In anticipation of there hopefully being some races later in the year I've completed my planned 2020 bike upgrade. After 4 years flawless service my DT Swiss fork has been replaced with the new Rock Shox SID SL Ultimate.
The DT's were lightweight, but the new SID's take lightness to a whole new level. 1248g after I'd cut the steerer to length!
A suspension fork however is judged more on the performance than the weight. I had my first ride yesterday over to the local singletrack playground at Whiteways. Unfortunately I ripped a tyre sidewall on the way so I had to show a little caution and wasn't able to push the fork as hard as I'd have liked. Despite this I was very surprised to see a number of PR's (personal records) pop up on my Strava feed when I got home. So it seems without even trying the fork was fast!
My initial impression is that it is far more supple that my old DT. Very little initial stiction allows it to smooth out the smaller rough stuff on the trail. On the bigger hits I noticed less of a difference, but this may partly have been because I was trying to nurse the tyre.
I'm about 72kg in my cycling gear and used the Rock Shox app as my starting point for the set-up. I put in just over 100psi and wound the rebound on 7 clicks. Usually it takes me several rides to tune suspension to how I like it, but this felt pretty much spot on and by the end of the ride the O-ring was up at the top of the crown, suggesting I'd made the most of the 100mm of travel.
To be honest I wasn't sure about the blue when I ordered the fork (black was out of stock), but now it's here I'm pleased with the SID signature colour. I've never been one for bikes with the subtle "stealth" look anyway!
So first impressions:
It looks good, satisfies my inner weight weenie and makes me faster. I can't wait for the next ride!
A month has passed since the Gorrick Spring Classic. At the time the first race of the season was met eagerly, everyone ready to assess their form after the gloomy winter months. Excitement was high in anticipation of the summer of exhilarating racing that lay ahead. Little did we know it would be our only race for who knows how long.
The Corona virus was only something we were vaguely aware was happening in China. Now it has put a stop to all local amateur and professional bike racing across the globe. Bike racing seems irrelevant and unimportant in the grand scheme of things right now.
So what do we do without the focus of racing goals to galvanise us into heading out for another hill rep or interval session? Well ever since the lock down was announced it seems the weather has been brilliant! The days have got longer and the sun has shone. Which means the trails are running perfectly! Fortunately in the UK we are still allowed our one form of daily exercise as long as we maintain a safe social distance from everybody we meet and pass, so we've been able to get out and enjoy those glorious conditions.
I'm working from home, and relieved of school run duties since the kids are home as well. So I've been creeping downstairs early in the morning and getting my ride in before work and Daddy responsibilities kick in! To be honest, lock down and isolation have had their benefits in this respect.
I haven't been "training" just enjoying riding my bike, which hopefully has a similar result. Before lock down I had a new regime of three 'proper' rides a week and I've continued this, but just fill the days between with additional family trailer bike rides and leisurely cruises around the local lanes and trails. Wednesday and Friday are 60 to 90 minute rides of a decent tempo, basically having fun and pushing myself! Sunday is a more steady paced ride, up to 3 hours. The frustration is that I'm unable to share the glorious spring trails with my friends, not able to chase their wheels through the dusty singletrack. Instead I've taken the opportunity to explore some more unfamiliar trails and revisit older routes from my past.
One thing about the current situation is the importance to not put unnecessary strain on the emergency services and from a personal Corona risk perspective avoid hospital! So the rides I've chosen have been less technically challenging, more old school mountain biking on the smooth open bridleways of the South Downs. I've also been taking extra spares and tools with me so if I have a mechanical issue I don't need to force my wife to have to make any unnecessary journeys.
Make the most of the opportunities you have, it's not all bad.
