Lakelander Gravel Grinder 2023: A Rider's Eye View of Northern Ireland's Best Gravel!

[@jamesmartin9615]

Great watch Connor. I even managed to star in the video . The guy in the phoenix cc kit . Whata day on the bike roll on the big dog next year

[@connormcc]

Ahh class! The guy on the Specialized I was chatting to just before we did Belmore? Yea, can’t wait for next year!

[@jamesmartin9615]

@connormcc yea that was me .an event Definitely worth travelling for

[@connormcc]

@jamesmartin9615 yea 100% agree!

[@simisanoo5382]

Really appreciative seeing content on this event as a new gravel rider. Good music, except for that rock track XD sorry and I'm a metal fan. The chill and sporty music is really nice in your videos. Look forward to seeing your video of 2024's event, which im attending thanks to seeing this.

[@connormcc]

hopefully see you at gravel grinder this year!

[@jonniepalmer]

Super video man. Really well put together. Enjoyed watching it. I did the big dog at the weekend for the second time and it definitely doesn't get any easier. If you are looking for another event try the Galway gravel grinder. Another superb event. 👍👍

[@connormcc]

Glad you enjoyed the video! I’ll definitely try the 100km next year I think, and am definitely going to keep an eye on Galway too, see if I can make that work!

[@jonniepalmer]

Great riding closer to home for you too in the sperrins. Let me know if you need any good gpx files. 👍👍

[@connormcc]

@jonniepalmer yea always keen to hear of good routes… ping me a message on instagram sure (@connorm.cc)

[@jamesmcgrann9128]

Quality content as usual Connor. 🚴‍♂️💨💨

[@connormcc]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed! Convince you to try gravel or off road?

[@johnathenhadden231]

Great video Connor, enjoyed watching that… like the sound of a 160k route next year 😂

[@connormcc]

Ha, just a rumour, who knows if it will happen… If I can manage the 100km next year id be happy!

[@johnathenhadden231]

You've the Navar ending climb to look forward to 🤮

[@connormcc]

@johnathenhadden231 yea I’ve heard about it 😂

[@juxtapoz82]

Great video Connor. Thanks for sharing! I did the Mongrel also...was a great day out! Was my first ever race and thought the hills would never end! Was a tough introduction to Gravel cycling but it didnt put me off...now looking for more local races!

[@connormcc]

Class, glad you enjoyed the video and the ride! I most definitely did not treat it as a race 😂 just a fun day out… definitely looking forward to more gravel riding myself too

[@stevenlegge4386]

Awesome video mate! You really captured the day. Tough all round but highly enjoyable. I was glad to see u mention how hard climbing would have been on a hard tail (me!) as I was buggered on some of those climbs. Great meeting you and thanks for the shoutout on Bonked!

[@connormcc]

Ahh glad you enjoyed the video! Yea I 100% wouldn’t have managed it on a mtb 😂

[@gsee66]

Hi Connor, you're the man. Great presentation. I'm from N.I. ok I'm tempted, so there.😊

[@connormcc]

Ahh get on it, next year, give it a go, it’s actually class, and I’ve never ridden so much wonderful gravel in one ride before.

[@nosetv]

Watching that is bringing my leg cramps back lol😂

[@connormcc]

@nosetv 100km next year will be worse 😜

[@daz_the_cyclist8961]

Just as I said to you the Fustle GR-1 is awesome on the downhills. I didn't see you after that 😂

[@connormcc]

Aye because you bombed up the next hill 😂 - great to meet you! I foresee more trips to Fermanagh in my future, the gravel cycling was unreal!

[@colmbloomer8668]

Hey, nice chatting with you and your wife at the Springsteen concert. Maybe see you in Enniskillen later this year or Girona or Majorca or the Alps 😂😎

[@connormcc]

Good to chat to you too! Yes, maybe see you out there sometime on the bike... I'll let you know if I get any kind of special link/code or anything for the Fustle 👍

[@liamoconnor279]

Great video there Connor, that looked like great craic!! I come from a road race and cyclocross background but wouldn't mind giving that a go next year. I have a low gear of 38x36 on my cross bike, would that be low enough to get round?

[@connormcc]

Definitely work a go for sure! I reckon your biggest challenge will be maintaining momentum uphill when there are loads of people together, like in the first few miles

[@liamoconnor279]

@@connormcc No worries I can chuck the bike over my shoulder cyclocross style and walk! What width of tyres were on your Fustle for that ride Connor?

[@connormcc]

@@liamoconnor279 I was running 45s from memory, at about 25psi - ish

[@liamoconnor279]

@@connormcc Cheers Connor, very useful info. We're restricted to 33mm for cross racing but my frame'll take 42mm so should be dead on. All the best!!

[@connormcc]

@liamoconnor279 happy to help, maybe see you there next year !

[@johnnyboy4711]

connor,just curious do you really need all that extra bags(weight) for the spin?

[@connormcc]

no definitely not, but because I was filming for KZbin I needed to carry a couple of cameras, drone etc…

[@johnnyboy4711]

@@connormcc understood,thinking of 100km in a few weeks ,less is more- fueling is key and pacing,like all tough things ,LOL.nice video!

[@connormcc]

Yea, I would say take more nutrition than you expect, and keep eating and drinking, you want to consume about 1g per hour per kg of body weight - or at least that’s what I aim to consume - and make sure to take on fluids and electrolytes too!

[@connormcc]

I find the torq system really good for planning nutrition… and (shameless plus for my affiliate link here), if you use this link and the code AFCONNOR10 you will get 10% off 😁 tinyurl.com/torq-connormcc

[@harrymacintyre]

..are there many ebikes entered? ..pedal assist

[@connormcc]

I'm not sure how many people take part on E Bikes to be honest, but I'm pretty sure E Bikes are permitted... you can check their website for more info! lakelander.co.uk/