XXVI.SIX / AEIGHT RACER BLOG / BEHIND THE TAPES
- Aeightracer
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
AND SO, TO ‘CROSS...
This ‘cross season I’m going to write a blog from the wrong side of the tapes. Since 2003 I’ve raced CX and written about my experiences as a racer. Last year was the first year that I didn’t take to the start line once. Did I miss my fix? Maybe, maybe not - this year, to combat that, I’m going to try and document a winter in the life of a retired racer, full-time mechanic, part-time race organiser, heavily opinionated spectator, and occasional pit-bitch…
It’s been one of the hottest summers for years, and despite being rushed off my feet in the workshop I’ve managed to squeeze in a fair amount of sunshiny miles on the bikes, topping up the tan across England. As a racer, I would have started my ‘cross specific prep in early August, with some running, planks practice and base miles, along with spending the evenings planning my calendar of races. I still love the buzz around the 1st of September and the start of a new season, but equally the training to be near the front is intense now.
If your mind is in the right place you should now be deep into your pre-season training. The league races start this weekend and the bigger races kick off in October, so your base build should be well underway, and your skills should be razor sharp. If not, it’s time to cram!
From behind the scenes the first four league organisers are now cramming too! Emails flying back and forth with risk assessments, course maps, promo photos, marshal information, and trying to make sense of BC rule changes. Timing equipment is being prepped and number boards created, one at a time. Sponsors are sending tape, supplies and prizes to organisers. And all kinds of volunteers are assembling to sweep, trim, sculpt, and preen trails out of the sun scorched fields and woods all around our region. All this, by hand, for the love of ‘cross!
Back in the workshop we’re busy with the most ‘cross job imaginable – gluing tubs! Out of the blue, every August, comes a raft of texts asking if there’s enough time to glue dozens of wheels with various exotic tubs from Belgium, France and Italy – every time you put the paintbrush down another text comes in! It’s a job which still requires some skill, patience and a knowledge of the best equipment for various combinations of components.
There’re many ways of securing your tyres to your rims – various adhesives, tapes, and (for ‘cross) a mixture of the two. Some people call it “Belgian Style”, and it starts by prepping the tyres with a healthy layer of glue. There’s now several top secret steps which ensure the tyres stay on the rims during the harshest of races, before leaving the whole lot to settle down for half a day. Then comes more layers of glue, depending upon the combination of tyre and rim, and once that’s tacky I add the tape in – I use a particular type which takes up any gap in the valley of the rim.
There’s a few more steps here, which again are trade secrets that make a huge difference to the quality and aren’t easy to master. I love it and hate it in equal measures, but there’s something really satisfying about handing the finished wheels over to the rider, knowing how hard they’ll be raced, and what a crucial part of the equation they become. Several weeks later you’ll have finally got the excess glue off your hands!
If you have tubs that need gluing, or you need wheel services, bike services, race prep, race support, or even a new bike, please get in touch – we can accommodate just about anything you desire for CX, gravel, road, TT, or mountain!
Photos and words by Glen Whittington
2026.RIDERS - GLENWHITTINGTON
#aeightracer – Bike Rider / Framebuilder / Mechanic - Glen started racing in 1998, initially specialising in XCO, XCM, and Solo 24-Hour Mountain Bike. He became a mechanic in 2002, working in shops and also for professional race teams. During this time he spent more time racing ‘Cross and Road, and then also TT. In 2013 he built his first bespoke frame and then spent several years at Roberts learning the art. Since then he’s designed, tested and now sells his own frames/bikes to the public as part of his ÆIGHT brand - you can find his business Instagram account here.
GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO RACE WITH US?
We’re always looking for riders to be part of our ÆIGHT CØLLECTIVE. The #aeightbikeco is about doing things a little differently - Rather than a jersey being the common theme, we kit our riders out with bespoke steel bikes and handbuilt wheels made in our Sussex workshops, the ÆIGHT WHEELWØRKS and the ÆIGHT MANUFACTØRY. We then support each other at events and races regionally, nationally and internationally - whether that’s for mountain bike, ‘cross, gravel, crit, road or TT - it’s what we call, the #aeightbikeco
The best part is that we’re not asking you to leave your team or club - that includes racing in your own club/team kit. We’ve got certain brands that we work with, mostly so we can standardise shared equipment, but your own sponsors and clubs are almost always welcome. We have some strict qualifying criteria but don’t be put off by this – if you’re interested in being part of the #aeightbikeco then please get in touch by emailing your racing CV to eightbikeco@gmail.com
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