Dyfi Enduro 2014

The Dyfi Enduro is my favourite event of the year. Take it as you want, a chilled ride with like minded people or hammer it and race against some of the top UK riders.

As usual the Dyfi starts with me and the brother-in-law Gareth Payne queuing at the front of the starting grid. Standing shoulder to shoulder with the top racers like Huw Thomas, Neal Crampton, Matt Page and Dan Evans. After a safety briefing the group move forward to the archway and to keep up with tradition I some how move from the front of the group to about a 100 places back.

The motorbike leads us out through the town at an average speed of what would only be deemed sensible if using 700cc wheels. At the bottom of the first fire road climb the motorbike pulls off and the race is on to get to first singletrack section to avoid the bottlenecking.  

In less than two miles I suffered my first puncture. Annoyingly all of which only became apparent on fire road climbs. My front wheel squirted some sealant but a quick stop and it sealed allowing me to crack on. It wouldn't be long until my rear would follow suit. Unfortunately I would be so lucky with it dealing and within no time I had latex covered ankles. Not wanting to mess about I put a tube in, unfortunately this wouldn't last to long either.

I  pushed on the best I could trying to climb and descend as safely and quickly as possible. At the feed station I decided to put in a while new tube. Luckily this would hold up for the rest of the race but unfortunately the same was done.

I didn't finish in the top 100 where I wanted to be but at least with the amount of punctures I got to enjoy the latter part of the ride and just ride for the sake of riding.

Next year... there's always a next year

Southern XC round 5: Avon Tyrrel

I had been looking forward to this round for a while. Southern XC had been giving away glimpses of course on Facebook and I was itching for the days to pass quickly so I could have a go on the jumps section - who said xc racing wasn't fun?!

Southern XC round 3 Wasing Estate

Arriving later than scheduled I walked over to the sign in tent to collect my number. The number of pre-entries in the sport category was a lot higher than round 2 and with a handful of on-the-day entries we were looking at a good number of riders on the start line.

Southern XC: Crow Hill, rd 2

After Round 1 of the Southern XC series there was no real doubt in my mind that Round 2 was a must. The course choice and organisation was excellent. Throw in a friendly atmosphere and you couldn't ask for better place to be on a Sunday. I made a slight school boy error a few months back by entering the Hargroves 4 hour enduro which I hadn't realised was the night before the SXC event so I was expecting the Sunday would be a mission to get out of bed let alone race a bike.

Stevens Enduro, Queen Elizabeth Country Park

I missed last years event as I was away so this was one for this years calendar especially as it's on my doorstep. The event was put on by Hargroves Cycles and was part of the QE Cyclefest which allowed you to mock the beardy-wierdies who were demo-ing 650B and 29ers for the first time.

Dyfi Enduro 2013

The Dyfi Enduro is probably the most exciting non-competitive race of the year. I've not come across another event that can match it for the arduous climbs, exhilarating descents and breathtaking views. Throw in some razor sharp rocks and anything can happen! Entry went live at the start of February and sold out in a record 20 minutes showing just how popular this event is.

Southern XC Rd 1 - Matterley Basin

I haven't raced the mtb in a while so decided to have a go at the Southern XC events. Matterley Basin is a new course for 2013 designed by UK Biking and is better known as the British Motocross Grand Prix venue. The week before the event was pretty appalling weather-wise and  it should have been a complete wash out but on arrival it was clear to see that the course had held up well judging by the look of the other racers. With the sun out there was also a great risk of racing in shorts and s/s jersey! 

Merida Brass Monkeys rd 2

It's been a few months since my last race which ended in disappointment due to illness so I wanted to leave 2012 on a racing high. I knew a few people who were racing the Brass Monkey round in Deepcut, Surrey and went for it. I was familiar with the course having races there for the Are You Tough Enough races so knew the course would be fast and fun.

Brighton Big Dog 2012

In the week leading up to the event I could feel another cold starting and it was evident on my mid-week commutes that all the energy in my legs had disappeared. All that was left was give my legs a  few days rest and hope for the best. In the opening miles my fears were becoming a reality. Climbs seemed longer and harder than those on the Dyfi Enduro and all I could do was spin my 29tooth chain ring with a low cadence whilst watching the other riders passing me with ease. The first downhill brought a welcome respite although my slow start meant I was in the middle of the bottle necking. The second climb, although short, brought some hope when I managed to overtake a few people again, not exactly strong legs but better than the first few miles. I managed to complete the first lap in quite a respectable time considering being held up on the singletrack sections.

Twentyfour12, Newnham - July 2012

Two weeks ago I wasn't sure if I would be able to compete thanks to a chest infection. Great, several weeks of training could possibly go down the pan. Not wishing to give up so easily I tried a 100mile sportive with a colleague which started slowly and after 40miles we parted ways and I finished in a respectful time. Despite constant coughing and generally feeling a bit rubbish I still had energy in the legs. From this moment I knew it would be game on!

Fully Sussed Round 3 - Newnham

After a slight change of plans I ended up in Plymouth for the weekend, coincidentally the same weekend as a race. With my 30th looming it was a perfect excuse to compete in my last race in the Sport category.

When living in Plymouth I was used to riding the Soggy Bottom winter series which was an enjoyable but muddy blast around the Newnham estate. The Fully Sussed series is run by Jay and Maddie Horton who have created an exciting and challenging xc loop around the park. The course has a mix of terrain from fire roads to rock sections to rooty off camber sections. With a lot of the singletrack sections being new it was going to be a struggle for grip which combined the droves of entrants it was going to make for interesting riding. 

Dyfi Enduro 2012

It's been 5 years since my last attempt at the Dyfi and despite a love/hate relationship with the course it's one of the most satisfying races of the year. It was a bit of a last minute decision to enter and not just because I left it until about 7pm only to get number 747! Training for the Dyfi while living in Hampshire is a little bit difficult given the lack of elevation so nerves built almost instantly.