Coillte Biking Blitz - newbie questions

Top Dog

So I've seen this series mentioned in the beginner races thread, and I searched out the site for more information which seems a bit limited. Rather than have this lost in the other thread I thought I'd start a new one.


So, where to begin.


Theres no FAQ or Rules published on the site, so do I take it that its a pretty laid back affair?



Do you need a competitive CI licence?



What is a competition CI licence and how do you get one?


When are the dates for the following year typically published? Currently all information relates to the 2018 series.



Anyone tell me about SiEntries? Is it just a registrar where you can enter future events?


The photos and videos on the site show a huge mix of equipment - hardtail & full sus, fully lycra clad cyclists & baggies, backpacks & bare bones. Is it simply down to individual preference? I'm guessing a helmet is mandatory, pads recommended and everything else is up to the person themselves?


Are there age classes for adults like in Grassroots - or is the only differentation Baggy Shorts vs Super Pro?

Gerry

Hi, the blitz is a great series. Usually the dates are published before end of year.
I don't think ci license is necessary. You are right that it's fairly laid back.
There's two categories, baggy shorts and super pro. This does not mandate the clothing choice they are just meant to be fun names. The baggy shorts category would usually be about half of the super pro race distance, for 1 lap of ballinastoe instead of 2.
You are right re clothing and gear - helmet is mandatory pads are optional but recommended . Typically the courses are not hugely technical, I used my hardtail for ballinastoe and it was perfect.

Top Dog

Cheers Gerry. Good info to know

JazzyJ

Yep, no license required.

Historically, it's on the same time every year, with the first race around early February in Ballinastoe, and then races every two weeks after that.

SiEntries is just a registrar that biking.ie use.

No age differences - the SuperPros is usually twice the distance of the Baggy Shorts. SuperPros would be a decent level. Baggy Shorts will have everyone from gob****e sandbaggers that would finish high enough up in Super Pros to those just starting out mountainbiking.

For me when XC racing, I'd just have helmet, lycra, combo pump/CO2, multitool, spare tube, couple of gels. Anything else is just extra weight (and that includes my belly ). I've seen lads hauling MASSIVE backpacks at these races - god only knows what they have in them - but they've got to be a big drag and pretty uncomfortable. If you feel the need to have pads then go for it for peace of mind - but once you get a bit more adept I wouldn't be in favour of them when riding XC.

Hardtail is fine everywhere - out the back of the white trail in Ballyhoura a full-sus would give a bit more comfort - it was in bits last time I was down there. As Gerry said they're not technical - just the standard trail centres.

Tenzor07

JazzyJ wrote: »

Baggy Shorts will have everyone from gob****e sandbaggers that would finish high enough up in Super Pros to those just starting out mountainbiking.

True! I've seen guys racing the Baggies who's shoes alone probably cost more than most of the rest of the competitors bikes did! Not to mention the lycra and shaved legs!

Baggies should be mainly heavy guys on downhill bikes carrying huge backpacks and flat pedals with runners!

prunudo

Tenzor07 wrote: »

True! I've seen guys racing the Baggies who's shoes alone probably cost more than most of the rest of the competitors bikes did! Not to mention the lycra and shaved legs!

Baggies should be mainly heavy guys on downhill bikes carrying huge backpacks and flat pedals with runners!

This ^. I was going to do the baggy shorts in Ballinastoe this year but when I saw the times I decided I better improve the fitness before I attempted it. Don't plan on winning it but I didn't want to embarrass myself or feel like i was just making up the numbers either. Might go for it next Feb depending how much my climbing has improved.

Tenzor07

jvan wrote: »

This ^. I was going to do the baggy shorts in Ballinastoe this year but when I saw the times I decided I better improve the fitness before I attempted it. Don't plan on winning it but I didn't want to embarrass myself or feel like i was just making up the numbers either. Might go for it next Feb depending how much my climbing has improved.

Just do it anyway, ignore the podium hunters, skinny lads on expensive carbon hardtails should grow a pair and step up to the "Super Pro" category..
In the Baggy shorts you'll never be alone going around the course and chances are won't be dead last either...

prunudo

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Just do it anyway, ignore the podium hunters, skinny lads on expensive carbon hardtails should grow a pair and step up to the "Super Pro" category..
In the Baggy shorts you'll never be alone going around the course and chances are won't be dead last either...

I probably will, I feel fitter than the start of the year, must time myself around it again once the the felled sections are opened up again.

steamsey

Been a few years since I did a Blitz, but did a few of them and they were great. I wouldn't be intimidated to enter the Baggy Shorts category. I hadn't a clue what was going on when I did my first one but got through it. I'm not sure, but in my mind the NPS series is a bit more hardcore, having said that, never did one of them.

Top Dog

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Baggies should be mainly heavy guys on downhill bikes carrying huge backpacks and flat pedals with runners!

Need to gain weight - right! :pac:

prunudo

Anyone else signed up? Only a couple of weeks now till the first one in Ballinastoe.

Peter T

Thinking I'll stick Stuck my name down for ballyhoura, going baggy shorts. Just down the road so very handy

Hurrache

Tenzor07 wrote: »

Baggies should be mainly heavy guys on downhill bikes carrying huge backpacks and flat pedals with runners!

I know it's an old post, but I got discussing footwear with someone on a recent ride because I haven't switched my SPDs back from my commuter to my MTB which has standard cheapo flats that there seems to be a bit of a move away from SPDs to riding unclipped.

Is there any truth to this? I took a few sneaky looks at people since and there are a lot of runners around, but they could be all newbies too.

prunudo

Hurrache wrote: »

I know it's an old post, but I got discussing footwear with someone on a recent ride because I haven't switched my SPDs back from my commuter to my MTB which has standard cheapo flats that there seems to be a bit of a move away from SPDs to riding unclipped.

Is there any truth to this? I took a few sneaky looks at people since and there are a lot of runners around, but they could be all newbies too.

I found the grip with runners and flats to be horrendous. 5tens on the other hand are fantastic. Still weary of being clipped in myself, maybe in time.

Hurrache

Yeah, runners on flats when wet aren't the greatest, really dodgy over the rough stuff or when you take even an inch into the air.

I've a pair of MTB shoes, but they SPDs are still in them. Not a good idea to wear them on flats. You wear yours without the clips fitted, or you have the non-spd version?

prunudo

Hurrache wrote: »

Yeah, runners on flats when wet aren't the greatest, really dodgy over the rough stuff or when you take even an inch into the air.

I've a pair of MTB shoes, but they SPDs are still in them. Not a good idea to wear them on flats. You wear yours without the clips fitted, or you have the non-spd version?

I'm using non spd and flats at the minute. I can see the advantage of being clipped in, especially for the likes of the Blitz where climbing is important but just don't have the confidence on the steeper stuff to be clipped in.

steamsey

If you're going to use flats, you have to have proper pedals (with pins and decent size platform) and shoes (with proper grip and a stiff sole). Runners and bog standard flat pedals are a recipe for disaster - you're foot will slip off and I can't imagine you'd be able to do any jumping.

Most people I see on MTBs are on flats. There are plenty of beginners in cotton tracksuits and runners around the place but I imagine they'll get proper gear over time.

Trying to clip back in on a muddy Enduro trail is massively distracting and I've definitely lost time in races because of it. Used to hate jumping on flats, but since I got proper pedals and shoes, my feet are glued to the pedals and am liking being able to choose my foot position on the pedals.

I think clips are good for XC - defo for Blitzs.

nak

Personal preference, everyone I ride with uses spds. I have trail shoes and XC shoes and use different pedals depending on the discipline.

Sam Hill is one of the few pros using flats racing enduro - certainly doesn't hold him back.

QueenMTBee

Definitely personal preference but, as said above, if you ride with flats then you need ones with really spiky pins combined with proper footwear.

If you don't want to spend a fortune, Nukeproof do a really good plastic flat pedal with epic spikes - cost about E20 I think and they lasted me well over a year.

muckwarrior

We're getting a little off topic here, but I rode SPDs for years and went back to flats more recently. I realised that I was cheating when trying to learn techniques like bunny-hops, so concluded that the only way to learn properly was to move to flats. At first I still stuck the SPDs back on for races, but now I don't bother - I prefer them overall. Being clipped in does give a slight advantage on climbs, if you're serious about XC racing then they're definitely the way to go, but 95% of the time I think flats are preferable.

As others have said though, they need to be proper flat pedals and proper shoes. If you bought a new bike that came with pedals, then they're most likely the type that needs to go in the bin. Something like these are good to start https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/nukeproof-neutron-evo-electron-evo-flat-pedals/rp-prod122950

Hurrache

I was looking at those soon after I asked my question. The difficult decision is deciding on what colour!

saccades

muckwarrior wrote: »

We're getting a little off topic here, but I rode SPDs for years and went back to flats more recently. I realised that I was cheating when trying to learn techniques like bunny-hops, so concluded that the only way to learn properly was to move to flats. At first I still stuck the SPDs back on for races, but now I don't bother - I prefer them overall. Being clipped in does give a slight advantage on climbs, if you're serious about XC racing then they're definitely the way to go, but 95% of the time I think flats are preferable.

As others have said though, they need to be proper flat pedals and proper shoes. If you bought a new bike that came with pedals, then they're most likely the type that needs to go in the bin. Something like these are good to start https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/nukeproof-neutron-evo-electron-evo-flat-pedals/rp-prod122950

Why spend ages pissing about with flats to bunnyhop when it takes 30 seconds with spd's?

steamsey

saccades wrote: »

Why spend ages pissing about with flats to bunnyhop when it takes 30 seconds with spd's?

You'll build more skill starting on flats.

xxyyzz

saccades wrote: »

Why spend ages pissing about with flats to bunnyhop when it takes 30 seconds with spd's?

If it takes ages on flats and 30 seconds on SPD's then you are using the wrong technique with SPD's. It should be the same technique for both,

muckwarrior

saccades wrote: »

Why spend ages pissing about with flats to bunnyhop when it takes 30 seconds with spd's?

Come back to me when you can clear something more than 18" with your SPD-style bunny hop

Hurrache

saccades wrote: »

Why spend ages pissing about with flats to bunnyhop when it takes 30 seconds with spd's?

If I could do it as a kid in the 80s with my Raleigh Burner and MTBs then there's no reason I need cheating shoes! My mad bike skillz will return and hit me in a wave of nostalgia.

steamsey

I'm not sure I ever got my steel Raleigh Marauder off the ground! It had the same density as a collapsed star

Lemming

Hurrache wrote: »

My mad bike skillz will return and hit me in a wave of nostalgia.

It might not be the skllz hitting you, or in a wave as perhaps all at once :pac:

saccades

muckwarrior wrote: »

Come back to me when you can clear something more than 18" with your SPD-style bunny hop

Pah - I don't fly over 12", just use my waggon wheels to steamroll over everything.

Seriously though, I'm struggling to think of when I needed to bunny hop much more than 12", what other skills am I missing by using SPD?

I'm not mega fast but it's my lack of nerve and practice on tech drops that holds me back (and gap jumps) most trails here are quite manicured in that there is a clear trail unless it's been really windy.

If I'm not using flats, why build excessive skills I won't use?

muckwarrior

saccades wrote: »

If I'm not using flats, why build excessive skills I won't use?

That's a fair argument. For me though, one of the reasons I love mountain biking is that there's always room for improvement - always new skills to learn or improve upon. That's why instead of settling for being able to do a small bunny-hop by pulling up on the clips, I wanted to learn how to do it properly. Who knows, I might never actually need to hop over anything more that 12" on the trail, but I still want to be able to do it. Also, it's effectively the same technique that's used to jump properly. I can't hit massive gaps because I'm not good enough. But I want to be good enough some day.

Gerry

You building up for redbull rampage muckwarrior?
I think you are right to go about learning bunnyhopping the right way. As you say it's the foundation of a lot of other aspects . You can do drops and jumps without it but typically will need more speed for the same gap or drop. I switched to SPD's as I found I was getting bounced off the pedals when I started. This was on a hardtail and I was indeed wearing runners, but it built a negative association in my mind. A lot of it would still have been down to my lack of skills -I would like to try flats again with proper pedals and five tens.

Peter T

So with the events looming closer any tips or tricks for someone doing their first blitz ?

prunudo

Peter T wrote: »

So with the events looming closer any tips or tricks for someone doing their first blitz ?

Had planned to go up to Ballinastoe at the weekend but the snow put an end to that. Just have to hope for the best now.

rizzodun

Peter T wrote: »

So with the events looming closer any tips or tricks for someone doing their first blitz ?

Enjoy it, there's nothing to shock or surprise you, let the roadies off up the hill and just enjoy the descents.

muckwarrior

Peter T wrote: »

So with the events looming closer any tips or tricks for someone doing their first blitz ?

Give it everything at the start. In Balinastoe, unless your in the first 10-20% of riders when you get to the first bit of singletrack, then there's probably gonna be a big queue when you get there where you'll lose a lot of time. If you're capable of a good time overall then losing time here will hamper you. If you end up ahead of people that are actually faster than you, then they'll have plenty of time to pass you after the first trail. So basically, there's nothing to lose by trying to get as good of a start as possible.

The Noble Nudge

Front of the grid or a close as starting out and stick to the right/left as them younglads/ladies will fly by!!

Gerry

Best of luck all, I'm gutted to be missing the event

coach22

Can you sign up on the day or do you have to do it in advance?

prunudo

coach22 wrote: »

Can you sign up on the day or do you have to do it in advance?

Probably best to message or ring them. Doesn't say on website only that registration is between 9.30 and 12.

Shotgun Sister

You can enter on the day, but have to pay a €5 surcharge.

I've done loads of these races. They're a lot of fun. (Afterwards, obvs!)

QueenMTBee

Peter T wrote: »

So with the events looming closer any tips or tricks for someone doing their first blitz ?

It's a mass start race so if you're slow starting you'll get stuck behind everyone else once you reach the first descent. Nothing worse than the roadies passing you out on the hill climbs and then holding you up on the descents! If you're not doing it to win/place, then just have fun.

jvan wrote: »

Had planned to go up to Ballinastoe at the weekend but the snow put an end to that. Just have to hope for the best now.

There nothing at all to worry about. Ballinastoe Coillte trails are as beginner friendly as you can get. I did Ballinastoe on a hybrid with slick tyres and rim brakes (in the lashing rain) before I started mountain biking - wasn't pleasant but was still doable.

prunudo

QueenMTBee wrote: »

It's a mass start race so if you're slow starting you'll get stuck behind everyone else once you reach the first descent. Nothing worse than the roadies passing you out on the hill climbs and then holding you up on the descents! If you're not doing it to win/place, then just have fun.



There nothing at all to worry about. Ballinastoe Coillte trails are as beginner friendly as you can get. I did Ballinastoe on a hybrid with slick tyres and rim brakes (in the lashing rain) before I started mountain biking - wasn't pleasant but was still doable.

Its more my fitness that is a concern rather the course. As you say though, its all about enjoying it.

Top Dog

So? Anyone go to Round 1?

prunudo

Top Dog wrote: »

So? Anyone go to Round 1?

Up here now, adult races aren't until one o'clock but a good crowd around already. Dry day, mixture of sun/cloud and about 4c.

Shotgun Sister

jvan wrote: »

Up here now, adult races aren't until one o'clock but a good crowd around already. Dry day, mixture of sun/cloud and about 4c.

You did really well in your cat! Nice work.

prunudo

Shotgun Sister wrote: »

You did really well in your cat! Nice work.

I'd say you're mixing me up with somebody else. I was happy enough where i finished but wouldn't did really well! Learnt a few lessons for next year, namely get closer to the front for the start, use a hardtail and get better at climbing!

Peter T

At least I meet the hardtail criteria in that list

Top Dog

jvan wrote: »

I'd say you're mixing me up with somebody else. I was happy enough where i finished but would say did really well! Learnt a few lessons for next year, namely get closer to the front for the start, use a hardtail and get better at climbing!

Curious, so sorry for asking, but why would you favour a hardtail?

prunudo

Top Dog wrote: »

Curious, so sorry for asking, but why would you favour a hardtail?

My shock doesn't lock out fully so I'm loosing a lot of energy through the linkage on the climbs. It would be lighter too. But in reality if I want improve my times I need to get out more regularly and practice, practice, practice climbing.
In saying all that, the blitz is more of a cross country event and I prefer the single track stuff so will probably give the enduros a go later in the year.

Shotgun Sister

jvan wrote: »

I'd say you're mixing me up with somebody else.

Was that not you in 68th? It was a gigantor field of 125 this year, I'd be delighted with that, particularly if you were worried about your fitness. Also, the baggy shorts cat is full of bangers who should be doing super pro.

Defo get up the front for the start next year, it's all about getting into the singletrack first and not getting stuck in the queues.... or behind a roadie. Climbing is essential, alright. It's where I make up all my time. A hardtail would not be my bike of choice, personally, but hey.

Tenzor07

Hardtail XC bikes are only for the top guys and girls.. for anyone with average or less fitness then a short travel full suss will be the best choice by Far!