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

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>.

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

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

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.

British XC Series 
Venue: Dalby Forest, UK
Position: 1st place.

Four weeks have quickly passed since the last round of the British XC Series. This round couldn’t have been much different from the first. Firstly
Sherwood is renowned for being a fast, flat course. Round 2 was to take place at Dalby Forest on possible the UK’s most technically challenging XC course.
Then there’s the weather Sherwood might have been a little chilly but the sun was shinning providing a nice dry dusty circuit. In stark contrast at Dalby I
believe it had rained almost constantly for nearly 2 weeks leading up to the event.

Dalby is a demanding course in the dry but in the wet caution and respect for the course is certainly required.

As if these changes weren’t enough I’d also opted to change bikes since round 1.

I have been very curious as to what a 29er would be like on the British mountain bike race scene. Over recent years I have worked extensively in both
Botswana and South Africa. Practically all new bikes purchased there are now 29ers. At the Cape Epic this year all UCI registered riders were riding 29ers. I
don’t think many people would doubt that this is the correct weapon of choice for their terrain and courses as most are fast, flowing and flat circuits. The
UK courses on the over hand tend to be short and twisty. Surely the opposite of what a 29er would be suitable for (or so I thought).
It was for these reasons up until now I had been reluctant to make the switch.

These concerns were quickly put to bed on my first practice lap however.

I had completely overlooked the benefit the 29er setup brings to descending. By switching to the bigger the wheels simply roll over obstacles that on a 26″
wheel bike you would have to avoid or at least account for. On the 29c (hardtail) I felt like I could ride the downhills in the same manner as I would on a
full suspension bike. I rode all the ‘A’ lines on the circuit with complete confidence.

The circuit features some seriously steep climbs which are hard to ride in the dry but in the wet some become unrideable. Another benefit of the 29er which
quickly became apparent was the increased traction when climbing typically on a 26″ wheel bike you would expect some degree of wheelspin when trying to put
the power down on climbs. This just doesn’t happen with the 29″ wheel, the bike just grips and accelerates.

Practice complete I packed the bike away confident I’d made the correct choice in switching.

The following day we woke to a pleasant morning the sun was out and it wasn’t raining. The damage had already been done to the circuit however one complete
section of the course had to be closed for this reason.

The start/finish arena was completely water logged.

Being gridded from the last round I managed a good start. I deliberately rode the slippy corners in the arena with caution as it was almost like riding on
ice! I could feel the bunch breathing down my neck as I slowed for the first corner.

One rider darted around the outside of me. Down the start finish straight he started slipping every where out of control he clipped a barrier which
catapulted him back into the centre of the track where he fell causing others to have to brake and avoid him. I was thankfully clear of these troubles and
continued gingerly around the arena.

After the first lap I had a gap of around 17secs to the second placed rider and decided to push on. Next time round I had opened up the lead to around 1
minute. I was riding well and was feeling good. The conditions made the racing hard but I knew that would be the same for everyone.

As the race continued I managed to complete the four laps without drama, which is always a concern in such conditions. Mechanical issues are certainly more
likely, as are crashes a small lapse in concentration can easily end in tears.

I finished the race in around 1:30hours with a lead of nearly 3 minutes. Extremely pleased to say the least

Thank you for your continued support.

All the best,

Luke Smith
Whyte Racing UK

 

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/