Whatever their reasons, there's clearly a lot to be learnt by riding chainless..

(well, for me anyway haha!)

I went ten seconds quicker with a chain, indicating that I do not harness the power of the pump to get that little extra speed out of my bike under normal circumstances, and that I brake too much and rely on pedalling to make up for it.           Either that, or I was having a bad run and the fact that my elbow pads had falled down to my wrists was putting me off! haha!

So for me, and anyone like me, the chainless races should result in a more fluid rider who relies less on their chain to regain speed and more on their skills to maintain speed.

 

ye i think its a good idea as above said it gives you an idea how fast sum people are in your catagory so you know how much you need to push and it is also alot of funn!   

Dev.

I think it's a good idea, sounds like a laugh.  However, I'm not sure about it at mountain ash, is it even possible to get through that middle section without pedalling?  Maybe they should abort that section and let you roll down the fireroad instead, then drop in by the stream where it goes back into the woods?

Some smart arse shouted that at me on a chainless run once. I stopped, offered them the bike and suggested they could pedal. Oddly enough they looked sheepish and didn't reply... I think I made my point

the chainless run at abercarn was sweet. they are letting you keep a chain on at mtn ash lol.

petes right it is easy to pump the middle section, you know the bit that ruins you if you pedal through it

i managed it and i have the skill of a beached whale........its worth doing on a race run as you save the legs for the open section at the bottom.

my only worry is stalling on the long straight cos i havnt got the balls to hit the sketchy right hander at the bottom of the chute without braking

have you seen my times? 

i think your right the straight is slightly downhill after the kicker but before that it has a slight incline............my bike weighs more than me which is the problem but i shall give it a go on saturday and see

I imagine i'm going to have to get off and sprint the bit as you come out of the trees!

Going up there tomorrow, we'll see.