Another race another quagmire!
Swamp racing seems to be the theme for so many races in 2012. I have already
had the mud syringed from my eyes by the St-Johns ambulance after one event
this “summer” and I don’t think anyone who was there will ever forget the
conditions at Black Park, where riders were being pulled from their bikes with
hypothermia. So in hindsight maybe the XT MTB Enduro at Hawley lake near
Farnborough wasn’t that bad! At least the sun was shining! However, there were
long stretches of deep standing water to be navigated and sections where
progress through the gloop was almost impossible. Rear tyres slipped, gears
skipped and chains sucked!
A frenzied fireroad dash got us
underway, riders weaving from side to side as they hunted for grip. On the
first climb my chain tied itself in a knot, coiling itself away tightly under
the chainstay. It took an eternity to unravel, by which time I had lost touch
with the lead group. I plunged on through the slop, brakes were worthless
anyway but my brake pads had dissolved away before the 2nd lap. As the laps progressed a
racing line began to form, snaking between the worst of the puddles. Although
churned by the passing of 100’s of tyres other sections became impassable. The
section I named ‘comedy’ corner was the worst: as you approached steering had
little impact on the bikes direction and once you were pointing the right way,
the rear tyre spun and fish tailed hopelessly however carefully you turned the
pedals.
Fay dominated the womens race
coming home over a lap ahead –ripped shorts and all! I caught up with Ian
and we rode together to finish 4th and 5th from a field of 89 in the 4hour solo.
So some great results but now it’s time
to count the cost. Sunday provided the opportunity to service wheel bearings,
bottom brackets, chains, rear brake pads, and rebuild forks.....! Plus I’m
still washing the mud from between my toes!
Another race another quagmire!
Swamp racing seems to be the theme for so many races in 2012. I have already
had the mud syringed from my eyes by the St-Johns ambulance after one event
this “summer” and I don’t think anyone who was there will ever forget the
conditions at Black Park, where riders were being pulled from their bikes with
hypothermia. So in hindsight maybe the XT MTB Enduro at Hawley lake near
Farnborough wasn’t that bad! At least the sun was shining! However, there were
long stretches of deep standing water to be navigated and sections where
progress through the gloop was almost impossible. Rear tyres slipped, gears
skipped and chains sucked!
A frenzied fireroad dash got us
underway, riders weaving from side to side as they hunted for grip. On the
first climb my chain tied itself in a knot, coiling itself away tightly under
the chainstay. It took an eternity to unravel, by which time I had lost touch
with the lead group. I plunged on through the slop, brakes were worthless
anyway but my brake pads had dissolved away before the 2nd lap. As the laps progressed a
racing line began to form, snaking between the worst of the puddles. Although
churned by the passing of 100’s of tyres other sections became impassable. The
section I named ‘comedy’ corner was the worst: as you approached steering had
little impact on the bikes direction and once you were pointing the right way,
the rear tyre spun and fish tailed hopelessly however carefully you turned the
pedals.