Erlestoke Enduro

I had only heard positive things from those who entered last years Erlestoke Enduro. I have raced at the venue before – but only through the mud, snow and ice of January's Salisbury Plain Challenge. With the weather forecast predicting the week long heat wave to continue into the weekend I was keen to see the venue in a different light! At 8.30am the temperature was already rising nicely as we struggled to wrestle three 29ers into Ian's car. I would be riding the 6 hour solo while Ian and Fay were entering the Mixed Pairs.

It was great to see a large turnout of South Downs Bikes riders to greet us in the car park, all sporting new 29ers!! There was just time for an early lunch of ham and jam sandwiches before joining the huge starting grid that formed for the Noon start. Numbers were undoubtedly swelled by the glorious weather – with 80 riders in the Solo male category alone!

There was a short starting loop to spread the field and then it was out onto the course proper. After a flowing descent into the wood the course emerged onto an undulating, strength-sapping grassy traverse across the fields to the foot of the hill. The climb started as wooded singletrack but then opened onto a steep gravel road. Having reached the top there wasn’t time for a rest as the route headed out across the open hill top into a strong headwind. The field was well spread by now but I was still riding close to the front and slipstreamed a group of riders onto Ian’s wheel and then followed him down the descent back to the arena.

As we rode past the campsite Ian took his eyes off the trail for a moment to check his watch and missed a little depression in the path. From my viewpoint it looked like somebody had tossed a doll into the air! When I reached the scene Ian was a bloody mess with road rash on arms and legs. He slowly made it back to his feet while I retrieved his bike and then uncomfortably remounted telling me to continue. He handed over to Fay and was patched up by the medics and rode another 4 laps. But I bet he was sore this morning!

The descent from the top of the hill was a belter. It was fast and flowing, twisting and turning between the trees on the chalky soil we're all familiar with at home on the South Downs. Even after 6 hours I was still really enjoying myself, throwing the bike down the switchbacks! 

I managed to keep the laps ticking over just under the magic 40 minute mark, completing my 9th lap with a couple of minutes to spare. My favourite race of the year  - a combination of sunshine and great trails!

Solo 6hr
4th	Ben Connor	9 laps
5th	James D'Arcy	8 laps
21st	Damian Redman	7 laps
24th	John Davies	7 laps
50th	Andy Goodyer	5 laps
Mixed Pairs 6hr
1st	Ian Petherbridge  Fay Cripps			9 laps

Hove Crits & Steyning Tri

Hove crit road race cat 2/3 was held on 18th May. I did the first of the series a few weeks prior and came 4th on this short 1km circuit, including a leg sapping mini climb in it. From our cycling school teacher (aka Steve Calland) he gave me some useful tips on racing from Tuesdays Goodwood race (did crap) and basically kept my eye on one of the stronger riders Mike Coyle. When he jumped I went with him and we did about 6 laps together before he pulled away from me, leaving me to do about another 8 laps on my own with the pack hunting me down. In most races I nearly always feel sick with pushing hard, but this was the first time I have actually thrown up during a race and was reaching a few times on the final lap. Managed to get 2nd so that will do. Full race report is posted here (luckily no mention of me being sick ha);

http://www.velouk.net/2012/05/19/report-george-samuel-memorial-hove-park-crits-2/

Steyning Triathlon on 4th May went better than I had expected, despite the grim rainy 6'C weather. (if you think riding in this weather on a normal ride is bad, try doing it straight after swimming in a nice warm pool and run out bare foot in a tiny trisuit then hop on the bike and deal with the cold air blasting on your cold wet body (i.e no warm kit / water proofs). My arms were cold but DAM I thought my bits and pieces had frost bite, I was in some serious discomfort!!!!

My 800m (32 lap) swim was not very fast  by my normal standards, but not terrible to compare to others at 4/83, 36.5km Bike 3/83 and 8km run 7/83. I finished up as 2nd Snr male and 3rd overall. So got a nice pair of shades from Bloc plus a weee trophy.

Plans for the next tri's are another couple of local races before my Half Ironman (1.9km swim, 90km bike, then just to make things fun a half marathon to end) in California on 15th July. It will be frigging hot and it will be more of a tick box as there will be many pros doing it along with Joe average like myself. Then in Sept the London Olympic plus, which is a 1.5km swim, 90km bike and 10km run.

                             

http://www.southdownsbikes.com/news.php?articleid=219

Gorrick 100

The Gorrick 100 is a tough event and after two weeks of rain I feared it was going to be a long day. Luckily much of the course was on the all-weather trails of Swinley Forrest and there were only a couple of slippery sections to spice things up. Naturally the course included the infamous Surrey Hill cliff face and a couple of other tough little gradients. However, these were loaded towards the beginning of the lap allowing you to enjoy the rest of the course which was a maze of serpentine switchbacks and singletrack.

 

I was up bright and early for the 7 lap start. It was chilly and damp underfoot but the rain held off. Learning the lessons of the previous 10 years I started slowly. Others raced off only for me to catch them again a few hours later, looking pale as their energy reserves hit zero. The other trick is to keep eating and drinking throughout the event. A packet of fig rolls, a couple of energy bars and two bananas were scoffed during my 7 hours in the saddle. 

 

As riders tackling the shorter challenges joined the ‘real’ men (and women) later in the day I was caught by Matt! We had a quick chat and he kindly provided a nice tow on one of the long fireroad drags. Having proudly conquered the climb on every lap I was able to hold off a strong challenge from behind to finish 18^th on a day when only just over half the 90 strong field managed to complete the distance.

 Well done to Fay who was the only lady to complete the 5 lap race. Doddy came charging past me on his way to 2^nd in the 4 lap event ahead of Matt who finished 18^th. Steve was first home in the 2 lapper and I saw Will a few times during his 3 laps – unfortunately one of these was while he was wrestling with a tyre trying to fix a puncture!

 

Year after year this continues to be one of my favourite events. It doesn’t stop it hurting though! I was so knackered I had to stop for a nap on the way home! Luckily it was a bank holiday so there was opportunity for a lie in the next day. 

Check out this amazing video! American Paul Basagoitia lands the world’s first natural terrain double backflip… but has to endure some pretty rough treatment on the way!