oneblackdot

Lashing it down.
It seemed apt for the forth & final (or not!) installment of the Hit the North race saga.
Although a bit apprehensive about how my body would react to 8 straight hours of CX bike action, the preceding weeks’ deluge and gloopy looking course made me feel a bit better about the decision.

Viewing the race as a good bit of training for the upcoming 3 Peaks Cyclocross race, as I’d only ridden the CX bike off-road a couple of times since the winter. The main aim was to just to finish the race - I didn’t.

Pre-race visions of the CX riders joyfully, skipping up the steps, bike on shoulder winking at miserable down trodden mountain bikers unclogging their 35lb mudcatchers were, well a daydream.

The course was split into two pretty distinct halves; weatherproof, tight, twisty blue grade trail centre-ish on one half and muddy tracks on t’other, overall it better suited a mountain bike, throw in 8 hours of pedaling and the solo CX riders had their work cut out.

The race started with a ‘orrid run up and down some steep muddy banks to break up the field, finishing the run in 15th-ish position I grabbed the bike and followed a couple of dimwitted others missing a well signed turn, the resulting detour costing a few minutes. Halfway through the lap I realised I’d forgotten shove a spare tube in my jersey so took things a bit easier, pitting at he end of the lap to frantically search for one.

Lap two:- Went fine with a few wish I’d bought the mountain bike moments.

Lap three:- at the beginning of the manmade section I decided to give it a bit more welly as I had a fair idea of what was to come around each corner. Not enough care taken on a slimy slab of stone and the front wheel washes out. I hate this type of crash, you don’t see it coming, there’s not even time for a ‘Oh Cack!’ moment. I remember my helmet hitting the ground, thinking I came down hard seeing a few of those ‘floaty wispy thinggies’ and a forearm coated in blood/grit mix. I got up and knew that was pretty much it for the race and toddled off to find the ambulance. Thanks to the St John’s Ambulance who took time out of BBQing to give me the once over.

This is the first ever race (most likely through luck) I received the big DNF.
In retrospect, the chances of doing the full 8 hours on the CX bike may have been a struggle (I don’t think any solo CX rider finished?) but was up for trying. On the upside it was good to see a race from the pit. And its also a nice excuse to buy a new helmet.

An ace day with nice people, well done to Jason and the other organisers for another great event. And chapeau to Dave for predictably winning.