)

Orange Mountain Bikes:

5 Pro 14"/16"/18"/20"
5 Diva 14" 

5 All Mountain 16"

ST4 Pro 16"/18"

P7 Pro 17" / 19"

Alpine 160 16"/18"/20"

R8 Pro 17"/19"

Pure 7 17"

Elite Pro 19"

Blood 15" / 17"

Ibis Mountain Bikes:

Mojo SL  - all sizes, must be pre-booked

For full details on the bikes have a look here for Trek Bikes and here for Orange Bikes and here for ibis Bikes.

Special Demo Day Offer: Any Trek, Orange or ibis bike/frame of a value £995 or more ordered within the week after our Demo Day will get a 5% discount and £100 of BBB shop vouchers!

See you in the forest! 

Save Out Forests Celebration - Sunday 20th March, No Parking Charges

Dear David

Thank you for confirming that you will attend the forestry celebration and ramble that I am organising in Dalby Forest at 11am on Sunday 20 March.  As you know, we will meet at Dalby Forest Visitor Centre.  I have been told that there will be no parking charge for 20 March.

I have been contacted by a few people who wish to attend but who are in need of transport on the day.  If you will have any space available in your car and would be happy to give someone else a lift.  I would be very grateful if you could let me know.  It would be helpful if you could tell me how many spaces you will have available, where you will be driving from and provide a contact telephone number for me to pass on.  I will try to match up willing drivers with people who live near them.  You can contact my Parliamentary Assistant Martin Leay by email at martin.leay@parliament.uk or by telephone on 020 7219 6824.

It looks like there will be a good attendance on 20 March and I am pleased that you are able to join me for the ramble.  Confirmed speakers include Mary Creagh (Labour Shadow Secretary of State for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs), Mick Hoban from the Forestry Commission, and me.

There will be walks of different lengths on the day - there will be a shorter one of 1 or 2 miles on flat ground and then a longer one for those who want to walk a bit further.  There will be foresters available on the day to lead the different walks.

I look forward to seeing you on 20 March.

Yours sincerely,

Hugh Bayley

Labour MP for York Central

Save our Woods - forestry celebration...

Hi All,


Forestry celebration and ramble - 11am, Sunday 20th March, Dalby Forest


Following the Government’s suspension of all planned forest sales for the time being, announced in the House of Commons on 17 February, Hugh Bayley (MP for York) is organising a celebration and ramble through Dalby Forest to mark the success of our campaign, which has helped lead to the Government’s climbdown on forest privatisation.  Thank you for your support.

You are invited to attend the ramble, which will take place on Sunday 20th March from 11am, to mark World Forest Day.  There will be some speeches, after which foresters will be on hand to lead groups on the walk and demonstrate examples of good forestry practice.  They will show us the great work that the Forestry Commission does on nature conservation, education and public access.

We will meet at Dalby Forest Visitor Centre, which has plenty of car parking, toilets and refreshment facilities.  It can be accessed via Pickering on the A169 Pickering to Whitby road.  There are brown tourist signs that lead the way from Pickering and further information is available at www.forestry.gov.uk/dalbyforest

Please keep me posted if you hear of any new developments via email or on the Big Bear Bikes Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Big-Bear-Bikes/214404998097

Best regards.
David