Anyone HONCing next weekend?

[jpembroke]

I'm doing the HONC for the first time this year and I can't decide whether to use the 'cross bike (for speed) or the MTB (for comfort). Anyone got experience of using a 'cross bike on the HONC? Is it a good idea or pure purgatory?

 

[palinurus]

I'm not HONCing, and I have never done so. Or anything similar. This is a warning.

But surely hammering down tricky descents on a cross bike looks more manly and impressive than doing the same on an MTB. And going quicker is always a good thing.

 

[SheilaH]

I'll be there. I'll be on a crosser.

 

[Tim Bennet.]

I've always used a cross bike. By far the best option. You just have to exercise some restraint before letting it rip on the down hills.

 

[jpembroke]

I've always used a cross bike. By far the best option. You just have to exercise some restraint before letting it rip on the down hills.

Yes, good point. I train for 'cross races on Leckhampton Hill and Cleeve Hill. I usually include a few rocky, semi-technical downhill sections on my circuits but boy, do they hurt.

'Cross bike it is then.

 

[Dave5N]

I did it last year on a 'cross bike. The final descent was too much, couldn't control it at all over the boulders.

The first road section uphill was fantastic. Started at the back of the field and just ripped past all the MTBs.

Using a 'cross bike again on Sunday.

 

[yogi]

I've ridden it twice. Once on a hardtail Cannondale Headshock MTB and once on a cyclocross. Personally I'd go cyclocross, as I am this year, it's faster and the event is not that technical. See you all there.

Anyone travelling up from South Devon/Cornwall? I have spare car space for 1 person + bike.

 

[Dave5N]

Not long now. Hope tomorrow's dry.

 

[De Sisti]

Yes, I'll be Marshalling again this year.

 

[Dave5N]

Fantastic Day today. Saw Yogi in the car park, didn't see anyone else from here.

 

[yogi]

You should have come over for a chat.

I managed to go wrong a couple of times, the worst one was at the end where I seemed to head out of Winchcombe on the wrong road missing the school! I think my mind had gone by that point.

Also punctured on that rocky descent near the start and had to watch 1000 of the 1100 riders fly past me. Felt very easy for the first 30 miles but the last 10 was painful, particularly that last rocky descent, I could hardly hold the bars.

Did it in 5:45 eventually, this is the 3rd time I've done the HONC, it's a tough event. Thanks to all the marshals and organisers.

 

[Dave5N]

I would have, but I was walking across and you rode past me. I didn't see your name til the moment had passed.

 

[maurice]

It was a good day (well, morning) out! Did the 50km in 2hr 40min on my mtb. Quite addictive, might have to start doing more of these off road sportives, I'll be back with a hardtail next year to have a good crack at it.

 

[Dave5N]

FFS Get a 'cross bike and do it properly.

 

[maurice]

Oh how I chortled as punctured CX bikes littered the sides of the first stoney downhill.