Weeksy08 the ongoin...
 

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Weeksy08 the ongoing racing trials and tribulations of a crazy teen

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On the Shimano side, I assume Zee/Saints are the required level

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/185576262570

Or the Code RS here..
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325348392713

But i guess we're getting into personal preference then to an extent too.


 
Posted : 21/09/2022 7:56 am
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I think even the Deore M6120 4 pots are as good as the Zee's and have all the same functionality. The "R" level SRAM brakes don't have the swinglink lever so aren't as good as the RS and RSC level brakes.

It's easy to almost create a personal preference with bike parts just by being used to them. Guide R's are far from the best available so I'm sure your boy could get used to something different (and almost certainly better) pretty quickly.

I would also say that he's only going to get bigger and faster so his braking requirements will be going up!


 
Posted : 21/09/2022 8:59 am
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If SRAM is the preferred brake, the Code RSC is the one to pick.


 
Posted : 21/09/2022 9:42 am
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If SRAM is the preferred brake, the Code RSC is the one to pick.

He does seem to prefer SRAM. But we've not used/tried many, Hope, Magura etc... We'd not tried TRP until the weekend actually. They seem a little low in terms of spec for a DH bike, but i guess in the level of trim we bought you're not going to get the best brakes on the planet.


 
Posted : 21/09/2022 9:53 am
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I think the problem with the TRP is as much the lever shape as anything, they’re quite a long lever, so I’ve moved them inwards on the bars to try and give better leverage for him. Despite him being tall, he’s still a bit weedy and especially with the recovering arm, a bit lacking in grab power. So even if the TRPs are at their best, I’m not sure they’ll be ideal.

I dont think the Slates will work out for him. I've just ditched my Quadiem levers (kept the calipers) for the same reason. Even when moved inboard, the length of the lever means it has to move a long way between the starting and bite point. I've just ditched the TRP levers for Shimanos - works very nicely (and ended up with a 10mm shorter lever throw)
They've now shortened the levers on newer models, and seem to have created a whole new problem where the thrown is really short but you cant wind the lever in far enough to get the bite point to a useful place. Shame as they are bullet proof, and seem to keep the fluid remarkably clean


 
Posted : 21/09/2022 9:59 am
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I've got a set of code Rs I'd happily sell - came off my ebike after about 50 miles. I hate the bloody things and went straight back to shimano 4 pots. PM me if interested.


 
Posted : 21/09/2022 11:26 am
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Considering the money being spent on brakes I'd give Magura Mt5 a look. I bought my sets from amazon.de in last for around £68 each and they are so much better than my old guides.


 
Posted : 21/09/2022 11:18 pm
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I personally fancy these Zees, or even the suggestion above of the Magura... mostly to get away from the sram bleeding edge and also brake fluid. I'd prefer the simplicity of mineral oil. Although i've not looked into the bleed process on the Magura yet.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175384799861

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195362477287?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20211130125621%26meid%3Deee1ae5b019847629671fb7c1506d264%26pid%3D101465%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D175384799861%26itm%3D195362477287%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D3817808%26brand%3DMAGURA&_trksid=p3817808.c101465.m3507

The window of needing to get this done ASAP has moved now i guess as i'm unlikely to get them and get them fitted for the weekend. It'd probably be daft to head there with brand new brakes he's not tried too. So tonight we'll be out bedding in the new pads on the TRPs, then we'll be taking the bike with them on Sunday, along with the other GT of course. Tonight will be some trail fun, but also some setup time and back-to-back testing with the 2nd GT.


 
Posted : 22/09/2022 7:14 am
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I had some Zees - had a warranty issue with them and ended up replacing them with SLX 4 pots.

https://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-slx-m7120-front-and-rear-disc-brake-set-179616.html

I don't think that there is much difference between them and the Zees.


 
Posted : 22/09/2022 7:29 am
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That's breaking the budget a bit over the others though matey... There's limits to what's viable.


 
Posted : 22/09/2022 7:49 am
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If he’s liking Sram theres every chance he won’t like Shimanos, pretty much the polar opposite to use


 
Posted : 22/09/2022 9:24 am
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If he’s liking Sram theres every chance he won’t like Shimanos, pretty much the polar opposite to use

He's ridden my Trek a few times with SLXs on and seems happy with them, but of course there's a difference between using in anger and riding the odd trails. At the moment, i'm not sure there's much point worrying until at least tomorrow now... As i say, he's out on the purple one tonight with the TRPs.


 
Posted : 22/09/2022 9:32 am
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Fwiw, Guide RE don't have bleeding edge, which in my case meant buying Codes for my latest setup (not DH though)
If he's used to and likes how Sram brakes behave, I would not replace them with Shimano. But that just got a mention above and now it looks like I'm parroting other posts!


 
Posted : 22/09/2022 9:32 am
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If he’s used to and likes how Sram brakes behave, I would not replace them with Shimano. But that just got a mention above and now it looks like I’m parroting other posts!

That's OK matey.... more input is always good.


 
Posted : 22/09/2022 9:35 am
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Thanks all, i've gone for some Ebay CodeRs. I was waiting on the STWer above who was going to get me pics and info last night, but this didn't arrive so i've canned all other options and gone with the CodeR.

I do listen to you lot... honest 🙂


 
Posted : 22/09/2022 9:40 am
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At that price, assuming they are in good nick, with the rotors. I think its probably the right call.

We still aren't 100% sure on the MT7s, not blown away with them as everybody else seems to be. Will feed back after the trip. They have had a good bleed. Bikes are loaded along with a spare set of Saints just in case.

On a better note after no movement on the waiting list for Abigale's plate been removed we bit the bullet yesterday and will pay for it removing. Booked in for the 12th October which is the day after the return.

How's the arm holding up


 
Posted : 22/09/2022 10:24 am
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I think I'm too late but I have a set of Code RSC in the shed that could do with a lever rebuild to get some grit out of the contact adjuster but are otherwise sound, plus a new set of galfer green pads I don't need. Give me a shout if you think you'd want them.

Edit, oh and a 200 and 180 centerline rotor too.


 
Posted : 22/09/2022 10:32 am
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sorry mate, already ordered/bought.


 
Posted : 22/09/2022 10:35 am
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All good, I'm quite happy keeping them as spares. Glad you're sorted.


 
Posted : 22/09/2022 10:36 am
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So the Purple Peril is booked in with RSR Bikeworks https://www.rsrbikeworks.co.uk/ for setup and telemetry. As you may recall, we had this done on the blue bouncer and the lad was very very happy with it. So it makes sense to get the gadgets on it for the new bike and sooner rather than later.

The best part is that we'll know if the XFusion kit is both sprung correctly and then the settings and dials twiddled correctly in time for the Pearce and Stile Cop races. It will also mean that if we need to we can throw the Boxxers in the new frame if we find the XFusions are too stiff.


 
Posted : 22/09/2022 2:38 pm
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This is how i feel like i ride.... but the reality.... Mmmmm


 
Posted : 22/09/2022 5:27 pm
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So it's race weekend once again after 11 weeks off with the broken bones.

This is the course. Nice and flowy, fast and ballsy. It's an easy course but like all, hard to go stupid fast on.
Obviously the lad is a bucket load quicker than me, but so are most people lol. But he's generally a solid top 10 here and sometimes top 5-6. With his lack of bike time and strength this isn't a biggy for him, but I'm still expecting a top 6-7.
Spent an hour sorting both race bikes this morning so he's good to go and race. All cleaned, bolt checked, lubed and ready.
Just a question of getting out of bed and shooting over in the morning then a day of standing around for me and racing for him.


 
Posted : 24/09/2022 9:53 am
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Well it's sunny if a little chilly to start.

The boy is off out for practice run on the blue bike

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52381392767_80f77b7f2d_5k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52381392767_80f77b7f2d_5k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nNLk8v ]2022-09-25_08-53-31[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr


 
Posted : 25/09/2022 8:56 am
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https://flic.kr/p/2nNRgtW


 
Posted : 25/09/2022 9:13 am
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Ohhhhh run 1.

https://flic.kr/p/2nNUwYf

Got to be happy first time back


 
Posted : 25/09/2022 12:49 pm
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Short version, boom! 3rd place

https://flic.kr/p/2nNRtmE


 
Posted : 25/09/2022 5:47 pm
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Great result. 👍


 
Posted : 25/09/2022 5:55 pm
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Fabulous!! Congrats to the boy . You must be dead proud of him!


 
Posted : 25/09/2022 6:41 pm
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I am mate, yes. I must admit I act all bravado like at the time as though it doesn't affect me, but inside I'm fighting the tears back. He went into this weekend feeling a bit negative as his jumping has been off after the long layoff.

His best time in April was a 1.45.7

Today he set a time of 1.39.9

He's quite insightful as a rider and thinks lots about things, his lines, body position etc. When I came back with the result of run 1 and said "4th, 1.40" he says "silly daddy" in reply. Until I showed his the sheet. He was properly made up.

We the talked about 1 particular corner and a potential short cut, which gives a great line into the next, if you can schralp it tight enough that is.
So he gets permission to ride the corner at lunch and instead of taking the corner like that, he picks up the back end and flicks it out while on the brakes in a 15mph corner, this gives him a sweet line into the next.
That was potentially the difference between 4th and 3rd.

The good/bad part is, they don't announce the times after race 2, you wait for your name to be called and see if it is or isn't. Happily his was.

He went into the weekend with "top 10" in mind, I'm obviously a little biased and felt 6-7th, so a 3rd place is a massive bonus.

He was on the purple bike for the day, having tried both in practice and felt it was arguably a little less stable, but faster.
Tues evening we're getting the suspension set up so maybe it'll even improve from there.

Next weekend is Pearce at Hopton. A big step up in tech and competition of riders. But tonight, it's a beer for me and a happy boy lying on his bed.

I also love his innocence, he's not messaged most of his mates yet as he doesn't want them to think he's bragging, just shrugs and accepts it.


 
Posted : 25/09/2022 6:54 pm
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Great result! Well done!!!


 
Posted : 25/09/2022 7:00 pm
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[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52384937996_6cb2fac2a1_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52384937996_6cb2fac2a1_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nP5v19 ]2022-09-26_07-58-31[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr


 
Posted : 26/09/2022 8:00 am
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Pretty tight times. Chaz has just announced the gawton winter series dates on facebook.


 
Posted : 26/09/2022 8:16 am
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oh sweet... thanks for that mate... Going to be an expensive day then i think !!!

He likes a bit of that. I'll check British Cycling and see if the times are up.

Yeah he wasn't far off... i think with a bit of fitness back in the legs he'd have pushed on a bit more, but it's a tough course to go crazy fast on as a couple of pedally sections you need to get the power down and with 10 weeks off he didn't quite have it... Although you could have fooled me as he looked like he was giving it the beans !


 
Posted : 26/09/2022 8:23 am
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https://flic.kr/p/2nPc7Td

Oh joy, more race ha ha


 
Posted : 26/09/2022 4:17 pm
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So the Peril was setup by the WC Factory mechanic today... i don't have the spreadsheet yet but there were quite a few changes made both ends and all settings, the boy is really happy with how it's feeling and getting all giddy about the weekend now. 🙂

Rich at RSR Bikeworks was properly nice to chat with and really helpful in terms of advice, info and at the end of the conversation he didn't seem happy with our choices for race rubber in the potentially wet Hopton this weekend, so gave us some rubber from a well known factory rider and junior world cup champion 😀 used for 1 days testing and now will be fitted to the purple peril this weekend.

[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52388760026_47f232dd71_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52388760026_47f232dd71_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nPq6ad ]2022-09-27_07-46-37[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr


 
Posted : 27/09/2022 7:52 pm
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[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52390303274_46292179d8_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52390303274_46292179d8_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nPxZUW ]2022-09-28_09-21-34[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr

New rubber fitted, bike cleaned, lubed, checked, sorted... All ready to go for the weekend.

The new tyres were a little bit on the snug side for fitting i must say. But they seat nice and seem very stiff on the sidewalls, so we may be able to drop a psi or 2.... We'll do some testing in practice on Sat morning.


 
Posted : 28/09/2022 9:24 am
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https://flic.kr/p/2nPAEeJ

Attack mode


 
Posted : 28/09/2022 2:20 pm
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New rubber fitted, bike cleaned, lubed, checked, sorted… All ready to go for the weekend.

The boy's done well... oh, you mean, it was Dad.. (Yeah, same here!) 😆


 
Posted : 28/09/2022 2:32 pm
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Great pic


 
Posted : 28/09/2022 2:34 pm
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The boy’s done well… oh, you mean, it was Dad.. (Yeah, same here!)

Lol he's like Kevin the teenager in the morning, a grunt here and there before eating 3/4 of a box of Cheerios. The last thing he's going to do is anything useful.

Fortunately, spanner time is my happy place and I'm more than up for a bit of time in the garage.

Great pic

Thank you. I wish I could take credit for his skills


 
Posted : 28/09/2022 2:39 pm
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SRAM CodeRs now installed on the Blue GT Fury... leaving the Guide Rs on the purple one.

I think we're good for the weekend.


 
Posted : 28/09/2022 5:19 pm
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You'll want to be swapping those brakes round asap.  As soon as you get on any sort of long track with heavy braking the Codes will be a much better bet than the Guides.


 
Posted : 28/09/2022 5:45 pm
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I'm afraid the lad disagrees mate and I can't argue as he's night and day better than me. Why he loves them so much I don't know. I'll try and get him on the codes but I know where his heart lies. I could have easily stuck the Codes on the purple one, but his thoughts matter and I'm not going to force him.
On the weekend if conditions allow for the Assegai and DHR I'll throw him on the blue one for a lap, but I still think he'll pick the Guides.


 
Posted : 28/09/2022 5:53 pm
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As part of the ongoing coaching we've got a day booked late in Oct with Katy at FoD but i've been messaging a few recommendations from this thread, Jay Williamson for one and Dan Slack at Dyfi Bike Park for another. Not got any actual dates sorted yet as we're just picking up the email threads again after his broken arm delay.

But should be good to get him back out in the fairly near future and try a new coach for at least a day.


 
Posted : 29/09/2022 9:13 am
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Here's the changes made

https://flic.kr/p/2nPLyfj

There's a load of other info but that's the basics. It was interesting that the boy didn't like it balanced, he's not the first and a few high level riders amongst them. But when they tried it that was the lad didn't approve, so they went back to the previous setting from the run before.


 
Posted : 29/09/2022 11:18 am
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I’m afraid the lad disagrees mate and I can’t argue as he’s night and day better than me. Why he loves them so much I don’t know.

an anecdote from my own experience, having two bikes, one with hope X2 on 180/160 rotors, the other with E4 on 200/200.
The X2s feel initially nicer. Better modulation and lever feel (the physical levers are the same). However, prolonged descneding, the E4s are far superior.
This is me at mid 80's kg, and being a bit of a mincer; so may be entirely different for a 50kg rider who doesnt brake much, especially on sub 2 minute southern tracks.


 
Posted : 29/09/2022 11:29 am
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I hear you completely matey and if he starts questioning them then without doubt he'll get them swapped, Pearce this weekend will be longer and tougher, so may answer that by itself. But at the moment, he's very happy.

As you say, he's very light and he brakes surprisingly little at times lol. But that may all change on harder terrain

I try my best not to push or force him into changes/things and only really get involved when needed.


 
Posted : 29/09/2022 11:38 am
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The boy got 9 practice runs in today and felt great by the end. Some of the gaps are quite big, they don't need to be gapped of course but it's faster.

Spent half an hour fitting a spare brake to random kids bike as he'd broken his, lucky we had spares. I then spent more time fixing and bleeding his other lol.

Couple of videos


 
Posted : 01/10/2022 5:46 pm
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Exciting! Just looking at the competitor list - he's racing against Oliver Pearce of Pearce Cycles.. gotta beat him!
Good luck to young James 😀


 
Posted : 01/10/2022 6:11 pm
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Spent half an hour fitting a spare brake to random kids bike as he’d broken his, lucky we had spares. I then spent more time fixing and bleeding his other lol.

Not sure I trust you with brakes Weeksy, when cleaning up the cube for sale I noticed the rear brake had a gear cable 🤫


 
Posted : 01/10/2022 6:26 pm
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Lol not sure I'm guilty mate, we only owned it 3 months.

These Codes I fitted to the blue one need new pads or a new rotor, they're not terribly good at the moment.


 
Posted : 01/10/2022 7:59 pm
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Exciting! Just looking at the competitor list

Don't look a bit older, Jordan the junior world champ is racing lol


 
Posted : 01/10/2022 8:00 pm
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26th/42 place on run1. Made a few mistakes so not ecstatic with it, but that's where we are

Let's see if he can improve on run2.


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 11:32 am
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Race run 2 he took 2.5s off his time, but only picked up a couple of places.

I think he's a little disappointed in the result as the guy who finished 4th last weekend to his 3rd, actually finished top 5 again this weekend. So my lad has the pace in some ways, but clearly not in others. So we need some thinking on what, where and how.
Obviously being a longer course and more tech and rooty than last weekend with his recent broken arm won't help, but not by that much.

So we go race again next weekend after Friday at Rogate playing and we see what happens.
All in all, I thought it was a great weekend, he's slightly less convinced lol


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 6:06 pm
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He’s still coming back from injury so I wouldn’t worry too much - although obviously he’s a bit annoyed. Last week was a flow and roller trail which I get the impression is his happy place. Maybe the other lad is just better at tech and / or fitter with no injury so could go harder all the way down on the longer track.


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 6:17 pm
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So we need some thinking on what, where and how.

All as discussed before really. More riding at the sort of venues he’ll be racing at. Accept that you will be spending lots of days sitting at the bottom if these aren’t places you like. Stop racing at 417 as it could (as seen today) end up being a right mind ****


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 6:37 pm
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All as discussed before really. More riding at the sort of venues he’ll be racing at. Accept that you will be spending lots of days sitting at the bottom if these aren’t places you like

We are doing that yeah, like today, next weekend is Stile Cop and the weekend after is a non marked trail FoD.
The difficulty with things like Hopton is the availability of it. So we'll see what we can book/do next.

Part of the reason for the G180 for myself is to enable me to do places like Hopton. Sure the Trek can do it, but with me onboard I'll get more chances.

Coming into winter now means dates and places to race are less and less. The thing is, it's hard to replicate some of them. So FoD isn't like them, neither is BPW or Cwmcarn, so what to ride to try and help him, that's where it gets tough.
I know you guys say things like Risca, but Risca is nothing like say Hopton.

So it's all a little in the air. But at the end of the day, he's smiling so I'm happy.

The level at races though is insane, they're just so so good.


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 6:47 pm
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Btw, I'm not trying to make excuses for me it him, the guy gave him a beating, we accept that. As did quite a few others


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 6:53 pm
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The level at races though is insane, they’re just so so good.

You only need to watch some of the young riders at any decent uplift venue or out in the Alps in summer to realise that there are so many absolute pinners, and to do consistently well at racing you need to be able to hit gnarly tracks at warp speed.


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 7:19 pm
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The 17-18 class as you'd expect was won by Jordan Williams, but only by 5s. Which puts a little in perspective how fast some youngsters are.

It's fab to just stand and watch in honesty, seeing so many people sending gaps, getting faster, hitting drops, it's ace to watch.


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 7:26 pm
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No it doesn't fall on deaf ears. Tell you what, I won't bother writing again.


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 8:35 pm
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The 17-18 class as you’d expect was won by Jordan Williams, but only by 5s. Which puts a little in perspective how fast some youngsters are.

Now consider that he was probably cruising, certainly compared to any WC or Champs run


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 8:38 pm
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Unlucky to lil Weeksy, if he ain't happy with his results. From what I've seen, he's only just getting started out in these types of races?? can't expect to be winning* them already can he? it's all about the experience.

*yes, I know that's not the expectation!


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 9:18 pm
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No, he finished roughly where we expected to finish, but like all racers, he goes into a race with just a thought of "maybe if....."

He's now got over it now and is back to his happy self.

I think in honesty this is where the thread ends. Any thoughts either get taken incorrectly or are met with derision. So I'll walk away from this thread and we'll just do what we do.

Apologies to the people who enjoyed the thread but I'm done.


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 9:34 pm
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No need to apologise. Sounds like he's had a good weekend and enjoyed it. At the end of the day that's all that matters 👍


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 9:39 pm
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I’d love if this thread kept going - while I’ll happily park myself on the sofa in front of a WC DH, that is where my knowledge began and ended with DH.
So to see UK/grassroots downhilling through the eyes of the aspiring racer starting from the bottom/junior categories (or rather from his mechanic/manager/father) is interesting.

But there is a certain amount of interaction you are opening yourself up for when posting it on a popular biking forum thread. It might be hard to see from your perspective as the subject of the thread, but we don’t just disagree with you (sometimes) we disagree with each other too.
Just in the last two pages, there were about ten differing opinions on brakes for example.


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 9:53 pm
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On the Risca thing you could uplift there to get access to some of the steep off piste stuff on the DH bike. You just won’t make very uplift / have to be creative how you put the trails together.

Stuff like Conda is good practice as it has steep bits and loads of roots in places. Busy Lizzie less useful probably. Mayhem is blown out and steep / loose in places.

Wacko is fast with drops and braking bumps but no roots really.

Deaf and Dumb feels pretty tricky in places to me - Jonduro not so much.

Network R is a step up again but that’s too far round for the uplift I’d say - you’ll end up missing at least 2 and having a pedal round and back.

At FOD there is difficult stuff further away from the trail centre - although none of it is as sustained as South Wales as the hill is smaller. You could still session stuff for practice of rooty / steep / rocky sections though. Just quite a lot might be pushing up on a DH bike as you haven’t got the range or pedal platform to make it up.

I’d imagine Barry Sidings and Smilog have some very steep rooty / tech stuff - but not been to either of those yet.


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 10:02 pm
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It's worth adding that what you're doing posting so frequently, openly and frankly about y'alls journey is very brave.

I don't think there is anyone else on here doing similar, so props to you.

It's inevitable that some of the replies will feel a bit injurious. I don't think they're [mainly] intended like that, but it's natural that you would feel got at sometimes as you are posting about something so precious.

Try not to take it too ernst..

And keep posting


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 10:05 pm
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I understand, well I try and understand. Honestly I really do.

But what some of the posters forget is that I know my lad, how his mind works, how he ticks, what drives him and what doesn't.
The only people who get to see his reaction day to day on this is me.
A couple of mates are heading to Antur Stiniog in a few weeks and invited us, me and him watched 3-4 videos on it and thought "looks rubbish" and said no. Now we may well be wrong, but we're ok with that, it's what we both thought.

When things like Risca are mentioned, I could suggest to my lad we ride there and be met with "so it's steep up, then horrible descents", to which I'd struggle to argue. Now I can completely see why some may think that would help him, of course, but he's still a teenager and they're still tricky to get to do things. Even if he had a 3rd bike, I'm not sure I'd be persuading him.
But offer him a race there, or indeed anywhere and he'll jump at it. Straight in, no debate, yes.

Is that the best way to progress, maybe not. I'm not that daft that I can't see words written. But different people want and need different things. Sure I can guide him, mould him, but I can't drag him kicking and screaming. Kids have to want to do things, especially when it's dangerous too. If I push him when pushing isn't right, that'll be worse all round.

If the consequence of that is that at Pearce he gets 25th instead of 15th that an alternate reality him would get, then so be it. Because the bond we have from this stuff is more than just results, more than just numbers. I see so many kids his age who lock themselves in their rooms and play video games all day. Me and him are out playing.

Last night in the pub I went to the bar and the barmaid says "he's a wonderfully polite and attentive young man", we'd stood for 10 minutes earlier and chatted to her, the lad had been to the bar a few times for water and waited politely and obviously asked in the right way. This is what I'm building, not just a racing machine, but a human.

Sure I may be making a mediocre racer, but I'm exceptionally proud of the person.

(And the racer, he's a bloody joy to watch ride, but I'm very biased on that )


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 10:08 pm
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At Risca if you use the uplift it’s not steep up for him as it drops you right at the top. You can mix off piste with the DH track too - you can get in about 10 uplifts if you make each one.

The DH track would be up his street / it’s fast with some jumps and drops and berms etc. But a step up from 417 and it beats you up the faster you go I’d say. The off piste isn’t horrible - if it was I wouldn’t ride it. I’d think he’d love Wacko - and Conda / deaf and dumb really would give him something to think about and help with the trickier tracks.


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 10:12 pm
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A couple of mates are heading to Antur Stiniog in a few weeks and invited us, me and him watched 3-4 videos on it and thought “looks rubbish” and said no

I'd be interested in what makes you both think antur looks rubbish, genuinely interested....


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 10:24 pm
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My only advice would be to not watch a YouTube video before deciding to go to a new riding spot, they never do somewhere justice and trying something new is always worthwhile even if you end up deciding you wouldn't want to go back.

I hope you keep updating the thread, it's always an interesting read. There's never going to be a right answer for everything but as long as you're having fun and learning then it's all good.


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 10:28 pm
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Antur is alright- lots of stuff that’s fun but prob not that useful for your racing. But the lower black section in the trees is tricky - especially if wet - and there’s a massive drop feature near the bottom that I’ve only ever see one person send.

I think there are some bits at the top of the black that are good too.

But it’s a very long way for you to go for a day. Maybe as a long weekend with Revs or Dyfi on another day perhaps?


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 10:31 pm
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My only advice would be to not watch a YouTube video before deciding to go to a new riding spot, they never do somewhere justice and trying something new is always worthwhile even if you end up deciding you wouldn’t want to go back

Would very much agree with this. I reckon he’d have plenty of fun* on the harder Antur trails. Weather can also play an interesting factor there, very exposed

*as in, he’d be able to push himself


 
Posted : 02/10/2022 10:31 pm
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Antur.

Watching this and others..

straight > berm turn > straight > berm turn > pretend rocky bit > berm turn ... The reds and blues followed this format.

The Blacks we watched were the same but with a few more rocks thrown in... I and he couldn't see any appeal to it. Esepcially from a racing context as none of the tracks have anything in common with this type of riding at all.


 
Posted : 03/10/2022 6:19 am
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SO it looks like this weekends race is this course. Ridge Run at Stile Cop. At first i thought that was just the name of the event, but it seems that's the actual trail. Looking at it, it's obviously closer to a blue than a black... with just a few tech jumps thrown in for good measure, so it'll be all about carrying speed.

We had planned on just going up for the Sunday... but may now go up on Sat too and get a few runs in to check it out etc... It's a bit of a drive for a double... so we may look into staying over.

If anyone fancies a few runs on it on Sat, you'd be more than welcome to come and join us.


 
Posted : 03/10/2022 6:54 am
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The Blacks we watched were the same but with a few more rocks thrown in… I and he couldn’t see any appeal to it. Esepcially from a racing context as none of the tracks have anything in common with this type of riding at all.

SO it looks like this weekends race is this course. Ridge Run at Stile Cop. At first i thought that was just the name of the event, but it seems that’s the actual trail. Looking at it, it’s obviously closer to a blue

I’m confused


 
Posted : 03/10/2022 7:39 am
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I’m confused

Well, it's completely different...

Stile Cop is a race day.. i can't change where that's hosted, whether the course is good or bad isn't down to us. Racing is a whole different thing to riding, it's a different vibe, psychology, event and of course trails.

Antur is a day out, so we have a choice whether we go there that week or somewhere else. We're already at Coaching with Katy Curd the day before the lads are off to Antur, so it's no biggy to not go.


 
Posted : 03/10/2022 7:44 am
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Well, it’s completely different…

I think he meant that in one post you said that the trails at antur were nothing like the trails your boy races on, because they were straight, berm, straight berm, jump, berm , etc etc, and then in the very next post you posted a video of your next race venue which was straight,berm,straight,berm,jump, berm etc.

I suspect what gets some people backs up is that you dismiss some stuff out of hand as rubbish from watching a you tube video, when actually some variation in what you both ride would probably be a good thing. Not saying Antur is the be all and end all and its a right trek from your place, but to just dismiss it as "rubbish" is silly. Antur trails are about 5 times longer than stile cop and a lot more technical (on the blacks) and much steeper - I'd be very surprised if there wasntt some benefit to be had from riding there - along with many other places. Its fine to say its too far to travel, but to say its rubbish is, well, rubbish.

That video you posted of antur misses out all the really technical bits - eg it stops just before the really big drop, he goes round some of the more technical bits on the red etc etc


 
Posted : 03/10/2022 8:15 am
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