Bontrager 29-1 Team Issue Review

A racers dream?

First impressions of the 29-1 are that it is narrow (quoted 2.0) and there is not a lot of tread! These two characteristics help give the tyre its exceptionally low weight – approx 490g for mine. Personally it is not a tyre I would consider running up front where I prefer something larger for better grip. So I have been using the 29-1 on the back wheel.

I slopped in some latex and the tyre inflated first time with the track pump – so a positive first impression. The tyre is not designed for tubeless use, but once on the rim it stayed up and using latex really maximises that low weight. Running the tyre tubeless also has the advantage of letting you run a lower pressure, helping to negate its narrow width by increasing traction and bump absorption.

There was no doubt that on the first ride I felt vulnerable, surely one flint would rip this skinny little tyre to shreds. However after a few minutes my fears were forgotten and I started to enjoy the huge benefits of such a low profile, light weight tyre. It rolled along so well it was like having a tail wind blowing me along! The lack of rotating mass also meant it accelerated out of corners like Usain Bolt from the blocks.

I left the tyre on for the recent 6 hour enduro ride at Elrestoke. The tyre behaved flawlessly, helping me crawl up the climbs, while gripping nicely in the singletrack. I have spent some time on this tyre now and despite my fears I haven’t yet had a puncture; so my initial concerns over its fragility might be unfounded.

The obvious thing to say is that the 29-1 is designed for dry, buff trails. With such a shallow tread it is a fair weather tyre and isn’t going to make much progress if conditions are greasy. A 6 hour race is fairly punishing on kit but there is now noticeable wear on the already minimal tread, so don’t purchase these expecting longevity! On the other hand compared to some tyres the cost of these Bontragers is relatively low. You could probably buy two for the price of a Schwalbe.

I have to end with my overwhelming experience of these tyres. They are FAST! If you accept that they are designed purely for dry race days – these tyres fit the bill perfectly. I never noticed any lack of grip despite their slender proportions and the low weight transforms your bike into a rocket ship!

Star Ride - 60 Mile Cycle Ride from Chichester

With racing on hold for a while it was time for a nice long training ride through the Sussex countyside. This star shaped 60 mile route heads out west from Chichester before turning north over the South Downs to Harting. Skirting the market town of Midhurst there is the climb over Bexley Hill to conquer before heading back south. Sticking to quiet lanes and peaceful villages, this rural ride takes you back over the spine of the Downs at Amberley before rolling home for a well earned cuppa!

The well at East Marden - Turn Left!

Head out from Chichester on the B2178. After a mile fork right and keep heading north until you reach West Stoke. Ride through the village and after the church turn right at the Kingley Vale car park and follow Downs Rd through to Funtington. There are great views along here of Kingley Vale to the north.


Take a right onto the main road, ride through the village and after the Fox & Hounds take Hares Lane north again. Descend to the T junction and turn right, follow the road for just over half a mile before the next right towards Walderton and Stoughton. Ride through both villages along the lane to East Marden, where you take the left fork at the well, up to the B2141. Turn left up the long climb and then down the the other side, turning right at the bottom, into Harting. 

Follow the road out of Harting east towards Elstead where you turn right, winding your way through to Bepton. Turn left into the village heading north again towards Midhurst. After 1.5 miles turn left at the Country Inn. Follow the lane through to the A272 which you need to take for 1/2 a mile towards Midhurst before turning left and skirting Midhurst to the north on Hollist Lane. Straight across at the cross roads with the A286, join the A272 again for 100m, before taking Easebourne Street on the left. This is the strenuous climb of the day up Bexley Hill. Take care down the other side and at the bottom turn right and back on yourself at the village green. 

Three main climbs - Harting / Bexley / Amberley

Follow the lane through Lodsworth until you find yourself back at the A272. Turn left and then immediately right and follow the lanes all the way through to Duncton. You'll be pleased to know you aren't heading up Duncton Hill today - instead turn left at the bottom and follow this lane past Bignor Roman Palace to Bury. Go straight across the A29 and on into Amberley. 

Unfortunately it is now time to head right up the hill to the Whiteways roundabout. Take the second exit to Chichester but stay off the main road by turning right almost immediately down through Madehurst. You'll now have to rejoin the A29 for a short time up to the garage at The Spur. 

Turn left here and wind you way back to Chichester through Westergate and Oving. 

Southern XC Round 4

I know I said I was going to take a mid season break, but Sunday morning came and I realised I would regret it if I didn’t race. I was keen to defend my 5^th position in the Southern XC Series points table. Crow Hill in the New Forest near Ringwood was the venue so if Baby Ben did decide he wanted to make an appearance I would be close enough to rush home!

The dark threatening clouds looked menacing overhead but the track was still bone dry and very dusty! The warm-up lap revealed an undulating course linked by a maze of woodland switchbacks which created a fast and punishing circuit.

Despite being gridded on the front row I had learnt the lesson from the previous round and let the field flood past off the start. Towards the end of the lap I spied Alex Taylor about 30 seconds ahead. As you’ll know from my previous blogs I’ve been racing Alex all season but have become frustratingly familiar with the sight of his rear tyre.

As we crossed the line vocal encouragement from Jon and Ian alerted Alex to my presence. I saw him glance back as we rode down through the switchbacks, and for much of the lap all I saw was the occasional glimpse of the green South Downs Bikes shirt ahead.

However, as we climbed up a leg stinging grassy slope I closed the gap and then pushed down the opposite side, inching my way towards Alex’s rear wheel. Again sensing my presence he was able to frustratingly stabilise the gap at a couple of bike lengths. We continued through the trees, twisting left and right until we emerged at the base of a steep climb.

On the hill I pushed past and pulled ahead. Now it was my turn to be chased! The gap grew slightly and I started to relax but I should have known better. A quick peek over the shoulder showed that Alex was actually closing in!

I pushed on but I could hear from the brakes and crunching of gears that my pursuer was close behind! As hard as I tried I couldn’t drop him and then my worst fear was realised as a front wheel appeared and then inched past. But it wasn’t Alex! The great thing about MTB racing is that Alex's family offered me encouragement every lap and we shook hands and exchanged stories after the race. I'll defintely miss the camaraderie over the next few months.

After 4 rounds I am now 7^th in the series. With the next round coming the weekend after my wife’s due date this will DEFINITELY be my final cross country race of the year. I will have to wait and see if those behind in the table can close the gap at the final race.

May Summary

Miles :                568
Riding Time :      42 hours 32 minutes


Highlight:           4th At the Erlestoke 6hr Enduro
Low Point:          24th Southern Champs

Bike racing can be hard work!

The Southern Championships was intended to be the culmination of 5 months XC racing. Unfortunately it wasn't my day as either the pressure or fatigue got to me. So onto summer, traditionally the start of the enduro season - events to which I am more naturally suited.

I hadn't been intending to ride the Erlestoke race but I took the opportunity to put the disappointment of two weeks before behind me. I needed to average 40 minute laps to complete my target of 9, which I knew would get me near the podium places. After 5 laps I crossed the line on exactly 3hrs 20min - so I knew I had to ride the final 4 laps faster than the previous 4. I dug deep, racing each lap against the clock for the next two and a half hours. There was a colossal sense of achievement when I crossed the line in 4th place! Personally this was one of my most satisfying results, I rode strongly all day beating some well respected riders.

Baby Ben is due is June so now would seem the perfect opportunity to take a break, on the back of this positive result. There are several enduro events to target later in the year, if I can survive the sleepless nights! I'll keep the reports coming in but cycling will take a back seat for a while!

Erlestoke 6 Enduro

I had only heard positive things from those who entered last years Erlestoke Enduro. I have raced at the venue before – but only through the mud, snow and ice of January's Salisbury Plain Challenge. With the weather forecast predicting the week long heat wave to continue into the weekend I was keen to see the venue in a different light! At 8.30am the temperature was already rising nicely as we struggled to wrestle three 29ers into Ian's car. I would be riding the 6 hour solo while Ian and Fay were entering the Mixed Pairs.

It was great to see a large turnout of South Downs Bikes riders to greet us in the car park, all sporting new 29ers!! There was just time for an early lunch of ham and jam sandwiches before joining the huge starting grid that formed for the Noon start. Numbers were undoubtedly swelled by the glorious weather – with 80 riders in the Solo male category alone!

There was a short starting loop to spread the field and then it was out onto the course proper. After a flowing descent into the wood the course emerged onto an undulating, strength-sapping grassy traverse across the fields to the foot of the hill. The climb started as wooded singletrack but then opened onto a steep gravel road. Having reached the top there wasn’t time for a rest as the route headed out across the open hill top into a strong headwind. The field was well spread by now but I was still riding close to the front and slipstreamed a group of riders onto Ian’s wheel and then followed him down the descent back to the arena.

As we rode past the campsite Ian took his eyes off the trail for a moment to check his watch and missed a little depression in the path. From my viewpoint it looked like somebody had tossed a doll into the air! When I reached the scene Ian was a bloody mess with road rash on arms and legs. He slowly made it back to his feet while I retrieved his bike and then uncomfortably remounted telling me to continue. He handed over to Fay and was patched up by the medics and rode another 4 laps. But I bet he was sore this morning!

The descent from the top of the hill was a belter. It was fast and flowing, twisting and turning between the trees on the chalky soil I am familiar with at home on the South Downs. Even after 6 hours I was still really enjoying myself, throwing the bike down the switchbacks! 

I managed to keep the laps ticking over just under the magic 40 minute mark, completing my 9th lap with a couple of minutes to spare. My favourite race of the year  - a combination of sunshine and great trails! 

4th place on the day was my best result of 2012 and one of my strongest race rides ever. 

Formula R1 Brake Review

I previously owned a set of Formula Oro Puros. They were superb brakes – never an issue,  great performance, nice ‘feel’ and lightweight. When Formula brought out the R1 I couldn’t resist. The main selling point of the R1 at the time was its feather weight – 180g without rotors. To achieve this you had to sacrifice the Oro’s bite point adjustment and the gorgeous carbon levers but on the plus side black and red suits most colour schemes better than gold!

 Initially I had a pile of problems with my R1’s.

• My brakes leaked from behind the lever pistons – apparently a batch fault now rectified, but it did ruin a nice pair of carbon bars.
• After a few months one of the rear calliper pistons jammed. The tools to service this are expensive and were going to take weeks to source, so in the end I purchased an entirely new calliper.
• The tiny red aluminium torx bolts that hold everything together are VERY easy to round off. Unfortunately when this happens it can take weeks to track down replacements. Sourcing  parts has become easier now Chainreaction stock Formula spares but there can still be long waits between restocking. I have stockpiled my own little stash of spares for emergencies.
• The levers became sticky so they didn’t spring back out. The only solution I could find to this was to remove the two lower pivot bolts! The levers are now a little more floppy but I can cope with this. The levers themselves might look thin and spindly but they are comfortable and have stood up to several years of abuse.
• The final problem is the most fundamental and annoying. There is VERY little clearance between the disc and the pads, so set-up is ultra critical if you don’t want annoying brake rub. Even a slight kink in your rotor leads to an annoying ‘pft,pft,pft’ as you ride along. Also if like me you regularly need to remove your wheels, it is usually necessary to reset the brakes. I have probably now spent hours of my life tuning and tweaking the brake rub. The actual effect of the brake rub is minimal but it is extremely annoying!
• Finally the bleed kits and spares can be scarily expensive when you do track them down.

So after that tale of woe you are wondering why I still have the R1’s on the bike? The performance and feel that these brakes offer is superb. You can stop on a sixpence or lightly feather the brake into a corner, all with a single finger. The power is better than my old Oros but Formula have managed to maintain the superb modulation and control of the R1’s forebear. Once you have shelled out for the kit, bleeding the brakes is a piece of cake.

Finally there is of course that weight. Often after spending another evening tuning out the brake rub I have considered alternatives – but I can’t bring myself to add a chunk of weight to my bike!

In summary the set-up is fiddly and they need constant care and attention to keep them running smoothly, but the performance is  powerful and wonderfully refined.

Southern Championship

My wife is 8 months pregnant so Sundays race was the culmination of a truncated season of racing. With the national events this year either in Scotland or falling around the due date, the Southern Championships is the most prestigious event in my 2012 race calendar. Last year at the same venue I was very disappointed to finish 23^rd and fully intended to make amends in 2012.

The first sunny weekend for months had left the course damp and grippy. There was only one climb of note, the rest of the course weaved amongst the bluebells in the dappled shade of the undulating woodland. I had rested since last weeks enduro, so when I was gridded 3^rd with the warm spring sunshine on my back, everything was looking positive for a good race.

The start was a flat out sprint into the base of the climb. I lost some ground but still turned into the wood at the top in 9^th place. Then it seems I forgot how to ride! In the twists and turns riders came past me left and right as I struggled for any kind of rhythm. As the lap continued things didn’t improve and I completed the first lap absolutely plumb last! From the front to the back in 20 minutes! I don’t know if it was fatigue from the Gorrick 100 and a hectic week at work, or the prospect of impending fatherhood playing on my mind, but I had absolutely no pace.

With my motivation in tatters I did at least force myself to keep riding, as there were still series points up for grabs. To compound my good mood I misjudged a turn and burped a large amount of air out on my rear tyre by hitting a root. Despite riding the entire last lap with a flat tyre it was still almost my fastest!  I also caught and passed a few riders, finishing the day 24^th one place worse than the year before.

It was a very disappointing day in what is becoming a frustrating year. Maybe it was just a bad day, or perhaps the thought of becoming a father means different priorities?  Either way Sunday is in the past.  I’ll now take a break from racing for a couple of weeks and look forward to the next round of the series. This will be my final race before the birth and I’ll be targeting enough points to ensure a top 10 position in the Southern XC Series.