tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-235193792011-10-05T02:02:31.465+01:00Two Northern Ireland mountainbikers are going to have to work together... even if it kills them. Tango & Cash take on the Transalp Challenge 2006 - 400 miles and 65,000 vertical climbing feet, from Germany to Italy. How hard can it be?...Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.comBlogger791100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1153838399267359482006-07-25T15:39:00.001+01:002009-03-26T17:25:04.710Z

The Transalp Challenge 2006 - we had the best time of our lives out there, really fantastic.The Never-Ending Story of Tango and Cash!!!Where Transalp Challenge Began For UsAfter more than 54 hours of pedalling over the week, we finished up:1st in the teams named "Tango & Cash" class2nd in the people using flat pedals class242nd in the overall Men's classSo we are very proud chaps. Just a couple

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1153821745070823582006-07-25T10:55:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:37.956Z

Just in case there is ANYBODY beyond the usual 7 people reading this, hope you folks enjoyed the Transalp Challenge as much as we did. We met loads of great people, have lots of great memories to cherish, and the memory of the pain is fading fast. It seems a long time ago that we were back here.A special note to the other Tango and Cash team (team 266), who were both forced to retire from the

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1153665285587235692006-07-23T15:20:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:37.898Z

Well, that was the Transalp Challenge that was. We finished the race in one piece (well, two pieces) yesterday afternoon in Limone, on the shores of the beautiful Lake Garda. Raw sewage never tasted so good. Two of our Irish compatriots, Kookie and Paul, ended up sucking the tarmac on the 30 KM downhill section at the start, where over 1,000 cyclists were nose to tail for the whole 30 KM. We

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1153497398156705132006-07-21T16:38:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:37.840Z

Greeeeeeeetings from Madonna Di Campiglio, Italy.Today was the alleged 'easy day', only 45km long. What we forgot to factor in was the 40 degree heat and the 2.5km of VERTICAL climbing. The heat was fierce, but it takes more than that stuff to beat Tango & Cash! We had to pull up long long hills past a few ski lifts today, which is pretty painful stuff, and we were not the only ones today to cuss

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1153425853947804362006-07-20T20:35:00.000+01:002006-11-07T20:30:05.984Z

Greetings from Male, Italy. Another roaster from hell today. 42 Degrees in the freezer. The organisers decided to have a little alphabet fun today, and they made us climb the letter M (it looked like an M, OK?). Total height climbed was 3,450 metres vertical, including a single climb that went on for 35 KM! What goes up must come down, so we, eh... came down.Golden streaks of blue once again lit

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1153339192082916342006-07-19T20:52:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:37.728Z

We were over 9 hours on the trail today. Rocky Mountain Business Objects now look to have beaten Tango and Cash into at least second place!!Blagged the use of the Internet behind the reception in a hotel so no time to think up any gags.Needless to say we are like todally knackered after another tough tough day, but it was unbelievable singletrack, climbs, tarmac downhill, scenery, yadda yadda

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1153238091276298122006-07-18T16:35:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:37.620Z

Captain's log. Stardate: right now!! That big German chap has been in there 15 minutes doing impressions of a Rhino giving birth - does he not know there is a queue?!!We are on the official Transalp Challenge home page - get it here! (the Home Page)Just completed Day 4, and what a day. We are now in Livigno, Italy, scene of a previous skiing excursion for us and our special friends a coupla years

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1153149185207224312006-07-17T16:06:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:37.562Z

Greetings from Scuol, Switzerland. Not a cloud in the sky all day. The heat is deadly. Our high point today brought us at well over 3000m and we were cycling past snow and ice.A chap who speaks no English is letting me use his computer - all I had to do was smile, and he caved in.We finished one place and 30 seconds ahead of the pretenders to our throne, the other Tango and Cash, after 6 hours

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1153119325228966402006-07-17T07:48:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:37.505Z

It takes us about 7.5 minutes on average to climb Donegore Hill, which was our primary training hill at home. On day 2 here we climbed for over 20 times that with no let up. Altogether we climbed for over 2 miles vertical. Scenery is unbelievable.Glad we have disk brakes as some of the folks on rim brakes are having blowouts as their rims are overheating and melting their tyres!! Some big

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1152992090738306732006-07-15T20:26:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:37.443Z

9:30 pm, and both of the housemates are completely knackered!!Got the bikes up and running last night in Fussen. I was interviewed by a young lady from the local press who entitled me "Mr Big Bag", seemingly on account of my oversize luggage.Ate ice cream, strolled the town. Slept for a while in the ice rink before bedding down for the night on the tennis courts (we are very sporty you know).Up

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1152821200881544262006-07-13T21:01:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:37.387Z

Travelled to Munich today with fellow Irish dudes Simon and Rowan (Team MTB Rider). A mix-up on hotels means we are not actually in the Munich Four Seasons, and we have had to settle for renting rooms by the hour beside a strip club!The other chaps from Newry and Mourne travelled Easyjet - out of 6 bikes travelling, 4 of them were badly damaged. Needless to say they HATE Easyjet.All fed and

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1152626547757846262006-07-11T15:02:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:37.331Z

We will be updating the blog from the event itself, but this is our final post before we fly to Germany. We owe a MASSIVE thanks to some folks for their support in our Transalp Challenge efforts to date. Our genuine thanks to:Diane and Ann, our beloved wives. Thanks for all the support and patience over the past 6 months (and the previous decade or so).Brant Richards at On One - the big lad has

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1152626224697651922006-07-11T14:54:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:37.275Z

Well, they stuck up a link to our blog, anyway.One of 3 only blogs in English - a proud moment (sniff).See the link to our child: http://www.transalpchallenge.com/challenger/blogs.php?lang=en

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1152257261820309892006-07-07T08:21:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:37.219Z

Only a week to go until the race - strange dream last night. After the first 200 yards, The 2006 Transalp Challenge was being led by a pig wearing mascara with a frog on her handlebars. Tango was there of course, far left.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1152102115535936642006-07-05T13:15:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:37.160Z

The inaugural shotgun duel between Tango and Cash. In the absence of buckshot, a jousting charge and five 3-minute rounds of Greco-Roman wrestling decided the match.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1151999881065185952006-07-04T08:47:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:37.104Z

When we got our new On One 456 bikes, we were excited at the prospect of trying out the strange but true Mary bars. When you first try them, you feel you should be riding side-saddle with a basket of bread on the front of the bike, but they really are terrific! Very comfy and much more natural hand/wrist position. We are both going to run them for the Transalp Challenge.BUY THEM FROM ON ONE HERE!

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1151946777882887012006-07-03T17:58:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:37.044Z

Good old Percy French, eh?!Great day Sunday a week ago with the Newry & Mourne Transalp Challenge chaps. Many thanks to Eddie, Kookie, Brendan and Andy for dragging us up the hills and making us feel very welcome to 'Transalp Challenge Team Ireland". See you in 10 days.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1151945796676078432006-07-03T17:47:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:36.985Z

Suited and booted On One! (Hanged if I know why the photos keep going on their edges like this - and no, smart-arse, they are not like that in the graphics package!) The final image is Tango lubing his gusset (in case you were wondering)!

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1151312906818483752006-06-26T10:05:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:36.933Z

Work in progress, but starting to look the part.Another few days will crack them.But I dunno WHAT that spade is for!!!

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1151060066977010132006-06-23T11:39:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:36.878Z

456 Frames, Mary bars, 456 stems, Twelfty seatposts, On One tops, On One shorts, and the piece de resistance - Hawaiian shirts. Yes, you can actually buy all this stuff! Get the lot here!All the the 456 reviews we have read are fantastic, and we thought their stuff looked pretty darn good on the On One site, but it is AWESOME in the flesh!!!Lots to do to turn this lot into bikes. Crazy Ken,

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1150991704401901122006-06-22T16:52:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:36.825Z

Big pile of On One kit arrived in the post today.New bikes and gear on display soon!

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1150904973046243292006-06-21T16:45:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:36.768Z

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1150904656054142962006-06-21T16:34:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:36.714Z

7 hard hours in the saddle, covering a grand total of about 75K and 2000m of climbing. The Moyle Way surely cannot even technically register as a "way", but on we struggled nonetheless in the teeth of the heather and reeds.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1150366685172559602006-06-15T11:15:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:36.658Z

We have a logo - now we are a REAL team! Our sincere and heartfelt thanks to PJ.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1150366436069091872006-06-15T10:57:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:36.602Z

A good solid run out last Sunday morning - it had everything. Nice singletrack, number 2's, ZZ Top style photos, sunshine, and Tango & Cash.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1150365388447149842006-06-15T10:38:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:36.547Z

Flats are now a welcome break for us, nicely punctuating (geddit?) most of our riding these days.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1149777614142721042006-06-08T15:28:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:36.493Z

Donegore Hill, home to Northern Ireland's leading garden centre, remains our regular stomping ground for the mid-week blasts. The beauty of it lies in the variety; you can go up or down, do the south side (Donegore Hill) or the west side (Ballysavage Road), and it is your own personal choice whether to use the modern metric or traditional imperial measurement for calculating height climbed. No

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1149493967581878072006-06-05T08:49:00.002+01:002006-11-03T16:19:36.438Z

The annual training weekend at Garron Point - a few highlights:Hugh prepared the beds for the night, made sure we all had plenty to drink at the pub, cooked perfect pheasant eggs, and STILL looked good climbing the hills - the perfect host in every way. After a night of hard drinking, Davy M prepared for a night of passion with his latest inflatable love-interest. Next morning, Tom swore he

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1149493775926296492006-06-05T08:48:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:36.275Z

Was so long ago, I can't really remember, but there were a lot of roads, it was cold and we did 2000 vertical metres.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1148564093151736042006-05-25T14:23:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:36.219Z

Seven times over Donegore Hill, 3 from Parkgate and 4 from the footbridge, is enough to bore any man rigid, especially when you are on your own. Such was the lot of Cash on Monday night, whilst Tango worked out in some posers gym with his boss in England.Tango likes to think this sign near the bottom of the Hill is a warning to motorists that he may be in the vicinity. Whatever.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1147938525415881682006-05-18T08:32:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:36.161Z

Beneath the swan-like poise of Crazy Ken and his brain-child CK Works, the little feet are paddling like mad. With the workshop run with a Germanic ruthless efficiency, and an order and structure bordering on the obsessive, nothing can come between CK Works and its calling to build the best damn bikes you ever did see! Our beasts for the Transalp Challenge are in safe hands.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1147784143760559052006-05-16T13:46:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:36.107Z

With Tango back to full strength following his deep-throat infection, Donegore Hill got a good roasting 6 times from both the footbridge and Parkgate directions last night... until the inevitable Tango puncture, of course. 900 metres climbing in 2 hours, so all we need to do is several of those every day for 8 days, and we will be laughing our way towards a Transalp Challenge Finisher's Shirt.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1147706627830514702006-05-15T15:50:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:36.051Z

We owe the quality of our biking lives to "one of them gas drinking, piston clinking, air polluting, smoke belching, four wheeled buggies from Detroit City" (as Jerry Reed, Snowman in "Smokie and the Bandit" put it in his 1973 hit "Lord, Mr. Ford").The Galaxy can take 5 hearty blokes and 5 trail-hungry bikes in relative comfort and safety over land and sea, making a mockery of the Sunday

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1147696537117630242006-05-15T13:28:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.985Z

The inputs? A Scott Tampico frame, rusty thumb-shifters, bent cranks and a cheese and pickle sandwich (20 quid for the lot).The result - the latest output from CK Works. Triple-butted (when you sit on it), climbs like a hard-tail (well, OK, it is a hardtail), lovely matching yellow forks, with the stanchions ribbed, for your pleasure.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1147695736739481692006-05-15T13:15:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.930Z

While Tango licked his lollypop and admired sweaty men in leather at the Northwest 200, the Cash chainset continued to rattle and squeak for 4 hours around Tardree, Donegore & Parkgate on Saturday 13 May.A solid 1,200 metres of climbing in perfect conditions, followed by a well-deserved feed in Subway at Junction One - heaven!

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1147354429674417642006-05-11T14:23:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.876Z

Key to maximising performance is choosing the right kit, and choosing a tyre compound that suits the proposed terrain and weather conditions is one that can make all the difference in an event such as the Transalp Challenge.Here we see a conservative approach taken, normally adopted in changeable weather conditions and terrains. The beauty of this approach is somewhat hampered by the need to

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1147086437930613412006-05-08T12:04:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.816Z

A rare and welcome breather at Kirroughtree, Scotland.One is advised to think twice before trying the thinly sliced cured ham at this Scottish borders beauty spot.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1147086238184134822006-05-08T11:59:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.762Z

It seemed like a good idea at the time. Respect goes out to all our country's tunnellers - this is not easy.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1147085936322090402006-05-08T11:49:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.707Z

Saturday 6 May was a glorious day in Kirroughtree, Scotland. It proved to be Tango's perfect opportunity to carve up "The White Witch", the trail that broke his arm in December (thereby inspiring the Transalp Challenge adventure), with a virtuoso performance on a fully rigid bike.Two laps of the black run, with a brief interval for baked potatoes and cheese, was just about enough pedalling to

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1146578028071750972006-05-02T14:49:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.653Z

Ike was in the White House, Sputnik was in space, and the Bowden Spacelander was the future of cycling.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1146572971791871532006-05-02T13:18:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.595Z

Whilst Tango lay in his sick-bed with a swollen throat (which made him look remarkably like Jonny Vegas), Cash ploughed his furrow alone on the annual Tour of the Glens 200K, albeit there were about 200 others doing it.8 hours and 45 minutes after starting, Cash proudly wore a finisher's medal, supped Coke and ate Homewheats outside Belfast City Hall, the memory of having been directly

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1145441419967768562006-04-19T10:41:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.540Z

Setting off from Antrim at 6:15am on Good Friday, a brisk westerly kept the air blue as we pummelled our way to Derry before parting company, Tango for Portrush and Cash for Dungloe, Donegal. The pizza was going down a treat in Portrush by 1:30pm, but it was 4:45pm before a saddle-sore Cash dropped anchor on the west coast.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1144942232063016532006-04-13T16:29:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.486Z

Tango & Cash, with Jake, on bikes atop Slieve Donard in 1997 - an inspiration for any young bikers out there thinking the Transalp Challenge beyond them.Special mention must go to Jake's 80's teen BMX outfit and pink Dawes Kickback! They just don't make 'em like that anymore.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1144832159278583992006-04-12T09:51:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.432Z

See Lyle in action in his stocking soles! Here he uses the post-bike to beat his previous trackstand personal best of 2 seconds. Seems impossible, but it looks like he will be there balancing perfectly for a long time to come!

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1144829519820596762006-04-12T09:02:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.379Z

'Twas deep in mid-winter 2004 when this buckin' bronco Royal Mail bike was hauled to safety from the Sixmilewater outside Antrim. Now it forms a key part of our Transalp Challenge training plans, weighing in at a svelte 21 stone, 4 lbs (assuming a payload of about 50 letters).

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1144674866925635922006-04-10T14:09:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.326Z

With the winter firmly behind us and the hot clammy days moving in, imagine how surprised and delighted we were to find these snowballs stuffed down in the bottom of our Camelbaks, and all 3 still in pristine condition! Oh, the fun we had...

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1144674169788140062006-04-10T13:46:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.273Z

Full suspension, yet climbs like a hardtail, twitchy and responsive on the descents, eats up the singletrack - perfect for the Transalp Challenge.18 inch feels about right, but I think I will hang on for a blue one.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1144672809351208512006-04-10T13:29:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.219Z

3 hours from home, and not a buffalo in sight. The silence was deafening up there. See what a difference a mere 100 years can make?!

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1144422090990284642006-04-07T15:47:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.167Z

It is sweet and right, alright, and a percentage not seen since my results in 3rd year Latin.Read the full Wilfred Owen poem of the same name.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1144400363410943542006-04-07T09:46:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.115Z

In our search for hills, hills, hills, we are now piloting a number of assistive technologies for general navigation. The first of these is the "map", which can be described as a representation, usually on a plane surface, of a region of the earth or heavens. We are sticking with the earth.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1144399553115037182006-04-07T09:34:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:35.060Z

With all this training, the weight is just DROPPING off my ginger colleague - he is down from a size 16 to a size 10 in only 2 months! Click the pic to see Tango travel what was a previously inaccessible road, given his former obese form.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1144398818736031942006-04-07T09:30:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:34.996Z

Training with Tango gives you plenty of time to stretch, as 50% of every training ride is spent standing at the roadside watching him fix punctures. We have decided it best to start running solid rubber tyres on his bike - pneumatic just ain't cuttin' it! We are of course hoping that freshly-slashed black-thorn hedges will be seldom seen on the Transalp Challenge.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1144151069187165562006-04-04T12:43:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:34.940Z

Taken in late summer 1974, this photograph shows Tango and Cash on one of their first weekly excursions.Tango's mournful look as he props up the bike for Cash is an early sign of the jealous rivalry that has driven them both to the ultimate in physical and mental challenges. However, 16-grid Sodoku was starting to affect family life, so the Transalp Challenge dream was born.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1143624358834049492006-03-29T10:14:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:34.872Z

More fun on the shores of Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the UK. It was even larger (20 feet deeper) until the 1930's, when someone in govt decided to let more water down the Bann (or something like that).If this photo had been taken in 1928, the impressively monstrous leap on view would have been completely under water! Amazing, eh?

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1143623534275438652006-03-29T10:07:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:34.816Z

New solution if your chain is too long. Don't bother removing links, which wastes time and requires a chain-splitter. Instead, why not try re-routing the chain around the seat-stay. Initial worrying friction will be minimised when the chain finally wears a deep trench in the steel.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1143623140262308172006-03-29T09:41:00.000+01:002006-11-03T16:19:34.766Z

Test-drive of the Harlem Reality Dual Suspension Y-Frame Technology cycle system. Like the microwave oven, the technology was originally developed by NASA, and now powers whole communities. Ladies, look away now.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1143017004239851862006-03-22T08:37:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:34.654Z

Tango becomes the first orange man (geddit?) for some years to travel from Drumcree church down the Garvaghy Road into Portadown.Thankfully the Transalp Challenge is unlikely to throw up anything this tricky.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1143016646708391992006-03-22T08:31:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:34.600Z

Life, like a ride on the bike, is like riding a bike, but can also be a struggle. Sometimes things are tough, and you feel like there is no hope. At times like that, it is worth stopping to ponder on the things that really matter.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1143016284817146632006-03-22T08:19:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:34.547Z

Saturday March 18 was our first real test of Alpine conditions, with a lap of Lough Neagh taking us a solid 90 miles and a vertical climbing total of 3,500 Centimetres. Finding our route proved the simplest of tasks, and our nutritionist prepared an excellent fuel plan that kept us going well throughout.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1142444413050613152006-03-15T17:36:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:34.492Z

Key to completing any cycle successfully is mastering the art of getting off the bike. Don't try this one at home without a trained professional present...

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1142443927838043882006-03-15T17:28:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:34.442Z

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1142425330142611802006-03-15T12:19:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:34.388Z

Well, the final hours are approaching, as two old trusty nags prepare to meet their maker. Both have enjoyed a good innings, but they either need laid to rest or a new bionic lease of life. An eerie calm hangs over Antrim town and the hills to the north, as component failure points towards an inevitable end.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1142424581452767572006-03-15T12:05:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:34.336Z

Not the Grand Old Duke of York per se, but even for us, what else is there to do once you have marched right up to the top of the hill, except march back down again?! More fun on the slopes of Slemish.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1142358760267389202006-03-14T17:34:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:34.288Z

I am sure Saint Patrick didn't know it at the time, but when he tended pigs on the lower slopes of Slemish in the 6th Century, he was a true pioneer. Little did he know that 1,500 years later, Tango & Cash would be manhandling their own brutish MTB hogs up it, after 6.0 hrs of furious pedalling in the Antrim Hills. Squeal like a piggy!!

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1142265755621900032006-03-13T15:56:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:34.237Z

...And this time we weren't even on Tardree's Carnearney Lane! Whilst still only having Grasshopper status on the 'Kung Fu' international MTB fitness scale, we are slowly learning the art of steady hill-climbing. Still to master is how not to look completely knackered in the photos!

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1142256006529759202006-03-13T12:58:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:34.187Z

Such is the refusal of some of our rarest and most endangered species to bow to the rigours of natural selection, that a number of them have resorted to cross-training in an effort to ensure survival.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1142254259024254072006-03-13T12:36:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:34.136Z

Training continues despite tundra-like conditions in the Antrim Hills. Our round trip of 65 miles in the snow would have been a runaway success and a much-needed boost in our training plan, had 64 of those miles not been in the car, to and from our start point in Glenariff. The latest problem? Frozen hubs, causing a freewheel no matter what way the pedals were turning! Be warned - that's what

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1142010482248509322006-03-10T16:55:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:34.086Z

Meet Crazy Ken - any time we are down in the dumps with our worn out bikes, we can count on Ken to step up to the plate and make things alright again. We don't even need to say anything any more. We just drop the bike off, let him stroke the down-tube for a minute or so, and he knows what needs to be done to make us smile again. The big lad hasn't even any concept of money - payment is restricted

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1141979591141604902006-03-10T08:30:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:34.029Z

Steve Turner first shot to fame in MBR with his effortless demonstration of classic mountain bike jump technique. Now we have the opportunity, through Steve's no-nonsense approach, to apply his lessons to our everyday riding. Hey, nobody says it like the king, so we'll let Steve take over in his own words..."Stick to the basics, guys, do them well, and everything else will flow from there. Get

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1141979406104168792006-03-10T08:29:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:33.978Z

The endurance sportsman needs a satisfied belly to excel at his craft. Following the example of the splendid Ernest Shackleton on his ship 'Endurance' (as previously referenced), we had initially embarked on a steady diet of seal blubber and melted ice for our sustenance. Recent advice, and the scarcity of seal flesh in Tesco, has challenged our approach here, and this is currently under

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1141979345671508382006-03-10T08:28:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:33.915Z

We have been hammering away a couple of times a week since beginning of Feb. Our training at the moment consists of a couple of fairly tough blasts during the week for 1.5 hrs or 2.0 hrs each, a long ride on Saturday (4.0 hrs plus) to increase our endurance, and a slightly shorter ride on Sunday, just to seize the day! We will keep ramping up the duration of the long rides for another 8 weeks or

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1141979276940572022006-03-10T08:27:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:33.860Z

Following our general web research on endurance training, the marvellous book 'Endurance' became useful reference material. The book charts the quite incredible story of the explorer Ernest Shackleton and his team in the Antarctic in 1914. Bloody awful time they had, but they all made it back home alive. Leaving aside the inspiring nature of the tale, Shackleton was a relatively inexperienced

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1141841571442778112006-03-08T18:08:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:33.808Z

Outside of our continued quest for superhuman fitness, part of our ongoing drive will be towards improvement in general biking skills. Here we take a look at perfect technique for those long sweeping alpine corners. Remember not to lean over too far, just in case there is diesel on the road!!

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1141841186963152092006-03-08T17:58:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:33.760Z

We will be raising money for the Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke Association through our Transalp Challenge efforts.You can donate directly to NICHSA at their web site http://www.nichsa.com/, or feel free to contact us on rmckee@tibus.com if you want more information.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1141742474881159082006-03-07T14:36:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:33.706Z

Having served us well for many a year, our ailing beasts are starting to falter with all this use - regular multiple mechanical failure is now part of daily life. One minute they treat us like a loving mother, the next a jealous mistress.The truth has dawned - if we are gonna even make the start line of the Transalp Challenge, we need new bikes!

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1141741981554053592006-03-07T14:03:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:33.656Z

Replicating Alpine conditions in the Antrim Hills can occasionally be tricky enough, but we gave it a crack anyway on 4th March, with reasonable results.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1141740170810832882006-03-07T13:56:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:33.601Z

We'll be honest - sticking a plan together to prepare for 8 days of endurance hell on mountain bikes is virgin territory for us both. The proposed solution? Easy - copy someone else! The problem? Most other people are either not telling, or they are weekend-spin-buddies with Lancie-Boy Armstrong, and we ain't at that stage just yet!So what have we done? Got bloody-minded about it, and searched

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1141739228248227532006-03-07T13:45:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:33.495Z

Training has started in earnest, with both Tango and Cash practicing eating large quantities of Nutrigrain Elevenses, whilst wearing cycling helmets.Early signs are we are gonna be able to handle the Transalp Challenge OK.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23519379.post-1141662777921309392006-03-06T16:31:00.000Z2006-11-03T16:19:33.329Z

We are both in our 30's, we both have bikes, it is sunny in the Alps in July, the race starts at a lovely big castle in Germany and finishes on the shores of Lake Garda. So, why not?!How hard can 400 miles and 65,000 ft of vertical climbing over 8 days be? See www.transalpchallenge.com.

Tango and Cashnoreply@blogger.com0