Riding the TorTour UltraCross Cyclocross Stage Race
Three days of mud, gravel, sub-zero temperatures, and flat-out racing. An invitation to ride the world's first ever cyclocross stage race, seemed like an opportunity that couldn't be missed...
Race Report: Stage 2 - 74km - 1,530m elevation
I pushed from the gun - trying to hold my own in the front group.
I didn't quite push hard enough though; before long, the five front-runners had got a gap, and I was left in the chasing pack. Nothing for it... solo bridge time.
It turned out to be a long bridge to cross. Almost an hour of sitting at threshold, trying desperately to regain the wheel of the last rider in the group ahead.
Eventually I made junction. Exhausted; I clung to the wheels. By now the two professional riders were long gone into the distance, and our small second group comprised of two Swiss junior riders (one the U23 National Champ), a super-strong German, and myself.
Up. Up. Up. Today was a day of hunting vertical. From vineyards, through forest, and then up above the snow-line.
Ice and boulders lurked beneath the thin layer of white dusting. I took caution, after the German rider wiped out in front of me. The two Swiss juniors were fearless though - long gone on the technical descent.
Fortunately, there was more climbing to come. A chance to regain some of the ground lost from my timid descending.
Chasing wheels, running up stairs, hurtling round corners, praying for grip.
The last twenty kilometres flew buy. Joined by two Frenchman racing in the team classification, we powered on down through the valley, on cycle track and single-track.
In the last 5 kilometres our small group splintered. The two Frenchman sprinting off, whilst I managed to draw out a small gap too. Legs burning, I eventually crossed the line.
I finished 4th on the stage, and moved up to 4th on General Classification as well.
What an incredible event. I need to race 'cross more often...
Solo bridge across to the lead group - it took a good hour at threshold
An hour at threshold, to make the junction
Stage 2 took us up... into the snow
Proper snow
Incredible scenery, to distract you from burning legs (Photo: APIX)
The finishing 20 kilometres took in some fast paced cycle paths and blue skies
What a race
Sun on the finishing straight
Final Rankings - Spot the Brit
Race Report: Stage 1 - 80km - 830m elevation
Endurance bike racing is a battle of attrition. You've got to know your limits; ride within those limits; and hope that your limits extend further and deeper than your competitors'.
It makes for a rollercoaster ride.
You might start at the back of the pack, and spend the first part of the race working your way up through slower riders. You'll find a small group of similar ability riders, and hopefully you'll work together - to make progress on the lead group. Then, as bodies tire, and will power fades, the group will get whittled down... leaving you sprinting against a small group of riders, whose limits are similar to yours.
That was how today's stage of TorTour CX panned out: There was no let-up from the word go, and before long I found myself in a good group. We worked together through open fields, forest roads, sharp inclines, and muddy single-track. By the time we reached the final 10 kilometres though, what was once a group of 15, was now a two-up time-trial.
The legs felt good, and the everything seemed to work well. I placed 5th on the stage, moving me up to 5th on Solo Male General Classification, too. Tomorrow, we head to the hills...
Kit choice for the first stage of TorTour Cyclocross
Working my way up through the field
Racing on the open flatlands (Photo: Apix)
Challenging riverside trails
Stairway to Hell (Photo: Apix)
Superb trail conditions (Photo: Apix)
A stunning day's racing (Photo: Apix)
The weather conditions proved favourable again, with the sun coming out in the afternoon
Refuel - after a chilly, but enjoyable day's racing
The sound of pedals clicking into cleats, and knobbly tyres buzzing on tarmac lasts only a handful of seconds.
Then you hit it. 'The Wall'.
Pebbles ping from beneath tyres; heart rates jump to high heaven; lungs are shocked into a frenzied gasping fit. The prologue of the TorTour UltraCross might only be 23 kilometres long, but each one of the 8 laps starts with a 25% leg burning kicker.
The first ascent of the climb instantly strings out the field; riders jostling for places, just as they are scrabbling for grip.
I start mid-pack, in the 200 strong field. By the top of the first climb, I can see the Elites riding off into the distance; but I've placed myself in the forward ranks of the following pack.
Lap after lap, 'The Wall' continues to cause havoc. There is little time on the top of the hill for your body and mind to recover, before you swoop down, and hit it all over again.
As we come round to lapping riders, the game intensifies. You try to hold wheels, as you weave in and out of other riders; it's like a conga line going in and out of moving bollards.
I have good laps and bad. The last two aren't so strong, and at one point I have to put my foot out on a loose section of gravel. Valuable metres and seconds lost.
Still, I cross the finish line after 49 minutes of racing; with a finishing position of 7th in the Solo Men's Category.
A decent start... but there's still a lot of racing to go.
Rider briefing - numbers ready
Ahead of the carnage
Calm before the storm
And it begins...
Flat-out racing
Prologue done. Beer in bottle cage. This is a proper cyclocross race.
My first introduction to the Pro Bike Tool brand came with my review of their multitool and pumps earlier this year; they proved to be great quality, and fast became part of my workshop and ride pack's core arsenal. In this review I take a look at five new releases from the UK brand - Chainlink Pliers, Chain Tool, Adaptable Y-Wrench, Torque Wrench, and a Hex Key Set.
Review - Pro Bike Tool Adjustable T-Handle Torque Wrench Set
My favourite first - the Pro Bike Tool Adjustable T-Handle Torque Wrench Set. Having owned one of these, I am not sure how I ever went without one before...
Unlike most socket-set style torque wrenches, this T-handle wrench fits neatly and comfortably in the palm of your hand (and your pocket). It is simple and easy to use, and has a great quality feel to it.
The torque level is adjusted using a 6 mm hex key, and can be set to either 4 NM, 5 NM, or 6 NM. The chuck bit can be changed to be either a 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, or T25 bit; all of which are neatly store…
Your 'Every Ride Carry' - what you carry with you, when you head out on the road or trails, is an incredibly personal choice. It could suggest you're a daring personality; adopting a stripped-back approach, but chancing a mechanical. It could suggest you're adventurous; taking enough supplies for an epic ride. It could suggest you're super organised; when there is a place for everything, and everything in its place.
Adopting a Bellroy wallet as part of your 'Every Ride Carry', suggests minimalism, adventure, organisation, and class. The Bellroy products that I've previously reviewed on the blog quickly won me over, and many of them now feature in my kit layouts for every ride.
The new Bellroy All-Conditions Phone Pocket is one of the most recent additions to the extensive Bellroy wallets range. It is a smart weatherproof pouch; designed to hold phone, cash and cards; all in a protective package.
The wallet is made from waterproof leather, and has a …
It is common to hear "the best upgrade you can make to your bike is a new wheel set". That is not strictly true, but undoubtedly good wheels ensure you get the most from your frame and components, and it is often the item skimped on when a manufacturer builds up a bike. I fitted the Dreckschleuder wheel set from German manufacturer Tune to my Kona Rove for the #RoadsFromRome. This, no question, was an incredible upgrade...
Understanding wheel upgrades…
Before jumping into the review proper, I think it helps to consider why a new wheel set could be an upgrade to a bike: Rolling Resistance - The first is rolling resistance, or rather the ability to reduce rolling resistance. Consider that every time your wheels rotate you are relying on the numerous bearings inside the hubs to make it as smooth and as friction-free as possible. Therefore good quality bearings, with good quality seals to keep out the friction-inducing muck, will make a huge difference to the effort-required and…
The Dolomites always deliver. I have ridden in the area on a racing bike, cross-country MTB, and passed through the region on both the #7Countries7Passes and #RoadsFromRome tours. One area I have yet to explore though, is the opportunity for GRAVEL...
On my #5MaratonasChallenge I stayed at the great Ustaria Posta in Badia, and the owner Igor talked of the opportunity to create an amazing multi-day off-road route linking up alpine huts. That pipe dream is about to become a reality...
The #XPDTN3Dolomites will be a three day bike-packing trip; travelling from Ustaria Posta into the UNESCO World Heritage site, and exploring the road less travelled. These are paths normally only scouted by walkers in the summer, and alpine ski tourers in the winter; we will be taking to them on gravel bikes. My choice of weapon is the 3T Exploro.
The full story will unveil itself on Instagram over the next week — follow #XPDTN3Dolomites
For now, here is a look at the kit that is coming along on the bike-…
It is a sponge... okay? Well, not all sponges were made equal. The SpongeJob CleanParts sponge and sponge cloth from UK lubricant and cleaner brand Juice Lubes, is a darn good sponge.
Super soft, and super squidgy: the sponge is great for cleaning off the frame of a bike, while the sponge cloth is ideal for those hard to reach places like around brakes and cables.
They are both super absorbent, and they last a lot longer than your standard big yellow sponge.
Well worth adding to your autumn cleaning arsenal.
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