Giant have released details of their 650b (27.5 inch) wheel bikes, this is something I've been waiting to see more details about for sometime!
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/globalstartpage/giant-27-5/
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/talon.27.5.1.2014/14783/66102/
I've tried a few 29ers, and I didn't like them (certainly not an exhaustive test, just a few rides around when I was picking my new bike at the start of the year). I've felt that the 650b was something that would really suit me, but certainly there's been nothing available in my price range until now.
I can't justify buying another new full sus bike, though the Anthem and Trance are lovely looking bikes. But, and its a big but, I might be able to stretch to replacing my hardtail with a new 650b hardtail with the Cycle to work scheme. This does of course rely on them been under £1000, I'm hoping that Giant price the bikes for the UK with the scheme in mind. I've also seen a couple of Jamis 650b hardtails, the 2013 Nemesis is a good looking bike, but was sold out in my size. I'll be interested to see what 2014 brings from Jamis, unfortunately, I think that it's going be out of the £1000 C2W limit.
I took a couple of screen shots of the Giant Trance's to compare the geometry and crank heights (I keep hitting my pedals!) Overlaying them in Paintshop Pro (non scientific test) it appears that the crank height is actually lower on the 27.5 Trance. Only time (or more details from Giant) will tell!
I'd really like to give then new Anthem and Trance a try out an see how they ride, time to annoy my LBS again!
Wednesday 31 July 2013
Sunday 28 July 2013
Rapha Rising: La Centième
I use Strava on most rides these days, it pandas to my 'inner geek', recording my routes and the distances, something which I used to do with a paper notebook and cycle computer in my younger days. It's also quite a good aid to training (not that I really do any proper training!), it gives me a bit more motivation to keep going when I'm feeling tired. Strava run challenges most months, I give some a go, with limited success.
This July they ran the Rapha Rising Challenge, basically the challenge to is cycle a total climbing distance of 7,235 meters in 8 days.
To celebrate the 100th edition of the Tour de France, and the mountains that have made it legendary, Rapha and Strava are proud to announce Rapha Rising: La Centième.
To quote Strava:-
"In the week which starts on Bastille Day (14th-21st July), Rapha is challenging participating riders to climb the combined height, from sea level, of the Peyresourde, Ventoux and Col de Sarenne, all of which feature in this year’s race. Just as the pros will have to scale Alpe d’Huez twice, Rapha is challenging riders to scale the Alpe once more, making a total climbing distance of 7,235m (23,737ft), the combined elevations of the Peyresourde, Ventoux, Sarenne and Alpe d’Huez from sea level to top."
I'm not particularly skillful or fit, but I am quite determined and (strangely) I do quite like forestry fireroad climbs. The challenge also had a set target - which I prefer to the open ended style of challenge (and you also get a woven badge - even more incentive!) So this seemed like a Challenge I could really give a go at completing. I'd be doing the rides on a full sus MTB, with all my routes been planned off road, I think my mates were pretty sceptical!
The Challenge started on the 14th July, and for a few weeks leading up to this I'd got a route planned out in my mind, roughly a 80km loop of the Margam and Afan forest fireroads, with some 9000 feet of climb. As the date approached, so the weather improved, to the point where it has been hotter here than it's been for over 8 years, not ideal of a chubby chap wanting to do a long XC ride!
The 14th was a boiling hot day, despite setting off early, it was far to warm for me. SWMBO was concerned for my health (aw bless), so I had to be back by 12 noon or face her wrath! At the half way point, I'd emptied the camelbak and a 750ml water bottle with an electrolyte drink in it. It was close to midday so called it quits and headed for home. With only been able to complete half the climb I'd hoped to have been able to do, I'd been left with a real up hill struggle (excuse the pun)
The hot weather continued all week, this left me with the choice of cycling in the heat of the early evening or waiting until later, when cooler but the midges were then out! I couldn't cycle any earlier as had to be in work for 8am. I chose the midges....
The nights had been difficult, the house to warm to sleep, most mornings I was awake in the early hours. So on the morning of the 20th, with some 45% left to do, I took advantage of been up at 5am and set off early. It was actually very pleasant at this time in the morning, and I made good progress, trying to pace myself, I certainly wasn't going to beat any speed records, but there was a long way to go! I needed to do the ride I'd planned for the previous Sunday.
Thankfully I managed to complete the ride, unfortunately, the battery on phone did not. It ran out some 6 miles before the end of the ride, this left me with a bigger ride on the 21st than had hoped. Thankfully the final Sunday of the challenge was a cooler day, but I still had to get out early to try and avoid the midday heat. I managed the to complete the challenge plus a little bit extra! I just waiting to hear from Strava about sending them my details for the woven roundel.
Thanks Strava and Rapha for a really tough challenge and for the roundel - which was extra incentive to keep going!
This July they ran the Rapha Rising Challenge, basically the challenge to is cycle a total climbing distance of 7,235 meters in 8 days.
To celebrate the 100th edition of the Tour de France, and the mountains that have made it legendary, Rapha and Strava are proud to announce Rapha Rising: La Centième.
To quote Strava:-
"In the week which starts on Bastille Day (14th-21st July), Rapha is challenging participating riders to climb the combined height, from sea level, of the Peyresourde, Ventoux and Col de Sarenne, all of which feature in this year’s race. Just as the pros will have to scale Alpe d’Huez twice, Rapha is challenging riders to scale the Alpe once more, making a total climbing distance of 7,235m (23,737ft), the combined elevations of the Peyresourde, Ventoux, Sarenne and Alpe d’Huez from sea level to top."
I'm not particularly skillful or fit, but I am quite determined and (strangely) I do quite like forestry fireroad climbs. The challenge also had a set target - which I prefer to the open ended style of challenge (and you also get a woven badge - even more incentive!) So this seemed like a Challenge I could really give a go at completing. I'd be doing the rides on a full sus MTB, with all my routes been planned off road, I think my mates were pretty sceptical!
The Challenge started on the 14th July, and for a few weeks leading up to this I'd got a route planned out in my mind, roughly a 80km loop of the Margam and Afan forest fireroads, with some 9000 feet of climb. As the date approached, so the weather improved, to the point where it has been hotter here than it's been for over 8 years, not ideal of a chubby chap wanting to do a long XC ride!
The 14th was a boiling hot day, despite setting off early, it was far to warm for me. SWMBO was concerned for my health (aw bless), so I had to be back by 12 noon or face her wrath! At the half way point, I'd emptied the camelbak and a 750ml water bottle with an electrolyte drink in it. It was close to midday so called it quits and headed for home. With only been able to complete half the climb I'd hoped to have been able to do, I'd been left with a real up hill struggle (excuse the pun)
The hot weather continued all week, this left me with the choice of cycling in the heat of the early evening or waiting until later, when cooler but the midges were then out! I couldn't cycle any earlier as had to be in work for 8am. I chose the midges....
The nights had been difficult, the house to warm to sleep, most mornings I was awake in the early hours. So on the morning of the 20th, with some 45% left to do, I took advantage of been up at 5am and set off early. It was actually very pleasant at this time in the morning, and I made good progress, trying to pace myself, I certainly wasn't going to beat any speed records, but there was a long way to go! I needed to do the ride I'd planned for the previous Sunday.
Thankfully I managed to complete the ride, unfortunately, the battery on phone did not. It ran out some 6 miles before the end of the ride, this left me with a bigger ride on the 21st than had hoped. Thankfully the final Sunday of the challenge was a cooler day, but I still had to get out early to try and avoid the midday heat. I managed the to complete the challenge plus a little bit extra! I just waiting to hear from Strava about sending them my details for the woven roundel.
Thanks Strava and Rapha for a really tough challenge and for the roundel - which was extra incentive to keep going!
Monday 8 July 2013
British Cross Country Series 2013, Round 4. Margam Park
For some of my pictures from the days racing at Margam Park as Round 4 of the BC National XC Series, please check my flickr site. I'll post more as I get time to sort through them (work & sunny weather allowing!). So please check back again in a few days.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14306776@N08/sets/72157634531071387/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14306776@N08/sets/72157634531071387/
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