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Post by alib on Aug 31, 2014 23:00:17 GMT 1
Not easy to find this one... Not for me anyways Link below for the registration summitmountainbiking.com
Click here to get there
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Post by barryvankellett on Sept 11, 2014 11:42:13 GMT 1
I've got my name down. Now I just have to convince myself to turn up.
I'll hang back and wait til the Vets race catch up, do a big turn for Mawhirt so long as he brings home the bacon for the club... Paul? Hello?
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johns
Club member 
Posts: 173
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Post by johns on Sept 11, 2014 13:57:07 GMT 1
Signed up too. What's the story with the feed stations do they take your bottles out for you or do you have to leave them off yourself?
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Post by barryvankellett on Sept 11, 2014 14:33:39 GMT 1
They take them out as I understand it, so do not miss the waterbottle drop off on sunday morning. Otherwise you will probably end up parched on the hillside with Mountain rescue looking for you.
In previous years Marathons you labelled your bottles and there would be a volunteer or two at the feed zones who would laugh at your sub walking pace effort up to the area and would have plenty of time to find your clearly labelled bottle on the table and hand it off to you thus denying you the chance of a wee breather.
I can't see any reference to such a system for this. I might collect my race pack on the saturday if you want to go down, there is a race briefing which may cover it.
I'd say it will be the only thing that is remotely brief about the event.
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johns
Club member
Posts: 173
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Post by johns on Sept 11, 2014 20:53:22 GMT 1
I'd say you're right. Have the milker book for both milkings so I can get there early. Can't head up Sat will be milking.
Looking at the map it looks like the climb up to near Santa's cottage is on the road any know if it is or is there a trail alongside the road?
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Post by barryvankellett on Sept 11, 2014 21:38:33 GMT 1
I'd say you're right. Have the milker book for both milkings so I can get there early. Can't head up Sat will be milking. Looking at the map it looks like the climb up to near Santa's cottage is on the road any know if it is or is there a trail alongside the road? Red loop to the yellow water river crossing. Down the fire road missing out the single track at about 50mph... Out on the road I think for a wee short bit but the 2nd climb is 100% off road. I haven't done it in years but it's not one you'll forget. Open mountain. Beautiful scenery. Stop and take a few photos. Hits a peaty section up top which should be dry and rideable. Down a short open mountain and back on the red loop back near where you left it to get back to the start... For lap 2 |
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Post by barryvankellett on Sept 15, 2014 10:38:00 GMT 1
 Well that was an experience. Almost 24 hours later and I am still unsure whether the thumping headache I have is from exhaustion, dehydration or using my face as a makeshift brake early on lap 2. It's probably a combination of all three in truth. The race started OK, with some less than familiar faces smashing off at a rate of knots as if they were beginning a cyclocross race. The comical laughter soon abated as we hit the first section of woods on the pre-loop and those excited few in front were having major problems with the terrain, so I decided early to cut them all off in one fell swoop up the inside of a corner. Except the ground off the beaten track was very loose and I promptly fell over. Dislodging my class wee spares pack on my seat post. Determined though, I pushed past these lads and on up the first big hill. Sherlock and Montgomery are already as good as gone. Onto the first wee section of trail centre and it is pretty rough. So rough my dislodged race pack explodes all over the trail. Superb. The fear of a dreaded puncture goes up a level or 3. The first lap was pretty good in so much that I felt good on the climbs and rode pretty well, but struggled on the trail centre descents which I hold no love for. Sitting in 3rd place at Batts wall with Ray O'Shaunnessy just beside me and Graham Boyd in pursuit. Ray went down the mountain side like something from ski Sunday. Graham caught me by the bottom and pushed past on the rest of the loop. As lap 2 started I could see I was making a bit of time up on those two again up the big fire road climb, they were only about 30 seconds ahead at this stage so I was confident I could get back up to them. However, entering the section where my pack fell off earlier I noticed my tube on the ground and my tyre levers, excitedly I scanned the trail for my beloved lezyne pump. Yea, I should really have been looking where I was going and seen the tree instead of clipping my bars off it and then my knee off the stem. Absolute agony. Ss the knee pain started to subside, I started to try and power on to chase the lost cause. Taking a few risks too many on the faster sections I ended up driving my bike straight into one of those lovely trail anchor rocks. Over the bars and face into the ground quicker than Nathan Mullan after a white van. I lay in the ditch for a few minutes wheezing. I have a permanent "NIMRAG" stamped on my chest now from the heart rate monitor. The Marshall at the end of that section assured me it didn't look as bad as it felt so I rode on not wanting to let the fans down. And anyway, a bit of facial blood makes you look double hard? Right? Managed to digest the zipvit SOS gel thing - and the next hour and 45 minutes passed by in a haze of a caffeine induced high. I caught back up with Banbridge's Joe Penny who had left me to die in the ditch, and managed to ride on to 5th place. I would have struggled to do much better without the crash and the wee lie down, but my face definitely wouldn't hurt as much this morning. Well done to all the Dromara guys taking part, Adi Booth and John Shanks in 17th and 18th places in Masters. Obviously holding hands round the route. Paul Mawhirt with an excellent 13th place in the super strong Vets category. Richard Campbell also coming in 22nd in Vets. Robert Davison came in a strong 8th place in super vets, with Mike Barton also using the super vets race as prep for the 3 peaks, and in true Mo Farrah style - stuck to the training plan with a lap to go! Result of the day was Peter Davison, 2nd in the Fun Loop. Essentially the Youth section with a few older guys sand bagging looking a last pay day. RESULTS |
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Post by manuel6b on Sept 15, 2014 11:13:42 GMT 1
Brilliant report Barry. Super result for you in a strong field of riders.
Overall it was a great event. Well done to all the DCC lads who took this one on.
A long day in the saddle (longer without the butt cream!!)
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Post by barryvankellett on Sept 15, 2014 12:43:44 GMT 1
Cheers Martin.
Very happy with 5th, especially given the crash and almost pulling out, and also given my prep for the last few weeks.
Fair dues to anyone that completed it.
By far the hardest day out on a bike for me, ever.
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Post by garybailie on Sept 15, 2014 20:50:52 GMT 1
Great report Barry, well done to you and all the other Dromara riders, great results! Sounds brutal... I'll miss that wee leyzne pump, saved my bacon that day !!!!! Xmas list  |
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Post by petrfd on Sept 15, 2014 21:27:14 GMT 1
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Post by alib on Sept 15, 2014 22:57:30 GMT 1
Well done guys. Im guessing the conditions were pretty sweet. Was a little envious of those competing Even though id have blown up after a half hr never mind the time you were out battling.  Good report barry btw |
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