Southdowns Bikes RT.
Saturday 19th – Sunday 20th June 2010
Mountain Mayhem 2010. Eastnor Castle Deer Park, Ledbury, Herefordshire.
The weekend started early on Friday 18th June, as the advanced party from Team Southdowns Bikes, set off for Mountain Mayhem 2010 to set up the camp for the weekend.
There was an air of excitement for this year’s event, as 5 SDB teams were entered into various categories. During the day on Friday, as the team started arriving, the anticipation grew. Spirits were dampened briefly on Friday evening as the now customary rain began to fall on the camp and England managed only a dull draw at the World Cup, watched by an expectant crowd gathered around a big screen supplied by the organisers.
Saturday dawned grey but most importantly dry as the team set off on their practice lap to familiarise themselves with this year’s course. The early reports were that the course was tougher than last year, damp, but would soon dry and get faster as more riders circulated prior to the start.
By the time the 14:00 start came around, the sun had come out, the course had dried and spirits soared, as 500+ riders gathered for the Le Mans style start where they are subjected to a ½ mile run before mounting their bikes and riding the first 8.4 mile lap.
The race itself took 2 hours to sort itself out, and by the time the third SDB rider James D’Arcy started his first lap, Southdowns Bikes Chantry were leading the Sport mixed category from local Brighton based rivals, Kinesis Morvelo Race team.
The next twenty two hours were spent defending that lead and, by the time Simon MacNamara started their 28th and last lap at approx 13:15 on Sunday afternoon, Southdowns Bikes held a commanding lead. That was how it finished as Simon crossed the line just after 14:00 on Sunday, approx 32 minutes ahead of 2nd place Morvelo, to rapturous applause from all his team mates and supporters gathered at the finish.
After the elation of the win all that was left after an exhilarating 24 hours racing was the prize giving and, as Steve Calland, Emma Craddock, James D’Arcy, Roger Smith and Simon MacNamara mounted the winner’s rostrum, the exhaustion was clear to see on all their faces.
After the dust had settled and the full results had been published, the picture emerged as to what else the SDB teams had achieved.
The second mixed team finished a very creditable 13th, after running for ¾ of the race with only 4 riders, due to an early injury to Amanda D’Arcy put paid to her race.
The three men’s sport teams all finished the race, having circulated for the full 24 hours without taking any time out, which in itself is a considerable feat for riders that only ride for pleasure.
A big well done to all riders who took part in this year’s event and plans are already being hatched for next year’s event.
Tim Bishop
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