I popped in to the local bike shop knowing full well what bike I want and knowing the 2013 model release was imminent, after no um'ing and ar'ing what so ever I slapped down the deposit on a Whyte 29c Team, preferring a triple chain set over a double I thought it be best I ordered all at the same time. The release date was not until a week later around the 3st September the race against time begin, my first planed race was the Kielder 100 on the 15th September, that give me 13 days to get the bike from the factory to the shop then to me then tested and check it.
The bike arrived in the factory and was shipped to the shop by 10th due unpacking/checking/sorting of the shipment, that now give me 4 days until I had to collect the bike from the shop then check over the bike and leave for Kielder on Friday morning. buy Tuesday night the bike was ready to be collected leaving very little time to check it over and set it up the way I like it.
I covered the frame in leading edge tape to protect it (like i do with all my bikes) the controls was lined up the way I like them, then due to a meeting I was waiting for the first ride. Rushing home from work on Wednesday like a little child to go for a quick blast, nothing special just a spin up to Darwen Tower. The first thing I did notice was how powerful the brakes are, bearing in mind I have had all makes and models over the years but the new 2012/3 Shimano brakes are simply awesome, truly 1 finger brakes. After a couple of minor adjustment and the bike was ready.
I have chosen the Whyte 29c Team because the slightly slacker head angle(1) and the size of the frame was perfect, usually 29er's come in 19 or 19.5 inch frame, I wanted a 20" frame half inch makes all the difference and it looks fantastic.
It's now Friday morning I dropped Suzie off at work and packed the car and headed off to Eals Lodge B&B, last year I must have gone a very long way round it seemed to take forever to get there but this year's trip seemed very short. I dumped all my stuff in the room and headed out for some dinner and to register, and get an early night due to the 5:30 start. I had a very bad night's sleep not to sure if it was excitement or stress from the week running through my mind. It was now time to get up, quick shower and get some breakfast, porridge and toast was my fuel of choice.
A couple of weeks ago a banged my nose and as a loud crack resonated through my head I new it wasn't good, but no swelling came and the pain wasn't that bad to start with but in the healing process pressure building up in my sinuses, then came the intense constant throbbing that can only be described as brain freeze like when you eat ice scream to fast. I got it check out and I had broken my nose (well cracked it) I prescribed my self some Sudefed and it seemed to work and the pain was gone but only until the Sudefed wore off...
Well back at the start line, 3, 2, 1 GO, we was off, we all took it easy following the lead car and up the road, the bike seemed nice and I was going well, don't know if it was me of the bike I was passing people left, right, and center, then got to some little technical sections aware of the new found brake power, I took it easy to start then fun took over.
I reached the first check point in good time and stormed on through and headed to the mid way point, then it hit me, I had forgot the Sudafed it hit me in a way that the pain killer had instantly just stopped working. Approaching the 50mi mark I had a choice do it call it a day or continue and suffer, I called it a day mainly because I enjoyed the ride and was on good form and had nothing to prove, but once I got back I was told the second half was easier so I might have been ok. If I had of done the 50mi option form the start I would have got 1st or 2nd place, I guess that's nice to know But because I entered the 100mi option and dropped out to do the 50mi option it didn't count (rightly so though).
Great weekend catching up with some friends, and the new bike is awesome, cant wait to ride it again at the Bronte BigK Bike Challenge on Sunday (http://www.sueryder.org/Get-involved/Events/All-events/2012/September/Bronte-Bike-Challenge)
1. Slacker head angle, this all related to the tube that connects the handle bars to the forks, having a slacker angle gives more control and more comfort when going down hill, but having to slack of an angle can make it difficult when going up hill
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