Middle Pack

I got this bag back in September and has been well tested in the months in between. These have included my daily commute, the OMM and various other days out in the hills.

On first inspection the thing that I noticed was the weight of this bag. Very lightweight, no frills bag. No strapping, no extra un-needed compression straps (although it does have some compression straps. Lightweight everything! It is currently weighting in at 335g. Making it just a tiny bit heavier than the new terra nova bags.

I much prefer the sleak black look and subtle styling as opposed to the in your face neon of the pro range. The lack of webbing and stuff hanging off it, not only makes it look better. It actually makes you think a bit about what you want and what you actually need from a bag. I like the webbing on the OMM bag as it is useful, yet I never use it? So how useful is it? I usually keep a bottle in the side webbing on my other bag and then have to nearly dislocate my shoulder to try and prize my bottle in and out of it. With the Inov8 one, I have just got myself shoulder strap bottle holders. easily sorted and a lot easier to access. I know i could have done that on the OMM one but I was determined to use the webbing for the purpose they were designed for, depsite being not fit for purpose.

The comfy chest strap seems to sit slightly lower than my OMM sack, This means extra stability and a lot less bounce. There is a whistle integrated into the buckle to ensure you never forget it. The waist strap has two integrated pockets for storing stuff you may need in a hurry. One is a showerproof pocket, which is handy for yuor mobile or generally things you do not want wet, whilst the other is a stretchy mesh pocket where I jam in sweets, flapjacks and gels.

It has a central zip, just like the previous range of Inov8 bags. This, I find both a good idea and a bad idea in equal measures. I just cannot decide if I like it or not? On the one hand, it is great for trying to find something that is in your bag should you need it. You do not need to empty your full bag to get to the bottom. On the other hand, it does make it slightly harder to pack, especially when you are trying to cram everything in. I guess because it is different to convential bags it will just take some getting used to. Don’t let it put you off as it works well, it just seems odd.

The quality of the bag is good, it still looks like new although it hasn’t had the same daily abuse as other bags I own. I am not sure if it would stand up to the abuse of a daily commute bag as it doesn feel so strong and robust but for its purpose as a lightweight race bag it is ideal.

The one downside to the bag is that it doesn’t have an option for a hydration bladder. Not much of a problem for myself for mountain marathons, but it is if you wnt to use it for other activities such as mountain biking. This may influence other peoples choice. If you want hydration bladder then you are better off looking at either the pro range or the OMM bags.

I would highly recommend this bag if you are trying to get your mountain marathon sack weight down, or if you are not one to traditionally use bladders on ultra runs. It is extremely comfy, functional and most importantly of all, it looks good!

The second in the Valley Striders fell champs was the now infamous Windmill Wizz. Usually a 10km multi-terrain race starting and finishing at Ogden Waters, between Halifax and Haworth. This time the race was going to be considerably longer for a fair few participants.

I set off at a fair pace and tried to get into a rhythm across the moorland section with the thought of pushing on as soon as I hit the road. This tactic was working well as I pushed on into a fairly stiff breeze. I was trying to keep up with another Valley runner and had him in sight (albeit with good eyesight and clear visibility)  in the hope that I could pull a bit back later on in the race. As soon as we hit the road section, we followed the race leaders and the markers off to the right and up a steep road section. Up an up we were going for about 3/4 of a mile, all of a sudden people started slowing and scratching heads, shrugging shoulders and then the realisation that there wasn’t any more markers to show the way.

At some point between the organiser putting all the flags out and the runners setting off, some joker thought it would be a great idea to move the flags as the road turning. Unfortunately myself and a fair few others had ran a long way and on turning back many other runners seeing the mistake also turned heels and headed back. This then meant the leading groups were now virtually at the back of the race.

So off we went some at an astonishing pace to try and catch up. Me, well I was more resigned to a bad time and just enjoyed the run, taking in the scenery and a cheery hi as I pass loads of people on the run to the finish.

I have to admit it was good to be passing people right through the second half of the race, instead of hanging on for dear life to keep position. Was also nice to not be stressing about position or the person bearing down on me from behind.This is something I must remember for some future runs as this usually only happens in LDWA events where I run carefree.

Loads of runners stayed for the prize giving, a lighthearted affair with the prizes going to the ones first across the line (as it should be) despite the markers being moved.

Everyone was in good spirits and it was all accepted as just one of those things.  I wonder if the same would have happened in a city 10km race? No-one chases a PB in these types of races and people are out there for the enjoyment of the hills and running as opposed to times and pace. This showed at Windmill Wizz.

As always, huge thanks to the organisers and the marshalls.

Final result 59th out of 122.

Full results and report by the organiser

Local news

Well it arrived Tuesday in a big box at work. The bloke who signed for it didn’t believe a bike was in the box. I just couldn’t belive it had finally arrived.

I hummed and arrghed about which forks to get. Rockshox Reba Race or the Fox F100′s. Both mean little to me apart from fox are white and expensive and the Rockshox not so expensive and black. Finally decided white was the way to go.  Technically I think I wouldn’t have noticed any difference as I class myself as a keen bimbler when it comes to bikes. So decided on the expensive forks as I would never buy them new so probably my only chance to get a pair. I have to say I am very happy I did so far.

Been on a few rides of a couple of hours and so suprised at the difference in riding from my old bike. Whoever said it is not the bike but the rider obviously hadn’t rode my old bike. I find that I scare myself at the speed I can quickly get up to on singletrack.  Climbs are a joy, especially short sharp ones! I cannot wait for a longer all day epic on it and then see how it fairs but I am reckoning it will be great for that as well.

So now I am looking at a few races to have a pop at? Maybe the brownbacks series at Lee Quarry or possibly the Gisburn Enduro although any other suggestions welcome?

So now I have a new bike, anyone fancy a ride?

noonstone-fell-raceTo sum this race up in one sentence would be “great fun, but not my finest moment”

I made the journey out there with a few others for the first of our club Fell Championships only to find I had forgotten my fell shoes! So this being described as a “beast” on the website also there would be considerable amounts of mud, bogs, groughs and steep hills. I was not impressed. I hummed and arrghhed about buying some more shoes at the shop, but having paid for a bike the day before I wasn’t feeling too flushed for cash. The other option were my road shoes or don’t do it.

I tried not to do the race initially, quoting my physio “take it easy”, then mentioned weak ankles, lack of grip, and anything else I could think of to get out of running in flats. It all fell on deaf ears and eventually I was convinced to line up with another 250 runners for the 9 miles of mud and hills.

The start was flat road to the base of a hill then a steep climb up onto the tops. Not too much of a climb but it seemed like I was taking twice as many steps as everyone else as I just couldn’t get grip. Resporting to all fours scramble made it faster, but not easier but I was up the first hill and off! Then the mud! Gloopy stuff was fine as I sank up to the ankles. Grip wasn’t therefore an issue, only issue was keeping your shoes on. As the first descent was coming up this was going to be the make or break for the race.

I minced and shuffled down the hill, as everyone else streamed past me. I took myself off the racing line so I didn’t slow others and also to get that imaginery grip I was so hoping for.

On hitting the flat maintained bridleway at the bottom of Stoodley Pike I tried to push on as much as I could as I knew the rest of the route would be tough with no grip. Passing a load of people along the path and up to the top of the hill, then they all passed me again on the way down the other side of the hill down.  The rest of the race was a struggle between falling flat on face or falling on my arse as I tried to pass people, only to fall over and get passed again.

Coming up to the final descent, my knee was bleeding, my face was covered in mud from a face first head plant into a bog, my number had come off and it was sodden and covered in mud.

I decided the final descent was best taken sitting down, with the occasional get on feet and slowly get down the hill. The thought being I had got this far with only superficial wounds, I wasn’t going to injure myself seriously on the final descent. Then a quick sprint to the finish and it was all over.

An interesting race and I am glad that I took part, although disappointed that I didn’t have proper shoes as I reckon I would have been a good 20 places further up the field.

Final postion was 58th out of 251 starters.

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