[Closed] The 2018 XC Racing Thread

I'm racing although deferring to Marathons and have entered BeMC this year. I'll still be riding Eastern Regionals in Vets as B races.

My goal, to improve my results & output to the point that proves paying for coaching was worth it. Hard to gauge that at the moment as I'm training anaerobically only so get tired after 45 minutes 😀

I'm having a play at next weeks Gorrick for specificity and volume only so it'll be interested to see how I go, although I will be at the end of week 2 of a hard training block with no taper - not expecting to be competitive, just tired!

First regional race is at the end of Feb. Not expecting great things but I'll be racing a familiar crowd so lets see If I've moved up on some of my peers this year.

Great timing on this thread, completely sick of winter!

I went and got myself a power meter (only for the road bike unfortunately) and a coach so the plan is to be fast(ish) this season and properly fast next year.

Should be racing Nationals and Midlands with a few fnss thrown in for good measure hopefully.

I can't even imagine racing a mtb at the moment, everywhere flooded here today. Roll on spring!

Any xc racing I do this season will be for shits and giggles with no specific training. Having said that will tie in nicely with the build phase of TRainerroad. Not doing any series, might do the last national at the showground, otherwise just a couple of the Welsh series races though no dates or venues released yet. Find it hard to get excited without knowing when and where racing.

First round of the Nationals is at Sherwood Pines. I really like that course but had a bit of a nightmare last year. My race bike had an issue so ended up making a last minute decision to race on my Steel 45650B complete with Hans Damph and a reverb!

I think the Midlands series should be announcing venues soon. The dates are already out there.

I think the Midlands series should be announcing venues soon.

That reminds me to keep an eye on the midlands ones! Been meaning to race a couple of the ones nearer wales for a while. The one in the NT grounds with sandy soil looks a lot of fun.

Fields are massive too aren't they?

I will do the usual, not train and just turn up at the southern's and enjoy a bit of fun racing in the 4-lap open cat with the other not-fast-enough-for-vets, er vets.

ferrals - Member
I think the Midlands series should be announcing venues soon.
That reminds me to keep an eye on the midlands ones! Been meaning to race a couple of the ones nearer wales for a while. The one in the NT grounds with sandy soil looks a lot of fun.

Fields are massive too aren't they?

525 at round 1 last year, including 83 Vets!

It got a bit smaller from there.

I'll be doing the Midlands rounds that are on a Sunday again, The Run and Ride Series, Torq 12 and possibly go and get battered at the first National at Sherwood Pines.

[b]So who's racing what this year? [/b]

The whole first half of the year is focusing on the Euro 24hr solo champs in Slovakia, so I'm going to be doing marathon and XC type enduro events with the odd XC race thrown in like the Cannock ones and the Manchester Mid-week series.

After that it'll a few weeks off and then spend the summer holidays riding with my eldest to build his strength and endurance up for next cross season.

Finally and if SWMBO buys into it, I'll have another crack at Torq 12:12 in August.

[b]Hows the training going?[/b]

It's the first time I've ever really tried to structure something so the training is going well, not using anything like Trainer Road or Zwift (mainly as I haven't got power or wifi in my shed and it's too much hassle to get it there) but regular turbo sessions using GCN's training videos, track sessions at least once a week and a local XC blasts with a longer ride each weekend, this will inevitably increase as the weather gets nice, coupled in with a couple of days commuting on a 108km round trip.

[b]What are you goals?[/b]

Goal wise, I'd really like to podium in my age group (40-45) at the Euros and at Torq 12:12 where I was 5th Vet last year on my first trip to the venue, but now I know what to expect this should be achievable.

Yes the Midlands Series is bloody brilliant. I'd say they were even more competetive than the nationals. The size of the field is massive too, I think there were 60+ at one round in Sport Cat. The field seems to shrink a bit as the season goes on for some reason.

Dudmaston is the Sandy one. Absolute blast to race around, like a mini trail centre.

Well I dropped my Scalpel off for some TLC back in September at the LBS and I'm still waiting for it back. I'm getting a little nervous in all honesty. It had quite a list of things to be done - service lefty with new helicoil / rear shock / wheel rebuild / frame bearings / BB and headset etc. Last I heard was last week and was told that my lefty and shock was with TFTuned and should be back at some point this week. I rang TFTuned and they had no record of having my stuff yet.

I'm hoping that the NEXCMTB series will start up again this year but I know that the original organiser was looking for someone else to take the reigns. If that hasn't happened I suspect that the series will grind to a halt which would be a real shame as it was always well run, well attended and if it goes under, there's very little/nothing else in the way of XC racing in the NE.
I did OK in my local series last year (3rd, 4th and 5th - scraping in an overall 2nd place Vets on points) so training is underway on the off-chance the series lives on, but it's mainly on the turbo until the weather gets better. Spending hours churning away in the slop of a North East winter doesn't motivate.

Dudmaston, thats the one, no further for me than some of the wlesh rounds.

I'd say they were even more competetive than the nationals. The size of the field is massive too, I think there were 60+ at one round in Sport Cat.

Sounds good. Field in general harder than the nationals or just the pointy end - I'm 3/4 way down field in nationals sports cat. Can always enter open but i always figure best to get as many laps for your money as possible!

I say they were more competetive, I guess I mean the field was just so much bigger. I tended to beat the same percentage for people at the nationals compared to the midlands but that could have bagged me a 4th at the nationals and a 10th at the Midlands.

There's bigger points available at the nationals and there's less people to beat to get them too.

I placed better for the overall National Series than I did for the Midlands.

I think the NE XC league is coming back or so my sources tell me. Hope so as I was planning on racing some offroad.

We need to invest in more letters as a region though as I find it confusing. NECCL, CDNE, CXNE, NEXC, NDCA...

Entered the Brass Monkeys 4hr Enduro on Sunday if that counts? Singlespeed category, should be quite a change from time trialling.

Brass monkey fat bike 3 hour on Sunday, desperately zwifting to try and get some fitness!

I think the NE XC league is coming back or so my sources tell me. Hope so as I was planning on racing some offroad.
We need to invest in more letters as a region though as I find it confusing. NECCL, CDNE, CXNE, NEXC, NDCA...

That sounds promising, hopefully all of the time I'm spending in the turbo dungeon won't be wasted.
I agree with you on the acronyms, especially the NDCA - still, I'm going to have to catch up with my training for the National Dance Council of America!

Well I dropped my Scalpel off for some TLC back in September at the LBS and I'm still waiting for it back. I'm getting a little nervous in all honesty. It had quite a list of things to be done - service lefty with new helicoil / rear shock / wheel rebuild / frame bearings / BB and headset etc.

WTF are they doing, hand crafting the parts from unicorn horn?

Planning on getting back into racing properly after taking last year off. Racing Experts again this year in the Nationals and the Midlands, and training has been going well so hopefully will pull in some decent results.
Goals are to get solidly inside the top 20 at Nationals, hopefully a top 15 or a super push goal of a top 10.

Serious question - my coach has asked me to think about aiming for Nationals in 2019 - is there a "level" (position?) in Regional that kind of needs to be achieved before considering a National entry?

Or do I let me coach me almost to death and just enter and do my best? 🙂

You guys get an early race season start, here in Southern Sweden we have to wait until the very end of April for the season start.

My focus this year is on the largest Southern Sweden race series called the X-Cup, normally 7 rounds of XC racing at different venues. It's the most popular series in Sweden and has a good selection or courses. Open racing and hour long with minimal classes.

Then I'll do the Mitsubishi MTB Challenge rounds that are within a 4 hour drive from my house, XC Marathon racing.

Keeping the S-Works Epic WC for another season at least, was tempted to change but blown all my funds on the new Parlee road build. Just need to get the dampers serviced, seem ok but they're 2 yeasr old now so I guess I need to be certain everythings ok.

@ steve_b77 - Yea I hope so! Not impressed....

@ Schmiken - No doubt I'll regularly see you on the start line! Go easy on me.

@ Kryton - Why next year? Get stuck into them this year! I did better at the nationals compared to the regional races. The national courses are top class and the whole event / weekend is just 'bigger'

Kryton - Why next year?

No time left and too late in my marathon plan to deviate this year.

Kryton - could be the coach does not want to jeopardise the marathan focus. Could be he wants you to focus on regionals to build ranking points that will help gridding for Nationals. I would argue a National helps sharpen the form, gain valuable experience (especially useful if heading to some of the big euro marathons). Plus they are great fun.

My plans for 2018? After a complete 'mare of 2017 (from late June to November I spent a total of 24 days on antibiotics, 35 days on steroids, five trips to GP investigating breathing difficulties, one referral to respiratory clinic, and on fourth type of inhaler). From July I basically stopped training, racing was a massive struggle and a possibly health risk due to uncontrolled asthma and did my head in!

I'm back now and have been training for the last six weeks to try and get fit again. Racing the Gorrick this weekend to see where I'm at, but aim to complete in the Southerns, some Nationals, the Nat Champs, Torq 12, Big Dog and maybe Pivot 12 (team) or the Ride London again. I would like to ride a Midlands race as well, they always get rave reports. Also looking forward to riding my bike in the Lakes in late August (fell off at Big Dog smashing my legs which made riding very tricky).

So who's racing what this year?

Shifting my focus to marathons this year (from XCO) after reasonable showing (top 10) at the national marathon champs and the MB ultra in France. I'll still be racing a lot of XCO though, keeps the legs sharp and I enjoy the chatting and camping as much as anything.
Main events:
- Club LaSanta 4 day stage race in Lanzarote - approaching worryingly quickly
- Roc Laissagais marathon (UCI series)
- Tiliment marathon (European champs)
- Roc d'Ardenne
- Alps Bike Festival La Clusaz (UCI series)
- MB Race Chamonix (UCI series)
- National Marathon champs on the IOM
- Big Dog (solo most likely)
- BeMC marathon (Belgium)
- Grand Raid Verbier (UCI series)
- Torq in Your Sleep (probably 6hr solo)
- La Forestiere marathon (UCI series)
- Extreme sur Loue marathon
- Tide to Tide (maybe)
- La Tramun marathon Girona (the singletrack marathon!)

I'll also do the national XC series, national XC champs, most of the Gorricks, some Southerns and Easterns, and maybe fit some road racing in there somewhere.

Hows the training going?

Fairly well actually, I've managed to avoid the massive dip during January exams this year, and hitting all time power records, so if I can keep it consistent I might be decent. Or burn out, who knows. I'll be well and truly put in my place in a couple of weeks when I get my arse kicked by the pros in Lanzarote.

What are your goals?

I've got a far fetched dream of qualifying for the world marathon champs, which is why I'm doing all the travelling to the world marathon series events. Doing well enough to qualify will be bloody hard though.
I'd like to finish the 140km MB race (only managed the 70 last year), fingers crossed for dry weather otherwise it'll be miserable.
Breaking into the top 5 at national marathon champs would be mint, although I'll have to be on the best climbing form of my life to get near that.
Eastern regional XC champ for another year would be nice too.

I got tired typing that much so god knows how I'm going to deal with all that racing!

is there a "level" (position?) in Regional that kind of needs to be achieved before considering a National entry?

Other than the travelling, what reason would you have for not doing them? (Usually) more exciting courses than the Eastern rounds, better competition, entry isn't any more expensive. You won't come last, guaranteed, and no-one will laugh even if you do.

No time left and too late in my marathon plan to deviate this year.

If you're happy with racing a national without any kind of taper, they're quite a good addition to a marathon programme. Just think of it as an especially highly motivated interval session, and you can always do 20 practice laps on the Saturday if you need to get the hours in

ernie - Member

Racing the Gorrick this weekend to see where I'm at

What category? We could get a Renvale train going if you're in the 4hr (assuming Tim's doing it too)

What bikes will everyone be racing on this season ?
I have my heart set on a scott spark 900 rc team but funds not available till March so holding out till then.

<span style="color: #444444;">I have my heart set on a scott spark 900 rc team </span>

Sorry to tell you - one of those 😀  You know Pedalon have 15% off until next Wednesday and you can get buy now pay 12 months later?   If you know you'll have the funds in March it may be worth picking one upon - thats £554 discount.

I’ll be racing my heavily modified Spark 720.

Well I'm gonna race as many of the Midweek Madness series as possible.

I don't have a proper XC bike but have got some X-Kings coming for my Solaris and will dig out some SPDs. Anything else I should consider changing on a typical trail bike build?

Last race of 2017 (also my only race of 2017) I was 4th in the lower cat but there was a poor turn out - so I'll be hoping to get in the top five when there's a bigger field.

I'd like to try some longer events, but not really sure what's out there TBH.

I'm doing all the MSG rounds

2 rounds of the Nationals, Sherwood Pines and Phoenix Bike park

National Champs at Hadleigh

Expecting to get my arse proper kicked at the Nationals

There's no Spark WC's in stock anywhere anyway, so keep saving!

FNSS is where its at... may do the odd national and an eastern or 2

Not really racing in 2018 as no statutory sick pay

Might do 24:12 and torq

I'll be racing my Orbea Oiz (started life as the M10 but I've changed plenty on it), I just need to sort out the proper rats nest of cables at the front end (Brakes, rear mech, lockouts x2 and a dropper do not a neat front end make) and I'll be a lot happier with it!

My main focus is holiday racing this year.

Algarve Bike Challenge

Moab Rocks

BC Bike Race

training, I have some intervening events, there is Brass Monkeys this weekend, a CX Sportif in February, the Dyfi Enduro, Wicklow 200 sportif, Big Dog and 12:12. And that will do me.

may do some other stuff.

hows it going at the moment. - Rubbish

Bike - full suss 29er with 120 forks and a dropper post.

Planning on dabbling in a few XC races in Scotland this year. Having never done a proper XC race before, it may be a baptism of fire! I'll see how I get on at the first SXC at Glentress and take it from there. Any words of wisdom for a newbie? Any others racing in Scotland? Looking forward to the Mountain time trial at Innerleithen in March. An XC event which is being run at the infamous Golfie this year! Should be an interesting event!

No structured training for me. Just commuting, weekend riding and trying to do some midweek offroad night rides at a higher pace into the mix. Goals are not to come last and hopefully to enjoy it!

Welsh XC series dates announced... and I'm starting to think I might race more than a couple 🙂

So Wessex league cross finishes up this week - anyone recommend a central Southern XC series I can bring a couple of boys along too (U10, U12 cats) with a 'hanging on at the back' category for me?

Don't actually have an mtb thats 'raceworthy' at the moment (chubby plus rigid bike and a T129 lump) but thats a minor issue 🙂

Might do that final Welsh round at Llandegla.  Never done a Welsh series round before!

Anyone know of any races in the Gloucestershire area? Moved here recently and it seems to be devoid of any regular action.

There were some Mean and Dirty events last year but its not clear what they're doing in 2018

Did the Gorrick 4h today, an excellent course at Minley.  Good to meet Yak (again) and Dr P for the first time.

I'm in week 11 of a 12 week Anerobic block so my coach - who turned up at the race like I didn't need any more pressure - had said I could expect to be tired and to treat this like a training ride / specificity on the new bike in prep for later in the year.  I'd also had an issue mid- week, aching all over so either a virus or overtraining had happened.

Excuses done then I managed 6 laps and 16th, faded sooooo badly on the last two when I had expected to pick up the pace on the last, just had nothing and lost 4/5 places there.  Still, not so bad an a very enjoyable day out - in the XC race kinda way.

Heavy Rat - not so sure of XC racing within the county. MaD have a XC/CX ride planned for Feb, HOTS is a fab MTB sportive, HONC likewise. CX wise LoveCrossed is next weekend in Tetbury. In the FoD there is the XC enduro race which has had some very competitive XC racers in previously. Probably best to check the BC website for your nearest races. MaD is the Slam69 guys so you could phone the shop.

I was at the Gorrick too, good to meet DrP, must have missed Kryton though.

Managed to win the 4hr with 8 laps, and my first 4 were the fastest of the day too. Surprised myself a bit with that one. Annoyed that I didn't do the second round as a series win could have been on the cards. Next year maybe.

Properly surprised at how well the course held up to the rain we've had recently, I reckon the Gorrick crew have made an artificial microclimate around there as part of some shady army weapons testing deal. Or they're just excellent course planners.

Yes, did the brass monkeys too. Good to briefly catch up with kryton and a passing shout to DrP (him passing!). Came in 33rd in 2hr vet male. That was my lot today, so good enough.

Congrats to DrP and padkinson on your wins!

Cracking course and amazingly dry. Awesome work Gorrick.

So midlands venues are have been announced.  Saving the best until last!  Dudmaston, love that place.

Finally got my Scalpel back form the LBS.... Almost ready to ride, just need to source a missing spacer from the headset, fix the damn lockout remote (Rockshox Full Sprint remotes are garbage!), most likely a warranty replacement on a 3 monthly cycle... and convince the wife I must have another power meter for it!

Heading to Gran Canaria on 28th, cant wait.  It better had be sunnny!  I'm sick to death of the turbo now

So who’s racing what this year?

Heading of to the Andalucia Bike Race in about a week and half's time for six days of suffering, training has gone well so far with last big weekend finished and time to taper. First marathon race in National Championship jersey so trying to not turn up and ride like a tw*t!

After that it will be National XC and Marathon Champs, will try and do a few Midlands XC but found last year when trying to do both it killed my fitness as I hated going into races without a reasonable level of rest. My son is planning to do all the Midlands races in Youth category though.

Hope to see some of you guys out again this year, nice to meet up with other STWers last season.

Iain.

So Wessex league cross finishes up this week – anyone recommend a central Southern XC series I can bring a couple of boys along too (U10, U12 cats) with a ‘hanging on at the back’ category for me?

Don’t actually have an mtb thats ‘raceworthy’ at the moment (chubby plus rigid bike and a T129 lump) but thats a minor issue 🙂

I'm one of the organisers of the SouthernXC and we offer racing for all ages and abilities, our website is currently under construction but should be fully up and running in a few weeks but to be totally honest all of the information you need is our Facebook page (look out for SouthernXC news) and the entry site, both are linked below

http://my1.raceresult.com/g2730/?lang=en

Double post!

Thought I'd tag onto this thread even though 2017,

As stated, I didn't really feel the Crit stuff, so it's back to XC as a push to give me a little something to train for etc.

Just a bit of an incentive really

SOUTHERNXC 2018 ROUND 1
29TH APRIL 2018 | CHECKENDON

Both me and my lad have entered as he doesn't have any football that morning.

Let the games begin.

Happy days

Anyone know of any punter races in the  north west?

Midweek Madness races are in the North West and start in May I think.  They've just announced their race dates and locations on their facebook page.  Good fun series and very popula with an Enthusiast category or a Racer category.

I'm thinking of making a trip up to Glentress the week before the British Nationals to loosen the legs up at the first round of the Scottish XC series.

Well, I had a crap start to the season yesterday.  I have a rational and emotional response to it and I'd love to hear from someone more experienced who could advise between the two.  I already have some from my team mate, not that I don't trust him!

So, bear in mind I'm 4.5 months into my first proper coached training.  I am training for marathons, but these races are scheduled in.  I had no taper and this forms part of my intensity in the block.  I'm 2 weeks into a block of constant 2x15 and 2x20's currently.

Race was Mud Sweat and gears at Hadliegh, sanitised technical but still with 1000m of climbing in 25k/90 mins.  Of course, it was cold.  I start the race on -0.2TSS.   I did have and "episode" at 2am in the morning where I felt very sick.  Sat with my head over the bowl for 1/2hr.  Jnr has been the same.  So, got held up at the start but as soon as I cleared the staled rider I went for a second attempt but knew immediately my legs were compromised.  I had nothing, just no power in my legs all race - 90 mins of survival.  All not helped by a very strong field yesterday.

Rational - I'm collectively fatigued, probably carrying a tummy bug had no rest leading up to the event and on top of that stronger riders compromised my result.

Emotional - although I know not to expect miracles I finished 10 places down out of normal position at 29th of 46..  I would have expected to have been stronger as my training numbers are all "up", and some social rides have reflected that.  There were people 10 places above me whom I've been racing with last year.

Would welcome any words of wisdom, although perhaps writing it down has helped make a couple of things clear...

Rational – I’m collectively fatigued, probably carrying a tummy bug had no rest leading up to the event and on top of that stronger riders compromised my result

Simply put, you're sick / on the verge of sickness, don't expect miracles or even normal levels of performance. Have  a rest until you feel 100% again and then crack on, no point training when you're not well it'll only ruin you in the long term.

On another note I had a crack at XCO yesterday down at Cannock, as I'm not training specifically for XC, but for the 24hr Euro champs, my work hasn't exactly been speed based (not that I've got any to begin with!!). So with the opportunity at hand, I rode 30k to my mates who then drove there, did a lap of one of the trails another 10k, did a warm up, raced Enthusiast (think Sport level) in a good standard field and rolled home 33rd out of 112, which is nice. We then drove back to my mates and I ride 30k back home again.

So 90k in the bag including a bit of racing, mushn't grumble.

Enthusiast (think Sport level) in a good standard field and rolled home 33rd out of 112, which is nice. We then drove back to my mates and I ride 30k back home again.

So 90k in the bag including a bit of racing, mushn’t grumble.

And some of us train what we think is hard and would finish 50 places further down LOL. That's most impressive that !

Kryton, you should also add to your post that you couldn't get your heart rate anywhere near normal race levels. Normally I'd associate this with massive over-reaching but I know you're following a sensible coaching plan so can only surmise that you were really unwell yesterday.

My advice is to bin that result as an anomaly and move on (after a couple of days off, please!)

Isn't it also the case that in really cold conditions getting the HR high is tougher ?

Sounds like you overcooked it Kryters - pushed when you should have listened to your body. You were sick, tired & hadn't slept..

I'll bet you won't make the same mistake again, though you'd be excused if you did....I know how hard it can be sometimes to attempt to push through..

I'd take a week off - do nothing, your season sounds long & it'd be a shame to come down with something so early on!

Thanks chaps.  Come to think about it I forgot that on Thursday I woke up with what I though were the beginnings of a cold - stuffy nose and headache.  I do have a slightly swollen lumph node under my jaw today.

I hate below par performances, and as I've mentioned to Rollindonut before, I'm desperate to get to the right place in my training plan where it all comes together, as everything I do currently is mid plan/block and compromised.  Its tough mentally, and as we all know this winter period is depressing also.

I've moved my plan back 2 days to start Wednesday and finish Saturday this week, I've 550 TSS to achieve before Saturday night.  Sunday is my birthday with a lie-in steak and beer planned with Monday off as prelude to a rest week.  I think two days rest now, 4 days on it and then a short break will be OK.

Next race is mid March, so as I start to freshen up for my April A race - the first Scott Marathon - so I'm hoping for a better performance.

Realistically as well, focussing on marathon means your xco performance will surely suffer somewhat even if you are on form

Sure maybe.

Brief analysis - race in December maxed at 174hr off the start then consistent 165-168 throughout.  Yesterday, 154 of the start and 145-158 ragged throughout.

And as if I needed anymore convincing, my coach just emailed me as he noticed all of that plus my post race comments and feels I have an underlying illness, and to consider to take time off the bike exactly as mrlebowski last para if necessary.  Well wh'dya know...

Thats that then, must move on!

Wow, the race at Hadleigh was nails. I wasn't gridded so started two rows from the back (in a massive vets field).  Start fun went and I tried to calmly make progress towards the pointy end, no point ****ing up yours and someone else' race being silly, and on the big long climb I thought I had made it to 2nd.  I continued chasing (hr made above 160!) and bridged to Roger Fowkes who was storming.  I kept getting delayed when passing tail enders, wasting energy making up the lost 10s here and there. I attacked a few times but the legs weren't responding. Eventually Roger dropped me heading into the final lap, my legs blew, and to add insult turns out there was some dude off the front I didn' know about! So, 3rd it was. It's progress and on reflection I'm happy. My breathing difficulties seem under control which means I'm on the right medication, though every day closer to summer I get a little more nervous that my asthma will kick off again.

Anyways, plenty of people have it worse. When's the next race?

That was Matt Webber, Matts no slouch as you just found out.  Congrats on the podium!

Next one is at Henham 18th March.   https://www.mudsweatgears.co.uk/venues-eastern/.

I've never raced at Henham so would appreciate any feedback on the course from anyone?

Due to conflicts with my lads Footie i'm really struggling to find anything that's on a Saturday in the south of the country. It's a bit of a shame for me, but at my level of ability i'm not sure extra racing make that much difference as it's only the difference betwen 30th and 40th i'll be battling for 🙂

Sitting here at work debating

"Do i need to train differently on Zwift than i am currently"

"how much would more riding at Swinley/outdoors actually help me instead"

"Should i use the Parkwood or look for a 2nd frame, it's light enough isn't it....."

A) If you want to progress further Weeksy then yes.  You need a proper periodised training plan but then your really into the seriousness of it all - do you really want that, or just happy to keep pretty fit?

B) Yes - FWIW my weekend rides are ALL specified as outdoors,  You need specificity on the bike for XC and it will help train your muscle memory/core for XC riding - less fatigue more ability.     As the clocks go back I'm like to replicate some of my sessions outdoors in the evenings as well.

C) See A above, I did read a stat that said a light more fancy bike is only about 2% of a factor.  Rollindougnut is significantly faster than me on his coil sprung SLX Blue Pig with me on my race bike for instance.  Better to train yourself first is what I've learned.  Use the Parkwood until you're at your peak and a 2% margin will make a significant difference.

but then your really into the seriousness of it all – do you really want that, or just happy to keep pretty fit?

Due to time constraints that's not really what i want... Of course i do want to be better... but there's a limit to the reality of that.

Yes – FWIW my weekend rides are ALL specified as outdoors,  You need specificity on the bike for XC and it will help train your muscle memory/core for XC riding – less fatigue more ability.     As the clocks go back I’m like to replicate some of my sessions outdoors in the evenings as well

A lot of my weekend stuff is with a mate, he's a bit more steady, i will struggle to do super race replication stuff with him and i wouldnt ride often without him as hes a mate

See A above, I did read a stat that said a light more fancy bike is only about 2% of a factor.  Rollindougnut is significantly faster than me on his coil sprung SLX Blue Pig with me on my race bike for instance.  Better to train yourself first is what I’ve learned.  Use the Parkwood until you’re at your peak and a 2% margin will make a significant difference.

Fair point. 2% wont make any difference to my results.

What Kryton says.  After hell of a time with my health last June - December I started training again in the last week of December.  This has been made up of 60-90min turbo sessions between 5-7 days/week.  Focus has been 100% on rebuilding my aerobic 'engine'. I haven't touched anything anaerobic. There has been a large focus on sweetspot sessions plus longer periods just below FTP.  I'm not sure what zwift does (never used it of bothered to investigate it); I write my plan first by populating the races I want to complete (fitting around work/family) and then build my training around that (periodization).  The question is; does zwift give you this or would you be better getting a coach to give you a 10-12 week plan?

Do you train on the mtb?  Yes, absolutely.  In the past this has been a massive failing for me.  As above, due to time constraints most of my training is on the turbo.  As the kids get older I am able to hit swinley for post work or early weekend rides (up to 2 laps).  I use these to my advantage; aim to hit technical sections at race pace (climbs, ascents and descents).  It helps develop the mtb specific muscles and reactions.  If I had my way I would ride/train on the mtb 100% of the time.

Does the bike matter?  Nope (to a degree).  A few years ago my sponsor couldn't provide me my race bike until May.  I couldn't afford my own high level bike (or mid level tbh) and instead was racing my wifes 2004 Specialised Rockhopper (yes, my wife's bike).  End result was I got several top 5 placing in Gorricks and Southern xcs (elite).  I think a lot of people fell off laughing at me.  The only change had been my old race wheels (Hope Pro2 on Stans) and that is the one recommendation - upgrade the wheels.

Bit of a brain dump there.  Let me know if you want some detail / example of a training week (email in profile).

Unfortunately Weeksy as I've found, you need to find the time, and to a degree at least drop your mates*.   You need to train in your Zones and not have them hold you back and you need to put the time/effort in.  It can be pretty lonely. If you don't want that, carry on as usual.

*You can still make time for them, but you need to separate "training" from "riding".   I still ride with mates from time to time and its still useful for skills, mental relaxation/banter, or - and I mean this in the politest way - holding myself back to a pace.

The only change had been my old race wheels (Hope Pro2 on Stans) and that is the one recommendation – upgrade the wheels.

I'm slightly loath to do that on the 29er as i've recently just updated the 27.5's to Pro4's so updating the 29ers are not on the cards right now.

On that side of the discussion, the T-130SX is my other bike, which is upgraded with Pro4's/Hopes and a cracking machine, i'm going to do some testing over the coming months at Swinley to see which of the 2 is quickest/best over the various terrains. They're both coming in at a very similar weight, although i have just dropped 600gr off the Parkwood by sticking the new Fox's in the front end.

I'm only planning on a couple of XC races this year as i said, due to my lads football stuff. But if i'm quicker on one bike or the other, then it makes sense to use it when i do.

Anyone racing the Gorrick this Sunday? Cracking course at Crowthorne 2 weeks ago, so looking forward to this one too.

Been doing all my riding outside on the SS the last couple of weeks, which has been a very welcome change!

Kryton, Henham is comparable to Thetford but with more climbing or Shouldham if you have been there. More natural terrain, just have to hope it is dry or it will be a greasy muddy nightmare.

I think time on the MTB is so important. When your front wheel washes out or you face a big chute like at Hadleigh on Sunday (I came 4th in your race Ernie), then you need to be able to rely on your inbuilt reactions to sort it out. Riding through the woods all winter on a mix of ice and mud, in the dark most of the time, gives you so many experiences to draw upon.

Thanks Adam - recognise the name from Wessex Facebook!

Will get along to something for sure, possibly one of the duathlons too.

Silly thing is Weeksy, you are putting in good hours of consistent riding and often working very hard. What you don’t do though is put the final polish on to replicate the demands of XC.

If you could find a way to turn two of your sessions per week into fun training sessions where you worked on your 30sec - 2min Power either through structured workouts or by using Zwift or real life hills to do Hill repeats, it would make such a difference.

If out with Crust, try and ride every little hill twice to his once. If he beats you to the top before your second rep then he gets to crack on and make you work harder to catch up etc etc

I have learnt to my cost that turboing may make you very fit in a virtual world, but without technical ability you're never going to get anywhere, every b-line ridden is another 30 yards off the back of a group.

Also more likely to pcik up niggling injuries without all the activation of core and supporting little muscles in legs that comes from xc riding

If out with Crust, try and ride every little hill twice to his once. If he beats you to the top before your second rep then he gets to crack on and make you work harder to catch up etc etc

I'd feel bad doing that in honesty... often being there next to him is part of the appeal for both of us... I'm aware it's detrimental, but there's no real alternative that would keep us both happy as mates

If you could find a way to turn two of your sessions per week into fun training sessions where you worked on your 30sec – 2min Power either through structured workouts or by using Zwift or real life hills to do Hill repeats, it would make such a difference.

I struggle with motivation for stuff like this as you've seen over the years... Again, i'm aware it's having a negative impact on results.

I have learnt to my cost that turboing may make you very fit in a virtual world, but without technical ability you’re never going to get anywhere, every b-line ridden is another 30 yards off the back of a group.

Also more likely to pcik up niggling injuries without all the activation of core and supporting little muscles in legs that comes from xc riding

Due to picking my lad up from school and usually turboing after that while he's doing flute and x-box stuff, jumping out in the real world isn't as easy as i'd often like. It will change in summer a bit as it will be lighter.... But it's certainly something i need to work on more, getting out in the real world. There's very little locally though to push myself on in a tech context. Swinley is the closest, but is still 45 mins each way driving.

Due to picking my lad up from school and usually turboing after that while he’s doing flute and x-box stuff, jumping out in the real world isn’t as easy as i’d often like

I know that feeling, my week day time is currently pre 7am and post 7pm, neither of which is viable for outside riding, and not ideal for turboing unless I'm feelin very motivated!

I know that feeling, my week day time is currently pre 7am and post 7pm

With the exception of a few lunchtimes, welcome to my winter!  But when warmer weather comes dawn rides are pretty cool, and as for evening rides who wants to watch trash TV after the kids are in bed anyway?

Also Weeksy, competitive cycling / training is selfish by nature.  You can still ride with your mate but if you want to move onward have a chat with him and just explain you need a bit more from a ride - or do another one without him, Swinley laps with, harder Swinley lap when he goes home!

I can’t imagine he enjoys you riding alongside him up the hills chatting away to him casually whilst he’s seeing stars and struggling to breath anyway 🤣🤣