The Cairngorms Loop 5^th May 2012

Saturday morning saw twenty of us gathering in the car park for the start of a 185 mile ride around the Cairngorms. I’d briefly ridden the area twice before, both times in Winter, so had great respect for the mountains. They are beautiful, but also unforgiving. The forecast was for sun, snow and a sharp frost. These factors combined with an uncertainty about what sort of average pace could be sustained meant I packed erring on the side of safety – full bivvy kit, stove and two plus days food.

Steve shouted ‘go’, we hesitated then followed him out of the car park at a leisurely pace. An easy start meant a chance to chat with old and new friends. Heading up the first Glen small groups formed and I found myself with Aidan a few minutes in front and others. We then rode together for the first eight or so hours. A puncture then separated us. The time had flown by. Weather was great – a bit windy but mainly dry with some atmospheric snow flurries. Riding was great – some technical singletrack interspersed with easier sections. It was becoming apparent that the average pace was quicker than I expected and maybe a non-stop ride would be possible. Once fixed I continued, knowing Aidan would be ten minutes ahead, but having the sense not to chase – we had been riding a good pace and this, having considered the non-stop approach, was not the time to up that pace. I soon settled into the solitude and enjoyed the ride. I was over the next big crossing and back down towards Feshiebridge before dark. I’d covered the toughest bits and still felt fine. At eleven hours it was getting dark and I stopped. In my head I had prepared a list of things to do to minimise ‘faffing’ time. Reset the Satmap GPS and put on charge, Exposure lights on, coat on, thicker gloves on, food in. Ten minutes later, set off.

Into the night I rode. It got colder but I was ok. Then I saw the glimmer of Aidans lights across the hillside. He was about fifteen minutes ahead. Resisting the temptation to chase was easier this time – I was getting tired. After Tomintoul I hit a bad patch. It was snowing but that didn’t affect me, it was nice ‘dry’ snow. I was just feeling tired and lethargic, with no inclination to eat or make much effort. I was riding on auto pilot. I don’t really remember anything about the stretch to Braemar, apart from one long very very cold descent. The sort that you don’t know whether to slow down to reduce the cold, or try and ride faster to get down quicker. I don’t recall which I opted for, but I suspect the former.

As light emerged so appeared herds of deer, loads of them, mostly keeping their distance and watching me cautiously. Auto pilot switched itself off and I was back enjoying the scenery and riding. Pace soon settled. The way Aiden’s tracks were showing in the snow and frost told me he was almost an hour ahead. That’s not true – but I had wondered if Ray Mears could have told me the gap. Not that it mattered; my pace was set at ‘default – tired legs’. I was beginning to realise that not only was non-stop viable, it was potentially possible to ride sub 24 hour. Starting a double track climb I surmised that it could be the last significant climb so switched to reserve tank and made a little more effort. A fast descent followed, but then another climb. Reserve empty, back to default. Plenty of calculations on average pace needed to ride sub 24 and map analysis kept my brain busy as I rode the final single track sections, then descent, tarmac and finish. I snapped a picture at the station clock for evidence and then… nothing! I’d completed the loop in 23:39 and only I knew, or was interested. That’s that. Proper low key – I like that. It was a personal challenge and eighteen others were still on their personal challenge. Aidan had finished an hour earlier. Although I hadn’t set out to race, with Aidan ahead the carrot was always dangling. Fortunately I’m old enough and experienced enough to know when that carrot is out of reach!

Ride back to the car, get changed, eat, sit, fiddle, eat again, lie down, get up, fiddle…. Eventually settle to getting sorted then drive to the finish to wait for others.

My bivvy kit, bags, lights and GPS were all tried and tested. The bike I’d had only a few weeks, yet it was long enough to be impressed. Very impressed.  A prototype Whyte 29er. It was superb; comfortable, sure footed and fast. Hopefully I can test ride it again. And again. The only fault was a puncture, the lightweight xc tyres a little ambitious for such an outing.

- Steve Heading

The Kent Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance’s Double 100 Cycle Challenge is taking place on Sunday 10 June and starts and finishes at our base at Dunsfold Park (Cranleigh on the Surrey/Sussex borders). Cyclists can take either a 100 mile or 100km route around the country lanes of Surrey, West and East Sussex and Kent.

Entry fee is £25 and we ask if cyclists can obtain sponsorship. There is plenty of parking at Dunsfold Park and there will be a BBQ and music at the end to reward cyclists for their efforts. BBC Radio 2′s Sally Traffic will also be on hand to congratulate and hand over goody bags and certificates.

Further details and registration is available on the website: www.kssairambulance.org.uk/fundraising/double100<http://www.kssairambulance.org.uk/fundraising/double100>.

http://www.shaftesburycyclerevival.co.uk/ still time to sign up for the Shaftesbury Cycle Revival in association with @WhyteBikes and @atbsales

Whyte racing continues a great start to 2012 with a win Down Under for the Bike Culture Mercedes Team.

Story courtesy of our Australian Distributor…

G day Everybody,

On Sunday 29 April 2012 Whyte Bikes took the overall win at The First Chocolate Foot 8 Hour Mtb Race in Orange NSW Australia .

Some photos attached you can see the Whyte Bikes Riden from 146 , T120 ,19c , 20c , Steel and Ti.

Allan Stonestreet
Carbuta Pty Ltd

http://www.whytebikes.com/2012/international.php

We love this picture of a “dusted” Saxon Cross Down Under…bring back the dry UK trails!

Many thanks to our Australian Distributor for the picture…

G Day UK ,

Just wanted to share this photo of The Whyte Saxon Cross which is currently under going testing with Bicycling Australia Magazine.

This Photo was taken at an 8 hour MTB race almost 4hours west of Sydney.

The Race in excess of 300 competitors.

The Tester did 2 laps and was even interviewed after one of his laps and spoke of the fun he had .

Test Due out in the next 3 months…watch this space!

Allan Stonestreet
Carbuta Pty Ltd

http://www.whytebikes.com/2012/international.php

“At £2999 the 146 S is Whyte’s entry-level 146 bike but still offers a stunning carbon fibre frame and latest technology.”

Bike Magic.

Read more and gallery images @

http://bikemagic.com/gear/whyte-146-s-first-look.html

The Whyte / Torq MTB team continue their excellent start to the season, to read a full report go to…

http://www.torqfitness.co.uk/news/mtb-round

…all the latest from Whyte / Torq from the CRC Builth Wells Marathon and British XC series, I may be biased but I think the orange Torq kit, orange Whyte livery and orange Jagwire cables combo is the best looking on the race scene.

Whyte bike designer, Ian Alexander talks to Singletrack about riding, design ethos and inevitably wheel size.

Watch the video @

http://singletrackworld.com/2012/04/ian-alexander-from-whyte-bikes-talks-bike-design/

Singletrack test the Whyte 146 S…

The Whyte 146 has taken the technical lessons learned from previous generations of Whyte full suspension bikes and designer Ian Alexander has applied some innovative geometry and design, resulting in something that is a really rather handsome looking, aggressively poised trail bike that’s lightweight to boot.

At 26lb, this bike is bloody light and that, combined with the highly torque sensitive Quad Link suspension, means it springs forward at the slightest provocation.

… it’s a rapid and involving ride, big on feedback and character. Trail centre loops will get somehow shorter, your favourite descents will fly by at a new speed and your local woods will shrink in size. You’ll get yourself into all kinds of trouble – and back out of it, too.

Overall: It’s a trail bike with a split personality. It’ll do distance riding with aplomb and encourage you to get carried away on descents. It’ll reward the skilled and flatter fitness with it’s light weight and handling. As you’d expect from British brand Whyte, it’s a bike that excels at the vast majority of UK trail riding

Read more @ http://singletrackworld.com/reviews/whyte-146-s/