chris

Hopefully everyone has a had a good week, the weather although cold over the weekend especialy Sat was great Sunshine and blue skies and hopefully this inspired a lot of people to get out and about.

Socially over the week Wed there was a small turnout for the evening ride a bit better turnout for Dave Ecks leaving do, by the time of receiving this e-mail he will probably be basking in the Arabian sunshine learning Arabic- we all wish him well on his 2 year sojourn .Thursday a small turnout for Hillingdon training, Saturday there was training at The Lookout and Sunday a social ride from The Lookout.

For the racers it was the last round of the Gorrick Enduro series and we had a few riders displaying the club colours, Colin Smith taking a win overall in the vets 4hr series is our first wuinner of 2010, on the day results were as follows 1 HR Fun male 3rd Isaac,5th Theo, 1hr fun female 4th Rebecca, 5th Frances, a great 6th in the mens 4hr -Werner ,Colin 10th, David R 48th 4hr vets,2hrs Nick 36th and Simon 49th 2hr vets so well done to all those that took part.Those looking to improve why not try to make Thursday and Saturdays training sessions

Thanks to those that have paid there club subs those that wish to pay by paypal can just send via their own pay pal account the sum of £20 to chris@westdraytonmbc.co.uk

As always we need to look forward and this week Monday 1st Feb it is the club AGM not to formal but if you are interested in what the club is doing, how you would like to see the club develop pop along to The Crown at 8 p.m. As an added bonus the club shorts are in stock and will be dished out so remember your cheque books/cash. We also have some samples of tops/jerseys/jackets for people to try on for size in preparation of r a new order going in very soon

One of the items on the agenda this year is the 12/24 which is the 24hr event of choice this year, the course is at Newnham Park an iconic venue, we always have a great turnout for this event and have had a number of successes over the years. This year we are hoping to continue in the same vein so we are looking for people to make up teams-fast, slow, female, male and veteran there is a post up on the site so either add your name or send me an e-mail.

Entries for our Black Park XC race on March 14th are trickling in, the circuit has been set and has a few changes, there will be a couple of recce rides prior to the day, this is a fun circuit with nothing to technical until you hammer round, whn the trees get closer! so suits all, so get your entries in ASAP.The clubs Bucks off road sportive is filling up a lot faster with entries coming through my letterbox on a daily basis as the on line facility is still waiting to go live, we will have some flyers for both events , please take some and distribute to your local bike shop/gym.

Ok This week, Monday AGM, Wed-Night ride from the Malt Shovel 6:45 p.m., Thursday road training at the Hillingdon circuit meet at 6 p.m. Sat I can finally make a training session and the plan is to meet at the car park at The Lookout at 9:45 to start a 2 hr training ride at 10 a.m this will be around a 20-30 min circuit which we will go round for a period of 2hrs and thus is suitable for all who wish to improve their fitness/skill The van will be going from my house at 9 if anyone needs alift. Sunday for the road riders/serious MTB racers looking for training miles there will be a road training meet at the Malt Shovel at 9:30 , for the MTB social riders the plan is to meet at The Lookout at 9:30 a.m. the van is available if some wants to drive it .

BenA

I was also racing in the 4hr catorgory and came in 56th due to a puncture on lap three which cost me dearly due to having to run back to the start to change wheels as my tubeless sysatem failed. otherwise I'd have easily done another lap and come a lot higher in the standings.

Next time!!

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StuartB

Unlucky Ben.. reason I still not convinced with tubeless...

Colin S

In the summer their superb, not sure about the winter thou

JamesP

Never had any problems that weren't caused by my ineptitude - not that I am suggest this is the case for you Ben

I rolled a front one off the rim at my one and only outing at the Summit Series last year. Running them sub-20psi is not advisable if the course is twisty. Ripped a sidewall in Pisgah but was probably running the wrong tyres. Wouldn't seal on the Exposure Lights South Downs way event - I didn't have enough sealant in them.

They aren't fit and forget. You do need to make sure there is enough sealant in them as it does dry up. However, I have far less issues with tubeless than I ever did with tubes - winter or summer.

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BenA

James,

I have to say it's the first issue I've ever had with them, as when I have puntured in the past it's sealed instantly. So I'm treating it as a one off.

When I checked the sealant there was plenty inside the tyre, but it just would seal (possibly the cold weather) or though I'm not sure.

All I do know is a 2+ mile run back to the start wasn't much fun and it cost be a bag load of time. Should have been a top thirty finish which is pleasing as I managed to complete the 4hrs for the first time since my injury.

Next time I'll be fitter and faster

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Werner

Ben

How big was the hole? Sometimes the hole is too big and you need to use a tubeless repair kit. Takes like 30 seconds to fix. Agree with James much prefer tubeless. Can run much lower pressure.

JamesP

I think the cold weather can sometimes cause the sealant to freeze. Its worth turning the bottle of sealant upside down and letting some of the lumps fall into the nozzle before putting it in the tyre. My experience with sealant is this:

Bontrager Juice - doesn't dry up but doesn't seal either. Total waste of money
JRA Wheel Milk - cheaper than Stan's but has less lumpy bits in it. Great for setting up tubeless tyres for the first time as works well on sidewalls.
No Tubes sealant - sealant of choice but you must follow the instructions. Also worth using slightly more than the 35ml suggested.

Sounds a bit unlucky to be honest. As Werner mentions sometimes the hole is too big and needs to be patched. There's simple lesson though...always carry a tube and CO2 cyclinder...even with tubeless.

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Theo

Just choked on my coffee reading that. How low do you chaps normally run your tyres? Does it make a big difference in handling?

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