2005 Prem1er series Round 1 - Newnham park - Apr 17/18
Muddy , Oh yes Can't really get Inspired
to write much about the racing.Two days constant rain before the weekend meant for a sticky trudge. Imagine climbing on nice technical rooty singletrack for miles and miles then descending on a dull flat out grass bank, Rubbish.
One of the best race courses in the country in the WRONG direction, put us off for next year for sure.
The Gully of Slurry was a really nice touch ....Arghhhh
Cliky all pics for bigger view.
There's a Pipeline video of Jack here Pipeline vidonly recommended for those with broadband though
Dabs went AWL from his Army posting for a few weeks so managed to get out on his bike for the first time in ages. Still smiling through the face full of mud, he had the worst of the course and found it just to much of a comeback and DNF'd.
Sunday and he was back out for the 2 Hr event which due to the non-stop rain was so sloppy it ran quite well.
In his new Army CCU colours he came in 7th for a better ride.
| Lap1. SAT | 41:17 |
| Lap1. SUN | 1:00:02 |
| Lap2. SUN | 1:06:42 |
Adi was next up in the Elites and boy did he enjoy the Pipeline. A steep bank that returned for this years race after a long period away. Fun for the Spectators but just a touch too scary for your jey racers. Feet out I don't know shame on you.
Pulling up after 45 mins with a puncture (that old excuse) meant a lowly 45th position, better luck at Builth.
Back out in the 4 Hr next day, our hero got to grips with the non-stop rain to come in a respectable 9th. Still not got to grips with pacing yourself then, 22 mins slower a lap differential tells the story.
| Lap1. SAT | 36:52 |
| Lap2. SAT | DNF |
| Lap1. SUN | 49:36 |
| Lap2. SUN | 55:12 |
| Lap3. SUN | 1:02:23 |
| Lap4. SUN | 1:11:52 |
Masters and BigRing hit the pipeline big style railing the descent, shame about your forks setting though.
Stiff forks on a hardtail meant a pretty rough ride on the tough rooty course, not one he'll want to remember. A gutted 22nd place finish
| Lap1. | 35:16 |
| Lap2. | 38:38 |
| Lap3. | 38;32 |
| Total | 1:52:28 |
Jack fared even worse in the Vets, just not getting into it.
One smile per lap down the pipeline and the rest was pants, well worth the 300 mile drive, NOT.
Almost last off the start line and up the first climb, he picked off a few as the mud thickened up and the lap times tumbled, and even had a sprint on his 6" sofa for 20th.
Gary Hill from Cats joined us for his first NPS (they get better trust us) and rode well up ahead to 15th.
| Jack | Gary | |
| Lap1. | 41:37 | 40:27 |
| Lap2. | 43:01 | 40:06 |
| Lap3. | 40:48 | 39:09 |
| Total | 2:05:27 | 1:59:42 |
The Short track was missed by us as we picked all the grit and mud out of our bodies.
Jon Webb showed the boys just how to sprint on a singlespeed and really flew on Sunday in the 6 Hr race too.
So where did JP, BigRing and Gary go on Sunday, well not round that slurry pit again. A 30 mile Dartmoor ride (only 1/2 Hr from the circuit) was attacked after a night in a Travelodge sauna trying to dry their kit off.
You know a ride is good when you do it in non-stop drizzle, the tracks are all rideable and the grins are still big. One benefit of the bad weather was not meeting many people on the trails, this led to some super fast descents on some cracking trails.
The descent down to that bridge left, is instantly into the plumz best rides class, and a total surprise for us.
Riding alongside some running Dartmoor ponies for ages was cool too.
A tough route in the conditions it took us 4 hours to complete with tired climbing legs. Basically its one of a certain magazines Epic routes, and can be done all year round.
Its not all moorland, there's plenty of woods and great technical rocky sections (sure tested us to the full) and none of it was a slog.
Some of the highlights include the Headland Warren descent followed by the Hameldown Tor section.
The Manaton to Lustleigh section in the HoundTor woods is the stuff bikes were made for.
Personally I'd head over the Haytor down towards Ullacombe farm and drop into the woods at Water next time, and yes there will be a next time.
Stop at the Hound of the Basket meals van (left) near the Tor monument for a mid ride feast, warmed us up a treat.
Don't forget keep to the tracks and off the moors.........Hooooowwwwwwlllllll