SSWC '08 - The Report

Smooth dustiness at Anadel - Santa Rosa. Photo Deano T

The trans-global sideshow that is the singlespeed worlds this year headed to Napa, California for the first stop back on US soil for three years. Where the social element is nearly as important as the riding, singlespeed events tend to have a more relaxed atomosphere than those which allow our geared brethren. That was under threat this year before the event even got underway. Being held in a populous area of the heart of mountain biking, there were always going to be more people who wanted to attend than there were slots available for. Some controversy surrounded the entry process, but in the end there was a great crowd of people there who were very much in the spirit of the event.

Evening BBQ at the Wine Valley Lodge. Photo Simon D Barnes

I managed to get some riding in pretty much every day I was there, which after all was the purpose of the trip. Skeggs, Tamarancho, Anadel, Napa Skyline, Mt Tam, it was just an incredible treat to be riding such iconic trails in hot sunny weather in great company. Most of the UK contingent arrived at the Wine Valley Lodge on the Friday before race weekend. Having travelled over myself, it was really quite bizzare to see so many familiar faces. There were probably about 30 UK folk staying at the same place, along with a few Aussies, Canadians, and even some Americans thrown in. The hotel was one of those classic US style motels with ground level rooms ringing a pool and bbq area in the middle. It felt like being on a movie set, in fact I had that feeling for much of the trip. I guess my sole impressions of the US being formed via film and television that's to be expected.

Dust lines Photo Deano T

So to the race itself. I hadn't pre-ridden the course, there being too many other options to spend two days riding in the same place. Some had though, and returned with tales of 2 hour laps in 50 degree heat. I was a little worried. What seemed an uncivilised 10am start was in the end a sensible decision as the temperatures rose. We began with an opening half-lap loop, then it was to be three laps of the course proper. The course itself was excellent, the many (for me) pushing sections punctuated by some sublime smooth flowing sections, along with a few more testing rocky ledgy bits.

Team GB readying for the off. Photo Simon D Barnes

There was quite a bit of this

Thankfully broken up by a fair bit of this

I was somewhere around the middle I guess when I decided to call it a day after two laps. At the time it seemed like a good idea given the heat and the attractiveness of the paddling pool full of ice and beer, though in hindsight I regret not having forced myself out for another. Nevermind, there's always next year in Durango!

Peregrine in Touring Trim

I posted some shots previously of the Peregrine in singlespeed monstercross mode, so here are a few showing a different side of its personality, set up for touring/commuting duty. We've had quite a few of these go out already within just a couple of weeks of their arrival, and people seem quite pleased so far.

Here are a few more shots of the Pegasus as it was built and ridden over in California for SSWC and a bit of riding either side. I'm really enjoying riding it so far, very light and climbs like a rocket. Quite stiff but retaining that nice springy Ti feeling.