Lucky clear spell between some big storms.
Smiffy had to settle for 2nd as Ashby takes a win to heat up the title chase
James gets another win and Ron grabs 2nd from Bob in the super old boys.
Rich with tired Mayhem legs also had to settle for second to a flying Ashby.
James Fastest lap 9.21 (lap 3)
Rich Fastest lap 9.55 (lap 6)
Stew Fastest lap 9.24 (lap 6)
Tom Fastest lap 10.16 (lap 6)
Smiffy Fastest lap 9.02 (lap 3)
Jack Fastest lap 9.12 (lap 4)
Steve Fastest lap 9.35 (lap 5)
Brownie Fastest lap 10.08 (lap 6)
Pilch Fastest lap 10.43 (lap 5)
Paul M Fastest lap 11.04 (lap 5)
Ron Fastest lap 9.33 (lap 6)
Bob Fastest lap 9.43 (lap 3)
Saturday, June 27
Monday, June 22
Mountain Mayhem 24 Hr 2009
ich relaxed on the start line.
(photo thanks to Rob Crayton Photos Go buy yours now as a momento. Although Troy might not want reminding of this OUCH)
Singlespeed team of doom and happy 10.
Full results available MOUNTAIN MAYHEM
The team of ten had a chilled/race/boozy weekend which was all the better for the good weather. Thanks to the two Russ's and Mikey who stepped in at short notice to help out with the numbers. A good event for the newbies, Nick and Dan.
Lap times in order of speed, not race order so some are dark laps
2381 Jack Peterson lap 7 00:48:14
2382 Bob Mitchell lap 22 00:50:41 CLICK FOR PHOTO
2390 Nick Wetherell lap 5 00:51:48
2383 Graham Dickens 4 00:52:09
2381 Jack Peterson 16 00:52:44
2382 Bob Mitchell 20 0:52:50
2390 Nick Wetherell 24 00:52:53
2383 Graham Dickens 2 300:53:24
2382 Bob Mitchell 13 00:54:15
2385 Paul Brown 19 00:54:36
2388 Russ Miller 6 00:55:17 (including being late to arrive at changeover)
2388 Russ Miller 3 00:55:34
2389 Dan Rutland 11 00:56:22 CLICK FOR PHOTO
2385 Paul Brown 10 00:56:25
2386 Stewart Knubley 9 00:57:26
2389 Dan Rutland 20 00:57:39
2389 Dan Rutland 25 00:57:51
2386 Stewart Knubley 18 00:58:00
2387 Mikey Reid 21 00:59:01
2390 Nick Wetherell 15 01:01:36
2387 Mikey Reid 12 01:03:27
2384 Russ Stevenson 17 01:05:54
2387 Mikey Reid 10 1:08:20
2383 Graham Dickens 14 01:10:04
2384 Russ Stevenson 8 01:18:28 (including a mile run with bike on shoulder)
Numplumz singlespeeders came in 8th. After agreat start when the boys led the class, unfortunately Troy slid off in a simple crash which had bad consequences...a deep gash to the shin, didnt stop him finishing the lap as he rode 5 miles with what turned out to be a very serious deep cut. 10 sticthes later he was advised to retire to prevent infection and the lads had to carry on with just 3 men. So only one gear, sore legs and less sleep, they dropped down the order dramatically.
1074 Richard Jones 1 00:52:21 (including the run so he was motoring)
1071 Troy Rollason 2 00:53:26
1073 Tom Wright 3 01:03:33
1072 Dave Gardner 4 00:57:52
1074 Richard Jones 5 00:52:21
1073 Tom Wright 6 01:04:38
1072 Dave Gardner 7 01:01:14
1074 Richard Jones 8 00:51:51
1073 Tom Wright 9 01:14:29
1071 Troy Rollason 10 01:02:58
1074 Richard Jones 11 00:54:44
1074 Richard Jones 12 00:58:14
1073 Tom Wright 13 01:29:43
1074 Richard Jones 14 01:51:21
1072 Dave Gardner 15 03:45:56
1071 Troy Rollason 2 00:53:26
1073 Tom Wright 3 01:03:33
1072 Dave Gardner 4 00:57:52
1074 Richard Jones 5 00:52:21
1073 Tom Wright 6 01:04:38
1072 Dave Gardner 7 01:01:14
1074 Richard Jones 8 00:51:51
1073 Tom Wright 9 01:14:29
1071 Troy Rollason 10 01:02:58
1074 Richard Jones 11 00:54:44
1074 Richard Jones 12 00:58:14
1073 Tom Wright 13 01:29:43
1074 Richard Jones 14 01:51:21
1072 Dave Gardner 15 03:45:56
Photos from the lads
Nicks
FNSS 2009 Race 5 Cosford1
Smiffy and James win again
Smiffys Report:
I got out of bed on Friday morning with only one thing on my mind (I’m talking about MTB racing, I promise!), that only a win tonight at Cosford would suffice – anything less would be potential points lost rather than gained. Having looked at the standings so far, I could see myself and Paul Ashby (Fat Birds) on 2 wins and a second place each, with only my 4th at the first round separating us. With good fortune I’d be able to drop this 4th place result later on, but thinking long-term for the championship effectively we’re neck-and-neck. That’s why only a win would do; big words perhaps and it may come across as a bit pretentious to other racers but that was may aim.
With luck, Mountain Mayhem would draw some competition away – something tells me everyone thought this because, but for Ashby himself and Steve Large (unatt), all the usual suspects lined up for the start; namely Phil Roach (Rugby Velo) and both Jef Sharp and John McAndrew (both OTH Ben Heyward). I steeled myself for the start which was in the second wave some 3 minutes behind the seniors, and shot off the front at the whistle. My intention was to take the sting out of the opposition up this first climb abd hopefully get a lead.
It sort of worked; for a start Roach was holding close attendance but he and Sharp swapped positions somewhere just after the start of lap two, because it was Sharp who made a determined attack and passed me going up the long climb next to the woods early on lap two. Such was his speed I didn’t believe I would be able to hang on, but he soon eased as the effort told and I was able to latch back on towards the end of this lap. No disrespect to Jef meant, but he was practically stopping in some of the corners, and I actually hit him negotiating traffic just at the top of the single-track that started lap 3, wrapping a bar-end around a tree and spilling off. The stop was very brief, but sensing his chance Sharp took off at speed. This time up the long fire-road climb he’d gapped me properly, and held me at arms length for the whole of the single-track section at the top of the circuit. On the drop back down towards the farthest corner of the circuit I was able to use my full suspension to advantage, and fairly ate up the gap between us, so once again we finished the lap absolutely together.
This time into the long single-track climb to start the next circulation, Jef didn’t seem to have any firepower and I knew right then I’d got him. I’d got over the early laps efforts and was now feeling really good (if you can ever say that during an all-out fight!). At the top of the climb where I’d had the mishap before I jumped Sharp and made to escape on the very fast downhill single-track section before the long fire-road climb. I held the small gap from him all the way up and sustained the effort for the rest of the lap. This time through to start lap 5 I’d got a definite gap and tried to relax but still stay comfortably ahead. Imagine my horror then when I looked over my shoulder at the highest point on the course to see Sharp not 20 metres behind me and still spoiling for a fight. Does he never give up?
Once more into the open downhill section, and then the new wooded section to end the lap – this time I didn’t look back; it was maximum effort all the way and if I got caught then so be it. The bell to announce the last lap was a relief, but I was unaware I was gaining time from Sharp and the rest of the field. I still would not let up the effort, and my lap times showed a consistency reflecting this. Victory it was; and we’ve got to do it all again in a few weeks! For me the points table is looking a lot healthier but chickens are not to be counted yet – it’s a long season to be sure.
Smiffys Report:
I got out of bed on Friday morning with only one thing on my mind (I’m talking about MTB racing, I promise!), that only a win tonight at Cosford would suffice – anything less would be potential points lost rather than gained. Having looked at the standings so far, I could see myself and Paul Ashby (Fat Birds) on 2 wins and a second place each, with only my 4th at the first round separating us. With good fortune I’d be able to drop this 4th place result later on, but thinking long-term for the championship effectively we’re neck-and-neck. That’s why only a win would do; big words perhaps and it may come across as a bit pretentious to other racers but that was may aim.
With luck, Mountain Mayhem would draw some competition away – something tells me everyone thought this because, but for Ashby himself and Steve Large (unatt), all the usual suspects lined up for the start; namely Phil Roach (Rugby Velo) and both Jef Sharp and John McAndrew (both OTH Ben Heyward). I steeled myself for the start which was in the second wave some 3 minutes behind the seniors, and shot off the front at the whistle. My intention was to take the sting out of the opposition up this first climb abd hopefully get a lead.
It sort of worked; for a start Roach was holding close attendance but he and Sharp swapped positions somewhere just after the start of lap two, because it was Sharp who made a determined attack and passed me going up the long climb next to the woods early on lap two. Such was his speed I didn’t believe I would be able to hang on, but he soon eased as the effort told and I was able to latch back on towards the end of this lap. No disrespect to Jef meant, but he was practically stopping in some of the corners, and I actually hit him negotiating traffic just at the top of the single-track that started lap 3, wrapping a bar-end around a tree and spilling off. The stop was very brief, but sensing his chance Sharp took off at speed. This time up the long fire-road climb he’d gapped me properly, and held me at arms length for the whole of the single-track section at the top of the circuit. On the drop back down towards the farthest corner of the circuit I was able to use my full suspension to advantage, and fairly ate up the gap between us, so once again we finished the lap absolutely together.
This time into the long single-track climb to start the next circulation, Jef didn’t seem to have any firepower and I knew right then I’d got him. I’d got over the early laps efforts and was now feeling really good (if you can ever say that during an all-out fight!). At the top of the climb where I’d had the mishap before I jumped Sharp and made to escape on the very fast downhill single-track section before the long fire-road climb. I held the small gap from him all the way up and sustained the effort for the rest of the lap. This time through to start lap 5 I’d got a definite gap and tried to relax but still stay comfortably ahead. Imagine my horror then when I looked over my shoulder at the highest point on the course to see Sharp not 20 metres behind me and still spoiling for a fight. Does he never give up?
Once more into the open downhill section, and then the new wooded section to end the lap – this time I didn’t look back; it was maximum effort all the way and if I got caught then so be it. The bell to announce the last lap was a relief, but I was unaware I was gaining time from Sharp and the rest of the field. I still would not let up the effort, and my lap times showed a consistency reflecting this. Victory it was; and we’ve got to do it all again in a few weeks! For me the points table is looking a lot healthier but chickens are not to be counted yet – it’s a long season to be sure.
Monday, June 15
Midlands XC Round 2 Hanchurch
Reports from Smiffy:
Results are HERE
(how the others got on to add from results)
It was with not a small amount of apprehension that I approached the Hanchurch course for the first time. A round of the Midlands Series had taken place here last year, and Lloyd Bettles had declared his undying love for the place. I knew this meant one thing, it was a gnarly course – and I wasn’t wrong.
The first climb took riders up to some woods for a quick swoopy descent then more climbing to an open ridge, affording amazing views across the Potteries. No time for sight-seeing; the ridge was covered in bare glass-smooth roots demanding maximum concentration. This was followed by a quick fire-road blast before a mad downhill single-track, then more switch-back action along the valley side (including a wonderful banked downhill course ending in a jump down), before emerging into the most amazing flowing single-track that it’s been my pleasure to ride. More uphill-down dale action and single-track before the final climb to the finish ensured a varied and interesting course. The sheer variety and technical demands frazzled my brains on the practice lap, not helped when a stick tried to modify my rear mech. (see comments on Lloyds blog); I stopped to bend it straight, and once it settled down was better than before, bonus!
To the race itself, I was gridded – wahey! The gun went off, and I was 3rd into the first turn at the bottom of the first ascent. I went up it as fast as I could comfortably without burning myself out, and thus held something like 9th place into the first trees. I didn’t panic for a second; I hadn’t felt 100% at the previous Friday Night race, so I knew not to kill myself. The job now was to recover from the initial effort and start picking off other riders. Pretty soon I was up to 7th and following Paul Moss (unattached) through the fine single-track about 2/3rds through the lap. My Scott Strike was handling like a dream, nothing like the bone-chattering I got on Friday Night, so he couldn’t match the speed I could manage and I was easily able to pass him and set about the top 5. I didn’t get a good run through the ‘roller-coaster’ section before the lap end, so was off pushing – not good!
6th it was through the flag 1st time round, I passed Martin Crocket (unn) and Jonathan Marshall (Belper CC) on the next circulation to get 4th. The course was really coming to me, I was able to nail a lot more sections than earlier and as mentioned above, the Strike was letting me do it. Both Alison and Lloyd shouted encouragement from track-side; lap 3 was a glory of fast climbs and ever more confident descents. I caught and passed a junior rider towards the end of lap 3, but he wasn’t giving up without trying to snatch it back at the roller coaster….I soon left him on the following climb.
No matter what I did I couldn’t make any headway on the podium places, and when grand vet rider Roy Hunt caught and passed me with ease after I’d slipped off briefly on lap 4 I must admit my head sunk a little, not to mention catching traffic at the sandy descent and getting a right tank-slapper on! But what’s this? Previous round winner Geoff Giddings off his bike fixing some sort of mechanical at the side of the track (it turned out he’d crashed then punctured). He looked like he was almost ready to re-mount so I threw the coals on the fire and gave it the lot towards the finish. I needn’t have worried, he got 6th in the end, but I was 3rd over the line. I celebrated so loudly James Hyde thought I’d won it for a second. Inherited or earned, a podium it was – sweet!
Results are HERE
(how the others got on to add from results)
It was with not a small amount of apprehension that I approached the Hanchurch course for the first time. A round of the Midlands Series had taken place here last year, and Lloyd Bettles had declared his undying love for the place. I knew this meant one thing, it was a gnarly course – and I wasn’t wrong.
The first climb took riders up to some woods for a quick swoopy descent then more climbing to an open ridge, affording amazing views across the Potteries. No time for sight-seeing; the ridge was covered in bare glass-smooth roots demanding maximum concentration. This was followed by a quick fire-road blast before a mad downhill single-track, then more switch-back action along the valley side (including a wonderful banked downhill course ending in a jump down), before emerging into the most amazing flowing single-track that it’s been my pleasure to ride. More uphill-down dale action and single-track before the final climb to the finish ensured a varied and interesting course. The sheer variety and technical demands frazzled my brains on the practice lap, not helped when a stick tried to modify my rear mech. (see comments on Lloyds blog); I stopped to bend it straight, and once it settled down was better than before, bonus!
To the race itself, I was gridded – wahey! The gun went off, and I was 3rd into the first turn at the bottom of the first ascent. I went up it as fast as I could comfortably without burning myself out, and thus held something like 9th place into the first trees. I didn’t panic for a second; I hadn’t felt 100% at the previous Friday Night race, so I knew not to kill myself. The job now was to recover from the initial effort and start picking off other riders. Pretty soon I was up to 7th and following Paul Moss (unattached) through the fine single-track about 2/3rds through the lap. My Scott Strike was handling like a dream, nothing like the bone-chattering I got on Friday Night, so he couldn’t match the speed I could manage and I was easily able to pass him and set about the top 5. I didn’t get a good run through the ‘roller-coaster’ section before the lap end, so was off pushing – not good!
6th it was through the flag 1st time round, I passed Martin Crocket (unn) and Jonathan Marshall (Belper CC) on the next circulation to get 4th. The course was really coming to me, I was able to nail a lot more sections than earlier and as mentioned above, the Strike was letting me do it. Both Alison and Lloyd shouted encouragement from track-side; lap 3 was a glory of fast climbs and ever more confident descents. I caught and passed a junior rider towards the end of lap 3, but he wasn’t giving up without trying to snatch it back at the roller coaster….I soon left him on the following climb.
No matter what I did I couldn’t make any headway on the podium places, and when grand vet rider Roy Hunt caught and passed me with ease after I’d slipped off briefly on lap 4 I must admit my head sunk a little, not to mention catching traffic at the sandy descent and getting a right tank-slapper on! But what’s this? Previous round winner Geoff Giddings off his bike fixing some sort of mechanical at the side of the track (it turned out he’d crashed then punctured). He looked like he was almost ready to re-mount so I threw the coals on the fire and gave it the lot towards the finish. I needn’t have worried, he got 6th in the end, but I was 3rd over the line. I celebrated so loudly James Hyde thought I’d won it for a second. Inherited or earned, a podium it was – sweet!
Sunday, June 7
Bristol Bike Fest
The Pitsford crew hit the 6hr and got 4th place. Shane Brad messed up their first lap though...Plonker.
RESULTS
Info to add
RESULTS
Info to add
Thursday, June 4
NCRA Handicap summer series Race 1 - 2009
From the Rocko Clubhouse but because of deep gravel on the finish area (has been enough carnage over the years already) the Devils course was used, 3 times up the hill.
Results some time
Brownie rode really well and stayed up the front and we think got 6th or so in the sprint, Graham and Steve flew the plumz flag too. Steves bad luck on the tarmac continued with a puncture.
Photos from Sarah are available, heres some video from the raucous Plumz cheerleaders... especially Burty.
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