TRAVERS BIKES.COM
  • Home
  • Frames
    • RUSSTi EVO
    • Bespoke
    • Bat Fastard
  • Brands
    • kLite
    • Garbaruk
    • Travers Forks
    • Nextie
  • Servicing
  • Journal
  • Company
    • Test Ride
    • Reviews
    • Privacy Policy
    • FAQ's
    • Brand Ambassadors
    • Warranty
    • Contact Us
  • Store
  • Races
    • Dates/Timings
    • Marshal
    • Categories
    • Race News
    • Enter/Fees
    • FAQ's
    • 2023 Results
      • Previous Years
        • 2022 Results Page
        • 2021 Results
        • RESULT 2019
          • OVERALL 2019
        • Results 2018
          • Photos 2018
        • 2017 and Older
  • Cyclescheme
  • Home
  • Frames
    • RUSSTi EVO
    • Bespoke
    • Bat Fastard
  • Brands
    • kLite
    • Garbaruk
    • Travers Forks
    • Nextie
  • Servicing
  • Journal
  • Company
    • Test Ride
    • Reviews
    • Privacy Policy
    • FAQ's
    • Brand Ambassadors
    • Warranty
    • Contact Us
  • Store
  • Races
    • Dates/Timings
    • Marshal
    • Categories
    • Race News
    • Enter/Fees
    • FAQ's
    • 2023 Results
      • Previous Years
        • 2022 Results Page
        • 2021 Results
        • RESULT 2019
          • OVERALL 2019
        • Results 2018
          • Photos 2018
        • 2017 and Older
  • Cyclescheme
Search

How Steve Won WEMBO

26/10/2018

0 Comments

 
So, a bit more detail on what happened at Fort William…
My last 2 trips to Fort William were less than fruitful with both rides at Relentless ending early due to a knee issue caused by a 3-mile run back to the pits due to an irreparable puncture the first time and back issues after 21 hours resulting in retirement last year. So this year not only did I have self imposed pressure of trying to get a 3rd WEMBO jersey, I had the extra pressure of past experience not being very positive.
The plan was get there, get a lap in, relax, eat, find my happy place and race. I was fortunate that work helped support me for the trip, so straight away some of the pressure was off. However, my last day at work was a tough one, nearly pushing me to the point of booking a few extra hours off just to avoid mental meltdown. In the end, I think this helped me not to think about racing and probably did me some favours. At least our trip up the M6 was clear with no traffic what so ever!
Friday was a soggy morning, but a sighting lap was still sorted. This flushed out some issues with a dodgy chain tensioner. Apparently there’s not much call for singlespeed bits around the bike shops in Fort William and the Nevis Range – can’t think why… Even the lad in Off Beat Bikes said he stopped using his after moving to Fort Bill! An old mech was donated from the shops hack bike to get my spare bike up & running. Cheers chaps! The afternoon was spent getting the Lezyne easy-ups in place (thank you Rory) before running & hiding and dinner with Ingrid. Mark finally turned up 6 hours late after a hellish trip from Austria.
Race day arrived, Mark & I dropped the van and kit off early, then ran for home for breakfast in a nice warm holiday house, with the plan being to get back to Nevis Range as late as possible to avoid being dragged into any pre-race, pressure inducing banter. A quick introduction to the Bikeshak lads that were with Andrew Burgess & Team JMC was about as much conversation that I could handle. We had enough time to unload the van and for me to finalise a few things before the start. Perfect – everything was falling into place.
The forecast had looked grim for a few days, but come the start of the race, it looked like the weather might hold off a while, making clothing choice a little easier. The start was relatively frantic, with the first, short lap running up the fireroads to the top of the Whiches Trail. There was the usual shuffling to get a good place in the queue for the long singletrack descent back to the pit area. Last thing I needed at this point was a crash, but first switchback on the Whichcraft descent resulted in the unexpected, kit scattering, head against rock fall down a short stretch of boardwalk. Doh! Slight panic ensued, followed by a few moments to pick everything up, straighten the bars and calm down before getting back on to hit the rest of the descent and try to avoid another crash on the rocks and roots.
The next lap was always planned to be a slightly higher pace, but catching back up with Steve Chapman and Matthew Jones over the next lap gave me a chance to manage my pace for a while, get my head straight and my heart rate back in check before finding the pace I felt could keep me going for the next 23 hours.
The race would all be about riding at my pace for my race, so I had no interest in where I was, who was in front of me or who was chasing me. The next few hours were so different to some of my recent races where I have pushed to be out front. I was swapping places with a few different riders from around the world, but there was no discussion about positions. Jason Miles asked, but seemed amused that I had no idea! I was feeling great. Jon (e3coach.com) had been on the phone to Ingrid to check I wasn’t pushing too hard, but my feedback on average heart rate seemed to settle him. My brothers constant reminders about pace were a good reminder of the plan each time I came through the pits.
Darkness set in, Exposure Lights came on, rhythm was well settled and my TraversBikes.com Angus-II was running smooth and problem free. The rain threatened a few times before midnight, but it wasn’t until after the witching hour that it really kicked in… The wind started picking up, to the point where at times, the rain couldn't have been far off horizontal. At least the last kick up to the highest point on the loop had the wind on our back taking the sting out of the final bit of climbing each lap.
It wasn’t until 15 hours that my riding kit needed to be changed. The cold had started to seep in and the dry kit was much needed. Thanks to Mark for effectively helping me get changed as my hands were so cold I was struggling to grip anything. The pre-soaked porridge & dates went down a treat. Chain was lubed (the pre-impregnated Squirt Cycling Products chains take a lot of abuse before needing lube), lights checked, cockles were warmed, feeling came back into my hands and I was back out after 20 minutes. A few hours in the rain had me chilled to the core, so a rain jacket was applied rather than dry kit, the theory being boil in the bag rather than constantly chasing dry kit and long stops.
By 5am there seemed to be a dip in the number of people out on course, with one lap seeming particularly lonely. Normally you can always see lights, but this lap was very quiet! The race was clearly becoming a seriously mental battle as well as the physical challenge a 24-hour race presents. It had also been dark for close to 11 hours now, with still 2-3 hours to go before it could be described as light. I was grateful for the support and encouragement from my pit team, but also from the Exposure boys and those still up and about in the pits (thanks Tom & Mark).
19 hours in was the first time Ingrid & Mark had asked me if I wanted to know what was going on in terms of positions. My muddled head took a moment to compute that they thought there was something I needed to know. This was when I first knew I was lead singlespeed and that Paul Renshaw was snapping at my heels about ¾ of a lap behind me. Enough info to get me head down to ensure he know I wasn’t backing off.
Come daybreak I had started getting the feeling that my brake pads were about to hit their limits of wear as I could hear the squeal spring just starting to touch the disk when the brakes were applied. At just before 8am I went for a bike swap, with the plan being to get the pads changed by the Bikeshak guys over the next lap and swap back on the following lap. However, the bike swap instantly showed the spare bike still had an issue with the china alignment and with a pedal stroke I was off and grabbing back the main bike. The next lap was ridden without touching the rear brake unless really necessary – certainly a good way to regain focus and concentration so far into the race.
Arriving back in the pits was amazing - Ben Benjamin Othen & Luke Sprout Verheyden had been waiting for me for close to an hour ready to change my brake pads. 6 minutes for a pad and wheel change – super slick! This really put Ingrid under pressure to get more porridge warmed up and down my neck while mark did his best to keep me warm.
The last few hours were about managing the gap and taking care. As I rolled through the pits for the last time, the message from Mark was clear – go careful, go for something close to an hour to seal the deal. It wasn’t until I rolled across the line at 24hours 7minutes of riding that I found out that as well as first singlespeed, I was also third overall and first Brit back. All I could do was laugh – I simply could not believe it, what a way to end a race that had felt such a long time coming.
The first time I went to Fort William, my initial impression was that this was my kind of course. WEMBO-18 confirmed that was the case.
So, last but not least, thanks to everyone who has stood by me this year and supported me after my back issues at the end of last season and DVT diagnosis earlier this year and loss of a big chunk of this seasons racing: TraversBikes.com, e3coach.com, Exposure Lights, Lauf, Fibrax Limited, Precision Hydration, VeeTireCo UK, Squirt Cycling Products, Lezyne, Upgrade Bikes, Velotech Services Ltd, Physiobikefit & Mudhugger
Thanks also to the team at No Fuss Events and Russ Baker & WEMBO for a great event, and Anthony Pease for the images.
Now, just enough time to get ready for Lap of My Mind - a very different challenge!

0 Comments

WEMBO 2018

22/10/2018

0 Comments

 
Congratulations to Steve Day Travers Bikes Ambassador who became WEMBO Singlespeed 24hr World Champion riding his Travers ANGUS. Not only that he came 3rd overall!

Stunning ride, extremely proud, the conditions were extreme even by Scottish standards but the bike didn't miss a beat, just needing replacement brake pads.
Picture
0 Comments

WEMBO World 24H MTB Championship

8/8/2018

0 Comments

 
A warm WEMBO welcome to Steve Day, a man with a plan.

After a bit of a nightmare of a race in Italy with 2 crashes and a tree to head interface (which destroyed my helmet!), I’m looking forward to Fort William. Having been diagnosed with DVT earlier in the year, the start of 2018 hasn’t been great, but a recent trip to the Nevis Range after being signed-off as fit to race again, has left me in a positive place regarding this event with it being my only focus for the rest of the year. Bring it on Scotland, I’d love to get that third WEMBO Singlespeed jersey on soil closer to home!
Thanks to everyone that has continued to support me through the year so far - E3Coach.com, Travers Bikes, Lauf, Exposure Lights, Fibrax, VeeTire, Precision Hydration, Lezyne & Squirt Cycling Products.

Picture
0 Comments

Wembo 24hr Relentless

13/11/2017

0 Comments

 
From Steve Day on his Travers ANGUS II​: Hopefully third time lucky at Relentless... 12 months and counting!
TraversBikes.com​ e3coach.com​, Jersey Pocket​, Precision Hydration​, Exposure Lights​, Lauf​, #mylauf, Fibrax Limited​, VeeTireCo UK​, Squirt Cycling Products​, absoluteBLACK​, Lezyne​, #lezyne Kinetic Bike Bearings​, Mudhugger​, WEMBO World 24H MTB Championship​ #traversbikes #titaniummtb
Picture
0 Comments

Steve Day Wins WEMBO on ANGUS II

3/6/2017

0 Comments

 
Whoop, Whoop. Congratulations to Steve Day on winning the Singlespeed 24 World Champs WEMBO World 24H MTB Championship and adding another rainbow jersey to his collection!
Stunning ride, lead from start to finish!
traversbikes.com Lauf Forks, Creative Cycling, e3coach.com, Fibrax Limited, VeeTireCo UK, Squirt Chain Lube, Precision Hydration, EDS Bikes, Exposure Lights

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

WEMBO 2017

30/5/2017

0 Comments

 
Good luck to Steve Day who has just left for Finale-ligure to defend his WEMBO World 24H MTB Championship title. Smash it!
Picture
0 Comments

    TRAVERS BIKES

    HAND BUILT TITANIUM FRAMES.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013

    Categories

    All
    120 Tpi
    26+
    27.5
    27.5+
    29+
    29+
    29er
    29er Plus
    29+ SS
    3 Peaks
    650b
    650b+
    7roads
    Absolute BLACK
    All Mountain
    Angus
    Angus II
    Badge
    Bat Fastard
    Battle On The Beach
    Battle On The Beach 2015
    Battle On The Beach 2016
    BB200
    Beach Racing
    Bespoke
    Big Bike Bash
    Bikepacking
    Bitcoin
    Bivvy
    Black Eagle II
    Bontrager Twenty Four 12
    Boost
    Bottle Cage Bolts
    Bottle Cages
    Brighton Big Dog
    Brighton Big Dog 2018
    Cache Battery
    Calshot-track
    Carbon Bottle Cage
    Carbon Forks
    Carbon Rims
    Chainline
    Clearance
    Clothing
    Club Championship
    Club Champs
    Complete Bike
    Custom Wheels
    CX
    Cx Elite
    CX Prong
    Cycle To Work
    Cyclocross
    Demo Bikes
    Dirti
    DIRTI Aluminium Rims
    DIRTI Cyclocross Alumium Rims
    DIRT Prong
    Discount Code
    Dorris Day
    Downhill
    Dual Slalom
    Dusk Til Dawn
    Dynamo
    Eastern Cyclocross
    Eastern Region Cyclocross
    EBay
    Ebike
    ESES
    ESES 2016
    ESES 2017
    Essex Summer Evening Series
    EVO Prong
    Fabric Badge
    Facebook
    FARR
    Fat Bike
    Fat Biking Europe
    Fat Prong
    Fat Race
    Fat Tyres
    Fibrax
    Finance
    Flare C1 Handlebar
    Fork
    Frame Registration
    Frames
    Front
    GARBARUK
    GB Divide
    Gears
    Gift Vouchers
    Gold Frame
    Gravel
    Great British Divide
    Group Ride
    H1 Titanium Handlebars
    H2 Riser Handlebar
    Hadleigh Park
    Handlebars
    Handmade
    HC1 Carbon Handlebar
    Head
    Headbadge
    Headset Bearings
    Headset Cap
    Hoodie
    Hope Pro 4
    Hope Tech
    Imprint Grips
    Inline Seatpost
    Japan
    #JennRide
    Jungle Fox
    Kit
    KLite
    Knard
    Lauf
    Lauf Carbonara
    Lauf Grit
    Mongo
    Mud Sweat And Gears
    Multitool
    Newsletter
    Nextie
    Nextie Crocodile
    Nextie Enduro
    Nextie NXT29AM35
    Nextie NXT90WD-IIX Review
    Nextie Vista
    NXT100KL
    NXT20T02
    NXT26SW80
    NXT26XS85
    NXT27AM35
    NXT27AM40
    NXT27WD85-II
    NXT27XM36
    NXT29AM35
    NXT29CD42
    NXT29RM30
    NXT29UL27
    NXT29XC27
    NXT32RC
    NXT38C06
    NXT38T06
    NXT50C02
    NXT50C07
    NXT58RC
    NXT88C02
    NXT90WD-TS
    Pinion Gearbox
    Pivot2412
    Plus Tyres
    Polaris Bike Box
    Potash
    Potash Race
    Potash Spring Classic
    Potash Spring Classic 2017
    Potash Summer Classic
    Potash Summer Classic 2016
    Potash Summer Classic 2017
    Prong
    Prong 29
    Race Report
    Races
    Review
    Ringtool
    Road Elite
    Road Elite Stealth
    Road Prong Fork
    Rohloff
    Rotor 3D30
    Rudy 29er
    Rudy Fat
    RUSSTi
    Russ Ti
    RUSSTi Aluminium 27.5+ Rims
    RUSSTi EVO
    Rusty
    Schmidt Son 28
    Shipping
    Sinewave Revolution
    Singlespeed
    Socks
    SOFTi
    SRAM
    SRAM ETap
    SRAM Groupset
    SRAM NX
    SSEC
    SSEC17
    SSEC 2016
    Stage
    Stans Crest
    Stans Crest Mk3
    Stem
    Steve Day
    Stickers
    Strandrace Brouwersdam
    Sunrace MX8
    Surly Dirt Wizard
    T47 BB
    Tandem
    Team Jersey
    Team Kit
    Test Ride
    TiBYK
    Titanium Finish
    Titanium Hex Bolts
    Titanium Rainbow
    Titanium Stem
    Top Caps
    Torq In Your Sleep
    Tour Divide
    Tour Divide Bike
    Travers
    Travers Angus
    Travers Bidon
    Travers Bikes Demo
    Travers Bikes MTB Series
    Travers EVO
    Travers MTB Series
    Tri-Ambla 2016
    Trispoke
    Trophies
    Tshirt
    TTR
    Tubeless
    Twentyfour12
    Tyres
    Tyre Width
    UKXCNews
    USB Charge
    Vee Bulldozer 29 X 3.25
    Vee Trax Fatty
    Vee Tyres
    Warranty
    Wedding
    Welsh Ride Thing
    WEMBO
    Wheel Building
    Wide Road Bike Tyres
    Wild Dragon
    Workshop
    World Champion
    WRT 2017
    XC Prong
    XC Racer
    Zwatt

    RSS Feed

Travers Bikes Ltd
4 Pudsey Hall Lane, SS4 3RY
info@traversbikes.com

07890 451705

VAT No: 187246282
PRIVACY POLICY
WARRANTY
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
STORE
REVIEWS
CONTACT
JOURNAL
  • Home
  • Frames
    • RUSSTi EVO
    • Bespoke
    • Bat Fastard
  • Brands
    • kLite
    • Garbaruk
    • Travers Forks
    • Nextie
  • Servicing
  • Journal
  • Company
    • Test Ride
    • Reviews
    • Privacy Policy
    • FAQ's
    • Brand Ambassadors
    • Warranty
    • Contact Us
  • Store
  • Races
    • Dates/Timings
    • Marshal
    • Categories
    • Race News
    • Enter/Fees
    • FAQ's
    • 2023 Results
      • Previous Years
        • 2022 Results Page
        • 2021 Results
        • RESULT 2019
          • OVERALL 2019
        • Results 2018
          • Photos 2018
        • 2017 and Older
  • Cyclescheme