Just a thought for you. I don't think many (any?) of us watching care if you're "pushing yourself" or "going fast". In fact in most videos we have no idea how the race is going. I think we watch for the travel, the adventure, the story, the scenery and the music. We watch Pogacar for speed. So take it super easy if you want to.
Holy moly that route is both beautiful and intimidating. Huge kudos to you not only for taking it on but being open and vulnerable about the struggle. 99% of us will never do something as epic as this but we’ve all had those moments of self doubt, disappointment, determination, wtf?, etc. Sometimes you can push through, and sometimes you have to tap out. I really appreciate you putting it out there because it can’t be easy to film while dealing with the challenge and then replay it umpteen times through the edit.
That looked a long and incredibly hard day on and off the bike, with my sense of direction I'd still be in that boulder field. You did good and got through it 👏
Love to see you riding here in the island. Our trail are really tricky and steep as you could see. Of course! I think the course could be designed a bit better jeje
Mate it comes with time and going from road and endurance to MTB is a different ball game, different weight placement, different braking. I went from MTB to the dr200 and bonked my eyeballs out for half of it. The crazy stuff you do is way harder, you have this in the bag. I re watched your 24 hour tt videos the other day, now thats something! Big inspiration! Dont know how you feel about these things and it takes time but lions mane. A year ago I was on SSRI's stopped riding a motorcycle, my brain couldnt keep up with trails at speed and limited myself to road bikes. A solid dose a day and im off SSRI's, takes a few weeks to kick in but the last 6 months or so its like my brain has another gear even past what it was with SSRI's. Consider its like the cost of a coffee a month, I wish id tried it years ago! You got this man!
@@ChrisHallRides Really mate worth a try, give it 3 weeks. So subtle at first I didnt realise it was doing anything. But when you look at the science its really something. Yeah in large part I have you to thank for my introduction into sadism and trying to do things for charity. Learned a lot about limits and that sometimes they are further than you think they are. So thank you man.
Mate, thanks so much for allowing us all Granguanche trail survivors (more apt word than “finishers”) to relive the ptsd that was Gran Canaria cliff hike! It’s reasonable to feel unsure about your bike skills but honestly, I think you need to remember we were all crapping ourselves over there. Regardless of skill set. Even a full squish bike with reasonable travel and a dropper is not enough when it’s fully loaded, riding 12+ hours a day. Having said that, might do that again but next time I’m coming with flat pedals and hiking shoes 😅
Watching this reminded me of trying to ride a gravel bike up the off road Rocacorba route from Biert. I wrote it up as "Today I went for a hike and when I got to the top, found I had bought my bike with me and thought may as well use it for the descent". What you did was a whole other level. You've had some tough breaks over the last year or so, do hope you get to take the pressure off and be kind to yourself. Here's to 2025💪🏻
The double track was rough, but what a capable rig you have for getting through that. The single track was not Mtn biking, just shit hike a bike that was hopefully an error, not part of the route. Not fun for anyone. Glad you made it to the food stop and hopefully a nice hotel. Mtn biking is super fun and really makes your rougher gravel rides much easier. But you need rideable trails! Good luck!
Omg CHRIS! Brutal day… those dry reeds you fought thru, the hike-a-bike efforts….I WAS IN TEARS for you, ugh Glad you made it to civilization! Well deserved REST !! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 sending hugs from 🇺🇸 Music 🎶👍
Big day well done don’t beat yourself up about your level of skill your doing awesome just lower your expectations of yourself a little bit and enjoy the journey 💪👏👏
Dude, you want to do the Tour Aotearoa event which goes down the length of New Zealand, it’s not supposed to be a race but rather a long distance 3000km audax in which you’re not meant to take any longer than 45 days… would give you some great content and would more laid back than some of these race events you’re entering.
Love all the videos, all of them, regardless of how it all ends. You have helped me a lot in learning all things cycling. I do want to ask, how do you like the USWE hydration and do you feel it would be something you would use more for your gravel rides and such?
I’ve used hydration vests for years and I don’t think any one is perfect to be honest. The Uswe one sits the nicest on the body but it got a hole it it during this event unfortunately
Don’t beat yourself up. I see so much of this being ‘riding’ a bike where clearly bikes shouldn’t be ridden. You have to be safe. It’s just not worth it
Awesome vlog. No doubt about your bike skills, man of your cycling experience & knowledge. " Scared" ? Doesn't even enter the equation, just your finely tuned biking brain going through that calculated risk assessment ! Who "designed" that route, Marvin the Mountain goat ? What's the average life span of a set of disc pads in that "neck of the woods" ? WT... As Clint said to Lee Van Cleef as he removed the cigar & spat on the ground.."Bravo" 🌵 Have a Awesome day Chris ☀️ 🌰🐿
Chin up! Enjoy the F-ups laugh at them. Gran Canaria is brutal and the fatigue is kicking in. Keep on thinking, thinking is key and positive thought! You are doing fantastically. A conservative approach is a good approach, you cannot afford to come off out there so steady is good. Do not blame yourself just enjoy doing what you can do and celebrate that. We are all willing yuo on and wanting you to do your best, enjoy it if you can and keep on trucking. Just stay safe!
I know youre not a regular MTBer but speaking as a reasonable ( ex 90's XC racer) MTBer i dont blame you as youre on a long long ride with a loaded bike.. your tyres dont look suitable for the techy rocky stuff.. i know theyre probably a compromise for the road sections.
This is not a criticism of you in anyway but I just don’t see the point in this sort of ‘riding’ it’s not a nice hike or a nice ride. It’s dangerous, it must wreck the bike, progress is at the pace of a snail. I see nothing remotely fun in it at all
Just a thought for you. I don't think many (any?) of us watching care if you're "pushing yourself" or "going fast". In fact in most videos we have no idea how the race is going. I think we watch for the travel, the adventure, the story, the scenery and the music. We watch Pogacar for speed. So take it super easy if you want to.
Appreciate you saying that. Thank you
I disagree. I wanna see people try their max regardless of level.
Thanks for sharing the good, bad, and the ugly. You are an inspiration for many of the viewers!
Thank you 🙏
This is what it feels like when Komoot takes you on a mostly well paved ride! Amazing effort mate!
😂😂
Holy moly that route is both beautiful and intimidating. Huge kudos to you not only for taking it on but being open and vulnerable about the struggle. 99% of us will never do something as epic as this but we’ve all had those moments of self doubt, disappointment, determination, wtf?, etc. Sometimes you can push through, and sometimes you have to tap out. I really appreciate you putting it out there because it can’t be easy to film while dealing with the challenge and then replay it umpteen times through the edit.
Appreciate you saying that. Thank you
That looked a long and incredibly hard day on and off the bike, with my sense of direction I'd still be in that boulder field. You did good and got through it 👏
Honestly I was there for probably a few hours
@@ChrisHallRides done similar with a group in the Lake District we only had paper maps
A good person , for my experience, tends to be thier harshest crtic. I think of you as a good person , Chris. Give yourself some grace.
Appreciate you saying that
Don’t stress Chris - mountain biking is a whole different ball game when going beyond regular trails…
Scenery looks great 👍
Very true!
Looked an absolutely savage day out! Great effort mate, staying safe which is the main thing! 👏🏽
Thank you mate. Nuts day
Love to see you riding here in the island. Our trail are really tricky and steep as you could see. Of course! I think the course could be designed a bit better jeje
Yeah I think there’s some improvements needed but all part of the experience right?
Mate it comes with time and going from road and endurance to MTB is a different ball game, different weight placement, different braking. I went from MTB to the dr200 and bonked my eyeballs out for half of it. The crazy stuff you do is way harder, you have this in the bag. I re watched your 24 hour tt videos the other day, now thats something! Big inspiration!
Dont know how you feel about these things and it takes time but lions mane. A year ago I was on SSRI's stopped riding a motorcycle, my brain couldnt keep up with trails at speed and limited myself to road bikes. A solid dose a day and im off SSRI's, takes a few weeks to kick in but the last 6 months or so its like my brain has another gear even past what it was with SSRI's. Consider its like the cost of a coffee a month, I wish id tried it years ago!
You got this man!
Yeah I know it’s such a different kettle of fish but an awesome learning opportunity still! Lions mane is interesting, haven’t thought about that!
@@ChrisHallRides Really mate worth a try, give it 3 weeks. So subtle at first I didnt realise it was doing anything. But when you look at the science its really something.
Yeah in large part I have you to thank for my introduction into sadism and trying to do things for charity. Learned a lot about limits and that sometimes they are further than you think they are. So thank you man.
Mate, thanks so much for allowing us all Granguanche trail survivors (more apt word than “finishers”) to relive the ptsd that was Gran Canaria cliff hike!
It’s reasonable to feel unsure about your bike skills but honestly, I think you need to remember we were all crapping ourselves over there. Regardless of skill set. Even a full squish bike with reasonable travel and a dropper is not enough when it’s fully loaded, riding 12+ hours a day.
Having said that, might do that again but next time I’m coming with flat pedals and hiking shoes 😅
Survivors 😂😂
Watching this reminded me of trying to ride a gravel bike up the off road Rocacorba route from Biert. I wrote it up as "Today I went for a hike and when I got to the top, found I had bought my bike with me and thought may as well use it for the descent". What you did was a whole other level. You've had some tough breaks over the last year or so, do hope you get to take the pressure off and be kind to yourself. Here's to 2025💪🏻
Yeah it’s been a tough one. Looking forward to next year.
The double track was rough, but what a capable rig you have for getting through that. The single track was not Mtn biking, just shit hike a bike that was hopefully an error, not part of the route. Not fun for anyone. Glad you made it to the food stop and hopefully a nice hotel. Mtn biking is super fun and really makes your rougher gravel rides much easier. But you need rideable trails! Good luck!
Thank you! Yeah lots of lessons being learnt
Thanks for the great videos and memories of the bowels of Grand Canaries
Glad you enjoyed it
Omg CHRIS! Brutal day… those dry reeds you fought thru, the hike-a-bike efforts….I WAS IN TEARS for you, ugh Glad you made it to civilization! Well deserved REST !! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 sending hugs from 🇺🇸
Music 🎶👍
Thank you for watching!
Big day well done don’t beat yourself up about your level of skill your doing awesome just lower your expectations of yourself a little bit and enjoy the journey 💪👏👏
🫶
Dude, you want to do the Tour Aotearoa event which goes down the length of New Zealand, it’s not supposed to be a race but rather a long distance 3000km audax in which you’re not meant to take any longer than 45 days… would give you some great content and would more laid back than some of these race events you’re entering.
New Zealand is on my list
I take my hat off to you for doing that, but man it looked like the most unknowable day ever.
A bit of a nuts day
Good effort mate - looks very hard going!
It was!
Well done Chris. Very wise decision making. That looked dodgy as. As a roadie I wouldn't go near it. Stay safe!
Yeah quite sketch but part of the adventure still I guess haha
Love all the videos, all of them, regardless of how it all ends. You have helped me a lot in learning all things cycling. I do want to ask, how do you like the USWE hydration and do you feel it would be something you would use more for your gravel rides and such?
I’ve used hydration vests for years and I don’t think any one is perfect to be honest. The Uswe one sits the nicest on the body but it got a hole it it during this event unfortunately
Enjoy the adventure the speed is irrelevant 🍷
🫶
Great effort Chris! What is that song on the background?
Honestly I can’t remember. Try Shazamming it?
@ChrisHallRides i will, cheers!
The average speed looks like it took a severe beating on that stage ! At least the snake did not attack you :).
Careful of the snakes
Don’t beat yourself up. I see so much of this being ‘riding’ a bike where clearly bikes shouldn’t be ridden. You have to be safe. It’s just not worth it
Totally
Awesome vlog.
No doubt about your bike skills, man of your cycling experience & knowledge.
" Scared" ? Doesn't even enter the equation, just your finely tuned biking brain going through that calculated risk assessment !
Who "designed" that route,
Marvin the Mountain goat ?
What's the average life span of a set of disc pads in that "neck of the woods" ? WT...
As Clint said to Lee Van Cleef as he removed the cigar & spat on the ground.."Bravo"
🌵
Have a Awesome day Chris
☀️
🌰🐿
Thanks for the kind words and watching!
Chin up! Enjoy the F-ups laugh at them. Gran Canaria is brutal and the fatigue is kicking in. Keep on thinking, thinking is key and positive thought! You are doing fantastically. A conservative approach is a good approach, you cannot afford to come off out there so steady is good. Do not blame yourself just enjoy doing what you can do and celebrate that. We are all willing yuo on and wanting you to do your best, enjoy it if you can and keep on trucking. Just stay safe!
Thank you 🙏
I know youre not a regular MTBer but speaking as a reasonable ( ex 90's XC racer) MTBer i dont blame you as youre on a long long ride with a loaded bike.. your tyres dont look suitable for the techy rocky stuff.. i know theyre probably a compromise for the road sections.
It’s always a compromise somewhere on such a long trip too
Seemed like a ridiculous route so much pushing on last video
Yeah I’d say Gran Canaria was the toughest
This is not a criticism of you in anyway but I just don’t see the point in this sort of ‘riding’ it’s not a nice hike or a nice ride. It’s dangerous, it must wreck the bike, progress is at the pace of a snail. I see nothing remotely fun in it at all
Didn't see a fall down a cliff
Didn’t exactly have the time to film that