Butchlove Racing Gung-Ho Cyclocross Madcore

Pic courtesy of Craig Madsen

Despite time consuming lobbying of the UCI, the Bushlove Racing Team was not granted a Pro Tour Licence for '09 and as such was unable to prove itself eligible for a place in this years edition of the Tour De France. In many circles this has been seen as a travesty, especially considering Nick's 2nd place in the Makara Grand Loop Evening Time Trial.

So as Saturday morning dawned we were not in Monaco sipping mint julips and preparing for the opening time trial. The lucky ones were readying for Wellington's inaugural Cyclocross race whilst the less fortunte were readying for a day of work or other less worthy endeavors.

Cyclocross has come to Wellington, thanks to the enthusiasm and efforts of Yankee Mike from the Bike Hutt. It has been a long time coming it would seem, as there was a surprising number of cross bike out there, which presumably had not been used in anger in the proper manner before this day.



Our Belgian wannabees were Wonderwoman, Angry, Hinge and Davo. All racing the longer 45min + 1 lap option. we were well supported by Mrs Angry, the Bennett cheering squad of Alana and Alex and of course the lovely Mrs Hinge; who, along with Wonderwoman, showered herself with glory by bringing the baked treats.



We rocked up and customarily signed on with the surname 'Bushlove'. Hinge's handwriting was in question as they mistook him for Nick 'Butchlove'. The organisers initially believed we were all family and with genuine interest asked where our name came from.

Many of the usual suspects were there and it was clear that it was going to be very competitive. The VIC Cycles reps - Big Gav and Jordan - looked hard to beat, and were. Feisty Feist looked pretty keen on his mint Yeti crosser and Alex Revel and Jonty from Revolution Cycles were another fast pair who you'd rather had prior commitments. Tom Bradshaw and Trevor Woodward were their too and their were more than a few fast looking chaps we didn't know.

There were plenty of tasty looking bikes on display. I thought Feisty's YETI was the best, but Mike's Coconino (SS) he lent to Nicko was also very mint. There were also a few nice Surlys and MASI's which looked very stylish. Most people were on mtbs though, but I reckon more crossers will be seen as the sport takes off.

The course was a good one. Seemed like sub 5min laps around a mostly soft grass circuit with 3 or 4 small slippy rises and 3 sections with barriers to leap. A couple of practice laps shagged us severely. It was going to be a strenuous outing.

Summaries of the race itself, straight from the horse's mouths:



Wonderwoman

I find it fitting that my post is last, when i in fact did finish last, but some may say i was first in style. So here we go....arriving at California Park (how fitting) at 9am I was greeted by Hinge, the lovely Mrs Hinge (Sarah) and their asthmatic dog. I was feeling great...hey it's the 4th of July. After a few God Bless Americas and the Pledge of Allegence I was ready to go. For the first time ever i actually started in the front row- this is by no mean because of my very patriotic outfit. The first lap saw me in a demoralizing last- the crowd was ever so supportive and moral was boosted very quickly. Luckliy there were barriers that i flew over them with grace and beauty. I was also supported by some young fans that shouted things like "He likes you!" Nothing like a 5 year old thinking your'e hot... he would fit in perfectly with Bushlove.



As the 22 minute mark rolled around, i realized that by signing up for the 30 minute course i was actually tricked into the 45 minute course. This is the time when the chaffing set in and the 'push' from Davo really felt good. Although Samara was dissapointed that she didn't recieve a 'push' from Davo. Nothing like a grown man biking past you saying "My lycra is getting too tight".

Alas i withstood tough conditions, lapped Marco (he might have been running with a broken seat...) with him yelling "Oh my gosh, i've been lapped by a girl", and found myself enjoying a fabulous morning with some great folks.

Thanks so much to the awesome Americans at Bike Hutt. What a great event....what's the next theme?? I've got a sweet Pocahantas outfit that is dying to be used.

Davo

I don't have a proper CX bike so popped an old rigid on the gearie for this one. I felt good enough and the pink decals really set the fork off. Tire choice was tricky. Ended up with Medusas.



I got holeshot and steamed into the first corner in the lead. I never thought it would last long, and Ken, Jordan, Gav and others, proved me right within less than a minute. I seemed to be riding OK and spent the first half or so in 4th behind Jordan, Gav and Alex. Very close behind was a strong trio of Tom, Trevor and a fast chap on a Niner, who I forgot to say hi to after. I held them off for a few laps, then we traded positions for a few. I was weaker on the 'fitness' bits, but was making very good ground on the hurdles.



Hinge was chasing them and me and eventually all four of them got the better of me. Nick timed his take to perfection on the slippy climb where he executed his trademark "I'm coming inside of you" call, as he nimbly cut my lunch on the climb's top corner.



I then faded a bit. I got the mojo back, but got confused on which lap was last and what a bell lap actually was. I eventually finished with a legendary Superman across the line. But after a bit of chat I decided to do an extra lap on my lonesome to make sure I had not cheated. turns out I was right to finish when I did - On the same lap as the leader.

I thought the highlight of the race was the short open course, which meant you could keep tabs on everyone and cheer and jeer your mates. Cross also lends itself really well to spectating. Thanks very much to everyone who gave me a yell, it was always appreciated! I also enjoyed lapping Ash in her hotpants and loved seeing the Godfather running his laps after breaking his ultralight seatpost - What a hardout!



I enjoyed a few beers and a bit of jawboning afterwards at the Bike Hutt. Nice shop with a good selection of bikes, stock and cheese. Thanks again to Mike, wife Alison and team of helpers for a great time and your hospitality at the shop. Nice one.

The real winner today was Cyclocross.

I say that of course because I didn't frickin' win.

Angry

Knowing there were to be obstacles during a race that required leaping, I knew this race would = FAIL for me as due to knee injuries I have to be careful about things like this as my patella (knee cap for the none hinged readers) has a habit of slipping down to the side of my leg. Also having to ride on my Anthem with Crossmarks would also be an epic fail, so was pleased when Mono offered to loan me his CX bike for the race.
We arrived at the race and did a couple of test laps, was going to be a hard course so lulzzed about before the start.



BANG the race starts and FAIL I couldn't get into my SPD's damm, so most of the pack got away from me, so hammered down and picked most of them up, and was just behind Nick and Davo, I passed Davo who appeared to be asleep and came around to the first hurdle, and lost about 50 metres in my lame ass attempt to jump over it.



That was pretty much my how the rest of my race went, sprint and overtake everyone, to fail at the obstacles and have them all pass me again. That was until the last lap where I finally figured it all out and tried something a wee bit different.......



I managed to catch up to Davo and whilst he wasnt looking I bunny hopped all of the obstacles, even managing a handgrab mid air, was truly awesome I'm surprised there where no photos of this. So having left Davo behind I passed a couple of other riders sight unseen and came upon Nick again at the triple hurdles, this time I powered the shanks and popped a huge wheelie right past him again while he wasn't looking, I then Danny Mackasil style hopped the bike over all the obstacles with a backflip over the 3rd one to rub it in and smashed it home for 3rd place!!!.. wow awesome result.. maybe my CX skillz aren't so bad after all, sadly for the hinged 4 eyed one, he needs some new glasses and a re-lube of the hinge if he expects to beat me next time at a CX event.



Hinge

Awesome to see Cross racing finally come to Wellington and turned out to be a great day for a race. I’d sold my Tricross a few weeks prior (I’d like to think me selling my cross bike and cross all of a sudden becoming cool aren’t linked) but Mike AKA Yankeehotelfoxtrot AKA Crosstafarian, was kind enough to lend me his beautiful Cococino custom ss cross bike. As he is a little taller than me, I switched the stem for a shorter one but otherwise the bike was spot on. While I doubted I’d be competitive, at least I’d look good.

A really good turnout made it to the start line with at least a dozen real cross bikes coming out of the woodwork along with some handy XC racers. Right from the gun I was in a world of hurt.



Even on flat, the gearing was challenging but at least I had my dismounts and run-ups pretty sorted. In particular the hairpin run-up was my main advantage and one of the few opportunities I had for passing. After an ok start over the next 5-6 laps I put in the hard yards to catch the bunch of Davo, Tom, Trevor and Bryce while Jordon, Big Gav and Alex rode away. I finally caught the bunch half way through the race taking Davo in classic Bushlove (Butchlove?) style. From there Davo faded while Tom, Bryce and I stayed pretty close. By the end I had tears welling up and had vomited up in my mouth a few times. With only a slight exaggeration I think I can say it was the hardest 45mins racing of my life. After an epic battle Tom got the better of me on the second to last lap so (I think) I came in 5^th place. More importantly though was first Bushlover across the line despite their fancy geared bicycles. Not only were they all beaten by a four eyes, but they all got lapped too. Shame.

Spectators had a great time too. If you’re too soft to race you should at least come along to heckle. Cheers Mrs Hinge and Popster for your support and muffins. Ash even had her own support crew of young Bushlove fans who loved her costume.

Belgian beer and baguettes back at Bike Hutt (which I recommend you all czech out) finished off a cracking day. There’s talk of it becoming a series so if you didn’t make it on Saturday make sure you make the next race. To steal a quote it’s 'pure sweet hell'.

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And that was the Team's first cyclocross outing. First of many. Thanks to Tama, Oli and Colin for some of the pics from this set on Vorb.

Leonidas Of Sparta.

CX Team Manager and Head Soignuer (whatever that is).

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Steel Is Real - Davo's New Singlespeeder

Wasup Dawgs.

I've recently built up a new singlespeed. I did most of my racing in the last year on my second singlespeed, a '99 S-Works with a Rennen tensioner. I 'enjoyed' it so much that I wanted a proper dedicated singlespeed with none of these un-singlespeed fail things, like tensioners and gear cable stops.

I wanted a steel frame as I wanted something very durable and also inexpensive. I saw some brands with mint frames like Independent Fabrication, Desalvo and Vanilla among others. Then I saw the prices and immediately shit the bed.

Back to the drawing board - I decided to keep my eyes peeled for something to convert. I preferred a 90's Kona Explosif, but ended up with a good deal on a 1997 Kona Kilauea. I had ridden one a bit back 'in the day' and always loved it. it was snappy and fast, reasonably light; all the things I wanted. The shock geometry didn't matter as was going to be running a rigid fork on it.

I thought about what I wanted and talked it through with Jeff at Kiwibikes in Rotovegas, who in addtion to making very tasty NZ custom frames, does repairs and mods. He was great to deal with. Very approachable and forthcoming with ideas and variations to what i had thought up. Initially I wanted horizontal dropouts with slotted disc mounts. I liked the idea. It seemed very light and I had read a lot of webchat about creaking Eccentric Bottom Brackets, which was the other option I fancied.

Jeff pointed out that to remove the rear wheel with my initial idea, I would have to release a bolt on the disc mount. And of course tensioning the chain would take a few extra seconds. This didn't sit well as I like to race my bike and I didn't fancy doing a Kennedy Special and taking 20mins to get a tube in, so I went with the EBB after Jeff extolled it's virtues to me.

Jeff did the following: Removed canti mounts; fitted disc mounts to frame and fork; hose guides fitted; all gear cable stops removed; EBB shell fitted.



Jeff's turn around was good and I had the frame arrive pretty quickly. The work looked mint. Jeff had said he had spent a good amount of time on the bike and I certainly appreciated the excellent value he had given me. The welds were all really smooth and everything was done just as I asked. Then 'shock horror' - I realised it still had a rear mech hanger on! The ultimate SS bike fail. I quickly realised I had not actually asked Jeff to remove it and of course he had gone to the letter of my requests. Ooops. I set about removing it myself with my modest Bunnings tool kit. I really enjoyed doing it and did a mint job even if I do say so myself. It felt good to have had some input to the frame too.
















I got it powder coated. The cost was reasonable and the two coat subtle sparkle was exactly what I wanted. Was called 'Orange Silver 2K'. But is very similar to 'Candy Copper'.



My main maing, Bushlover Dave Sharpshanks at Penny Farthing Cycles fitted the headset and the bottom bracket, which has not creaked since. This is probably down to Sharpie's liberal application of decent grease around the EBB insert and the cunning bolts Jeff supplied which had the ends ground to a point. They really locate in the aluminium insert and make movement or rotation of the insert in the shell, pretty impossible.



Sharpie also helped me out with some good advice on parts and things which was really helpful. What a super trooper.

An evening of fettling in the garage with a few lagers brought the beast to a rideable condition and i stood admiring it, shining and oozing potential, while I finished my beer and got my shoes on. I was really holding my breath as I motored it up the hill from my house, waiting for the creaks and popping noises. Nothing. No matter how much good news I gave the pedals. It was as quiet as a mouse. I loved it straight away.

The only thing I've done to it, apart from a few tire changes, is to reduce the length of the front end. It had a 110mm stem and it felt too stretched climbing and i wasn't able to pop the front end up as easily as I'd like. I switched to a 100mm Thomson and acquired mighty Whacko's FSA carbon bar which was always far too good for him. The extra bend in the bar gave me another 10mm and the position was dialled in.



It's done a good few decent rides now. A few long ones over 4hrs and a few short hammers. I can definitely say it is more comfortable to ride than my S-Works. Must be the 'real feel of steel' vs the stiffer aluminium. It rides perfectly. It always feels in balance and snaps round tight switchbacks heading up or down the trail. It climbs fantastically, although this characteristic is currently limited by my out of shape shanks. This bike descends really well. Especially considering the rigid front. Worth noting here that Steve Peat in the mid 90's started his downhill career winning the British NPS on a rigid steel Kona with 1.5 tires. The same bike he would win the Sport class of the XC the following day. I was there. He floated that bike down the trail. I can't, not to save my life. I am more like a medicine ball falling down the stairs.

It has plenty of little things I love about it. I had the disc hose for the back placed in a 10 o'clock spot along the top tube so it didn't get in the way when I shoulder the bike in my usual way. I had a custom crud-catcher mount put on so I don't suffer the indignity of little straps or clips. The slopping top tube also means that when the bar swings around, the brake levers do not foul the top tube. This also helps with my madcore bar-spins over huge huck cliffs ftw.



The fork is great. I've ridden and raced so many times on this same triple butted project two fork, which being a Kona classic, compliments the frame very well. I had Jeff add a hose guide and even fill the redundant mounting hole in the crown, so it looks swish. I have a shock with a whole 70mm of travel on my gearie, but prefer the direct and talkative quality of the rigid. It reminds me of my early years biking and importantly it doesn't cost very much. I don't lose too much time to some of my cobbers on the descents anyway. I could go on about my descent time on Ridgeline to the carpark in the Makara Peak Grand Loop Challenge on a rigid with v-brakes, but I won't.

I'm looking forward to the good ole' PNP XC series starting in August. I did ok last year on the SS with a shock and it might be a bit more difficult on some courses without a shock, but I'm looking forward to revving my new SS around all the best local tracks and trying to give the other M1's a bit of bother.

Vaguely pointless I know, but here are the specs of the bike and a couple of notes.

Frame: 19" Kona Kilauea. Full Reynolds 631. 'Chop-job' and mods by Jeff at Kiwibikes.
Fork: Triple butted P2. Modifications by Jeff.
Headset: Race Face Deus XC
Stem: Thomson X2 100mm
Bar: FSA K-Force Carbon. Pointlessly pricey. Mugged Whacko for it.
Grips: DaBomb Holy Shit. Brought for the 'Holy Shit' written on the collars.
Brakes: 2008 XT
Post: Thomson
Saddle: Selle Italia lightweight.
Cranks/BB: Truvativ Stylo.
Chain: Sram PC48
Cogs: Surly 34:18.
Wheels: Mavic 618 on Hugi/DT Swiss 240s. Freehub has been mint for SS. Hope skewers.
Tires: Depends. Right now Nobby Nic 2.25 Evo with tubes at 30psi each end.

Thanks again for the help and service I got from Jeff at Kiwibikes and Sharpie at PFC

And for the complete win - It has custom Bushlove Racing decals from Custom Cut Graphics.

Hope this was a faintly interesting read. I'll see you on the trails or the race track. I'll be the guy either walking or shaking the numbness out of my hands.

Happy trails!

Davo

Appendix: My other Singlespeeds.

S-Works with shocks for racing in 08.



S-Works rigid with V's for the Makara Grand Loop Challenge and other hooning.



First SS. Marin Indian Fire Trail convert with Magic Gear.

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The Only Bushlover racing, Craaaazy-man!!

After a motivating text from Davo first thing in the morning I was ready to go. “In hard buddy, I’ll be thinking of you”. Gold! love predictive texting or is that what Davo really meant, hmmm confused and scared at the same time.

Being the only Bushlover racing in the weekend I felt a little pressure to uphold our name, coupled with the fact that The Crazyman is a race that means a little more to me than just another day at the office. It was the first mountain bike race I had ever raced so has a special place in my short mountain bike career.

The day turned out to be better than I could have imagined. The week leading up to the race the weather was crap, arse, rain, wind and bloody cold. But the 2nd of May turned out a fantastic one, no rain, little wind, lets race!!!

Dan Clendon ( my team runner) took off on the run surrounded by a sea of skinny legs and shorts so marginal they could only be described as togs, togs, togs, undies! The God Father (Marco Renalli) went one step further wearing shorts from the 60’s showing waaaaay to much leg, but I fear this was his ploy to scare any runner into submission.

The next time I saw Dan he was about 50min into the run out in front and looking strong. So it was into the car and over to the transition in Wainui for me, for bit of a warm up and to slap on the lycra. Dan came in with a good 5mins lead over the field. Off I went caning the first hill to the water tower and on to the top of the ridge, I felt great, the bike was great. It was time to settle in and give this one shit. Out in front by myself it ended up being a solo race, but that did not stop me from spending the whole time talking to myself just waiting for Gav McCarthy (Gavatron) to pop around the corner and steam me down like a council worker eating a pie.

I made it to the river bank and still no Gav in site, so I locked out both the front and rear shocks on the Merida and tucked into my roadie stance. Wahoo I was flying, all the way along the gravel road to the finish line. First rider to cross the line and first Duathlon Team. We were stoked!

The Merida 5000 full carbon dream worked a treat, you can find a nice review about this bike in the latest New Zealand Mountain Biker magazine and believe you me the write up is no lie, quick, stiff and is all win! Looks hot too ;)















The course itself was in great condition, dry, fast and well cleared. With an interesting 2-3mtr drop in the middle that riders had to get off and clamber down with bike in hand... or so I thought!!! at the finish line I heard someone mention that after I went through the marshal at this station was lowering peoples bikes down with a rope... bugger missed out on that one.

Some highlights for me were being able to hold Gavatron to a 5min defecit, when I was expecting him to tear me another… well lets just say where my bike seat sits and Dan and I setting a new Crazyman Team Duathlon course record. But the one that put the biggest smile on my face was definitely when on the way up to receive our win placing the commentator mentioned how well this “Bushlove Team” are doing and have been seen winning lots of events lately including the Grand Traverse a few weeks before! BLR FTW.

Big ups to all competitors who turned out on the day, its a great race. Smiles all around including the biggest smile of all from Michelle Cole who finally won a spot prize, only to find out it was a Merida hydration back pack with green flames on it. Rock on, wish I had one.

Lataz Blog Dudes & Dudettes

Tiger

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