michaelbiker

So fresh after the rain. Hope it stays cool for the weekend.

Check out SafetyWing. We use it quite often and I believe it covers mountain biking. Not sure if there is a distinction between competitive and recreational though.

Thanks. We're very lucky to be able to ride these routes. It's quite a special area from a cycling perspective. Hopefully, it cools down enough this weekend to attempt Mt Ventoux. We need to recce the route before Stage 16 of the TdF at the end of the month.

Early start to beat the heat.

Provence, France. Technically two different rides. It’s too hot at the moment to head up Ventoux. Maybe next weekend.

Slightly off topic DHL is way better than UPS but with both, at least you get your stuff. Be wary of DHL Express vs DHL Deutsche Post though. Sites like R2 Bike and Bike 24 send it via the latter and it ends up coming SAPO. With R2 bike you can however request Express by putting the word EXPRESS in the checkout comments. They will then send you a quote. TradeInn is great provided they have stock. Otherwise you need to be patient.

Last weekend in Millau. Next stop Provence.

Yeah not a lube engineer, so apologies for the poor language and thanks for the clarification. Nice to see the Enduro wax is available now at a third of the price of the Silca stuff and it seems to have similar additives.

Wax lubes where the carrier liquids are not oil based but water based.

Been hot waxing for a few years now. I do about 4-6 chains at a time. Since we have four bikes and 2 chains per bike. The only thing to be wary of is quick links, since those are supposed to be one time use only. If they aren’t “clicking” together or have zero resistance when reconnecting the chain then I replace them.

If you use a drip lube that doesn’t have oil in it like Silca super secret or UFO drip then you don’t need to strip and clean the chain again before doing another hot wax.

This part of France is unreal…

̶I̶t̶’̶s̶ ̶s̶u̶m̶m̶e̶r̶ ̶n̶o̶w̶.̶ ̶S̶o̶ ̶p̶r̶o̶b̶a̶b̶l̶y̶ ̶a̶ ̶g̶o̶o̶d̶ ̶t̶i̶m̶e̶.̶ ̶ ̶T̶o̶m̶s̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶c̶a̶m̶p̶ ̶s̶i̶t̶e̶s̶ ̶t̶o̶o̶.̶ Got my wires crossed. Nonsense reply...

Under the bridge - the largest in Europe

Actually make that 6500km.

We’ve been running the regular 44s for over a year. Only had one issue where my sealant was dry and a plug wouldn’t work. Done about 5000km on two bikes in quite varied riding from rocky singletrack (I should have been on an mtb) to road and they’ve been solid. Not one issue. Call it luck but on both our bikes punctures haven’t been an issue as others have mentioned.

More French countryside

Some pics from the weekend in Millau, France.

Millau, France. Will be here for the next few weeks.

Have you tried an XX1 or X01 chain or any other chain than NX/GX?

You can follow this: 2025-05-16_2246881506_H&A Black Route.gpx

This leads me to think there might be something up with your cassette or chainring. Never seen a chain develop cracks like this and I have been riding SRAM stuff for over two decades. But to be fair, I have never ridden GX Eagle.

Check out https://www.curvecycling.com/collections/off-road-bikes @Benky sold me two GXRs last year. Been amazing bikes.