Magicshine Old MJ-836 V New MJ-872

The Magicshine is a light I have been using for over two years. The light I have been using is the MJ-836 This light is claimed to produce 900Lumens on full power for a battery life of 3-4hours on Full power and 6-7 on low power.
I have had no issues with this light and havent ever really needed to test the full capacity of the battery until the 24 hour race. I had a spare battery and also head torches so we mainly tried to keep the lights on Low power to get maximum battery life. The lights lasted without having to use the spare battery which was great. The batteries have a nice blue backlight to give you an idea of the time left. The light switch also has a colour coded pattern. The switch glows Green for a full battery 100-75%; Blue for 75-50%; Yellow for 50-25%; Red for 25-5% and Flashing red 5% to Shutdown.This is a very bright light.... Well until I seen this new light MJ-872The MJ-872 is Claimed to produce 1600Lumens on full power for a battery life of 2.2hours. I havent had a chance to test the battery but this light has more settings. Full beam, 75%, 50%, 25%.The light comes with an O ring that straps around the bars or to a helmet. The old one had a more secure clamp with a flat connection on the base. I will need to see how the O ring compares when I am out on the trail on rougher ground.
The photo above shows the different mounting options. The new light MJ-872 has the O ring which wraps around the bar and across hooks on the light body. The old light MJ-836 has a clamp which attaches to the bars then a quick release flat connection for the base of the light.
The photos below show the garden with no light, the garden with a standard head torch and then the old and new Magicshine lights.



Garden with lights off:Standard Head torch:
MAGICSHINE ON FULL POWER

MJ-836 (Old):
MJ-872 (New):

The Raid 24 Hour Adventure Race

The Raid 24 Hour Adventure Race
The Sperrin Mountains
Ireland


Kayak Toome to Portglenone 13km
The race started with the usual race briefing and kit checks. We got our maps and then were bussed to Toome for the first stage. The teams all had 4 persons and most had a female member in each team. The teams got their Kayaks paired up and took to the water in the river Bann. The start would be a mass start in the water heading down stream.
The river was fairly calm but the open lough beg section was fairly rough. Thankfully the wind was on our backs and we were able to surf some of the waves from time to time. We stopped briefly at Newferry water-ski club to dib at the first check point. A long pull to the next check point at Portglenone forest. At this check point we got the boats out of the water as we would be doing a foot orienteering section through the forest.
Foot Orinteering - Portglenone forest 3km
We got an orienteering map of the forest with a number of checkpoints to collect. All of these would be done in order. The forest floor was quite open so straight lining was the best option between checkpoints. We were picking these up very easily and when we crossed the road for two checkpoints on the other side we passed a few teams who were struggling to find them. We crossed back into the main forest and picked up the last couple of checkpoints. After a drink and a snack we got back into the kayak for the second paddle section.
Kayak Portglenone to Kilrea. 11.5km
The last section seemed to go a lot quicker than the first. I think this was due to the first section having the lough crossing. We paddled down to Portna Lockgates. The weeks before the race had seen a lot of rain and the river was well flooded. Having been warned about the flow of water and the dangers of the flood gates at portna all teams hugged the river banks coming into this section. We had to turn left into the canal avoiding continuing forward in the fast flow. The river was very fast at this section as the flood gates were open to let the flood water down. Missing the turn off and going over the edge into the stopper would have probably resulted in Death. Something we heard twice in the race briefing. It makes you pay attention when you hear death in a race briefing. Despite the flood water it was still a long tough paddle in the sit on top kayaks. A welcome site was the steps at Portna.
Run to Woodhall Activity centre. High ropes Task 1.5km

After we changed out of our wet gear we ran the short road section from Portna to Woodhall activity centre. At this point we would be off the clock. We took the time to get some food and a change of clothes where it was needed. When we were ready we went to the high ropes section.


There were two separate tasks one the Jacobs ladder and the other the Leap of Faith. The Jacobs ladder was a large ladder made from wooden beams suspended by metal wire. The gaps between the poles got bigger as the ladder got higher. The objective was for three team members to climb the ladder. The climbers could not use the wires or the safety belay rope to climb or balance. It was a test of team work using each other as a means of balance.

The Leap of faith was a test of nerve and agility. First there was a climb up a ladder to a platform on the pole about 15-20ft up.
In front of the platform there was a ball suspended in the air. The jumper had to decide how far from the platform he wanted the challenge to be. The further away the greater points but also more difficult.
The jumper had a harness and a safety rope with a marshal ready to tighten the rope as you start to fall. The jump reminded me of a bungee jump. Knowing you were on a rope but still having that doubt as to it catching you. With this section cleared with a top score it was back to the kit boxes and pick up our bikes.

Cycle kilrea to Tirkane mountain. 19.5km
It was starting to get dark at this point and the cycle from Kilrea to the mountain was on a number of small back roads. We picked up a couple of check points along the road. With head torches and bike lights both solid and flashing we looked like a Christmas tree. It was a really nice pedal on roads at night.
Foot orienteering over the mountains 17.5km
When we reached the carpark on Tirkane Mountain it was proper dark. We dropped the bikes off and headed into the mountains. The first section was pretty straight forward following a track to the summit. The clouds had cleared and the starry sky above made the climb up really special. On the summit the navigation really started. We took a bearing from the pole at the summit to the next checkpoint. This was a tough open mountain section on long heather and very uneven rough terrain. Our first mistake was on reaching some tougher sections we tried to find an easier way around it. This didn’t save us time and we missed the next check point. When we reached the track on the map we turned right but unfortunately we were to the right of the checkpoint. When we got to the fork in the track we realised our mistake. At this point we decided to miss the next two checkpoints and take the time penalty. The next checkpoint we found easy as we had a fence close by to follow. When we crossed the fence and headed for the next track we went a little too far to the right walking to the side of the track we were looking for. We eventually found it and headed down the mountain towards the next checkpoint. The mountain section was very slow and even with the shortcuts we were still the last team back.

Hike a bike over the mountains 21km
After we picked up the bikes we would retrace our path back up the mountain. The first section we rode with no difficulty. The next section was very washed out and rough so we pushed the bikes up to the top. When we reached the end of the track it was back into the open mountain. Having went slightly of course on some of the other sections we decided to keep by the compass as best we could with more regular checks. This worked and we got right to the gate we were looking for. Looking back on this section I think we learned a valuable lesson about navigation at night. Trust your instinct, never doubt your judgement and ALWAYS follow the compass.
Cycle Glenshane to Hall 10.5km
The track we followed took us on a fast decent towards the Glenshane pass. The glenshane forest had a couple of checkpoints and a track to the stop of point. We got a puncture just after the track section so after changing it took the road direct to the event hall and a welcome break. Kit boxes with food dry clothes and spare batteries for bike lights and head torches.
On leaving the hall competitors took the back roads that run down the valley in the direction of Dungiven. There was a further two checkpoints on the road section. After dungiven there was another rope section.


Ropes task and Foot orienteering 3km
Teams had to walk a rope section with a river crossing and zip line. At the end of the ropes there was a short orienteering section on foot before returning to the bikes.


Bikes from dungiven to Banagher Dam 8.5km
The next section was a long road bike ride with some very steep climbs. Checkpoints on the way took the race into Banagher glen. Climbing on the road to the back of Banagher dam and the Reservoir.

Kayak the reservoir 4km
The Kayak section was up the reservoir and back down. With most teams doing the paddle at night. The valley makes this section fairly calm and a smooth water paddle. At the end of the kayak section teams got back on the bikes.
Cycle from banagher dam to the mountain Foot Orinteering 15.5km
Leaving the kayaks teams followed the forest tracks through Banagher forest and across the mountain. A steep climb up one side on rough forest tracks and a fast descent down the other side. The forest track crossed the river at a ford and then exited the forest onto the Glenedra road. There was two check points in the forest across the road or missing these took competitors across the mountain roads in the direction of Draperstown.

Foot orienteering across two mountains 12km
At McDaids Pit teams parked the bikes for a very tough orienteering section on foot. The teams descended one valley crossing the Moydamlaght Road and climbing the very steep rocky mountain section to the left of Moydamlaght forest. Crossing the mountain into the forest and then returning across the road and climbing back up to the bikes.

Final cycle – Trail quest through to the finish. 36km
The next section was a series of checkpoints stretching almost to Maghera and back through Moneyneany to the sixtowns community centre for the welcome sight of the finish line. After teams had a hot shower we all went to the Shepards Rest for a sit down meal and prize giving.

Giants Causeway Coast Sportive 126km

Saturday 17th September 2011
The Giants Causeway Coast sportive 126km 1,367m

The first Giants Causeway Coast Sportive happened at the weekend. I decided it would be good to take part as training for the 24hour Adventure race in October. Rather than using the road bike I decided to use the Mountain bike.
The Sportive had three different routes 180km, 126km and the 56km. 126km was a good distance for me because I could take it easy yet still enjoy the route. We started in the town of Ballycastle on the North Coast of Ireland. The weather was looking good but the forecast give rain for the afternoon. I was ready to start but my friend was still only at the registration tent. The sound went for the start and the riders started pedaling. The last of the riders pedaled away from the start while I waited on my friends. 5-10mins after the first riders left we started straight into a climb. After we got warmed up we started to push a bit. Catching the first of the back markers really give my friends a bit of a boost so we pushed on faster. By about 20km into the route we had passed a lot of people and started into the first climb. Most people slowed but we got the heads down and pedaled hard up the hill. At the first food stop I wanted to keep going as there was a lot of people stopped. My friend needed the toilet so we stopped and I took some cake and bananas while I waited. We left here for a very fast descent. The marshals were warning riders of a wet part of the road but at 75kph on Mountain bikes we werent slowing for anyone. We past a lot more people on the descent as the road was very wet and a lot of riders slowed in the bad conditions. The weather was still dry for us but we could see rain on the next glen.
We got back to almost sea level before starting to climb again. A long road climbing for about 10km up through the valley above. The route was amazing some great views and being on the Mountain bike I was able to get a good look around as we pedaled. The next section was on a slight downhill but into a head wind. We had caught up with another friend on a road bike and he let us draft behind him. I think this is the only time I needed to draft going down hill. It really helped though and meant we kept a good pace to the next food station. We stopped here for some more fruit cake and bananas. Again lots of people were taking a long stop so we got out ahead and got pedaling. Another short sharp climb before we got to the highest point. The road here was flat and long. We both had pushed hard and were starting to feel it. Rather than burning up we took a quick stop for some energy gels and a drink before we started again. Thankfully from here we had another long descent back to sea level and the coast road.
We stopped for a short time on the coast road to get some water. The road had a bit of a head wind so we took it in turns at the front for a bit of drafting. This road took us around 20km of coastal road by the sea. A flat road but with the headwind we didnt get much of a break. We had another climb and descent before the next stop. At the last stop I knew we had the big climbs coming next. The famous Torr road is a road with short very steep climbs. We took a longer break here knowing it was our last stop before the finish.



There was a lot of tired people at this stop. Everyone had heard it would be a tough section but I think most people didnt realise just how steep the climbs would be. The first climb we reached I counted 5 riders walking in front of us. We took it easy but stayed on the bikes. After the first climb there was a really fast descent. Again a lot of riders took it slow as they were getting tired. The next climb started at the bottom of the descent with no break. I kept the bike in a big gear and pushed hard up the climb again passing riders walking.
The route was perfect because the road was quiet of traffic and we could push hard both up and down. On the last climb and probably the steepest a rider past me getting out of the saddle he was pushing hard on the hill. I was very comfortable so pedaled along side him. When he pushed I pushed I smiled across every time he tried to get away. I was getting stronger as he was tiring and eventually he stopped falling of the bike being sick. I asked if he needed anything but he said no. I continued to the top were more people congratulated me for pedaling all the climbs. I slowed the pace at the other side until my friend had caught up and we pedalled strong back to the finish line. Riding a Mountain bike on a road sportive was not the best choice of bike for speed. For training it was perfect and really give me a work out. It was a long day in the saddle at around 6 hours 25mins. A great day and great training for the 24 Hour Adventure Race.


A video from Saturday

SSWC 2011 Ireland

The Single Speed World Championships
By Mickey Regan

When you think of a world championship cycling event you may picture finely tuned athletes with one goal in mind, to win the gold medal. This event was so different and in so many ways. There still was the odd finely tuned athlete amongst the crowd and the very odd person that seemed to be taken it seriously. Even the eventual winner Niall Davis was so laid back he only converted the bike to single speed the day of the event. The biggest difference was the overall winner didn’t receive a Gold Medal they got a Tattoo. The one rule of this competition is “If you don’t want a tattoo, don’t win”

So what is it all about? I would describe it as a festival of one geared bikes. The event started for Ireland last year by winning the right to host this year’s event back in New Zealand. The proceedings started on Thursday night in the Locke bar in Limerick where the competition would take place to host next year’s event. Drinking games, hula hoops even a rendition of Riverdance was used to pick next year’s hosts. South Africa took the honours with an outstanding display on the night. I think judging by the remarks the organisers may have had to remind them the next day of their win. Sore heads all round and next up Kilfinnane Village for the event HQ.

With most competitors arriving in Kilfinnane on the Friday the town was electric. The local football pitch was used as a campsite with additional camping and dorm accommodation at the Kilfinnane Outdoor Education Centre. The village was small and I think this added to the atmosphere. Some riders took the Friday afternoon to go out the 7km to Ballyhoura trail centre to check out the course, others went straight to the nearest pub. Friday night there was a festival on the town street with traditional music, Irish dancing and singing.

I don’t normally ride single speed but with this event on my doorstep and having tried single speed in Catalunya during the summer I couldn’t say no. With my knowledge of single speed conversions limited I asked event sponsor Chris Butcher of Revolution Cycles formerly Unicycles for some advice. Chris told me that I could convert my bike to single speed but if I wanted I could take one of his shop bikes a Niner S.I.R.9 The offer was too good to refuse and I arranged to meet Chris at the event registration. When we arrived to register there was already a line of bikes sitting with Chris and his staff. Conversions, servicing and last minute mechanical issues were in full swing. With the lads doing a great job on the bikes and the fast turnaround time word spread and they were kept busy right up until the race briefing. I don’t think there was a problem to big or too small for the lads with everyone leaving happy. Great bike servicing and advice from a biker who just happens to own the shop is always invaluable.

Saturday was race day with the briefing at the Marquee at 13:30 I think the late briefing and 15:00 start time was to let the party on the Friday night continue into the early hours. There were definitely no complaints from anyone for the later start. The town was packed with colourful bikers. No not lycra clad cyclists, fancy dressed cyclists. With only a few cyclists in cycling gear they almost looked like the odd ones out. Scooby Doo, Storm Troopers, Leprechauns, a full wedding party including priest, Badgers (Yes 6 big Badgers – or to be more precise www.trailbadger.com) The atmosphere was amazing with photos being taken of the outfits and pleasantries exchanged. The race briefing told us we would all travel by Garda (Police) escort from the village to the Ballyhoura trail centre. The bikes were to be left upside down along the fire road and we should make our way back down the hill to the car park.

The briefing finished and everyone got on their bikes to pedal through Kilfinnane. Locals lined the streets cheering and clapping with more enthusiasm than a Tour De France town. The ride out was full of banter and excitement. Seeing different costumes and listening to stories from the previous night. The journey out was a laugh a minute. People drinking beer out of there water bottles, nearly crashing into walls, costumes falling apart. 7km done and already people were talking about their next beer. We reached the forest and bikes were left upside down as instructed and the beer tent filled up. With a DJ pumping out the tunes the atmosphere really lifted. The dancing started and this looked more like a music festival than anything bike related. A few last minute words from the organisers and it was time to start.

The starting arch lead us out through the car park were we would run up the fire road to the bikes. The race hadn’t started two seconds until complete madness started. Most competitors turned right and ran up the banked hill to take a short cut to the bikes. This was to the spectator’s amusement as they watched some serious competitor’s head of firstly away from the direction of the bikes on the actual fire road. It didn’t seem to matter though because unbeknown to us while we were at the start the bikes were being moved, hidden and stacked in piles. As I arrived to the bikes the same shouts were ringing out “where the f… is my bike” “That’s my bike at the bottom of that pile can you move yours” The laughter got louder as people stumbled over bikes and tried to get through the crowd. I was very lucky as mine hadn’t moved to far if any. As it wasn’t my bike I had a hard enough time trying to find it let alone it being moved. The race would be two 17km laps of a circuit that consisted of fire roads single track and northshore/board walk. The start was always going to be madness with the single track getting bottle necked but I don’t think anyone worried too much. We could see more locals at different junctions on the course cheering us on and shouting encouragement. The trails were brilliant and with people in such good mood riding together everyone seemed to have a smile on their faces.

The winner Irishman Niall Davis of biking.ie blasted the course with last year’s winner not far behind. In the female category American Heather Holmes took the victory. Both went straight to the tattooist who was brought in especially for the event. What a great memory of your world championship win.

The weekend turned out to be brilliant. The locals really made it and the other competitors just made it one big laugh from start to finish. Well done to everyone from the organisers to the locals to the competitors. A weekend to remember.

I later Spoke to Chris Butcher about the event and about his plans for opening a new shop Revolution Cycles. Chris ran Unicycles but with his contract expired he has decided to set up a new shop. Chris told me "I first got into bikes as my parents were always cyclists, when I was only a few months old they went on a cycle tour around Asia with me on the back of the bike!" So how did you get into singlespeed? "Singlespeed I kind of fell into, I wanted a low maintenance bike to cycle to work so I converted an old beat up Trek to singlespeed and rode it to work. I loved it so much that I started using it on the group rides and then went and bought myself a Kona Unit singlespeed and my love of singlepseeds grew from there. Right now out of my 8 bikes only one has gears!" What did you think of the event? "The event was awesome, great event, loads of characters and I'd love to see something happen like that again.

Chris hopes to open the doors of the new shop mid September. If you are ever in the area call in and say hello. Keep up to date on the new shop at the facebook page linked in the logo above.

SSWC IRELAND 2011