The Plumz riders VIEW FROM the sharp end of racing (hopefully)
BigRing
Well now, after the fastest and what I thought was one of the most dangerous starts in the history of starts; all down hill at a top speed 38 mph.
Four of us soon pulled away very quickly on the first climb, James Lett was leading to the top when just before the twisty section Rob used his experience and jumped in first and of course me still being wet behind the ears went in last.
After a few real tight corners in the dense woods the two buffoons in front of me decided to crash leaving Rob to get away again , not too far this time but enough. We could all see him and chased hard, I was struggling to keep up and on a particularly rooty section I fell back maybe 200 metres. (you need some suspension you do...JP). Bum I thought and was actually resigned to ride for 4th place ,but after a couple of more climbs my legs started working properly and I started to reel them in .The two in front came and went quite easily ,and surely the leader was just around the corner.
I was climbing very powerfully but strugling a bit on the flat rooty sections, not being able to find a good rhythm on the S-works. Lap two was pretty normal chasing I could see Rob quite a lot but couldn't get up to him. I hooked my bar end round a tree and went arse over tit in the woods but crossed the line still in second place so I decided to chase down the super masters who were not being very super. Started seeing Rob more chased harder but also saw 3rd place gaining ,bugger ,wasn't worried though I still felt pretty good and when I passed the 5th placed super master he said to go hard Robs not to far ahead and fading. Trouble was there were only two climbs left to the finish, and the results tell you the rest of the story. I think that's my favourite course plus it suited me much better being longer . Round four is going to be MINE !!!!!!
- Smiffy
We were held back for 1/2 hour before the race started because of timing difficulties. This meant we were all gently cooking in the sun, and breakfast was more and more a distant memory, not good.
What was good, as we were gridded there was no Ben Dale, trying not to dwell on it I realised we were all pushed one place up the overall results table, riders had to participate in the last round to qualify.
Harrison from Marie Curie was quickly into the lead, together with myself, Gary Coltman (LORC), Chris Truett (USAVE), Denby Sinclair and Gavin Rumbles (Luton CC). We held close attendance for most of the first lap until Coltman slipped in the 'mudbath', letting some of us get away a little. Rumbles came through like a train and whipped off in pursuit of Harrison at great speed, this was brought to a halt by a puncture for him at the start of lap 2.
Harrison disappeared, but I got involved in a grisly scrap with Truett, Sinclair and Coltman. Truett slowly moved away followed by Coltman, leaving Denby and myself.
Denby came past and tried to get way, but I was able to stay with him, and we worked together well, keeping similar pace through lap 2 and early lap 3. Guess what, both Coltman then Truett went 'bang' in quick succession, meanwhile Denby also disappeared out the back between the other two, leaving me alone in 2nd place. Talk about the race coming to me.
I knew I'd have to stop for a fresh bottle at the start of lap four and was worried how this would affect my position, it didn't matter a toss 'coz I was far enough ahead to stay 2nd.
Meanwhile, Lloyd was having a ball a bit further back and was conducting a real 'burn from the stern', to the point where he was occasionally spotting me up ahead, that was until cramp set in and pulled him back a bit. I was running scared on lap four, out of the saddle on every corner, and daring not to look back. I heard nobody coming up behind and finally stole a look close to then end of the lap.
My rear was clear (so to speak) so I backed right off and cruised into the finish, having had 2nd almost 'gifted' to me It got better, Truett had pulled out, which put me 2nd overall in the championship.
What an afternoon. I really felt for Lloyd, without his cramp he may well have come past.
- Smiffy
It was a calculated risk to 'compete' at the final round, but I felt that as champion it was correct to give it a try. Though not fully fit from my back injury 3 weeks previously I didn't feel too bad so once more I faced the starters 'horn'. ( "where were you looking mate J.P")
Got away nicely with the 'scratch' group, I knew that Matt Barrett (Websters Cycles) would clear off as previously, but soon enough Keith Sperry and I were bringing up the back of the field. "Ha Ha Smiffy last in race shocker"
Being a fun race I wasn't sure wether I'd feel 'up for it', passing Jack and moving away quickly dispelled any doubts, we were on it fine style. Caught and passed Adi, then Phil Hughes, but Phil wasn't going down without a fight and soon re-took the place. His renewed effort didn't last and soon I was past and making it stick. The final member of the scratch group was Pete Harris and typically he was very quick down the straights and he proved just too fast to catch.
Too soon the 6 laps were up, Pete had caught his daughter, Niki and shadowed her to the end making sure I wasn't too close, I wasn't and that's how it finished. It turned out that a couple of 'ringers' had tied up the results and prize money, perhaps next year only pre-entries will be eligible or something!
The prizegiving was cool, and the bbq wrapped it all up nicely.
There's a few people I must thank. Neil Holman, step up, you did a brilliant job, as did Martin Eadon stepping in at short notice to fix up the cancelled round. I have to thank Jack, coz if he hadn't took me on as a Plumster I'm not sure I'd be writing this now. "too right you'd be in another team you fool" Thanks also to Adi and Phil for making it so bloody difficult, and ultimately very satisfying. And finally I have to thank Stu Knubley, he got me into racing in the first place so he must take some of the credit for this season's success. Cheers Stu.
It goes without saying that I really enjoyed the FNSS this season, and I hope that I'm a worthy champion in everyone's eyes (even if I have trouble with jumps, oops!)
- J.P.
-Another fast mad one round Clipstone, not for me though, against all my killer Instincts I cruised off the start line and followed for a lap, Pete and Keith could sweat all they liked, I wasn't joining in....yet.
2nd lap and the red mist came down, up from a dull first lap 12th, I picked them off easily untill getting to 7th and Gary Houghton and a Marie curie rider, they latched don when I passed and woke up. So out came the sweat glands and we Ripped. I pulverized them in the dual bit and the singletrack before bang..
I smacked a root trying to pedal too early in a corner and threw my chain off, it was an origami puzzle to get it back on, and they both came past again...DOH
So off we went and I had to do it all again, next lap same place and same result, killed em, wonder if I could have caught Keith up If I'd tried a bit more....Who cares..Racing is more fun that way.
- J.P.
-Off we went after shivering at the start for ever, the first bit was doing a good impersonation of a paddy field, and the other riders seemed to be sinking.
I had no intention of going fast, all I had to do was shadow Ron and make sure he never nicked 3rd overall from me.
But No, these guys needed a lesson in how to ride in tricky conditions, and I gave it too them, it was like everyone else stopped dead on lap 1 and 2, shame it never lasted though.
I blew big style after that and was real lucky to hang onto 2nd, and Ron smelling a chance on the final lap overdid it and bent a tree with his collarbone in the effort.
A broken collarbone the result, not a nice way to be relieved of your title, Get well soon mate, and well done to Pete Harris and Keith Sperry for a tough close season for us all.
- J.P.
-Ouch my feet hands and sunburn ache.
- Smiffy
Even Bigger Ouch than yours
- BigRing
I was catching Sperry and Cowland easily, but with only 3 gears I had to pick one that worked for all the hills and just spin on the downs...Bugger.
Coxy
Take that Dabs, eat my shorts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rugby Velo -Cosford (replacement for Milton Keynes) Round 11 result
- J.P.
-So after the plumz poll, which seemed to indicate a preference for an anticlockwise route, we lined up to go Clockwise, there's no rumour that this was the preferred way for me and Ron, but Smiffy told Martin this way won (well done mate) so off we went.
1 lap later and I'd forgotten how much of a killer the climb was, can we go the other way.......
Managed to lead out for just over a lap, before Pete Harris passed me, I stuck in there and even though maxing out on the climbs, I could keep with him this time.
Following Pete with ease in the singletrack, gave me some confidence, could a first win be on here, Nope Pete answered by kicking big time up the climb on about lap 4 and that was it. I could get it back in the bottom wood, but was then buggered for the rest of the lap. just concentrated on keeping Ron at bay to boost my points a bit. Ron gained 1 series point with his 3rd and I got 3 for 2nd so I'm now in 2nd overall by 1 point. (untill Pete gets a sixth result and cleans up)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Smiffy
Had elected to build up my hardtail for the remaining 'sprint' races of the season, when I first took it thru' the woods for a shake-down I thought I'd made a BIG mistake, the bike didn't wanna steer and it was shaking me to pieces. (nothing to do with me kicking your Arse there then- JP)
Hmm! A change in style might be in order for the race.... We started uphill by the 'car-park' and turned right up past the woods before diving back inside again.
Young Harris got a roasting start, 4 Shredded Wheats today? He was away with myself, Gavin Rumbles (Luton CC) and Adi in lukewarm pursuit, before another rider whipped past all of us to lead into the woods.
This was BAD, this new rider was just too slow thru the turns and while Harris junior scampered off the rest of us were just cruising behind the 'blockage'.
We all scrambled past and I did my best to cling onto Adi as he set about the gap to Harris. Up the big climb and Gavin came past, that was me 4th and taking stock. Would I be coming under attack from Phil Hughes? Could I hold position or should I try and attack, the pain in my chest and legs said keep postion. For the next lap we closed up until we were a group of four proper. The dry dusty conditions suited my Hutchinson tyres, they had proved their worth here previously.
Harris dropped back, and Adi slowly tailed off a little which left Gavin and myself up front. I was happy to lead and set the pace, which as Gavin will testify was okay on the fast bits but cautious in the rooty woods. With 3 to go Gavins head drooped, he couldn't believe we'd been round so many times already, and there were still 3 to go. Mind you, I was doing everything possible to shake him off, but for all the gap I pulled out up the hill, Gavin would pull it all back in the woods. This went on until on the last lap I'd just got 10-15 seconds on him, and that was enough to seal it. Another win, completely unexpected but very welcome. Interesting that the 'podium' was filled with hard-tails.
See you all at Wadenhoe
- Smiffy
Imagine the scene, it's getting dark and the ground is slippy under-foot.
I can hear the squealing and crashing noise following through the woods behind me.
No matter how fast I try to go the noise is getting closer, I'm desperate to get away but always it's getting closer....
Was this scene from some trashy 'b' rated horror movie?
No, it was the last lap of last Friday's relay race and Jack was chasing me down.
Wearing jeans and a flapping open waistcoat (fancy dress you see!) I'd got no hope of increasing speed, in fact I was laughing out loud as he was catching me.
Too late, I emerged from the woods and secured 2nd place for our team (see Ron for the team name, it's Dutch!).
Jack was beside himself 'coz it was the last lap and he hadn't realised our race was 'for position'. We put in two teams, we were Ricky Cox, Ron Rutgers, myself and specal guest star Alison Sheppard, the only lady who bothered to turn up on the night. (think there was 1 more actullay Smiffy ..JP)
Jack partnered off with Dave Palmer from KCC. Alison set off first and had a steady opening lap until she had a big 'off' towards the end, walking in dripping blood and trailing bits of bike. I set off and did my lap, handing over to Ron, who handed on to Ricky.
Meanwhile, our other team (stay with me here) had got a good start, being Ricky, Ron, Ricky again (coz Alison was crocked) then myself.
It was on this last lap that Jack was reeling me in, darkness and mud were no worries for him. I really must eat more carrots to improve my night vision, ahem. So our 'b' team were 2nd overall, the 'a' team much further down.
Hats off to Ricky for putting in 3 racing laps to everyone elses two, and to Alison for even trying it in the first place, after all this was her first ever race (and last if the whining after was anything to go by - only joking dear).
A most enjoyable time was had by all, I'll be happy to give it another go next time if anyone/everyone else is willing.
Speaking to Lloyd just before the race I was explaining that the title was not secure and that I had to beat both Phil Hughes and Adi Scott to win the series overall, and if this meant winning the race tonight then so be it.
He was pulling my leg about it saying that no-one was gonna win the last four rounds straight. We would see.....
We started on a dog leg just below Pitsford cycles car park, this lead to some 'bumping and boring' into the first corner, Dabs (Scott Clipstone) and I got tangled up and it was all a bit fraught. Was about 10th into the fast swoops towards the first climb, eating up places left and right, Phil Hughes was right with me and I could see Adi scampering off with another at the head of the field. No panic, I set about making up the places and reeling Adi in, which I did passing him just at the start of lap 2.
Feeling quite strong I tried to make a break towards the guy up ahead, neither Adi or I knew who he was, both thinking he was a veteran or just visiting the series (turns out he's Matt Barrett, Jack's tip for overall honours pre-season).
Matt wasn't to be caught today, no matter what I did he always had just a little bit extra and slowly he moved away. Looking back I could still see Adi real close so I had to keep my head down and go for it. I couldn't see Phil Hughes further back, he wasn't having such a good day and would ultimately be caught and passed by Lloyd (fantastic result).
This left me to savour my last laps before I won the championship. It was very difficult to concentrate on the race knowing what it meant if we all cossed the line in our current positions. I made no mistakes and Adi was a distance behind so the finish was real comfortable. That's it, I've actually won a championship. It was a close thing in the Gorricks earlier this year, but this is the real deal. I'm so proud to have added my name to the previous title winners, Martin Smith, Adi, Jack, (Ah Shucks, JP) Carl etc. After the race a photographer from the Chron & Echo took photos of us three, and some of myself when he learned I'd won the champs. Excellent See you all at Cosford for the team relay, that should be a laugh, fancy dress anyone?
- J.P.
-Boy did I still have my work shutdown in my legs, it was big chunky tyres and playtime for me tonight, and it was a fun little course. Even got a good start, but then Ron and Keith blew past me easily on the first long climb. Then Garry Hill disapeared, leaving me to play with Papa Roach. Last lap I put the hammer down and actually chowed alittle of what might have been.
Cracking win for Ron now puts me down to 3rd overall, its hotting up with the rounds running out fast.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Smiffy
Had too high gear selected for the off so was swamped into the first corner, perhaps 10th place. Jack knew this coz he came past a few moments later also.
It took most of lap one to get anywhere near the front group. By this time eventual winner Mike Jackson had disappeared, I didn't mind that because he'd kicked my butt all around the Gorrick races anyway. All I concentrated on doing was beating my nearest championship rival, today it was Adi.
Latched onto him and Gavin Rumbles, Gav soon went backwards still suffering from the 24 hr race, but Adi was typically zingy in the singletack and was firing out of corners in good style.
My bike started to mess me about, I was getting chain suck and the chain wanted to go on the big ring all the time again (this occurred before at a Gorrick). The guy who was in the same little group with us (sorry chap, didn't get your name) was moved to comment about the agricultural noises coming from my transmission. Adi later said he could hear it behind him and was 'praying' for my chain to break, charming!
Notwithstanding, I was able to stay with these two, and by lap four we were fair set for a good showdown, but I almost lost Adi when he jumped away in traffic. I'd rehearsed where I was gonna attack Adi and was able to get on his wheel, attack, and make the gap stick, meanwhile he was involved in a scrap with the other member of our little group. Having ridden the last two laps on the big ring only I was really happy to get 2nd place and to beat Adi, who was 4th in the end just beaten in the sprint.
- J.P.
-Got away pretty smartish from the line, even if I did get well squeezed as the sides tried to meet the middle. How many times do we have to say it. Narrow start grids are the only way to start a race like this. Held station behind vic for a bit then went through on the first climb. Across the field and Ron flew past after the unstopable Keith. Then back to the start bit and bang....someone hit a switch and I was a goner. Possibly the first FNSS race I've pulled out of, so I helped Rick with the lap scoring and sacrificed my drink to Ricky who suffered with the super long distance.
Keith has it all but sewn up now, and Ron has a big eye on my second place, and on current form he will get it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Smiffy
What a race again, I was so looking forward to this race after the start line pile up last year and the chase back to an eventual 6th.
The start line was moved this year to an uphill section about 1/2 way round the lap, this was much better and thinned the field very quickly. I got away with Adi Scott and a couple of others only to have Clippo (Scott Clipstone) come flying by before the meadow turn (that boy is already so fast,what's he gonna be like as a senior?).
Adi saw this and tried to get away, it took me a second to get past Clippo so the chase was on. Got onto Adi's back wheel towards the middle of the lap only to hear Phil Hughes coming up behind, so once again it was a race with the usual suspects.
I knew I had to try and break up the group so I worked hard with whoever was prepared to force the pace. This worked and soon Adi was dropping off, leaving Phil and I out front. The dilemma was what to do now, Phil was fresh from his holiday and was riding real strong, especially on the gravel track towards the meadow. I worked out that he was a touch slow coming out of the 180 deg turn at the end of the lap so if it came to the last lap I'd attack there.
Phil mis-heard the lap scorer and went a lap too soon for the finish, took the 'flag' only to be told he had another lap. We kept at it for the last lap, this time Phil allowed me to lead much more, so much for my attack plan, or so I thought. I went for it anyway, leading out and this time Phil had no answer so I took the win. Phil had ridden really well and I feel that without the false finish he might have snatched the victory.
Adi was secure in third having rattled us all at the start, and Clippo wasn't far behind him, scary. Fantastic, that's four wins from seven races. If I'd been told this is how it would be I wouldn't have believed them.
- J.P.
-Another blistering Rugby race, no one could live with Keith and he's got to be favourite for the series unless Pete manages to get 6 in and blow us all away.
The early battle saw me dragging Scott and Stu round even though I didn't have much there, the Ti-X performed superbly, better than the Surge which is now almost confined to the Bin. Either that or the dreaded last hope...A Singlespeed.
Anyway Ron joined us fast and after telling him not to slow or drag me round. I then would not let him go. Gary Hill was having another top ride and I could not let Keith get any more points on me. The Sprint, well Ron did try the break and I like a complete shit passed him on the line, racing sucks sometimes when you have to be competitive.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Smiffy
What a race, well I would say that having won it.
The start was up the long drag at the back of the rugby field, Martin Eadon and Gary Mobbs (Treads, I think) got blistering starts, Adi Scott & I slotted in 3rd and 4th.
Soon we were past and opening up a small lead over eventual 3rd placer and first vet Keith Sperry (Welland Valley). Adi was riding real strong and with the windy conditions there was no way I could make a break, so we shared the work and moved away. Adi did have his moments, stalling on the turn at the bottom of the field and sending me right off the bike, also running wide and nearly falling off the side of the bumpy high section behind the club house (that made me chuckle, I must admit).
We were both on semi slicks and some of Adi's lines were inventive to say the least. I could see that Adi's lines throught the fast turns on the rugby field were not as tight as mine, I could turn inside him at will so if it came down to a sprint this is where I would mount an attack. Meanwhile I could also see Stu Knubley (KCC) having the ride of his life clinging on to Ron Rutgers' shirt-tails, not the only one eh Jack.
Moving onto the last lap, I lead throught the bell and 'let' Adi come by to lead the majority of the final circuit. Sure enough, I out-turned him at the long 180 deg.turn on the rugby field and went for it from there, it was enough and I had a few seconds at the line, I was chuffed 'coz I was out-sprinted in a close finish last year at Chicksands so this was a very sweet victory. Well done to Adi for an excellent race, and also to Stu Knubley for his first podium, fantastic result mate.
Next one at Daventry, hopefully there won't be a repeat of last years start-line pile up, but with the thinner fields this year it shouldn't be problem.
- J.P.
-finished and got points to stay on top of the series for now, thats about the sum total of it, good to see Ron getting back to speed, good second place.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Smiffy
Chose to race on semi-slicks for first time since Plymouth, so did 2 pre-laps to shake em down, they seemed okay.
Got away in 5th with the leading bunch and was soon shadowing Adi who got his customary rocket start.
Moved into 2nd on the flat straight by the road and could see Woody the leader ahead.
There was no way I was gonna catch him, in fact he was staying in sight to make sure he was using the right course. When he was sure we were all on track he just took off and that was that.
Meanwhile, Phil Hughes had eased past Adi and was breathing down my neck, in fact he came past and made a break for it. I clung on and soon passed him back towards the end of lap 1. When I looked back a little later Phil had just dropped off me a touch but was still real close.
Suddenly it seemed all my energy left me and I was clinging on for dear life, I thought I was gonna hurl.
The feeling passed and I tried to settle down. Hughes in 3rd wasn't gonna let that happen, so every lap was absolutely flat out from now on. All the way to the finish Phil kept me real honest, we're so finely matched it's almost not true. Adi was still real close with Gavin Rumbles (Luton CC) not far behind either.
Another good close scrap, See you all at Rugby.
- J.P.
-Having got back from Scotland, It dawned on me that I needed to sort a bike out for this race. The Ti-X was the only option; so I hastily threw on the Duo chainset and 26" wheels. The forth race guise for this bike in a year, this frame does anything. With no time to actually ride it before I got to the course, it was no surprise to find it had problems.
The chain just would not stop ramping around the BigRing, and locking solid. Stripping the rear mech. and setting it to super tension, then taking 6 links out of the chain still did no good, It was going to be the whole race on the Big ring, ouch. Just what I needed with my still aching back.
Luckily the feared super slow steering of a relaxed head angle did not cause to many problems in the tight twisty wooded bits, in fact it worked a treat.
Once again I chilled from the start, no need for any more back stress than necessary, (oh yes I did, be afraid). Pete was away this time so I concentrated on keeping Keith Sperry in sight for the first few laps. It was clear there was no need to bust a gut on the field climbs, as I could drag myself up to his back wheel in the woods easily. After a few laps of this I put in a bit more and hugged his wheel on the bottom field then jumped.
Through the first woods, I then kicked big time, broke the tow and put in a handy gap, could I hold it till the next lap then build on it, it was looking good.
BigRing passed me Uphill from his steady start, then on the downhill dip disaster.
With the increased speed I put it in the smallest rear cog for the first time all day, hit the compression at the bottom and LOCK, chain jumped and jammed between cogs and frame.........ARGHHHHHH.
Keith whizzed past as I swore and ripped out the chain, I then had to run the hill in totally the wrong gear.
Down the other side and what's this, Keith was ahead of BigRing too, turns out he had binned it, sod the result I'm more gutted I missed that. I clawed back a bit of time but never enough, as my head was gone due to the frustration of all that wasted effort. 3rd again and giving points away to rivals, great race though It's fun at the moment whist its so competitive.
Seems this is a bit of a bogey course for me, which is not good when we have to come back here again.
well done to Smiffy for getting revenge on Adi this time.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Smiffy
Got a front row start slot, apparently BigRing got a back row place and Stu Knubley was 'asleep', they were joint last into turn 1.
Anyway, I was watching Pete Harris scream into turn 1, myself and Phil Hughes followed him up the hill, only to be blown away by a flying Adi who passed us both.
I passed Harris and latched onto Adi. We both ran wide as we dropped thru' the gate into the grassy field, both Phil Hughes and Ben Loaker came past at a rate of knots on the correct line.
4th it was then, as we entered the twisty woods for the first time. I feared the worst but my tyre choice paid off, 2" Hutchinson Scorpions. Had good grip and confidence in the tight stuff. It's all a bit blurred after that for a while.
I know I passed Loaker and Hughes to line up a shot at Adi once again. Passed him with authority this time, and set about getting a big lead.
I thought I was comfortably ahead but as I looked round at the top of the grassy hill on lap 3 I could see Phil Hughes catching up. "Oh no, not him again!" I thought, but it was. He caught me going into the woods, so I knew if he slipped past in there he might get away so I really concentrated and lead up the hill, pulling out a lead again.
This repeated itself over the next 3 laps each time I'd pull a lead up the two grinding climbs only to lose it all over the rolling fields. The lap board said 3 laps to go, then 1 lap to go next time round(?) so I buried it going away from the finish area, and the gap was enough for comfort at the end, though Phil must have been 'on it' coming back thru the trees coz it was REAL close at the end.
A very satisfying victory, bring on Chicksands.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BigRing
Crash what Crash......Ohh that tactical dismount.
I was worried where Jack had gone, oh yes I was.
I took it easy at the start then ripped it on the second half of the race, makes it more entertaining than just watching Smiffy and Adi bugger off into the distance. And who was that fast whippet Loaker, where did he come from. Holiday time now, shame it will blow my series postion for a bit, I'll think of you from the Greek beaches.
- J.P.
-Well that was certainly interesting. I started off with a dead back, and finished with a bike with one too.
After some start chaos in the woods, and considerable light hearted abuse aimed at Keith Sperry after he binned it in front of me and Adi, it was slogging time.
I'd decided to just spin with no force efforts allowed so as not to aggravate my back. (Don't ask me, it was alright till I spent a day with Nige in the peaks)
Keith soon ripped off with BigRing in chase of the leaders, Pete Harris was yet again in a class of his own, chased hard by Vic on a mission again.
With two of the 6 laps to go I noticed a gaggle of Rugby Velo riders and Ron approaching fast, Oh well I guess I can suffer 2 laps of pain, then collapse.... I'm off.
Engage big ring and rip, two things then happened. I caught and passed Vic like he was standing still, and the Cruz developed a hinge.
What started feeling like a flat tyre, then caused the back wheel to catch up with the front in some corners. I guessed the pivot bolt had come loose and carried on.
At the end, glad to have snatched third, and leaving Ron wondering where the sudden speed come from, a closer inspection was not good.
The swinger had cracked, and damn near sheared across a 50mm beam section........B@###x
Oh well guess I'm still series leader at the Moment.
Load van, go and pick up the Indian in Yorkshire and its Scotland play time, Ummm Deja-Vu or what
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Smiffy
Had the most disastrous start to any race that I can remember. I'd chosen the left side of the start box, and the right side was the right side (eh!).
Was completely swamped, and about 25th into the woods at the bottom of the field. Apologies to anyone I passed in there, was a touch robust with some passing manouvres, including Stuart, Jack, et al. When we emerged onto the fields Ryan had already disappeared, what do they feed that boy on?
Passed Pete Harris and set about the leaders strung out ahead. Caught and passed a few (including Adi ha-ha!) and was 6th at end of lap 1. Slowly reeled others in until settling in behind Phil Hughes, so now at end of lap 2 it was Henry, Rose, Hughes, Smiffy.
Passed Phil as we started lap 3 and tried to get away but the attack was indecisive and he latched onto my wheel again. It was a fantastic scrap, he improved as the race went on and I clung on desperately.
By lap 6 he was close enough to mount a furious attack, leading us into the woods again, but a mistake allowed me to slip past and I attacked up the hill across the first field. This time the gap stuck and I was able to see Scott up ahead in 2nd.
As he turned up the hill by the M1 he looked round and saw me coming. You should have seen his face! I couldn't make the gap up but it was a laugh to see him scurry up that hill like it was life or death.
What a result, 3rd behind some big hitters and getting revenge for Phil Hughes beating me here last year.
- Smiffy
Gently away from the start after it was moved further down the hill, bugger.
Got into 3rd behind Adi & Jack as we entered the 1st RUBBISH singletrack section.
I soon discovered I had almost zero front end grip, especially on the off camber rooty stuff, not to mention the Strike feeling really ponderous in the real tight turns 'coz of its high BB height.
Anyway, zapped Jack as we left the woods, Adi already had 100 metres on us so I set about reeling him in, caught him just before we re-entered the trees again, once again he moved away as I struggled with grip or lack of it.
This pattern repeated itself over the next 6 laps give or take, but each time we left the trees Adi was just that bit further away, I had to keep my head down 'coz Phil Hughes was coming up behind in 3rd, I could see him catching so threw it all in on lap 5 and pulled away a bit, actually started to catch Adi again, and was comfortably 2nd at the end.
I warned Adi that it'll be a different result next week at Lutterworth, he's gonna have to cough up a lung just to stay close.
I think a tyre change might be in order for the next Cosford race in a fortnight, we'll see what occurs.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- J.P.
-Where did you find all that mud I was asked at the finish. Well there was plenty on the ground I replied, and that's where I spend a good deal of time in the singletrack wooded bits. No tyres fault this time, I just tried so hard to keep away I was pushing the front just too hard, a definite case of smoother would have been faster. It's a bummer to have led for so long and to lose by a bike length but Pete rode the Smarter race.
The rip off the start was cool, Adi had his Mr. Thetford head on so I let him get on with it in the first wooded section. I lost it once and waited for the flood of riders to pass, nope nobody there, we must have got a flyer.
Smiffy and Phil Hughes then came past and Jamie Harris, what a great ride from him. Really chuffed with my climbing today, that was a tough short shocker up hill. But seemed to get psyched out with that overhanging fence bit in the woods every lap. Crashed there big one lap, think I just lost concentration as I was on my own for so long.
Pete caught and passed me with one lap to go, that got me focused and I followed him round no problem but stupidly I tracked him through the final woods expecting a mistake. It never came he was just too good, and 100 metres only for the sprint there was no chance to make a move.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- BigRing
Choose the wrong tyres simple as that, still happy with 4th and is that series 2nd place so far, bonus.
How the hell did I get so muddy in the first race. . Click for Bigger shots.
Bulwick
Estates Round 1 result- J.P.
-So off we went on a prelap, or two in my case. First time round, in the dry, lucky me, I soon realised I had nothing in my legs....whats going on.
The Enduro 6 hours and a hard week of shifts finishing with a Friday in bed had floored me. Panic stations! how the hell could I keep up. I know I thought, I'll use my semi-slicks to grab time back on the flat, its not really a heavy brake and steer course no problem.
Then the rains came, and came. Lloyd just laughed when I said I was still intent on using them, little did I realize just how bad the course had become whilst I huddled in the van.
Plumz were out in force me, Smiffy, Dirtmuncher, BigRing, Twinkletoes and new boys Scott and Ian (Oh yes you will get nicknames boys) Nige was on hand for support and camera duties, as we lined up in the monsoon.
Off we went, 100 metres and yes this is cool. JP Smiffy and Lloyd at the head damn busting through the puddles, what a race this will be. Then Vic came past and Ron and then followed by almost half the field, Help! where was JP's legendary sprint start.......I was sunk.
First slippy section and it was a nightmare, totally sideways and several riders either fell or hit me as I floundered like a novice. Me and Ron engaged in a touch of rodeo riding for a while as Vic disappeared. Then on the entrance to nettle wood I saw Vic and Lloyd dive in , but Smiffy and Scott had gone the wrong way DOH!
Luckily Lloyd shouted them back (you fool it could have been your win mate, its a jungle out there
) and Smiffy gave chase once more.Scott completed his lap in 3rd overall for a great Youths win, well done mate.
Lap 2, and I'm fifth arghhhhh. Ron and another Vet who I could barely recognize, (turned out it was Gary Hill and James Carpenter), carry on the battle. By now I could not see a thing and had to watch Ron disappear as I tried to ditch my glasses. It was going to be suffer the grit in my contacts or slow up.
Ron put half the field into me before the Horse Style as I struggled to get any rhythm going, this was a big power day and Vic seemed the only one suited to it.
Last section on the flat field and I decided it was time the Big ring and slicks did there job. I hammered out of the saddle and the lactic burn just about took away the eye pain, Ron getting closer by the second showed it was working.
Past the sunken car (what was going on there) and into the wood, I sized Ron up and went for it, Ron was shagged and I'd snatched a result from the jaws of a nightmare...amazing. Unfortunately for Ron I'd dragged James Carpenter along too so Ron got demoted to 4th after spending so much of the race thinking it was his birthday. Could be a tough year then boys. Loaded the dripping van and headed off to Scotland through the night, relieved but shattered.
Heres how Jacks race went in techno. Polar blurb. POLAR FILE HERE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Smiffy
-As for my race, er well...... Got away 1st and was challenged by Scott Clipstone and a.n.other (?) but shook them off crossing the BIG field before the fence. Comfortably in the lead, tried to take shades off crossing the other BIG fields, but slipped off my bike trying, ouch! (Bruised rib)
Still in the lead but missed the right turn into the nettle filled woods, went 200yds further down the fields before I realised, rejoined in about 10th.
Total red mist, that was it, I wasn't gonna go down without a fight although the leaders were now out of sight. Passed riders left and right, caught the leaders across the bog where that car had got stranded.
Moved straight through into the lead, Vic and Lloyd were not having it for a start and so a right scrap ensued. Shook Vic off just as we started lap 2 leaving Lloyd with me, I looked back and was startled to see him dropping back too! Rode like my life depended on it, apart from slipping off again in the bog. Lloyd kept me honest all the way (he rode really well), but I was comfortable all the way to the flag. Fantastic, It's my first FNSS win, am chuffed.