Epping Forest Epics

hewmun · Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Sydney

You may ignore my rant and go straight to the results here.

--
I got to the track at 7:10PM and met Mukesh, Simon, Mick and Dan. Also saw a guy I followed to the track last week (when he was on slicks in the mud!)... and of course saw Ray again who was geared 44:15.

Cruised down the start straight at the back of the correct pack this time but was not excited about having another massive group of fast people (veterans, women, kids) starting behind me. I found the course this week more difficult than last week even thought the only muddy bits were through the BMX track and all the short climbs were walkable without needing studs in my shoes. I seemed to have to push a lot harder and there were many more tight, twisty bits which killed my (minimal) momentum. Maybe I've gotten used to riding in rain and mud?

The firsts for me:
* First experience with stinging nettle - just a bit on my left calf. Interesting. Initially a sharp irritation and later a dull buzzing sensation. Not particularly fun but not too bad either.
* First experience of stomach cramps - probably due to poor pre-race hydration (pint of John Smith's and a pint of Guinness - alcohol is a diuretic right? I thought that might make me lighter?) and the consumption of a banana a few minutes before the start.
* First flat tyre in the UK - occurred about 500 metres into my third lap. I'm never sure about the condition of this bike or its history and during the climbs on the first lap my pedalling forces were causing the rear tyre (2.3") to rub on the chainstays (generous 5mm clearance either side). Got that wobbly sensation from the back of the bike and suspected maybe a busted frame. The squirmy back tyre also caused me to lose some control around a bend but luckily my forearm and shoulder were quickly introduced to a tree which stopped me from falling right over.

Simon passed me on his third lap while I was stopped and thinking about what to do about the rest of the race. I wanted to finish the lap but thought it would be bad of me to block everyone's way while I walked. So instead I went directly back to the start and hung around where another guy on a SS Kona had retired with a busted chain. Race continued, the bell was rung, people finished and I stood waiting, without a camera to keep me occupied. Ray, the guy from last week (on a SS Kona) came up to the finish line with his broken chain in his hands. I hope I beat him again but it's unlikely.

Results are on the Beastway website again here. I'm listed as a DNF with a first lap time of 16:04 and second lap 15:09. My second lap was faster than the first because I was more familiar with the track and the group was not as bunched up. Actually for the first few hundred metres of the first lap I was bumping tyres with the riders in front and behind me. On the upside, riding only two laps did mean that I shaved 10 minutes off my ride home but I'm still not happy, Jan.

Emily · Joined: 30 Dec 2005 Posts: 185 Location: Nea Makri, Greece

Great ride report.
I know exactly how you feel (from my efforts last year).
I like the pic and am totally happy about all the advertising you guys are doing for us.

Better luck next week! Cool

Em.
_________________
Mountain Biking Holidays in Greece
Visit our Facebook Page

Dan the Man · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 51 Location: Leytonstone

Good report Leon,

had a great first beastway experience, stacked it on the last lap when overtaken by the masters men leader but no harm done.

Will be back next week.

Razz

_________________
Never lose faith in the colour of the sky.

hewmun · Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 29 Location: Sydney

Pics from the Beastway guys here.

A quick look through the thumbnails and I see me struggling and Vicky climbing. There may be more of us there.