Post by bryce on Jan 19, 2014 21:40:12 GMT 1
Lakeland MTB race 19.01.14
Sunday 19th January saw the first of two rounds of highly competitive MTB racing at Brookeborough's expansive Colebrook estate in Co.Fermanagh. The series consists of everything from balance bike racing, kids races, a Senior ladies race, and male 'A' & 'B' race, truly something for everybody.
It was a cold day with the Sun not climbing too high in the sky, but more importantly it was dry and the course was holding up well. Lakeland had put a lot of time and effort into the design of the course to ensure that it was a test of fitness and skill and they didn't disappoint.
Martin Grimley was commissaire for the day and set off the A race just after one o' clock, with the Under 16, B race and ladies at intervals after. Martin couldn't take part in the race due to other commitments but hopefully he will be available for the next one.
Representing DCC were Aidy Booth and I and somehow we reckoned that as we had taken part in races previously, that we really should give the 'A' race a rattle and see what would happen. After all, Aidy finished comfortably inside the top 10 of UXC MTB series Senior 3 category last year. I had recently competed in the autumn CX MTB support races. The 'B' race was aimed at beginners, novices and those new to MTB racing.
With names on the starting line up, like Kinning, Caldwell, McKee and Kellett, Aidy and I didn't really know what we had let ourselves in for. The joviality "good lucks" and "what about ye auld han" all gave way when Martin announced the usual "Anytime in the next 15 seconds" signalling the start was upon us. No backing out now.
At the whistle Aidy got a flying start to find a line around the outside and gain some positions. At the back of the grid I got hemmed in and it was hard to get away, Brian Kellett had a shocker of a start and lost any position he had and fell towards the back of the field. I knew though that Brian would be back as he is a strong and competitive rider.
The tarmac Start straight was short and a 90Deg left brought us on to a mucky double track. All of this helping shake the field out before the first encounter on to dry fast forest singletrack. Here the first of the "obstacles" upset a few riders and Aidy and I were both battling through to fight for position.
Onto more mucky lanes, a short forest section with well placed logs as obstacles and out on to a grassy climb. By this time, even on the first lap the field was well strung out and Brian kellet had caught up with Aidy who was right behind me. In one way I was glad to have familiar faces to race against, in another way those faces were Aidys and Brians! This was lap one and I was putting a big effort already, We had six laps to do at 20mins per lap predicted and when your only used to racing Senior 4 and club races that are around 40mins to one hour long the task seemed daunting.
After the grassy climb came a short steep loose descent onto more grass and up the slippy bank on the other side, with the only option to get off and push, when you see Gareth McKee get off and push then its not so bad!
Further on the course had technical climbs, a "berm bowl" and "Drumkeeragh" style section complete with wooden bridge. The ground remained in good shape throughout the race with new lines opening up with each lap that went by and it really kept you on your toes.
3 laps in and Aidy and I were still together, Brian had slipped back a bit and we wouldn't see him until the finish line. On this lap Aidy and I were lapped first of all by Kinning and shortly after McKee.
On the fourth lap I reckoned then that we would be doing a 5 lap race. Aidy had also come to same conclusion and put the hammer down, shouting encouragement as he passed.
On the final climb up a grassy switchback through some trees Aidy was away and I had lost touch, he was now several seconds in front. Would there be another lap? From the final descent to the start/finish I could see Aidy commence another lap... I still had a chance, we were doing 6 laps afterall despite being lapped already. I knew I always caught him on the tar and mucky path into the singletrack and the final lap 6 would be no different. By this time I knew my legs hadn't much left, but this was the last lap and a chance to beat Aidy. I didn't want it to go begging. At this stage we were lapping some of the 'B' riders so maybe the race was the right choice even if were down the rankings.
The lap was again another ding-dong session with Aidy making a move on me on the approach to "Drumkeeragh" I thought "Its OK he'll keep for now" but he stretched his lead again and now it was my turn to put in the big effort.
On the final ascent up the grassy switchback I had caught Aidy, but time was running out, when should I attack? With tired legs and only a sprint after this section I had to make a move asap. I went to his right to go over a tree root to get into the descent first to give myself the best chance, at that moment for some reason Aidys bike swerved into my path but he couldn't have known I was there as I never shouted nor did he look. The inevitable contact ensued and I ended up on the ground! I had just ran out of skill a moment too soon. Aidy looked behind, paused to make sure all was OK and rode on. I'm sure if it was someone from another club he may have not been so sympathetic! Further proof that the move was unintentional.
Aidy naturally went on to finish ahead of me and well done to him, hes a tough competitor and one that someday, maybe, I will get the better of! Its a two race series and who knows what will happen at the next one...
Thanks in particular to Lakeland CC, BK Senior, MG, and Aidy B for making a great days racing!
Sunday 19th January saw the first of two rounds of highly competitive MTB racing at Brookeborough's expansive Colebrook estate in Co.Fermanagh. The series consists of everything from balance bike racing, kids races, a Senior ladies race, and male 'A' & 'B' race, truly something for everybody.
It was a cold day with the Sun not climbing too high in the sky, but more importantly it was dry and the course was holding up well. Lakeland had put a lot of time and effort into the design of the course to ensure that it was a test of fitness and skill and they didn't disappoint.
Martin Grimley was commissaire for the day and set off the A race just after one o' clock, with the Under 16, B race and ladies at intervals after. Martin couldn't take part in the race due to other commitments but hopefully he will be available for the next one.
Representing DCC were Aidy Booth and I and somehow we reckoned that as we had taken part in races previously, that we really should give the 'A' race a rattle and see what would happen. After all, Aidy finished comfortably inside the top 10 of UXC MTB series Senior 3 category last year. I had recently competed in the autumn CX MTB support races. The 'B' race was aimed at beginners, novices and those new to MTB racing.
With names on the starting line up, like Kinning, Caldwell, McKee and Kellett, Aidy and I didn't really know what we had let ourselves in for. The joviality "good lucks" and "what about ye auld han" all gave way when Martin announced the usual "Anytime in the next 15 seconds" signalling the start was upon us. No backing out now.
At the whistle Aidy got a flying start to find a line around the outside and gain some positions. At the back of the grid I got hemmed in and it was hard to get away, Brian Kellett had a shocker of a start and lost any position he had and fell towards the back of the field. I knew though that Brian would be back as he is a strong and competitive rider.
The tarmac Start straight was short and a 90Deg left brought us on to a mucky double track. All of this helping shake the field out before the first encounter on to dry fast forest singletrack. Here the first of the "obstacles" upset a few riders and Aidy and I were both battling through to fight for position.
Onto more mucky lanes, a short forest section with well placed logs as obstacles and out on to a grassy climb. By this time, even on the first lap the field was well strung out and Brian kellet had caught up with Aidy who was right behind me. In one way I was glad to have familiar faces to race against, in another way those faces were Aidys and Brians! This was lap one and I was putting a big effort already, We had six laps to do at 20mins per lap predicted and when your only used to racing Senior 4 and club races that are around 40mins to one hour long the task seemed daunting.
After the grassy climb came a short steep loose descent onto more grass and up the slippy bank on the other side, with the only option to get off and push, when you see Gareth McKee get off and push then its not so bad!
Further on the course had technical climbs, a "berm bowl" and "Drumkeeragh" style section complete with wooden bridge. The ground remained in good shape throughout the race with new lines opening up with each lap that went by and it really kept you on your toes.
3 laps in and Aidy and I were still together, Brian had slipped back a bit and we wouldn't see him until the finish line. On this lap Aidy and I were lapped first of all by Kinning and shortly after McKee.
On the fourth lap I reckoned then that we would be doing a 5 lap race. Aidy had also come to same conclusion and put the hammer down, shouting encouragement as he passed.
On the final climb up a grassy switchback through some trees Aidy was away and I had lost touch, he was now several seconds in front. Would there be another lap? From the final descent to the start/finish I could see Aidy commence another lap... I still had a chance, we were doing 6 laps afterall despite being lapped already. I knew I always caught him on the tar and mucky path into the singletrack and the final lap 6 would be no different. By this time I knew my legs hadn't much left, but this was the last lap and a chance to beat Aidy. I didn't want it to go begging. At this stage we were lapping some of the 'B' riders so maybe the race was the right choice even if were down the rankings.
The lap was again another ding-dong session with Aidy making a move on me on the approach to "Drumkeeragh" I thought "Its OK he'll keep for now" but he stretched his lead again and now it was my turn to put in the big effort.
On the final ascent up the grassy switchback I had caught Aidy, but time was running out, when should I attack? With tired legs and only a sprint after this section I had to make a move asap. I went to his right to go over a tree root to get into the descent first to give myself the best chance, at that moment for some reason Aidys bike swerved into my path but he couldn't have known I was there as I never shouted nor did he look. The inevitable contact ensued and I ended up on the ground! I had just ran out of skill a moment too soon. Aidy looked behind, paused to make sure all was OK and rode on. I'm sure if it was someone from another club he may have not been so sympathetic! Further proof that the move was unintentional.
Aidy naturally went on to finish ahead of me and well done to him, hes a tough competitor and one that someday, maybe, I will get the better of! Its a two race series and who knows what will happen at the next one...
Thanks in particular to Lakeland CC, BK Senior, MG, and Aidy B for making a great days racing!
