Torq 12/6hr Enduro - 25th August 2013

Minley Manor is a brutal course rooty, testing climbs and sapping grassy sections this year Gorrick added a new 6hr Solo format just up our street.

We showed up at 1pm and were told we were lucky to get our numbers as we were meant to sign up by 11am for a 3pm start!!! Kevin,Martin,Ollie and Will were already under way in the 12hr pairs and the atmosphere around the arena was pretty good. The course has some interestingly named sections with  Banksey,Minley Maze and Crusty Sponge Bob standing out as the gnarlier bits and with 1 nasty drop-off 7 miles into the lap which got more interesting as the day wore on.

 
After the initial slow start the field spread out there were hardly any hold ups which was a nice surprise as we had feared the worse starting 3 hrs in to the main event. It was pretty warm and although it had rain the day before the course was holding up well. This was a tough one on the legs, but also a tough one on the brain. Sometimes the head gives up before the body and both were on their limit. 4hrs in and we were all facing our own demons if it was counting down to a section you didn't like or forcing down a mixture of gels and bars the fun was ebbing. Then as it got dark the fun returned with a DJ under the Bridge to Nowhere and some glow sticks on certain uphill sections of the course, the atmosphere ramped up and made the last 3 laps bearable. If you got to the start/finish line by 9pm you could do another lap which I and John Reay managed both completing 8 laps the 2 Andy's managed 7. Our 2 teams in the pairs performed really well Will and Ollie coming 5th with 17 laps and Martin and Kevin 23rd with 14 laps.

Well done to all as this course beats you up big time, 4 man teams next year?

Vets 6hr Solo
John Davies    - 3rd
John Reay      -  7th
Andy Goodyer - 11th
Andy Jarman   - 12h

12hr Pairs
Defcon Brown        - 5th
Sprocket Rockets  - 23rd

Probably the one and only time on the podium.

Torq in your Sleep 12/6 hr Enduro Photo's - 25th August 2013

Kevin Moore 23rd 12hr Pairs

Will Taylor 5th 12hr Pairs

John Reay 7th 6hr Vet

Andy Goodyer 11th 6hr Vet

Andy Jarman 12th 6hr Vet

John Davies 3rd 6hr Vet

Martin Taylor 23rd 12hr Pairs

Ollie Fenton 5th 12hr Pairs

Chilterns 100 Enduro - 17th August 2013

 

Starting from Woodcote, north of Reading this testing route took us from the excellent Thames Path tracking along the northern bank of the Thames climbing and swooping along a series of exhilarating twist and turns with the infamous Whitchurch steps replaced by a steep straight dive followed by a quick climb. The western edge of the route took us to where the Chilterns drop away to the plains, we traversed up and down with long-legged swoops and climbs off and on the dramatic hills. With plenty of flint around we had the usual spate of punctures, 5 in all which slowed us up a bit and with finished in just over 7hrs. As usual the route signs were a little hard to follow and we did a few bonus miles but on the whole the route was pretty good.  The only thing missing was the sunshine,and the previous days rainfall had left the trails pretty sticky in places. A cup of tea and some cake and we were on our way home a long day but well worth it.

Brighton Big Dog - 10th August 2013

The event, now its fifth year, is becoming a bit of a classic with its festival atmosphere and fantastic trails. The course was tougher than last year, riding it clockwise and taking in some steeper climbs, just over 800' of climbing per lap with some fast flowing descents. The weather which had been looking a bit dodgy all week stayed away and the course was in great condition for some fast times. Fay Cripps fastest ladies lap 32 minutes!!!!

The team and club had a great turnout and great results with many getting on the podium.
Ladies Pairs     -  Fay Cripps /Emily Iredale 1st                       
Ladies Team    -   Julia Hammond/Cliodhna Duggan/Olive O'Leary 1st
Ladies Solo     -   Emma Craddock 2nd
Male Solo 40+ -  Steve Calland 2nd
Ladies Team    -   Lorna Dennison-Wilkins/Karen Dixon 3rd
Male Team      -   Mark Clothier/Simon McNamara/Roger Smith 3rd

Slide-show of Big Dog