Gorrick Autumn Series - Round 1

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BY: Louise Robinson

Published: 14th October, 2012

To 650b or not to 650b, that is the question!

 

It is probably the biggest discussion point in mountain biking at the moment, what size wheels? 26 inch or 29 inch? When you think about it,  mountain bikes previously only  used 26 inch wheels because that was what was available when the first hard pack bikes were being built - nothing to do with what works best. But does that mean 29 inch wheels are better? The boys amongst you are probably saying "bigger is always better" but my girlfriends would like to remind you that it is function that counts. For all the gains in a straight line, there will be losses in the single-track. The question is, is the compromise worth making? I have remained sceptical.  If you are over 6 foot, I think it is pretty much a no brainer but at only 5 foot 4 I don't have the reach or standover for the larger geometry of the 29er and any extra weight is proportionally more of a disadvantage. The trial rides I have done on 29ers have been deeply unpleasant experiences, but a number of my contemporises have started riding 29ers and seeing very impressive race results to boot.  So I have gone for the compromise. Partly because I have been able to fit 650b's directly onto my On-One Whippet (with Fox forks) and partly because my hubby can knock up a couple of wheels in the time it takes me to cook a roast dinner. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 

My mini-mechanic gets some wheel building practice in

 

 So with two brand new wheels (Stan's Crest rims. Hope hubs and DT Revolution spokes) how did I get on? After a nasty touch of man flu in the lead up today's race I have not really had a chance to ride my new wheels in anger so today was quite a steep learning curve. Maybe it was the tyres? I usually run Rocket Rons. I love my Rons. I trust them, I know them. But you can't get Rons for 650b's so I have plumped for Racing Ralphs. The first lap it was a bit like breaking in a new man. I really wanted to trust them but every time I gave them an inch and they took a mile. However, by lap four I think I had the measure of them and I was really impressed.

 

I lined up today against Fay Cripps (current national masters champion) and Emily Iredale (winner of this year's Gorrick masters spring series) knowing that although there was only three of us in the race, it was going to be a tough one. And for once, there were more ladies in the expert race than men. What's going on there boys - 5 laps too much for you?

 

The boys and girls at Gorrick served up another great cross country course and the super forgiving ground at Tunnel Hill meant the weeks previous heavy rain was barely perceptible.  Just two points in the course seemed to have received a little too much dust control liquid and apart from that it ran dry and fast. Lots of fast flowy sections, two excellent singletrack climbs and nothing too technical to catch you out.

 

Five minutes of glory - leading out the ladies

 

I got a great start and took the lead with the other two girls right on my wheel. I didn't take long for Fay to make her move on one of the climbs and I moved into second place. After the first half lap Fay moved out of my sight line and Emily had dropped just far enough behind for me not to be able to see or hear her. So three and a half laps pretty much on my own. It is hard to keep the momentum when you have no-one around you for motivation. Many thanks to the few spectators who remained and gave me time gaps on the other girls; it was just nice to know I wasn't the only one still riding.

 

Going down on Abbey - no really that is the name of this piece of trail!

 

Second in the end, 5 minutes behind Fay and 2 ahead of Emily. Not really sure if 26er wheels would have given me a different result. By lap four I really don't think I was losing anything perceptible in the single track over the 26ers and I am sure the 650b's roll over the roots and climb in the singletrack much better but did that translate into a faster ride? I really can't say. But I am sure I am not any slower and everyone likes a little something new and shiny on the bike so they are staying for the moment.

 

Something a little artistic

 

Now for a little moan. And this is aimed at you, chaps. I know the portaloos are not that pleasant and fully understand why you want to pee in the bushes, BUT please don't do it on the racing line!! The guy in the Torq jacket I passed had obviously already raced so knew he was standing on the race course. Luckily it was a chilly day or I would have got a nasty shock. Get off the course next time!

 

A million thanks to my race mechanic, wheel builder, child minder and cameraman husband Jason who was taking a well-earned rest from racing after finishing a fabulous 4th at last weekends dusk til dawn 12 hour race.

 

Louise Robinson
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