tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32612135043917211672024-03-05T04:03:37.838+00:0029 gears short of a full setA blog about mountain bike racing in Wales <br>
with and without the tyranny of gears <br>
from XC and endurance to enduroHeishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-41418394217541864442016-05-22T20:45:00.000+01:002016-05-22T21:20:35.993+01:00UK Enduro Series vs British Enduro Series: Clash of the titans<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNBjl7mhg0RGGpIfEh2cuwSKFpRnpg2VC2AFsX3hH4rs4_Ax_xfutz6WRYGB9xd6ygl-x-jw16kB4kz57_yL_opLNf2-f1eQPbOZU9u06rcplzn052G9zHrG4miLPXY2T5-SSeHk1IGcR/s1600/_DWP7797.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a>You couldn't make it up. Within weeks of the demise of the once-popular UK Gravity Enduro series, not one but two new national enduro series are announced within days of each other: the British Enduro Series and, er, the British Enduro Series. Yes, not only do they have near-identical logos featuring the same bit of freebie clipart, they both launch under exactly the same name... <br />
<br />
This was, I assume, just an unfortunate coincidence. Neil Delafield of Red Kite/Mondraker Enduro
fame/infamy and Si Paton of UKDH fame/infamy must have been beavering away on their respective series for months (booking venues, negotiating with landowners, sweet-talking sponsors, building websites, hiring portaloos, making up rules, forgetting to order tape). And all credit to them both - organising just one race must be a massive undertaking.<br />
<br />
Needless to say, though, the Twattersphere goes into overdrive. Misinformation rules, opinions polarise, war is declared. Who are you with - Little Hitler or the Rogue Cowboy? When the debate starts to trend higher than "Paris Hilton breaks fingernail", there are calls for the UN to intervene. But not even British Cycling are interested, despite all they've done for women's cycling.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwOqHUwVM5xgXt2dhLwk4Z_dJ4sVeONX25IVubV9z7vZdI6lfSgqP-n3GP04xMgL4iH9hrfb0xh7gHbtsdNoaieVwU_K_GsfwTvn8PVOp8FSWpM-fBlL1p2O9RuQFxIQTbK0hATpfYuYy/s1600/DAW_3410-2.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a><br />
A stand-off ensues. Who will back down on the name? Both sides claim to have got there first. Eventually the bigger man (literally, at least) breaks eye contact and
backs down. And thus the <a href="http://www.british-enduro-series.com/">British Enduro Series</a> and the <a href="http://www.mtb-enduro.co.uk/">UK Enduro Series</a> are born - two imaginatively named series for the price of one!<br />
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<b>Disclaimer</b><br />
I should perhaps stress that the views expressed here are not necessarily those of my sponsors. Or even my own.<br />
<br />
I also have something to declare beyond ten crates of vodka and half a dozen immigrants under a blanket in the boot. I ride for UK Enduro's own race team, and Neil Delafield is my friend. I don't work for FIFA, though, so I'd like to think I'm
still capable of being impartial. Suck it and see.</div>
</div>
Following this false start, the two series were at pains to project a unique identity, suggesting that they would be more complementary than direct competitors. While UKE was all talk of "riding with your mates", BES was busy announcing cash prizes. When UKE launched its hashtag <b>#fortheriders</b>, BES responded with <b>#fortheracers</b>. It seemed that one was about the taking part, and the other was about the winning. <br />
<br />
But what would this mean in practice? Only one way to find out. Some poor sod would have to ride them both and report back. Hmm, spend two entire weekends messing around on bikes, or crack on with the DIY? After much soul-searching, I selflessly stepped up to the plate - but would I smash it?<br />
<br />
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwOqHUwVM5xgXt2dhLwk4Z_dJ4sVeONX25IVubV9z7vZdI6lfSgqP-n3GP04xMgL4iH9hrfb0xh7gHbtsdNoaieVwU_K_GsfwTvn8PVOp8FSWpM-fBlL1p2O9RuQFxIQTbK0hATpfYuYy/s1600/DAW_3410-2.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdwOqHUwVM5xgXt2dhLwk4Z_dJ4sVeONX25IVubV9z7vZdI6lfSgqP-n3GP04xMgL4iH9hrfb0xh7gHbtsdNoaieVwU_K_GsfwTvn8PVOp8FSWpM-fBlL1p2O9RuQFxIQTbK0hATpfYuYy/s400/DAW_3410-2.jpg" width="398" /></a></i></div>
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<i><b>Triscombe in a nutshell.</b> </i></div>
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<i>Don't worry, this wasn't me. I was going too slowly to crash. Check out the dust.</i><br />
<i>Photo: </i><i><i><a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre Photography</a></i>.</i></div>
<br />
<b>Star date:</b> 23-24 April 2016<br />
<b>Location: </b>Triscombe, Somerset<br />
<b>Event: </b>Rocky Mountain <a href="http://www.mtb-enduro.co.uk/">UK Enduro</a> round 2<br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Mondraker Foxy with <a href="http://www.rapidracerproducts.com/">RRP</a> mudguard and <a href="http://www.absoluteblack.cc/">Absolute Black</a> oval chain ring <br />
<b>Result: </b>19th vet<br />
<br />
First impressions on Friday afternoon were not good. The Quantocks aren't the most imposing range of hills, more of a freak pimple on the arse of England. The venue might have looked like Hogwarts but was actually more real-world boarding school, with the heating set to absolute zero and rampant bum fun in the showers. And it was raining.<br />
<br />
But it turned out to be a really fantastic event.<br />
<br />
Having everyone eating, drinking and sleeping together in the old school made it a much more social occasion with a decent atmosphere both day and night. Less event village and more holiday village. <br />
<br />
Nor was the rain a problem. Partly because it stopped, giving way to a weekend of non-stop sunshine. Also because the soil there is so absorbent they used to mine it for Pampers. Things were still a little greasy in practice, but we were treated to bone-dry race runs bar a couple of short fresh-cut sections of slippety-sloppety slapstick fun.<br />
<br />
And the lack of elevation may even have been a good thing. The climbs were that much more manageable, and the stages were still a good length. While round 1 of the series (see my report <a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/uk-enduro-round-1-humbled.html">here</a> - no, go on, please do, it's had so few hits I don't know why I bothered) was all about Neil Delafield's 100% home-made loamy tracks, here in the Quantocks he was limited to adding a few short sections to the existing network of downhill tracks. But what great tracks they were. Some heart-in-mouth
steep and twisty bits, some easy flat-out blasts. Lots and lots of roots. With a side-serving of more roots. And drops and jumps and steps. A bit of everything
really. And fast. With not a trail-centre descent in sight.<br />
<br />
I won't bore you with a detailed breakdown of the stages - I'm too old to remember them all in any case - but you can get a taste from these videos:<br />
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<i>Some helmet-cam highlights courtesy of <a href="http://www.wheelies.co.uk/">Wheelies</a> team rider Ben Stallwood. </i></div>
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<i>The end of stage 3 courtesy of marshal Fred Cook. The steep bit (from 5 minutes in) was more than a little scary and ace fun. Sadly the stage had to be abandoned on Sunday because some scrote half-inched one of the timing beacons. Wonder what they'll make of that at Cash Generator? </i></div>
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I particularly enjoyed the fast 'n' furious stages 5 to 7, ridden blind on the Sunday. When you're hurtling down the bottom section of the already super-hairy stage 7 at 20mph (OK, in my case maybe 10mph) and you suddenly find the Grand Canyon opening up before you, there's only one thing you can do - go for it. Trust the bike, feel the fear - and then feel on top of the world when you make it through unscathed, grinning from ear to ear. You just can't beat that <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILWSp0m9G2U">feeling</a>!<br />
<br />
Which makes me wonder whether enduro stages shouldn't always be raced blind. No weekend-before recces, no practice sessions, no track walks, nothing.<br />
<br />
One drawback, of course, is that you have to work harder on navigation. As a geriatric with more than enough on his hands dealing with
the trail immediately in front of me, I find the additional complication
of looking ahead to see where I'm supposed to go next (let alone spot alternative lines) a massive test for my limited multi-tasking abilities. It's like opening too many windows on your PC - eventually
everything just grinds to a halt.<br />
<br />
So I could have done with a whole lot more tape to show me where to go. Whereas the top racers could have done with a whole lot more tape to show them where <i>not </i>to go.<br />
<br />
What I saw as a mildy disconcerting absence of directional cues was seen by some as an opportunity for the ultimate Strava line, cutting straight down through the trees and completely missing out the twists and turns of the actual track - eventually triggering a 20-strong protest train of riders whizzing down the hill to harangue the organiser into cancelling the stage, plus a whole lotta bitching on social media.<br />
<br />
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<i>Click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jamesascott/videos/10154226701933530/">here</a> for a video of the offending section courtesy of James Scott</i><i>.</i></div>
<br />
Ultimately, though, it was a storm in a teacup, and I've no doubt that lessons have been learned and future rounds will be taped up tighter than a Tory MP in Mistress Whippy's dungeon of dodgy desires.<br />
<br />
And I still thought stage 7 was the absolute bollocks, rounding off a perfect weekend's riding.<br />
<br />
Once again I was completely outclassed, and I couldn't believe how slow my times were when I checked them, but I had such fun riding the stages that I just didn't care. Could that be what <b>#fortheriders</b> is all about?<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKJxWXQ1y46HpAaDf3cJPnjJuPOXJl_r-GJNi6JXha8fMMfB5mHPEeQcvhW7E1bl_WPFQ-DM_ksZOqACVQOFT-rDDTU7YsTAnyBpssyusGDRoOjCWfxehXYwT0rhLlGYrgC_13PwMPtst/s1600/_DWP7358.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKJxWXQ1y46HpAaDf3cJPnjJuPOXJl_r-GJNi6JXha8fMMfB5mHPEeQcvhW7E1bl_WPFQ-DM_ksZOqACVQOFT-rDDTU7YsTAnyBpssyusGDRoOjCWfxehXYwT0rhLlGYrgC_13PwMPtst/s400/_DWP7358.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Dyfi in a nutshell.</i></b></div>
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<i>Tracey Moseley has been world enduro champion every year since 1947, and if </i>she <i>looks knackered at the end...</i></div>
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<i>Photo: </i><i><i><a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre Photography</a></i>.</i></div>
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<br />
<b>Star date:</b> 7-8 May 2016<br />
<b>Location: </b>Dyfi Forest, Mid Wales<br />
<b>Event: </b>Cannondale <a href="http://www.british-enduro-series.com/">British Enduro</a> round 2<br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Mondraker Foxy with <a href="http://www.rapidracerproducts.com/">RRP</a> mudguard and <a href="http://www.absoluteblack.cc/">Absolute Black</a> oval chain ring <br />
<b>Result: </b>15th vet<br />
<br />
"How are you feeling, Chris?" asks the MC.<br />
<br />
At precisely 8.36 and 20 seconds on a Sunday morning after a night in a field with no showers on the back of the toughest practice loop of all time? Forgive me if I don't pull a wheelie off the start ramp.<br />
<br />
The pre-race interview is part of the ritual here, part of the show. This isn't just a bike race, it's an event, a happening, a big deal. There's a clear aspiration to be the best (in the country, the world, the universe), a super-slick and super-pro mini-EWS or World Cup. And in fairness, it <i>is</i> all very well organised, with an impressive start/finish arena with massive sponsor presence and loads of trade stands and a huge crew telling you where to park and restocking the bogroll in the portaloos and otherwise keeping things running smoothly. The timing beacon thief wouldn't have stood a chance here. And they've certainly attracted a big field of elite riders who are very much the centre of attention - to the point where I grew <span data-offset-key="1f2mi-0-0"><span data-text="true">pretty sick of hearing about <a href="https://dirtmountainbike.com/people/jerome-clementz">Jerome</a> this and </span></span><span data-offset-key="1f2mi-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="1f2mi-0-0"><span data-text="true"><a href="https://dirtmountainbike.com/people/jerome-clementz">Jerome</a> that. </span></span>What about <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fgUY-kXlBA">Robson</a>, I wondered.</span></span><br />
<br />
Everything, but everything, is more serious than at UKE. There are an awful lot of rules, with seeding by age category and exact start times for every stage - and rapidly escalating time penalties (even disqualification) if you miss them. I'm still an XC racer at heart, so I'd thought the fixed start times would mean having to spend ages hanging about, but actually the transitions were pretty tight. Riding at an economical pace I only had a few minutes to spare before most of the stages. In fact it was very like an XC race where you only ever snatch a few words with riders here and there. There certainly wasn't time to deal with a mechanical or help someone else with theirs - you had to look out for number one. <br />
<br />
The loop itself was tough, very tough, with over 50km and 1,500m of climbing each day. The first two stages in the forest were both preceded by a gruelling 350m ascent, and the arena was a full 5 miles of dull, cruelly undulating tarmac from the forest. The weather didn't really play ball either, drizzling down most of Saturday, and despite blazing sunshine on Sunday the fireroads remained sticky, hard work on a heavy enduro rig with soft mud tyres and flat pedals.<br />
<br />
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<span data-offset-key="1f2mi-0-0"><span data-text="true"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WtsVHnEV8pT-tUBdeTgUn4B6832hWVslPJ0y0xtL0RQkiamdlLePqPyuxvVluglE3lm7s8yT6fwiBvUEXl3pPbfDck89NeNLJz2CRTWn_0EXXoNZ6R4S-tcbhIuLq7rGWgibdQ3EjZ6_/s1600/peter+photo.jpg"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1WtsVHnEV8pT-tUBdeTgUn4B6832hWVslPJ0y0xtL0RQkiamdlLePqPyuxvVluglE3lm7s8yT6fwiBvUEXl3pPbfDck89NeNLJz2CRTWn_0EXXoNZ6R4S-tcbhIuLq7rGWgibdQ3EjZ6_/s400/peter+photo.jpg" width="265" /></a></span></span> </div>
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<i>First stage on Sunday. I said conditions were sticky.</i></div>
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<i>Photo: Peter Jones, organiser of the incomparable <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Dyfi-Winter-Warm-Up-158713670883526/">Dyfi Winter Warm Up</a>.</i></div>
<br />
What made it really, really, really hard, though, was doing all that climbing in a full-face helmet in 25°C sunshine. Yes, I could have taken a separate trail helmet for the climbs,
but that would have required me to wear a backpack so I'd have ended up just as hot, and anyway how safe is it to crash on a race run with a spare helmet digging into your back?<br />
<br />
The "full-face on stages and helmet on transitions" rule simply has to be revisited. Not only is it illogical (it's fine for us to push our limits on some seriously sketchy shit on the stages but we're not trusted to pootle up a fireroad transition without falling off?) but it's dangerous: hot, bothered and blinded by
sweat is no way to start a downhill run. It's not surprising so many people binned
it on the final stage of the day, and I'm surprised nobody collapsed from heat exhaustion or drowned in a
river of other people's sweat on the way there. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNBjl7mhg0RGGpIfEh2cuwSKFpRnpg2VC2AFsX3hH4rs4_Ax_xfutz6WRYGB9xd6ygl-x-jw16kB4kz57_yL_opLNf2-f1eQPbOZU9u06rcplzn052G9zHrG4miLPXY2T5-SSeHk1IGcR/s1600/_DWP7797.jpg"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNBjl7mhg0RGGpIfEh2cuwSKFpRnpg2VC2AFsX3hH4rs4_Ax_xfutz6WRYGB9xd6ygl-x-jw16kB4kz57_yL_opLNf2-f1eQPbOZU9u06rcplzn052G9zHrG4miLPXY2T5-SSeHk1IGcR/s320/_DWP7797.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Me and the two riders I overtook on the final stage. Far too little, far too late.</i></div>
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<i>Photo: </i><i><i><a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre Photography</a></i>.</i></div>
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<br />
Now maybe it's my XC background, or just my contrary gene, but I actually liked being under
pressure the whole time on race day, I loved the physicality of the loop, and I really enjoyed the weekend. I don't mind riding on my own, and I'm happy with it being all about me, me, me. <br />
<br />
And the race stages were brilliant. BES and UKE may be like chalk and cheese in other respects, but the actual racing was very similar - varied, challenging,
scary at times, fun throughout and a world away from your typical trail-centre enduro. <br />
<br />
Stage 1/6 was the best - a fresh-cut old-skool DH track with hairy steep turns on slick clay lined with enthusiastic spectators and finishing with a proper knackering grassy sprint into the arena. Even the one trail-centre stage was good fun - just how fast dare you go? And I'm glad they kept in the controversial slopfest at the top of stage 3, which I found unrideable but hilarious, spending most of it on my arse.<br />
<br />
After five (yes, five) people passed me on that one section, my chances of an overall win were slim, despite Dan Atherton pulling a sickie immediately after
seeing me nail stage 4 in practice. A coincidence? I think not.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPEAGLHZ7MQ">here</a> for gavskxf's video of "carnage corner" on the seeding stage, which I rather overcomplicated by getting the nose of my saddle wedged somewhere it really shouldn't have been. </i></div>
<br />
In reality, all my times were woeful, but I still ended up halfway up the vets category after exhaustion caused quite a few to pull out early or crash out of the final stage. But I'll take that. It's supposed to be hard and it's supposed to hurt. Sport should reward fitness as well as skill. You want skill without fitness, go play darts. (In my head right now is a Baywatch slow-mo of manboobs in motion as Jocky Wilson sprints 100m to
the oche... Sorry, had to share.)<br />
<br />
One thing I've missed with enduro until now - and at UKE in particular -
is that feeling of being completely, totally and utterly shattered at
the end of a race day, hobbling home having given it your absolute all. I guess that must be what <b>#fortheracers</b> is all about.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5E5rbBBLrMW00ZM-bOOdC3SW7EI3OjP4ablXNGBsinEEG3NrIgwErf_0SMNL8nxxdQiQ3FUYkfx6qH3E5x27IuwTOWrZXYo9BSQ7eY_XcONzCOTYybNMWCeZaMFOLDJiieYebVFKTeOp/s1600/_DWP7817.jpg"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5E5rbBBLrMW00ZM-bOOdC3SW7EI3OjP4ablXNGBsinEEG3NrIgwErf_0SMNL8nxxdQiQ3FUYkfx6qH3E5x27IuwTOWrZXYo9BSQ7eY_XcONzCOTYybNMWCeZaMFOLDJiieYebVFKTeOp/s400/_DWP7817.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>I gave it everything.</i></div>
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<i>Photo: </i><i><i><a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre Photography</a></i>.</i></div>
<br />
<b>So... UKE or BES?</b><br />
<br />
With the stages themselves being very similar in nature and standard, it has to be down to the rest of the weekend outside the 30 minutes you're actually racing.<br />
<br />
If
you don't want to be rushing to stages to make an allotted start time,
or you want to ride with your mates, or you're not very fit, the more grass-rootsy UKE is for you. There's even a handy Sunday-only option for those who
can't make the whole weekend. <br />
<br />
But if you're secretly fed
up of having to wait for your mates on every climb, fancy your chances of bagging some serious prize money, or prefer a structured approach to life,
you might want to look at the more corporate BES. <br />
<br />
As a rider, I enjoyed the more laid-back atmosphere of UKE. As a racer, I enjoyed the more intense atmosphere of BES. But
which is better? I guess there's only one way to find out... FIGHT!<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.mtb-enduro.co.uk/">UK Enduro</a> heads back to the loamy trails of the Crychan Forest in Mid Wales this coming weekend 28-29 May (Triscombe sold out, so best enter sharpish!). The next <a href="http://www.british-enduro-series.com/">British Enduro</a> round is at Afan in South Wales on 11-12 June. <br />
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<b>Featured sponsor - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wickenssoderstrom/?fref=nf">Wickens & Söderström</a></b><br />
<b></b><br />
Their chain lube is like totally amazeballs.<br />
Even in the buried-alive mudfest that was stage 3 in the Dyfi, it kept my chain and
cassette squeaky clean. Without the squeak.<br />
I can wholeheartedly recommend it.</div>
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And finally a BIG THANKS to <a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre</a> for letting me use his fantastic photos!<br />
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Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-66798656712999181862016-03-29T15:44:00.001+01:002016-04-07T20:06:34.607+01:00UK Enduro Round 1: Humbled<b>Star date:</b> 19-20 March 2016<br />
<b>Location: </b>Crychan Forest, Mid Wales<br />
<b>Event: </b><a href="http://www.mtb-enduro.co.uk/">UK Enduro</a> Round 1<br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Mondraker Foxy with <a href="http://www.rapidracerproducts.com/">RRP</a> mudguard and <a href="http://www.absoluteblack.cc/">Absolute Black</a> oval chain ring <br />
<b>Greatest strength: </b>Bouncing<br />
<b>Greatest weakness: </b>Speed<br />
<b>Result: </b>6th vet<br />
<br />
We’re at the top of stage 3. “Want to go first, Chris?” asks <a href="https://vimeo.com/87192486">Rowan Sorrell</a>.<br />
<br />
Yes, that Rowan Sorrell. Globe-trotting elite downhiller turned trail-builder extraordinaire. The guy behind Bike Park Wales. The guy who built my local trails at Brechfa, the whole reason why I started mountain biking. The guy who has just celebrated a return to racing after shattering his leg into a million tiny pieces a couple of years ago – twice (duh!) – with an overall win at the BPW Mini Enduro, where he finished a whopping 90 seconds ahead of yours truly.<br />
<br />
Going first would be like trying to outrun a bullet train on a <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrySnYR2ULgxJqv39tZRSq-ac9epj4dTKXOSowmh5sh3Ic8jY8pdSpppPBRJPIPq94sE9k92JCXvMcbFre-pFThDc5-5CbDZzVYoIhGfS5OQZWTXONnPmvtinPGKP68Jjfkv3_UNOz7M/s1600/LAWMAN+HUCK+7.png">handcar</a>.<br />
<br />
“Nah, you’re OK,” I say. “I’ll leave a good gap.” Ho, ho, ho.<br />
<br />
And off he goes.<br />
<br />
I give him a couple of seconds (well, you never know) and shoot off in pursuit. Needless to say, after the first corner he’s out of sight. And with the steady barrage of sniper roots and kamikaze drops and you-gotta-be-kidding twists and turns on the event's all-natural tracks, he’s very quickly out of mind.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dau5oaNKraf4Jn56EyuwzeV-NwAmazoHn0Ubh-aioO3-qrCwORmOPGSGY-4XbN8_5vmNu1P658TwqJJDzL2RRxLe8PsCODxBCTdpvGCEtF6G5bVbt7I7PhNVLThURT8o_252jVe5UFAB/s1600/11485++UK++Enduro+Round+1++3614+Copyright+2016+Dan+Wyre+Photography%252C+all+rights+reserved+%252C+3614%252C+UK++Enduro+Round+1++3614+3614.jpg"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dau5oaNKraf4Jn56EyuwzeV-NwAmazoHn0Ubh-aioO3-qrCwORmOPGSGY-4XbN8_5vmNu1P658TwqJJDzL2RRxLe8PsCODxBCTdpvGCEtF6G5bVbt7I7PhNVLThURT8o_252jVe5UFAB/s400/11485++UK++Enduro+Round+1++3614+Copyright+2016+Dan+Wyre+Photography%252C+all+rights+reserved+%252C+3614%252C+UK++Enduro+Round+1++3614+3614.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Roots, loam and clearly something alarming coming right up.</i><br />
<i>The full-face soon came off. It was just too sunny. I know. </i> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>P</i><i>hoto: <a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre Photography</a></i></div>
<br />
It was an odd chain of events – involving an ageing hippie, a missing roof, my awkward gene and clocks in the South Wales Valleys running a good two hours behind GMT – that led to me spending much of my first official outing as a member of Team <a href="http://www.mtb-enduro.co.uk/">UK Enduro</a> riding not with my teammates but in a group that included local downhill heroes <a href="https://vimeo.com/87192486">Duncan Porter</a> and Sam Robson (you know, the kind who build tracks down a near-vertical slope and then think what they really need is some six-foot drop-offs in the middle) and, on Sunday, the aforementioned Mr Sorrell. Plus my regular enduro-buddy Gary Allen battling terrier-like to stay with them, and little old me trailing along behind.<br />
<br />
Which would never happen at <a href="https://wastelandhere.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/dsc00958.jpg">The Other National Enduro Series</a> with its rigid categories and start times and seeding. Which is a shame. Because when you’re only actually racing for 20-30 minutes over an entire weekend, the social side is all-important.<br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The pasta party kicks off at the <a href="http://www.food-food-food.co.uk/">Drover’s Rest</a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> </i>
</div>
Much has already been made of the “ride with your mates” approach of the <a href="http://www.mtb-enduro.co.uk/">UK Enduro</a> series. Do the stages in whatever order you want, whenever you want, with whomever you want. Seed yourselves – fastest mate goes first. And when you do need to pass someone, generous taping means it’s no biggie.<br />
<br />
The chilled vibe only goes so far, of course. As soon as you start down a stage, the gloves are off. It’s the same focus, the same determination. But three minutes later there you are at the bottom, whooping and hell-yeahing and sharing war stories with your mates and complete strangers alike as you winch back up the hill.<br />
<br />
Such is the <i>Spirit of Enduro</i> – and the reason why I’ve switched completely from XC in 2016.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpCVJMa81jsayBqkgFktmv2Aq3YJk1Xygu7KtBeM4_NUeFdyssIwyMCgmsTJu_D8b9-KZdijdVa39jwEu056Z1tVzafQFMG36mD8fw7kS0KZ30AVQxVQR_BRPVG8vhQ3IYM-dTOrVhZnw/s1600/DAW_8631.jpg"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKpCVJMa81jsayBqkgFktmv2Aq3YJk1Xygu7KtBeM4_NUeFdyssIwyMCgmsTJu_D8b9-KZdijdVa39jwEu056Z1tVzafQFMG36mD8fw7kS0KZ30AVQxVQR_BRPVG8vhQ3IYM-dTOrVhZnw/s400/DAW_8631.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<i>Seems I've mastered the art of looking scared even when I'm not. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo: <a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre Photography</a></i></div>
<br />
But it isn’t just as an example of the <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/89/Eurovision_Song_Contest_1976_-_Brotherhood_Of_Man_3.jpg">Brotherhood of Enduro</a> that I mention riding with Rowan. Nor is it just namedropping, although I do admit to being somewhat star-struck (to his credit, he didn’t visibly wince when I told him he’d changed my life).<br />
<br />
No, the main reason is that riding with the likes of Rowan Sorrell and Duncan Porter (and indeed my teammate Ben Jones) is jaw-droppingly inspiring – and humbling.<br />
<br />
<i>They’re just so incredibly bloody quick!</i><br />
<br />
And the thing is, they make it look easy.<br />
<br />
Whereas I’m fighting my bike like a bucking bronco, they’re so smooth they’d already have five babes in the jacuzzi by the time I plucked up the courage to speak to the geeky plain girl in the corner.<br />
<br />
Even on the flat sections, they hardly seem to pedal. Whereas I grab every opportunity to spin like a dervish to make up a fraction of a second before the next root-infested corner forces me to grab the brakes or be pinged into oblivion, these guys barely turn the cranks.<br />
<br />
The amount of speed they carry, with seemingly nonchalant ease, is untrue.<br />
<br />
And with the <a href="http://www.mtb-enduro.co.uk/">UK Enduro</a> format, I get to witness it close up. I get invited into the jacuzzi.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXWm6fsdnjcjZOZBySIRSMd8tTY1vHe-KNxwCh0RuDanDIylCEGB45yTsbqffXh6_tIfyJZfytyfKXRnb224euDAuD6OUhN_YKNoMVM0CLa66QKKxBd1Hyv-mn849AFXH68UfoqQzCwbO/s1600/pedal.JPG" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8e4F_Ov_WohyzJHj_WE6f55FffgUS2Uz6W_JSpku2vKUkGux90-kcZo6Itv0tsdKRI5XI2NtrUpUpgpbe7YF1gtxF5dZgKb4PN-baMdbi1-AfN_pvlQkPdHogTXUVerEhoh8mAeCMQef/s1600/DAW_5072.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_8e4F_Ov_WohyzJHj_WE6f55FffgUS2Uz6W_JSpku2vKUkGux90-kcZo6Itv0tsdKRI5XI2NtrUpUpgpbe7YF1gtxF5dZgKb4PN-baMdbi1-AfN_pvlQkPdHogTXUVerEhoh8mAeCMQef/s400/DAW_5072.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Too much pedalling and not enough flow. I'm working on it.</i><br />
<i>Nice kit, though, thanks to <a href="http://flareclothingco.com/">Flare Clothing</a>.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo: <a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre Photography</a></i></div>
<br />
Zigzagging down through the woods to make the best use of natural features such as stumps, logs, fallen-tree bombholes, ancient hedge banks, streams, root after root and general Welsh steepness, and evolving over the weekend along with your riding, Neil Delafield’s all-natural stages are a far cry from the predictability of trail centre descents. This isn’t DH, so everything is rollable, but the tracks throw up a steady stream of technical challenges to test your mettle. Importantly, though, it’s fun-technical, not scary-technical, so you don’t have to be the world’s best rider to get down them. I'm the living proof.<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ARTU_k-Q2X4/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ARTU_k-Q2X4?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<i>Kudos to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoHYeTJgNSta-f-9VILQRcg">Richard Thomas</a> for letting me use his warts'n'all footage of stage 2.</i><br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JvDVMS-OUwI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JvDVMS-OUwI?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<i>And a blooper reel from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuRr9NbfLIuIAIJxJlxjGWA">Steven Baldock</a>, one of the better riders. </i></div>
<br />
Whatever your level, it doesn’t half help to have the right bike and the right tyres, so a big shout out here to my Mondraker Foxy with Onza Greina mud tyre up front, which, unlike me, never put a foot wrong all weekend.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKheetSijrqLAJyMc1HNdKY13pSpWeItzzsdMLlNNyMfOEf6b4Ss-FCKBanLbkfE86OOMOc1V0uvV8gQMz6SlGLS41V1S6Soa4TYI8O9YmDyHswUbHvX6I__28ClFxduirZL8bX0NxNsOB/s1600/chopper.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKheetSijrqLAJyMc1HNdKY13pSpWeItzzsdMLlNNyMfOEf6b4Ss-FCKBanLbkfE86OOMOc1V0uvV8gQMz6SlGLS41V1S6Soa4TYI8O9YmDyHswUbHvX6I__28ClFxduirZL8bX0NxNsOB/s320/chopper.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Mondraker are well-known for pushing the limits of bike geometry. </i><br />
<i>But next time, Mum, ask before you borrow it, eh? </i></div>
<br />
At race pace (even my race pace), it’s still a white-knuckle ride. Like one of my kids’ high-speed computer games (without the spare lives), the obstacles fly at you thick and fast, giving you no time to think and barely enough to react.<br />
<br />
Unless, of course, you’re one of the fast guys, who use their bionic vision to focus three corners down the track, casually floating over everything in the meantime as though on a hovercraft.<br />
<br />
I get to one of Neil’s signature point-and-pray off-camber turns and tentatively slide the rear wheel round at a speed where if it all goes pear-shaped at least it won’t hurt. What do they do? Do they slow down? Do they hell. Half the time they don’t even slide round the corners but give two fingers to the laws of physics and turn in mid-air.<br />
<br />
They could probably also do a back flip and triple somersault in the process, but they don’t. They just get the business done, no showboating. Sure, on the transitions Rowan and Duncan seized every conceivable (and inconceivable) opportunity to pull wheelies and flicks and huck off pretty much everything, but on the race runs they were supremely economical, silky smooth.<br />
<br />
As you might have guessed, <i>I want to be like that.</i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8Jy6g2BLK3MrNQF86781RvehxVTm5IdUAiRrqTw3zyA_TTnnR61Ee7_nbsk0xL_cc8HJTdQ-9DwAPxv9_JLR3WP0uXteTJtaHbgRcjlv1ssS1Y6rNwvQSU1fO9LvPP-GG5a0FY1MqD_4/s1600/randr-photo-1323364-1200px.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8Jy6g2BLK3MrNQF86781RvehxVTm5IdUAiRrqTw3zyA_TTnnR61Ee7_nbsk0xL_cc8HJTdQ-9DwAPxv9_JLR3WP0uXteTJtaHbgRcjlv1ssS1Y6rNwvQSU1fO9LvPP-GG5a0FY1MqD_4/s400/randr-photo-1323364-1200px.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>More loam than you could shake a whole forest of sticks at. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo: <a href="https://www.rootsandrain.com/photos/victoria-dawe/">Victoria Dawes</a>, better known for her role on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWNHFi4-7eo">Shooting Stars</a>.</i></div>
<br />
While I didn’t exactly rule the roost (see what I did there?), I could sense my riding coming along over the course of the weekend. I’m beginning to get a feel for riding loam. Spaghetti roots are fine, but the anacondas still freak me out. I need to learn to bunny-hop properly and I need to man up and commit more on off-camber corners.<br />
<br />
Ultimately we’re talking skids and tricks, all the things I didn’t learn during a childhood misspent swotting. It’s a whole new way of riding, and I’m loving it.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkA5tmOVABOOY4SPnyjNi7Jib2lQHgVXPixE3RpKBMKX2WI8ILDgtYRs0reXw56ORIsDxmd_ud5buAPX53G8ABdpFTOrGfnIQCrbNYqHEtxREyqFAfqNBOMTzCWivq5DzkzCkbjSxk_xpO/s1600/ben.JPG" imageanchor="1"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzp2cAg6VSvjGtUi6JYV67tPEPNYmTEfXA8A5JfcWycoLXzR6O4bWUe3qTfbu78onOVlZ43ss8kW0rRijkGWPpGj7_qgRZ5lReM4hBUlYKiEdi_gCLfOR53v021yzQ9fUhisMzhGS5Gb0/s1600/DAW_8856.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzp2cAg6VSvjGtUi6JYV67tPEPNYmTEfXA8A5JfcWycoLXzR6O4bWUe3qTfbu78onOVlZ43ss8kW0rRijkGWPpGj7_qgRZ5lReM4hBUlYKiEdi_gCLfOR53v021yzQ9fUhisMzhGS5Gb0/s320/DAW_8856.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Teammate Ben on the top step. I won’t mention his height in case he gets a complex.</i><br />
<i>Note the </i><i><a href="http://www.julbo.com/">Julbo</a> glasses he still has surgically attached to his face.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i>Photo: <a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre Photography</a></i> </i></div>
<br />
This weekend was the maiden outing for the <a href="http://www.mtb-enduro.co.uk/">UK Enduro</a> race team, including new arrival Bond, Gemma Bond, licensed to thrill. And what a successful weekend it was for the team, with two out of four making the podium. Ben won the senior male category and was fifth overall, Gemma finished third elite female, and Ceri was an impressive ninth in masters, the largest category, a good three minutes ahead of me. I ended up sixth in vets and 56th overall in the two-day race, the very definition of mid-table mediocrity and way better than I’d expected.<br />
<br />
And in my group, Rowan was the overall winner of the Sunday race, Duncan was first master, Sam was third senior and Gary was second grand vet. That’s pretty illustrious company, so perhaps it’s not surprising I couldn’t keep up!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1BzxlNiUxyYYq4TDCliDCfIVIHhd8n07AQqUBo_ib4fMiUlfcZ6-2KXYxydmTBn04TVm8UMhJIc8QhARSFwANQLDNfYOXBqHXWfaqMLgs14IdImzI1CVf6f3eC0tX7A0jkhcgjGPD0gs/s1600/shaun.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1BzxlNiUxyYYq4TDCliDCfIVIHhd8n07AQqUBo_ib4fMiUlfcZ6-2KXYxydmTBn04TVm8UMhJIc8QhARSFwANQLDNfYOXBqHXWfaqMLgs14IdImzI1CVf6f3eC0tX7A0jkhcgjGPD0gs/s400/shaun.jpg" width="220" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I said there were steep bits. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo: Shaun Rutherford in between marshalling, heckling and checking his Tinder. </i></div>
<br />
The great news for those who enjoyed - or missed - Round 1 is that Round 3 of the <a href="http://www.mtb-enduro.co.uk/">UK Enduro</a>
has now had to be moved from the Dyfi and will also be in the Crychan
with at least one brand-new track. Round 2 is at Triscombe in Somerset
on April 23-24. Get your entries in now!<br />
<br />
Finally, a big thanks to the team’s growing list of sponsors.<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.mtb-enduro.co.uk/">UK Enduro</a> – purveyors of the finest mountain bike events this side of the EWS</li>
<li><a href="http://www.wheelies.co.uk/">Wheelies</a> – purveyors of the finest bikes and stuff in South Wales if not the Universe</li>
<li><a href="http://flareclothingco.com/">Flare Clothing</a> – purveyors of the finest MTB clothing</li>
<li><a href="http://www.julbo.com/">Julbo</a> – purveyors of the finest eyeware</li>
<li><a href="http://www.sealskinz.co.uk/">Sealskinz</a> – purveyors of the finest gloves and socks</li>
<li><a href="http://www.rapidracerproducts.com/">RRP</a> – purveyors of the finest lightweight mudguards</li>
<li><a href="http://www.absoluteblack.cc/">Absolute Black</a> – purveyors of the finest oval chain rings </li>
<li><a href="http://www.airshotltd.com/">Airshot</a> – purveyors of the finest tubeless tyre inflators </li>
<li><a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre Photography</a> – purveyors of the finest action photography </li>
<li><a href="http://www.sixthelement.co.uk/">Sixth Element</a> – purveyors of the finest carbon wheels</li>
<li><a href="http://www.bikes.com/">Rocky Mountain</a> – purveyors of the finest mountain bikes</li>
</ul>
Now also featuring:
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.wickenssoderstrom.com/">Wickens & Söderström</a> – purveyors of the finest bottled magic (totally unprompted, a mate of mine said yesterday that their lube is “life-changing”; insert smutty comment of choice)</li>
</ul>
The weekend's star freebie without a doubt was my <a href="http://flareclothingco.com/">Flare Clothing</a> team top. I always seemed to be at just the right temperature – and suddenly now everyone seems to know my name!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmZHTQdVYlvjutpOo_FnTuw86wrvMlzgmhCcNNuIaEqjiU9jCOGK-5snIUGPI_SClDJuPpJnyNJoOC3xKe_7nhqJ1I-DXVBdPtuLxjwdDNoVQz2xxbcP1nUglFCISoIKFg7jb-gVL9FPL/s1600/20160226_112252.jpg"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmZHTQdVYlvjutpOo_FnTuw86wrvMlzgmhCcNNuIaEqjiU9jCOGK-5snIUGPI_SClDJuPpJnyNJoOC3xKe_7nhqJ1I-DXVBdPtuLxjwdDNoVQz2xxbcP1nUglFCISoIKFg7jb-gVL9FPL/s400/20160226_112252.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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Other race reports worth checking out:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://enduro-mtb.com/en/rocky-mountain-uk-enduro/">Enduro Mountainbike Magazine</a> - for the line "more natural than a 1970s porno bush"</li>
<li><a href="http://factoryjackson.com/2016/03/21/uk-enduro-round-1-crychan-2016/">Factory Jackson</a> - with great shots of teammates Ceri and Gemma </li>
<li><a href="http://wideopenmag.co.uk/2016/03/race-report-uk-enduro-round-1-crychan-forest">Wide Open Magazine</a> - featuring a great shot of teammate Ben</li>
<li><a href="http://blog.wheelies.co.uk/race-report-uk-enduro-series-rd1-crychan/">Wheelies Blog</a> - with a detailed run-down of the stages</li>
<li><a href="http://endurorena.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/race-report-uk-enduro-series-round-1.html">Andy Roberts</a> - what another blogger made of it all</li>
</ul>
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<div style="background: #F3F3F3; border: 5px solid #F3F3F3; margin: 30px; padding: 10px; width: 75%;">
<b>Advertising feature</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL429_9xbbgQJfYz5Iwq2SWSNc-TC0MC_Bddamc912BBeMhcI7SxLiTv0mMoiPiMDroGUlwS-kdqNZlefoNh9gU4Efa03S0QzqCIgTfrCh_jxktWU0u3kJKoD_p9_DNvs8pg_nz2p6p47e/s1600/ecpi.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL429_9xbbgQJfYz5Iwq2SWSNc-TC0MC_Bddamc912BBeMhcI7SxLiTv0mMoiPiMDroGUlwS-kdqNZlefoNh9gU4Efa03S0QzqCIgTfrCh_jxktWU0u3kJKoD_p9_DNvs8pg_nz2p6p47e/s320/ecpi.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Fancy some more Welsh MTB goodness?<br />
<br />
Contact <a href="http://www.epicrides.wales/">Epic Rides Wales</a> now for the ultimate guided ride!<br />
<br />
(Though I'd go elsewhere for web design.)</div>
</div>
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://www.strava.com/activities/522360145/embed/ae3468a227554145746074966e8afb6cce3c99bd" width="590"></iframe>
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://www.strava.com/activities/522360168/embed/4367fb44a547599478d8bdc74e683f736e34a7bc" width="590"></iframe>Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-60883936438559375702016-02-26T15:12:00.004+00:002016-02-28T15:20:34.231+00:00The one where Chris sells his soul: UK Enduro launch<span id="goog_1561400769"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1561400770"></span>Anyone know where to source cheap needles now I’ve gone pro? Oh yes, it’s official, at long last my prodigious mountain biking talents have been recognised. I’ve only gone and been snapped up by Britain’s hottest, coolest and sexiest enduro race team: <b>Team UK Enduro</b>!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zRh2B2LEsewOqRJOi9mzj_foRZMt9FITWnh7tp76UNlqTKxI1tp8U2w0dPrO3MpdWIz0f-aZQt5fizF3aQAZxbYLikpRqzUdX7XgV6Ahf6wQhwO03QRQG8cYMw77TsBsNuKdeUImRxbo/s1600/20160226_112333.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zRh2B2LEsewOqRJOi9mzj_foRZMt9FITWnh7tp76UNlqTKxI1tp8U2w0dPrO3MpdWIz0f-aZQt5fizF3aQAZxbYLikpRqzUdX7XgV6Ahf6wQhwO03QRQG8cYMw77TsBsNuKdeUImRxbo/s400/20160226_112333.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmZHTQdVYlvjutpOo_FnTuw86wrvMlzgmhCcNNuIaEqjiU9jCOGK-5snIUGPI_SClDJuPpJnyNJoOC3xKe_7nhqJ1I-DXVBdPtuLxjwdDNoVQz2xxbcP1nUglFCISoIKFg7jb-gVL9FPL/s1600/20160226_112252.jpg" imageanchor="1"></a></div>
<br />
When <a href="http://www.mtb-enduro.co.uk/">UK Enduro</a> series organiser Neil Delafield started singing down the phone, “Boys, do you wanna be in my gang, my gang, my gang?”, naturally we told the <a href="https://nathanieljharris.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/126323.jpeg">old perv</a> to sod off. “What, even if you get a load of free shit?” Free shit? Oh, all right then. <br />
<br />
And thus Team UK Enduro was born: the world’s tallest person (Ben Jones), the world’s fastest talker (Ceri Lewis) and the eye candy (me, obvs), plus Mr <a href="http://www.wheelies.co.uk/">Wheelies</a> (Dawie Davies) and a possible token female to be announced later. Needless to say, I’m super stoked to be hitting the dirt with such a sick crew. My special role will be to do the race reports, as I’m the only one who can spel.<br />
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<i>Chasing down teammate Ceri (photo: <a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre Photography</a>)</i></div>
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We’ll be ripping up a whole heap of events this year, with the focus on the UK’s premier national enduro series – you guessed it – <a href="http://www.mtb-enduro.co.uk/">UK Enduro</a><span style="color: #0000ee;"><i>. </i></span>Hitting the sweet spot between XC and DH, enduro is the race format that’s taking the world by storm because it actually makes racing fun, and the <a href="http://www.mtb-enduro.co.uk/">UK Enduro</a> series will be enduro at its finest, with no fewer than seven races this year at venues across Britain (yes, they’ve even managed to find some hills in England). I’m especially looking forward to being crowned national champ at <a href="http://revolutionbikepark.co.uk/">Revolution Bike Park</a> in September.<br />
<br />
Yesterday was the big <a href="http://www.mtb-enduro.co.uk/">UK Enduro</a> press launch bash, with journalists, sponsors, forestry bigwigs and top Welsh Assembly totty gathering for nibbles and a good schmooze at the <a href="http://www.food-food-food.co.uk/">Drover’s Rest</a> in Llanwrtyd Wells before heading out to test a selection of hand-crafted stages set to feature in the first round.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLq73sXBo5uItRz8io1AhyphenhyphenbzhrSuCGRlPhHZbViXkTuABVm6kD__rp8Dr6XY6gQuWgsH3LwrSlzntsTvc9xFLK3sv9YqJduIZzBYAsl8mbLL6U3N-g8JnrJSpdHjKPGdTLrZT23W_6eJT/s1600/me.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLq73sXBo5uItRz8io1AhyphenhyphenbzhrSuCGRlPhHZbViXkTuABVm6kD__rp8Dr6XY6gQuWgsH3LwrSlzntsTvc9xFLK3sv9YqJduIZzBYAsl8mbLL6U3N-g8JnrJSpdHjKPGdTLrZT23W_6eJT/s400/me.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<i>I don't remember it being that green (Photo: </i><i><i><span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre Photography</a></span></span></i>)</i></div>
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The tracks were the usual challenging-but-rideable fare familiar from Neil’s previous events, but longer and running faster thanks to more support on the corners. If loamy, rooty, twisty, steep, techy, off-camber, all-natural hooning about in the woods with mates is your bag, you really must come to the <b>Crychan Forest on 19-20 March</b>. Be there or be square.<br />
<br />
To finish, I’d like to say a quick thanks to God and my family for making it all possible, but most of all to the sponsors for the free shit:<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.mtb-enduro.co.uk/">UK Enduro</a> – purveyors of the finest mountain bike events this side of the EWS</li>
<li><a href="http://www.wheelies.co.uk/">Wheelies</a> – purveyors of the finest bikes and stuff in South Wales if not the Universe</li>
<li><a href="http://flareclothingco.com/">Flare Clothing</a> – purveyors of the finest MTB clothing</li>
<li><a href="http://www.julbo.com/">Julbo</a> – purveyors of the finest eyeware</li>
<li><a href="http://www.sealskinz.co.uk/">Sealskinz</a> – purveyors of the finest gloves and socks</li>
<li><a href="http://www.rapidracerproducts.com/">RRP</a> – purveyors of the finest lightweight mudguards</li>
<li><a href="http://www.absoluteblack.cc/">Absolute Black</a> – purveyors of the finest oval chain rings </li>
<li><a href="http://www.airshotltd.com/">Airshot</a> – purveyors of the finest tubeless tyre inflators </li>
<li><a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre Photography</a> – purveyors of the finest action photography </li>
<li><a href="http://www.sixthelement.co.uk/">Sixth Element</a> – purveyors of the finest carbon wheels</li>
<li><a href="http://www.bikes.com/">Rocky Mountain</a> – purveyors of the finest mountain bikes</li>
</ul>
(I should add that I haven’t actually had any freebies from the last two yet. Get your fingers out, boys. What's a few grand between friends?)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmZHTQdVYlvjutpOo_FnTuw86wrvMlzgmhCcNNuIaEqjiU9jCOGK-5snIUGPI_SClDJuPpJnyNJoOC3xKe_7nhqJ1I-DXVBdPtuLxjwdDNoVQz2xxbcP1nUglFCISoIKFg7jb-gVL9FPL/s1600/20160226_112252.jpg"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmZHTQdVYlvjutpOo_FnTuw86wrvMlzgmhCcNNuIaEqjiU9jCOGK-5snIUGPI_SClDJuPpJnyNJoOC3xKe_7nhqJ1I-DXVBdPtuLxjwdDNoVQz2xxbcP1nUglFCISoIKFg7jb-gVL9FPL/s400/20160226_112252.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>You know, yesterday's ride just wouldn't have been the same without my <a href="http://www.absoluteblack.cc/">Absolute Black</a> chainring, </i><i><a href="http://www.rapidracerproducts.com/">RRP</a> mudguard, </i><i><a href="http://www.julbo.com/">Julbo</a><span style="color: #0000ee;"> </span>goggles and </i><i><a href="http://flareclothingco.com/">Flare Clothing</a> top! Or my Mondraker bike, for that matter, but I had to pay for that so they don't get a link.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Also a special shout out to <a href="http://www.drovercycles.co.uk/">Drover Cycles</a>, purveyors of the finest mechanical assistance and lentil dishes, for lending me various bouncy bikes over the years until I finally stumped up for one of my own.Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-21299552524257944522015-07-15T20:55:00.001+01:002015-07-15T21:15:20.471+01:00Red Kite Techie Devil 50km: Marmite<b>Star date:</b> 12 July 2015<br />
<b>Location: </b>Irfon Forest, Mid Wales<br />
<b>Event: </b><a href="http://www.redkiteevents.co.uk/">Red Kite Events</a>
Techie Devil <br />
<b>Weapon gratefully borrowed: </b><a href="http://www.drovercycles.co.uk/pyga-bikes/">Pyga OneTwenty</a> from <a href="http://www.drovercycles.co.uk/">Drover Cycles</a><br />
<b>Greatest strength:</b> Growing a pair<br />
<b>Greatest weakness: </b>Growing them a bit late in the day<br />
<b>Result: </b>Need new trousers<br />
<br />
This one really divided opinion. Who needs <a href="http://41.media.tumblr.com/a0ced62460dad64a40aed4447f9457a4/tumblr_nf0r5ovrXw1tkvgbpo1_540.jpg">Kim Kardashian</a> to break the Internet when you have the Techie Devil, eh? Listen to some people and you'd be forgiven for thinking it was like this:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/AFHviv7PVyA/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AFHviv7PVyA?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
On paper, it was a great idea. Take one of the country's most demanding old-skool enduro loops and spice it up with some hardcore nu-skool enduro descents hand-built for this year's Mondraker Series.</div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Lots of natural rocky goodness + Lots of twisty rooty goodness = Just what the doctor ordered!</i></div>
<br />
Unfortunately the weather threw a spanner in the works, with heavy overnight
rain sending some of the tracks deep into slapstick territory. The Mondraker Series is very much at the technical
end of the enduro spectrum even in the dry (read what I made of round 1 <a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/mondraker-enduro-round-1-hear-me-roar.html">here</a>) and many riders soon found they'd bitten off way more
than they wanted to chew...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvOeN5C4zxX_5thj7nB7zQLSeN8VsM0VcjklXnzT81hiKV9irUx0Zfk9oRQCVwk7IGH7VWzkWEM3bLmKUFlDyNy-qtWuiM3u8OaPWXUPmF0v0ubaant8w1JOnnPjJJjvtuoJ4UMne78et/s1600/20150712_090046.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvOeN5C4zxX_5thj7nB7zQLSeN8VsM0VcjklXnzT81hiKV9irUx0Zfk9oRQCVwk7IGH7VWzkWEM3bLmKUFlDyNy-qtWuiM3u8OaPWXUPmF0v0ubaant8w1JOnnPjJJjvtuoJ4UMne78et/s320/20150712_090046.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>The rain actually held off during the ride and there was even some sunshine.</i></div>
<br />
My day didn't start too well either. On arrival, I had to sit in the car for ten minutes because it was raining so hard. A quarter of an hour into the ride, I was part of a group that missed a sign and headed the wrong way for a mile and a half. And sandwiched between the two was the Garn, a killer tarmac climb that soon has your legs screaming for mercy - and leads onto a loose rocky climb that demands levels of oomph and momentum your legs no longer want to deliver. I'm not surprised everyone else I saw was walking, but they could've moved out of the bloody way. I may well have lost traction at some point anyway, but after all that gurning effort I wasn't a happy bunny to be blocked off!<br />
<br />
The first whiff of a descent then brought the first sign that not everyone was expecting the
event to do what it said on the tin, as I (yes, me) whizzed past another
rider. And on both the first proper descent (which I found pretty innocuous) and the first gnarly bedrock section, I passed people walking. As it happened, I cocked up the bedrock section - I picked a terrible line, got stuck in a cleft so deep there were kangaroos waving back up at me, and had to bail. So I too decided to walk... back up to the top so I could ride it again! I totally understand the need for self-preservation but it <i>is </i>called The Techie Devil ffs...<br />
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<i>Little old me riding the unrideable descent.</i></div>
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<i>Photo by <a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre</a>. </i></div>
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Next up, though, was the now-infamous mudslide. I knew something was up from the queue at the top - and all the way to the bottom. Neil the organiser had told me it was his best track yet, but on the day it was mostly a slip 'n' slide scramble down 150 hard-won vertical metres. It really was very steep, winding tightly round the trees without berms or other support, and peppered with drops that seemed to need speed I'd never be able to scrub off afterwards. After numerous failed attempts to get going, I decided it was indeed beyond me and joined the procession trudging down the hill grumbling quietly. But then, towards the bottom, I spied event photographer Dan Wyre ahead. Quick, back on the bike for the camera! I actually then managed to ride 30 yards round several corners before losing it again, a huge improvement on my record of about 10 feet further up. Which goes to show that even an unrideable descent can be rideable if you have a big enough incentive...<br />
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<i>Forget scratch 'n' sniff, try tilt 'n' weep. Go on, tilt your head/monitor/phone/tablet until the trees are vertical. The fact I'm on the bike means it's actually the flattest part of the descent...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i>Photo by <a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre</a>. </i> </i></div>
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It was a shame the rain ruined this descent. Not only would it have been a scary-but-doable cracker in the dry, but it seemed to dampen everyone's spirits and pave the way for a whole lot of negativity. Neil would have done everyone a favour by taking it out and sending us another way down the hill - which, to be fair, he did on the return leg.<br />
<br />
The next two descents were built for round 2 of the Mondraker Series. They too were incredibly slippery in parts, especially after everyone else's locked-out rear wheels and flailing buttocks had rubbed away all the lovely grippy loam of summer to leave the slick, polished clay of winter freshly coated with anti-climb paint. It gave the opposite of grip, actively pinging you off the trail like two magnets repelling each other. And it was a helluva job to remount, not only you and your bike but even the trees seemed to be sliding down the hill.<br />
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I must've come off half a dozen times on the last descent before lunch (Mondraker stage 4). I was like a clown on an icerink. But I did ride all of it. In short bursts. Faced with an audience, I even did the rather scary drops at the top and bottom, with mixed success. It was a real handful but also an absolute cracker and my highlight of the day. Normally you surf down the best descents on a wave of euphoria rather than wobbling around like a hysterical clotz, but I'll take that. <br />
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Lunch at <a href="http://www.coedtrallwm.co.uk/">Coed Trallwm</a> café was followed by one last hand-cut enduro descent (entirely rideable) and a rerouted trip home with two very big climbs, some very big puddles and two big but not overly technical descents that would, ironically, have been ideal for the riders who threw in the towel half way and took the road back. <br />
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<b>A little something for the weekend</b><br />
<br />
Once again <a href="http://www.drovercycles.co.uk/">Drover Cycles</a> in Hay-on-Wye very kindly lent me their all-conquering <a href="http://www.drovercycles.co.uk/pyga-bikes/">Pyga OneTwenty</a> trail bruiser to help compensate for my lack of sick skillz, this time fitted with the latest Pike-slaying <a href="http://www.ridefox.com/2016/family.php?m=bike&family=34">Fox 34 forks</a>. <br />
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Once again the bike performed impeccably despite a relatively modest 140/120mm of travel. Its surefooted indestructibility gave me the confidence to let fly like never before on the bedrock sections on the return leg, and even the most seriously ill-judged, potentially tyre-shredding, wheel-mangling, frame-cracking, bone-breaking line choices elicited nothing more than a Gallic shrug. Is there anything
this bike can't handle?<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIbHumyA00LNAS-fpqdfWcufG7D0AMBYHYYRZe2k3SpciX0KV2KvP3qxtxMQdXz09tXq6iagaQpoM-YA8fOPA9-hr2uOKt0F1xHgTeAafncJoAWtBGITVvTze9cpHiDpsppA8_Ef0GsJW/s1600/DAW_9353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPIbHumyA00LNAS-fpqdfWcufG7D0AMBYHYYRZe2k3SpciX0KV2KvP3qxtxMQdXz09tXq6iagaQpoM-YA8fOPA9-hr2uOKt0F1xHgTeAafncJoAWtBGITVvTze9cpHiDpsppA8_Ef0GsJW/s320/DAW_9353.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<i>Photo by <a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre</a>. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
The silky-smooth forks not only soaked up the big hits but were impressive on persistent road-drill rockiness, as confirmed by three comfortably dingless runs down the notorious Rim Dinger at Bike Park Wales two days earlier. They're still unnecessarily complicated, though, with three main settings and an "additional 22 clicks of low-speed compression adjust". The only settings I ever need are "on" and "off".<br />
<br />
In a way, the bike and forks really came into their own towards the end of the ride on the
less technical White Bridge and Preacher's Path descents, which were so overgrown in parts that you had no idea what in the way of rocks/logs/holes/monsters might lurk
beneath. Completely letting go of the brakes and trusting the bike to get on with it in such circumstances was most unlike me.<br />
<br />
While the Bionicon
Alva I took down White Bridge last year was like floating on a magic carpet, the
Pyga is much more involving and sticks to the ground like glue. Unless, of course, you don't want it to. I made a real breakthrough at Bike Park Wales getting a handle on that whole if-you-don't-like-the-look-of-it-just-jump-over-it approach. This bike has opened my eyes to a new way of riding.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs7xs25Wu4vfxWKjhGi6Dl1sOtd6R1SwX4K5G6P9gJmMPgJ2ZVTJ3NrXRbUzAn53_GVidRvc2Abot0wYlkXGmDVOISxeqSQ3CdJXWFqTtSOfYv_UF3OoD3cMNLEsXVdH6wOqqBGdPLMfN/s1600/DAW_9351.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzs7xs25Wu4vfxWKjhGi6Dl1sOtd6R1SwX4K5G6P9gJmMPgJ2ZVTJ3NrXRbUzAn53_GVidRvc2Abot0wYlkXGmDVOISxeqSQ3CdJXWFqTtSOfYv_UF3OoD3cMNLEsXVdH6wOqqBGdPLMfN/s400/DAW_9351.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<i>Photo by <a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre</a>.</i><br />
<br />
That said, I still hated the Havoc bars and I had a nightmare hauling the bike up all those hills. It's not especially heavy at 30lb, but I'm used to dancing up climbs on a 20lb featherweight and don't normally have to carry water on my back, which made me a right sweaty betty from the word go. It gave me a real insight into why so many people creep up the hills at events like these - seems it's not just down to too many pies. Even with the suspension locked out, much of the power I was putting down was getting lost in the mix. I never thought I'd need a XX1 cassette's 42t crawler sprocket, but I certainly did on the persistently steep and hurty bridleway climb at Coed Trallwm. As I didn't spin out at all, some would argue that the bike climbs well. For me, the fact that I eventually had to stop for a 10-second breather says otherwise. Let's call it a draw.<br />
<br />
But like Margie
Melons down the docks, the Pyga's very, very good when going down.</div>
</div>
Fewer than half the starters completed the course. So did the haters have a point? Were the descents unrideable? Did the organiser get it all wrong?<br />
<br />
As riders, we have to accept that it might occasionally rain in Wales. But it's very rare for
the weather to actually wreck an event (Red Kite's own Little Devil in April springs to mind - so horrid were its constant rain and impossible headwinds that I still can't bring myself to blog about it). I've done plenty of XC races that have been total mudbaths, and you just have to get over it - or go online and slag off the organiser.<br />
<br />
Of course, organisers too need to allow for the weather. The mudslide descent may still have been rideable for the likes of Dan Atherton after the night's
rain (bet he'd have dabbed though), but it wasn't for the mere mortals who entered the event, so clearly it should've been pulled or made optional. But that was just one descent, what about the other 49½km?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The mudslide. Bearded rider shows how it should be done.</i><br />
<i>Photo by <a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre</a>. </i></div>
<br />
The whole point of the event was to go beyond trail
centre predictability and really test people's skills/bottle. You have
to expect an event called The Techie Devil to put you out of your
comfort zone. And it did.<br />
<br />
Of course, picking just the right level of difficulty is always going to be tricky. Did the organiser read his ridership wrong? There were certainly some who were walking the "easy" stuff and should probably have stayed at home. But even if we assume that the rest were still only of my very average standard, what are we left with?<br />
<br />
Well, everything bar the mudslide was entirely rideable. Yes, I struggled to stay upright on some sections. Yes, I scared myself silly on some of the drops. But then that whole "I can't do that, I'm not doing that, no way - oh wait, I just did" buzz is what I come for. Isn't that what it's all about?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I think most of us ended up on our arses at some point.</i><br />
<i>Photo by <a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre</a>.</i><br />
</div>
Maybe some people were
disappointed to find they weren't quite as good as they thought
they were (I was mostly delighted to find that I wasn't quite as bad as I thought I was). Which is kind of understandable, as those slippy-slidey descents were a far cry from the all-weather tracks you get at trail centres, whatever shade of black they may be graded.<br />
<br />
And maybe the route was simply too long for many of the riders. I'm fit as **** and I found it physically draining on a trail bike. And it wasn't just the whopping 2,000 metres of climbing, some of it quite technical and very steep. The intense concentration required on the descents also took its toll.<br />
<br />
So when you then hit Puddle Alley without a snorkel, do you have a hissy fit or get the giggles? I know from my guiding (shameless plug for <a href="http://www.epicrides.wales/">Epic Rides Wales</a>) that once fatigue levels get to a certain point, a complete sense-of-humour failure is all but guaranteed.<br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>To be honest, the flowers and the scenery went unnoticed at the time.</i><br />
<i>Photo by <a href="http://www.danwyrephotography.co.uk/">Dan Wyre</a>. </i></div>
<br />
So, lessons to be learned on both sides. But ultimately you can't please all of the people all of the time. In the immortal words of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfWlot6h_JM">Taylor Swift</a>:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The haters gonna hate, hate, hate<br />
Baby I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake<br />
Shake it off</i></div>
<br />
I do hope there's another Techie Devil. I hope the weather plays ball, I hope the route is less punishing, I hope entrants will have realistic expectations, and I hope the descents continue to push my limits and develop my riding. The end.<br />
<br />
<i><b>P.S. </b>Quote of the day: "Yeah, fine thanks, mate, just picking pine needles out of my arse." </i><br />
<br />
If you're man or mad enough, the <a href="http://www.redkiteevents.co.uk/#!the-enduro-series/c9zf">fourth round</a> of the Mondraker Enduro Series is on 22/23 August.<br />
<br />
Strava: <br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://app.strava.com/activities/344534979/embed/5e0d76d7e912116da658248bf2fcf6456b91fbec" width="590"></iframe>Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-56150213749772217912015-06-25T14:23:00.001+01:002015-06-25T19:34:45.667+01:00Bristol Bikefest 12-hour solo: Too much of a good thing<b>Star date:</b> 13 June 2015<br />
<b>Event: </b><a href="http://www.bike-fest.com/home">Bristol Bikefest</a> 12-hour solo<b> </b><br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Fully rigid 26" singlespeed<br />
<b>Greatest strength:</b> Finishing<br />
<b>Greatest weakness: </b>Entering<br />
<b>Result:</b> Knackered<br />
<br />
<i>Warning: Contains nuts (and bad language)</i><br />
<br />
As regular readers will know, I rather like mountain biking. Indeed I can't get enough of it. So a whole 12 hours of it at the Bristol Bikefest seemed like a really good idea. It's also a proper race (not some namby-pamby "challenge") and even has an official singlespeed category for the <strike>beardy-weirdies </strike>purists. <br />
<br />
But while extreme endurance events, like bondage parlours, have long held a certain weird appeal, I’d always thought that people who enjoy such proclivities must have something very wrong with them. Without wanting to give too much away at this early stage, I was right. And I didn't get a happy ending.<br />
<br />
Of course, I knew it would be tough - despite appearances I'm not entirely stupid - but I really didn't bargain with the complete loss of any semblance of enjoyment (and eventually any capacity whatsoever for emotion) as you embark on yet another stuporous lap, the will to live but a fleeting memory. It was a daft idea, I should've known better, and I will never* do anything like it again.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Well, not this year, anyway.</span><br />
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Each year the Bikefest brings together around 1,000 riders to race
solo or, more sensibly, in teams of two or four at Ashton Court, a large park with fine views over central
Bristol and just a stone’s throw from the famous <a href="http://www.cliftonbridge.org.uk/">Clifton Suspension Bridge</a>.<br />
<br />
With maybe 400 riders on the 10 km course at any one time across four separate distances (12, six and three hours plus a 9½-hour ciderthon) all finishing at the same time, it's definitely not one of those events where you get away from it all. You're almost constantly overtaking and being overtaken, sometimes with less grace than others.<br />
<br />
Predominantly purpose-built all-weather singletrack, the
trail is blue-graded (easy but fun) with a few red-graded features (mainly small rock steps) which are all easily rollable (and mostly rollroundable). Although perched on the side of a bloody great hill, the course contrives to be almost completely flat, which is great if you don't like climbing but not so great if you want big descents or if climbing is your forte.<br />
<br />
The lap format makes for a great atmosphere. Passing through the event village to cowbells and cheering every 30-40 minutes gives you a real lift, as well as regular opportunities to grab more food and drink, brave the portaloos, have a quick cuddle, or just jump in the car and drive home. On the other hand, all those laps do bring a certain sense of déjà vu.<br />
<br />
The <b>official event video</b> can be found <a href="https://vimeo.com/131184194">here</a>. I make a few passing appearances but sadly not while styling it up. There are only so many backflips you can do to get attention.
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</div>
<h2>
<b>Laps 1-3: It's not a sprint, you know </b></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the early stages. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo by official event photographer <a href="http://www.robbarkerimages.com/">Rob Barker</a>. Thousands more like it <a href="http://www.robbarkerimages.com/events/gallery.php?mode=gallery&id=130&page=1">here</a>.</i></span></div>
<br />
I'd been warned about the Le Mans-style start. I expected something grander, but basically we all ambled down a bit of a hill, dumped our bikes on the grass alongside the track and lined up haphazardly at the bottom, ready to sprint back up, jump on and go-go-go to beat the infamous congestion on the first singletrack section. Everyone had the same advice: leave your bike as far down the hill as possible, we're cyclists not runners. Fortunately my preferred approach to advice is to listen politely and then ignore it, so I opted for half-way down (or was that half-way up?).<br />
<br />
It wasn't a sprint and it wasn't very far. A 100-metre trot followed by a mad melée as those who'd parked their steeds lower down attempted the impossible task of climbing and staying on amidst dozens of others doing the same plus dozens of runners all desperately trying to spot their bike in the grass rather than looking where they were going. I was near the front and I still had to run round a few fallers. So if you take anything away from this, even if you're on crutches leave your bike at the top!<br />
<br />
While the run wasn't a sprint, the first couple of laps on the bike most definitely were. It was like an XC race as we all jockeyed for position, a triumph of testosterone over reason given that we literally had all day to sort out the pecking order. I successfully avoided full-on gridlock but was still caught in an über-frustrating procession through the early singletrack sections, interspersed with pointless short sharp bursts to gain or lose a place or two when the track opened out a bit. I felt like one of the grumpy trucks being shunted around in <i>Thomas the Tank Engine</i>, and it seemed to take ages for the field to thin out enough that you could actually see the trail in front of you rather than blindly trust the rider in front. <br />
<br />
I caught one of my main rivals, hyperactive South Wales fireman and newly converted singlespeed nut Paul Slade, half-way through the first lap. "Hi Paul, crazy pace, isn't it?" I called out, while casually accelerating clear up the hill. High five, Chris. On the next lap I caught another singlespeed nut, veteran ultra-endurance junkie Mark Goldie. I knew he was the man to beat, and I had visions of us riding together until I oh-so-reluctantly had to pull away on the final straight to claim victory. In reality, as soon as we hit the next fast singletrack section he left me for dead. Damn, he had skills as well as staying power. So unless he had a major disaster, I was racing for second place.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<b>Laps 4-7: Settling in for the duration</b></h2>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Still smiling.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo by kind permission of <a href="http://www.ipernity.com/home/dylbic">Graham Haller</a> who has generously given away all his shots from the event. Another 2,000 or so <a href="http://www.ipernity.com/doc/dylbic/album/795786">here</a>.</i><b><i> </i></b></span></div>
<br />
As time went on and the initial adrenaline rush faded, I was acutely aware that a whopping 18 km/h average speed (don't laugh, roadies) was unsustainable. I needed to ease off. Only I felt so good on the climbs, such as they were, and was finally now able to let loose more on the descents, such as they were. Chasing faster riders on the twisty singletrack was a whole lotta fun, but less than ideal in terms of energy conservation, every slightly overcooked corner requiring those extra pedal strokes to get back up to speed. My rigid front end was also quite a handful (oo-er) on flat corners in the damp conditions, and I had to work much harder than riders with suspension forks on the bumpy bits. <br />
<br />
What I failed to appreciate at the time was that I wasn't really racing against any of these faster riders. They weren't solo singlespeeders, they weren't even solo gearboys, they were team riders. With eight legs to share the burden, an endless supply of clean dry kit and clean freshly prepped bikes, and probably a Gaggia, a chef and a team masseuse in their fancy trackside marquees, they were only ever out for a couple of laps at a time, so they were always on fresh legs. <br />
<br />
Pacing myself against these riders was therefore a big mistake. I should have ignored them and concentrated on my average speed or lap time or heart rate. With so many different categories, it wasn't so much a race as some weird never-ending time trial, only really competing against yourself and having no idea how you or other people are doing. But time trials are boring and races are fun, so I'm glad I made that mistake.<br />
<br />
I did ease off a little after about three hours, but this was too little too late, the damage already done, and around four hours in I started feeling peckish, which I know from experience is a BAD SIGN. It didn't mean it was lunchtime (although it was), it meant I was running out of fuel. And just like when the petrol light comes on in your car, you never really know how much is left in the tank.<br />
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<b>Hydration and fuelling</b><br />
<br />
Not to put too fine a point on it, how the hell do other people manage it?<br />
<br />
Despite drinking so much that I had to stop for a wee four
times during the race, each one taking a good ten minutes, my pee still ended up the colour of best bitter and my mouth
and throat dry as the Sahara. This made it impossible to swallow solid food on the go and left me at the mercy of sports nutrition products (liquid sugar) which always make my guts antsy.<br />
<br />
<u>During the race I consumed:</u><br />
<ul>
<li>4 bottles of Torq energy drink (posh squash)</li>
<li>3 bottles of 50/50 orange juice and water (the natural alternative)</li>
<li>1 bottle of water (keeping it simple) </li>
<li>3 cans of Coke (great caffeine hit but triggered belching in sonic boom territory)</li>
<li>1 ham and cheese sandwich (which I almost gagged on)</li>
<li>6 ginger cream biscuits (only palatable once soggy after a lap or two in my back pocket)</li>
<li>2 packets of crisps (source of electrolytes, OK?)</li>
<li>2 tins of fruit salad (find of the century: so easy to swallow)</li>
<li>2 pots of Ambrosia rice pudding (ditto, hot tip from another rider) </li>
<li>1 Torq rhubarb and custard gel (good pick-me-up, but too many can easily become a puke-me-up)</li>
</ul>
<u>During the race I ignored:</u> <br />
<ul>
<li style="text-align: center;">Jam tarts and the rest of my sandwiches (too dry) </li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The rest of my gels (see above)</li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>During the race I really craved:</u> </div>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li>A big bag of chips and a nice cup of tea </li>
</ul>
<u>I wish I'd taken: </u>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Boiled new potatoes, sausage rolls and some Ready-brek (!)</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<h2>
<b>Laps 8-11: Are we nearly there yet?</b></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The afternoon look - still de</i></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>termined but not entirely happy</i></span>. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo by <a href="http://www.ipernity.com/home/dylbic">Graham Haller</a> after he stopped flashing people in the woods.</i></span></div>
<br />
I therefore decided to take a proper break and have a little sit down while I wolfed down some solids. I also learned my race position for the first and last time. As I'd hoped and prayed, second singlespeed. I didn't expect to catch Mark Goldie, but reckoned that the others must be behind me for a reason, so if I could just keep going then I should make the podium. This was perhaps a little naive given that it was only four hours into the race - and the longest I've ever raced before is, er, four hours. There was still rather a long way to go.<br />
<br />
And that preyed increasingly on my mind as I continued to tick off lap after lap. After those early 31-minute blasts, I now settled into a consistent 35-minute rhythm, which was a much more comfortable pace - little more than bimbling really - but my legs and my guts were still starting to complain and the whole exercise was beginning to lose its novelty. The fun was now sporadic at best; it was all becoming a bit of a chore. And somebody must have slipped my dropper post some Viagra, as it was now stuck in the up position, forcing me to be a little more cautious on the
fast bits.<br />
<br />
I felt like the kids on a long car journey: "Are we nearly there yet?" Obviously I responded with a "No, and the more you moan, the longer it will take!" but that didn't help much. It doesn't with the kids either.<br />
<br />
<h2>
<b>Laps 12-15: Losing the plot</b></h2>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This was as gnarly as it got. That's not ironic trepidation; I can only guess I was passing wind and trying not to follow through. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Another photo by <a href="http://www.ipernity.com/home/dylbic">Sir Graham Haller</a>.</i></span></div>
<br />
When you get past six hours, the battle is not a
physical one. It's a given that pretty much every part of you will be
somewhere on the scale between rather achy and very hurty.
The real battle now is mental, and it was one I was losing.<br />
<br />
What I would have given for some proper climbs
and some proper descents to keep me interested during those dark days. Ashton Court is entertaining ridden at speed,
but at a more sedate pace you might as well be on the road.<br />
<br />
That said, I didn't take any suspension to Bristol (lighter, tougher, immeasurably cooler), and even on a course this tame, after eight hours my hands and wrists were like limp lettuce. My human suspension was failing and I was rattling myself to pieces. I began to dread every little step, every root, every lump and bump. God knows what I would have been like on a proper MTB course.<br />
<br />
Boredom gradually gave way to hatred, and I seriously considered giving up. What's the point in doing something if
you're not enjoying it? Then again, did I really want to throw away all my hard work over the last 8-9 hours? I was too tired to continue the argument though, and for want of a better idea I just plodded on. As Magnus Magnusson always used to say: "I've started so I might as well sodding finish."<br />
<br />
And then the unthinkable happened. Mark Goldie pulled alongside with a cheery "Hello, my singlespeed friend." Bastard. Utter bastard. He'd only gone and lapped me. Shame I was just too knackered to administer the five point palm exploding heart technique...<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NL7nLSSSWjw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="240" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NL7nLSSSWjw?feature=player_embedded" width="282"></iframe></div>
<h2>
<br />
<b>Laps 16-18: The end is nigh</b></h2>
By now I was in a right state. I was struggling to see and struggling to steer. I couldn't give two hoots about my position - no longer
was I checking out every passing rider's rear end* to see if they were a rival
singlespeeder. I was in a trance, a zombie - the pedals were turning but there was no-one home. I was also having a little sit-down in the pits at the
end of every lap, filling my bottle and scoffing Ambrosia in painfully
slow motion. Was this lethargy down to poor nutrition or was I just plain knackered?<br />
<br />
The drizzle from the first eight hours of the race was also back, the army cadets on marshalling duties had finally stopped calling out "Well done, sir!" and all I could hear was the distant tolling of a funeral bell...<br />
<br />
I did at least have the good sense to stop counting how many laps
I'd done and start counting down how many I had left. This felt much
more positive. I was also able to tick off a number of milestones: 160 km (100 miles), 10h18m (the longest I'd ever ridden
before), 169 km (the furthest I'd ever ridden before)...<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*For a derailleur!</span> <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeD9GvgcmhAp2tpItvBFKocB6Pdlx3vmqq0rnUtuwfa1W_H8Ep52FCWR0T_MyswtzCzYgKQmHT3nTFfL-HvdUb2IpTiZbVKgj2lQLd-2pkSoAhyRKlZmfB85hpey9DRVj2HwR3bF_PFCNN/s1600/_DSC8208_1700x1131.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeD9GvgcmhAp2tpItvBFKocB6Pdlx3vmqq0rnUtuwfa1W_H8Ep52FCWR0T_MyswtzCzYgKQmHT3nTFfL-HvdUb2IpTiZbVKgj2lQLd-2pkSoAhyRKlZmfB85hpey9DRVj2HwR3bF_PFCNN/s400/_DSC8208_1700x1131.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>This one says it all. It's getting dark, I'm plastered with
mud, absolutely knackered and still fucking going.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo by <a href="http://www.robbarkerimages.com/">Rob Barker</a>.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i></span> </div>
<h2>
<b>Laps 19-20: The end is nigher than expected</b></h2>
Those precious minutes trying and failing to find a spoon for my Ambrosia and then having to scoop it out with my fingers like a punch-drunk chimpanzee at the end of laps 17 and 18 were not without their consequences. At the start of lap 19 I suddenly realised in a brief moment of mathematical lucidity that I wouldn't now quite have time to complete my target of 20 laps.<br />
<br />
I briefly contemplated going all out for a fast final lap but decided I couldn't be arsed. To my credit, though, I did remain pig-headed enough to keep on riding the only stiff climb on the course, which had the "fun" riders walking three laps in. <br />
<br />
Despite managing to ride straight off the trail a couple of times as the light faded, I eventually limped over the finish line, and 11½ hours of Mizzrle Drizzle in Brizzle was finally at an end.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="background: #F3F3F3; border: 5px solid #F3F3F3; margin: 30px; padding: 10px; width: 75%;">
<b>Lessons learned</b><br />
<b> </b>(apart from 12 hours is a stupid idea)<br />
<ul>
<li>Try to organise or share a pit crew - someone to hand you food and drink, give you encouragement, track your position and times, and above all keep you on your bike and moving</li>
<li>Don't neglect your home comforts - I could usefully have brought suspension forks, extra arse cream for saddle sores, and more than one spoon</li>
<li>Keep fuelling right to the end - I clearly didn't get enough fuel in during the final third</li>
<li>Train properly - breaking your collarbone two months beforehand is a bad idea, as two eight-hour training rides just ain't enough </li>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<h2>
<b>The after-party</b></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8pCW3WFnsy2nsd6DbCzY9DfDo5L2jmLvMeupuRsruKgP_pKD7cWEGt4YHZbIs5z74QzyPpQFrOGHVSPrfBCuK95_QvLmcl2nF1IlpHZ6bzGyVmGusFKFo6Jw_txnzks9iDMYkT2pvyCo/s1600/bristol+poidimn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8pCW3WFnsy2nsd6DbCzY9DfDo5L2jmLvMeupuRsruKgP_pKD7cWEGt4YHZbIs5z74QzyPpQFrOGHVSPrfBCuK95_QvLmcl2nF1IlpHZ6bzGyVmGusFKFo6Jw_txnzks9iDMYkT2pvyCo/s400/bristol+poidimn.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>The 12-hour singlespeed podium: 1st Mark Goldie, 2nd Me, 3rd Paul Slade. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo courtesy of Paul's mate. </i></span></div>
<br />
I was in a bad way at the finish - wobbly as hell on my feet and shaking uncontrollably. So much so that a kind lady even offered me her burger. It took me
a full half-hour to get changed, shivering and quivering and trying not to keel over. I must've looked like I'd gone ten rounds with Mohammed Ali. I certainly felt like it. Utterly, dangerously exhausted.<br />
<br />
But I made it to the presentation, dressed for winter, hoping for the best, and was delighted to find that I had indeed clung on to second place - but only just. Paul Slade had been steadily reeling me in over the
last few laps and was only five minutes behind at the end. That might not sound like a narrow margin, but if I'd bought one more pot of Ambrosia...<br />
<br />
Now if my dropper hadn't failed, and I hadn't had to stop to retighten my cleats four times or have all those wees, and if I'd had suspension forks and gears, and remembered an extra spoon, fuelled better, not lost a month of training to injury and not started tired from work, then... Mark Goldie would still have beaten me. Well done, mate. Total legend. You wouldn't have bloody lapped me though!<br />
<br />
So, a rematch next year? Oh no, <b>NEVER AGAIN!!!!!</b><br />
<br />
Then again, never say never, eh?<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="background: #F3F3F3; border: 5px solid #F3F3F3; margin: 30px; padding: 10px; width: 75%;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Special thanks to <b>Louis Preece</b>, third in the
three-hour race, for checking my race position; to his dad <b>Brian Preece</b>, winner of the "proper old
gits" category in the 12-hour race, for being as welcoming and unintelligible as ever; to <b>Paul Slade</b> for the podium photo and not catching me; and to </i><i><i><b><a href="http://www.ipernity.com/home/dylbic">Graham Haller</a></b> for the free photos</i>.</i></span></div>
</div>
<u>Results:</u><br />
<u><br /></u>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCUxgoEZ18TvSGD-8knYHSf-5AESwZT49FSh4O9cMwmC9nVavHNmSQvJzYuIa6IoEJS4KBc2QeGbHOQb3WQVe-I5uM5mKAYhKF5qI9CPoQjnhJ0BZxAGhaUc4YlsHyiIAjoUMS6QniwLg/s1600/top+three+birstol.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="62" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCUxgoEZ18TvSGD-8knYHSf-5AESwZT49FSh4O9cMwmC9nVavHNmSQvJzYuIa6IoEJS4KBc2QeGbHOQb3WQVe-I5uM5mKAYhKF5qI9CPoQjnhJ0BZxAGhaUc4YlsHyiIAjoUMS6QniwLg/s400/top+three+birstol.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQVym4iMfYzFMXZ1e6YTiPw-FVp8t8Zji2khYmzJrsYNCyASh8S681YS8GoQRg0eueOHcNVDe9g-TaDX-BQPwPKFk22J0AMTFj1p4BbmW_A7jiLr_gmvXakSZc_thkShOMvPL_jJhjzm3/s1600/bristol+results.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQVym4iMfYzFMXZ1e6YTiPw-FVp8t8Zji2khYmzJrsYNCyASh8S681YS8GoQRg0eueOHcNVDe9g-TaDX-BQPwPKFk22J0AMTFj1p4BbmW_A7jiLr_gmvXakSZc_thkShOMvPL_jJhjzm3/s400/bristol+results.JPG" width="271" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Full results <a href="http://www.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=27&RId=30294">here</a></div>
<br />
<u>Strava:</u> <br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://app.strava.com/activities/325442681/embed/7d4243412e9f692619be50c52b19c165587d91d3" width="590"></iframe><br />Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-20424688819532571902015-04-02T22:47:00.000+01:002015-04-17T09:27:08.768+01:00Mondraker Enduro Round 1: Hear me roar!<b>Star date:</b> 21-22 March 2015<br />
<b>Location: </b><a href="http://www.coedtrallwm.co.uk/">Coed Trallwm</a>, Mid Wales<br />
<b>Event: </b>Mondraker Enduro Round 1<b></b><br />
<b>Weapon gratefully borrowed: </b><strike>Mondraker Foxy XR Carbon</strike> Pyga OneTwenty<br />
<b>Greatest strength:</b> Riding fast<br />
<b>Greatest weakness: </b>Not riding fast enough<br />
<b>Result: </b>Mid-table<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OrzO6SEA4cHcuW7b-THhea3kiwzNcudKv6V7K04wjpfpYrM22XoHnrmKl8XgJa-Nm4KC7SVqOCS3cQP7q6qFQmx_JDgde8Vj6M9axi6yQVWmhhwiOLJHmu7U4hdm9hO8tg1uqVV0Ov7K/s1600/10426845_10152801813378932_1015477288698569312_n+retouched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OrzO6SEA4cHcuW7b-THhea3kiwzNcudKv6V7K04wjpfpYrM22XoHnrmKl8XgJa-Nm4KC7SVqOCS3cQP7q6qFQmx_JDgde8Vj6M9axi6yQVWmhhwiOLJHmu7U4hdm9hO8tg1uqVV0Ov7K/s1600/10426845_10152801813378932_1015477288698569312_n+retouched.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo: Shaun Rutherford Sports Photography. </i></span></div>
<br />
Q. Why the photo from the sun-scorched dusty desert canyons of Colorado, Chris?<br />
A. Actually, Dearest Reader, that's Mid Wales. <a href="http://www.coedtrallwm.co.uk/">Coed Trallwm</a>, to be exact, Rain Capital of the Universe. In March. I kid you not.<br />
<br />
Q. But what was <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cam-Zink/121214941259631">Cam Zink</a>* doing in Mid Wales, in March?<br />
A. It's not actually Cam Zink. That's little old me getting all <a href="http://rampage.redbull.tv/">slopestyle</a>, innit.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*I so need a cool name like that. How about <b>Bud Craic</b>?</span><br />
<br />
But wait, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Rewind a few weeks. The phone rings and the conversation goes something like this:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Neil: "Gonna ride my enduro in March, Bud?"<br />
Me: "Sorry, Neil, I'm planning to spend that weekend getting sand in all the wrong places with my shaven-legged XC chums and a bunch of Belgian roadies in Smurf-like gimp suits at <a href="http://www.battleonthebeach.co.uk/">Battle on the Beach</a>."<br />
Neil: "What if I sort you a <a href="http://www.drovercycles.co.uk/mondraker-dealer-in-wales-weve-got-it-covered/">£6000 Mondraker superbike</a> from the sponsors and get <a href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/09/11/1410439466555_wps_6_PICTURE_BY_TIM_BRADLEY_ME.jpg">Kyle the Trail Pixie</a> to build some proper scary stuff?" <br />
Me: "Oh, all right then, if I must. But I'm not coming if it isn't beach weather."</blockquote>
Had it not been for the glaring omission of naughty blonde twins and a hot tub, I might've thought I'd died and gone to heaven.<br />
<br />
Not that it was all plain sailing. No sooner had I taken delivery of said superbike than she had to go back, double-booked with a demo day helping loadsamoney Brummies tame the fabled <a href="http://www.southernsportive.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/smooth-tarmac-3.jpg">Himalayan Braking Bumps</a> of Cannock Chase. Step forward co-sponsors <a href="http://www.drovercycles.co.uk/">Drover Cycles</a> of Hay-on-Wye to save the day with a top-notch substitute in the form of a <a href="http://www.drovercycles.co.uk/pyga-bikes/">Pyga OneTwenty</a> all the way from Sath Ifrica (more about that later). <br />
<br />
Meanwhile, as everyone got all excited about the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AnthonyPeasePhotography/posts/628634150569611">aurora borealis</a>, Parisian smog and the triple-whammy of super moon, spring equinox and solar eclipse, the real celestial miracle of March was three weeks of bone-dry weather and a forecast of brilliant sunshine. As a result, the riding conditions could not have been any better. The scene was well and truly set for the <b>most awesomest weekend of racing</b>.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_K1eMwEQteDCb9ORYoy5jS00duL_Eo40vTVe-UEhbrbNzQH83mDIf6Tj3-zRrCrnC-7d632sCUeGx4OHN3LvJZvLxBjHFezPJ7gzRIeQBQuXyy_21qtd0xH1wUnRh6VxCuCkU31LOrYgR/s1600/11081002_10153343449524384_4084731442932025118_n+tom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_K1eMwEQteDCb9ORYoy5jS00duL_Eo40vTVe-UEhbrbNzQH83mDIf6Tj3-zRrCrnC-7d632sCUeGx4OHN3LvJZvLxBjHFezPJ7gzRIeQBQuXyy_21qtd0xH1wUnRh6VxCuCkU31LOrYgR/s1600/11081002_10153343449524384_4084731442932025118_n+tom.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I ordered sunshine and I got it.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photo: Tom Stickland. Another 200 photos and Tom's own report on the event <a href="http://www.mbtom.co.uk/mondraker-enduro-2015-round-1/">here</a>.</i></span></div>
<br />
With me being like a <b>sponsored rider</b> now, the pressure was on. Not only would I have to man up and do the bike justice (and endure a whole load of heckling), but I'd have to say nice things here about the event even if it was shit.<br />
<br />
But d'you know what? Hand on heart, the only negative I can come up with for the whole weekend is that I came out of it <b>wanting more</b> - which is actually a good thing...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWdcNmX_scCRNEgOBckRo4B2Q4CtCalm0uMU9Xs8705wQLyhXiNodZcrokxvurrQ37vWFjEQe6OskQ4HifTvsnUMziqW0sVLB00c49INJvYti6J4x7yUg94xWggAN3HnJnDdOt6xTYdVs/s1600/11070093_10152799877343932_5461272907979461600_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrWdcNmX_scCRNEgOBckRo4B2Q4CtCalm0uMU9Xs8705wQLyhXiNodZcrokxvurrQ37vWFjEQe6OskQ4HifTvsnUMziqW0sVLB00c49INJvYti6J4x7yUg94xWggAN3HnJnDdOt6xTYdVs/s1600/11070093_10152799877343932_5461272907979461600_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">My cat was sad because he went to an enduro without putting the peak back on his helmet. </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: Shaun Rutherford.</span></i></div>
<br />
The <b>flexible </b>race format (ride one or both days), <b>laid-back </b>atmosphere (no fixed run times, sensible number of riders) and <b>central </b>base camp (all five tracks finishing within a stone's throw of a warm café and your car) were thankfully unchanged from the enduro at the same venue last October (chronicled in quite considerable detail <a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/empire-cycles-enduro-round-3-wolf-in.html">here</a>). But there were two notable differences:<br />
<br />
One was a move into the 21st century with some impressive electronic <b>timing wizardry</b> from <a href="http://www.sportident.co.uk/">Sportident</a>. Simply get your wrist tag switched on at the start, whizz past the automatic sensors at the start and end of each timed run, plug it back into the machine at the end - and out pops a natty little printout with all your times down to the nearest nanosecond together with your race position. This was almost as exciting as using the self-service checkout at the supermarket for the first time, only without the screaming frustration of having an <b>unexpected item</b> in the bagging area such as, um, a bag (so tempting to give them something truly unexpected, like a nice fresh turd).<br />
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<br />
The other change was that the hand-cut super-techy steep rooty twisty <a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/empire-cycles-enduro-round-3-wolf-in.html">mother of a first stage that had the better of me last time around</a> had spawned two <b>possibly even eviller babies</b> - with another two due to arrive in time for the next round in April. Relentlessly technical, and about as close to my comfort zone as Alpha Centauri, they really put you to the test in ways that trail centres cannot, or dare not, which is exactly what we came for. Well, most of us - a few people threw in the towel after practice and went home. Which is a crying shame, because while these three stages were undeniably tricky and a little scary in places, they were 100% rideable even for someone with my limited skills, and I know from regular experience that overcoming your initial doubts/fears/terror to take the plunge and find you can actually swim is just the <b>biggest confidence booster around</b>.<br />
<br />
Like their Mama, who put in a welcome reappearance with some <a href="http://beatingcowdens.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/boobs-guinness.jpg">impressive cosmetic enhancements</a>, <b>Damian 1 and Damian 2</b> were packed with super-tight slidey corners, off-camber shenanigans, random humps and lumps and bumps, rock gardens (more like rock piles) and short sharp drops, all littered with awkward roots desperate to ping you in the wrong direction. Ace!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQ1YebBojRlJ-gKuKWGQ_D9hcNrQtAy53YI16wmjkOY67YPKPvTPyIdC9d3d731V2zznY4jZRPJtr9fVuC05RFLFK-cbXT79QP31yzJUrPyVqOBOtVoh-u2P6I0d6j1BMByXdNBG-t4kt/s1600/11081166_10152799760163932_8066625681545616022_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQ1YebBojRlJ-gKuKWGQ_D9hcNrQtAy53YI16wmjkOY67YPKPvTPyIdC9d3d731V2zznY4jZRPJtr9fVuC05RFLFK-cbXT79QP31yzJUrPyVqOBOtVoh-u2P6I0d6j1BMByXdNBG-t4kt/s1600/11081166_10152799760163932_8066625681545616022_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: Shaun Rutherford.</span></i></div>
<br />
The clever thing about the two new tracks was that they both dropped steeply down through a small quarry to cross the fire road leading to the top of four of the five stages. This provided a <b>perfect focal point</b> for spectators - a steady stream of riders slowly making their way up to the top plus a gaggle of supporters, marshals, medics and photographers, alternately scrutinising, wincing, gasping, encouraging, heckling and snapping/filming away. No pressure, then.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: Shaun Rutherford.</span></i></div>
<br />
While it's tempting to give it a doom-laden name like the <b>Quarry of Reckoning</b>, and it certainly freaked some people out when they got to the top and looked down, then deciding to walk it and ending up spinning down somewhat inelegantly on their backsides (all very <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKddxHcWldg">It's a Knockout</a>), the quarry didn't faze me at all. A couple of years ago it would have been a different story, but I've had to deal with so many similar drops in XC races now, with little or no suspension and the saddle jammed a good 12 inches up my colon, that it just didn't seem that big a deal. OK, my heart was still in my mouth the first time I launched myself over the edge, especially on Damian 2's twisty triple-drop with the big pile of hay bales at the bottom to catch anyone missing the turn and <b>flying off the edge</b>... but ultimately all you had to do was drop your heels and plan your exit. It all made for some good photos though.<br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Not everyone got it right, but nobody got hurt.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photos: Shaun Rutherford.</span></i></div>
<br />
What did freak me out was the steep tight low-speed corner just after the quarry over what everyone thought was just a big fat root but was actually a real live <b>anaconda</b>, hibernating. Although bloodymindedness saw me round just fine in the race runs, overthinking led to three consecutive fails during practice:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuQUawfjhefOGmEA8rSUyfG7U0TLipjohnsTWilsMKZHcY8FB5IVmEk65oQgTs9lcugzIVBpHkssjgcsnsYITUySKx54TU9H6a5tI7ObHoM3tmlQAEAPz41Qrkn8na0XEPttvKzsL2sdd/s1600/11081041_10152799760808932_3887346929037829357_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuQUawfjhefOGmEA8rSUyfG7U0TLipjohnsTWilsMKZHcY8FB5IVmEk65oQgTs9lcugzIVBpHkssjgcsnsYITUySKx54TU9H6a5tI7ObHoM3tmlQAEAPz41Qrkn8na0XEPttvKzsL2sdd/s1600/11081041_10152799760808932_3887346929037829357_n.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo: Shaun Rutherford.</span></i></div>
<br />
If we'd had normal March weather, it would
have been carnage out there and I might have had a very different tale to tell - one a bit like <a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/empire-cycles-enduro-round-3-wolf-in.html">last time</a> I suppose. But as it was, the tracks got faster and faster over the weekend as they bedded in, passing tyres carving support into the loam on the off-camber sections and the <b>bonkers point-and-pray corners</b> becoming increasingly predictable. I grew more and more confident and more and more comfortable sliding round corners over the course of the weekend - and I've carried that into my riding since. Racing gravity enduros has <b>taught me so much</b> more than coaching ever has. Even so, my priority on the first three stages was just to make it down in one piece without too many mistakes, which I did. I was <b>neither fast nor stylish</b>, but I got the job done. Result.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wtnetudDu-Q" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Some great GoPro footage of the stages, including the odd tumble, from rider <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCebEtXmWJC_b24dWLl5dH9g">Craig Perks</a>.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
After the intense concentration demanded throughout the squirrelly squirminess of the three hand-cut stages, the flat-out pedally blasts on stages 4 and 5, based on the red and black trail centre descents I've ridden regularly in previous XC races, brought a return to my comfort zone and a welcome chance to relax. If the first three stages were like surfing <b>giant buttered fusilli</b>, the last two were like skiing down <b>uncooked spaghetti</b> - straight down the line. Albeit with the odd surprise kink or kicker
to catch you out. I should add that stages 4 and 5 were ridden blind*. In fact the Sunday-only riders had to do all five stages blind, which was not for the faint-hearted, as some
parts of the tracks definitely warranted a quick look before launching
yourself into them. Of course, that didn't stop some of them
putting in waaaay faster times than me - <b>respect!</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Not literally. Though it was tempting to shut your eyes here and there. </span><br />
<br />
All told, it was <b>a great weekend</b>. The stages were fantastic, the <a href="http://www.redkiteevents.co.uk/">Red Kite Events</a>
team are a pretty slick operation these days, and there was a great
atmosphere. Nice touches included the mayor in his ceremonial bling
doing the Saturday night podium presentations in the town square... as ever the
free pasta meal and after-party at <a href="http://www.food-food-food.co.uk/">The Drover's Rest</a>... mechanical assistance (and a bike in my case) from <a href="http://www.drovercycles.co.uk/">Drover Cycles</a>... even Muc-Off shower scrub in my hotel room...<br />
<br />
<br />
To sum up: <b>Top tracks, top bike, top weather, top people, top weekend. Nuff said.</b> <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="background: #F3F3F3; border: 5px solid #F3F3F3; margin: 30px; padding: 10px; width: 75%;">
<b>The Great British Bike Off</b><br />
<br />
So how did I get on with the bike I didn't ride and the one I did?<br />
<br />
In the blue corner: the <b><a href="http://www.drovercycles.co.uk/pyga-bikes/">Pyga</a>
OneTwenty</b> with alloy frame, 650b wheels, 120mm rear travel and 150mm Pike forks, ridden four times<br />
<br />
In the red corner: the <b><a href="http://www.silverfish-uk.com/Brand/8765/Mondraker">Mondraker</a>
Foxy XR</b> with carbon frame, 650b wheels, 140mm rear travel and 140/160mm Talas forks, ridden twice<br />
<br />
Both were kitted out with high-end bling, including full XX1 drivetrain. Both had the same "Rocks? What rocks?" attitude. Both were capable of flattering me into believing I was the long-lost <b>Fourth Atherton</b>. But they were also like chalk and cheese. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkq3p7sL5kld3CNvAqvLvQzEa5M9GsC6NYgsn1fvxZPu0cSr4URvdmjDgobLCEb2g4r_dIedksg5iZM52jSW2hSF__RfClaArb4prGYac-Wmhx48aGsS_NurBKXYLXWg-sUpJ7KwMUXSC/s1600/11004_10152799873313932_4353482303931527097_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDkq3p7sL5kld3CNvAqvLvQzEa5M9GsC6NYgsn1fvxZPu0cSr4URvdmjDgobLCEb2g4r_dIedksg5iZM52jSW2hSF__RfClaArb4prGYac-Wmhx48aGsS_NurBKXYLXWg-sUpJ7KwMUXSC/s1600/11004_10152799873313932_4353482303931527097_n.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
The <b><a href="http://www.drovercycles.co.uk/pyga-bikes/">Pyga OneTwenty</a> </b>was a fighter, a <b>burly bomb-proof bruiser</b> with a square jaw and tattoos, hewn from a block of solid Kryptonite. The front end felt a little twitchy on my first outing on the groomed trails at Cwm Rhaeadr, but ridden aggressively on the rougher stuff in Brechfa Forest the beast came into its own. I pushed as hard as I dared and then some, and the bike just laughed at me. With practice, we really could have gone places.<br />
<br />
At 30lb it was a tad sluggish on the climbs, and I would definitely change the Easton Havoc handlebar, which looked and felt like a piece of scaffolding and left me with numb hands. There was also precious little clearance for 2.4" tyres. But on the twisty stuff the Pyga proved surprisingly nimble and during the whole of the enduro it <b>never put a foot wrong</b>. Despite "only" 120mm of travel, the bike consistently went where I pointed it without any fuss, which is all I could have asked of it. Thank you so much for the loan, <a href="http://www.drovercycles.co.uk/">Drover Cycles</a>.<br />
<br />
I think <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CevxZvSJLk8">Katy Perry</a> hit the nail on the head:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I got the <strike>eye of the tiger</strike> <b>loan of a Pyga</b>, a fighter, dancing through the fire<br />
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar<br />
Louder, louder than a lion<br />
'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar<br />
Oh oh oh oh oh oh<br />
Oh oh oh oh oh oh<br />
Oh oh oh oh oh oh<br />
You're gonna hear me roar</i></div>
<br />
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<br />
Silly name aside (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goB0Cu74Pn4">Citizen Smith</a> anyone?!), the <b><a href="http://www.silverfish-uk.com/Brand/8765/Mondraker">Foxy</a></b> was a sophisticated thoroughbred. While the Pyga was clearly a he, the
Foxy was a she. The carbon frame was a thing of beauty, all sleek lines and curves so lush you wanted to lick them clean. The Pyga would be at home in the rough harbourside bars of Marseilles, but the Foxy belonged in Cannes. <br />
<br />
But even posh girls <b>love to be ridden hard</b>. Like the Pyga, she shrugged off ruts and boulders and remained poised and balanced at all times. Mondrakers are famously long, but I felt at home from the word go, maybe because I'm used to XC bikes. The Pyga rode like a 26" bike, the Foxy like a 29er.<br />
<br />
OK, so the handlebars were cluttered and only a rapper would dig the gold spokey-dokeys and the £5999 price tag is just silly. And as a 650b and XX1
virgin, I was a little underwhelmed to find that on both bikes all they did was go round and change gear when
you wanted to - I'd been expecting <b>fireworks</b>. <br />
<br />
Both bikes made me feel like I could walk on water. Not once did I have to back off for fear of running off line or something breaking, as I so often do on my XC featherweights. Both were super bikes. But ultimately it was the <b>Black Beauty</b> that captured my heart.<br />
<br />
So I guess it's over to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2C5TjS2sh4">Roxette</a>:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It must have been love but it's over now.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It must have been good but I lost it somehow.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It must have been love but it's over now.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>From the moment we touched, 'til the time had run out.</i><br />
<br />
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdYgLLVdJTsE0ow8FtWJZrijTBGQNr1PboG7UJzvzMXm4ZjqeHyAeoRpQBYAwVWiXxyvfGxxlA3RHW-7_qDosuE7dZrcCtfsbTLhlfYz0W0TeiaVJSwK4KL2DJkcRZSk9C9p8zo0K05f1/s1600/20150310_174641.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdYgLLVdJTsE0ow8FtWJZrijTBGQNr1PboG7UJzvzMXm4ZjqeHyAeoRpQBYAwVWiXxyvfGxxlA3RHW-7_qDosuE7dZrcCtfsbTLhlfYz0W0TeiaVJSwK4KL2DJkcRZSk9C9p8zo0K05f1/s1600/20150310_174641.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a> </i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Freshly licked clean.</span></i>
<br />
<br />
I really did fall <b>head-over-heels in love</b> with that bike and plan to test-ride some of her cheaper stablemates just as soon as I can... </div>
</div>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">PS: Confession time... I touched up one of the photos because my bald head was too shiny. So here's the question: If I took drastic action, would it be <b>the first toupée in enduro</b>?</span><br />
<br />
<br />
Results <a href="http://www.sportident.co.uk/results/2015/RedKiteEnduro-Round1/">here</a><br />
<br />
Other event reports <a href="http://www.mbswindon.co.uk/the-mondraker-enduro-series-round-1-report/">here</a>, <a href="http://www.drovercycles.co.uk/red-kite-enduro-round-one-race-report-pics/">here</a>, <a href="http://swinleybikehub.com/03/red-kite-mondraker-enduro-round-1-at-coed-trallwm/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.mbtom.co.uk/mondraker-enduro-2015-round-1/">here</a> (I got competition!)<br />
<br />
The <a href="http://www.redkiteevents.co.uk/#!the-enduro-series/c9zf">second round</a> of the Mondraker Enduro Series will now also be at <a href="http://www.coedtrallwm.co.uk/">Coed Trallwm</a>, with two all-new tracks, on 18-19 April. Do it.<br />
<br />Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-91933938112914640482015-03-10T21:34:00.004+00:002015-03-10T21:34:50.974+00:00Red Kite Winter XC Series Round 5: Serial killer<b>Star date:</b> 22 February 2015<br />
<b>Location: </b><a href="http://www.coedtrallwm.co.uk/">Coed Trallwm</a>, Mid Wales<br />
<b>Event: </b><a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/">Red Kite Winter XC Series Round 4</a><br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>29er hardtail 1x10<br />
<b>Greatest strength:</b> Finishing<br />
<b>Greatest weakness: </b>Body, mind and soul <br />
<b>Result: </b>5th overall, 2nd vet<br />
<br />
The omens weren't the best:
<br />
<ol>
<li>I was in the throes of man flu</li>
<li>I was nursing bruised ribs </li>
<li>The forecast was for really foul weather</li>
<li>I'd been doing my own bike maintenance</li>
</ol>
So I really should have spent the day tucked up in bed mainlining Lemsip, but with the <b>series title </b>at stake, that wasn't ever going to happen.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoxviUXse_4yjWvyf6RyeCZhe8mhtxg67pS0yOKIhQjxnhpfJKM6-R2CF8FPFAElQajf5yW-kwemzZExGkvl-ToGdjLW-SeMbR_0K2rR7jM8Dewf_eNgucaMcwR9cauWuDY-w9Jpw2Ixo/s1600/DSC_0308.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMoxviUXse_4yjWvyf6RyeCZhe8mhtxg67pS0yOKIhQjxnhpfJKM6-R2CF8FPFAElQajf5yW-kwemzZExGkvl-ToGdjLW-SeMbR_0K2rR7jM8Dewf_eNgucaMcwR9cauWuDY-w9Jpw2Ixo/s1600/DSC_0308.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Cracking photo (of another rider) courtesy of </i><i><i><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">The Valley Photographer</a> on her final mission.</i> Another 314 photos of the event <a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f702374283">here</a>.</i></div>
<br />
The weather was, if anything, even more <b>foul </b>than promised, treating us to a crash course in
meteorology on every lap, as rain at the bottom gradually morphed into sleet and eventually into snow as we gained height, all topped off with an Arctic headwind on the most exposed
section. This gradually took its toll on both riders and trail. No winter wonderland and polar bears this time around: I'm convinced I rode over a hippo or two on the woodsy sections as mossy loam was churned into wallowy slop, and even the surfaced tracks metamorphosed into little brown streams that filled up all the puddles and ensured a <b>proper soaking</b> from both above and below, waterproof kit be damned.<br />
<br />
Despite this, the first half of the race was fun: I didn't feel too bad, I was in the
thick of things, I was still warm and dry. But the second half of the race
was horrid: I got weaker and weaker, I lost touch with the leaders, I
was soaked from head to toe*, and my hands grew <b>desperately cold</b>. By the end of lap 4 I was struggling to change gear (not the end of the world in itself given my singlespeed leanings, but this is often swiftly followed by struggling to brake, which is never good news), so I stopped by the car for a
change of gloves - only to have a comic struggle to get the dry ones on as the lining clung Velcro-like to my damp fingers. It took what felt like a
couple of hours of whole-body <b>wriggling and jiggling</b> to get them half on and be able to ride off, followed by an entire climb of non-stop wiggling of fingers and thumbs to get them on the rest of the way - all of which served to thaw the whole of me out
quite effectively and see me through the final tortuous lap.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*In the name of science, I weighed my kit when I got home. Shoes, clothing and helmet came to
14lb! Once clean and dry, they were back down to 7lb, a difference of half a stone or three litres of water. Now that's what I call soaked. Maybe it's time to invest in some less absorbent winter kit... </span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrrJWQ8LlVFhfqx3Q0nVFMXZHK2SygGgsGsBVsfIfWAWW1AUjb6T4Bkrps2JMKOzmKFVB9Ep4XVxfTd1olham_ZhHi7Leka4smJAWTMtASWH1EhWK6nxiYObXHJcZ-E7XUk-FSx0XD6Ce/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdrrJWQ8LlVFhfqx3Q0nVFMXZHK2SygGgsGsBVsfIfWAWW1AUjb6T4Bkrps2JMKOzmKFVB9Ep4XVxfTd1olham_ZhHi7Leka4smJAWTMtASWH1EhWK6nxiYObXHJcZ-E7XUk-FSx0XD6Ce/s1600/DSC_0006.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Shadowing Huw Thomas on the first lap. Photo courtesy of </i><i><i><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">The Valley Photographer</a></i>.</i></div>
<br />
I'd started pretty well. After a warm-up that consisted chiefly of hanging around the
wood-burner in the café, I chased former European 24-hour champion Huw Thomas up the first climb and into the first singletrack sections, with Jon Roberts not far behind. For a while it was the three of us together and I felt good. But come the second lap I started to <b>drop back</b>. Nick "Steady Eddy" Reese then passed me on his way to catch Jon Roberts at the death and claim the win; and on the third lap the Karate Kid appeared out of nowhere to give <i>me </i>the chop this time and finish an impressive third ahead of Huw Thomas.<br />
<br />
Although it was frustrating not being able to put up a better fight, I was really pleased just to finish, especially as quite a few healthy lads didn't. Having all but drowned in the night in a sea of mucus, I thought I'd be firing <b>snot-rockets</b> left, right and centre before collapsing mummified half-way through, but my
nose miraculously dried up for the duration of the race - I guess my body
knows its priorities! Similarly, my ribs held up fine, despite a <b>last-lap mishap </b>that saw me skid into a tree trunk and somersault over the bars to land on my head some 20 feet down the trail. Ouch. All that hard work over the past three weeks developing revolutionary new sneeze-suppression techniques to protect my ribs was so nearly undone in an instant, but in the end I was fine. My heart was no longer in it, though, and I pootled back to the finish in
the manner of my dear departed Grandad, whose main claim to fame, apart from consistently voting <b>National Front</b>, was cycling between gas meter readings at less than
walking pace. And he then had the nerve to blame immigration for the country going down the pan...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDln-k2mm0Vv5W4OhoywoySMrKtunVVzGa8qt-4Xjc7QcvIX7zF0iDSPp_QS5QUM_g5A2U-suRGdgC-eWbejTNCWM69HVj2RqihcWD7TbDT-JgzhcKuUOKx1F39ehy9g9-bjfD7iZWA9p/s1600/DSC_0167.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDln-k2mm0Vv5W4OhoywoySMrKtunVVzGa8qt-4Xjc7QcvIX7zF0iDSPp_QS5QUM_g5A2U-suRGdgC-eWbejTNCWM69HVj2RqihcWD7TbDT-JgzhcKuUOKx1F39ehy9g9-bjfD7iZWA9p/s1600/DSC_0167.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Second lap - beginning to get squelchy. Photo courtesy of </i><i><i><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">The Valley Photographer</a></i>.</i></div>
<br />
My ribs were also the main reason I didn't take the singlespeed (again). But I was also keen to test my new 1x10 conversion*, which I'd done all by myself. This was quite a gamble, as I am notoriously <b>mechanically inept</b>. As a kid I
spent months making a bird-table at school, only to find one day that
someone had mistaken it for scrap and chucked it out. <i>[Cue violins.]</i> But I'm pleased and proud to report that the conversion worked perfectly. Put a <b>clutz </b>in charge of maintenance, and I finally get a race without any mechanicals whatsoever!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Translation for non-biking readers: I threw away my front
gears. And spent </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">an outrageous amount of money </span>doing so. Why? Well, it leaves one less thing to go wrong and saves a tiny amount of weight. Also, 1x10 is very much <i>en vogue</i>, and as you can see below I'm a <b>dedicated follower of fashion</b>. Trust me, you can't get much more "now" than an e</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">lliptical narrow-wide chain ring and clutch mech</span>.</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrwcgNLtEnq-W9qFk_V4mNXWu_ChCJ-SOAeclrU4R2UCw-dyz5VuTaZqLpKGAEa8v9uFbaBBG-PLy6gXi6lAG60AkFdo0Ivqfq6H4csZ7See2LbQJPCILsYKUA1sExX1yif7gQvOQNCv2/s1600/11005702_10203762144349720_1100875161_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrwcgNLtEnq-W9qFk_V4mNXWu_ChCJ-SOAeclrU4R2UCw-dyz5VuTaZqLpKGAEa8v9uFbaBBG-PLy6gXi6lAG60AkFdo0Ivqfq6H4csZ7See2LbQJPCILsYKUA1sExX1yif7gQvOQNCv2/s1600/11005702_10203762144349720_1100875161_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Farmer Giles enjoys his moment of glory next to close runner-up and wannabe catalogue model Jon Roberts. Not sure why the Teen Dream is on the big boys' podium, though.</i></div>
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<i>Cameraphone image courtesy of <i><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">The Disappearing Photographer</a></i>. Best of luck with your plans, Carol.</i></div>
<br />
Limping home in fifth was enough to claim the <b>series win</b> and add to my burgeoning collection of bike-cleaning products from <a href="http://muc-off.com/">Muc-Off</a> (no excuses for a dirty bike now!). Admittedly it was a slightly weather-assisted win, as Jon Roberts
missed one round after being snowed in, but I
did beat him the one time I had
no mechanicals or deadly agues, and I kinda feel I deserved it just for completing this last round. God,
it was tough. Racing at Trallwm is always tough - big climbs and physically demanding descents - but the weather on this occasion made it an <b>absolute killer</b>.<br />
<br />
A <b>massive thanks </b>to
Neil the organiser and his merry band of marshals and helpers (Chris,
Shaun, Kyle, Amber, Michelle and the others whose names I don't know)
for running the races, <a href="http://www.coedtrallwm.co.uk/">Coed Trallwm Mountain Bike Centre</a> for hosting them and Carol <a href="http://www.thevalleyphotographer.co.uk/">The Valley Photographer</a>
for capturing them on film. It had everything you could possibly hope
for from a winter series - <b>great courses, good company and some really
s**t weather</b>. I was going to end by saying "Roll on next November!" but then I remembered this is Wales, so I won't have to wait that long...<br />
<br />
<i>Next up for me: <a href="http://www.redkiteevents.co.uk/#!the-enduro-round-1/c1gsn">Mondraker Enduro</a> Round 1 at Coed Trallwm on 21-22 March and the <a href="http://www.redkiteevents.co.uk/#!the-little-devil/c1l62">Little Devil 60km</a> at Nant yr Arian, Aberystwyth, on 29 March. </i><br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Results:</b><br />
Now where did I put them? To follow...<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="https://app.strava.com/activities/258472274/embed/3cd12c8b97ff8920880d2809e4fd11a5e64738ed" width="590"></iframe>
Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-52606619589003166512015-02-03T17:24:00.000+00:002015-02-26T19:28:17.928+00:00Red Kite Winter XC Series Round 4: Eating yellow snow<b>Star date: </b>19 January 2015<br />
<b>Location: </b>Coed Trallwm, Mid Wales<br />
<b>Event: <a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/">Red Kite Winter XC Series Round 3</a></b><br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>29er hardtail with semi-automatic transmission<br />
<b>Greatest strength:</b> Persevering<br />
<b>Greatest weakness:</b> Chain<br />
<b>Result: </b>5th<br />
<br />
Finally a spot of proper winter weather and a chance to angst all night about whether I'd make it to the race at all. In the end, though, the main roads were as over-salted as your average bag of chips - other than the odd patch of ice and slush it was more like driving on the <b>beach</b>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.coedtrallwm.co.uk/">Coed Trallwm</a>, on the other hand, had been transformed into a magical winter wonderland. Glorious sunshine, a three-inch carpet of fresh snow, Bambi off in the distance frolicking with some <b>polar bears</b>, stunning.<br />
<br />
Q. How did King Wenceslas like his pizza?<br />
A. Deep and crisp and even.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo courtesy of </i><i><i><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">The Frozen Photographer</a></i>. Another 347 photos of the event <a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f702374283">here</a>.</i></div>
<br />
Messing around on bikes in the snow is just the best, like going sledging. You slide and skid about, not caring about your speed or the cold, and taking risks you never normally would, confident that if it does all go tits up at least you'll have a <b>soft landing</b>.<br />
<br />
<i>Racing </i>in the snow is a different matter, generally progressing from tough to fun to scary to horrid as the race progresses. On the first lap, you have to contend with the unparalleled energy-sapping qualities of virgin snow, which really ought to have military applications. Even downhill, it can be like riding uphill through treacle with the brakes on - while pulling a <b>freight train</b>. On the second lap, the snow is nicely compacted; let the fun begin. But after that the course tends to mutate first into an icy luge track and finally into wet, cold, sticky, slimy, brown slush from hell. Apart from that brief interlude of perfection on the second lap, racing in the snow is best described as character-building.<br />
<br />
Today, though, with a much-depleted turnout and the <b>right kind of snow</b>, it was surprisingly good fun to race on throughout. The packed snow/ice left by the organiser's 4x4 on the main climb offered surprising traction; the section of fluffy virgin snow at the far end of the course was short enough to be a fun challenge rather than a tortuous ordeal, the steep bits at the top becoming increasingly rideable as the race went on; and the snow offered surprising support and grip as I careered round the flat corners unclipped on the black descent, although I did have a couple of <b>speedway moments</b>. It was snow-free under the trees, though, which presented a challenge in itself as you dived into the gloom to find yourself worryingly snowblind. But ultimately I had more issues on the A483 than out on the course.<br />
<br />
With neither Enduro Man nor Jon Roberts in attendance, I got to the start thinking victory could finally be mine. <b>Don't I ever learn?</b> Three riders shot off alarmingly quickly up the opening climb; I followed warily at a distance, assuming they'd run out of puff; which they didn't, so eventually I had to speed up, catching them near the top to form a mini-peleton. It was shaping up to be a five-way battle for supremacy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzFAknChwiEjsne6HzWSUhgaqtn_D34VbswRyN0FJjU2Iqdolyiq78pxyI7QKj3Q0BTEcwr_CCGkwVENURTPTMaM1mexQEvxxn6cT_EKqludZu6fz85L2WvsM0M0LAz6t7nQJXqyZEe8O/s1600/DSC_0525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzFAknChwiEjsne6HzWSUhgaqtn_D34VbswRyN0FJjU2Iqdolyiq78pxyI7QKj3Q0BTEcwr_CCGkwVENURTPTMaM1mexQEvxxn6cT_EKqludZu6fz85L2WvsM0M0LAz6t7nQJXqyZEe8O/s1600/DSC_0525.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo courtesy of </i><i><i><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">The Frozen Photographer</a></i></i><i><i>.</i> </i></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>The cast:</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzw1o4zdZGPFQlr5Tb7tk_kHVoa5nqhvwIajkYkSPRyg77fURHg3i-sj4nfXtjkKsWSymYveI3MO8V6M6RrO8gAg-yAG5e5b2gE-VD__BVh4XW8XiVKl5ucA-wMSYFYmREOWi0Pda8uqES/s1600/karate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzw1o4zdZGPFQlr5Tb7tk_kHVoa5nqhvwIajkYkSPRyg77fURHg3i-sj4nfXtjkKsWSymYveI3MO8V6M6RrO8gAg-yAG5e5b2gE-VD__BVh4XW8XiVKl5ucA-wMSYFYmREOWi0Pda8uqES/s1600/karate.jpg" height="120" width="200" /> </a></div>
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<i>James Pritchard </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCut_sgzLTmZMSbWVYEjoKbbYC6xw9jnZXY8_A_pDx-lvEYGK18McXUZ03Ip4OsI0hAp6IIqfba0Rv3q8MG-fdoh8d8QXjaJq_xZePDHJGSMNPLcikLWkixjuuvVQTJODSxqYLofTPxxU/s1600/i_love_merthyr_tydfil_tshirt-r4398b43a987747f4b0ac6c074ba31edc_804gs_324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHCut_sgzLTmZMSbWVYEjoKbbYC6xw9jnZXY8_A_pDx-lvEYGK18McXUZ03Ip4OsI0hAp6IIqfba0Rv3q8MG-fdoh8d8QXjaJq_xZePDHJGSMNPLcikLWkixjuuvVQTJODSxqYLofTPxxU/s1600/i_love_merthyr_tydfil_tshirt-r4398b43a987747f4b0ac6c074ba31edc_804gs_324.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> Scott "I live 17 miles south of Brecon" Cornish</i></div>
<i><br /></i>
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73L1WIJiLVYJRcQ7yOzRwAQplcoAOMpYh2igtvgHUNKNrfXt_Z8zxSisgUQbn4jZ2maGtyM5OVTHHWZnglH09M9wJTzCz1mWVvWd3hEuHsroZqHpL0AfCQ7AxfdED1t-fgTEb1fo30_me/s1600/james.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73L1WIJiLVYJRcQ7yOzRwAQplcoAOMpYh2igtvgHUNKNrfXt_Z8zxSisgUQbn4jZ2maGtyM5OVTHHWZnglH09M9wJTzCz1mWVvWd3hEuHsroZqHpL0AfCQ7AxfdED1t-fgTEb1fo30_me/s1600/james.jpg" /></a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>James Joyce</i></div>
<i><br /></i>
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3bhCBBDaXkRiT5UeftVoZQOsT2GhSIEtpuPG9ixfwxV8FnPoa_PbHl95yF3dcFVd6NSlYrwirb4WgF9orpz5A43H5CqErfhLtTcY9r8TXYo80uca0ZWrM06aDpTrrl-nwxMKfv_H8VVE/s1600/Screen-Shot-2012-01-08-at-1.29.48-AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3bhCBBDaXkRiT5UeftVoZQOsT2GhSIEtpuPG9ixfwxV8FnPoa_PbHl95yF3dcFVd6NSlYrwirb4WgF9orpz5A43H5CqErfhLtTcY9r8TXYo80uca0ZWrM06aDpTrrl-nwxMKfv_H8VVE/s1600/Screen-Shot-2012-01-08-at-1.29.48-AM.png" height="141" width="200" /></a></i></div>
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<i>The weakest link? That'll be me then.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkY2j58LY5da6_u0WoA4_bBiZazDVthyphenhyphenI7M8MyRzeTpv-hxDG4-cyEAaOr2w4zCk8hWrcCdpTJ0qw1XXzcDeXEqFKlUuXyjhA-DbT8F8n0ll6pTFrVgr_FMm0CR0fgtqDmhuqtDRKSavr/s1600/Andy-McNab-writer-ex-SAS-003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkY2j58LY5da6_u0WoA4_bBiZazDVthyphenhyphenI7M8MyRzeTpv-hxDG4-cyEAaOr2w4zCk8hWrcCdpTJ0qw1XXzcDeXEqFKlUuXyjhA-DbT8F8n0ll6pTFrVgr_FMm0CR0fgtqDmhuqtDRKSavr/s1600/Andy-McNab-writer-ex-SAS-003.jpg" height="120" width="200" /></a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And Hereford's Nick Reese, lurking sinisterly in the background</i></div>
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<br /></div>
Predictably, the Karate Kid shot his load too early, confirming every prejudice we have about teenagers, and ran out of steam on the second lap. F. Scott Fitzgerald had a good stab at writing his name in the history books to finish a strong third, while Andy McNab was readying his grenades for a final murderous push for victory when Merthyr Man heard one of his neighbours had been spotted in the car park. Fearing for his <b>stereo</b>, he flew off to finish over a minute clear.
<br />
<br />
And the weakest link? Well, I struggled with the pace from the off. After getting held up by a couple of the others on the early singletrack sections (a novelty that soon wore off), I eventually gave the Karate Kid the chop but just couldn't close the gap on the others to less than 100 yards. And then, at exactly the same point on the course as in <a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/red-kite-winter-xc-series-round-2.html">round 2</a>, my chain did a runner. I managed to fix it at only the second attempt and in less than half the time it took before, but combined with a mysterious flat tyre half a mile later, intermittently frozen gears that I'd naively done nothing about since the <a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/red-kite-events-frozen-devil-55km-day.html">Frozen Devil</a>, a saddle that wouldn't stay up, issues with ice in my cleats on the snowy top section, and general knackeredness... I was a spent force, once again suffering with cramp and limping round the last two laps to finish fifth, only just avoiding being lapped. All horribly reminiscent of <a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/red-kite-winter-xc-series-round-2.html">round 2</a>. A part of me really wanted to <b>give up and go home </b>- but then the rest of me just wanted to get back up the top and play in the snow some more!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_FESfAl3O-OoOyzRHtCTE-ZHZw4Ts_oBSWSL-mgAUfCijDx9EmWSRQVouIev_wshAZnHtU0yz4_O8XSTb5gq1WVAkQZaDvG7fHXzZPHtXII5R2nIVjXuOa0Jc41lLrbBKrDS_DV421JH/s1600/DSC_0891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_FESfAl3O-OoOyzRHtCTE-ZHZw4Ts_oBSWSL-mgAUfCijDx9EmWSRQVouIev_wshAZnHtU0yz4_O8XSTb5gq1WVAkQZaDvG7fHXzZPHtXII5R2nIVjXuOa0Jc41lLrbBKrDS_DV421JH/s1600/DSC_0891.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo courtesy of </i><i><i><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">The Frozen Photographer</a></i></i><i>.</i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Competition time!</b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Solve the Mystery of the Flat Tyre and you could win ... moderate gratitude from me and the adulation of both my readers. The scenario: All the air leaks audibly out of a nearly new tubeless tyre over a period of say 30 seconds while I'm riding on packed snow up a smooth fireroad. There are no tears in the tyre, the bead is still seated in the rim, the top of the valve is screwed in properly, and once reinflated the tyre stays up for the rest of the race (and has been fine ever since). So what happened?</i><br />
<i>Answers on a postcard please...</i></div>
<br />
See you at Coed Trallwm on 22 February for the <a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/">final round of the XC series</a>. And I really will be taking the singlespeed next time; I just don't know what's come over me of late.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The top 5:</b><br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 513px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1024; mso-width-source: userset; width: 21pt;" width="28"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 3254; mso-width-source: userset; width: 67pt;" width="89"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2048; mso-width-source: userset; width: 42pt;" width="56"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1792; mso-width-source: userset; width: 37pt;" width="49"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1828; mso-width-source: userset; width: 38pt;" width="50"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1718; mso-width-source: userset; width: 35pt;" width="47"></col>
<col span="2" style="mso-width-alt: 1828; mso-width-source: userset; width: 38pt;" width="50"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1755; mso-width-source: userset; width: 36pt;" width="48"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1682; mso-width-source: userset; width: 35pt;" width="46"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="18" style="height: 13.5pt;">
<td class="xl60" height="18" style="height: 13.5pt; width: 21pt;" width="28"></td>
<td class="xl61" style="width: 67pt;" width="89"></td>
<td class="xl61" style="width: 42pt;" width="56"></td>
<td class="xl61" style="width: 37pt;" width="49"></td>
<td class="xl60" style="width: 38pt;" width="50"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Time</span></td>
<td class="xl60" style="width: 35pt;" width="47"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lap 1</span></td>
<td class="xl60" style="width: 38pt;" width="50"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lap 2</span></td>
<td class="xl60" style="width: 38pt;" width="50"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lap 3</span></td>
<td class="xl60" style="width: 36pt;" width="48"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lap 4</span></td>
<td class="xl60" style="width: 35pt;" width="46"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lap 5</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl58" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span></td>
<td class="xl58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">CORNISH</span></td>
<td class="xl58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Scott</span></td>
<td class="xl58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Vet</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2:16:23</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">22:06</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">28:36</span></td>
<td class="xl62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">0:28:35</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">25:15</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">29:13</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl58" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span></td>
<td class="xl58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">REESE</span></td>
<td class="xl58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Nick</span></td>
<td class="xl58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Senior</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2:18:08</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">21:51</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">28:38</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">28:56</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">28:12</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">30:28</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl58" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td>
<td class="xl58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">JOYCE</span></td>
<td class="xl58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">James</span></td>
<td class="xl58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Vet</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2:19:27</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">22:09</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">28:41</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">28:37</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">28:40</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">31:19</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl58" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td>
<td class="xl58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PRITCHARD</span></td>
<td class="xl58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">James</span></td>
<td class="xl58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Junior</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2:35:39</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">22:16</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">32:58</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">32:00</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">33:44</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">34:40</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl58" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5</span></td>
<td class="xl58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">SCHRODER</span></td>
<td class="xl58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chris</span></td>
<td class="xl58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Vet</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2:16:03</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">22:12</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">29:57</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">48:54</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">34:59</span></td>
<td class="xl59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Strava:</b><br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://app.strava.com/activities/242817347/embed/ff1ef80a25dea9d96f53030c25ba30178d9b346a" width="590"></iframe>Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-12490683649555657372015-01-23T19:57:00.000+00:002015-01-23T19:57:24.025+00:00Red Kite Events Frozen Devil 55km: A day of extremes<b>Star date: </b>4 January 2015<br />
<b>Location: </b>Irfon Forest, Mid Wales<br />
<b>Event: <a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/">Red Kite Events Frozen Devil 55km challenge</a></b><br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>29er hardtail with 30 gears at times<br />
<b>Greatest weakness: </b>Stopping at the <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g316017-d2075288-Reviews-The_Drovers_Rest-Llanwrtyd_Wells_Powys_Wales.html"><b>Drover's Rest</b></a><b> </b><br />
<b>Greatest strength: </b>Leaving the <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g316017-d2075288-Reviews-The_Drovers_Rest-Llanwrtyd_Wells_Powys_Wales.html"><b>Drover's Rest</b></a><br />
<b>Result: </b>2nd, 3rd and 4th<br />
<br />
It was always going to be on the extreme side, riding 35 miles up and down big hills in the wildest wilds of Wales in the midst of winter, plastered with mud, soaked to the skin, chilled to the bone, cramping all over and <b>begging for mercy</b>.<br />
<br />
And as usual <a href="http://www.redkite-events.co.uk/">Red Kite Events</a> had thrown in some pretty hostile terrain along the way that seemed <b>hell-bent on killing you</b>. Assuming you managed to avoid dying of boredom on the world's longest fire road climbs or drowning in the world's coldest puddles, the alternately muddy/icy/rooty/loggy descents then did their damnedest to fling you into the abyss - and that was even before you got to the malaria-infested swamps with their giant mutant leaches and man-eating crocodiles.<br />
<br />
Now while all this dicing with death was of course <b>hugely enjoyable</b>, somehow I don't think it's what this event will mainly be remembered for.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzddwl1Nkj2T_x_SIkFADnqxjKsihQ9yMuTq7kCYBACwKzVvC8p-MGqVRumtrDgF9Gxkds-mZk8Rdy28k_zk_lR1tR3PNK1T5dFiJ026ZzvOXkL1lHfDyeBGtIGqHTnbYEUbbS4axutJ03/s1600/DSC_0074.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzddwl1Nkj2T_x_SIkFADnqxjKsihQ9yMuTq7kCYBACwKzVvC8p-MGqVRumtrDgF9Gxkds-mZk8Rdy28k_zk_lR1tR3PNK1T5dFiJ026ZzvOXkL1lHfDyeBGtIGqHTnbYEUbbS4axutJ03/s1600/DSC_0074.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Near the start at <a href="http://www.coedtrallwm.co.uk/">Coed Trallwm</a>. Photo courtesy of <a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/">The Valley Photographer</a>,
who somehow contrived to get cold and wet despite never venturing more
than 30 feet from the café...</i><br />
<i>Another 450 photos <a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/p389893926">here</a>.</i></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.redkite-events.co.uk/">Red Kite Events</a> have long claimed to have the best feed stations around thanks to their partnership with the award-winning <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g316017-d2075288-Reviews-The_Drovers_Rest-Llanwrtyd_Wells_Powys_Wales.html">Drover's Rest</a> restaurant in Llanwrtyd Wells. And with some justification, although <a href="http://www.acycling.com/">A Cycling</a>'s home-made cakes and soup could definitely also stake a claim after the feast they laid on at <a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/cross-mountain-55km-lost-for-words.html">Cross Mountain.
</a><br />
<a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/cross-mountain-55km-lost-for-words.html"><br /></a>
The <b>problem with feed stations</b>, though, whatever the quality and variety of the food, is that they are never going to be more than a couple of grub-laden tables perched in the middle of nowhere, generally the bleakest and most inhospitable point on the whole course, so you just don’t want to hang around. You quickly stuff a couple of flapjacks in your mouth, furtively shove a few more in your pockets that you then forget to eat (I once found a feed-station banana in a coat pocket when I got my kit out of the washing machine… and ate it), quickly top up your water and ride straight off again into the sunset before the wind-chill freezes you into Iceland party food.
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uAPC5rObqUoIu9cVAYbe-r-RuyTyW3oiu_y9vYFl6KKNZ3fRWdaD1T2FoXimv21qDNozqYEwA8jV4c65W6gh5TlRkTMUJ1fJ0Oi1xvrKYzqIyG6Ig5ZIJQPkLWZyi7cMrIL22gZnUedZ/s1600/mountain+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_uAPC5rObqUoIu9cVAYbe-r-RuyTyW3oiu_y9vYFl6KKNZ3fRWdaD1T2FoXimv21qDNozqYEwA8jV4c65W6gh5TlRkTMUJ1fJ0Oi1xvrKYzqIyG6Ig5ZIJQPkLWZyi7cMrIL22gZnUedZ/s1600/mountain+2.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g316017-d2075288-Reviews-The_Drovers_Rest-Llanwrtyd_Wells_Powys_Wales.html">Drover's Rest</a> proprietor, award-winning chef and all-round good guy Peter James, a man with more letters after his name than in his name thanks to his services to tourism, came up with a solution. Why not invite riders into his nice warm restaurant conveniently situated halfway round the course – and, what’s more, feed them <b>a proper dinner</b>?
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIUHc4owWj_YfApdsHsgT2lPbxpnL4DZcHxffiv_3DskllAWLoJMjZXew7RlyBuyW1XktOL7yzU9uL-Zd4uHnt64IWJVRRCFN7DRG8c5jTHDIw0BQZq1FrriWMU3YMsXLeTEgEY0cEssq/s1600/Gordon_Ramsay_and_Lamb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIUHc4owWj_YfApdsHsgT2lPbxpnL4DZcHxffiv_3DskllAWLoJMjZXew7RlyBuyW1XktOL7yzU9uL-Zd4uHnt64IWJVRRCFN7DRG8c5jTHDIw0BQZq1FrriWMU3YMsXLeTEgEY0cEssq/s1600/Gordon_Ramsay_and_Lamb.jpg" height="252" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Peter James about to prepare dinner.</i></div>
<br />
Let’s just get this straight. On a rare day when he was not up at Buckingham Palace collecting <b>another MBE</b>, Peter<br />
<ul>
<li>closed his restaurant to the public for Sunday lunch</li>
<li>welcomed in over 100 muddy-as-**** mountain bikers</li>
</ul>
Just to make it absolutely clear, he took this:<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/2S1V-00rndg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
and filled it with people looking like this:<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOhj4dd-dp3dbMthU61_np8PFL_FeRhTjtATd1PKW2jwlFOXeZvMmXPtuf2WfxthSeUeyLo5Gel-miQOEqAegT3bHkytkhhkB7vMJ2t5Lq9FaYXwvod6563cujzezGWHbvE7f6CbAC9hI/s1600/mudy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOhj4dd-dp3dbMthU61_np8PFL_FeRhTjtATd1PKW2jwlFOXeZvMmXPtuf2WfxthSeUeyLo5Gel-miQOEqAegT3bHkytkhhkB7vMJ2t5Lq9FaYXwvod6563cujzezGWHbvE7f6CbAC9hI/s1600/mudy.jpg" height="320" width="319" /></a></div>
<br />
Because after riding 30 km up hill and down dale through mud, puddles and the odd patch of snow, we weren't exactly dressed for dinner. OK, the restaurant has a stone floor, so all he had to do was go all <b>feng shui</b> and stack the tables out of the way, pop a buffet along one wall, and get busy with the mop afterwards.
<br />
<br />
But no. We arrived to find tables laid, napkins origamified, the works. Peter was offering us <b>a proper sit-down meal</b>… And all that protected his lovely restaurant from our muddy behinds was a sheet of newspaper on each upholstered chair (rather aptly, it was the <i>Daily Mail</i>, which is, of course, only fit to wipe your arse with).
<br />
<br />
Apart from the best china, Peter also laid on his <b>hottest waitresses</b>: <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8scPOU7wDKjEtLUEGQBM_3VOOmqixHSRuCvUs2T4VJygZan0-XVvdYcgA8n8J3rX4Ge2gCNc34Ru7mHZj_OITUyw4rlkyoudwaE5ngA1Rxh0yPuqnJToPtZdIEQ3Mo-Hdt6mz0ilzzIa/s1600/EXCHANGE-FILE-RESCAN-DAVIS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8scPOU7wDKjEtLUEGQBM_3VOOmqixHSRuCvUs2T4VJygZan0-XVvdYcgA8n8J3rX4Ge2gCNc34Ru7mHZj_OITUyw4rlkyoudwaE5ngA1Rxh0yPuqnJToPtZdIEQ3Mo-Hdt6mz0ilzzIa/s1600/EXCHANGE-FILE-RESCAN-DAVIS.jpg" height="206" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Oops, wrong pic. How did that get out of my private collection? No, I'm sure this is the one who served me:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh757k8OheZGWVWp7mOMwOYKxqsUiqaBikswVFwHdlrLWm6ZnfFfSkZUmiojlU_CCSJe4ORI5j1SwMlMVR-BWtjYyBC7WOpKnEGP6lz6x21hSYz5vdwQUjMBk-v-J5XC7hwDPhwJeEtklxe/s1600/D2D945D6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh757k8OheZGWVWp7mOMwOYKxqsUiqaBikswVFwHdlrLWm6ZnfFfSkZUmiojlU_CCSJe4ORI5j1SwMlMVR-BWtjYyBC7WOpKnEGP6lz6x21hSYz5vdwQUjMBk-v-J5XC7hwDPhwJeEtklxe/s1600/D2D945D6.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
It might as well have been one of the first bunch, though. After 30 km in wintry conditions, let's just say <b>every extremity</b> was verging on frostbitten... <br />
<br />
It was all a bit <b>surreal</b>. “Tea or coffee?” asks one waitress. A cafetière magically materialises. We sit down, gingerly, as though we all had piles. We sip from proper cups, with saucers, and genteelly crook slowly thawing little fingers. “Fresh parmesan on your pasta?” asks another waitress. “Warm ciabatta roll and butter?”<br />
<br />
We are, of course, ravenous and the food soon disappears. And then comes the big decision: <b>to stay or not to stay</b>. Leaving the welcoming bosoms of the <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Hotel_Review-g316017-d2075288-Reviews-The_Drovers_Rest-Llanwrtyd_Wells_Powys_Wales.html">Drover's Rest</a> was not going to be easy. Baby, it was cold outside.<br />
<br />
But then Jon Roberts announced he wanted to leave before his legs (at least I think it was his legs) stiffened up. So I had to go too. And so did Jared Linden and Nick Reese. Strange as it might seem, and it seemed very strange at the time, the four of us were halfway through a keenly fought race, you know. It was all rather like that <b>Christmas Day truce </b>in World War One when the two armies downed arms to play football.<br />
<br />
And it must have looked like the Somme too by the time the other 100 riders had been through. I think everyone’s favourite restaurateur will have to scratch Cleanest Restaurant Furniture of the Year off his list for 2015... and settle for another trip to see Ma’am, this time maybe finally bagging that elusive <b>knighthood </b>for services to hungry mountain bikers.
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ntpH3QpggQ994nDzhCn7tNc7rALZ_eYL7KBwMcUIBml2Q0HAafvqS_UW4gAdJco9HIw_svmxnG7r52jtcy2SWuthK4VvGhJ1b9S4gaaMvS1LUG9RktxNx7TUquJkl1BD77oKMSOLzdLT/s1600/rene.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ntpH3QpggQ994nDzhCn7tNc7rALZ_eYL7KBwMcUIBml2Q0HAafvqS_UW4gAdJco9HIw_svmxnG7r52jtcy2SWuthK4VvGhJ1b9S4gaaMvS1LUG9RktxNx7TUquJkl1BD77oKMSOLzdLT/s1600/rene.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>St Peter James after we’d finished. (I know, wrong war, but hey ho.)</i></div>
<br />
I think everyone loved the idea of a proper sit-down meal as part of the event – it’s great to catch up and swap war stories over a decent bite to eat - and everyone enjoyed it. But the consensus even among the more casual riders is that it would’ve been better to have it at the end after we’d cleaned up. I know for a fact that some of the riders doing the event are complete animals - <b>you know who you are </b>- but even they felt a little sheepish sitting there in a sea of mud and sweat fumes.
<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the truce was off and it was back over the top. Young Jared soon disappeared off ahead; Jon, Nick and I were together for ages, but on the last big fire road climb I started to drop back due to cramp. Although I caught them up on a mad technical dash up what is normally a wild descent, packed with monster puddles and rocky steps and no end of mud and roots and all the other things I love about mountain biking, I then lost them again to reach the finish a couple of minutes adrift.
<br />
<br />
So in the end I was second on the morning’s official timed section; third before lunch; and fourth after lunch. Confused? I’m still pretty dazed as well.
<br />
<br />
The event was <b>extremely tough</b>. Too tough for many, with half the starters failing to complete the whole course. The descents were all pretty wild and a lot of fun, but in the Irfon Forest you do really have to earn them; it's not as compact as the Crychan Forest down the road, but then it does get you that much more "out there".
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgnvpKT9MoW5OZ_pIi3Wjf1UCLg-ahgzI2aKkMRjWs1JS81KCV0Q1RGluO96rCw68aBKjMieLbdstx-SbNeT59PZ09k8B-0owZzaJL-LCPVrBF-DSCegugT7mGP36tglY246-8HyPRdbL/s1600/DSC_1031.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPgnvpKT9MoW5OZ_pIi3Wjf1UCLg-ahgzI2aKkMRjWs1JS81KCV0Q1RGluO96rCw68aBKjMieLbdstx-SbNeT59PZ09k8B-0owZzaJL-LCPVrBF-DSCegugT7mGP36tglY246-8HyPRdbL/s1600/DSC_1031.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The event attracted every kind of rider. Photo courtesy of <a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/">The Valley Photographer</a>. </i></div>
<br />
<a href="http://www.redkite-events.co.uk/">Red Kite Events</a> supremo Neil Delafield tells me he wants to be known for extreme events where merely <b>finishing is an achievement</b>. And I have to say he’s doing a good job. I’m pretty fit these days, but I hurt every bit as much as anyone else out there by the end. I finished smiling but absolutely drained and riddled with cramp. I haven't been that knackered for ages. Nice one.<br />
<br />
So I’m looking forward to the similar <a href="http://www.redkiteevents.co.uk/#!the-little-devil/c1l62">Little Devil</a> event on 29 March starting from Bwlch Nant yr Arian near Aberystwyth.<br />
<br />
<b>Top 10 on the timed section </b>(I only came second because Jon fell off): <br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 274px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 2340; mso-width-source: userset; width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2742; mso-width-source: userset; width: 56pt;" width="75"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2633; mso-width-source: userset; width: 54pt;" width="72"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2304; mso-width-source: userset; width: 47pt;" width="63"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">1</td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 56pt;" width="75">Linden</td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 54pt;" width="72">Jared</td>
<td class="xl66" style="width: 47pt;" width="63">00:43:31</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">2</td>
<td class="xl65">Schroder</td>
<td class="xl65">Chris</td>
<td class="xl66">00:44:57</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">3</td>
<td class="xl65">Roberts</td>
<td class="xl65">Jon</td>
<td class="xl66">00:45:08</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">4</td>
<td class="xl65">Reese</td>
<td class="xl65">Nick</td>
<td class="xl66">00:47:20</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">5</td>
<td class="xl65">Hawthorne</td>
<td class="xl65">Lewis</td>
<td class="xl66">00:49:27</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">6</td>
<td class="xl65">Chapman</td>
<td class="xl65">Shuan</td>
<td class="xl66">00:50:15</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">7</td>
<td class="xl65">Pritchard<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></td>
<td class="xl65">Charlie</td>
<td class="xl66">00:52:56</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">8</td>
<td class="xl65">Brewer</td>
<td class="xl65">Stephen</td>
<td class="xl66">00:53:08</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">9</td>
<td class="xl65">Jones</td>
<td class="xl65">Nicholas</td>
<td class="xl66">00:53:09</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">10</td>
<td class="xl65">Allen</td>
<td class="xl65">David</td>
<td class="xl66">00:53:13</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Strava:</b>
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://app.strava.com/activities/236729890/embed/8c49acb26ec265512619d295b28e3108d204c677" width="590"></iframe>Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-57681562787852144242015-01-08T21:34:00.001+00:002015-01-08T21:42:10.226+00:00Red Kite Winter XC Series Round 2: Shoulda taken the singlespeed<b>Star date: </b>14 December 2014<br />
<b>Location: </b>Coed Trallwm, Mid Wales<br />
<b>Event: <a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/">Red Kite Winter XC Series Round 2</a></b><br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Loadsagears 29" hardtail<br />
<b>Greatest strength:</b> Finishing<br />
<b>Greatest weakness:</b> Chain<br />
<b>Result: </b>7th<br />
<br />
A forecast of wet and windy weather sorted the men from the boyos even before the infamous first climb. Most of the Valleys crowd cried off to go <b>Xmas shoplifting</b> instead, leaving it to a select bunch of hardier mountain men (and woman) from Welshie Wales and Hereford, home of the SAS, to step up to the plate - and smash it.<br />
<br />
And a right <b>mountain man </b>I was too, not having shaved for a month and starting to look a little like a cross between Kenny Rogers and a bearded collie:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Kenny Rogers</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqM0nr_nBraGMis8K56OBUsOCfGAhVziGCStj9HuvUBwEJBxPRMCVxPuqUOF9gmcg_rzsHtsWjhBr-Ka7X_0Z9CWIv8Q_sA6H1wMBEYE4azIqNYrWT2eZp21g1NPRkMP973vV8aX4OaNEl/s1600/kenny-rogers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqM0nr_nBraGMis8K56OBUsOCfGAhVziGCStj9HuvUBwEJBxPRMCVxPuqUOF9gmcg_rzsHtsWjhBr-Ka7X_0Z9CWIv8Q_sA6H1wMBEYE4azIqNYrWT2eZp21g1NPRkMP973vV8aX4OaNEl/s1600/kenny-rogers.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Bearded collie</i></div>
<br />
I mention this not out of vanity (cough) but because it dictated my choice of steed for this race. As you know, <b>singlespeeds and beards</b> go together like gin and tonic, Hale and Pace, priest and choirboy, Robson and Jerome. So, being the contrary sod I am, I took the geared bike.<br />
<br />
And I really wish I hadn't, because if I'd taken the singlespeed I wouldn't have lost half an hour to a <b>mechanical</b>...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Squelch.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo courtesy of the newly rebranded Carol Cobbett. RIP CAC Photography; world domination awaits for </i><i><i><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">The Valley Photographer</a></i>. Another 507 photos of the event <a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f702374283">here</a>.</i></div>
<br />
The course was a longer version of the previous round's loop, chopped and changed quite a bit to break up the long climb (except on the first mini-lap) and extended to include the top of the black descent and a tricky <b>where's-my-line-dude</b> boggy section. The rough-cut rooty sections were in and riding better and better. Fun but testing.<br />
<br />
I finished the first climb clear in second behind the <b>Enduracell Bunny</b>, Rob Williams, but then made a mess of the bog (so that's where my kids get it from) and first descent, allowing Jon Roberts to catch me. But Mr Enduro was still only 150 yards ahead, so as Jon and I headed down the second descent together I started thinking maybe we could have him this time. Which is when my pedals suddenly stopped working.<br />
<br />
Suspecting a dropped chain, I pulled over to find ... <b>no chain at all</b>. The bugger had snapped and fallen off somewhere. Trudging back up the trail to look for it, I actually managed to walk straight past the damned thing despite its sparkly shininess, but luckily an eagle-eyed Nick Reese spotted it on his way through to catch and pass Jon and finish a strong second in the race. So then I just had to run/walk/scoot/coast half a mile back to the toolbox in the car and set about repairing said chain.<br />
<br />
First I pushed the pin out of the wrong end of the chain, so I had to take another link out. My sausage fingers then struggled for about three months to get the PowerLink chain connector to engage. At which point I found I'd wound the chain the wrong way round the rear derailleur and had to start again. Disconnect, wind round, reconnect. Only to find I'd done exactly the same thing again. Turns out <i>I </i>was the <b>weakest link</b>...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikgh5FYyl0yttPGZtT3TBbrxmxZXUKMPCkibkYc8pxFhX9ZFpIKZ3BCTtV_5d6OrLLgeRkAQw6uUXbLrSrMTQot0eRoBSW6yKP1pI4boE9_2VX7A1bvyMuVeiKrbE5dg0FDoVdfJI55TY/s1600/the-weakest-link.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikgh5FYyl0yttPGZtT3TBbrxmxZXUKMPCkibkYc8pxFhX9ZFpIKZ3BCTtV_5d6OrLLgeRkAQw6uUXbLrSrMTQot0eRoBSW6yKP1pI4boE9_2VX7A1bvyMuVeiKrbE5dg0FDoVdfJI55TY/s1600/the-weakest-link.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Random fact: Anne Robinson is disturbingly like my mother, which may explain a lot.</i></div>
<br />
By the time I finished and returned to where I'd left the course, I'd lost the best part of a lap on the leaders. While there was no chance now of getting a result, there was still the small matter of whether I could avoid the further humiliation of being <b>lapped</b>. It was a close-run thing, with Mr Enduro closing me down rapidly on the last descent, but I was damned if I was going to let him catch me, and he didn't.<br />
<br />
My reward was an utterly <b>miserable </b>final lap. It was now raining properly and very windy in places, I was cold and tired and unmotivated, and the climbs were a punishing ordeal. Still, I made up half a dozen places by the finish and even scraped onto the vets podium (yes, at my suggestion Red Kite Events have invested in an actual proper mahoosive podium to help boost my self-worth) and got to take home a can of <b>shiny spray</b> to go with my can of degreasy spray and can of oily spray from round 1, so I guess it was worth plodding on. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Tramp chic.</i><br />
<i>Photo courtesy of </i><i><i><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">The Valley Photographer</a></i>.</i></div>
<br />
I now totally get why beards and singlespeeds go together. It's that whole back-to-basics crusty <b>Paleo </b>thing. Simple, lazy, easy, natural.<br />
<ul>
<li>Beard: No farting around at the start of the day. You just get up and go. </li>
<li>Singlespeed: No farting around at the end of the day. You just chuck it in the shed. </li>
<li>Beard: No worrying about a power cut when you've only done one side. </li>
<li>Singlespeed: No worrying about snapping a chain, derailleur or cable.</li>
<li>Both: You feel inexplicably drawn to real ales. </li>
</ul>
On the other hand, there is that nagging fear of errant sesame seeds taking root, and the various females in my life wasted no time in informing me that not only did I look like a tramp but I felt like a hedgehog. Which reminded me all too clearly of my horror as a teenager when I first discovered that ladies' nether regions aren't at all soft and downy like their feline namesakes. So, with regret, I've now gone back to the <b>full Brazilian</b>. <br />
<br />
But I still plan to singlespeed the next round of the XC series. See you at Coed Trallwm on 18 January.<br />
<br />
<b>THE TOP 10:</b><br />
<br />
<b>
</b><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 469px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1280; mso-width-source: userset; width: 26pt;" width="35"></col>
<col span="3" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2121; mso-width-source: userset; width: 44pt;" width="58"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1718; mso-width-source: userset; width: 35pt;" width="47"></col>
<col span="2" style="mso-width-alt: 1645; mso-width-source: userset; width: 34pt;" width="45"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1718; mso-width-source: userset; width: 35pt;" width="47"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="35" style="height: 26.25pt;">
<td class="xl58" height="35" style="height: 26.25pt; width: 26pt;" width="35">Pos</td>
<td class="xl61" style="width: 48pt;" width="64">Last Name</td>
<td class="xl61" style="width: 48pt;" width="64">First Name</td>
<td class="xl61" style="width: 48pt;" width="64">Category</td>
<td class="xl58" style="width: 44pt;" width="58">Time</td>
<td class="xl58" style="width: 35pt;" width="47">Lap 1</td>
<td class="xl58" style="width: 34pt;" width="45">Lap 2</td>
<td class="xl58" style="width: 34pt;" width="45">Lap 3</td>
<td class="xl58" style="width: 35pt;" width="47">Lap 4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl59" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">1</td>
<td class="xl60">WILLIAMS</td>
<td class="xl60">Robert</td>
<td class="xl60">Expert</td>
<td class="xl59">1:45:22</td>
<td class="xl59">7:38</td>
<td class="xl59">31:25</td>
<td class="xl59">32:59</td>
<td class="xl59">33:18</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl59" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">2</td>
<td class="xl60">REESE</td>
<td class="xl60">Nick</td>
<td class="xl60">Senior</td>
<td class="xl59">1:47:43</td>
<td class="xl59">8:55</td>
<td class="xl59">32:53</td>
<td class="xl59">32:54</td>
<td class="xl59">32:59</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl59" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">3</td>
<td class="xl60">ROBERTS</td>
<td class="xl60">Jon<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></td>
<td class="xl60">Vet</td>
<td class="xl59">1:51:47</td>
<td class="xl59">8:19</td>
<td class="xl59">33:26</td>
<td class="xl59">33:57</td>
<td class="xl59">36:04</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl59" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">4</td>
<td class="xl60">PRITCHARD</td>
<td class="xl60">Charlie</td>
<td class="xl60">Senior</td>
<td class="xl59">2:01:41</td>
<td class="xl59">10:31</td>
<td class="xl59">35:47</td>
<td class="xl59">36:18</td>
<td class="xl59">39:04</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl59" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">5</td>
<td class="xl60">FIRMAN</td>
<td class="xl60">Andy</td>
<td class="xl60">Vet</td>
<td class="xl59">2:08:40</td>
<td class="xl59">13:29</td>
<td class="xl59">37:29</td>
<td class="xl59">38:04</td>
<td class="xl59">39:37</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl59" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">6</td>
<td class="xl60">SMART</td>
<td class="xl60">Andrew</td>
<td class="xl60">Senior</td>
<td class="xl59">2:20:14</td>
<td class="xl59">15:04</td>
<td class="xl59">39:23</td>
<td class="xl59">41:49</td>
<td class="xl59">43:57</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl59" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">7</td>
<td class="xl60">SCHRODER</td>
<td class="xl60">Chris</td>
<td class="xl60">Vet</td>
<td class="xl59">2:20:30</td>
<td class="xl59">8:15</td>
<td class="xl62">62:18</td>
<td class="xl62">34:11</td>
<td class="xl62">35:36</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl59" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">8</td>
<td class="xl60">LLOYD</td>
<td class="xl60">Tom</td>
<td class="xl60">Senior</td>
<td class="xl59">2:21:07</td>
<td class="xl59">14:51</td>
<td class="xl59">40:10</td>
<td class="xl59">42:10</td>
<td class="xl59">43:55</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl59" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">9</td>
<td class="xl60">BUSBY</td>
<td class="xl60">Jos</td>
<td class="xl60">Senior</td>
<td class="xl59">2:23:57</td>
<td class="xl59">13:52</td>
<td class="xl59">40:24</td>
<td class="xl59">41:50</td>
<td class="xl59">47:48</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl59" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">10</td>
<td class="xl60">BUCHANAN</td>
<td class="xl60">James</td>
<td class="xl60">Senior</td>
<td class="xl59">2:26:22</td>
<td class="xl59">15:20</td>
<td class="xl59">41:21</td>
<td class="xl59">43:24</td>
<td class="xl59">46:16</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Strava:
</b><br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://app.strava.com/activities/229341348/embed/a0adec414806d0008590d446a8ab8375629fcc3f" width="590"></iframe>
Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-84176546604575815582015-01-08T21:34:00.000+00:002015-01-08T21:36:32.326+00:00Cross Mountain 55km: Lost for words<b>Star date: </b>9 November 2014<br />
<b>Location: </b>Llandovery, Wales<br />
<b>Event: <a href="http://www.crossmountain.co.uk/">Cross Mountain 55km challenge</a></b><br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Geared 29er MTB<br />
<b>Result: </b>4th overall, 2nd veteran<br />
<br />
The latest in a series of imaginative events from professional endurance racer <a href="http://www.acycling.com/">Matt Page</a>, Cross Mountain was designed to be equally well suited to cyclocross and mountain bikes, hence the name.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8v0MieJEjnJxMF3cVcAZuSqrIWHau0NxxLprHEAQAxvJPoZsy9Zy_RMpqIQMrJggJxuTJssqZzr3m4T1moH0JNLKtds-NegD34QnvfPYmpzb3cIllqMZPgAEKZkjr7-qHzeaqD1289qXw/s1600/hovis-best-of-both.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8v0MieJEjnJxMF3cVcAZuSqrIWHau0NxxLprHEAQAxvJPoZsy9Zy_RMpqIQMrJggJxuTJssqZzr3m4T1moH0JNLKtds-NegD34QnvfPYmpzb3cIllqMZPgAEKZkjr7-qHzeaqD1289qXw/s1600/hovis-best-of-both.gif" height="237" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The weather gods had other ideas, however, November traditionally being <b>monsoon season</b> in Wales, and although the day itself was dry, the ground was <span class="st"> wetter than a haddock's bathing costume</span>. The cross riders were soon reaching for snorkles and even us MTBers frequently got bogged down and had to walk long sections.<br />
<br />
Ultimately it was very like an <a href="http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/">MTB Marathon</a> event: well organised, lots of scenic open moorland, nothing scary, just steady <b>old-skool cross-country riding</b> - thrill-seekers need not apply. That said, after all the rain, the first descent down to Myddfai was a rather kerrazy water slide and the final rocky descent off the moor was pretty wild in places with a very wet sting in the tail. Against expectations, I enjoyed it.<br />
<br />
And for once I had a <b>perfect race</b>. I had my best result of the year, beating some very quick riders, and absolutely nothing went wrong. Which leaves me rather short of a story...<br />
<br />
Luckily this guy stepped into the breach and took one for the team. <b>Read it and weep</b>:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://singlespeedmatt.com/2014/11/11/cross-mountain-2014/">http://singlespeedmatt.com/2014/11/11/cross-mountain-2014/</a></b> </div>
<br />
<b>The first five:</b><br />
Ben Wadey
2:34:32<br />
Gareth Payne
2:34:35<br />
Ben Eardley
2:35:46<br />
Chris Schroder
2:36:31<br />
Carwyn Davies
2:38:26
<br>
<br>
<iframe height='405' width='590' frameborder='0' allowtransparency='true' scrolling='no' src='https://app.strava.com/activities/217368986/embed/7bd550e434b4ee8d233c0541138e553c804b757b'></iframe>
Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-38871704449355971452014-12-10T11:01:00.000+00:002014-12-10T11:01:40.048+00:00Red Kite Winter XC Series Round 1: Better than ever<b>Star date: </b>30 November 2014<br />
<b>Location: </b>Coed Trallwm, Mid Wales<br />
<b>Event: <a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/">Red Kite Winter XC Series Round 1</a></b><br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Carbon 26" singlespeed<br />
<b>Greatest strength:</b> Determination<br />
<b>Greatest weakness:</b> Legs<br />
<b>Result: </b>2nd<br />
<br />
Conditions were perfect for the return of Britain's most <b>laid-back </b>race series. Dry, mild and sunny. In Wales. On the last day of November.<br />
<br />
One obvious cloud on the horizon, though, was the presence of Rob Williams - no chance of a win then! Since leaving me for dead on both the climbs and the descents last time he was up this way in January (see <a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/red-kite-winter-xc-series-round-4.html">here</a>), the former World Cup downhiller has been busy setting KOMs at Bike Park Wales and getting himself crowned winner of the 2014 European Enduro Series. Respect - we were <b>in the presence of royalty</b>. Otherwise, though, it was the usual rag-tag bunch of around 50 amateur racers and weekend warriors.<br />
<br />
Letting the boy racers sprint off ahead at the start, I settled into the usual steady rhythm up the usual 20-mile fireroad climb and soon started picking off the overambitious, hitting the top clear in second place with Rob Williams way off in the distance. Which is how it stayed for the whole five laps.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7C4NaSqZOG1hYjuc6bCxjeh8TnP64w3mHovo6I6_Fn8_mou4a88nR21cRiinTd2zQZO8CsfzXUk27UB5wmmimR3L6k4kOz5qzdSE47qqZFlwU5SV7VypK9glBA_fzb3iGISwsQNXz9N_T/s1600/DSC_0025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7C4NaSqZOG1hYjuc6bCxjeh8TnP64w3mHovo6I6_Fn8_mou4a88nR21cRiinTd2zQZO8CsfzXUk27UB5wmmimR3L6k4kOz5qzdSE47qqZFlwU5SV7VypK9glBA_fzb3iGISwsQNXz9N_T/s1600/DSC_0025.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Auditioning for Planet of the Apes.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo courtesy of Carol Cobbett at </i><i><i><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">CAC Photography</a></i>. Another 1,057 photos of the event <a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/p570676753">here</a>.</i></div>
</div>
<br />
With no other riders ever close enough to worry about, the only real battle was with my mind. Am I the only one who goes through a stage several times every race where I ask why on Earth I'm putting myself through this hell and decide to <b>give up racing for good</b>? I felt terrible on all the subsequent climbs and put it down to the usual scapegoats (too much geared riding, stupid choice of bike, old age, general decrepitude) but in hindsight I probably just went out a bit fast. Although I could barely turn the pedals on the last
two climbs, turn those pedals I did. For some reason my oxygen-starved brain decided I owed it to the various lappees I was still passing not to hop off and walk. But trust me, I wanted to.<br />
<br />
The <b>highlight of the day </b>(apart from beating Jon Roberts for the first time this year) was the first descent: a fun new line through the trees (all roots, moss and loam) followed by the top section of the sketchy old-skool enduro descent (see <a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/empire-cycles-enduro-round-3-wolf-in.html">here</a>) and rounded off with a blast down the rough surfaced tracks of the trail centre's black descent. A really uplifting mix of tricky 'n' techy and fast 'n' furious that made all the climbing worthwhile. All told, the course was very well balanced and I really enjoyed it.<br />
<br />
Apparently a tweaked version of the same course will feature at <a href="http://www.redkiteevents.co.uk/">round 2</a> on 14 December. And I hear whispers that the long fireroad climb might soon be broken up with some sweet new technical singletrack...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPioYubDZYbHSFvwQXoHx7pnG5cbe2_WRLKHK1ATUb8zcok-OJEtaeorP2ma6G7Sv4AEtYYy0Rsu6ixGFmvUCMVEMAXNn7nAvBq5UGBFF5WZR55BIqIHzg0_b485ul09CXeAXnuYSv7Sm_/s1600/DSC_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPioYubDZYbHSFvwQXoHx7pnG5cbe2_WRLKHK1ATUb8zcok-OJEtaeorP2ma6G7Sv4AEtYYy0Rsu6ixGFmvUCMVEMAXNn7nAvBq5UGBFF5WZR55BIqIHzg0_b485ul09CXeAXnuYSv7Sm_/s1600/DSC_0024.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Mildly apprehensive at times but not scared witless throughout. Progress.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo courtesy of Carol Cobbett at <a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">CAC Photography</a>. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7C4NaSqZOG1hYjuc6bCxjeh8TnP64w3mHovo6I6_Fn8_mou4a88nR21cRiinTd2zQZO8CsfzXUk27UB5wmmimR3L6k4kOz5qzdSE47qqZFlwU5SV7VypK9glBA_fzb3iGISwsQNXz9N_T/s1600/DSC_0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<b>THE TOP 6:</b><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 450px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1024; mso-width-source: userset; width: 21pt;" width="28"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2889; mso-width-source: userset; width: 59pt;" width="79"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1974; mso-width-source: userset; width: 41pt;" width="54"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2340; mso-width-source: userset; width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1609; mso-width-source: userset; width: 33pt;" width="44"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1645; mso-width-source: userset; width: 34pt;" width="45"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1682; mso-width-source: userset; width: 35pt;" width="46"></col>
<col span="2" style="mso-width-alt: 1645; mso-width-source: userset; width: 34pt;" width="45"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="34" style="height: 25.5pt;">
<td class="xl58" height="34" style="height: 25.5pt; width: 21pt;" width="28">Pos</td>
<td class="xl61" style="width: 59pt;" width="79"></td>
<td class="xl61" style="width: 41pt;" width="54"></td>
<td class="xl58" style="width: 48pt;" width="64">Total</td>
<td class="xl58" style="width: 33pt;" width="44">Lap 1</td>
<td class="xl58" style="width: 34pt;" width="45">Lap 2</td>
<td class="xl58" style="width: 35pt;" width="46">Lap 3</td>
<td class="xl58" style="width: 34pt;" width="45">Lap 4</td>
<td class="xl58" style="width: 34pt;" width="45">Lap 5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl59" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">1</td>
<td class="xl60">WILLIAMS</td>
<td class="xl60">Robert</td>
<td class="xl67">1:58:43</td>
<td class="xl63">21:43</td>
<td class="xl64">24:05</td>
<td class="xl64">23:45</td>
<td class="xl64">24:06</td>
<td class="xl64">25:03</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl59" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">2</td>
<td class="xl60">SCHRODER</td>
<td class="xl60">Chris</td>
<td class="xl65">2:06:54</td>
<td class="xl59">23:06</td>
<td class="xl59">24:52</td>
<td class="xl59">25:23</td>
<td class="xl59">26:36</td>
<td class="xl59">26:55</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl59" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">3</td>
<td class="xl60">JOYCE</td>
<td class="xl62">James</td>
<td class="xl66">2:09:54</td>
<td class="xl59">23:59</td>
<td class="xl59">25:30</td>
<td class="xl59">26:13</td>
<td class="xl68">26:19</td>
<td class="xl68">27:50</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl59" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">4</td>
<td class="xl60">REESE</td>
<td class="xl60">NIck</td>
<td class="xl59">2:10:16</td>
<td class="xl59">24:18</td>
<td class="xl59">25:49</td>
<td class="xl59">26:02</td>
<td class="xl59">26:53</td>
<td class="xl59">27:11</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl59" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">5</td>
<td class="xl60">ROBERTS</td>
<td class="xl60">Jon</td>
<td class="xl65">2:11:08</td>
<td class="xl59">23:46</td>
<td class="xl59">25:26</td>
<td class="xl59">26:27</td>
<td class="xl59">26:59</td>
<td class="xl59">28:28</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl59" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">6</td>
<td class="xl60">PRITCHARD</td>
<td class="xl60">James</td>
<td class="xl59">2:12:39</td>
<td class="xl59">23:56</td>
<td class="xl59">26:21</td>
<td class="xl59">27:11</td>
<td class="xl59">27:28</td>
<td class="xl59">27:41</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<b>Strava:
</b><br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://app.strava.com/activities/224823991/embed/bb4ad0f09ce4009b8a632273eb19c34e1573d051" width="590"></iframe>Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-70718150745178390322014-11-12T18:24:00.000+00:002014-11-13T10:25:46.546+00:00Empire Cycles Enduro Round 3: Wolf in sheep's clothing<b>Star date: </b>25-26 October 2014<br />
<b>Location:</b> Coed Trallwm, Mid Wales<br />
<b>Event: <a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/index.php">Empire Cycles Enduro</a></b> Round 3<br />
<b>Weapons of necessity: </b>26" XC hardtail on day 1, 29" XC hardtail on day 2<br />
<b>Greatest achievement: </b>Trying<br />
<b>Greatest weakness: </b>Failing<br />
<b>Result: </b>Mid-table, again<br />
<br />
<b>Once upon a time</b> there was a national downhill racer called Neil. Like anyone who gets their kicks riding bikes off cliffs, he must have had a screw loose to start with, but after one face-plant too many he tragically had to hang up his Lycra and spend the next 15 years muzzled and under constant sedation in an institution (contrary to popular belief, not actually the <a href="http://www.food-food-food.co.uk/">Drover's Rest</a>).<br />
<br />
Eventually released as part of Care in the Community, an ostensibly cooler, calmer Neil began organising grass-roots MTB events - but with a difference. Events with an <b>unusually chilled and welcoming vibe</b> but with a lurking menace and an <b>undeniable sadistic streak</b>. Yes, behind that urbane and amiable facade, there still skulks the mentalist of yesteryear.<br />
<br />
First came a series of relaxed XC events peppered with the odd totally demented descent - and now, many beers later, a series of relaxed enduro events also peppered with the odd totally demented descent. Like the family Rottweiler - tickle my tummy then watch me <b>savage your baby</b>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-wukkFkQkNM0kD2Q2BVVtGUaikE0RuaT72gFEZfC0eDG0Aihzjs3AVRkBFJyLfnKTa0KWnXmFMG0dals5YZovtjxN5jwh15XHu1CA1zui30WUTnMio-nW03LBYgswEv9V3SwYMWkCaD9/s1600/quarry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-wukkFkQkNM0kD2Q2BVVtGUaikE0RuaT72gFEZfC0eDG0Aihzjs3AVRkBFJyLfnKTa0KWnXmFMG0dals5YZovtjxN5jwh15XHu1CA1zui30WUTnMio-nW03LBYgswEv9V3SwYMWkCaD9/s400/quarry.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
This event is very much a case in point. On the one hand, it was <b>chill-out central</b>. All five stages were within spitting distance of the <a href="http://www.coedtrallwm.co.uk/">Coed Trallwm</a> trail centre café rather than dotted around a big loop, so it was a case of <b>ride what you want, when you want</b>, making things even more sociable and relaxed than ever. Timing was suitably old-skool in the form of synchronised Casios, and I particularly liked how the only sponsorship presence, a rail of (highly recommended super-soft organic bamboo)
T-shirts, was largely left unattended because <a href="http://www.trail42.co.uk/">Trail 42</a> were taking part themselves.<br />
<br />
Most of the stages presented <b>little to worry about</b> either, lightly spiced-up versions of the centre's existing descents that were well within the average rider's
comfort zone. While competition was fierce at the sharp end with
plenty of intimidating <a href="http://www.hasbro.com/transformers/en_GB/">Transformers</a>-style
body armour floating around, the majority of us were indeed average
riders there for the challenge, for the craic. Desperately hoping to put
in some good times, of course, but not overly surprised or bothered
when we didn't.<br />
<br />
All of which made for a <b>bong-tastic weekend </b>of coffee, chat, ride, cake, repeat. And check out the views:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkPU8e-v0hSwhUqxhMwCZowH5TBSz5OgJmboeJp5CN0p8wHccMQu3AAXssrkxHwRBW7TQehbF4TAu0lNWSIIkjum3NqgxQvnQEHOwJwnJeSMwtfwB2csVnK2f_vMGx9PxzQ8zN5gwFkUm/s1600/IMAG0615.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLkPU8e-v0hSwhUqxhMwCZowH5TBSz5OgJmboeJp5CN0p8wHccMQu3AAXssrkxHwRBW7TQehbF4TAu0lNWSIIkjum3NqgxQvnQEHOwJwnJeSMwtfwB2csVnK2f_vMGx9PxzQ8zN5gwFkUm/s1600/IMAG0615.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
On the other hand, there was the utterly bonkers <b>demolition derby </b>of a first stage. That Neil just can't help himself. Talk about a baptism of fire. An insanely full-on steep muddy rootfest that belonged in a downhill race and so-like-totally sorted the men from the boys, with even the best riders taking the odd tumble and us lesser mortals being batted around and spat out the bottom as though caught in a giant pinball machine. I make no apologies for focusing on this stage. It was the <b>daddy </b>of the descents, completely overshadowing the rest, and was all anyone talked about all weekend.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/_mN7g_Dcle0/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_mN7g_Dcle0&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/_mN7g_Dcle0&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Big kudos to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4QafXo6JdWXZvsbt1UK5AQ">Steven Sproat</a> for <b>daring to share</b> this </i><i><i><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2773957/How-times-day-YOUR-breasts-stared-Hidden-bra-cam-demonstrates-just-men-women-steal-sneaky-glances.html#v-3812033380001">chest cam</a> footage</i> of stage 1 (</i><i><i>Sunday's version)</i>, as I suspect that, like me, he will never trouble the podium at the World Enduro Series.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Warning: Contains bad language (but not nearly as much as I used).</i></div>
<br />
Before I give the wrong impression, let me stress that the stage was mental-fun, not mental-dangerous. More <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RijB8wnJCN0">Insane in the Brain</a> than <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUJ0IYZKLvE">Killed by Death</a>. Yes, it was very steep in places, but there were no kamikaze road gaps. Everything was rollable. You could always just stick out a foot or two (and now and again a hand or a head) or hop off the bike and run/scramble. What made it so challenging, and so much fun, was that it was just so <b>unpredictable</b>. A never-ending succession of off-camber roots, sketchy drops, steep/tight slidey turns and just plain ol' mud meant that you never really knew what was going to happen next. One minute you were slithering over/round/down said trail features without any major problems; the next, you suddenly found yourself pointing back where you came from - or up at the sky - and wondering just how you got there. And as error piled upon error, initial four-letter frustration morphed into a kind of giggly hysteria. I finished my first practice run declaring it <b>the best descent ever</b>.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwCCDr8Z1v9xdNy33ONq-mNX6ghXnJmUDqyAexXB36Cnu-FxJDqdcnO9QjhC2kN_bGdcpDDBpe8n3jrRFm5vxMVe014qDLtsA3GuRezX5ajNfoUt5WUKrDOU39ImQi1MWMAzhF6pRqZv4/s1600/DSC_0448.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwCCDr8Z1v9xdNy33ONq-mNX6ghXnJmUDqyAexXB36Cnu-FxJDqdcnO9QjhC2kN_bGdcpDDBpe8n3jrRFm5vxMVe014qDLtsA3GuRezX5ajNfoUt5WUKrDOU39ImQi1MWMAzhF6pRqZv4/s400/DSC_0448.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Sliding down the "easy" top section. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo courtesy of Carol Cobbett at </i><i><i><b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">CAC Photography</a></b></i>.</i></div>
<br />
Although parts of it had appeared previously in XC races and the first
round of the enduro series back in April, the trail pixies had clearly been <b>dropping acid</b> all summer, adding some wild new features and extending the track right down the hill to create an absolute monster of a run that felt completely fresh.<br />
<br />
The <b>top section</b> had undergone a major makeover to make it more durable
in wet conditions with some strategically positioned mini rock gardens and chicken-wired
timber offcut steps, plus a few extra little ups and downs to make it a full <b>3D experience</b>. I first described it in <a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/red-kite-winter-xc-series-round-4-too.html">February 2013</a> as "a twisty, turny beast of a section, all stumps and roots and steps down
onto a deeply corrugated traverse which was rather like riding on oval wheels" - and that still pretty much sums it up.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuH9gfdQgo0GM9Dde8hgOmvNYntyi7seWRcfdRd1SvAFKNZVtpkCv_gUj3fPJIGIn__uiI7BEWbGNlqfbYtaL84YSyht6oW1OvXmE3o6NHWBxiAm4YyABtNgY5KpDmJDeM0oaB0ZakVQRM/s1600/IMAG0620.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuH9gfdQgo0GM9Dde8hgOmvNYntyi7seWRcfdRd1SvAFKNZVtpkCv_gUj3fPJIGIn__uiI7BEWbGNlqfbYtaL84YSyht6oW1OvXmE3o6NHWBxiAm4YyABtNgY5KpDmJDeM0oaB0ZakVQRM/s1600/IMAG0620.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<i>Looking up the middle section. It was steeper than it looks.</i></div>
<br />
The <b>middle section</b> was where it got steep. Really steep. And slippery. Really slippery. Imagine a series of tight switchbacks, some rutted or bermed and some with no support at all, down a 1-in-3 ice rink. It was mental. I mean, what sane person would choose to slalom down a ski jump on a f******* bicycle?! Ultimately there were still sufficient traces of the lush loamy leafmould of summer to offer a modicum of grip on the steepest parts, but the super-techy entry down a drop and straight over a big lump into a tight bermed-right-to-flat-left zigzag was pure clay, freshly buffed into a <b>leap of faith</b>. The coaching manuals tell you that if you point your eyes, hips and front wheel where you want to go, that's where you'll go. Well, whoever wrote that had clearly never ridden this track! Despite repeated attempts, I could never quite flick my body round fast enough for the second turn, with the result that the bike wanted to carry straight on down the hill - backwards. The natural, indeed the only, response was to send out an urgent steadying foot or two. But pride was restored only temporarily, because in these conditions my shoes were like <b>superpowered mud magnets</b> and instantly doubled in size, so it was then like trying to ride in a pair of these:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjoowiS3JJdQSwSkOF3QjmhRUDe4DbKvN3ZoGY2jcDfBXFaxXdlbEjRi9VBpBkyK5lm1TAma5ikIEdgABnjft598afpVlur-Ntg0riL12oXdJFVw53l7IatA97Tf_GgHzoMCTxaomzRFf/s1600/boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjoowiS3JJdQSwSkOF3QjmhRUDe4DbKvN3ZoGY2jcDfBXFaxXdlbEjRi9VBpBkyK5lm1TAma5ikIEdgABnjft598afpVlur-Ntg0riL12oXdJFVw53l7IatA97Tf_GgHzoMCTxaomzRFf/s1600/boots.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Struggling to clip back into your pedals while navigating tricky off-camber roots is the last thing you need at the best of times - and certainly not when it's just about to get <b>properly steep</b>:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzP22wIOVnxafTyxtK1smUbt6m72pVUaMX1q8Fz74tQAPStohEZeSHhHMuRPfeSZFZoChF7uscspOjFlPm1Hv0DS_u6VKcGH3dgy5JazuAxYS3BNoWiPEdDIfEkDKYa0t1_xAT1x4_5j9/s1600/IMAG0621.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzP22wIOVnxafTyxtK1smUbt6m72pVUaMX1q8Fz74tQAPStohEZeSHhHMuRPfeSZFZoChF7uscspOjFlPm1Hv0DS_u6VKcGH3dgy5JazuAxYS3BNoWiPEdDIfEkDKYa0t1_xAT1x4_5j9/s1600/IMAG0621.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Looking down part of the middle section at </i><i><i>the one ski-turn that didn't cause me any problems. </i>It really was steeper than it looks. </i></div>
<br />
If only it had been straight down the hill. That way you could just cling on and pray. And on the Sunday it was. But Neil the mentalist had other ideas on the Saturday, cruel ones, adding in an extra zig-zag round a tree over a ten-inch root that was desperate to grab your chain ring and <b>catapult </b>you into the air. Again, I never made the second turn. Logic and physics told me I was going to carry straight on and crash into a tree, and I don't like to disappoint, so that's exactly what I did. The bit pictured above, though, was more straightforward, at least at a snail's pace, and I managed to slide down with a degree of control and even <b>dodge the trolls</b> to get onto and over the bridge at the bottom unscathed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIRliONyz1InzREP3g3FyRhyphenhyphenOpFVtuB_L4VY4kZnNuTP39Fa2vGVnIDFFEs3CC5N1FaNqnMacOHJ1jr-fYXjXTKlzikcJ4NTLq_sXh1Ct6WN06c3-N8lEoVQfbx-IxYi5K_YUY2Z_NxXN/s1600/IMAG0623.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHIRliONyz1InzREP3g3FyRhyphenhyphenOpFVtuB_L4VY4kZnNuTP39Fa2vGVnIDFFEs3CC5N1FaNqnMacOHJ1jr-fYXjXTKlzikcJ4NTLq_sXh1Ct6WN06c3-N8lEoVQfbx-IxYi5K_YUY2Z_NxXN/s1600/IMAG0623.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>See,
I said it was steeper than it looked. This was the 180° Turn from Hell. Unfortunately the Root of All Evil is partially obscured here. #DavidBailey</i></div>
<br />
They thought it was all over - but there was more. Brand new for this event, the <b>bottom section</b> began with a couple of really big man-made features...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggo-NO5iMNzGwAfwhIEWbXUQV0bSZxVRVDcE4cY97_2fvsqTBzOwYSIG65xOeSSm4pLXp2GZZw9eGveKuv2RlWmx0J3nKqBDrgRjH1gJvOp3OcUNBtXBNOHIajdqqn9hHkX1vFQVAlNPFj/s1600/kim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggo-NO5iMNzGwAfwhIEWbXUQV0bSZxVRVDcE4cY97_2fvsqTBzOwYSIG65xOeSSm4pLXp2GZZw9eGveKuv2RlWmx0J3nKqBDrgRjH1gJvOp3OcUNBtXBNOHIajdqqn9hHkX1vFQVAlNPFj/s1600/kim.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>OK, not actually Kim Kardashian's bootilicious buttocks, but a huge speed-scrubbing "bus-stop" up and down a pretty sheer 10-foot bank, followed by a 20-foot loose stony drop that did its damnedest to send you into a tree stump.</i></div>
<br />
... before going all natural along a muddy, rooty, mossy, puddly straight section full of boggy wheel-grabbing holes to the finish.<br />
<br />
What an absolutely mental, brilliant, exhilarating descent! It's amazing what mountain biking can do to your brain chemistry - I can't believe any drug could deliver that kind of high. Depending on how much of a pickle you got yourself into, it offered somewhere between three and five minutes of <b>100% wholegrain downhill goodness</b>, and for my first one-and-a-bit runs it was pure magic.<br />
<br />
Then came the <b>hiccup</b>. I'm not sure what happened. Somehow this:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrelrOQ3XEq1QX9lQELt5bDtn9vCliF3iyFjbjgJZoG5onztFVE-lq4eYveGhBmd6Fnn9TPD-kZysuyUIp1SkwXOcYj9YUWlzIZ_PVlDnb6yvjfLAWSFMalN_c7z_7gi28J-drfJ8VW2PK/s1600/DSC_0981.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrelrOQ3XEq1QX9lQELt5bDtn9vCliF3iyFjbjgJZoG5onztFVE-lq4eYveGhBmd6Fnn9TPD-kZysuyUIp1SkwXOcYj9YUWlzIZ_PVlDnb6yvjfLAWSFMalN_c7z_7gi28J-drfJ8VW2PK/s400/DSC_0981.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Turned into this: </div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAAF7onihmZq4zijfvPgjRPkibwUdhrwhg7zIYF3LiK2VPo7hh7acaVz5JEaX3yb-ZCmJHOZsm4Hc_ewEWlgkw-LpSqn8pKgMqg72igcDgifQyoZNuWPkKIphyphenhyphen3Asbd1pNzIa0pr3vbS5/s1600/DSC_0454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIAAF7onihmZq4zijfvPgjRPkibwUdhrwhg7zIYF3LiK2VPo7hh7acaVz5JEaX3yb-ZCmJHOZsm4Hc_ewEWlgkw-LpSqn8pKgMqg72igcDgifQyoZNuWPkKIphyphenhyphen3Asbd1pNzIa0pr3vbS5/s400/DSC_0454.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Both shots courtesy of the cannily but cruelly positioned Carol Cobbett from </i><i><i><b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">CAC Photography</a></b></i>.</i></div>
<br />
And before I knew it, I was lying on my side with a tree stump poking me in the kidneys and ribs and threatening to do this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzM-g3gzojwTG4E0Hy5jam_XIxHajUIH8rDAnDozvZV_A7vi1jFHmAeE0TwqwwkVauXne0NxsJsH2SOX0ZCLQv9WXP-dswn_hs8uaPHnDdgOPzsUbVaZVTGiERuJbDTz5F7jqwT5CcJCG/s1600/Louis-Walsh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzM-g3gzojwTG4E0Hy5jam_XIxHajUIH8rDAnDozvZV_A7vi1jFHmAeE0TwqwwkVauXne0NxsJsH2SOX0ZCLQv9WXP-dswn_hs8uaPHnDdgOPzsUbVaZVTGiERuJbDTz5F7jqwT5CcJCG/s320/Louis-Walsh.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I exaggerate, of course, but it still hurts a fortnight later, and I'm still struggling to put down any real power through the pedals. That said, I'm not sure the <i>physical </i>injury slowed me down that much in the enduro. A timed run is <b>a bit like sex</b>: your mind is on other things and temporarily switches off any aches and pains you might have. The <i>mental </i>wound was a different story. I eventually limped down the rest of the descent, legs akimbo, balance awry, never expecting to make it round the corners or up the bus-stop or miss the stump after the big drop - and I didn't. I arrived back at the café a quivering, nervous, simpering wreck. I had completely <b>lost my bottle</b>, my marbles were threatening to go the same way, and I just wanted to go home.<br />
<br />
Regular readers will know I'm no stranger to a bit of a <b>wobble</b> at the top of an unfamiliar steep drop, and I like to think that's an entirely normal and natural response. But this was more serious, not so much "I'd
rather not" as "I can't". I still had to do two timed runs of that descent, though, so I desperately needed to man up somehow. I started with every biker's first port of call - <b>cake </b>- but appeared to have developed immunity. When the shakes eventually receded to the point where I could carry a coffee and only spill half of it, I retired to a quiet corner of the café and tried to go to a <b>place of inner strength</b>, only to find I didn't have one.<br />
<br />
Turns out I'm not a man but <b>a </b><b><span class="st">wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie</span></b>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWP2PkiBAjHST3v_ePRnVYIhPLZhS6IabxOZPtPj1UQMVMtFPwtGw7HeVhntBqdloL7ld1LGrBJsa1DBcv7w8akhFRu_ZOyn92gdyfKt3wHP8WX05gs_UifuxrMqS7s0JB1I3XfkRm4XnP/s1600/mouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWP2PkiBAjHST3v_ePRnVYIhPLZhS6IabxOZPtPj1UQMVMtFPwtGw7HeVhntBqdloL7ld1LGrBJsa1DBcv7w8akhFRu_ZOyn92gdyfKt3wHP8WX05gs_UifuxrMqS7s0JB1I3XfkRm4XnP/s1600/mouse.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I did eventually summon up just enough courage to go back over the top, and I even squeezed in an extra practice run between my two timed runs. Every time, though, however much I told my body to <i>just do it</i>, my newly liberated inner
wuss <i>just said no</i>. I was <b>rigid with fear </b>even on the easier top
section, which caused me to skitter all over the place and stall constantly, and when I got to the
steep section, my feet wouldn't
stay on the pedals no matter how hard I tried and how much
verbal abuse I gave myself, which was rather a lot. It was deeply, crushingly humiliating. That hill well and truly had the better of me. <br />
<br />
In wartime, I'd probably have been <b>shot for cowardice</b>. Fortunately the penalties in enduro are not quite as harsh and I had a chance to redeem myself on the other stages, which I did, making the top 20 on the pedallier ones and ending up mid-table overall out of about 80 riders. Which isn't too shabby, considering that enduro is not
what I normally do or what my XC bikes and XC tyres were designed for. And on balance I did actually enjoy the weekend hugely - a well-organised event, great tracks, great venue, great atmosphere, no caveats.<br />
<br />
I always knew I'd left it a bit late to become a World Cup
downhiller, and I think now I have to accept it might never happen. That said, time heals all wounds, including dented pride, and I'm actually now <b>itching to have another go</b> at that descent. And when I do, I'll f****** have you, you b******!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>I'd like to dedicate this post to fellow Red Kite Events regular
Jason Moseley (clearly no relation) who managed to break his leg in two
places on a fire road the weekend before the event - get well soon, mate!
</i><i> </i><br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<i>
</i><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 650px;"><colgroup><col span="5" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
<col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 3949; mso-width-source: userset; width: 81pt;" width="108"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 3437; mso-width-source: userset; width: 71pt;" width="94"></col>
<col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">Lloyd</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">Pete</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">18</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">00:08:55</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; width: 81pt;" width="108">00:14:00</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; width: 71pt;" width="94">00:22:55</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">1</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Yapp</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Jack</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">17</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:08:58</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:14:07</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:23:05</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">2</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Bulman</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Oliver</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">34</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:09:41</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:14:58</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:24:39</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">3</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Dobson</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">James</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:09:48</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:15:03</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:24:51</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">4</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Allum</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Phil</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:10:01</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:15:05</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:25:06</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">5</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Frewin</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Taff</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">35</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:10:01</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:15:08</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:25:09</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Scott</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">James</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:09:50</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:15:20</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:25:10</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">7</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Bewick</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Tom</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">17</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:09:52</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:15:23</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:25:15</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Goulson</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">David</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">41</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:09:36</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:15:39</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:25:15</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">8</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Robinson</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Jay</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">33</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:09:58</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:15:26</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:25:24</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">10</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Ridley</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Jon</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">23</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:09:42</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:15:58</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:25:40</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">11</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Thomas</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Robert<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">33</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:09:58</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:15:46</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:25:44</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">12</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Tweedie</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Alan</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">31</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:10:20</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:15:58</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:26:18</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">13</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Walker</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sean</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">36</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:10:20</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:15:58</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:26:18</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">13</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Coop</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">James</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">27</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:10:13</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:16:10</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:26:23</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">15</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Gardner</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Graham</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">44</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:10:23</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:16:02</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:26:25</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">16</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Forrest</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Ryan</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">31</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:10:57</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:15:42</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:26:39</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">17</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Staple</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Jesse</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">32</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:10:37</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:16:42</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:27:19</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">18</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Baraona</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Rebecca</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">21</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">FEMALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:11:05</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:16:20</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:27:25</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">19</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Jones</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Matthew</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">29</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:10:37</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:17:00</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:27:37</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">20</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Parry</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Daniel</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">32</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:10:55</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:16:47</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:27:42</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">21</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Eve</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Bradley</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">17</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:10:51</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:16:54</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:27:45</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">22</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Christian</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Mark</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">41</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:10:48</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:16:58</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:27:46</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">23</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Watkins</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Alex</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">15</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:11:18</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:16:41</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:27:59</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">24</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Salmon</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Austin</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">17</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:12:50</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:15:22</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:28:12</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">25</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Cardy-Stewart</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Leon</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">32</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:11:15</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:17:06</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:28:21</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">26</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Greenland</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Sam</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:11:45</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:16:51</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:28:36</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">27</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Boote</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Joe</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;"></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:11:41</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:17:03</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:28:44</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">28</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Randell</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Dennis</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">38</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:11:50</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:17:11</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:29:01</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">29</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Humphreys</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Adam</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">43</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:11:48</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:17:20</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:29:08</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">30</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Hill</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Rob W</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">25</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:11:38</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:17:59</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:29:37</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">31</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Garrood</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Nigel</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">47</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:11:53</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:17:53</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:29:46</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">32</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Rollason</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Jon</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">36</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:12:05</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:17:43</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:29:48</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">33</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt;">Schroder</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">Chris</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">44</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">MALE</td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">both</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:11:32</td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:18:35</td>
<td class="xl64" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">00:30:07</td>
<td align="right" class="xl68" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">34</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-82960181589513660502014-10-17T14:57:00.000+01:002014-10-17T14:57:42.154+01:00Coed y Brenin Enduro: The Bermuda Triangle revisited<b>Star date: </b>5 October 2014<br />
<b>Location: </b>Coed y Brenin, North Wales<br />
<b>Event: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dyfimtbevents?fref=ts">Trek Coed y Brenin Enduro 55km</a></b><br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Carbon 29er hardtail with 30 gears<br />
<b>Greatest achievement:</b> Holding back the tears<br />
<b>Greatest weakness:</b> Puncture management<br />
<b>Result: </b>182nd<br />
<br />
Pretty much my whole body is <b>black and blue </b>right now. Not from falling off but from kicking myself.<br />
<br />
Like every good <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ksjg3xRXC3I">disaster movie</a>, it all started swimmingly. I managed to break away from a strong field on the inevitable monster climb at the start, right on the wheel of some young whippetsnapper (see what I did there?), and although he then pulled away with alarming ease as I opted for an impromptu <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bouL-Xht9qs">roller session</a> on the steeper, rougher, wetter Roman Road section at the top, and familiar foe Jon Roberts caught and passed me as the track levelled off, I was very happy to hit the river crossing well clear of the rest.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofKpsUBbUZBzeYETCj4alp-s6uXPRUYGjOWovZaKH7Cmj9glychDdRjXSQZ7zSXm_3nsZz_505gsT8nByV-ohlRrNyEoiqpRYfvVD5wG_1f6PGDPFRIQsjlQMNFd_pE2h-LmH5-ys6fjl/s1600/bike-river-crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiofKpsUBbUZBzeYETCj4alp-s6uXPRUYGjOWovZaKH7Cmj9glychDdRjXSQZ7zSXm_3nsZz_505gsT8nByV-ohlRrNyEoiqpRYfvVD5wG_1f6PGDPFRIQsjlQMNFd_pE2h-LmH5-ys6fjl/s1600/bike-river-crossing.jpg" height="288" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
At the bottom of the first proper descent, part earthy leafy rooty loveliness and part fast rutted stony track, I found the early leader repairing a puncture. What awful bad luck. Minutes later, my heart still bleeding, I was surprised to see Jon heading back towards me on a two-way section. On reaching spaghetti junction moments later it seemed to me that he'd missed a sign meant for now and instead followed a sign meant for later... I shouted and shouted for him but he was long gone. It was looking like <b>my lucky day</b>. Suddenly I was way out in front all on my own!<br />
<br />
Or was I? As I headed on up the hill, my mind started playing games - what if Jon was right and I was wrong? I spotted a marshal and tried to explain the problem, but to no avail. So it was with less than full conviction and at less than full speed that I headed back down the other side onto the Beginning of the End descent, all rocks and steps that make you feel all <b>Winnie the Pooh </b>going down the stairs: <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_688fJ9jgTSmLAn6LARzQ3goJ3GkGPiJV7M532dEoHMcyyhW7_2_Y8Q5E69du7xGnkWllrCS9bOo0Gf-2yXyliemiqW0CpVlnJBjXKYA7wga459q82tuxil8d2NHh4vXE-1XaxPLXWOv-/s1600/going-down-the-stairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_688fJ9jgTSmLAn6LARzQ3goJ3GkGPiJV7M532dEoHMcyyhW7_2_Y8Q5E69du7xGnkWllrCS9bOo0Gf-2yXyliemiqW0CpVlnJBjXKYA7wga459q82tuxil8d2NHh4vXE-1XaxPLXWOv-/s1600/going-down-the-stairs.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
Hard
work on a low-slung hardtail but really good fun even in the circumstances. Only snag was that it took me straight
back down to the visitor centre carpark, and last year we didn't do that until much, much later in the race. Nagging fear became <b>blind panic</b>. But as I paused at the bottom to take deep breaths into an imaginary paper bag, clattering down the steps behind me came the next two riders, Gareth Jones and James Joyce (not that one). What with Gareth and Jon being best
buddies with matching kit and matching bikes, I'd expected at least an inkling of concern about his errant partner, but he was, like, whatever. I guess that's racing.<br />
<br />
Initial relief at being on the right track after all was quickly superseded by dismay at throwing away a healthy lead, but this soon took a back seat as the three of us pressed on at speed under the A470 to the <b>Dark Side</b> of Coed y Brenin, home to myriad race disasters for me over the past four years. It really is my own personal Bermuda
Triangle:<br />
<ul>
<li>12 punctures</li>
<li>1 chain snapped</li>
<li>1
brake
lever busted</li>
<li>1 saddle dislocated</li>
<li>1 Garmin smashed</li>
<li>1 flash pair of glasses lost</li>
<li>1 head concussed</li>
<li>1 gold medal awarded and then cruelly snatched away</li>
<li>1 national champion's jersey ditto</li>
</ul>
And so it was, riding well within my comfort zone in a group of three and pondering when to make a break, that we came to the trio of short rocky descents known as Snap, Crackle and Pop, which I used to find a right handful but now seemed pretty innocuous. I was just thinking how far I'd come over the past four years of racing when, oh-so-predictably, a sudden hiss of escaping air and rhythmic spatter of tyre sealant on the back of my calves announced in no uncertain terms that Pop had <b>lived up to its name</b>.<br />
<br />
Of course, a puncture is not an insurmountable problem. It's just that one tends to lead to another (as documented <a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/dyfi-enduro-kindness-of-strangers.html">here</a>). Ten minutes later, almost screaming with frustration at being stuck behind a lengthy funeral procession down what should've been some fun, fast singletrack, I attempted an ambitious overtaking manoeuvre over some loose rocks and punctured <b>again</b>.<br />
<br />
I'd only brought one spare tube, so now it was time for glue and patches. "Apply to a dry surface" - easier said than done when your tyre and tube are swimming in sealant, your gloves and hands are puddle-soaked, your clothing is saturated with sweat, and the moss and grass are still dripping wet from the morning's rain... The patches duly lasted just ten minutes before <b>flat number three</b>. At this rate I was going to have to register as a landlord (boom, boom)! So back out with the glue...<br />
<br />
After eventually making it back to the other side of the A470, I made a detour to the car to grab a spare tube - and promptly punctured <b>yet again</b> on the way back to the course. Whereupon I threw all my toys out of the pram, loudly, and came thiiiis close to driving straight home.<br />
<br />
Eventually, though, <b>armed to the effing teeth </b>with spare tubes and gas canisters and what have you, and having pumped my tyres up to a good 7000psi, I headed back to the course - and Sod's law saw me round the second half without any problems whatsoever. Although delayed by a good 90 minutes at this stage, I went off like a whirling dervish, but every descent seemed now to be clogged with budding undertakers. So when I then ran across some people I knew, I decided to back off and treat it as the <b>social ride</b> it was always intended to be. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0D_7k5aSqDv0gCLLejGZa6SinzR0NyN04WFZQEH4Qz623EM5oc5FOE7MHMq79q3icXlkB5D-yNoqheVN-OsugRQp0ON3KwhOHgYf_yqFrWupwaDflK2izscKIskDuADnbwnvqJD8Yx95/s1600/absolutely-fabulous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha0D_7k5aSqDv0gCLLejGZa6SinzR0NyN04WFZQEH4Qz623EM5oc5FOE7MHMq79q3icXlkB5D-yNoqheVN-OsugRQp0ON3KwhOHgYf_yqFrWupwaDflK2izscKIskDuADnbwnvqJD8Yx95/s1600/absolutely-fabulous.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
I have to admit that, as usual, this made the whole thing a lot more fun than racing. Coed y Brenin is the <b>Kellogg's cornflakes</b> of trail centres (the original and best) and boasts an amazing network of technical trails. Once again the enduro took in the best of these man-made tracks plus various chunks of bridleway, some brand-new rooty woodland bits and, of course, the infamous kamikaze section down to the stream, which I managed to get half way down this year before getting up close and personal with a tree; next year I think I'll have it licked. The best bit by far, though, was attempting to shadow local bike mechanic and
trials expert Martin Walker down the last couple of descents at speeds I
would never have dreamed of attempting on my own. <b>Absolutely fabulous, darling</b>.<br />
<br />
So, no regrets? Well, if you know me at all, you'll know I have them by the bucketload. If only, if only... Chris Purt, the guy who punctured on the very first descent, recovered from that to claim the win. I can't help thinking that could or should have been me. But then again, as the organisers are always at pains to point out, <b>it wasn't a race anyway</b> :-)<br />
<br />
Strava:<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://app.strava.com/activities/203779955/embed/02f13cf29a270e77d75eb1406958834b3e91c68c" width="590"></iframe>Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-72888827325193134682014-09-21T21:10:00.001+01:002014-10-17T14:27:38.186+01:00Brecon Beast 50km: Unbeatable<b>Star date: </b>14 September 2014<br />
<b>Location: </b>Brecon Beacons<br />
<b>Event: <a href="http://www.breconbeast.co.uk/">Brecon Beast 50km</a></b><br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Carbon 29er hardtail<br />
<b>Greatest achievement: </b>Winning! <br />
<b>Greatest weakness: </b>Following arrows<br />
<b>Result: </b>1st<br />
<br />
You may remember that I really didn't rate <b><a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/brecon-beast-67k-shouldve-taken-gears.html">last year's Beast</a></b>. More than half of it was on the road, which was bizarre for a mountain bike event and desperately frustrating on a singlespeed, and the usual highlight of the event - the Gap descent - was omitted. Credit to the organisers, though, they listened to riders' feedback and came up with a <b>really fantastic route </b>this year.<br />
As the eagle-eyed will already have registered, I <b>finished first</b> out of about 400 riders on the 50km route, woo-hoo. But I really didn't make it easy for myself:<br />
<ul>
<li>5 days before the event I spent ten hours on a rigid singlespeed taking 40 minutes off the record for the 170km <b><a href="http://transcambrianitt.blogspot.co.uk/p/times.html">Trans Cambrian Way ITT</a></b>, easily the biggest ride of my life (more about that when I find the time)</li>
<li>1 day before the event I did 40km <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mtbguidingwales?ref=bookmarks">off-piste guiding</a></b> for a frustrated Dutch hillclimber in Brechfa Forest</li>
<li>A mile after taking the lead, I missed a turning and lost a good 30 places</li>
</ul>
Yep, soon after the pace car pulled over at 2½ miles, the leading pack was climbing so sluggishly I decided to break off my conversation and move things along a bit, quickly building up a 100-yard lead and keeping it for all of about a mile before missing not only an arrow but also an army cadet pointing the way onto the first offroad section. <b>Sod's law</b> dictated that my detour took me down a steepish hill. By the time I clocked my mistake at the next junction and got back up to the top, not only the leading pack but also a whole load of slower riders had passed through, and what would have been a clear run at a straightforward chunk of singletrack was now a <b>sedate procession</b> with no chance of overtaking. I just had to bite back my frustration (it was, after all, my own fault I was in this position) and wait for the next road section, where I shot off like a rocket to make up lost time.<br />
<br />
The second offroad section up and over Allt yr Esgair above Llangors Lake was a <b>gem</b>: a tough 200 metre technical bridleway ascent followed by a long, fast, fun, grassy descent onto a Roman road. I was surprised to see riders in front of me struggling so badly on the climb. Yes, it was fairly steep, and it was very rough in places with steps and lumps of rock to negotiate, and a few false summits to get your head around, but after such a long dry spell there was plenty of traction, so it was <b>entirely rideable</b>. Some seemed to be walking pretty much from the start, but thankfully shuffled out of the way quickly enough when called. Others seemed to spin out in front of me at regular intervals, but I was absolutely determined to keep going come what may and managed to squeeze round them. Others again were still pedalling, but slowly, and it was hard at times to find the space to accelerate round them. Without wanting to blow my own trumpet (too much), I made it to the top without either foot leaving the pedals - a tribute to <b>the power of bloodymindedness</b>! And as the path headed out onto open moorland I finally broke free of traffic and was able to blast down the grassy descent, chasing a good rider, and only being held up a little by slower riders towards the end. It was a great descent, but probably a once-in-a-lifetime thing, as it would've been <b>pants </b>without all the cadets holding the gates open for us! As it was, that hill was worth the entry fee on its own.<br />
<br />
Although it was frustrating to be held up by other riders like this and lose even more time (about five minutes in total):<br />
<ol>
<li>It turns out I got off lightly: further back there would be queues of <b>up to an hour </b>just to get onto these first two offroad sections, most of which then had to be walked!</li>
<li>Beasting that climb and descent had put the smile back on my face, <b>the chase was on</b>. </li>
</ol>
The layout of the Brecon Beacons trails means that there is always going to be the odd long, flattish linking section (which is why I brought gears), and one of these was up next. A quick climb up through Bwlch on the road passing a few familiar faces (I was now <b>back in the thick of things</b>), a long gentle descent on fireroad in a group of three, and then getting dropped on the blast along the road across to Talybont, as I just don't have the thighs to compete on flat tarmac.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVelNaixMCS141kcq7R9wY8MFHOCOYv3mQoVHqLe1Kcln5xLx7unMUc7mZER3AqLWpxpWr3w6jszAd1iRQEH1a5es9K-foyb0uncksXh3eGm31UKaLV0V-S8b4a0dj7j094EB1-4CGA5c/s1600/15242372311_2f657d1b56_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkVelNaixMCS141kcq7R9wY8MFHOCOYv3mQoVHqLe1Kcln5xLx7unMUc7mZER3AqLWpxpWr3w6jszAd1iRQEH1a5es9K-foyb0uncksXh3eGm31UKaLV0V-S8b4a0dj7j094EB1-4CGA5c/s1600/15242372311_2f657d1b56_z.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Overtaking on a blind corner out of Bwlch. Incidentally, the "w" is pronounced like an "oo" not an "e"!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo courtesy of <b><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/125261443@N04/with/15089729699">Roy Bevis</a></b>.</i></div>
<br />
Next up was the Brinore tramroad - a straight, rocky, almost cobbled track climbing 400 metres up into the hills. It's a steady climb, never too steep but never really letting up and very, very long, and I did most of it standing singlespeed-style because it was <b>too bumpy for my bottom</b>. Nice KOM as a result. Back in my element, I soon caught and passed the riders who dropped me on the road, and then spotted a familiar figure up ahead - local rival Dylan Stephens, who I promptly caught, shadowed and dropped. I was <b>on fire</b>.<br />
<br />
At the start I'd been in two minds about whether to do the long route (greater challenge, more bang for your bucks) or the short route (unfinished business after last year's nightmare). In the end I opted for the latter in light of the previous day's exertions, the inexplicable decision to have the long route's feed station as late as 50km (well beyond the range of my two water bottles), and all the extra effort I'd had to put in to catch up after my stupid, stupid early navigational error. The marshal at the split told me I was the first rider through, so it was now going to be a <b>straight fight </b>with Dylan. We're pretty evenly matched: I tend to have a slight edge uphill, while Dylan as an ex-motocrosser is much faster downhill, which is how he won our last duel at the <b><a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/dyfi-enduro-i-must-be-luckiest-man-alive.html">Dyfi Enduro</a></b> in May. True to form, I seemed to spend the next half-hour pulling away into a 100-yard lead on every climb, with Dylan then closing the gap again on the downs.<br />
<br />
The next few miles very gradually losing height across the moors offered a welcome chance for a breather (while still pushing on reasonably hard to keep up the pressure on Dylan). With no big climbs or descents, it was a matter of <b>ticking off the miles </b>on a rocky moorland track that was far from taxing but technical enough to keep you entertained and avert your mind from the various aches and pains around your body. There would doubtless have been great views too had it not been for the mist.<br />
<br />
We hit the feed station at 30km together. Luckily Dylan too needed water, as we caught the marshal napping and I seemed to spend an age frantically tearing the water bottles from their wrapping and getting one open and pouring. If I was to beat Dylan from here, I needed to top up quickly and <b>make the break </b>now - as I'm sure he was well aware. We both knew the route from here, and he'd be quicker on the two big technical descents and maybe also on the road sections, so I absolutely had to drop him on the climb up to the Gap. <br />
<br />
First up was a long fireroad grind, with Dylan again sitting a constant 100 yards behind me. Then a short dash down through some forestry onto the Gap climb proper, which starts by dropping into a big hole. I got to the edge, saw the Grand Canyon open up in front of me and thought <b>something unprintable</b>, but quickly spotted a line on the left and plummeted down without mishap. Up the other side is a carry, though, whether you like it or not. I was just about at the top when I heard Dylan clattering down the ravine behind me. I had maybe 30 seconds on him. The time to go was now!<br />
<br />
Only I was in no shape physically to push particularly hard. The climb up to the Gap is a long, steady slog. Both times I've done it have been on tired legs, making it feel twice as long as the two miles it actually is. It's a <b>rough old track</b>, with the winter rains each year adding and removing soil and gravel and dumping random stones and bits of rock here, there and everywhere. You end up weaving constantly from side to side, seeking the smoothest and most efficient line so that your rear wheel doesn't skip and skitter around squandering your limited remaining reserves of energy. Maybe on a full-suspension bike you could sit and spin, but I was out of the saddle the whole way up, <b>stomping </b>in a relatively high gear, effectively singlespeeding. It's my comfort zone.<br />
<br />
The climb seemed doubly endless on this occasion because the mist meant I couldn't see the top, so I had no idea how much was left. I
could no longer see Dylan behind me either, and presumably he could no longer see me. Psychologically, that must have been in my favour, but it didn't seem so at the time. I had to assume he was just 50 yards behind and <b>keep pressing</b>.<br />
<br />
When I finally got to the top, 600 metres above sea level, to a welcome round of applause from some first aiders, it was time to <b>engage the afterburners</b>. The Gap descent is a classic. Only one corner and a pretty gentle gradient for the most part, but long and fast and rough. Bloody rough. It's steepest at the start with big random rocks to judder over. No line to follow, just point the front wheel and let the bike do the work. The rocks then get smaller, lines start to appear, first left, then right. Do you zigzag or blast straight over? Then it flattens and you have to pedal for a while. No sign of Dylan, I'd expected him to be breathing down my neck on that early moonscape, but so far, so good. Then the track heads down again. I whizzed down at warp speed for me, keeping off the brakes as much as possible and praying the bike could handle it. In places you can ride the grass next to the track for respite from the <b>road-drill effect</b>, but mainly it's just plain rocky. Here and there, deepish drainage gullies cross the track; I managed to hop two but hit the third hard. Luck was with me, the tyres coped. Still no sign of Dylan.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="210" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RdvdUJQDpj0" width="370"></iframe>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Part of the Gap descent, courtesy of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYouhg99v0ES0E22XQmIF_w">Richard Li</a>. It's really about time the council did something about those potholes...</i></div>
<br />
I'm feeling bolder now. The faster I go, the smoother the track feels. A few walkers start to appear, some cyclists pushing up (and not getting out of the way!), marshals, supporters. Time to go into full <b>enduro mode</b>. Right off the brakes, speed is your friend. A bit more applause. Sorry not to acknowledge with a wave. I listen out but hear no applause behind me, what's happened to Dylan?! The track gives way to grass and becomes a very narrow road between tall banks, still heading steeply downhill. A car appears around the corner. Shit. Brakes on, heels down, two-wheel skid, just manage to hip-steer the bike through the <b>eye of the needle</b> to the left of the car. That was scary. But no time to get shaky, Dylan could be coming. Next up is a 4x4 which just stops in the middle of the road leaving me no room to ride through. Come on, damn you, move!<br />
<br />
There's a long flat straight on the road after that, and I know that if there's still no sign of him when I get to the end of it, victory will be mine. And there isn't. I <b>pussyfoot </b>down the final offroad descent, saving the bike, desperate not to flat and throw it all away. Shame, really, because it's a really fun blast down a green lane littered with rocks and begging to be ridden hard, but tactics are now paramount. Into Brecon, through the town centre, overtake a couple of cars, hop off at a red light and run across as a pedestrian, stomp up the hill. Onto the sportsground, over the finishing line, another "non-race" won.<br />
<br />
Er, hello, is there anybody there? Anyone?<br />
<br />
Oh, yes, hello, er, well done! Would sir care for a thankfully-less-garish-than-last-year T-shirt?<br />
<br />
Two minutes later Dylan rolls in. We wait ten minutes for third to show up but then give up and head home. Strava tells me I pulled those two minutes ahead on the Gap climb - and then made it down the Gap descent fractionally <i>faster</i> than Dylan (bagging 29th out of 1,200 on Strava - wow!). That's testimony to <b>the power of fear</b>, the fear of being caught and throwing away the win. All very negative, but I just seem to work better as the hare than the hound...<br />
<br />
A cracking course, dusty trails, perfect weather conditions, the right bike for the job (gears for the linking sections, big wheels and suspension forks for the rocky descents), a great duel with Dylan ending in victory for me this time - and home in time for lunch! A top morning! <br />
<br />
<i>To see lots of helmet-cam (is it only me who wants to snigger?) footage of people riding this event a lot more slowly than me, <a href="http://www.breconbeast.co.uk/photos.cfm?Tab=4">click here</a>.</i><br />
<br />
The top 10:
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 286px;"><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;"><td class="xl63" height="20" style="height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64"><br /></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; width: 57pt;" width="76"><br /></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; width: 62pt;" width="82"><br /></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><br /></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">564</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 57pt;" width="76">Chris</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 62pt;" width="82">Schröder</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">2.35</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">445</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 57pt;" width="76">Dylan</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 62pt;" width="82">Stephens</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">2.37</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">697</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 57pt;" width="76">Ben</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 62pt;" width="82">Dunster</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">2.56</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">670</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 57pt;" width="76">Martin</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 62pt;" width="82">Meadham</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">3.01</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">811</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 57pt;" width="76">Matthew</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 62pt;" width="82">Challenger</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">3.09</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">525</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 57pt;" width="76">Jamie</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 62pt;" width="82">Price</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">3.11</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">6</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 57pt;" width="76">Stephen</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 62pt;" width="82">Trott</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">3.11</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">833</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 57pt;" width="76">James</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 62pt;" width="82">Hargreaves</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">3.12</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">185</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 57pt;" width="76">Alex</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 62pt;" width="82">Roberts</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">3.16</td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="20" style="border-top: none; height: 15.0pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">569</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 57pt;" width="76">Andrew</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 62pt;" width="82">Davies</td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: none; border-top: none; width: 48pt;" width="64">3.18</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://app.strava.com/activities/194324620/embed/3a87829f8bad06152fe24ec0e32815f3fc22e9cc" width="590"></iframe>Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-12655018460408525302014-08-14T18:45:00.001+01:002014-08-14T18:45:40.604+01:00Empire Cycles Enduro Round 2: The need for speed<b>Star date: </b>26-27 July 2014<br />
<b>Location:</b> Crychan Forest, Mid Wales<br />
<b>Event: <a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/index.php">Empire Cycles Enduro</a></b> Round 2<br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Rigid singlespeed on day 1, sensible bike on day 2<br />
<b>Greatest achievement: </b>Stayin' alive (<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_izvAbhExY">ah, ha, ha, ha</a></b>)<br />
<b>Greatest weakness: </b>Take a bow Captain Slow<br />
<b>Result: </b>Mid-table<br />
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There’s something rather special that happens as you stand there on the start line, watching the previous rider sprint away into the distance and out of sight. Time slows down, the banter of the queue suddenly fades away, the lights dim, tunnel vision descends, the thousand-yard stare rules. Welcome to <b>The Zone</b>. You are transformed – now you are Steve Peat, Usain Bolt, maybe Eddie the Eagle in my case. Total focus. Nothing else matters. This is what it’s all been leading up to. A three-minute high-speed balls-out blast to the bottom of the hill. The descent ahead of you is not there to be merely enjoyed, or survived, but a sacrificial lamb waiting to be <b>slaughtered</b>. You are a riding god, you are the best, the daddy, you are going to fly down that track at warp speed. Nothing and nobody can stop you. This is your World Cup, your Olympic Final, your <b>Big Moment</b>. No second chances. No margin for error. No possibility of error. Final check – saddle, suspension, gearing, pads, helmet. Inch closer to the line. Clip in. Deep breath. Quick prayer perhaps.<br />
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5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 – <b>Blast Off! </b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Welcome to enduro, baby.<br />
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<i>Great chest-cam video of the stages courtesy of <b>James Scott </b>from <b><a href="http://www.mbswindon.co.uk/">MTB Swindon</a></b>. </i></div>
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<i>It was just like this, only steeper (and, in my case, slightly slower).</i></div>
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The <b>pootle-and-plummet </b>format of nu-skool enduro is a world away from what I usually do, but I’m finding those three-minute adrenaline shots horribly addictive.<br />
<br />
On the surface, it’s like everyday trail riding. But it isn’t at all the same. You simply don’t push yourself as hard normally. When racing against the clock, you get carried away, you <b>lose your inhibitions</b> and relax into it, like being drunk but without the loss of control. Those rocks and roots that might normally have given you cause for concern? You just blast straight over them. Doing it as part of an event makes you feel safer and more confident, and not just because there’s an ambulance at the foot of the hill. That’s not to say you’re necessarily riding beyond your safe limits – your limits are completely redefined. At least, that’s how it was for me.<br />
<br />
It really is a kind of <b>DH lite</b>. Downhill racing on everyday bikes on red-graded rather than black-graded tracks. Tracks that pretty much anyone can get down, at least slowly. You just decide what is stupid-fast for you – and go a bit faster. I was pretty slow by most people’s standards, but bloody quick by mine. I had no idea you could ride a bike that fast and live. What a <b>rush</b>. <br />
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My usual discipline of XC/endurance racing – my comfort zone – is like running a marathon. There’s always an element of pacing and self-preservation, and I take a relatively <b>passive </b>approach to descending. Having half-killed myself getting up a hill, the way back down is a chance for a breather before heading up the next climb. So I tend to freewheel and let gravity do the work, my main input being braking. Which is all a bit negative.<br />
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Enduro racing is more like doing the 100 metres, as you go hell for leather from start to finish. Here, descending is not an exercise in controlling your speed but a constant quest to go <b>even faster</b>. I learned this very quickly during practice. I tried following a couple of guys down the first stage, and while I would ordinarily stop pedalling after 50 yards once I've got to a decent speed and then pretty much coast from there, they just <b>kept on pedalling </b>even when the track started getting quite lumpy. In fact they only stopped pedalling when up in the air (which was quite a lot of the time) and when scraping the dirt on tight turns. For these guys, <b>fast is never fast enough</b>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiSAk3S_eLIUsYdPnwRt3Fy27VsZrzuPMgmuWdRVJcFD00DjZ74Xv9CIhq3qkuLQqupGQW-KNtYfEoPZCwIbAppzU__-N_Rg8_UWVFaLBI3yibIEufsZBc5yqkROFfB_IVecGKNufQ_nu/s1600/DSC_0513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiSAk3S_eLIUsYdPnwRt3Fy27VsZrzuPMgmuWdRVJcFD00DjZ74Xv9CIhq3qkuLQqupGQW-KNtYfEoPZCwIbAppzU__-N_Rg8_UWVFaLBI3yibIEufsZBc5yqkROFfB_IVecGKNufQ_nu/s1600/DSC_0513.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>18-year-old <b>Peter Lloyd</b> shows how it’s done. </i></div>
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<i>Cracking photo by Carol Cobbett at </i><i><i><b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">CAC Photography</a></b></i>.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiPM9i-c-elkBM9PD5PHagCYGnI-H1zThodRj8HMpFCA5r6VxwsrZpMmc69FGnwMf0ivnhBnNKMVW69gxhHuM9R242C5iVH3e7TYWbAd0e9nHwqDEUijLXhzwpMfXmOKCD2ivm8JDeoLa/s1600/DSC_0395.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiPM9i-c-elkBM9PD5PHagCYGnI-H1zThodRj8HMpFCA5r6VxwsrZpMmc69FGnwMf0ivnhBnNKMVW69gxhHuM9R242C5iVH3e7TYWbAd0e9nHwqDEUijLXhzwpMfXmOKCD2ivm8JDeoLa/s1600/DSC_0395.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>My more XC-oriented approach to the same little drop. </i></div>
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<i>Photo by Carol Cobbett at </i><i><i><b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">CAC Photography</a></b></i>.</i></div>
<br />
While enduro is to some extent a retirement home for ex-downhill racers – think <b>Radio 2</b> – there are some amazing kids out there too, and in this event they ruled the roost. But even the other wrinklies were absolutely mental and supremely skilled. And <b>fit</b>: even on the pedalliest stage, where I would have expected my fitness to make up for my inferior bike-handling skills, I was miles slower than the best riders.<br />
<br />
With me, there comes a point where I start to worry about the consequences of getting things wrong and ease off. Crashing never seems to cross these guys’ minds, though, they're too busy looking ahead for ways of finding more speed. While I still tend to get sidetracked by obstacles right in front of me, they just let the bike do the work and pedal a bit more.<br />
<br />
Even (or perhaps especially) at my level/age, the whole <b>speed, speed and yet more speed </b>thing is incredibly exciting. Liberating, even. And, as I've said before, it's so good to be able to stop at the bottom to whoop and grin like a Cheshire cat and exchange war stories rather than head straight up the next effing climb gurning XC-style. Which has left me questioning what I want out of mountain biking. I climb like a goat but I’d rather <b>descend like an animal</b>! <br />
<br />
Uh-oh, I seem to be going through another mid-life crisis. I think I want to be a <b>downhiller</b>!<br />
<br />
But can you teach an old dog new tricks? I’m not a natural daredevil, bungee-jumping and sky-diving and getting fired out of cannons. And having <b>misspent my youth </b>studying rather than hanging down the skate park doing skids and wheelies, I lack the natural balance, flow and confidence that marks out the best riders. They’re the ones who don’t look at their hands when playing the piano, who don’t need to remember the F-sharp. Hell, they probably never learned to read music. I’m descending better all the time, but I suspect it's like learning languages – it comes so much easier when you’re a kid. I imagine I’ll always ride with that telltale <b>foreign accent</b>.<br />
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But <b>who cares </b>as long as you’re having fun (and not in hospital)?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJfFHgcJrG-Wne2XLJTy8Zb5oEzk-vkH37RE9YxTFHli_XBVItYjIVPLTBsiDYH84hKuJkrO25Y_3V_HPrfhon-Q37MXCr8zxHpnxsxmaLkMRZZbMfayvmThO4q15H_Dm1T5rTpxk3Fmr/s1600/DSC_0036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJfFHgcJrG-Wne2XLJTy8Zb5oEzk-vkH37RE9YxTFHli_XBVItYjIVPLTBsiDYH84hKuJkrO25Y_3V_HPrfhon-Q37MXCr8zxHpnxsxmaLkMRZZbMfayvmThO4q15H_Dm1T5rTpxk3Fmr/s1600/DSC_0036.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Me looking a bit more enduro on day 2. </i></div>
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<i>Photo by Carol Cobbett at </i><i><i><b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">CAC Photography</a></b></i>.</i></div>
<br />
Enough navel-gazing, what were the stages like? Well, fantastic, really. <b>Exhilarating and exhausting</b>. An unprecedented spell of good weather meant the ground was dry as a bone, with almost infinite grip and only one foot-soaking puddle in the whole event. Many of the tracks were loose rocky affairs very reminiscent of the <b><a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/dyfi-enduro-i-must-be-luckiest-man-alive.html">Dyfi Enduro</a></b> (without the congestion) and familiar from previous endurance events in the Crychan, but the <b>highlights </b>for me were the twisty, rutted, rooty sections purpose-built for the event.<br />
<br />
I was reasonably pleased with my performance. At times I missed having the <b><a href="http://bionicon.com/alva-180-air.html?___store=default&___from_store=default#main">Bionicon Alva 180mm </a></b>full-susser I borrowed for round 1 of the series in April (as chronicled <b><a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/empire-cycles-enduro-round-1-going-down.html">here</a></b>). This time I opted on day 1 for a <b>ready-made excuse </b>for slow times in the form of a fully-rigid singlespeed XC bike, which would have been immeasurably cool if somehow I’d been able to put in some fast times, but ended up making me look a bit daft to be honest, especially when I punctured on the first timed run.<br />
<br />
On day 2 I brought my very first mountain bike out of retirement, a shagged 2005-vintage budget Trek full-susser with a whopping 100mm suspension at the back and maybe 50mm at the front. This did make quite a difference to the feel of the tracks and encouraged a more <b>devil-may-care </b>attitude on the rough stuff, but in the end I made so many little mistakes that my times weren’t that much faster. I also managed to puncture again on stage 3, which made for a <i>very </i>long run carrying a <i>very </i>heavy bike.<br />
<br />
I’d like to think I’d have done better on my 29er had it not still been out of action, but ultimately I have to accept that <b>I was the limiting factor</b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUHWpn-VgqCJyhDenmrLGg7PxiMmGLsfkksaeGGuyXGoQ1xtOuLwe2dmUudQlq24IMdjInaBqyEbg3oPgkWIBoqI3r8xUOH14Cx_bngdk6Dv4_ClB24NQSu_OBGtqRZOS4Jlu2o8xl4it/s1600/IMAG0471.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJUHWpn-VgqCJyhDenmrLGg7PxiMmGLsfkksaeGGuyXGoQ1xtOuLwe2dmUudQlq24IMdjInaBqyEbg3oPgkWIBoqI3r8xUOH14Cx_bngdk6Dv4_ClB24NQSu_OBGtqRZOS4Jlu2o8xl4it/s1600/IMAG0471.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>It was a long way down from here – and this wasn’t even the top of the climb!</i></div>
<br />
Outside the actual stages, the <b><a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/index.php">Empire Cycles Enduro</a></b> series is a very <b>relaxed</b>, friendly and inclusive affair. The format is practice and two timed stages on day 1, and five timed stages on day 2. Riders were even encouraged to drive up to the forest on day 1 to save their legs. Being a <b>hard nut</b>, I opted to ride up anyway and try to bag a KOM, only to find the hill in question wasn’t registered as a segment (it is now!). On day 2 everyone had to do the full 40km loop, which was pretty hilly, but you could take as long as you wanted on the transitions.<br />
<br />
The <b>après-ride </b>consisted of a free beer at event HQ followed by a choice of pasta dishes at the <b><a href="http://www.food-food-food.co.uk/">Drovers’ Rest</a></b> in town and an airing of the new Steve Peat film, which included some great archive footage of downhill racing on rigid bikes in the 1990s – see, it’s not just me! Some of us watched the video out on the balcony above the river; the Midlands crew just got drunk (which didn’t seem to affect them unduly the next day); others had an early night. In the end I chose not to camp this time, but to relax and breakfast in en-suite luxury at the <b><a href="http://www.food-food-food.co.uk/">Drovers’ Rest</a></b> for a very reasonable £30.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQAIomzf1CjUlC21ybtAY4nem-xWH1CIi34PB2te4ztWTbD-pHo8g-f2olbXjZIA9uUiKOsSWJvV76lKqGgrY6WBt-4DDYdq9tLLX1kF4eTP3xvJTvY8sgZS2MhA5jsZ6V-kJA9v2QqMJ/s1600/IMAG0470.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQAIomzf1CjUlC21ybtAY4nem-xWH1CIi34PB2te4ztWTbD-pHo8g-f2olbXjZIA9uUiKOsSWJvV76lKqGgrY6WBt-4DDYdq9tLLX1kF4eTP3xvJTvY8sgZS2MhA5jsZ6V-kJA9v2QqMJ/s1600/IMAG0470.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Waiting to ride the lumpy, loamy first stage. I must have ridden this section seven or eight times over the two days and loved it every time.</i></div>
<br />
What an <b>amazing weekend of riding </b>it was! I loved the <b><a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/empire-cycles-enduro-round-1-going-down.html">first round</a></b> back in April, but this time was even better. The weather was better, the descents were better, the transitions were better. But more than anything, there were twice as many competitors, so I got to spend more time watching other people ride and/or failing to keep up with them. It was truly inspiring to be among so many talented riders who are just so damned fast.<br />
<br />
A couple of minor caveats to the advertorial above: there were a few timing-related hold-ups, some of the marshals’ radios couldn’t get reception, the ambulance driver should have had a map, and the absence of a podium (however unattainable for me) made the finish something of an anticlimax. But on balance it was <b>a well-organised event</b>.<br />
<br />
Once again, thanks to all the lovely people at <b><a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/index.php">Red Kite Events</a></b> and their merry band of marshals, all the lovely people at the <b><a href="http://www.food-food-food.co.uk/">Drovers’ Rest</a></b> for great food and accommodation, all the lovely <b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">Carol Cobbett</a></b>
for the photos, all my lovely family for the weekend pass, and all my lovely fellow enduroists for the company and inspiration. I had a blast.<br />
<br />
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</span><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 1079px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 55pt;" width="73"></col></colgroup><colgroup><col style="width: 54pt;" width="72"></col></colgroup><colgroup><col style="width: 30pt;" width="40"></col></colgroup><colgroup><col style="width: 44pt;" width="58"></col></colgroup><colgroup><col style="width: 52pt;" width="69"></col></colgroup><colgroup><col style="width: 51pt;" width="68"></col></colgroup><colgroup><col span="5" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col></colgroup><colgroup><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col></colgroup><colgroup><col style="width: 47pt;" width="62"></col></colgroup><colgroup><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col></colgroup><colgroup><col style="width: 47pt;" width="63"></col></colgroup><colgroup><col style="width: 47pt;" width="63"></col></colgroup><colgroup><col style="width: 47pt;" width="63"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="33" style="height: 24.75pt;">
<td class="xl68" height="33" style="height: 24.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">First
name</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Last name</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">No</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Gender</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Stage 1 Finish
Split Time Day 1</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Stage 2 Finish
Split Time Day 1</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Stage 1 Finish
Split Time Day 2</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Stage 2 Finish
Split Time Day 2</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">stage 3 Finish
Split Time Day 2</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Stage 4 Finish
Split Time Day 2</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Stage 5 Finish
Split Time Day 2</span></td>
<td class="xl70" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Day 1 Time</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Day 1 Pos</span></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Day 2 Time</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Day 2 Pos</span></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Combined Time</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Overal Position</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Heathcote</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Paul</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">29</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:43</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:40</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:35</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:35</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:10</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:41</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:09</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:23</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:10</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:33</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Goodey</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Nick</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">32</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:40</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:54</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:36</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:37</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:08</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:37</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:16</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:34</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:15</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:49</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Baldock</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Steven</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">16</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:43</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:38</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:35</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:38</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:15</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:45</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:21</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:21</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:34</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:55</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sutton</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rhys</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:43</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:36</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:41</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:39</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:18</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:42</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:21</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:19</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:41</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:00</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lloyd</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Peter</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">6</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:41</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:38</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:36</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:39</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:16</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:46</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:42</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:19</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:00</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:19</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Love</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Matt</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">22</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:50</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:49</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:42</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:47</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:16</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:38</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:31</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:39</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:53</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">6</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:32</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">6</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Bolton</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Joe</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">26</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:43</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:41</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:40</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:08</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:16</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:42</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:26</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:24</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:11</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:35</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Kay</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Christopher</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">37</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:50</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:46</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:51</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:51</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:18</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:40</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:29</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:36</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:08</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:44</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Phil</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Allum</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">42</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:02</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:50</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:45</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:48</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:22</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:44</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:22</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:52</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">18</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:01</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:53</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Allen</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Gary</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">28</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:56</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:48</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:48</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:54</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:21</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:51</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:27</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:44</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">16</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:21</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">13</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:15:05</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">James</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Scott</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">43</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:54</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:00</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:47</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:53</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:19</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:49</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:24</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:54</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">19</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:12</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:15:06</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Aucock</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ste</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:57</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:51</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:56</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:52</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:22</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:47</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:31</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:48</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">17</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:28</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">15</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:15:16</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">12</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Heathcote</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jamie</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">31</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:47</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:54</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:49</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:47</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:38</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:51</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:37</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:41</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">12</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:42</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">16</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:15:23</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">13</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Walker</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sean</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">18</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:59</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:43</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:41</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:41</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:18</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:47</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:18</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:42</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">13</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:45</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">17</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:15:27</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">14</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Salmon</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">TOM</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:56</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:35</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:49</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:49</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:10</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:54</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:33</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:31</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:12:15</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">18</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:15:46</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">15</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Eve</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Bradley</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">35</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:05</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:02</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:52</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:01</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:44</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:03</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:56</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:04:07</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">23</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:12:37</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">19</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:16:44</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">16</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Richards</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Eif</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">38</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:04</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:59</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:02</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:04</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:53</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:04</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:45</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:04:03</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">22</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:12:49</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">20</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:16:52</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">17</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Taylor</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Conrad</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:21</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:23</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:15</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:07</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:49</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:10</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:53</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:44</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">15</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:14</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">24</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:16:58</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">18</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Woods</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mike</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">27</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:06</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:03</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:56</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:10</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:41</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:15</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:57</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:04:09</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">25</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:00</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">22</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:17:09</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">19</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hawkins</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Will</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">17</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:10</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:11</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:01</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:07</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:41</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:58</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:16</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:04:21</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">28</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:03</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">23</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:17:24</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">20</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Houldsworth</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ben</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">33</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:15</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:00</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:09</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:09</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:00</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:19</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:08</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:04:15</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">26</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:45</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">25</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:18:00</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">21</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hill</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rob
W</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">14</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:07</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:01</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:06</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:10</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:50</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:04:09</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:49</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:04:08</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">24</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:04</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">29</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:18:12</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">22</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mutlow</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tom</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">15</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:14</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:17</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:14</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:13</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:54</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:22</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:14</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:04:31</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">30</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:56</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">27</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:18:27</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">23</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl76" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Schroder</span></td>
<td class="xl76" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chris</span></td>
<td class="xl76" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td>
<td class="xl76" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:20</span></td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:14</span></td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:11</span></td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:07</span></td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:37</span></td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:05</span></td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:54</span></td>
<td class="xl77" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:04:34</span></td>
<td class="xl76" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">32</span></td>
<td class="xl78" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:54</span></td>
<td class="xl76" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">26</span></td>
<td class="xl78" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:18:28</span></td>
<td class="xl79" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">24</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lee</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Gary</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">40</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:11</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:12</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:09</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:26</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:57</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:17</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:23</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:04:23</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">29</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:11</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">30</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:18:34</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">25</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Stockton</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ashley</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">36</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:07</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:54</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:50</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:20</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:05:22</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:08</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:41</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:04:01</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">20</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:15:20</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">33</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:19:21</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">26</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Seymour</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Nathan</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:40</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:20</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:30</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:19</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:58</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:16</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:56</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:06:00</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">35</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:59</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">28</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:19:59</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">27</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Crametz</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jerome</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">39</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:37</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:29</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:39</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:28</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:02</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:20</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:04:11</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:05:06</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">33</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:15:39</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">36</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:20:45</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">28</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jenkins</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tomas</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">19</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:44</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:37</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:28</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:08</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:13</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:29</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:04:14</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:05:21</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">34</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:15:32</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">35</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:20:53</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">29</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl72" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">John</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Calvert</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 30pt;" width="40"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">44</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 44pt;" width="58"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Male</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:21</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:01:55</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:32</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:02:28</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:03:55</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:04:00</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:04:00</span></td>
<td class="xl73" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:04:16</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="62"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">27</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:16:55</span></td>
<td class="xl72" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 47pt;" width="63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">38</span></td>
<td class="xl74" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:21:11</span></td>
<td class="xl75" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">30</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-15209943613244846552014-06-20T15:46:00.001+01:002014-06-20T21:54:04.201+01:00Red Kite Devil's Challenge 130km: It's wonderful out there<b>Star date: </b>8 June 2014<br />
<b>Location: </b>Cambrian Mountains<br />
<b>Event: <a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/">Red Kite Devil's Challenge 130km</a></b><br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Victim of diabolical warranty service<b> </b><br />
<b>Weapon of necessity: </b>Rigid 26" singlespeed <br />
<b>Greatest strength:</b> Climbing and descending well<br />
<b>Greatest weakness:</b> Quiche?<br />
<b>Result: </b>First back FWIW<br />
<br />
The idea was to do something <b>a bit mental</b>, a bit extreme. A stress-busting factory reset to counter the pressures of work and my offspring's occasional lapses in realising their angelic potential. So why not ride further than you've ever ridden before, in a very hilly place, at race pace, in bad weather, without gears or suspension?<br />
<br />
It didn't turn out quite like that.<br />
<br />
With even mountain biking now having to bow to health & safety extremism, typically overblown weather warnings (Britain to be blitzed by worst hailstorms since 1843, warned the <b><a href="http://www.express.co.uk/news/nature/480038/Shock-UK-weather-warning-Tornadoes-hail-thunderstorms-and-lightning-to-ravage-Britain">Daily Bollox</a></b>) led to the route being cut to a trifling 70 miles and <b>four Snowdons </b>of climbing. <br />
<br />
Clashes with other events also meant a very disappointing turnout, so I had nobody at my level to race against, and in the end it was <b>sunny all day, dammit</b>. <br />
<br />
The only part of the original plan not to fall through was riding what most would consider an inappropriate bike. Discuss.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQtVWQ7exJQWq7240Fw_xcjjlLKkdvNKbA82T46OsgnDtngmc24_NwR2H8fgviBTz9f0utU_02g71OZSqCR2WLssHqFcKccKdQWc02TTuELU-AFBpK8wxur8UbkHZc0ULQGD1GJt7JQ8f/s1600/DSC_0075.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQtVWQ7exJQWq7240Fw_xcjjlLKkdvNKbA82T46OsgnDtngmc24_NwR2H8fgviBTz9f0utU_02g71OZSqCR2WLssHqFcKccKdQWc02TTuELU-AFBpK8wxur8UbkHZc0ULQGD1GJt7JQ8f/s1600/DSC_0075.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I manage to out-camp <b><a href="http://www.food-food-food.co.uk/">Drovers’ Rest</a></b> owner and feed station supply supremo Peter James OBE. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo: Carol Corbett at <b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/">CAC Photography</a></b>.</i></div>
<br />
With the pressure off and the sun out, I ended up taking it (relatively) easy and discovering a whole <b>new facet of mountain biking</b>. Without the usual head-down-arse-up sweat-in-the-eyes lactic-in-the-legs verge-of-collapse joys of a race, the high-octane heart-in-mouth non-stop thrills-and-spills rollercoaster of the trail centre, or even the nagging where-the-****-am-I the-weather's-closing-in semi-panic of a solo upland exploration, the whole thing was altogether more laid back, with the emphasis on <b>just enjoying being out there</b>. Right out in the middle of nowhere.<br />
<br />
Now even in pootle mode I'm not really your stop-to-take-a-photo kinda guy, so you'll have to use your imagination or Google your own pics. But what a stunningly beautiful place Wales can be! Epic may be an overused word these days, but it's the one that keeps springing to mind. Thing is, I live here, I see this landscape every day, and it still <b>took my
breath away </b>at times. I can't imagine what city-dwellers must make of
it. But I can see why so many travel so far to ride here.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkZJ8gsI76_ztirbotpjin8BgSDt0pRK25nQHqjVbDXovBkoXwf4Q-Q_6MZgcAm_3KzrUy98zUlsMxGhUCDMBKamiIsDvs41Kl4hX41crsuGFcZKCmfMLFQf03b9a7LJPikn6FwCSdEAg/s1600/DSC_0093.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkZJ8gsI76_ztirbotpjin8BgSDt0pRK25nQHqjVbDXovBkoXwf4Q-Q_6MZgcAm_3KzrUy98zUlsMxGhUCDMBKamiIsDvs41Kl4hX41crsuGFcZKCmfMLFQf03b9a7LJPikn6FwCSdEAg/s1600/DSC_0093.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Same place, different
event, for an idea of the sheer epicness of the
ride. That's me in my enduro clobber by the way, taking a full-bouncer
from the lovely people at <b><a href="http://bionicon.com/mountainbikes">Bionicon</a></b> on a recce run at the first round of the <b><a href="http://www.redkite-events.com/">Red Kite Events</a>/<a href="http://www.redkite-events.co.uk/event.php?id=10">Empire Cycles Enduro</a></b> (see my report <b><a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/empire-cycles-enduro-round-1-going-down.html">here</a></b>). Next round is on 26/27 July. I cannot recommend it highly enough.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo: Carol Corbett at <b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/">CAC Photography</a></b>.</i></div>
<br />
It was like stepping into a <b>tourist information film</b>, with the course managing to cram in pretty much everything mid-Wales has to offer:<br />
<ul>
<li>Britain's smallest town? Check.</li>
<li>Magnificent views throughout? Check.</li>
<li>Moorland wilderness? Check.</li>
<li>Burbling brooks and rocky rivers? Check.</li>
<li>Aryan ranks of telegraph pole monoculture? Check.</li>
<li>Proper bluebell-infested broadleaf woodland? Check.</li>
<li>Post-apocalyptic clearfell? Check.</li>
<li>Crystal-clear reservoir? Check.</li>
<li>Empty roads? Check. </li>
<li>Languidly soaring red kites? Check.</li>
<li>Lots of sheep? Duh!</li>
</ul>
All interspersed, of course, with some <b>thrilling descents</b>. It's hard to pick favourites, but those that stand out in my mind were an exhilarating and scary-in-places Dyfi-style bedrock cracker in the Irfon Forest, the always-entertaining rough 'n' ready black descent at <b><a href="http://www.coedtrallwm.co.uk/">Coed Trallwm</a></b>,<b> </b>a
superquick dry grassy moorland blast dodging woolly
bullets above Llyn Brianne, and a PB on the familiar rooty (but not so muddy for once) multiple lines dropping down onto the road in the Crychan Forest.<br />
<br />
But these had to be earned. Boy, did they have to be earned. There was an awful lot of climbing. With descents in this part of the world tending to be steepish plummets rather than sinuous singletrack, I guess it's the <b>price you have to pay</b>. Rarely have I been so grateful for long flattish linking sections where you could just about catch your breath.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmbIuXwKhKON4P8FMUIzsAGQ31sQ8j1wwSY5V88LUZgFwm_mOVfie0nbVUHM5n6uj92ZQHRyDOCsdVDs0DdigO7cw2OgqwMRgiRVdJUPd69cQVA8FHY9qS4ysPJeDfhLrctp47XIIp0tN/s1600/DSC_0094.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPmbIuXwKhKON4P8FMUIzsAGQ31sQ8j1wwSY5V88LUZgFwm_mOVfie0nbVUHM5n6uj92ZQHRyDOCsdVDs0DdigO7cw2OgqwMRgiRVdJUPd69cQVA8FHY9qS4ysPJeDfhLrctp47XIIp0tN/s1600/DSC_0094.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Start of the big fireroad climb over to Llyn Brianne reservoir.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo: Carol Corbett at <b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/">CAC Photography</a></b>.</i></div>
<br />
Fortunately most of the climbs offered plenty to occupy your mind (mud, ruts, rocks, steps, views, often all at the same time). In the middle, though, were two monster fireroad slogs out of Abergwesyn that were a real test of character. The second had so many false summits that I came very close to quitting and settling for the short route! The first was probably just as hard, but followed a lengthy pit stop and was broken up nicely by snapper Carol Corbett from <b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/">CAC Photography</a></b><i><b> </b></i>a little way up and
then, near the top, a serious <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJXX4vF6Zh0">Springwatch</a> moment</b> as I rounded a
corner to find four tiny fox cubs playing on the track in the sun. Even younger and less foxy than in the photo below, they were half puppy half
teddy, and my daughter would've wanted to take them home and keep them
(probably with the teenage hens she found in the
woods a fortnight ago). Having been a part-time <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwfjCoODvbo">Good Life</a> wannabe</b>
until the cycling bug bit me, I've lost a fair few chickens and ducks
to Mr Fox over the years, so I'm not his biggest fan, but I have to say
those babies were just sooo cute...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkZJ8gsI76_ztirbotpjin8BgSDt0pRK25nQHqjVbDXovBkoXwf4Q-Q_6MZgcAm_3KzrUy98zUlsMxGhUCDMBKamiIsDvs41Kl4hX41crsuGFcZKCmfMLFQf03b9a7LJPikn6FwCSdEAg/s1600/DSC_0093.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHwN1FaqaBWKjnrtZz6KwtyuYC_eMy5WQpH1sZg24e-sCfF7B63TpFv19S0-YdxjYd7Fqn0m4zMwpIRLB2dPe9yt8fj8ueK4CmqZ9lg5t0FSKHZRHK6DMoMzmdq-wep-CmnPSR9lVHDCU/s1600/foxcubs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHwN1FaqaBWKjnrtZz6KwtyuYC_eMy5WQpH1sZg24e-sCfF7B63TpFv19S0-YdxjYd7Fqn0m4zMwpIRLB2dPe9yt8fj8ueK4CmqZ9lg5t0FSKHZRHK6DMoMzmdq-wep-CmnPSR9lVHDCU/s1600/foxcubs.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>If anything, mine were even cuter.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Cracking photo by <b><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jm999uk/5624354816/">John Morris</a></b>.</i></div>
<br />
And it was still cooing like a teenage girl that I then contrived to take my only <b>wrong turning</b> of the day.
I blame the organiser. I mean, fancy attaching a straight-on arrow to a
big tree?! Did he not consider that it might subsequently get blown over so the arrow ended up pointing right?! Seriously, though, the
waymarking was very good. It must be hard work marking out a 70 mile
offroad course - but not as hard as riding it...<br />
<br />
Luckily the second half of the course was easier than the first. Once you get up there, the Crychan Forest is a case of <b>less pain, more gain</b>. The climbs are shorter yet the descents feel longer, and the whole experience is a little more playful, ideal for those with a
short attention span - or tired legs. The loop was largely a dry run of the somewhat moister Little Devil event back in April (see my report <b><a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/red-kite-little-devil-65km-mostly-but.html">here</a></b>),
only with the killer hill moved from the beginning to the end and leading onto a great last singletrack descent down into the remotest of valleys for a lingering final taste of the wilds just a mile or so from town.<br />
<br />
All in all, it was the usual well-organised, laid-back, no-frills,
grass-roots affair we've come to expect from <b><a href="http://redkite-events.com/">Red Kite Events</a></b>. A cracking course in a <b>wonderful </b>part of the
world.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uYWGYOOnTyaotEEIxbabA1_xw6KBnGPHFA3bvJ0zRZmAz0aff4JfOlJJAeS3bCJG4GogebIBn5DvpoXaKMO4cT27NeNmg9C-LYML5jw9XNunrICH9xFWjIZs2y_Ahy6DN-zpAHHMhPFK/s1600/DSC_0108.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uYWGYOOnTyaotEEIxbabA1_xw6KBnGPHFA3bvJ0zRZmAz0aff4JfOlJJAeS3bCJG4GogebIBn5DvpoXaKMO4cT27NeNmg9C-LYML5jw9XNunrICH9xFWjIZs2y_Ahy6DN-zpAHHMhPFK/s1600/DSC_0108.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Freshly refuelled on quiche and boiled
potatoes washed down with a selection of great cakes. (It was lunchtime, I was hungry.) </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo: Carol Corbett at <b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/">CAC Photography</a></b>.</i></div>
<br />
And how did I fare on the inappropriate bike? Well, with no suspension I had to go a little more gently on some descents to avoid the road-drill effect, and with no gears I probably hurt a little
more on the very steepest climbs, but it <b>weighs 10lb less</b> than your average loadsagears
full-suspension trail bike<b> </b>(and after training on it so do I!) so the rest of the ride will have been a great deal easier. There's no doubt in my mind which one I'd rather take up (and down) four Snowdons. <b>#righttoolforthejob</b><br />
<br />
<i><b>Update:</b> You can ride a similar monster MTB loop </i><i><i>on 9 August </i>as part of a whole weekend of mountain biking shenanigans in Llanwrtyd Wells under the umbrella of the <b><a href="http://www.worldalternativegames.co.uk/events/">World Alternative Games</a></b>, also home to bog snorkelling and other assorted nuttiness.<b><br /></b></i><br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://app.strava.com/activities/151119480/embed/2d5f7bf63a04b4beb73f1026a7b3d1f6ae503adf" width="590"></iframe>Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-14469538170119199062014-05-21T13:13:00.000+01:002014-05-21T13:33:35.659+01:00Dyfi Enduro: I must be the luckiest man alive<b>Star date: </b>4 May 2014<br />
<b>Location: </b>Deepest daftest Wales<br />
<b>Event: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dyfimtbevents?fref=ts">Dyfi Enduro</a></b><br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Carbon 29er with way too many gears<br />
<b>Greatest achievement:</b> Timely deployment of airbags<br />
<b>Greatest weakness:</b> For once, excessive speed<br />
<b>Result:</b> 20th<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><u>Warning:</u> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I haven't exercised much editorial control on this one,</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>so do feel free just to look at the pictures.</i></div>
<br />
Last year my race effectively ended 20 feet into the first rocky descent. This year it effectively ended about 200 yards later. Oops.<br />
<br />
Last year the cause was as mundane as a flat tyre. This year it was a pretty spectacular crash from which I was very lucky to limp away.<br />
<br />
Last year I went on to cruise round with the weekend warriors. This year I was still among the fast boys and the whole thing was brutal.<br />
<br />
Both years it was <b>absolutely fantastic</b>.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXwUxabPgcLwMsxeVoYmsWZwDyxiHJL66HRMpazfXyFY7m3KoqL3yo1qUkdYUQXQ7Ftbqsg94FW3hDNPtq53KPBJQu3vzM224iWrmxdtZWsagkyDrKhheJnxLM8N9iIv9JCSZesSWKMF7/s1600/Chris+Schroder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyXwUxabPgcLwMsxeVoYmsWZwDyxiHJL66HRMpazfXyFY7m3KoqL3yo1qUkdYUQXQ7Ftbqsg94FW3hDNPtq53KPBJQu3vzM224iWrmxdtZWsagkyDrKhheJnxLM8N9iIv9JCSZesSWKMF7/s1600/Chris+Schroder.jpg" height="512" width="422" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>And my wife says I never look like I'm trying...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Great photo by <b>St Peter Jones</b>, co-organiser of the always enjoyable <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dyfi-Winter-Warm-Up/158713670883526?fref=ts">Dyfi Winter Warm Up</a></b> (which uses some of the same trails, generally in a slightly moister setting - see my reports on <b><a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/dyfi-winter-warm-up-got-me-all-wet.html">2014</a></b> and <b><a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/the-dyfi-winter-soak-down.html">2013</a></b>) and roving marshal </i><i>extraordinaire, who also found time not </i><i><i> only to take hundreds of photos of the event </i>but also to look after me following my crash and, half an hour later, catch me on the quadbike to check I was OK. And </i><i>men can't multitask?</i></div>
<br />
Learning from last year's mistakes (see <b><a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/dyfi-enduro-kindness-of-strangers.html">here</a></b> if you're really keen), I not only doubled up on tubes and tools (hoping Sod's law would mean I wouldn't need them - and I didn't) but also got to the start really early - like 40 minutes early - to make sure I didn't get stuck at the back again. Like at concerts where there are always these man-mountains with f***-off tattoos and disproportionately hot girlfriends who push through to the front just before the band come on, I did end up a couple of rows back once the pros arrived, but still in a <b>good position</b>.<br />
<br />
The ride out to the forest behind the pace car was four miles of hell - constant testosterone-fuelled jockeying for position as 1,000 riders all tried to push through and get to the front for when we hit the forest. Like on a busy motorway, you leave a safe gap to the person in front and someone will pull into it. And if you don't leave a gap it just takes one clash of knobbly tyres when somebody misses a gear to send the whole set of dominos toppling over. Not my idea of fun at all - I much prefer mountain biking as a <b>non-contact sport</b>, it's hard enough coping with the terrain!<br />
<br />
For once I didn't enjoy the first long fireroad climb either (although the bewigged shenanigans near the top helped). Sometimes climbing comes easy and sometimes it doesn't. This time it hurt. But I hit the top in around about 10th place and had loads of space for the first descent, which was fast, fun, dry and relatively easy, and I managed to hammer down it without mishap (see photo above). <br />
<br />
This was followed by another big climb onto open moorland. It's lovely out there, all fantastic views and little bedrock ups and downs. The pain of the ascent forgotten, I was feeling good now as we headed back down again, my confidence boosted by my first stab at a gravity-style enduro event at round 1 of the <b><a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/event.php?id=19">Empire Cycles Enduro</a></b> the previous weekend (report <b><a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/empire-cycles-enduro-round-1-going-down.html">here</a></b>). So it was that I launched myself down the descent with a sense of <b>invincibility</b> and a determination not to lose Gareth Jones ahead of me.<br />
<br />
This first rocky downhill section of the day is one that will forever command my respect. It's not overly steep or uneven to start with, but last year it ripped my tyre in seconds. Putting this to the back of my mind I opted to test the theory of <b>the faster, the better</b>. The idea being that by the time a sharp bit of slate thinks about slicing through your tyre, you're long gone. And in that respect, speed was indeed my friend. No punctures this year!<br />
<br />
Trouble is, my XC bike is not a slack-angled 180 mm full-susser like I borrowed for the gravity event. You tear over rocks at speed and it doesn't stay glued to the ground but skips around like a <b>frisky lamb</b>. As the track grew rougher, it became very clear that I was going too fast. With my new-found DH confidence, though, I managed to stay (relatively) relaxed, riding out a couple of nasty dips and regaining control. Result.<br />
<br />
Only then it gets steeper. And I'm still going too fast. Apply brakes. Nothing. I'm not spending enough time on the ground for them to work. Instead I start to accelerate under the pull of gravity. Help, what do I do now? I remember telling myself <b>out loud</b> to drop my heels, get my weight back, drive the bike into the ground. Only the ground is now all flat, loose stones. The bike just skids over most of them, and when the tyres do bite they simply send the top layer of stones skittering over those below.<br />
<br />
By now I'm <b>officially bricking it</b>. I'm out of control. I can't slow down. It's getting very bumpy. But wait, there's a corner coming up, maybe I can use the bank to scrub off speed. Yeah, if I was Gee Atherton. But even as I grab at this hint of an impression of a straw, I suddenly realise with horror that I'm never going to make it that far. I'm closing on Gareth Jones at an alarming rate and will almost certainly smack into the back of him first.<br />
<br />
I hear this primal scream: <b>SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!</b> (It never gets as far as the T.) It appears to be coming from my mouth. Part warning cry, part plea for divine intervention. I'm long past the relaxed stage now, I'm tense as piano wire, my body position all wrong, and the bike has turned into a <b>bucking broncho</b>. The front wheel slams into a dip, I fly forward over the bars.<br />
<br />
At which point things often go into slow motion. And on this occasion it would probably have been in order for my whole life to flash before me. Only there isn't time. I just go <b>BANG!</b><br />
<br />
But here's <b>the cool bit</b>. My feet are still clipped into the pedals and pull the bike over the top of me as I somersault forward, before releasing the bike and launching it like a Scud missile - straight into the back of Gareth. A bit like this:<br />
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<br /></div>
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<br />
<b>Top skills</b> all round!<b> </b>Not only a breathtakingly audacious attempt to take out one of your main rivals for the crown of "Second Fastest XC Racer in Ceredigion behind Gareth Payne", but the perfect soft landing for all that shiny XTR bling on your newish bike. Talk about a double whammy. It's a tragedy nobody managed to capture my effort on film for posterity.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile I'm lying in the foetal position right across the trail feeling somewhat discombobulated. A
marshal scuttles over and shouts "Don't move!" I have an idea where he's coming
from - you go over the bars at over 20 mph on a rocky descent and a spinal injury is a distinct possibility - but oxymoronically I <b>don't <i>feel</i> paralysed</b>. I'm more concerned about lying in the path of 1,000 onrushing riders, and rather than put their bunnyhopping skills to the test I
crawl off the line for a little sit down.<br />
<br />
Time to count how
many fingers, have a nice sweet cup of tea, that kind of thing. I'm a little
dazed to be sure, my back feels grated, but... basically I'm OK. So after a minute or two I untwist the bars,
hop back on the bike and carry on. <b>Gingerly</b>.<br />
<br />
The post-event shirt-off post-mortem reveals (other than what looks suspiciously like a bullet hole) that I managed to land on <b>nature's airbags</b>, the only soft bit on the body that won't snap in a high-speed rocky impact (yes, my arse), before skidding along a bit, roughing up my back and shoulder, and generally having a very lucky escape. <br />
<br />
The only downside of landing on my backside was an element of numbness/malfunction in the right leg. Fellow XC racer Alan Colville had a run-in with a lorry a few years ago which resulted in him losing part of one buttock - he blogs as the <b><a href="http://half-arsedracer.com/">half-arsed racer</a></b> (you gotta love it!) - and he had to relearn pedalling a bike. I may now have a vague inkling of what he went through. For the rest of the race I felt like I had wonky wheels on the right-hand pedal stroke. This may also explain why I was battling with cramp from about half-way through. And <b>I hate cramp</b>. Well, everyone hates cramp. But I wouldn't normally have problems so early on. This in turn meant that I couldn't stand up on the climbs like I usually do, so I had to sit down, robbing me of any real power.<br />
<br />
So, let's take stock. Overcrowded road section, painful climb, big crash, cramp. You're probably wondering how I managed to enjoy myself. Well, this is the Dyfi, the <b>stuff of legend</b>, must-do bucket-list event famed for
its relaxed vibe and zany entertainment (including on this occasion a brass band deep in the forest and all manner of random camp nuttiness elsewhere). It's far from perfect, though. For a start, there are way too many riders - and this year
the organisers let in an extra couple of hundred due to a computer error, when really they should
have been
looking at <b>congestion charging</b>. Let's do the math(s): even at get-outta-my-space 10-second intervals you're looking at three hours to get 1,000 riders down the first
descent. So unless you have the fitness to get a wriggle on up that first big hill, the early descents are going to be all <b>Alton Towers </b>- endless queuing for just a
couple of minutes of regimented fun liable to be spoilt by the other sardines crammed in all around you. Surely an event like this should be akin to cruising down an empty Route 66 in an open-top Mustang, not taking your Yank-tank for a
lap of the M25 in rush hour. And don't get me started on the fireroad climbs - fireroad climb after fireroad climb after fireroad climb, it's the
ultimate <b>fireroad hillfest</b>.
<br />
<br />
And yet... And yet...<br />
<br />
Well, <b>it's all about the descents, innit?</b><br />
<br />
Oh, the descents. O... M... G...<br />
<br />
There's rocky and there's puddly and there's flowy and there's scary. Proper <b>nowt-taken-out </b>descents, techy or fast or both. No prisoners taken. I've always had a thing for Goshawk, a fun technical climb leading into a swoopy rollercoaster descent that goes on forever - and then some. And of course there's the steep and exposed rough bedrock ridge of the infamous World Cup, not to mention the smoother slipperier rock of Caban Coch just before it. And my new favourite: a short, easy section that doesn't even have a name but where you clatter over these big flat rounded stones that make this amazing racket, clinking and clunking away like a million broken dinnerplates (Greek Alley anyone?). <b>Pure magic</b>.<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/NBd-t44UF48" width="560"></iframe><br /></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The good, the bad and the ugly - carnage on the Caban Coch descent. I made a hash of this bit myself, although I didn't fall off and luckily there was nobody there to see it. </i><br />
<i>Great video courtesy of <b><a href="http://shemovate.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/dyfi-enduro-2014-photos-and-video.html">Shem Llewellyn</a></b>.</i></div>
<br />
Right, time for bed, said Zebedee. Anyone making it this far will probably assume that the title of this piece refers to the crash. To some extent it does, but actually <b>it's stumbling into mountain biking and getting to ride the Dyfi </b>(rather than spending the day down B&Q or watching telly) <b>that makes me the luckiest man alive</b>. And long may it continue!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
And for the record:<br />
<br />
<b>Gareth Jones </b>wasn't hurt and didn't come off his bike despite my best efforts. In fact
he didn't even stop - until struck by a couple of punctures later on
which enabled me to pip him to the post - ha! However, the title of "Second Fastest XC
Racer in Ceredigion behind Gareth Payne" went to <b>Dylan Stephens</b> on this
occasion. Amazingly the three of us finished within one minute of each other in 19th, 20th and
21st places. We could see Dylan up ahead on the final painful, interminable climb that was the surprise sting in the tail after the free bar, but
just couldn't close the gap. <b>Gareth Payne </b>finished seven minutes ahead in 10th. The winning time is astonishing, even for a pro.<br />
<br />
I missed a sign half a mile from the end (I blame the concussion) and went shooting down the Builth descent rather than a new muddy descent through the trees, thus cutting out a couple of minutes and officially finishing 14th. Oops. I was 20th really. Either way I'm pretty pleased with that, especially in the circumstances. But ultimately I don't care about the result. It was <b>all about the journey</b>, man. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 268px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1426; mso-width-source: userset; width: 29pt;" width="39"></col>
<col span="2" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 3693; mso-width-source: userset; width: 76pt;" width="101"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt; width: 29pt;" width="39"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Dan</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Evans</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 76pt;" width="101"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2hr 35min 52sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Neal</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Crampton</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2hr 40min 29sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sean</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Grosvenor</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2hr 45min 5sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Phil</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Holwell</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2hr 45min 50sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Nic</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Smith</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2hr 46min 29sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">6</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tom</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ward</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2hr 50min 38sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Scot</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Easter</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2hr 51min 6sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jon</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Roberts</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2hr 51min 53sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">James</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thompson</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2hr 52min 25sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Gareth</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Payne</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2hr 53min 39sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mark </span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Fidller</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2hr 54min 57sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">12</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chris</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Metcalfe</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2hr 56min 5sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">13</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ian</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Palmer</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2hr 59min 5sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">14</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chris</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Schroder</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2hr 59min 12sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">15</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">James </span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Green</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2hr 59min 21sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">16</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Dafydd</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Roberts</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2hr 59min 46sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">17</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">John</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Buchan</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3hr 0min 19sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">18</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Huw</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thomas</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3hr 0min 39sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">19</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Russell</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hall</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3hr 0min 59sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">20</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Dylan</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Stephens</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3hr 1min 16sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">21</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Gareth</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jones</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3hr 2min 16sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">22</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Daniel</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Godwin</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3hr 3min 16sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">23</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">robert</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">jones</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3hr 3min 45sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">24</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Aled</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Roberts</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3hr 4min 5sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">25</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Matthew</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jones</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3hr 5min 53sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">26</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rich</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Holmes</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3hr 8min 39sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">27</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Matt</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mountford</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3hr 9min 0sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">28</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">rashad</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">sadat</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3hr 9min 5sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">29</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ben</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Gadley</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3hr 9min 36sec</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl67" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">30</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mike</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Harper</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3hr 11min 35sec</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Strava:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://app.strava.com/activities/137375510/embed/dfc38432f8299985127012aeb08e8c161d0451a8" width="590"></iframe>
Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-64055751682663381022014-05-21T13:12:00.000+01:002014-05-21T13:18:49.452+01:00Welsh XC Series Round 3 and Welsh XC Championships: Gimme a brake!<b>Star date: </b>18 May 2014<br />
<b>Location: </b>Fforest Fields<br />
<b>Event: <a href="http://www.welshcycling.co.uk/" target="_blank">Welsh XC Series Round 3/Welsh XC Championships</a></b><br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Carbon hardtail 29er with 20 gears<br />
<b>Greatest achievement:</b> Not stomping off home in a strop<br />
<b>Greatest weakness: </b>That pesky little matter of speed<b><br /></b>
<b>Result: </b>6th in race, 5th in champs<br />
<br />
I seem to be cursed in this year's XC series: <br />
<ul>
<li>Round 1: Two flats</li>
<li>Round 2: One flat</li>
</ul>
So round 3 was very much <b>last-chance saloon</b> territory. If I didn't have a decent race without mechanicals, that was it. I'd stick to endurance events in future, no more XC for me.<br />
<br />
I haven't had much luck in past Welsh XC champs either:<br />
<ul>
<li>2011: Pedal disaster</li>
<li>2012: Saddle disaster</li>
</ul>
Admittedly I still bagged bronze medals in both of those years, at a time when I was, frankly, still <b>a bit crap</b>, but that just made it all the more frustrating last year when I only managed fourth place despite being way fitter and faster and nothing actually going wrong. Anyway, this time I was really <b>fired up</b> and determined to get back on the podium.<br />
<br />
So what did round 3 and the 2014 champs bring?<br />
<ul>
<li>One brake</li>
</ul>
Yep, no sooner had I hopped on the bike for a warm-up than the rear brake locked on with the lever <b>dangling uselessly </b>in need of an urgent Viagra infusion. Apparently it was something not readily curable to do with seals and return springs. Likely cause (get this): overheating in the back of the car. All I can say is <b>don't ever let me get a dog</b>! Anyway, big thanks to Gareth Rowlands from <b><a href="http://www.cycle-tec.co.uk/">Cycle-Tec</a></b> for the diagnosis and for helping to run round trying, in vain, to find someone with a suitable brake to borrow.<br />
<br />
Decision time. Drive straight back home <b>cursing and crying</b> and maybe squeeze in a consolation ride locally on the singlespeed - or man up and race anyway.<br />
<ul>
<li>Me: "Do you think I'll be OK with one brake?"</li>
<li>Consensus: "Not on that course, <b>you'll die</b>."</li>
</ul>
So I decided to give it a go. Fforest Fields is always a climber's course anyway, and I could always run/abseil the scariest bits. But any chance of a result was gone. I surprised myself by cresting the first big climb in the leading group with relative ease, so I do now wonder <b>what might have been</b>... But then we started to head back down again and that, basically, was that. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHScQ2ZJsW9_DXwrqD5ARLCopiJV9AB-aFM5zPf5clWI4n8qX_FxGJrvBmbMwJGH8eAwBXStHBl-ca4gAfKjgK8Gwt7MczfpqGtpqaBBRSb13Usj0wgHEYsis2rRboOQYNCP4d7h3830F9/s1600/DSC_3135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHScQ2ZJsW9_DXwrqD5ARLCopiJV9AB-aFM5zPf5clWI4n8qX_FxGJrvBmbMwJGH8eAwBXStHBl-ca4gAfKjgK8Gwt7MczfpqGtpqaBBRSb13Usj0wgHEYsis2rRboOQYNCP4d7h3830F9/s1600/DSC_3135.jpg" height="339" width="512" /></a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Note two-fingered death grip on front brake.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Great photo by <b><a href="http://roybevisphoto.com/">Roy Bevis</a></b> while taking a break from heckling me.</i></div>
<br />
The problem with having only a front brake is three-fold: <br />
<ol>
<li>Brake too <b>hard </b>and you'll fly over the bars, with potentially dire consequences</li>
<li>Brake too <b>gently</b> and you just don't slow down, with potentially dire consequences</li>
<li>Brake <b>moderately</b> and it still messes with the bike's handling, with, er, potentially dire consequences</li>
</ol>
And that's before you consider the effects on the mind - and I find descending fearlessly a challenge at the best of times. My initial approach was therefore to <b>creep along </b>at such a low speed that I wouldn't ever need to slow down. Which worked pretty well in terms of keeping me alive but had its disadvantages. Not only is going slowly not the ideal race tactic, but there were spectators and photographers on both descents, making it deeply, horribly, <b>cringingly</b> embarrassing. <br />
<br />
Luckily the leafy loam and myriad roots were bone-dry and full of grip, so I was able to speed up somewhat each lap as I grew more proficient at hanging off the saddle to drive weight down behind, rather than over, the front wheel. I only went over the bars the once, and bounced well. The course was <b>more tricky than scary </b>anyway, so in the end I was happy riding everything apart from one short drop on the first descent (having gone arse over tit running down it on the first lap, I opted for riding the longer but easier B-line after that). <br />
<br />
I felt really strong on the uphill sections, easily passing people on both climbs every single lap - only to have to let them past again on the descents. Come the last lap, though, I was so fed up with this pattern that I decided to lose the two guys I'd been playing cat-and-mouse with for the last hour by red-lining up the hills and easing off on the brake (sic!) on the descents. I even managed to pass another rider on the final climb and almost, almost caught one more in a <b>lactic-tastic sprint finish</b> (turns out he wasn't in my category anyway, so I was, like, whatever). All this made my last lap as quick as my first, which is unusual and testament to the power of bloodymindedness.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqdI6W0o-sRkcCwVc7WLoU5rGVihXBmlm4jrHZAbt6HhTelbWXNDLbtJ3Cix6HrK6n1y5bEToJg7-TGsSv7poz-3AErfRWkrOTGq_0UdR9jO_0GvvusZE4RzYDYRF1kwpLD75LH5xOAZ4/s1600/DSC_2987.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqdI6W0o-sRkcCwVc7WLoU5rGVihXBmlm4jrHZAbt6HhTelbWXNDLbtJ3Cix6HrK6n1y5bEToJg7-TGsSv7poz-3AErfRWkrOTGq_0UdR9jO_0GvvusZE4RzYDYRF1kwpLD75LH5xOAZ4/s1600/DSC_2987.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></i></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>On the first lap I was even scared on the flat bits.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo by <b><a href="http://roybevisphoto.com/">Roy Bevis</a></b>.</i></div>
<br />
Sixth in the race and fifth in the champs was disappointing, but looking at the times even with <b>three brakes </b>I don't think I could have stayed with the top three. Even so, I really enjoyed the ride. Dry trails always help, but against expectations it was <b>a gem of a course</b>. I found it a bit dull last year, but a new rooty descent, a carpet of bluebells and a bit of tweaking worked wonders.<br />
<br />
So, am I now going to <b>flounce out </b>of XC
racing for good? Well, I'm still thinking that 70-80 minutes is just too short. By the time you've driven
there, faffed, raced, faffed and driven home, you could've had a whole day's riding from your door - and unlike in longer races it's nigh-on impossible to recover from a puncture or mechanical. On the other hand, a really good course like this one can still make it worthwhile. I also have <b>unfinished business - </b>I'd love to have one clean XC race this year to see what level I'm really at. I <i>feel </i>faster than ever.<br />
<br />
So, one more race, a really good course, let me think... Seems all roads lead to the <b><a href="https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/103255/BC-National-Cross-Country-MTB-Series-Round-3#summary">British Series race at Margam</a></b> on 15 June! <br />
<br />
Before that, though, I have a big wilderness ride lined up in the form of the <b><a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/event.php?id=6">Red Kite Events Devil's Challenge 130km</a></b> on 8 June. I probably won't come out of that one complaining it's too short.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 562px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1097; mso-width-source: userset; width: 23pt;" width="30"></col>
<col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 8777; mso-width-source: userset; width: 180pt;" width="240"></col>
<col span="4" style="mso-width-alt: 2084; mso-width-source: userset; width: 43pt;" width="57"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; text-align: left; width: 23pt;" width="30"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:13:23</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 180pt;" width="240"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Roy Davis, Roy Davis Cycles</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 43pt;" width="57"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:17:39</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 43pt;" width="57"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:18:26</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 43pt;" width="57"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:18:19</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 43pt;" width="57"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:18:59</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:14:15</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Christopher Kay, Wrexham Roads Club</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:17:27</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:18:24</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:19:06</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:19:18</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:14:54</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mark Spratt, Cardiff JIF</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:17:34</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:18:29</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:19:34</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:19:18</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:17:37</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Timothy Davies, CC Abergavenny/JP Signs</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:18:01</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:21:19</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:19:06</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:19:12</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:21:33</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">David Watt, Team Elite</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:18:19</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:20:25</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:20:54</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:21:55</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">6</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:28:38</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chris Schroder, Sarn Helen</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:21:06</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:23:11</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:22:39</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:21:43</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:29:10</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Richard Bowen, Gateway Racing</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:19:48</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:21:47</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:22:42</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:24:53</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:30:36</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Andrew Gibbs, Cwmcarn Paragon Cycle Club</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:20:37</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:22:29</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:23:08</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:24:22</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:33:08</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Simon James</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:21:01</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:23:14</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:24:24</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:24:29</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:39:29</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jon Howes</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:22:34</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:24:25</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:26:25</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:26:05</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
No Strava today - stupid Garmint packed in as well!<br />
<br />Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-34841265188337584492014-05-02T21:52:00.000+01:002014-05-02T21:52:28.784+01:00Empire Cycles Enduro Round 1: Going down for a whole weekend<b>Star date: </b>26-27 April 2014<br />
<b>Location:</b> Llanwrtyd Wells, Mid Wales<br />
<b>Event: <a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/index.php">Empire Cycles Enduro</a></b> Round 1<br />
<b>Weapon of choice: <a href="http://bionicon.com/alva-180-air.html?___store=default&___from_store=default#main">Bionicon Alva 180mm</a></b> full susser<br />
<b>Greatest achievement: </b>Taming the beast<br />
<b>Greatest weakness: </b>Unleashing the beast<br />
<b>Result: </b>Comfortably mid-table<br />
<br />
Enduro is <b>all the rage </b>in mountain biking right now. At least that's what all the magazines say - you can't move for features on the latest enduro bikes and enduro helmets and enduro shorts and enduro guyliner. Positioned somewhere between downhill racing (feel no fear), cross-country racing (feel no pain) and everyday trail riding (feel like another pie), enduro manages to cut out the things I'm good at (climbing and covering long distances at speed) and focus on what I'm not so good at (descending at speed). So obviously I've just dismissed it as a <b>passing fad </b>for the young and the lazy and ignored it completely - until now.<br />
<br />
Yep, last weekend I dug out my baggiest jeans, rotated my baseball cap, acquired some rad facial hair and some sick ink, levered a curtain ring into each earlobe, sourced myself a seriously big 'n' bouncy bike, and gave it a go. And, you know what, I was <b>totally won over</b>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYPLGUxWTspmis99TQLHwmkxBHeIL77vFOyLxVlf6YuKg-XLBeHPdhHABA3mUC3nJo8YlttkOodzF5aueaQCu-N27271sRrO6fEGYpeBgWAw3nuFTWl0P9FmE2tsQJvQhaE2-qhcNY8Ey/s1600/DSC_0093-%2528ZF-4237-83874-1-001%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYPLGUxWTspmis99TQLHwmkxBHeIL77vFOyLxVlf6YuKg-XLBeHPdhHABA3mUC3nJo8YlttkOodzF5aueaQCu-N27271sRrO6fEGYpeBgWAw3nuFTWl0P9FmE2tsQJvQhaE2-qhcNY8Ey/s1600/DSC_0093-%2528ZF-4237-83874-1-001%2529.jpg" height="331" width="500" /></a></div>
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<i>I’d say this pretty much sums up the weekend for me.</i></div>
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<i>Cracking photo by Carol Corbett at <b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">CAC Photography</a></b>.</i></div>
<br />
The format seemed pretty undemanding – <b>pootle, refuel, hurtle, chat, repeat for two days </b>– and I arrived expecting a walk in the park for a lean, mean racing machine like me. But 50 km with 1,500 m of climbing is a fair old workout whatever speed you do it at – especially when you do it two days in a row interspersed with seven bursts of all-out sprinting and a largely sleepless night under canvas. I also failed miserably on the pootling front – you can take the boy out of cross-country but you can’t take the cross-country out of the boy - and I didn’t take anywhere near enough food. But I did OK on the chit-chat.<br />
<br />
Saturday morning was practice on stages 1 and 2, which basically meant a 25km loop with a long fire road climb to the top of each stage followed by <b>stop-start reconnaissance </b>of the descent: ride slowly, stop, survey, walk back, man up, ride faster, proceed to next chunk.<br />
<br />
Saturday afternoon saw a re-run of the same loop, only now the two descents were electronically timed. Although I’d plotted some good lines in the morning, I pretty much missed them all in the heat of the moment. Perhaps memorising/visualising the descents is part of the enduro skillset. But at least there were <b>no nasty surprises</b> - just the usual challenges of loose corners, ruts and excessive speed.<br />
<br />
Sunday then brought one big 50km loop taking in <b>five more timed stages</b>: another stab at the first two, two new ones ridden blind at <b><a href="http://www.coedtrallwm.co.uk/">Coed Trallwm</a></b> trail centre, and finally a third crack at stage 2 on the way back (the original stage 5 having recently been trashed by forestry machinery).<br />
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<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IM6wbuH_x8VMhe25nWXYAlp-G0tovpkxzG-K_Kd-PKpu-xMQtGIZOzgbQornB8miF9UnD9md0GesqFPidj1ajaGe8jyQkruakpgINKFR96cx9xB-BIZYJKJDg2nUKm-wH-lAFElWEI3p/s1600/DSC_0603.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IM6wbuH_x8VMhe25nWXYAlp-G0tovpkxzG-K_Kd-PKpu-xMQtGIZOzgbQornB8miF9UnD9md0GesqFPidj1ajaGe8jyQkruakpgINKFR96cx9xB-BIZYJKJDg2nUKm-wH-lAFElWEI3p/s1600/DSC_0603.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></b> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Stage 4 was a little muddy. </i></div>
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<i>Photo: Carol Corbett at </i><i><i><b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">CAC Photography</a></b></i>.</i></div>
<br />
Each lasting 2-4 minutes, the timed stages were a mix of tricky and fast 'n' furious, with just about the <b>right degree of technicality</b> – enough to give everyone something to think about at speed, but not beyond the capabilities of the average rider if ridden with care:<br />
<br />
<b>Cwm Henog DH:</b> Fast, winding trail with firm base, one steep section, odd slippery patch, shallow ruts. Seemed to induce the most whooping. <br />
<b>White Bridge DH:</b> Tricky steep start over big roots, then fast loose gravel with ruts and sharp turns, a steep drop, some short sprints and a bonus slippery section at the bottom. A lot of mistakes made on the flat corners. <br />
<b><a href="http://www.coedtrallwm.co.uk/">Coed Trallwm</a> Red DH</b>: Super-fast start with occasional sharp turns, then twisty, pedally and a short sharp climb in the middle. Smooth gravel surface. Surprisingly tiring.<br />
<b>Neil’s Old Skool DH</b>: Muddy, rooty, unsurfaced downhill line cut down through the forest, really tricky from start to finish and very steep towards the end. Shorter than planned due to fallen trees. This stage had the better of almost everyone - including me - but was also most people’s favourite.<br />
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<i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBi7MfXc27OruzRCoQr1TGftl-xQpGUz7R-Fynlz3I9LEk02FF6Swt8k-DSvm0QpeiLgdLAFCd-PHIVtRxfmS7sS6_UOukCOhI1eb7enTTmXLivhA8jv9cLgFlVKwlsyuEZHClx3aIESGs/s1600/DSC_0569.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBi7MfXc27OruzRCoQr1TGftl-xQpGUz7R-Fynlz3I9LEk02FF6Swt8k-DSvm0QpeiLgdLAFCd-PHIVtRxfmS7sS6_UOukCOhI1eb7enTTmXLivhA8jv9cLgFlVKwlsyuEZHClx3aIESGs/s1600/DSC_0569.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></b> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The start of the steep bit (that’s someone else’s grubby tush btw).</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo: Carol Corbett at </i><i><b><i><b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">CAC Photography</a></b></i></b>.</i></div>
<br />
So how did I do? Much better than I expected - I took nearly 30 seconds off pro rider Matt Page’s Strava KOM on Cwm Henog and almost got the KOM on White Bridge too, which <b>wasn’t too shabby</b>. On the other hand, some of the other riders were 30-plus seconds quicker again! I managed to make a right hash of the old-skool stage, but at least I managed to slither down the steepest bit without dabbing and made it across the bridge at the bottom without falling off, unlike several others. Three things struck me watching the others come down that one: (1) it really was very steep, (2) you’re actually going quite slowly, and (3) the really good riders don’t half make it look easy.<br />
<br />
Of course, there was a reason I was quicker than normal on the descents. While I was sorely tempted to do the event in lurid Lycra on my rigid singlespeed, that might have proved more moronic than ironic, so I went to the other extreme instead and borrowed an absolute <b>beast of a bike</b> from the very nice people at <b><a href="http://bionicon.com/mountainbikes">Bionicon</a></b>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk7JWsk1XNoyRmQI7-650MQ20eIoCGQcNQrmA4A5yqfNmzNScoqlseax-SnDP3Xil_5VM1uJj1wozFi-bNQ2N-1Ao9BY66fE-uwJp_5fcIm_ecYciVqGScAdh6jQrAWAGKp33Tey8aZBr/s1600/Cendox_V3+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPk7JWsk1XNoyRmQI7-650MQ20eIoCGQcNQrmA4A5yqfNmzNScoqlseax-SnDP3Xil_5VM1uJj1wozFi-bNQ2N-1Ao9BY66fE-uwJp_5fcIm_ecYciVqGScAdh6jQrAWAGKp33Tey8aZBr/s1600/Cendox_V3+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
No, not a <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bionicle">Bionicle</a></b>, a <b><a href="http://bionicon.com/mountainbikes">Bionicon</a></b>!<br />
<b></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhsHeUB93I3Kq4Jtg1d2bJ9mkKI1ADeNazvX1zgurZwxvZYAaXi0pxMBqrH-n-1hYmCQJdYa1-avGLTL8H3oWtbIVHhUHVhgQsRe-KLgDrX6lM9t1hqjHZiZXaigqlGnaxJl1ZzoWwUmz/s1600/DSC_0087.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhsHeUB93I3Kq4Jtg1d2bJ9mkKI1ADeNazvX1zgurZwxvZYAaXi0pxMBqrH-n-1hYmCQJdYa1-avGLTL8H3oWtbIVHhUHVhgQsRe-KLgDrX6lM9t1hqjHZiZXaigqlGnaxJl1ZzoWwUmz/s1600/DSC_0087.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></b> </div>
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<i>My best Bionicle impression. Not bad, eh?</i></div>
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<i>Photo: Carol Corbett at </i><i><i><b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">CAC Photography</a></b></i>.</i></div>
<br />
Yes, one of these:<br />
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<i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzDF1XoqfmxRuY6YcC7Vo76WkCRX7TU1rTiNz9Bik6qDhqhTSaxW509suMYVGcPNBiJfRqQX_nmlxyEMi5zSH7tRg7vQISr5HlcoXSuWW5JjBZN96G_x4PqopsOXinL8IaNr-83gas7Wc/s1600/DSC_0978.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzDF1XoqfmxRuY6YcC7Vo76WkCRX7TU1rTiNz9Bik6qDhqhTSaxW509suMYVGcPNBiJfRqQX_nmlxyEMi5zSH7tRg7vQISr5HlcoXSuWW5JjBZN96G_x4PqopsOXinL8IaNr-83gas7Wc/s1600/DSC_0978.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></b></i> </div>
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<i>Phwooaarrr! Look at the forks on that!</i></div>
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<i>Photo: Carol Corbett at </i><i><i><b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">CAC Photography</a></b></i>.</i></div>
<br />
The bike generated an incredible amount of interest. It looks like a downhill rig with those big triple-crown forks, but it also has this natty <b>adjustable geometry</b> that morphs it into trail mode for the climb back up. Compared to the lightweight XC bikes I’m used to, I still found it hard work getting up the hills – but on the way back down the <b><a href="http://bionicon.com/mountainbikes">Bionicon</a></b> lived up to its name. It was like a <b>monster truck cum hovercraft</b> that gave you a permanent get-out-of-jail-free card as it made light of whatever the trail threw at you. It didn’t just smooth out the descents with its massive travel and slack geometry, it flattened entire hillsides – it was like the whole planet had shifted on its axis just for me. On that bike there is <b>no such thing as steep</b>. <br />
<br />
Sadly, though, the <b><a href="http://bionicon.com/mountainbikes">Bionicon</a></b> is not for me. Partly because I enjoy climbing, but mainly because I doubt I’ll ever have the balls to ride this bike as hard as it is clearly begging to be ridden. More capable hands could probably bring out the animal in it to frightening effect, but at my pace the ride ended up so smooth and well-mannered, it was almost like <b>taking tea</b> in the back of a chauffeured Rolls-Royce. I did have an absolute ball on it, though, and there could be a happy medium - I guess that’s what they call an <b>enduro bike</b>. <br />
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<i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLsi6ooMfF0rh8L3hTV7GGtGmCSw5GrG0YSBw_PiinA5HxKwiGgYUpKOoL5VY0j3GwhvDujte2fjgvD40deLtYeDp8MXDkoYM4ZRYKtQs_njDV_Bizqn30AFge5M7x637Y9CN6b3z68k2/s1600/DSC_0979.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTLsi6ooMfF0rh8L3hTV7GGtGmCSw5GrG0YSBw_PiinA5HxKwiGgYUpKOoL5VY0j3GwhvDujte2fjgvD40deLtYeDp8MXDkoYM4ZRYKtQs_njDV_Bizqn30AFge5M7x637Y9CN6b3z68k2/s1600/DSC_0979.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></b> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The bionic man! Truth be told, I almost dropped it.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo: Carol Corbett at </i><i><i><b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">CAC Photography</a></b></i></i><i>.</i></div>
<br />
So, apart from a weekend’s riding along picturesque marked trails in Wildest Wales with top-notch descents, electronic timing and medics on hand for emergencies, <b>what do you get for your £50?</b> Well, free camping with proper toilets and showers (not normally my scene, but I tried it for the full enduro experience and rather enjoyed it), free pasta party (and not any old rubbish, we’re talking restaurant-quality food consumed in a restaurant, the <b><a href="http://www.food-food-food.co.uk/">Drovers’ Rest</a></b>), energy drinks and bars en route, tea and toast at event HQ, a free beer at the end of each day, bikewash facilities… Oh, and this being a Red Kite event, you also got a free soaking on day 2.<br />
<br />
But more than anything, there’s a real sense of camaraderie. Compared to XC and endurance racing it was like a breath of fresh air. I <b>loved </b>having the time to stop and help someone fix their bike (OK, so I wasn’t much help). I <b>loved </b>chatting up some of the climbs (“Haven’t seen you around before, I like your curves...”). I <b>loved </b>having the chance to set myself for a downhill run rather than launching straight down still panting from the preceding climb. I <b>loved </b>stopping at the bottom to savour and dissect the descent, to swap war-stories (anglers: it was thiiiiiiis big; MTBers: I was thiiiiiiis close), to cheer and heckle the other riders. <br />
<br />
Of course, the timed stages are still racing and still all about me, me, me. But that’s only 20 minutes out of a whole weekend. <b>Enduro is about us, us, us.</b> I arrived on my own, but found everyone welcoming and friendly, especially after a cosy beer or two at the <b><a href="http://www.food-food-food.co.uk/">Drovers’ Rest</a></b> on the Saturday night. In true <b><a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/index.php">Red Kite Events</a></b> style, it was all a very relaxed affair. So when the timing system went down for an hour, resulting in an extended pit-stop at <b><a href="http://www.coedtrallwm.co.uk/">Coed Trallwm</a> </b>café, we just <b>went with the flow</b> (and stuffed ourselves silly with some seriously good Easter Passion cake - four levels of carrot and coconut sponge layered with mascarpone and lemon curd, just one short of my <b>5-a-day</b>!). While this presumably wouldn’t have happened at one of the big corporate-backed enduros, who really wants to be herded along timed transitions with 800 other riders and set off on timed descents at 20-second intervals? There must be a happy medium, though, and it’d be great to see more riders at future rounds. Be warned, though, next time I might just be on the rigid singlespeed.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Tm5BqjXT-gv1Kr0Lg3Ku22ODzMgWWwJXK2dmMbLZy39XXejJsphNNm-O0YhWi-DmufHEmhr68DA7wIKvxD-b1q85QPrP_aG4JbouT7nMuW9QlQNMMHdDMbWE60dV74W3gKO9Mzh-4luL/s1600/IMAG0393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Tm5BqjXT-gv1Kr0Lg3Ku22ODzMgWWwJXK2dmMbLZy39XXejJsphNNm-O0YhWi-DmufHEmhr68DA7wIKvxD-b1q85QPrP_aG4JbouT7nMuW9QlQNMMHdDMbWE60dV74W3gKO9Mzh-4luL/s1600/IMAG0393.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Thanks to all the lovely people at <b><a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/index.php">Red Kite Events</a></b> and their merry band of marshals, all the lovely people at <b><a href="http://bionicon.com/mountainbikes">Bionicon</a></b>, all the lovely people at the <b><a href="http://www.food-food-food.co.uk/">Drovers’ Rest</a></b> and <b><a href="http://www.coedtrallwm.co.uk/">Coed Trallwm</a></b>, all the lovely <b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/f885288102">Carol Corbett</a></b> for the photos, all my lovely family for the weekend pass, and all my lovely fellow enduroists for the company and inspiration. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The Top 20:</span></b><br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 220px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 2669; mso-width-source: userset; width: 55pt;" width="73"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2633; mso-width-source: userset; width: 54pt;" width="72"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2742; mso-width-source: userset; width: 56pt;" width="75"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Michael</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Gray</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; width: 56pt;" width="75"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:15:02</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Martin</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Astley</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:15:07</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Phil</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Allum</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:16:04</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mike</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Brazier</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:16:31</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">James</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Scott</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:16:37</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Peter</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lloyd</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:16:44</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lee John</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Gilson</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:17:06</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Stephen</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Aucock</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:17:30</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Matthew</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">McMillan</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:17:31</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Matt</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ford</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:17:31</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl63" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Garry</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Firth</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:18:27</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chris</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Schroder</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:19:40</span></td>
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<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rich</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Grundy</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:20:44</span></td>
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<td class="xl63" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mark</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Christian</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:20:46</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Tom</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Telford</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:21:06</span></td>
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<td class="xl63" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Darren</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rossier</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:21:09</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Anna</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Walters</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:21:31</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lawrence</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chandler</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:22:09</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Eifion</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Richards</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:22:10</span></td>
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<td class="xl63" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Oliver</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Timms</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:22:14</span></td>
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<td class="xl65" height="17" style="border-top: medium none; height: 12.75pt; width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Charles</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none; width: 54pt;" width="72"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Dixon</span></td>
<td align="right" class="xl64" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:23:05</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://app.strava.com/activities/134878692/embed/d10f85f1d61422373ae0ecfec58e3d4f7bdb714e" width="590"></iframe>
Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-17911743983297984862014-04-29T16:02:00.000+01:002014-04-29T16:02:33.568+01:00Margam Madness: Beyond perfect<b>Star date: </b>19 April 2014<br />
<b>Location: </b>Margam Park, South Wales<br />
<b>Event: <a href="http://margammadness.co.uk/">Margam Madness 4hr</a></b><br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Carbon 29er hardtail with 30 gears<br />
<b>Greatest achievement:</b> Just about taming the new black descent<br />
<b>Greatest weakness:</b> Speed, I guess<br />
<b>Result: </b>6th vet<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0MAQuPGxjqn-iqe2ziZC0fMUT4xEqiw66hSWEecI_6DeVhwfNr3jKtEseXu-mGpIBCRBV5Ikhwyg6NTMyGyUd421ebfvOGESgt7bn9o2h31BbayzR72h3enJKoWdaRXsE0_WaQ3PKZ0K/s1600/10153767_647430228672114_4585970611385465840_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC0MAQuPGxjqn-iqe2ziZC0fMUT4xEqiw66hSWEecI_6DeVhwfNr3jKtEseXu-mGpIBCRBV5Ikhwyg6NTMyGyUd421ebfvOGESgt7bn9o2h31BbayzR72h3enJKoWdaRXsE0_WaQ3PKZ0K/s1600/10153767_647430228672114_4585970611385465840_n.jpg" height="307" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Big hills, big wheels, big views, big fun. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Fab photo courtesy of <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MountainBikeRidersAndPhotographers">Kevin Thomas</a></b> who took literally hundreds of shots of the event.</i></div>
<br />
It turns out you <i>can </i>improve on perfection. The original Madness in
2012 was flawless: great climbs, great descents, great venue, great everything. The second coming
in 2013 was just as good despite monsoon conditions - see my eulogy<b> <a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/margam-madness-margam-mudness.html">here</a></b>. Third time round and the
sun was back, along with some amazing new trails purpose-built for World Cup XC racing. The <b>best just got a whole lot better</b>.<br />
<br />
And don't just take my word for it. George Budd, runaway winner of the eight-hour race, who also beat everyone in the four-hour race, even the pairs, and lapped me in the process, and who is therefore a very fast rider indeed and worth listening to, had this to say:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>"This event really deserves to be a lot bigger than it is. It's the most
demanding and yet most enjoyable lap I've ever ridden, anywhere"</b> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From <b><a href="http://www.xcracer.com/margam-madness--the-best-uk-lap-ever.html">"Margam Madness - the best UK lap ever?"</a></b> on <b><a href="http://xcracer.com/">xcracer.com</a></b>. </div>
<br />
Praise indeed. There's little worth adding to this, other than that the event ought to be rebranded <b>Margam Magic</b> <b>- </b>the only madness would be not to come!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2YZ1op8DFNeokKIwQenOpUq1miYxTnE_iRaZHdN1rzD7uETCdPpe3fZx6zagRkI_SqjSeG4H5vm8V6HPvfXPrPbDwLVk5aPdQg4LOfF7UwxWuojr-L8qA2EWfcCtX2rdVMEIoycYj36z/s1600/10256196_647403735341430_8088297595400131710_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2YZ1op8DFNeokKIwQenOpUq1miYxTnE_iRaZHdN1rzD7uETCdPpe3fZx6zagRkI_SqjSeG4H5vm8V6HPvfXPrPbDwLVk5aPdQg4LOfF7UwxWuojr-L8qA2EWfcCtX2rdVMEIoycYj36z/s1600/10256196_647403735341430_8088297595400131710_n.jpg" height="186" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>High5 flag under attack from my bar-end. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo: <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MountainBikeRidersAndPhotographers">Kevin Thomas</a></b>.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
Hang on, I hear you cry, you can't just stop there. What about all that <b>added wholegrain goodness</b>? Well, OK, there were four new chunks of trail, and each and every one of them was a gem in its own right:<br />
<ul>
<li>A <b>twisty trail-centre descent</b>, part high-speed pumpy berms and part loose flat corners, which I never got to flow properly but enjoyed trying (skidz are for kidz)</li>
<li>A <b>steep gravel climb</b> with super-tight switchbacks, which really would've hurt fifth time round on the singlespeed</li>
<li>A <b>scary-bastard black-rated descent</b>. "The steep rooty drop at the top is the worst bit... Wouldn't fancy it on an XC bike" was the locals' verdict at registration. Well, it wouldn't be Margam if I didn't <b>soil myself </b>at some point - and this was it. Lap after lap. Taking the chicken run just wouldn't have been right. The problem with the drop was that you had to turn on the way down to avoid flying off the edge of a cliff. First time around, I was put right off by a photographer doing a very good <b>impression of a dead cyclist</b>, but it went better after that. The rest of the descent was rooty and steep with some really tight turns, which was all very doable in the dry but will at some point prove a right 'mare in the wet... Can't wait!</li>
<li>A <b>vertiginous rocky climb</b> with more switchbacks and these loose slabs that clunked satisfyingly as you seesawed over them, the whole time trying not to even think about looking down</li>
</ul>
I came into the event poorly prepared due to bruised ribs from a
KOM-chasing mishap but felt surprisingly strong on the day. After two hours I
was in a fairly comfortable fourth in category, once again tracking former European
24-hour champ Huw Thomas, when I slipped off a rock and lost
the air from my rear tyre. By the time I'd sorted that, my pacemaker was
long gone and I was down to fifth. I found it hard to get going again
after that, so just <b>sat back and enjoyed the ride</b>, eventually
finishing sixth. I suppose I should have tried to claw my way back to
fourth, but it was such a lovely day and such a great course, I just
wasn't bothered...
<br />
<br />
In turns steep, rooty, narrow, loose, twisty, pumpy, jumpy, rocky - the course <b>ticked every box</b> and has totally restored my mojo. Gareth, can we do it twice a year?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsctrZkGNAamwdJ584RKBX1ApCYot0h3didG3kB8rUa67T6eyds9lDiaubXusCtI_mjfWghdqm9V6_ZRm3OThfkUDJqOVw8kupmDVfRoEKqXooWMj3tpa8hQ-dvpkGj_C3-GdzrMrwbnaS/s1600/10271531_647416572006813_1898238696940296122_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsctrZkGNAamwdJ584RKBX1ApCYot0h3didG3kB8rUa67T6eyds9lDiaubXusCtI_mjfWghdqm9V6_ZRm3OThfkUDJqOVw8kupmDVfRoEKqXooWMj3tpa8hQ-dvpkGj_C3-GdzrMrwbnaS/s1600/10271531_647416572006813_1898238696940296122_n.jpg" height="231" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Climbing again. I was so fast on the descents the photographers missed me. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Another great photo from <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MountainBikeRidersAndPhotographers">Kevin Thomas</a></b>.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
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<td class="xl66" style="width: 153pt;" width="204"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4hr Solo Old Gits Top 10</span></td>
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<td class="xl68" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">03:17:10</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Anthony White, XCRacer/Scimitar</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:16:43</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:00:06</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:40:03</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:40:17</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:40:01</span></td>
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<td class="xl68" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">03:28:39</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jon Roberts</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:38:56</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:42:23</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:41:42</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:43:02</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:42:36</span></td>
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<td class="xl68" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">03:34:55</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lloyd Bettles, Clee Cycles/KCNC</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:41:15</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:40:54</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:42:18</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:44:27</span></td>
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<td class="xl68" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">03:50:56</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chris Cooknell, Bikecity T3</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:44:24</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:46:23</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:47:11</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:45:52</span></td>
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<td class="xl68" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">03:51:48</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jason Thompkins, MAESTEG C.C</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:43:15</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:46:28</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:47:27</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:47:58</span></td>
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<td class="xl68" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">6</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">03:54:08</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chris Schroder, Sarn Helen</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:43:25</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:44:36</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:48:38</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:48:14</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:49:15</span></td>
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<td class="xl68" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">03:56:45</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sean Scott, Specialized Concept Store</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:45:44</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:47:29</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:47:39</span></td>
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<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">03:12:06</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Anthony Cowling, AC Cowling Repairs</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:45:46</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:47:13</span></td>
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<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">03:12:34</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chris Blackmore</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:46:25</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:48:36</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:47:42</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:49:51</span></td>
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<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">03:20:58</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Steve Whitehouse, Kernow Riders</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:50:45</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:48:50</span></td>
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<td class="xl66"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8hr Solo Male Winner</span></td>
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<td class="xl68" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">07:22:08</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">George Budd, Salsa Factory Racing</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:36:38</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:37:42</span></td>
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<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:41:56</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:41:23</span></td>
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<td class="xl66"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4hr Solo Male Winner</span></td>
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<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">03:15:30</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Phil Morris, XCRacer.com/ Scimitar</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:36:37</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:38:05</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:39:08</span></td>
<td class="xl65"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:40:33</span></td>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsctrZkGNAamwdJ584RKBX1ApCYot0h3didG3kB8rUa67T6eyds9lDiaubXusCtI_mjfWghdqm9V6_ZRm3OThfkUDJqOVw8kupmDVfRoEKqXooWMj3tpa8hQ-dvpkGj_C3-GdzrMrwbnaS/s1600/10271531_647416572006813_1898238696940296122_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://app.strava.com/activities/131986848/embed/eb7ea47c5492fd880489a7c783de3a6a60afbcda" width="590"></iframe>Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-21777274585678937322014-04-19T21:47:00.000+01:002014-04-21T21:26:55.630+01:00Red Kite Little Devil 65km: Mostly, but not entirely, soaking wet<b>Star date: </b>6 April 2014<br />
<b>Location: </b>Llanwrtyd Wells<br />
<b>Event: <a href="http://redkite-events.co.uk/">Red Kite Little Devil</a></b><br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Carbon hardtail 29er<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3261213504391721167" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><b>Greatest strength:</b> Kept on going<br />
<b>Greatest weakness:</b> Legs<br />
<b>Result: </b>4th (or last, depending on how you look at it)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNROnSwvdTQDiWoZ_z713m2YsqIgOjYVDtzaJ6SQuZCvzRSH1iUftC6Fuw8K4i5rd6134Oj94MDzIx7MX-vkwdRNN5IZVinD10_eiOt5pUb3UD7sNjwswe0prlj9f1JkyNk9xudQZknvWE/s1600/channelred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNROnSwvdTQDiWoZ_z713m2YsqIgOjYVDtzaJ6SQuZCvzRSH1iUftC6Fuw8K4i5rd6134Oj94MDzIx7MX-vkwdRNN5IZVinD10_eiOt5pUb3UD7sNjwswe0prlj9f1JkyNk9xudQZknvWE/s1600/channelred.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
I have something to declare. Yes, I've <b>sold out </b>and become a corporate whore. Sadly I haven't (yet) been signed up as the new face of Calvin Klein or taken delivery of a lifetime's supply of Carlsberg and a free Lamborghini for the school run, but I have been given some free stuff in return for writing about it here in my world-famous blog.<br />
<br />
I'm aware there is an <b>ethical issue </b>here. However, free stuff is free stuff, and free stuff is cool, so sod the journalistic/artistic integrity, gratuitous product placement here we come. Or maybe not. Oh, make up your own minds.<br />
<br />
Anyway, one freebie was a selection of gloves and socks from <b><a href="http://www.sealskinz.com/">SealSkinz</a></b>, purveyors of the finest waterproof cycling accessories. Sounds perfect, given the winter we've just had. Only the parcel arrived during an unusually balmy spell in March. "Shame they didn't come earlier in the year before spring arrived," I said.<br />
<br />
Fate was listening. Fate was tempted. Fate also clearly has something in for <b><a href="http://redkite-events.com/">Red Kite Events</a></b>. Just what did Neil Delafield do in a former life to make the weather gods so angry? Every MTB event he's run this year has been a wash-out.<br />
<br />
Yes, two days before the <b><a href="http://redkite-events.com/">Red Kite Events</a> </b>Little Devil (free entry if you blog, Chris, no strings, just tell it how it is), spring buggered off back to the Mediterranean (how did we ever cope without spellcheckers?) and Wales became, well, <b>more Welsh</b>. It chucked it down until every single bloody dried-out puddle had been refilled and most of the trails had turned into streams, and then it rained or drizzled throughout the event itself.<br />
<br />
Perfect opportunity, then, to try out some quality <b><a href="http://www.sealskinz.com/">SealSkinz</a> </b>products!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/p358177537/e1a990359"><img alt="CAC Photography: "Little Devil" MTB - Red Kite Events - 6.4.2014 &emdash; " src="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/img/s5/v129/p446235481-2.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo: Carol Corbett at <b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/">CAC Photography</a></b>.</i></div>
<br />
Neil Delafield is lucky they came up with Care in the Community, because there was a very respectable turnout of <b>utter nutters </b>despite the monsoon conditions - including three riders I had down as being at a similar level to me. The four of us pulled clear right from the start, and it was shaping up to be a great battle.<br />
<br />
Before heading south to the Crychan Forest on a variation on the Frozen Devil course ridden in not dissimilar conditions back in January (see <b><a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/red-kite-events-frozen-devil-50km.html">here</a></b>), we were sent on a detour north into the Irfon Forest up the <b>Climb from Hell</b>. Eventual 1-2-3 Jon Roberts, Gareth Jones and Carwyn Davies, along with little old me, went piling up it at speed: I guess we all fancy ourselves as strong climbers. However, I felt awful. As tarmac gave way to farm track and then bedrock and ever looser stone, getting steeper all the time, I struggled to hang on to the others, and as we headed down again I lost them completely. <br />
<br />
To be <b>dropped </b>so early - and on a climb - hurt. A lot. We're talking three very strong riders, but I'd beaten all of them at some point in the previous six months, so I thought we'd be more evenly matched. Was I just kidding myself? I was still recovering from losing my <b><a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/tregaron-duathlon-and-now-for-something.html">duathlon</a></b> virginity the previous weekend, but even so. Or perhaps they were just flying - after all, the four of us beat the event photographer to the descent down the other side...<br />
<br />
And what a fantastic descent it was. Slippery bedrock, loose corners, a totally committing steep drop - and that's just in the dry. In the wet it was a <b>real handful</b>, and I was delighted to make it down in one piece. Fabulous, darlings. And the good news for thrill-seekers is that it'll be back, with luck in drier conditions, as part of the sure-to-be-splendid and certainly competitively priced <b><a href="http://www.redkite-events.com/">Red Kite Events</a> <a href="http://www.redkite-events.co.uk/event.php?id=10">gravity enduro</a> </b>on 26/27 April. <br />
<br />
It was then a long slog over to the Crychan via a fair chunk of road, a lot of water and two big offroad climbs. It was worth it, though, for the next descent alone, a <b>rooty cracker </b>with a tricky drop onto the road at the end (not unlike the one Catrin demonstrated in my <b><a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/welsh-xc-series-round-2-sabotaged.html">previous blog</a></b>). I made a right hash of this descent, my balance was all wrong, my line choice terrible, my eyes struggling to see - yet Strava tells me I did it quicker than ever before. Strava also tells me I climbed up to the Crychan in exactly the same time as in the Frozen Devil, and that I got a PB on the next big descent. So while I felt like I had all the coordination and strength of a newborn foal, the data suggest I was pretty much on normal form. Looks like it was <b>all in the mind</b>, and my mind can be a pretty scary place.<br />
<br />
Said next descent is one of my favourites, part steep rocky enduro trail and part rooty woodland singletrack. Again, though, I was all over the place, and right at the bottom I contrived to <b>topple over </b>for no apparent reason, a hitherto uncharted soft part of my knee landing right on something pointy. It hurt a lot. It still hurts two weeks on. Suffice to say this did not help my positivity.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/p358177537/e26500c34"><img alt="CAC Photography: "Little Devil" MTB - Red Kite Events - 6.4.2014 &emdash; " src="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/img/s8/v13/p642780212-2.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Doggy style after too much energy drink?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo: Carol Corbett at <b><a href="http://cacphotography.zenfolio.com/">CAC Photography</a></b>.</i></div>
<br />
At that point I kind of <b>went into a trance</b>. I was wet, alone and feeling sorry for myself, and my heart really wasn't in it. But for some reason I carried on. For the two hours between the two feed stations (nice welshcakes btw), I didn't see a single soul. Perhaps loneliness is the lot of the racer, even when there are others around you. While there is a clear sense of community among racers, we're also competing, and like <b>Top Gear </b>we'll always leave a man behind. Sometimes I wish I were more normal, riding with a group, taking it easy up the climbs, stopping for a snack and a chat before piling down the next descent, then regrouping for more of the same. In truly horrid conditions, it really is much the better way. And - apart from the weather - that is exactly what I hope to find at the sure-to-be-splendid and certainly competitively priced <b><a href="http://www.redkite-events.com/">Red Kite Events</a> <a href="http://www.redkite-events.co.uk/event.php?id=10">gravity enduro</a> </b>on 26/27 April. <br />
<br />
The rest of the course is a bit of a blur to be honest, some familiar sections, some unfamiliar sections, up then down, up then down. Nothing of note occurred until the very end when my front wheel suddenly plunged into a boggy hole and sent me <b>over the bars </b>face down into some suspicious-tasting mud. Oddly, this lifted my mood somewhat. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb15OI-1FGvzK6GKtyMk5wYRH9EI024A95EqM93hC9igFjr0gCMXf2B-7KzkZXFNzFtDc8bZy4iD3F2YWOp4bvdEpdLmZL6-0DKgejTk1pLbtJKFIRF18pAcUadGyglGPQ6mUBFQzY-TRd/s1600/KJ441_All-Weather-Cycle-Gloves_RIGHT-374x374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb15OI-1FGvzK6GKtyMk5wYRH9EI024A95EqM93hC9igFjr0gCMXf2B-7KzkZXFNzFtDc8bZy4iD3F2YWOp4bvdEpdLmZL6-0DKgejTk1pLbtJKFIRF18pAcUadGyglGPQ6mUBFQzY-TRd/s1600/KJ441_All-Weather-Cycle-Gloves_RIGHT-374x374.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
So how did the <b><a href="http://www.sealskinz.com/">SealSkinz</a></b>
quality products perform? Did my hands and feet stay nice and dry? (The rest of
me certainly didn't - nor did my bike's internals, with the bearings in both hubs and bottom bracket ending up full of muddy water). At this point, I'll just say that the <b>gloves
were amazing</b> but the socks were overwhelmed by the conditions. I plan to do some more testing and will report back in due course. Betcha can't wait.<br />
<br />
And what about the course? Well, it was always going to be tough, and the conditions made it brutal. There were three nasty climbs and two big descents in the first 10 miles, which was pretty intense. The course yoyoed more kindly after that, and thankfully the final 10 miles were again relatively easy, with a lot of fireroad. Everything was rideable despite the rain, and the descents were a real test of concentration and nerve but still a blast. I love the Crychan. <b><a href="http://www.redkite-events.com/">Red Kite Events</a></b> head honcho Neil Delafield <b>wants to be known for tough events </b>- and on this evidence I'd say he was getting it right.<br />
<br />
It wasn't the course or even the weather that stopped me from enjoying myself. It was more a lack of mental strength that was my downfall. <br />
<br />
The next <b><a href="http://www.redkite-events.com/">Red Kite Events</a></b> event is the sure-to-be-splendid and certainly competitively priced <b><a href="http://www.redkite-events.com/">Red Kite Events</a> <a href="http://www.redkite-events.co.uk/event.php?id=10">gravity enduro</a> </b>on 26/27 April. A gravity enduro is essentially a pootle round the forest with a handful of timed fast-as-you-dare descents. This format definitely doesn't play to my strengths, but it'll be fun to try - it could be just the <b>tonic </b>I need.<br />
<br />Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-16330434774743343682014-04-14T21:56:00.003+01:002014-04-17T13:49:08.195+01:00Welsh XC Series Round 2: Sabotaged!<b>Star date: </b>12 April 2014<br />
<b>Location: </b>Builth Wells<br />
<b>Event: <a href="http://www.welshcycling.co.uk/" target="_blank">Welsh XC Series Round 2</a></b><br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Rigid 26" singlespeed<br />
<b>Greatest achievement:</b> Working my way back from last place<br />
<b>Greatest weakness: </b>Letting some oaf slash my tyre!<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Result: </b>12th vet (1st singlespeed)<br />
<br />
"So where are you racing today, darling husband?"<br />
"Builth Wells, my dear woman."<br />
"Fabulous wild countryside down that way."<br />
"Well yes, but actually we'll be lapping the carpark at the Royal Welsh Showground."<br />
"Oh." <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTov8BiuBlBPwbQ_ClyFsKrs74T4Pq0LpOS0IQH6axzK3CWTs0r4zXibQX7wyFQoHQTjilz5Ijb_HcEPrh8olC9w8Cj0quAuFIuCUulTXiGuRGPDHFqtEckY-_v7lvcg8DFKs_pHPZD3Rn/s1600/IMAG0369.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTov8BiuBlBPwbQ_ClyFsKrs74T4Pq0LpOS0IQH6axzK3CWTs0r4zXibQX7wyFQoHQTjilz5Ijb_HcEPrh8olC9w8Cj0quAuFIuCUulTXiGuRGPDHFqtEckY-_v7lvcg8DFKs_pHPZD3Rn/s1600/IMAG0369.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>The view from the arena of row after row of animal pens was rather how I imagine <b>Auschwitz </b>to have looked. (Little bit of politics there. Perhaps I should get sponsorship from the ALF. Then again, I suspect my return to vegetarianism is behind this year's lacklustre results. So watch out, sheepies.)</i> </div>
<br />
Didn't sound too promising, did it? In fairness, though, it's not any old carpark, being built on different levels staggered up a hill. It's hosted many a cyclocross race in the past, and the course today was <b>very like cyclocross</b> with the odd bit of added gnarl. Lots of short sharp drops and short sharp climbs, a few sections of rooty singletrack much like <b><a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/welsh-xc-series-round-1-wish-id-stayed.html">Round 1</a></b>, some narrow off-camber stuff, lots of grass and a fair bit of carpark.<br />
<br />
Still not really selling it, am I? All I can say is that it was actually <b>really good fun</b>. Nothing very scary but a fair amount of concentration required. The whole <b><a href="http://www.mtb-marathon.co.uk/">MTB festival thing</a></b> with events all weekend also meant lots of spectators, and the marshals were mainly of the enthusiastic rather than the sullen community service variety, so the compact course meant a pretty steady stream of encouragement, which always helps. Note, however, that the 29 Gears Seal of Approval is weather-dependent - in last weekend's monsoon conditions it would've been another running
course and I would've hated it. <br />
<br />
There were two slightly tricky bits. One was a small rock garden on the return to the arena which almost - <i>almost </i>- had me over the bars on lap 3 when a <b>photographer flashed me</b> at a bad time. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0C6XgDlRSedHJANpCNapz5T8ywgwo1pAPxm8gVhi1PCBIJB5Q13eByNpGHC9IJJxCCttwdBSCTgLVTww7_h-qG2d7ir8H5CH9qribTCfcObEUHxRRNDZGjzLMJNRevI0-OPt11mi0JVj1/s1600/IMAG0371.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0C6XgDlRSedHJANpCNapz5T8ywgwo1pAPxm8gVhi1PCBIJB5Q13eByNpGHC9IJJxCCttwdBSCTgLVTww7_h-qG2d7ir8H5CH9qribTCfcObEUHxRRNDZGjzLMJNRevI0-OPt11mi0JVj1/s1600/IMAG0371.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Oops, managed to snap the U-rated chicken line by mistake. The PG-rated line through the rock garden was on the right. I guess the X-rated line would've been straight over the top, naked.</i></div>
<br />
The other was a long steep drop down a rough grassy bank of the kind that would've freaked me out last year. OK, I admit it, it still freaked me out, but not until halfway down, which is progress. Thing is, drops are all about what happens when you get to the bottom. We all like a <b>nicely rounded bottom</b>, but more common is a mucky wheel-grabbing hole.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I will now hand over to my glamorous assistant <b>Catrin</b>, who will first ably demonstrate how NOT to roll a drop with a tricky run-out: </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='240' height='178' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/F2oHn5abmMA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Lesson learnt: <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='240' height='178' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ln8F6ZgtiRY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Ideally you'd lift the
front wheel just before hitting the bottom, what is known in biking
circles as a "manual" and to the rest of the world as a "wheelie".
Easier said than done, though. Teenage boys <b>spend a lot of time manualling</b>, but sadly when you get to my age it's much harder to get it up.<br />
<br />
Fortunately the run-out in Builth wasn't too bad, but it was a far bigger drop than Catrin's so it was hard not to pick up speed and hit the bottom hard. The last time I landed so hard I really should've snapped the forks or the bars or something. Kudos to
the bike - tough as old nails (excluding sabotage, see below). Yes, I was <b>back on the singlespeed</b>. And I really enjoyed riding it again! The simplicity is so
refreshing: get on, pedal like crazy, finish. I did miss gears on the odd flat section, but grinding up the hills felt soooo good. (Yes, I know. Actually, I think "special" is the word you're looking for.)<br />
<br />
Sadly my race was over almost before it started. Within 200 yards and one minute of the start, we all hit the first singletrack at the same time, and in all the pushing and shoving some bugger put a stud or a pedal or a screwdriver or what have you through the sidewall of my rear tyre, which rapidly <b>deflated</b>, squirting white gunk everywhere. To my surprise, it did eventually seal itself and after a couple of minutes I was off again - but by then everyone else was long gone.<br />
<br />
Wary of the seal not holding, I went pretty <b>gingerly</b> over the rocky sections for the whole race, costing me more time. I also got held up behind various backmarkers on the singletrack sections, and it was a seriously competitive field in the first place. Lots of excuses there! Anyway, I eventually picked my way past an assortment of masters (bastards in their 30s with hair), vets (fellow 40-something mid-life criseans) and grand vets (think Werther's Originals) to finish 12th vet (or 7th master). The big question, though, is: Was it an accident or was it <b>foul play</b>? Did someone feel so threatened by my lo-tech machismo that they decided to take drastic action? We shall never know...<br />
<br />
So, yeah, ideally there could have been some more technical sections and a proper hill, but I really <b>enjoyed myself </b>despite the nightmare start and another disappointing result. Next round is at Fforest Fields, not my favourite course but finally some proper mountain biking and definitely one for the climbers. It's also the Welsh
champs, so I really hope the stars finally align. If I get another flat I might just <b>give up XC</b>!!!<br />
<br />
Before that, though, are <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MargamMadness?fref=ts">Margam Madness</a></b> (my <a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/margam-madness-margam-mudness.html">favourite race</a> with added World Cup sections this year), the <b><a href="http://www.redkite-events.co.uk/event.php?id=10">Red Kite Gravity Enduro</a></b> (bound to be great descents) and the <a href="http://www.summitcycles.co.uk/enduro/"><b>Dyfi Enduro</b></a> (<a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/dyfi-enduro-kindness-of-strangers.html">scores to settle</a>). Phew. It's like busses out there. <br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 655px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 1389; mso-width-source: userset; width: 29pt;" width="38"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 6180; mso-width-source: userset; width: 127pt;" width="169"></col>
<col span="7" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
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<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; width: 29pt;" width="38"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 127pt;" width="169"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Anthony White,
Xcracer.com/scimitar</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:01:43</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:08:51</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:39</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:22</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:44</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:23</span></td>
<td class="xl63" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:44</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Christopher Kay, Fibrax Wrexham</span></td><td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:03:22</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:09:11</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:29</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:52</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:42</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:15</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:53</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lee Hayward, Southfork
Racin</span></td><td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:04:35</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:09:08</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:01</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:56</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:08</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:05</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:17</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Mark Spratt, Cyclopaedia</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:05:12</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:09:10</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:00</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:53</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:07</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:28</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:34</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Nicholas Popham, Naked Bikes</span></td><td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:06:00</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:08:56</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:08</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:29</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:25</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:36</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:26</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">6</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Darren Compton, Ride 24/7</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:06:56</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:09:56</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:13</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:36</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:33</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:12</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:26</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Stuart Skidmore, Worcester Cycle</span></td><td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:07:25</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:09:24</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:35</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:29</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:45</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:40</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:32</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">David Watt, Team Elite</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:08:14</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:09:39</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:04</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:39</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:40</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:49</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:12:23</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Matt Worrallo, Racecouk.com</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:08:37</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:09:49</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:24</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:42</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:46</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:12:01</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:55</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jon Roberts</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:09:21</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:09:53</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:22</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:49</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:12:05</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:12:05</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:12:07</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Richard Bowen, Gateway Racing</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:11:06</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:09:34</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:11</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:20</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:46</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:12:27</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:48</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">12</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chris Schroder, Sarn Helen</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:12:15</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:40</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:38</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:55</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:12:12</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:12:07</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:12:43</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">13</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Simon James, Cycle Tec</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:17:02</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:28</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:12:36</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:03</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:09</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:41</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:05</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">14</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Andy Gibbs, Cwmcarn Paragon</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:18:38</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:10:34</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:12:36</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:41</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:48</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:35</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:24</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">15</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jon Howes</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:22:52</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:30</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:45</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:17</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:23</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:08</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:49</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl63" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">16</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ben Beachell, Rhos On Sea</span></td><td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">01:24:44</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:11:57</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:13:49</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:09</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:14:33</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:15:01</span></td>
<td class="xl63"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">00:15:15</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-43433407464913172842014-04-03T21:35:00.000+01:002014-04-03T21:35:24.574+01:00Tregaron Duathlon: And now for something completely different<b>Star date: </b>30 March 2014<br />
<b>Event: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/191745834369906/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular">Tregaron Duathlon</a></b><br />
<b>Location: </b>Tregaron, duh<br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Knackered trainers and a friend's cyclocross bike<br />
<b>Greatest achievement:</b> Not giving up halfway and having an ice cream<br />
<b>Greatest weakness: </b>Transitions<br />
<b>Result: </b>1st vet, woo-hoo<br />
<br />
I entered this event because I've always wanted to do a duathlon, it was very local, and, if I'm honest, I <b>fancied my chances</b> of adding to my medal collection. A duathlon ought to be right up my street, combining two things I love (no, not sex and drugs), and the 3-15-2 format sounded like a walk in the park for an endurance junkie like me. Three mile run? Did that at my <b><a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/welsh-xc-series-round-1-wish-id-stayed.html">last "bike race"</a></b>.
Fifteen mile ride? Eat 'em for breakfast. Two mile run? Been further for a bus. The only snag was that it meant running and cycling on tarmac, whereas I'm more of a <b>muddy woods kinda guy</b>. Running on roads does my body in; riding on roads does my head in. <br />
<br />
Still, I enjoyed the first run. Essentially we legged it up a very big hill with a nice view and then plummeted back down again. The pace was rather <b>full-on </b>but I was on fresh legs and it was over in a flash. So far, so good.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj277J8Kb6bJYcCxoDP5z9eA9lVRMgyX-WrIXI7UT2tMu_GEj4N2rWt1DMLuh_-PZdYCGldWJPaCRmde_xWQcZyxWGshITt1S-3pZNVh_YETVRAkDkisyDsx_HHodSLtb5CGvt4Ym9FDRL/s1600/_DSC0218+%282%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj277J8Kb6bJYcCxoDP5z9eA9lVRMgyX-WrIXI7UT2tMu_GEj4N2rWt1DMLuh_-PZdYCGldWJPaCRmde_xWQcZyxWGshITt1S-3pZNVh_YETVRAkDkisyDsx_HHodSLtb5CGvt4Ym9FDRL/s1600/_DSC0218+(2).jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo: Meilyr Wyn Hughes at <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lluniaumwhphotography">Lluniau MWH Photography</a></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
The ride, however, went on <b>forever</b>. A flattish circumnavigation of Cors Caron (the biggest raised bog in Europe, fact fans), it was the longest 15 miles I've ever ridden.<br />
<br />
I don't normally do road riding. I don't even own a road bike. I would've taken the singlespeed with the knobbliest tyres I could find just to be <b>contrary and cool</b>, but let's face it, I wanted a result. Luckily Si from Aberaeron's premier hire bike purveyor <b><a href="http://www.pureride.co.uk/">Pureride</a></b> stepped up and lent me his cyclocross bike, which was close enough. Not having ridden a bike with drop handlebars since, ahem, 1993, I found it desperately uncomfortable. In terms of speed, though, it was a revelation. With its relatively skinny road tyres, that baby just <b>danced up the hills</b> - and then flew back down them, scaring me silly in the process.<br />
<br />
Even so, faced with some of the tri-bar padded-leotard pointy-helmet <b>time-trial bling </b>some of the others arrived
with, I was seriously underbiked. Several riders caught me around half way, being considerably and effortlessly faster on
the flat. It must have been aerodynamics rather than strength, because when the route turned hillier I was quite a bit quicker than them. This resulted in one bizarre section where I kept having this
strange <b>purple alien thing </b>straight out of Star Trek edge past me on the flat only to drop back so fast whenever we hit a hill that I had to look back and check
he hadn't been beamed up by Scotty.<br />
<br />
Anyway, the ride was <b>truly horrible</b>. It was a lovely sunny day, the roads were empty, the views magnificent. But with no gnarly downhill sections, not only do you not get any high-adrenaline thrills but you never get a breather - you're pedalling the whole time. It's like running on a treadmill - one long unremitting relentless masochistic mind-numbingly boring endless bloody <b>slog</b>. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAAoMGYckrpirdEPHVfwzf09ejBJc_nCauhkc76Jw8DPbQ9b-hl_EyX3p5utF8Tqeg0xP6POx1CkuTARAPnj4ETdmN0tlqMzawOJMqh6KFRKxWLmog60P7rK3kuNfB4BjSViZ_CB8XtFP/s1600/_DSC0492+%282%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAAoMGYckrpirdEPHVfwzf09ejBJc_nCauhkc76Jw8DPbQ9b-hl_EyX3p5utF8Tqeg0xP6POx1CkuTARAPnj4ETdmN0tlqMzawOJMqh6KFRKxWLmog60P7rK3kuNfB4BjSViZ_CB8XtFP/s1600/_DSC0492+(2).jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo: Meilyr Wyn Hughes at <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lluniaumwhphotography">Lluniau MWH Photography</a></b></i></div>
<br />
And I was absolutely crap at the transitions. It's not rocket science: all you really have to do is change your shoes. Now I've been proudly <b>tying my own shoelaces </b>for 40 years now, so you'd think I'd be up to the challenge. However, the results reveal that I was 7th fastest on the first run, 8th fastest on both the ride and the second run - and 48th and 42nd fastest on the two transitions...<br />
<br />
I finished the first run at the same time as triathlon specialist Heddwyn Evans. After getting my <b>knickers in a knot</b> during the first transition, it took me 13 miles to catch up with him on the bike. By then getting my knickers in almost as much of a knot during the second transition, I gave Heddwyn a 30-second head start on the final run, which was not good, because my legs were now two unresponsive blocks of cramp-infested jelly and I was <b>stuck in first gear</b>. Luckily I wasn't the only one; after about a mile I managed to lumber past a couple of guys who'd whizzed past me earlier on their fancy bikes, and I finally caught Heddwyn on the final run-in. Sadly, what should then have been an epic battle as we <b>sprinted neck-and-neck</b> to the finish fizzled out into a complete non-event as neither of us had the energy, and we stumbled over the line pretty much together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCKwZCifc2rxyKk936Rskiy-yOE5GH6ZncDVFD-ick9HuULWCaiJ_XeQM21PPU_jDmkIepIHvSybMcSpNoYQ897KLfAhoHAljN7Gw1mOZI7V-uUkWvzbp0Z6u42b1Agfl_NDWAX4seEdc/s1600/_DSC0872+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCKwZCifc2rxyKk936Rskiy-yOE5GH6ZncDVFD-ick9HuULWCaiJ_XeQM21PPU_jDmkIepIHvSybMcSpNoYQ897KLfAhoHAljN7Gw1mOZI7V-uUkWvzbp0Z6u42b1Agfl_NDWAX4seEdc/s1600/_DSC0872+%25282%2529.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Photo: Meilyr Wyn Hughes at <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lluniaumwhphotography">Lluniau MWH Photography</a></b></i></div>
<br />
It was a <b>superbly organised </b>and very friendly event. Thanks, perhaps, to some European back-of-beyond funding, it was excellent value for money too, with the already low £15 entry fee getting you a natty goody bag and T-shirt and even a timing chip that worked properly. Most of Tregaron
seemed to be out marshalling, with a hi-viz presence not only at every junction but also every couple of miles just to cheer you on, and the course layout meant that we passed the not-insignificant crowd of rabid
supporters and bemused onlookers no fewer than six times during the
race. You don't get that at MTB events, which is a shame because it really does give you a lift
every time someone calls your name or gives you a clap or a well done or even a <b>get a move on
you fat lazy bastard</b>. Thank you all for your encouragement!<br />
<br />
What's so amazing is that the event was organised by complete first-timers from Tregaron's new bike club <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/594179797268907/?fref=ts">Clwb Seiclo Caron</a></b>, formed last year around the same time as my club <b><a href="http://www.sarnhelen.org.uk/">Sarn Helen</a></b>
reformed down the road in Lampeter. We'd still struggle to organise the proverbial piss-up in a brewery, so hats off to the Tregaron boys for <b>popping their cherry </b>in such style. Apparently an MTB event is on the cards for the autumn - I'll be there.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XPjyrPvBMa5KWS8wcsbtpFNyO9D4lV77tf2biVm5cCV1uK_ZEL6gJzA7GNC6PLN7gGB1rmpFkvQjwziWtv5V4L72xGz8387tMKXPAovla26jNQGseoqT3NuhHw4jiuYgUKgsjaj1h0IR/s1600/IMAG0368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XPjyrPvBMa5KWS8wcsbtpFNyO9D4lV77tf2biVm5cCV1uK_ZEL6gJzA7GNC6PLN7gGB1rmpFkvQjwziWtv5V4L72xGz8387tMKXPAovla26jNQGseoqT3NuhHw4jiuYgUKgsjaj1h0IR/s1600/IMAG0368.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm glad I went and I'm pleased with the result, but I'm afraid I haven't been <b>converted to road riding </b>and I don't ever want to run again. 3-15-2 sounded very doable, and indeed I did it, but in practice it was seriously hardcore. I have a new-found respect for triathletes - combining disciplines is really tough. I already have a <b>love/hate relationship </b>with running (I love running, running hates me) and predictably the event left me with calves you could play like a harp, and I'm still hobbling around with an urgently-in-need-of-a-hip-replacement waddle. In hindsight, a little pacing might have been a good idea: going at the first run full-pelt (including my
fastest-ever recorded mile) was possibly not the best strategy. While I'm used to racing up to four hours on the mountain bike, and I regularly run more than five miles, this event was just so much more intense. Unless you're
mental (which probably includes me), I'd say a duathlon, like a marathon, is probably <b>best treated as a challenge rather than a race</b>. Which, in fairness, is what most people there did.<br />
<br />
You know, I can only think of one MTB event where I've ended up quite as knackered as this - the <a href="http://29gears.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/red-kite-devils-challenge-i-won-i-won-i.html"><b>Devil's Challenge</b></a> last year. And guess what I'm doing this coming Sunday?<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 773px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 694; mso-width-source: userset; width: 14pt;" width="19"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2157; mso-width-source: userset; width: 44pt;" width="59"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2084; mso-width-source: userset; width: 43pt;" width="57"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 3766; mso-width-source: userset; width: 77pt;" width="103"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 1865; mso-width-source: userset; width: 38pt;" width="51"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 914; mso-width-source: userset; width: 19pt;" width="25"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2816; mso-width-source: userset; width: 58pt;" width="77"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 804; mso-width-source: userset; width: 17pt;" width="22"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2596; mso-width-source: userset; width: 53pt;" width="71"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 987; mso-width-source: userset; width: 20pt;" width="27"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2669; mso-width-source: userset; width: 55pt;" width="73"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 987; mso-width-source: userset; width: 20pt;" width="27"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2523; mso-width-source: userset; width: 52pt;" width="69"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 914; mso-width-source: userset; width: 19pt;" width="25"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2486; mso-width-source: userset; width: 51pt;" width="68"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td class="xl65" height="20" style="height: 15pt; width: 14pt;" width="19"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 44pt;" width="59"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 43pt;" width="57"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 77pt;" width="103"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 38pt;" width="51"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Run 1</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 19pt;" width="25"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 58pt;" width="77"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Trans 1</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 17pt;" width="22"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 53pt;" width="71"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Ride</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 20pt;" width="27"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 55pt;" width="73"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Trans 2</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 20pt;" width="27"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 52pt;" width="69"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Run 2</span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 19pt;" width="25"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td class="xl65" style="width: 51pt;" width="68"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Overall</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="20" style="height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Dylan</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lewis</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sarn Helen</span></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">17:36.5</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:39.30</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:41:50.40</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:41.90</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">14</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:13:07.75</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:13:55.80</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl69" height="20" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">David</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cole</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">18:04.1</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:38.75</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:43:45.15</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:38.15</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:13:13.05</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:16:19.20</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="20" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Shelley</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Childs</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Clwb Beicio Ystwyth</span></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">18:54.8</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:47.80</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">13</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:43:36.00</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">2</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:45.15</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">17</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:13:44.75</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">6</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:17:48.45</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl69" height="20" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Gary Wyn</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Davies</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">18:05.0</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">3</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:59.75</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">22</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:45:46.00</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:50.90</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">21</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:12:14.10</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">1</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:17:55.75</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="20" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Llyr</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lewis</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">18:29.7</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:53.40</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">18</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:47:32.50</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">13</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:36.90</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:13:22.30</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:20:54.85</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl69" height="20" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">6</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Chris</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Schroeder</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sarn Helen</span></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">19:01.3</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:01:58.00</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">48</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:45:54.85</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:01:29.00</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">42</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:13:58.25</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:22:21.40</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="20" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Heddwyn</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Evans</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Emlyn Fliers</span></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">18:58.8</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">6</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:01:11.35</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">27</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:46:35.40</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:01:03.40</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">28</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:14:34.85</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:22:23.80</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl69" height="20" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Scott</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Holder</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">20:50.1</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">14</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:57.35</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">20</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:44:27.05</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">5</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:50.50</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">20</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:15:55.20</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">21</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:23:00.25</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="20" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Steffan</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Owens</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Clwb Seiclo Caron</span></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">21:05.6</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">16</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:01:16.30</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">31</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:43:48.90</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:01:19.70</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">37</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:15:36.80</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">19</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:23:07.25</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl69" height="20" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hywel Sion</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Davies</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">20:31.9</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:01:43.00</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">45</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:45:11.85</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">6</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:01:25.90</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">41</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:14:54.15</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">12</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:23:46.80</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="20" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Barry</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Owen</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rhedwyr Emlyn</span></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">20:43.4</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">12</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:43.90</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:47:14.05</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:45.45</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">18</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:15:21.70</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">15</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:24:48.55</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl69" height="20" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">12</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Simon</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hall</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sarn Helen</span></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">19:04.8</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">8</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:50.80</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">16</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:50:38.60</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">22</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:36.30</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:13:47.25</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:24:57.70</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="20" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">13</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Toby</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hellman</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Clwb Seiclo Caron</span></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">21:47.1</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">19</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:53.20</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">17</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:47:18.20</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">11</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:33.85</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">7</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:15:29.55</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">17</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:26:01.95</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl69" height="20" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">14</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Carwyn</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Hicks</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">21:14.9</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">17</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:43.80</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">9</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:48:58.95</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">16</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:30.00</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:14:34.90</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">10</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:26:02.50</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="20" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">15</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Gareth</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Davies</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">22:33.2</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">22</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:39.00</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">4</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:48:14.30</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">15</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:40.05</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">13</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:16:13.70</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">24</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:28:20.30</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl69" height="20" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">16</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Andrew</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Davies</span></td>
<td class="xl69" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sarn Helen</span></td>
<td class="xl70" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">21:02.5</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">15</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:59.40</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">21</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:50:34.20</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">21</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:52.70</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">23</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:15:36.60</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">18</span></td>
<td class="xl71" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:29:05.35</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15.0pt;">
<td align="right" class="xl66" height="20" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">17</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Eric</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rees</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Sarn Helen</span></td>
<td class="xl67" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">22:18.9</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">21</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:48.60</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">15</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:50:27.50</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">20</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:00:44.40</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">16</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 00:15:15.80</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">13</span></td>
<td class="xl68" style="border-left: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> 01:29:35.25</span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261213504391721167.post-32285168526157577402014-03-09T22:06:00.002+00:002014-03-09T22:06:23.526+00:00Welsh XC Series Round 1: Wish I'd stayed at home<b>Star date: </b>9 March 2014<br />
<b>Location: </b>Caerphilly<br />
<b>Event: <a href="http://www.welshcycling.co.uk/" target="_blank">Welsh XC Series Round 1</a></b><br />
<b>Weapon of choice: </b>Carbon 29er hardtail<br />
<b>Greatest achievement:</b> Riding almost all of the last lap<br />
<b>Greatest weakness: </b>Having to run the rest of it<b><br /></b><br />
<b>Result: </b>11th vet<span class="comment"> </span><br />
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Apparently, if you can't say anything nice, you shouldn't say anything at all. So...<br />
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="width: 446px;"><colgroup><col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 4608; mso-width-source: userset; width: 95pt;" width="126"></col>
<col span="4" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col>
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<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: x-small;">01:05:33</span></td>
<td style="width: 95pt;" width="126"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lewis King</span></td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:15:32</span></td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:16:08</span></td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:16:33</span></td>
<td style="width: 48pt;" width="64"><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:17:20</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">01:11:00</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mark Spratt</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:16:38</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:17:28</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:18:29</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:18:25</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">01:12:00</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Christopher Kay</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:16:27</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:18:12</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:18:33</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:18:48</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">01:12:36</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Richard Bowen</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:17:18</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:18:25</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:18:50</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:18:03</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">01:13:32</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Lee Hayward</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:17:30</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:18:15</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:18:46</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:19:01</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">01:14:03</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Graham Rogerson</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:17:42</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:18:52</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:18:28</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:19:01</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">01:16:20</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Dave Wadsworth</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:18:51</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:18:51</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:19:08</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:19:30</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">01:20:02</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stacey Bray</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:19:09</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:20:48</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:19:23</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:20:42</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">01:21:12</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Darren Compton</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:18:38</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:20:39</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:21:22</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:20:33</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">01:24:12</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Simon James</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:19:33</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:20:21</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:21:40</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:22:38</span></td>
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<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">01:28:47</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">Chris Schroder</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:17:46</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:18:50</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:22:21</span></td>
<td><span style="font-size: x-small;">00:29:50</span></td>
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</tbody></table>
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Heishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09244033058172267517noreply@blogger.com1