Epping Forest Epics

hamster · Joined: 10 Apr 2006 Posts: 73 Location: waltham abbey

6.45am, car loaded, rain bucketing down. The signs didn’t look great as my friend Matt and I set out for the latest Evans Trail Break ride at QE Park. The boggy car park confirmed alot of recent rain. Signing in I realised that any studying of the route from April had been futile as the route direction was ingeniously switched with 2 new loops - but there would still be lots of ups and downs! The numbers looked high again, and judging by the queues pre-entering makes alot of sense.

We set off in quite a large group (better than the 2’s or 3s from April which caused long queues at the start) - Matt said he was going to take it easy for 15 mins before putting the hammer down. Matt’s idea of ‘taking it easy’ saw him out of sight after the first mile (although I did catch a glimpse of him just before the route crossed over between CP 2 and 3!!). My game plan was to beat my time of 3.24 from April and to see if my summer riding had paid off fitness-wise with a 3hr time. Some of the relentless climbs were tough after the rain and even with the added bonus of having a middle ring working for this ride I was still wishing I had a granny ring! (Yes I admit I had to push in places!).

No falls this time around - although 2 near misses one involving a spectacular recovery during a fast downhill in the mud!! The very sticky mud made it fun but challenging and you needed to keep your concentration. Towards the end the bike was weighed down with all the gloop and I lost assorted gears due to a clogged rear mech/cassette.

I pushed hard with the finish in sight, leading to my only small gripe of an otherwise excellent event. As I neared the park I noticed a couple of riders hovering around the divide area. The tempation was obvious - I had seen it coming all the way from checkpoint 5. As I grudgingly started the final climb up Gravel Hill (what sadist put THAT right at the end??!!) they disappeared behind me - ‘doing the short route’ I thought, giving people the benefit of the doubt. The final ‘push’ left me too tired to appreciate the swoop back down to the park - but there should have been a checkpoint at the top! A diversion up to the A3 right at the end didn’t help but I finally got back in 2:44 - very tired but delighted with my time. My GPS said 900m of climbing!

Matt and I sat at the finish chewing over delicious chilli and the course - both agreeing it had been a fun event, well organised and signed over a great course. (Although he was a little disappointed with 2:15!!!)

Gary T I see you didn't make it - maybe next time. They are tough rides but well worth it.

_________________
that humerus still ain't humorous

Mick_the_Greek · Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 264 Location: South Woodford

Great ride report, am sure the summer riding helped you. Sory I wasn't there but my bike is in bits, honest. See you soon.