Preparations for the Cobble Wobble and some other commitments mean that this weekends Dig Day (Sat 12th/09/09) isn’t going ahead.
Don’t worry though, we’ll be running two evening excevators between now and TickerTape (26th/09/09) to make sure we can all get our fix of shovel and rake based antics.
For more details check the calender over the next two days ….
Cheers
In case you’d missed my napalm style marketing techniques Sunday was TickerTape, and a special one at that!
To celebrate the fact that Transition Bikes are now sponsoring Longleats favourite DH jam, we thought we’d try and make it a bumper event.
We had hot food on offer, thanks entirely to Maria’s sausage marathon (Malco’s words not mine) and some pretty spectacular cakes to demolish thanks again to Maria, and Helen and Simon’s oven skills, oh and some jelly sweets to keep everyone else happy.
The turnout was great with over 20 people posting a time, plenty of riders blasting about on the other trails and a healthy spectator turnout to add to the atmosphere.
Spoons saw it’s first event since being joined with ”moron’ (well, it lets us add more on!) and was immediately better for it, the previous fastest time was 29.14 (C.Smith) but with the additional length times ranged from 50+ seconds from the start meaning that we are almost ready to hold the world championships, so long as Boin can get hold of that inflatable lion hot seat and we can find an uphill finish.
Members were able to invite friends to take part, making the first few hours especially interesting as everyone worked out just how good everyone else was. Some peoples reputations preceded them, notably Chris Smith, Steve Geall and Sam Burkhardt so all eyes were certainly on them from the very beginning.
The day saw plenty of epic mini battles, such as Stacey’s refusal to eat until he beat the 60 second barrier, Josh’s many attempts at clearing the double without looking like he was trying a front flip, Simon’s attempts to get faster rather than gradually worse, Ian’s desire to push himself until he crashed and Rob who seemed hellbent on keeping every run within 0.2 seconds of his first.
The American contingent seemed stoked to be riding real grassroots DH in the UK, and everyone else was chuffed to be able to meet the guys behind the company and thank them in person for providing the prizes.
As for the times, well the weather certainly played its part with steady drizzle making the very top and bottom corners just that little bit harder from 1pm onwards, but with some careful balance and intelligent line choice fast times were possible all day.
Other than an early ‘log hop’ debate, times were pretty close at the top with a number of riders looking like they were capable of taking all that kudos on offer. After just over 4 hours in the non existent hot seat I was pretty gutted to learn that another 0.18 seconds was needed if I wanted a third sticker. The bookies favourite, Neil Cousins, managed a sub 48 sec run in the closing stages but a few last gasp efforts by the rest of us did nothing to change the makeup of the top few leaving Zak Hurrell to take the honours, followed by me then Neil not far behind. Chris was too busy crashing, Steve was too confused by Chris’s rubbish bike set-up and Sam was too distracted by the delights of 143 to present much of a threat on this occasion.
We wrapped up the day by giving out the Transition goodies to some of our junior riders, doing cigar impressions with the last of the sausages (malco again) and a big family photo.
Thanks loads to Kyle, Kevin, Sam and Keith from Transition Bikes for supporting us. And to Ian, Maria and Stacey for helping set up so early and finally everyone else who came to watch, ride or helped us pack away. I literally can’t wait for the next TickerTape: BBMS + Moron, on Sat 26th of September.
p.s. Full TickerTape photo gallery to follow soon!
Frome is hosting the start of the Somerset stage of the Tour of Britain on Thursday 17th September 2009. A number of events are planned for the Wednesday evening before the start of the stage under the ‘Velo Jam’ banner and The Black Canon Collective has been asked to help run ‘The Catherine Hill Cobble Wobble’. It is a come and try uphill time trial for cyclists of all ages and abilities and it will be a great event. Riders will set off at approx 2 minute intervals up the cobbled road chasing the illusive “King of the Hill” title.
Now this is where we need some help.
Basically we need the help of 12 (or more) members/ friends/family to marshall the event.
St. Johns Ambulance will be on hand just in case something goes wrong so there is no need for any marshalling experience or First Aid qualifications. All you need to be able to do is blow a whistle, keep people off the track and look good in a Hi Vis vest!
If we have more than 12 volunteers it will mean that we can do shifts so that we can all take part in the festivities and even have a go at becoming the King of the Hill! Obviously after the event we will have to sample some of Milk Street Brewery’s special ‘Cobble Wobble’ ale.
Dates volunteers need to be available
Monday 14th September (time to be confirmed) – We will have a practice to make sure everyone knows what they need to do and how everything will work
Wednesday 16th September (as early as possible but 6pm at the latest) – We will need to mark out the course and set up the marshall points before the event starts at 6.30. If you can only turn up later your help would still be much appreciated for packing up and also marshalling so that other marshalls can ride the event.
So if you and any friends and family can help please let us know on the club forum http://www.southerndownhill.com/forum/index.php/topic,206286.0.html, or by e mailing andrew.denham@blackcanoncollective.co.uk or by calling Andrew Denham on 07870 609 871.
Cheers
Ok everything’s falling into place now and I can’t wait to ride tomorrow!
Hopefully we’ll get a good turn out, remember that spectators are welcome and will also be treated to food and drink.
The prizes are pretty awesome too, we’ve got transition stems, pedals and saddles along with a load of T’s! Prizes will be awarded on the same basis as always (most effort, best style, most improved etc etc) with the TickerTape sticker and plenty of kudos going to the fastest rider down the hill. We’ll also be giving away some prizes drawn randomly out of a hat so everyone is in with a chance to get some goodies.
It seems that an MBUK photographer is now going to be there, along with Chris Smith, Steve Geal, the Transition guys and our current world champion (no wait; it’s just Neil on a replica frame)….so there’ll be plenty of opportunity to check out how the pros ride the trails we know and love.
See you all tomorrow!
Tony from H.E. Williams & Son trying to count to 80 while Nigel strikes a pose…
Seems that the last two months have flown by and Chris has been busy doing what he does best…. so why not sit down with a brew and watch his last two videos.
Ok not really, just a couple of things I forgot to say in the last post:
Firstly I thought I’d remind all you TickerTape riders to bring your membership cards, and non members to bring along a fiver (if riding).
Secondly it’s really important that people park sensibly, so please can members use the BCC Car Park (see club forum for full details) and non members (unless of course you’re with a member) park in existing Longleat car parks. Please don’t park anywhere in Longhedge / Whitbourne Springs, this isn’t fair on the locals.
And finally…(well every news reel has one)… it seems that American hotdogs may have been a bad call , they are as Ben pointed out (see comments on post bellow) pretty horrible. So we’re now going to provide some tasty sausages from my local butcher. Winner!
Ok, so its getting close to this now…. which is pretty exciting; there’ll be Transition bikes to test and a new record to set on the new full length spoons!
The format will be the same as usual except for a compulsory sign in at the beginning and a ‘2 run then pass it on” rule for the watches so that everybody gets a good go at setting some times.
We’ll also be opening the event up to non members for this occasion only so long as they complete a registration form, are signed in by a member (who will be responsible for them) and pay £5 (all of which can be done on the day). If you don’t know anyone but would like to come along and watch then that’s cool, just email me for details ( andrew.denham@blackcanoncollectiv.co.uk ).
We’ll be providing American hotdogs local Sausages, home made cakes and drinks for free to everyone who turns up, rider or spectator, so bring some mates, your dad, or even your nan but remember that pets won’t be allowed unless on a lead at all times.
All the courses will be open all day, but only Spoons will be open for timing between 10:00 and 15:00 after which the prizes will be awarded. There’s no start times or limit on the number of runs, and food will be served all day too making the whole thing a real relaxed event.
There’s a real buzz about this event now; MBUK have even asked if they can cover it, so put your make up on and do your hair if you think you can challenge Mr Smith for the press exposure.
Hope to see you all there!
Remember: full face helmets only.
