Southern XC – Alton 22nd August 2010

The last round of the SXC took place this weekend at Alton. The course was run backwards this year and was probably better for it. Alton is always muddy, slippery, flinty, rooty but actually surprisingly enjoyable. Unfortunately just after the start my front Roval wheel broke a spoke, still this wasn’t going to stop me as I had 2nd place in the series to secure and I carried on regardless and was a close 3rd at the end of the 1st lap. There are only 8 spokes on the non disc side of a Roval wheel and with only 7 connected the wheel developed a large buckle and I thought of the consequence of it failing on the flinty descents so with some caution on the rougher sections and drop offs I managed to come in 5th and 2nd in the 2010 SXC series.
Just a note on the wheel, I presume I must have damaged it somehow, I was riding it in Wales last week, it has also seen service in the Alps and Pyrenees, but 8 spokes on one side!
Postie and I are off to the Torq 12/12 next weekend; I plan to use this as training for the Southern XC championship which is being held at Pippingford on 11th September.

Brighton Big Dog 6hr Enduro - 14th August

Emma (below) and Simon (above) 2nd mixed pairs

Best event of the year so far the only thing missing good weather but who needs that to have a great time.
Re-named Brighton Rain Dog by Morvelo and the more apt Brighton Big Bog by Singletrack there were only smiles all round and satisfaction and admiration for all the riders.

The club had a great turn out with 11 riders, with Billy Turrell turning up straight from a busy night shift fighting fires and Stephen Turner toeing the line after a nightime 23 mile run on the South Downs. Respect to you both.

Most catergories were covered and we hoped for some good results with strong pairings in the mixed and male pairs and Matt in the solo.

Alex (above) and Andy (below) 18th Male Pairs

The course had loads of tight, twisting singletrack through the woods, but damp ground and wet roots made it a bit more technical.















There was a 1000ft of climbing but it was quite suttle, nothing too steep. Plenty of sweeping singletrack and tight cornering which became more and more tricky as the day wore on as you slid on the rooty sections. A few obstacles to bunny hop over and some low branches to duck under which kept you on your mettle.

Matt 7th Male 6hr solo again

Everyone got stuck in, Brighton local Ian Leitch became the Big Dog of 2010 after a blinding ride to see off last years winner Yanto Barker.

We fared pretty well to, Emma and Simon who were in 3rd position for most of the race had two blinding last laps each to take 2nd. Matt did his usual and finished 7th with 6 laps in the highly competitive male solo.

Alex and Andy were in another tough cat with some pretty useful pairings and managed 6 laps finishing 16th.

Phil Davey had a great ride grinding out a 10th in the Male Vet Solo.

John - solo

Rich - Team

Despite the conditions everyone had big smiles as they milled around the prize giving, those who left early will be talking about Brighton Big Dog 2010 for a while yet so the event definately made a mark on everyone who took part.

Simon and Emma

Brighton Big Dog - 14th August

 

This 6-hour race around the ancient parkland trails of Stanmer Park featuring testing climbs and top quality singletrack, guarantees a whole lot of fun. This is still a non-profit race, a hefty chunk of the profits will go behind the bar for the big party in Brighton afterwards. "Well, everyone seemed to have such a good time last time," say the organisers, "we'd thought we'd do it again. The remainder will go to our designated cycling charity.

"Noted for it's great atmosphere and singletrack-laden course, the organisers promise more of the same as well as "added chunks", including more singletrack, more partying, more categories, more close racing, more laid back fun, more of what made the event a sell out in its first year.