Hi folks,
Just thought I'd share with you yesterday's ride.
Having heard about this race from Andyz, we - me and Splatter Paint - entered it as a pair. Somehow between us, we did so without our third man. :facepalm: Communication breakdown. :facepalm:
So sorry, Andrew, I really don't know what went wrong!
After just over an hour's drive, I got to Bedebury Forest Arboretum, to be greeted by someone at the entrance telling me it's £12 parking, all day! :shock: Hmmmm, hadn't reckoned on that. Went around the car park and back out onto the A21, to park in a layby. As it turned out, I ws probably closer to where the race was being held, than those that had parked in the car park!
Wore all I could, packing all I needed in my backpack, I set off for where we set up.
Very basic and low key event, two portaloos and a couple of huts .Glad it stayed dry!
Base camp
IMG_0596 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
SP, ready for the off, on his lovely light Kona,
IMG_0585 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
SP and I were a bit surprised at the low turn out, the start
IMG_0587 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
And they're off!
IMG_0589 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Team mate here in 4th place, third by the end of the lap!
Figuring it was around 3.7km per lap, we decided on three lap stints, so we'd have a decent break in between stints.
My first set was on the 29er Fisher,
IMG_0584 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
But being a very twisty, and narrowed by the trees course, I felt it was a bit cumbersome getting it around. So after my first set of three, I rode FAST! back to the car, got the Sun out, changed kit, swapped number, and had a gulp of drink at base camp, before it was my turn again.
SP was going well,
IMG_0592 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Annoyingly, as I didn't get much rest! Only joking mate 
After four hours, Mike informed me that we had a 5 min lead. Shortly after which, I slid off right in front of him! :roll: :facepalm: Front wheel lost grip. :roll:
No damage, only pride, and I don't think I lost more than a few seconds.
Onwards we went, holding the gap ,
IMG_0594 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Worryingly though, we were starting to lose the daylight, in the density of the trees. Really hard to see the line through them by the end.
But finished we did, in first place, for which we got a medal and stood on the podium, feeling a bit chuffed!
Other than a rigid Kona, the bikes I saw were all modern.
As for the course, it was nice and technical, you couldn't take your eye off the ball, tight corners, narrow, roots, flatish and only one section where you could take a drink.
Old bikes, resting after the race. See what I mean about the light? Or lack of!
WP_20160917_18_10_23_Pro by Michael Murray, on Flickr
The happy couple,
WP_20160917_18_11_58_Pro by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Psssst, see that guy on the right, he's bloody quick!
Drove home in the rain, celebrated with some chips along the way!
Mike
Just thought I'd share with you yesterday's ride.
Having heard about this race from Andyz, we - me and Splatter Paint - entered it as a pair. Somehow between us, we did so without our third man. :facepalm: Communication breakdown. :facepalm:
So sorry, Andrew, I really don't know what went wrong!
After just over an hour's drive, I got to Bedebury Forest Arboretum, to be greeted by someone at the entrance telling me it's £12 parking, all day! :shock: Hmmmm, hadn't reckoned on that. Went around the car park and back out onto the A21, to park in a layby. As it turned out, I ws probably closer to where the race was being held, than those that had parked in the car park!
Wore all I could, packing all I needed in my backpack, I set off for where we set up.
Very basic and low key event, two portaloos and a couple of huts .Glad it stayed dry!
Base camp
IMG_0596 by Michael Murray, on FlickrSP, ready for the off, on his lovely light Kona,
IMG_0585 by Michael Murray, on FlickrSP and I were a bit surprised at the low turn out, the start
IMG_0587 by Michael Murray, on FlickrAnd they're off!
IMG_0589 by Michael Murray, on FlickrTeam mate here in 4th place, third by the end of the lap!
Figuring it was around 3.7km per lap, we decided on three lap stints, so we'd have a decent break in between stints.
My first set was on the 29er Fisher,
IMG_0584 by Michael Murray, on FlickrBut being a very twisty, and narrowed by the trees course, I felt it was a bit cumbersome getting it around. So after my first set of three, I rode FAST! back to the car, got the Sun out, changed kit, swapped number, and had a gulp of drink at base camp, before it was my turn again.
SP was going well,
IMG_0592 by Michael Murray, on FlickrAnnoyingly, as I didn't get much rest!
Only joking mate After four hours, Mike informed me that we had a 5 min lead. Shortly after which, I slid off right in front of him! :roll:
:facepalm: Front wheel lost grip. :roll: No damage, only pride, and I don't think I lost more than a few seconds.
Onwards we went, holding the gap ,
IMG_0594 by Michael Murray, on FlickrWorryingly though, we were starting to lose the daylight, in the density of the trees. Really hard to see the line through them by the end.
But finished we did, in first place, for which we got a medal and stood on the podium, feeling a bit chuffed!
Other than a rigid Kona, the bikes I saw were all modern.
As for the course, it was nice and technical, you couldn't take your eye off the ball, tight corners, narrow, roots, flatish and only one section where you could take a drink.
Old bikes, resting after the race. See what I mean about the light? Or lack of!
WP_20160917_18_10_23_Pro by Michael Murray, on FlickrThe happy couple,
WP_20160917_18_11_58_Pro by Michael Murray, on FlickrPsssst, see that guy on the right, he's bloody quick!
Drove home in the rain, celebrated with some chips along the way!
Mike
wondered what you were upto over the weekend Mike 
