Cross is Here!

[mfarnham]

I'd argue that the cross ride will be safer this morning than the road ride. We'll be moving a lot slower and a lot more spread out, so we can react more effectively to surprises like fallen branches.

Martin

[wonger]

Friday October 14th - as evidenced by the preponderance of knobby tires at Pareto last Friday, we are on to something with the early morning cross workouts. Looking at the forcast you're gonna be way safer on knobbies this Friday too! I'm hoping that I can convince Rolf's ride to join forces with us...

I was thinking that we would head a bit further north to take in some new terrain if people are interested in that. We should still be back close to Pure Vanilla for coffee about 7:15 - 7:30. Bring a rain coat. Bring a good light. Maybe a snorkel. Claire bring your mountain bike. It'll be dark but it's still easy to see the smiles.

[LouiseF]

There will be arm-wrestling tonight. Depending on the outcome, one half of the adult representation of our household will show up at one or both of the Weds/Fri X rides.

[Rolf]

I have no intention of initiating a second cross ride, Geoff! We'll be a merry troop, ensemble. I'm hoping to enjoy the trees amidst a good, gnarly sideways downpour on Friday.

(And a cold, crispy dry cross ride tomorrow under those extra-sparkly stars that come out with the first taste of sub-5 degree weather.)

[Greg F]

We may want to add these moves to our training rides. They might come in handy during the Crossfondo (especially if it rains):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCmXzq-iWNc

[Claire]

I was thinking that we would head a bit further north to take in some new terrain if people are interested in that. We should still be back close to Pure Vanilla for coffee about 7:15 - 7:30. Bring a rain coat. Bring a good light. Maybe a snorkel. Claire bring your mountain bike. It'll be dark but it's still easy to see the smiles.

Aw, thanks for including the cheapskate/outcast on her tired old MTB in your invitation. Sadly, duty calls and I won't be able to join this Friday - fat-tired or otherwise. If the forecasted weather nastiness pans out, though, it could mean another cx-esque commute on the roads anyway. Geez...

Also, would not a MBT offer an advantage in, say, a crossfondo situation? More squish, more gears, grippier tires... Like bringing a proper gun to a gun fight? I say this not in seeking an advantage, just to explain my sheepish query regarding its appropriateness. But heck, if it's within the rules of acceptability to do so, my knobby-knobbies and I just might line up in the storm on Sunday with you skinny-knobbies.

[mfarnham]

I'm no expert but I suspect the wetter and woolier, the happier you'd be on a mountain bike, relative to CX. I've toyed with the idea of using my hardtail on Sunday, but I'm sticking to my quasi-CX setup. You should ride it.

Martin

[LouiseF]

Claire,
I've been going back and forth on the mtn bike vs cx bike for the Fondo. I am going to go with the cx bike simply b/c it'll be a new experience for me, not b/c it is a smarter decision for this route and weather.

I know a few solid riders who'll be out there on fat tires and big(ish) bikes. If I hadn't just become the proud owner of a cx bike, I would definitely be out there on my mtn bike. You should definitely do it. Who knows, maybe you'll get re-hooked

Louise

[Rolf]

Knobbies outnumbered slicks at Pareto again this morning by 7 to 4. Geoff had a great ride plan, but I scuppered it by unwittingly leading us the wrong way on some trails. It was almost hallucinogenic, coming back out onto the streets and trying to piece together where we were. Sorry about that, guys.

The rest of the ride was a hoot. I think riding trees in the dark is about as much fun as one can have on a bike. After you left, Geoff, I continued to lead us (astray?) through a rocky stretch and ended up with a pinch flat, just as the rain picked up. Karma, I do say. Thanks to Trevor, Martin, and Ritchie who all contributed, making it a relatively quick change.

The ride down a sandy beach alongside blown out waves got nutty at the end where the slick piles of thick, green seaweed reached 6-8". Can't wait for Sunday!

[wonger]

Also, would not a MBT offer an advantage in, say, a crossfondo situation? More squish, more gears, grippier tires... Like bringing a proper gun to a gun fight? I say this not in seeking an advantage, just to explain my sheepish query regarding its appropriateness. But heck, if it's within the rules of acceptability to do so, my knobby-knobbies and I just might line up in the storm on Sunday with you skinny-knobbies.

A mountain bike is just fine to ride on this route, but a cross bike is definitely the right tool. There are two or three (at least when I rode the course in the spring) good poppers on the course, but they are steep 50 meter or so climbs, not the long, sustained single track grinds where a 30-42 set up shines. There are a lot of fire roads and the single track is relatively moderate grade. If the objective is to race and complete the course as fast as possible I think a mountain bike would get left behind pretty quick on the road sections.

Having said that, I am running 40mm tires on my cross bike which seems to be the sweet spot for this course. Rubber that is closer to mtb size and gearing that is closer to road = sweet! Make sure that you run the biggest rubber you have - at least 33's if not 35's - and err on the side of more pressure. There are a lot of rocks on the course that are perfect for causing pinch flats. Extra tubes are a must. See you all there!

[LouiseF]

Anyone planning to do the cross underground event tomorrow aft/evening? Its an early start but I think I can swing it. Its a madison style event so wondering if anyone would be interested in pairing up with a complete cross newbie who has been on a cross bike 4X total?

[wonger]

I will be there! Leaving my house about 4 so will go directly there.

[Rolf]

I'll be out at 6 am at Pareto again tomorrow with my knobblies if anyone's interested in another cross adventure dark 'n' early. (This time with hopefully less wayward route-guessing!)

I'll either jump on with the Farmers for a spell to warm up, or just head out direct.

[mfarnham]

I'll be at Switch Bridge at 4:30 for anyone who wants to ride to Layritz together. Louise, I'd be happy to ride the Madison with you if you still need a partner.

Martin

[LouiseF]

Hi Martin,
Great! I'm not sure I can make the switch so may go directly there from home via Royal Oak. If I do get out of the house with enough time, you'll see me at the switch. Otherwise see you there!
Louise

[mfarnham]

Someone PM'ed me asking to meet at 4:20 at Switch and leave then for Layritz. So unless anyone objects, I'm going to go with the earlier start and leave Switch at 4:20. More practice laps?

Martin

[wonger]

Friday October 21 - who's in? Thinking of trying the northern option again to see if we can actually get there. Bring your bright lights, see you dark and early.

[Greg F]

I'll be there. I like the Northern option too. Have a few ideas to link from Ash/Mt Doug intersection to Caddy Bay or back to UVic, depending on time/desires. After some scouting this morning, I think I got the probability of getting lost or hurt to under 50%........ish.

Greg

[Rolf]

I'll be there. (Riding at the back! )

Yesterday, Greg, Martin, and I retraced some of our steps from last Friday and scouted more of the northern route. I think we'll collectively be much better at finding our way...

[esilnarson]

I will be there.