Honc 2013

**serge the seal of death** · 14-01-13, 16:41

Whos going and you doing any training.

after last years one i plan to atleast try,

**williamofblackheart** · 14-01-13, 16:44

The hardest part of HONC is getting an entry :-)

**Alx** · 14-01-13, 18:58

I'm in. Will try and do some training for it but I'm just concentrating on getting back on the bike at the moment. Wasn't fit for it last year and it was not a pleasant experience at times so I'm hoping for a bit more fitness to make it more enjoyable this year.

**serge the seal of death** · 14-01-13, 20:55

you must have been fitter then me, i managed 4 rides from january to april, and 3 were in april. lucky it was so dry.

**serge the seal of death** · 13-03-13, 13:56

SO how are people getting on, i have at least been out on my bike, but doing shorter more intense routes then just mile after mile.

**Alx** · 13-03-13, 17:18

I'm struggling to get out and my mileage is even worse than last year so I'm expecting another suffer-fest on the day

Might try it on the rigid hardtail this time though so climbing and road sections should be a bit easier.

**serge the seal of death** · 14-03-13, 09:12

I think i will get the turbo trainer out.

**Stan** · 14-03-13, 09:57

Alx, whats your justification for rigid? FWIW I was thinking for BORS I'd take the ASR5 and probably leave propedal at 2/3 so I had some minor squish for comfort over the distance, or full squish for any tech sections?

**Alx** · 14-03-13, 12:01

Originally Posted by Stan

Alx, whats your justification for rigid?

There's lots of climbing at HONC so lightness for that, plus there's a fair amount of road sections and last year on the asr5 over the long distance I was conscious of the small amount of bob on the full sus. There weren't that many sections on the course last year that would warrant a full sus unless for comfort's sake, in fact quite a few people did it on cross bikes (although I was very glad to have the bounce over one section across a rutted field).

**Stan** · 14-03-13, 14:14

Ok so its based on the course not the distance.

**serge the seal of death** · 14-03-13, 15:48

that rutted field almost caused me to loose teeth, the one with teh DH slope, so you could fly along, but was like riding over roof board.

**Alx** · 14-03-13, 16:09

Yep, that's the one.

It is based on the course Stan, but partly on the distance as well, in that dragging a light bike a long way is easier than a heavier one. The balance of course is comfort and being beaten up by the rigid forks, but I'll only know if I made the correct decision after the event I guess.

**Stan** · 14-03-13, 18:43

Hmmm. I was going with the heavier yet more comfy option. The Enigma is 22lb yet 2x10. Its a fine ride though.

Decisions decisions.... What are thinking for BORS - you don't it before havnt you?

**Alx** · 14-03-13, 20:08

I entered BORS last year but couldn't ride it through illness. Not sure which bike yet, if the soda does ok at HONC then I'll probably use that.

**serge the seal of death** · 26-03-13, 14:06

So what are we thinking, i am hoping for cold and dry for the day.

**Alx** · 26-03-13, 19:00

I'm hoping for a leg and lung transport before the day

I think the best we can hope for weather-wise is a good few days of freezing conditions to harden up the ground a bit, then a slight thaw on the day.

Will probably piss down though.

**serge the seal of death** · 27-03-13, 08:36

Yep, not managed to get alot of miles in yet, but feeling ok, been more trying to avoid getting ill

**Alx** · 09-04-13, 08:01

Looks like rain for the next few days leading up to the event so what are the course conditions going to be like? Anyone know what it's like out that way now? I've already panic-bought some new mud tyres, just deciding whether to panic-buy some new summer tyres as well

**serge the seal of death** · 09-04-13, 13:09

my guess is deep mud for parts, but majority is on stone trails, so they should be OK, plus the road and track sections.
I am sticking with my small block 8s