Here is a warm up event that might suit you 200 riders lined up across a mountain waiting for the off trying to be first down the mountain sounds like a BLAST http://www.planetfear.com/articles/W...2012_1127.html
There is a sh1t load of races in Poland each year and I really need to look into it, I could organise a trip next year. There are Enduros, XCOs and Marathons so plenty to choose from. It would be much cheaper that anywhere else (hopefully!) and you'd have a personal tour guide with you too.
And, the summers are nice... there is 27-29 degrees in Warsaw at the moment!!
I've done the transalp. I wouldn't bother me arse doing it again. Its mostly ridden by super fit people who haven't a clue how to mountain bike. So they'll get in front of you on all the endless fire road climbs and form a not-very-mobile trail-blocking obstacle on any interesting bits of the course (of which there aren't nearly enough.. maybe 15% singletrack at most). The most interesting decent the year I did it was spent with 2 English lads (who could also ride their bikes) screaming "Entschuldige bitte" all the way down trying to clear the roadies, who were standing staring at the occasional rock wondering what to do next, out of the way. I remember coming across one girl who was had come to a complete stop and appeared to be staring in terror at a small puddle on the trail.
On the other hand, the BC bike race does sound cool. I'd be firmly with Joe on that one.
right so..I'm 50 this year, and since I have been wiping noses and holding hands for the last 10 of them I think I deserve to do my own thing again , the BC Bike Race looks like the one..I will also get to visit my two old buddies Kevin and Sean ( the good one, not the backstabber )
Yeah, transalp.....woken at 6am by some german bloke putting cream on his balls, looking for help....8am start, 1500m climb, 1.5 hours...followed by a bit of fireroad then a tarmac road descent......then do it again.....for 8 days! the little bit of single track that is there is full of guys walking down....and we were near the front! A good experience, some incredible views....but never again!
BC bike race, 60km of ST each day....mini enduro style stages in the middle.....oh yeah.....someday I will do it, its on the 10 year plan.
Trans Rockies is somewhere in the middle, but if you are going over, might as well just do the BC. Stay for another week after in whilster/squamish/NS
Dont bother with anything in the UK, unless you like riding wet double tracks....'oi rit mate'
Trans Germany looks ok, and I hear there is some good stuff in poland....any links Max?
I've a 10 year plan too , Joe but mine involves becoming a James Bond villain, becoming President of Cycling Ireland, getting a blow job from a ladyboy (imagine it, an angry man full of female hormones ) writing a book, chopping somebodys head off, visiting Australia, South America, becoming a celebrity Chef and conquering my fear of spiders !
Here is a warm up event that might suit you 200 riders lined up across a mountain waiting for the off trying to be first down the mountain sounds like a BLAST http://www.planetfear.com/articles/W...2012_1127.html
There is a sh1t load of races in Poland each year and I really need to look into it, I could organise a trip next year. There are Enduros, XCOs and Marathons so plenty to choose from. It would be much cheaper that anywhere else (hopefully!) and you'd have a personal tour guide with you too.
And, the summers are nice... there is 27-29 degrees in Warsaw at the moment!!
I've done the transalp. I wouldn't bother me arse doing it again. Its mostly ridden by super fit people who haven't a clue how to mountain bike. So they'll get in front of you on all the endless fire road climbs and form a not-very-mobile trail-blocking obstacle on any interesting bits of the course (of which there aren't nearly enough.. maybe 15% singletrack at most). The most interesting decent the year I did it was spent with 2 English lads (who could also ride their bikes) screaming "Entschuldige bitte" all the way down trying to clear the roadies, who were standing staring at the occasional rock wondering what to do next, out of the way. I remember coming across one girl who was had come to a complete stop and appeared to be staring in terror at a small puddle on the trail.
On the other hand, the BC bike race does sound cool. I'd be firmly with Joe on that one.
right so..I'm 50 this year, and since I have been wiping noses and holding hands for the last 10 of them I think I deserve to do my own thing again , the BC Bike Race looks like the one..I will also get to visit my two old buddies Kevin and Sean ( the good one, not the backstabber )
Yeah, transalp.....woken at 6am by some german bloke putting cream on his balls, looking for help....8am start, 1500m climb, 1.5 hours...followed by a bit of fireroad then a tarmac road descent......then do it again.....for 8 days! the little bit of single track that is there is full of guys walking down....and we were near the front! A good experience, some incredible views....but never again!
BC bike race, 60km of ST each day....mini enduro style stages in the middle.....oh yeah.....someday I will do it, its on the 10 year plan.
Trans Rockies is somewhere in the middle, but if you are going over, might as well just do the BC. Stay for another week after in whilster/squamish/NS
Dont bother with anything in the UK, unless you like riding wet double tracks....'oi rit mate'
Trans Germany looks ok, and I hear there is some good stuff in poland....any links Max?
I've a 10 year plan too , Joe but mine involves becoming a James Bond villain, becoming President of Cycling Ireland, getting a blow job from a ladyboy (imagine it, an angry man full of female hormones ) writing a book, chopping somebodys head off, visiting Australia, South America, becoming a celebrity Chef and conquering my fear of spiders !
