So here we are!!! Back into race mode again for the first round of the Hope PMBA Enduro series. Gisburn forest was the venue for the first round. Now this place has always been a funny one for me as the last few times here either mechanicals or crashes have caused me problems throughout last year so I was hoping for a clean race
Things didn't get of to the best start!! Started to get a bad vibe when the Enduro bus broke down on me on Friday night (wheel fell off) so it was driving duties for me mate Damo!
On arriving early-ish ( Damo was late) and meeting up with James (layburn bikes) it was a quick hop and skip over to sign on before heading out for practice.
Practice
Was nice to have a gentle spin up to stage 1 where we were greeted by the well known Loamaggedon!!
Even in the summer I doubt this stage dries out but other than a few bogs it was drier than usual. As we moved from stage to stage we got to stage 5, unfortunately a rider had crashed and required an air ambulance. Well done the marshalls and medical team, it's you that make us feel somewhat safer when things go wrong, and it didn't take long before we were on our way again finishing of stage 5 with a good few practice sessions on the last off-camber section in the woods that loves to catch people out!
Race
Stage#1 Loamageddon
After a brief wait in the queue it was time to put the hammer down. We had a good run into the woods off the fire road it was straight into roots and mud, trick here was staying upright and keeping your speed on. You got so far down and there was a bridge that led you into a nice deep bog, some chose to run this while others rode and as long as you kept your speed either worked. Finishing of this you came to my favourite part nice left hander with a big rut of a drop, best line being on the left to line you up over a rise and into the finish, if you get it right its sweet section!! Pretty happy with how this stage went.
Stage#2 Homebaked
My favourite stage with an extra add on of fire road then into another wooded section on to the finish. So setting of like loon it's pretty fast from swooping bends over a wooden bridge before you hit the tight twisty tree section onto cobbled corners with a rock drop. Shooting you out onto the fire road where the winter turbo training came in handy as you sprinted up into the next section of woods, through some rocky blown out corners with a small jump bringing you over the finish line. Was a good stage for me no crashes and kept my speed.
Stage#3 Whelpstone
Transition to this stage is fairly long so gives you a good chance to have a crack with your mates and general banter before head down arse up.
So straight off the drop keeping control of your speed so not to over shoot the jump that shoots you straight into a corner usual gravely corners, nice and fast but it's like riding on marbels when its this dry. Good stage, few mistakes made but I'm happy enough.
Stage#4 Hullygully
Everyones favourite this one!! Fast and flowing with big berms :)
Setting off from the fire road start before dropping straight into a nice fast section, think I was having to much fun here as I managed to get a nice drift round one corner. Not fast probably but massive fun, shooting out into the sprint finish I took a wrong line choice on the grass sucking up my speed before splashing through the stream at the finish! Not me best stage but fast and fun.
sooo much fun / Photo JWDT photography
Stage#5 Gas to Flat
Last stage and one of the best, it's got everything! Drops, jumps, rocks, roots and loads of slippy gravel, straight out of the start into some awesome drops and turns before sprinting over the fire road to shouts of encouragement from the loudest marshal in racing Duncan Maffey, dropping down into the first drop now named the KS drop onto the other 2 hitting a sweet tabletop into the woods. It's nice and fast this section before slowing you up again for another fire road crossing into more woods full of roots, this being the jinx of me again as I came into the off camber section I caught another rider!! Ended up me going high him going low, we then collided and ended up a tangled mess! After sorting out my bars and jumping back on the pedals it was a mad sprint to the finish.
Photo/NPMphotos
So that was it I waited for my other 2 mates and another lad we had rode with through the day Carl Crowley, he was one to watch! He was chasing at my back wheel the whole day. A quick blast back to the start were we handed our timing chips in and grabbed a brew while enjoying the chilled out vibe that Kev and Mike have managed to create at every race they put on and part of the reason me and my mates keep coming back. Good banter and relaxed feel, thanks guys.
Overall I was happy with my result made few mistakes and one crash leaving me 20th out of 120 riders in the masters category. Fitness wise I felt great so now its just putting everything together for the next race at Grizdale. Bring it on!!!!!
Big thanks to Richard Ford at Mountain Bike Garage! The bike is a dream to ride .
Big shout out to the marshals and medical staff, you make it possible for us to keep having fun! And also to the photograpers who always seem to capture the most awesome pictures throughout the day, thanks and look forward to going harder and faster in the next race!
Short video from
Whitenosugar Productions!
https://vimeo.com/160021828
