Brownbacks Series 1, Race 1

Before the race

Preparation before this event was just a case of sticking to my much maligned training program. As the race was the first race held by the organisors there were no past races to research, photographs to look at or results to read. It was simply a case of turn up and see what was on offer.

Jessica was going to be helping out by marshalling so we had to get to the venue a couple of hours before the start which gave me plenty of time to pre-ride the course and what a great course had been laid on for us. Following on from the Whinlatter Challenge it felt like a 2 hour sprint version of the 5 hour Lakes endurance event held earlier in the month and with similar weather conditions out came the short sleeve cycling tops and the sun cream, a welcome relief after last years regular Summer mud baths!

The course started with a 500 metre climb up to the top of the quarry on jeep track. This was steep enough for you to know that your lungs were definitely working (or not in some cases) and that after a few more laps this climb would have you out of the seat and your legs burning. It certainly did the job in spreading out the field during the race.

Following the climb was a short winding sprint across the top of the quarry on a mixture of undulating jeep track and single track before the course split and the "Have a go Hero" category continued on the jeep track whereas the "Weekend Warriors" and us "Racers" hit the singletrack and two of the biggest steepest berms I have ever seen. These berms were so big they were around 2 metres wide and when you were at the apex of them you were looking at the exit point a good 10 or metres away and also around 3 or 4 metres below you...don't grab that brake just yet!

Exiting the berms you crossed a raised path made of huge stone boulders before hitting an extremely steep, rocky and loose singletrack climb of around 150 metres before hitting a fine ribbon of singletrack which, after two more monster berms and a couple of jumps returned you to the jeep track. You had just enough time to get some speed up and grab a quick drink and then you were back on the singletrack which shortly led to another short, sharp climb back up to the top of the quarry.

Singletrack then wound it's way slowly down to where the real fun began, a rocky, technical, singletrack descent slowly losing height winding it's way down the side of the quarry for around 1km. This section was very much like Whinlatter...amazing views on a fantastic but technical trail so you didn't really have time to appreciate the trail under your wheels as you were constantly concentrating on the hazards as they rapidly approached. Two options were available to the rider, both risky. Option 1, pick your way down carefully hoping to avoid the bigger rocks and ruts...a good tactic if you were riding for fun but this was after all a race course. Option 2, go hell for leather and hope to float over the worst of the terrain...the best option, but if you hit a rock or rut and come off you are landing on boulders, not stones or the odd rock but lots of closely knitted boulders. Think of this section as being in parts like one long rock garden and you're maybe coming close.

The quarry descent tested your mettle, just check out the trail behind me, the white flag is the 'caution' before the descent proper starts. I like rough trails but this section had my heart in my mouth and definitely kept me focused!

The final kilometre involved a downhill singletrack return to the start line and another lap. Fast, slowing and a lot of fun. Just to spice things up a little it also included a section with singles, doubles and table tops for the riders who like to give it a little air. It was like being on a BMX course and even for the anti-gravity like myself it was still absolutely brilliant fun tearing down this last section with the bike bucking all over the track underneath you. A technical, challenging course with some serious rewards for the climbing for the racers and spectators alike.

During the race

There was a slight delay whilst the organisors got the timing equipment setup so there was ample opportunity for some banter on the start line. One of the female "Racers" had already had a moment on the pre-ride and was sporting a very sore looking hand and by the way she was holding her wrist I suspected that was not all that was wrong (it later turned out she was one of the favourites to win and she had fractured her wrist). Having had the pre-ride it was clear that the riders were all in for an exhilerating mix of tough terrain, very keen fellow racers and a new event on a brand new course. Definitely a recipe for exciting and close fought racing! I noted a lot of talk of road racing on the start line which is to be expected although I'd rather the start line was full of people like me, mountain bikers, not road riders. I'm too chicken to ride on the roads and the mountain bikers who train on road bikes are stupidly fast! It's simply the most effective way to get lots of miles into those legs as well as the speed. There, I admitted it, I am jealous of their speed and know I need to buy a road bike for training but I will fight it to the bitter end! We didn't have to wait longer than ten minutes before the starters gun sounded and the race started in earnest.

Super fast, super technical mountain bike racing but not for the faint hearted!

I wasn't sure just how fast people were going to set off but I very quickly found out, the early pace was very fast and didn't really change throughout the race. There were some seriously quick riders in the "Racers" category although I didn't recognise many of them, I was certainly struggling to keep up with them! The first lap strung us out into an early order and we chased each other round the course, each trying desperately to hang onto the wheel of the rider in front whilst trying to gap the rider behind. This course was not for the faint hearted and I was glad I'd pre-ridden it before the start as it had more than a few tricky sections and we were all desperately trying to be neat and tidy on the first lap and figure out where we could pass and where we should be patient. I was certain there would be trouble ahead for some riders and as I drive myself to events I can never risk an unnecessary accident which could leave me unable to drive home or worse, stuck in casualty in the middle of nowhere. Unfortunately this point was brought very much home to me when I was re-routed on my second lap to go around an accident which had happened to Dave Haygarth (Wheelbase) who, whilst tackling one of the double jumps, came off the bike and face planted resulting in some stitches and a broken collar bone. Luckily for Dave it happened right in front of a marshal post and the Pendle mountain rescue so they were able to help him almost immediately.

It was very warm and dusty riding round the course and the climbs certainly kept you working hard in the heat of the day. The trail, with it's challenging nature, jumps and natural obstacles along with the stunning views of the valley from the top of the quarry certainly helped take your mind of the pain in your legs. The second half of the course which included the technical descent was amazing and nicely finished off with the jumps to plaster a big grin on your face along with the wild staring eyes from the rough stuff further up.

The start line. Taken from Jessica's marshal point. Believe me it is steeper than it looks! The returning singletrack can also be seen.

There isn't really a lot to say about the race itself other than it was hard work but really enjoyable...well, once I was reflecting on the days events with my feet up and a nice cold beer! I'd had some trouble with my back due to the extremely rough terrain constantly compressing my lower back. It's been such a long time since I rode a really rough course that I'd forgotten that I sometimes suffer with a bad back whilst racing and I'd not taken any Ibuprofien to ward it off. Although I'd have done anything for a couple of Ibuprofien, I know ultimately that it's very unwise to take it during the race as you're potentially masking the problem and could be actually causing serious damage to your body, not that you'd know it whilst the drug is in your system. The bike was great as usual although there were more than a few loose nuts and bolts when I gave it a check over later. The pace in the "Racer" category was an eye opener. I expected there to be some really quick people racing in this category, but on the other hand I didn't expect to come 20th and dead last, but there's always a first time for everything!

Having had a very wet and muddy 2008, it felt fantastic racing with the sun on your back for the second time in a month!

For a first event, everything appeared to run smoothly, albeit with the odd delay here and there and a prize giving that looked like it had been organised by Basil Fawlty, all very amusing though and it certainly didn't detract from what was a great event. As tends to happen at mountain bike races from time to time, someone had an accident but the marshals and organisors all seemed to respond quickly and take control of the situation. It was reassuring to see on the forums the next day that Dave was feeling ok once he'd been patched up. If you like tough, close racing or you want to ride at your own pace and just challenge yourself you could do a lot worse than sign up for the next Brownbacks race on the 4th of May.

Visit www.brownbacksracing.co.uk for more details.

After the race

My back was feeling pretty beat up with all of the jumps and rocks as I'd had so little trouble with my back recently on the smooth Thetford courses that I'd stopped taking a couple of Ibuprofien before races. This passed though with coffee and cake whilst watching the prize giving ceremony. It would have been nice to know the race times and the number of laps completed by the riders on the podium to give you an idea of just how hard they had worked. It was good to see some spot prizes for the best jump, muddiest rider, etc. I've fed this back to the organisors.

Things to change

Nothing to change. I just need to be patient and see the fruits of all of this training!

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