On Saturday Mark, Peter, Simon and I (aided by our ‘Pit Boss’ Juliet) took part in the Bristol Bike Fest – a 12 hour enduro. The day was hot, the course fast and our minds full of the expectation and pressure of Simon’s podium dream.
At 9am as Pete set off on our first lap it started a two hour loop of ride, lie down, drink, eat, toilet that repeated it’s self throughout the day.
At 20:35 the pattern changed. We’d all done six laps. We were all tired. Mark’s bike was broken. The realities of 11 hours of pounding the track caught up with us, 24 laps was to be our total. But then a hero came along.
Simon charged off, knowing he had to improve his fastest lap time by over 90 seconds to get back in time for his lap to count to our total. “Fly Big Bird, Fly!” we screamed. Onwards he battled, air escaping from his tyres as he slammed his bike into the dusty corners. Meanwhile back at the finish the crowd gathered, all wondering whether he would make it back.
With 90 seconds left we thought he’d failed
With 60 seconds to go he charged into sight, stamping on the pedals.
With 20 seconds left he rounded the corner into sight of the finish.
With the crowd roaring him on, Simon crossed the line two seconds after the end of the race.
Despite being stuck on 24 laps we all still felt elated by the beans that we’d all put in and how close Simon had come to sneaking the 25th lap with his storming run.
We’ll be back in 2011.
9 riders turned out for the ride away this month, 5 of us travelled in style in Chris Sheppards new bus/postal van/Ferrari (very handy for dodging down bus lanes).
We completed a “classic” loop of the Timberland trail, it was great, so great that Ian felt the need to leave an imprint of his face and the local Flora. After stopping for a bit of first aid and the very artistic application of some dressings we retired to the Cafe for some tea-hydration.
On the second lap we rode a modified loop to take in some more of last years Bristol Bikefest course. There was an impromptu group detour and some “lost sheep” that needed rounding up but no other major incidents – unless you count Marjory going over the bars…!
Back to the Cafe for more tea with Egg & Bacon rolls and a Caramac bar – burp! Nice.
Check out the calendar and forum for details of our next BCC XC Ride Away…
As advertised the Club XC ride away for May is at Ashton Court in Bristol on Sunday May the 9th
Timberland Trail – Ashton Court
Overall grade Blue – due to the lack of climbing – but the tech sections are more like Red
Distance approx 8 miles per lap dependant on the route choices we make
Time 45 mins – 75 mins per lap
Climb – Very Little
Most of the trail has been hand built by http://www.bristolmountainbikeclub.co.uk with materials donated from the quarry next to the site. It is used as the Bristol Bikefest course and it’s fairly flat with some fast and furious singletrack and a lot of rocks and roots. Some log drops and steps, grit berms plus a little bit of technical climbing (especially if it is wet).
The surfaces vary widely from rock,mud,grass,grit,roots, wet leaves and is suitable for better quality mountain bikes – full suss or hardtail.
Tyres – If it’s dry, summer semi slicks are ideal, if it’s wet though bring mud tyres !. whatever you run pinch flats are a very real possibility – so be prepared.
There is a basic Cafe on site for Bacon Butties and tea but parking can get a bit hectic at the weekends so would advise we get there earlyish.
Meet at the Cheese and Grain 8.00 for 8.15 departure.
Tomorrow’s ride will be a cracker, great weather and great singletrack… yum
Here’s all the details you’ll need (thanks to Mark Amor) :
We’ll be looking to do 2 loops on Sunday with time for us all to enjoy the free ride section once we reach the top. There is a café for food and drinks, but riders will need to bring enough while riding.
The ride is open to members & non members, we’ll be meeting in the Frome car park near the Cheese & Grain on Sunday around 8.30am to leave for 8.45am.
Twrch Trail – Cwmcarn
Overall grade red/difficult
Distance 15.5km
Time 1.5 – 2.5 hours
Climb 300m
Here’s the blurb about the trail from the website:
This is a superb trail of the very highest quality that is not for the faint hearted. Virtually the entire route is on purpose built singletrack through a mixture of broadleaf and conifer woodlands and open ridge tops.
The riding varies from open and flowing hard pack to tight technical and rooty and is rideable in all weather. In places the trail hugs the sides of some very steep wooded side slopes, demanding concentration, whilst in others it sweeps along open ground giving you the chance to take in dramatic views of the Bristol Channel and the surrounding hills
Bike Trail Grade
Suitable for Proficient mountain bikers with good off-road
riding skills. Suitable for better quality off-road mountain bikes.
Trail & surface types
Steeper and tougher, mostly singletrack with technical sections. Expect very variable surface types.
Gradients & technical trail features (TTFs)
A wide range of climbs and descents of a challenging nature will be present. Expect boardwalks, berms, large rocks, medium steps, drop-offs, cambers, water crossings.
Suggested fitness level
Higher level of fitness and stamina.
Check out the club forum to arrange transport etc…
The day started with getting to know the lady in the café, Geriant was talked into repairing her loose saddle. He looked good riding around on her little purple hybrid! After the head count, we started the gradual climb up the tramway. The weather was perfect for a good days open cross-country ride, with a good vibe amongst everyone chatting and getting to know each other better. There were a couple of short rocky climbs that had a few riders determined not be beat until they had made it. One in particular, I think Geriant, won by making the longest climb before the rocks stopped him from making it to the top. Then, on across the moor-land where the scenery reminded a few of us of Exmoor and the Peaks, until we started the first descend of the day. It took me a little while to get used to rolling over rocks as it had been a while, but at the bottom it was all smiles, next stop the café.
The last push to finish the 7 mile climb, we can now see The Gap. The trail was rocky but a steady climb and well worth it when we reached the top. What views, you could see for miles and the descent that we have to look forward to, smiles again!
Finally we start the first 200 yards descent over big rocks and step downs gradually turning to smaller rocks and holding on until we reach the bottom, it felt like miles, I think it was around 2 miles of uninterrupted downhill, Marjory made the statement at the bottom “it was better than s*x” I’ll leave that for her to explain?
After some puncture repairs we found ourselves on the comedy bridle path, which again surprise, surprise was rocky! Marjory found it such a laugh she decided to go over the handlebars ending up under her bike laughing her head of. From then onwards, it was a matter of making our way back through some fields and roads to Talybont-on-Usk and the café for some cake. If this is how much fun our club monthly rides are going to be, I can’t wait for the next one, great ride & nice people to ride with; everyone in the club has got to join in!!
This is great news, thanks to the ride leader training and some momentum picking up from the weekly night riders the club will be offering a monthly XC ride away! This will me a permanent fixture in the club calendar and will be held in between the Ticker Tape & Dig Days each month. With loads of local and not so local trails and routes to explore we promise to keep things fresh.
Full details will be available on the website, via the news feed, Calendar and also the club Forum where you can discuss the ride or make travel arrangements etc.
Our first ride:
The Gap Route – Brecon Beacons
Distance: 40km Total Ascent: 1100m Duration: 5h + Date: Sunday 21/03/2010 Meeting point: Talybont-on-Usk Meeting Time: 10am for a 10:30 start
(Parking is on the main road it can be busy, especially if the weather is nice!)
The ride is mainly on existing bridleways that cut through the Brecon Beacons. The highlight of the route is riding through the ‘Gap’ between Cribyn and Fan-y-Big at 599m
There is a café at about the halfway point, grid reference: SO055175
Notes:
Unlike trail centres, the tracks were not designed with mountain bikers in mind, and have to be shared with other users.
At some places on the route we will be many miles from civilisation, mobile phones can’t be relied upon.
The highest point on the route is exposed to the full extremes of weather.
• Ensure your bike is in good mechanical order
• Always ride within your ability
• Carry enough food and water for a full day
• Carry your own tools and spares
• Even if its sunny when you set off carry a waterproof and warm jersey
• A personal survival bag or blanket is recommended
• As is small backup light
The ride is open to anyone over 18, members and non-members alike.
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