Author: hydey

2018 MS&G – Rnd 1 – Hadleigh Park

Round 1 of MS&G was a big and imposing as it was the start of the season.However Hadleigh bike track is home turf and I know it like the back of my hand , the organisers had changed it up and marked an awesome course suitable for anyone to give ago but still technical for riders that fancied the challenge.

The day of the race was extremely cold but after a few laps i was boiling and my Hardnutz helmet let the perfect amount of ventilation through to keep me cool. As the race went on the track became increasingly slippery but I felt confident in allowing my Rubina Mitas tires to dig in and hold me firmly to the track this helped me gain places and finish the race .

Euan Alexander – HMTBC Youth Race Team

MS&G – Final Round – Langdon Hills – Mark Darley

So we finally get to the last race of the series, (although far too quickly).  This was held at Langdon Hills, nice as its a local one for us.  There was a Cycle cross race held on the previous day which, along with a bit of rain, made for some wet muddy and slippy conditions.  

The series standings had been sorted and added up, and I was lucky enough to find myself in second place overall!  It looked like that there was a podium finish for the series, but it just stood as to weather it was a second or third spot.

Once everyone had arrived and got bikes sorted, we headed out for a practice lap led by the youths.  This proved the conditions were a little more treacherous than expected, especially the climbs.  Unfortunately Matthew, racing for the youth team, acquired a flat tyre, so it turned out to be a rush back to the arena and get that sorted for him so he could start the race.

So, flat tyre all sorted, and now time for gridding……as we were waiting on the start line, the sun came out nice and bright. Lovely.

Off go the girls and ladies, then the youths.  Now our turn, straight off the start line into a steady incline leading to the first steeper climb, getting nice and churned up by now.  

It was about halfway through the first lap that we started to catch some of the slower riders, which made good sideways fun on the climbs and decents.  There were some good skilled riders who managed to hold speed through the mud.  Because of the conditions the organisers dropped a lap from us, from 4 to 3.  

Coming through on lap 2, with one lap to go, it was an all out go for it battle.

I found myself having a battle with the rider who was in third position overall, thinking i had to beat him to finish second.  At this point in the race, i was in about 8th or 9th position, so unfortunately no podium for this race, but still in contention overall.  I had a big sideways moment on one of the climbs, just as he passed me…..time to run and chase.

He hit the last downhill a few riders in front of me, and try as i might, I finished two places behind in 9th.  Thoroughly enjoyed the race, both me and the bike covered in mud.  Thankfully everyone got round with no injuries.  

Now, once everyone had finished and had a drink and a post race chat, it was time to check on the results.  Yep, i finished in 9th, two places behind Steve.  I believed that was going to be a third place overall, but need to wait for the final count up.  

When it came to the podiums for the series, Steve was called up in third.  WOW! That meant a second place finish for the series, so chuffed.  I would like to thank The MSG Team for putting on such a well organised great series.  

I have had great support from the Haleigh MTB Club throughout there series.  A special thank you to Kevin Darragh for the training tips and race support.  Special thanks also goto the awesome club sponsors, Scimitar, Mitas and Hardnutz.  

Now its time for a well earned couple of weeks rest until the winter training.  Looking forward to racing for the club next year.

Thanks for reading.

Mark

MS&G Final Round – Langdon Hills – Christine Rethman

Well this was my last race of the MSG season. Due to numerous injuries throughout the year, broken shoulder, wrecked leg, bruised ribs this would only be my third race.

After a summer of riding in 34 degree heat I was up for my last race, that was until I actually got there. It was damp, cold and “grey”, when I say “grey” imagine a very depressed Johnny Vegas saying this and then you have my mood.

So, it was muddy. MUDDY is not the word. I was like riding your bike through clay, the type of clay that makes mud huts stand for a thousand years.

So on the start line I am there with the rest of the WRRS team, we all look awesome, laughing together, keeping our spirits up, but really all I wanted to do was throw up. Never felt like this before, I think it was the conditions, it all seemed so scary. Kevin took a photo of me where I tried my hardest to smile. With last minute words of wisdom Kevin left us all there on line. The whistle went and I had my usual pants start, I swear to God a snail has more oomph off a start line than I do. But I got into my stride and started my campaign of trying to race to the best of my ability.

There are many uphill’s at Langdon and I am sure in the dry they are awesome, however in the wet/muddy conditions they are like a punishment sent from God. By the time you get to the top of the hill there is so much mud on your tyres that your wheels no longer can turn. However Kevin’s little tip of a stick to scrape the mud off came in handy and soon your wheels are free again.

The best part of the race was the only real A line of the course, this was awesome, the entrance was a little scary due to the mud but the rest of it was amazing, if only all the race could have been like that. Other downhill sections were not as wonderful, the rooted section was bad enough on the first circuit but had become treacherous on subsequent rounds. Still, a steady pace saw you survive this. My strategy was to try and stay on the bike as much as I could, steadily, not risking life and limb.

I finished the race and hooked up with the rest of the WRRS where we celebrated surviving the race together. It was the lovely Iain Webb who broke the amazing news to me that I had finished third, my first podium at MSG, one thing ticked off my bucket.

Love this club, love my team mates, and love my coaches.

Big thanks to you all.

Mud, Sweat and Gears Round 8 Langdon Hills

I arrived bright and early for the last round of the MSG series at Langdon Hills as Kevin had arranged with the race organisers to do a sighting lap with the HMTBC Women’s Rookie Race Squad (WRRS) early before it got busy with other riders, I tagged along as I have attending some of the coaching sessions Kevin has been running for the squad getting some tips for doing my own Level 2 MTB coaching course at the end of the month.  Having marshalled at the cyclocross race the day before I had an idea it would be muddy, I decided to change to my spare wheels which had bigger tread Mitas Hyperion on rather than the Mitas Scyllas I have been running all season.  I found my rear spare had gone down overnight since loading the car, no time to find and change tube beforehand I stuck with the Scylla on the rear.  Kevin’s advice came into play right from the start, avoid the race line which has developed from the cyclocross it was quite slippy in places, stay to left up the first hill.  We got to the first and only A line, we were only looking at the B line, I had ridden the A line last year but it had been a nice sunny dry day.  Chris Hyde who was also out on the lap with us rode the A line while we checked out the B line which was much longer and really muddy and slippy along the bottom of the trail before it joined back with the A line, Chris fed back that the A line was running well with good grip.  We continued on getting tips along the trail, some sections would be quicker to walk/run, a section Rooty Tooty was going to get interesting as more traffic hit it and there were some sections with good flow and grip.  Back from our lap I did a quick tube change on my spare wheel so I could start the race with a fresh grippy Mitas Hyperion, then to relax and talk some tactics with most of us deciding to take the quicker A line.

Time for gridding I was gridded in the row ahead of my team mates having a series standing from racing all the series, time for a smile for Kev’s grid photo and we were off, Pauline flew past I didn’t see her again and Christine took me as well I tried to keep her in my sights.  Lisa passed me on the second climb and I decided to paused at the top at the entrance to the A line to let a group of youth boys through rather than have them hot on my tail.  I cleared the A line no problem it was one of my favourite sessions of the course and carried on with some riding, some pushing and slip sliding along, rooty tooty was interesting I met Lisa negotiating it and pushed on.  Later in the lap I got caught out on a short steep section slipping to the side I landed in some brambles rather than faceplanting a tree I clambered down the small drop to the marshal at the bottom asking if my leg was ok, yeah just bramble scratches and on I went.  Getting encouragement from Kev and Chris out on the course and other team mates and riders really helps you carry on.

Into the second and last lap I was expecting Lisa to catch me any moment and pushed on trying to catch Christine, seeing Kev on rooty tooty I was told she wasn’t far ahead, get in the ready position and just use the rear brake, I went for not quite foot out flat out but foot out stay upright, the rear brake tip helped.  Matt Phillips passed me near the bottom with more shouts of encouragement.  All went well for the remainder of the lap I chickened out and walked the section I had fallen on previously.  Crossing the finish line, I saw my team mates and coaches waiting for me, it’s great to be part of a team and a nice change to have more lady team members racing and I’m looking forward to next season with hopefully a full ladies squad.

I was pleased to take second in the series, I may not be the fastest but consistency paid off.

Thanks to Mitas and running tubeless I had a puncture free season and to Hardnutz for keeping me safe and Scimitar for a striking kit and thanks to Cyclewrap after a season of racing my bike still looks like new.

Jane Brockman

WRRS does MS&G Langdon Hills – Mel Bates

Back in August, HMTBC race team manager and Coach Kevin Darragh started the women’s rookie race squad. The aim was to encourage more women and girls into off road competitive cycle sport. During our coaching sessions, we received cycle fitness advice, basic cycle skills and some advanced MTB skills to allow us to build our confidence to enter and participate in the regional Mud Sweat and Gears MTB race at Langdon Hills. In total, 5 women from HMTBC had entered into the Open female category, 4 from the rookie team.

The morning of the race had arrived. Having marshalled at the cyclocross race at the same venue the day before, I knew trail conditions had probably worsened overnight due to the rain.

We arrived early as Kevin had kindly agreed to take us all around to look carefully at all of the A and B lines. The rain had indeed left the trail muddy to say the least. The trails were super slippery and the descents were rather challenging but Kevin gave great advice on lines and positioning which calmed my nerves. He also dried my tears of frustration! Thanks Kev.

A quick coffee and a pre-race photo outside the club gazebo before it was time to be gridded.

I was nervous but excited to be called up to the start. We all chatted on the line which settled nerves. Due to conditions it was decided we only had to complete 2 laps. A good luck from G on the start and then we were off!

Conditions under tyre were so wet I spent a lot of time trying to walk up the hills and trails but I was made to feel better when lots of other racers also did the same. I jumped back on the bike whenever the trail became dry and enjoyed some single track fun. My overall aim for this race was to face the challenge of the hills and to complete one lap. I know I could have done more on a drier day but I couldn’t face another round of mud running with my bike so stopped after one lap.

Overall, all of the ladies in the rookie squad finished safely with smiles on their faces, despite a few scratches and cuts.

Results were in!

Pauline smashed it and came 2^nd, Christine 3^rd. Jane came in 4^th (although she got 2^nd overall in the 2017 series standings), Lisa 5^th and myself 6^th out of 6 in our category.

Im so proud to have raced alongside these ladies. Such a supportive and friendly bunch. Everyone gave it their all and came off the track buzzing! Its safe to say we shall all be back to try MS&G another day.

Thank you to everyone there who cheered us round. It really does make a difference. Thank you to all of the other HMTBC race family members who always offer words of advice and a well done. Thank you to our super polite youth racers who all offer words of encouragement as they pass you in the woods. Super proud of you all.

Finally, a huge thanks to Kevin Darragh for his superb coaching and confidence building. I don’t think I could have done it without his knowledge and support, his calm demeanour and his winning smile.

Mel Bates

Mud Sweat and Gears descended on Langdon hills for the 8^th and final round of the series. This was important for lots of riders as it was the final chance to gain points toward the overall series standing. Upon arrival, we were greeted with a field of mud and this gave us some idea as to what the course was going to be like. At around 9am myself and a few other Hadleigh riders went out on a warmup lap and it soon became apparent just how treacherous the course was. The hills were covered in thick mud that stuck to your tyres and left you struggling for grip. On the other hand, the course featured some excellent descents which rewarded bravery as much as technical ability and as such were the scene of a few crashes throughout the day. Before the start of the race, I made the decision to swap my rear tyre for a Mitas Hyperion as opposed to my standard Mitas Scylla as the Hyperion has a deeper tread pattern, and this would turn out be vital as it helped me gain some traction on some of the hills where others were running.

Although the course conditions were less than ideal, they still made for some great racing and I don’t think that there was anyone who finished without a smile on their face. HMTB had some great results throughout the day, the highlights being Joe Champness coming 5^th in the Youth category and Robert Staines finishing 2^nd in the Junior category. Well done to everyone who turned up and raced for HMTB, it was great to see so many people out there and enjoying themselves. Finally thank you to Kevin Darragh (Youth and Rookie team coach) for his help and guidance throughout the year, I am incredibly grateful. Also thank you to club sponsors Mitas for the tyres that handled the conditions superbly, Hardnutz for the lightweight and comfortable helmet as well as Cyclewrap.

Adam Cavalla, HMTBC Youth Race Team.

I took part in the coaching like my sister Zoe did today but I was in a different group with Hadleigh riders Hannah, Emily and Stan.  Coaching was fun but the last section we did with the drop off of the wood got to high and I didn’t want to do it.

I started my race at the back as I wasn’t grided.  It was the muddiest race of the season but when you got up all the hills it was all flat or downhill from there.  I liked the drops offs and rooty bits we went through in the forest.

Im really pleased i wasn’t last in todays MSG but even if i was i still love racing in MSG.

Mason Porter

Last race of the year and the muddiest ever and my grumpiest.  We were doing coaching in the under 9s first.  The first thing we did was slaloms around posts, the second coaching bit we did was with the bridge with the drop off.  I did the drop at 3 blocks high.  The next bit of coaching was picking up a bottle then either put it down further along or pass it to someone.

Race:

I was gridded in my race in 7th place i think, i started well and overtook about 4 riders going up the little hill, when we turned we went down a big drop which was muddy.  The straight was thicker mud and we turned right to a tiny hill.

Coming around onto my second lap one of the other riders was just in front of me and daddy shouted i could catch her, i did catch her but she caught me up again on the next uphill.

I really enjoyed the race today, can’t wait for next season.

Zoe Porter.

Mud Sweat and Gears Round 7 – Radical Bikes, Chelmsford.

A rare lie in for me on race day, as the local venue of Radical Bikes in Chelmsford was only a very comfortable 30-minute drive away. With the usual pre-race day prep done the evening before, just the bikes to load up and then we were away, all in all an unusually relaxed exit from the house! On the journey, Daniel quaffed his breakfast in the back seat and Adam became chief navigator up front to get us to the correct venue whilst avoiding everything to do with the V Festival on route.

We arrived at about 8 and the early (HMTBC) birds had been extremely busy and already had the gazebo erected and secured to the ground. Daniel was particularly excited when we arrived as he had convinced me (or was it my idea?) to take his bmx with us, because for anyone that hasn’t been to Radical Bikes before, it is crammed with jumps, ramps, pump tracks and a foam pit.

Once all the morning Hadleigh racers arrived we all got ready and set out on a siting lap. It seemed pretty much the same as last year, with the course being roughly split into 3 distinct sections, the first being a wide open grassy stretch to disperse the field after the start, followed by fast but narrow single track twisting its way through the woods and then finally (and for me the most fun part) the twisty sections though and around the many bomb holes that litter the woods, not as fast as the single track but quite technical in places with a few A/B lines to choose and many roots and off camber sections to catch out the unwary.

At each of the features, the usual team discussions on technique and line choices take place and we ensure everyone is happy and capable of completing the chosen lines. Now back to the gazebo to get ready to race!

10am race was up first and as usual, Hadleigh was well represented in most categories. Notable results were as follows: – Open Male included another strong performance for Mark Darley in 5^th hopefully guaranteeing a Top Three finish this season, and also Brad Hurr for securing a seasons best 31^st, this being a great reward for all the effort he has been putting in at training. The Youth race saw another great battle between Hadleigh’s Joe Champness and Alfie Cunniffe with Joe just edging Alfie back into 8^th place with a great last lap surge. Also, it was great to see Adam Cavalla finishing in a strong 10^th position after a run of bad luck with mechanical problems in the last two races.

The under 9’s and under 12’s were off next and the younger team members were flying the flag for Hadleigh. Hannah Phillips secured an impressive 5^th in the U12 Girls and Zoe Porter gained 6^th in the U9 Girls.

After the morning podium presentations, it was then time to prepare for the afternoon races. Male riders in the Juniors, Vets and Grand Vets were all represented by Hadleigh. After a quick sighting lap with Travers Bikes’ Jake Darragh, I prepared for gridding. I was on the second row and after a bit of banter with the other Vets, the commissaire announces ‘anytime in the next 10 seconds’ and then it’s all serious as the gun sounds and we’re off! The long charge along the grass to get into the woods was quite frantic and I had to back off for a split second as I was getting edged out into the tape. We all entered the woods without incident and I managed to hold my position into the narrow single track sections. I lost a place or two about a third of the way into the lap but then we were into the last third and this is where I felt most comfortable. Within this last third there was a section of track that us Hadleigh racers had identified as a short cut. Essentially the racing line went round in an arc right to left but to the immediate left there was fallen log (within the taped confines of the course) that if you could bunny hop it, meant you could gain an advantage! I had been last in a train of 4 riders on entering this section and came out second – result! A few grunts and groans from the other riders having missed that opportunity by hey that’s racing! I worked hard and managed to pull away from this group. I managed to pick up the occasional wheel to follow but ended up doing the middle section of the race mostly on my own.

At the start of lap 5 I caught up with another rider and rode on his wheel along the grass stretch. It felt good to get the benefit of this but I think it came at a price as my pace had dropped and a quick glance over my shoulder revealed two Vets riders seemingly catching me back up. I pushed on as hard as I dared but on the final lap the two riders had caught me and then overtook me entering the final third of the lap. With my legs now screaming I just managed to hang onto them both. As I was confident in this section I figured if I can keep with them it may end up in a three-way sprint for the line! As the lap was nearing completion the rider in front of me tried an optimistic overtake on the rider in front and entered the next bend too fast and slid out. We both passed him as he picked himself up seemingly ok. So, it was just the two of us now, being the gentleman, I reminded my fellow rider of the bunnyhop log shortcut I’d used earlier to good effect which was fast approaching and to my amazement he missed it again, but I wasn’t going to miss my opportunity, so over I went and back in front again! Having been seemingly gifted the two places I thought I’d lost earlier in the lap I wasn’t going to give them up again and managed to hold out with a strong finish (thanks to Ian Webb for going way off the racing line to allow me to pass quickly and well done too on gaining a seasons best result!). As I was getting my breath back, Adam returned from the results tent to say I’d finished in 12^th, with my previous best being 15^th I was more than pleased.

With Rob Staines winning the Junior race too, I think the majority of the Hadleigh team went home happy with their performances, kudos to you all! One to go, see you all at Langdon Hills in September.

Thanks to Mitas for the tyres, Hardnutz for the helmet, Scimitar for the race kit and Cyclewrap for the team sponsorship.