The Big Wight

Olive organised this adventure to the Isle of Wight for 55 miles off-road fun and a lot of climbing. There were 6 riders who ventured across the murky waters of the Solent, John R, John D, Andy J, Kevin M, David Newland and last but not least young Olive. We all met up at the start in Yarmouth right next to the ferry port, some stayed over  Friday night in Ryde whilst some came over as foot passengers on the morning which meant quite an early start but proved it was a feasible . Next year perhaps!!!

We were  blessed with the weather, a fine day with no wind and not too hot, thanks Olive. As usual we were over dressed from the start and after the first climb stripped off  100 yds from the 2nd tee to a few shouts of fore, but as there was 6 of we ignored them, not good etiquette I know. 10 miles in some of the directions had been moved which caused an bit of confusion and we were split up for a good half hour but managed to regroup after a tough climb.

We rode some great terrain with a little bit of road to connect to bridleways. At halfway and 3000ft of climbing Olive and Kevin were finding it tough but with a little bit of encouragement, Olive overtaking loads of men on a particularly brutal hill and a little gel or two they made a quick recovery.

The last 25 miles were no easier and we all stuck to the task and climbed every hill to the finish in Yarmouth, a great achievement with some  6000' of climbing in 55 miles and some wicked descents. Thanks to everyone for the company another great trip to the Isle.

BC MTB XC Rd4

Hi all,

Heading up to Margam Park on the 7th for Rd4. Let me know if you want a ride up there. I can take a passenger & bike.

Regards

James

National XC - Hopton Castle

Will, Ian and myself arrived early and bleary eyed at our chaffeurs house for the long drive to Hopton in Shropshire. Many thanks to Steve for driving nearly four hours each way either side of his race.

As we approached the fluttering flags and rows of camper vans, a huge menacing wooded hill loomed against the blue sky. From the line the course headed straight up this savagely steep climb, that had all the riders scrabbling for their lowest gears! It was a leg burning effort of about 10 -12 minutes with a couple of false flats that didn't really provide much respite. After the climb was a great section that resembled a welsh trail centre, as it undulated along the contours of the hillside. Then came the reward for all that climbing, a sometimes scarily steep, sweeping descent with stutter bumps in the precipitous braking zones leading into the bermed corners. It was a memorable course in every way - not all of them pleasant!

Will was first off, unfortunately due to delays with the previous races he wasn't able to complete an entire warm-up lap and when his chain snapped before the top of the climb his cycling was done for the day. Standing nervously by the start waiting for him the three of us started to fear the worst as we saw rider after rider coming through coated in dirt and blood after taking a fall on the descent to the finish.

Myself, Steve and Ian were all gridded for the final races of the day. Even on the first lap the climb was agonising and it felt as though I rode most of the race in my bottom gear! My single 32 tooth chainring only just allowing me to crawl upwards. I drank and gulped gels to prevent cramping which would have surely ended my race.

From his lowly grid spot Steve put in a stella effort to finish 6th. Ian was 23rd in the Grand Vets while I was 29th in Masters.

On the way home we raided the services M&S shop, sharing out Scones, Pain au Chocolate and Hot Cross Buns the rest of the way home. Sorry about the crumbs Steve!