Black Canon Collective

Category: BCC

  • Dig for doughnuts

  • DH Dig Day

    This Sunday is the first Dig Day of 2010, and we’ve got a lot of catching up to do.

    The winter hasn’t been kind to the ground and has tested our drainage to it’s limits, but thanks to some great work last year the damage is minimal. This Sunday we’ll be giving all the tracks a once over, some TLC. They’re almost weather resistant, but need some tweaking here and there.

    We’ll also start building the next big feature on ‘Puppets’ a large berm-fly-off at the bottom of the ‘Battery Hill’ section.

    We’ll bring the lot sof tools, tea, coffee and cakes, you just need to bring some elbow grease (and a rake)…

    See you there (@ the Allotment, 10:00)

  • How to fix broken people

    …after mastering the french kiss we learnt lots about rolling people over, punching them in the back, sticking a foot in their crotch and the importance of ASSESSING THE SITUATION! Joking aside though, we all learnt loads and are now all very capable of dealing with most MTB first aid situations. Thanks to Alan from AS Training (and the ITC) for a great course.

  • blisters…what blisters?!?!

    A couple of people were asking me what to do to stop their hands from blistering up at the Mega, i’d say – tape ’em up!

    I’ve done a few Mega’s and did a week in whistler last year know that and if you aren’t riding hard 2 hours + more than 4 times a week your hands will fall apart quickly.
    I didn’t bother taping them one year and really regretted it, my hands were a mess in two days and it really buggered up the second half of my holiday.

    So here’s a little how-to that should sort you out…

    I’ve tried a few different ways of doing it and found one way which I think is a good balance of comfort and toughness (too much tape bunches up and is really un comfy, too little and it falls off). This way the tape it stays put half a day and is done by the time you are!

    Get some good quality micro pore tape on a wee roll with a serrated edge is best. This is the stuff your after it’s very thin and has light adhesion and it’ll absorb some moisture (it doesn’t have to be the Tesco variety by the way).
    For a weeks riding you will go through at least two rolls. I’d take four as it’s also good for temp bike repairs and first aid.

    Use 1 or 2 layers tops (just enough to stop your gloves from rubbing your skin)
    Also carry a spare pair of gloves in a backpack if out all day and change them at lunch time for nice dry ones – sweat soaked gloves really mess your hands up (remember to use new tape after cleaning your hands at lunch).

  • First Aid in the Outdoors

  • New – Monthly XC Ride Away

    This is great news, thanks to the ride leader training and some momentum picking up from the weekly night riders the club will be offering a monthly XC ride away! This will me a permanent fixture in the club calendar and will be held in between the Ticker Tape & Dig Days each month. With loads of local and not so local trails and routes to explore we promise to keep things fresh.

    Full details will be available on the website, via the news feed, Calendar and also the club Forum where you can discuss the ride or make travel arrangements etc.

    Our first ride:

    The Gap Route – Brecon Beacons

    Distance: 40km
    Total Ascent: 1100m
    Duration: 5h +
    Date: Sunday 21/03/2010
    Meeting point: Talybont-on-Usk
    Meeting Time: 10am for a 10:30 start

    (Parking is on the main road it can be busy, especially if the weather is nice!)

    The ride is mainly on existing bridleways that cut through the Brecon Beacons. The highlight of the route is riding through the ‘Gap’ between Cribyn and Fan-y-Big at 599m

    A route map can be found here: http://www.ridethequantocks.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/gap.pdf

    And a description can be found here: http://www.mtb-wales.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Subjects&file=index&req=viewpage&pageid=31

    There is a café at about the halfway point, grid reference: SO055175

    Notes:
    Unlike trail centres, the tracks were not designed with mountain bikers in mind, and have to be shared with other users.
    At some places on the route we will be many miles from civilisation, mobile phones can’t be relied upon.
    The highest point on the route is exposed to the full extremes of weather.
    • Ensure your bike is in good mechanical order
    • Always ride within your ability
    • Carry enough food and water for a full day
    • Carry your own tools and spares
    • Even if its sunny when you set off carry a waterproof and warm jersey
    • A personal survival bag or blanket is recommended
    • As is small backup light

    The ride is open to anyone over 18, members and non-members alike.

  • Club Rules and Constitution

    In light of a few recent misunderstandings we’ve made sure that the club rules and constitution are both clearly displayed on our website. So, if you haven’t already, please have a little read… it’s mostly common sense but as with any sports club both documents are important and must be adhered to. Thanks

    https://www.blackcanoncollective.co.uk/about/rules-and-constitution/

  • Warminster Wobble 2010

    After the success of last years inaugural event the team behind the Warminster Wobble are thrilled to be able to offer another weekend of cycling fun.

    With three organised rides and lots of attractions there should be something for everyone. Held over the 19th and 20th of June there’ll be a Mountain bike ride in the local woods led by experienced MTB guides, a Road ride down the beautiful Wylye valley and finally a Buggy ride for those with trailers and bike seats with a stop for a picnic.

    Check out their website for full details: http://www.warminsterwobble.co.uk/

  • TickerTape + Dig Day dates up now!

    After a very hectic first two months for the committee we’re chuffed to be getting back into the swing of things with Dig Days and TickerTapes returning to their rightful places on the BCC events calendar. Check it out to see what’s going on and when…

  • Stolen bike – keep an eye out and keep your ride safe

    Could everyone please keep an eye out for Marjory’s Specialized Epic WSD which was stolen from her garage on Saturday night.

    The silver Epic ‘WSD’ is an unusual model and a ladies Medium size, it has a Fox / Specialized brain shock.

    The drivetrain is complete XT and only a few months old with little use.

    The wheels are early Hope Pro 2 hubs on black Mavic 717 rims with DT black DB spokes (very little use).

    The forks are Rockshox Tora, these were the next item Marjory wanted to upgrade so not in as good condition as the rest of the bike.

    If you’ve seen or been offered the bike or any of the bits please e mail simon.truelove@blackcanoncollective.co.uk. We will handle any information with complete discretion if needed. Please don’t try to e mail or PM Marjory at the moment as she’s still without internet access.

    Here’s another picture from the Specialized website – please note Marjory’s had a completely different spec but the frame is identical.

    Thanks for reading.