Author: hydey

Mud, Sweat & Gears Round 4 – Regional Championships

We arrived at Carver Barracks around 12 for the afternoon race.  I signed on and got ready for a practice lap.  After my practice lap I got on my rollers to warm up and then headed for the start line.  We were then gridded and waited for the rest of the categories to be gridded behind us.

We started at 2pm and I got into a good rythmn.  Kieran Jarvis went off at the front and I was in a group of 4 with James Pickering, Travis Pell and Jake Darragh, behind him.  The 4 of us stayed together for the first 2 laps and then the 3 of us started to pull away a little from Jake after I believe he had a mechanical issue.  Into the 4^th lap the 3 of us were still together and it was set for a close finish, then Travis got caught up with my bike and came off requiring stitches to his knee.  James then managed to pull away from me leaving me in third place.  I was really pleased to come third, my first podium finish at my Regional Championships which I achieved whilst I was studying and taking my exams.  A big thanks to my coach, Loose Cannon’s Conditioning, for his coaching, help and support.  Also thanks to our club sponsors, Cyclewrap, Scimitar, Hardnutz Helmets and Mitas tyres.

Robert Staines – Hadleigh MTB Club Race Team

MS&G Round 4 – Carver Barracks – Euan Alexander

It was the day leading up to my very first MS&G , i always do the same thing to prepare myself for the race . I started by buying my favourite gels and nutrition i needed i then drink as much water as possible to stay hydrated. Dinner and breakfast are important to me personaly because its what i feel is the main source of energy for the race so i have a big bowl of spaghetti bolognese for dinner and for breakfast i have 10 scrambled eggs on toast.

As it was my first time at carva baracks i wasnt to sure what to expect. As soon as the green flag was up me and my team mates where out for the practice lap. The track was very fun , it had numerous dips and little climbs with a few technical sections including: small rock features , drop offs and a mini rock garden. When the finish line came into sight we decided to have a sprint race just to get the blood pumping and finish our warm up.

The clock had just turned 10 and gridding started. They called catagory by catagory until i hear the youths being called. I was gridded last at the very back as i had no points on my license but i was still determined to do as well as i could. They started to send the catagorys off. I rolled up to the line and got into the race start possision i had been practicing for weeks , the marshall then said ” the race will begin in the next 30 seconds ” my nerves kicked in but i put them aside . I cleared my mind and waited for the GO!!

We were off it was a tight bundle at the start but as soon as there were gaps i dove into them working my way steadily up the grid. I followed the race pace as the the positions were being taken behind me. I put my bike into a comfortable gear and slip streamed as much as could. As soon as the gravel road ended we were into a single track woods wich just also happend to be super slippery. The laps went by one by one and my body hurt but my mind was confident. I took every A line and made up for time where ever i could but  i lost it and slid out . I jumped back onto my bike but my goal to keep up with harrison darley was short lived when i saw him shoot off. It was the last lap and i tried soo hard i was starting to lose feeling in my arms but as i came down the little drop onto the gravel road i saw the finish line in site. I pushed the last little bit and secured my self 9th place.

Check out a little Video here.

Pulling into the HMBTC tent in one peice was the best feeling. I was so greatful for all the help my coach(Kevin Darragh) had given me and the support from all the members.

MS&G Round 4 – Carver Barracks – Euan Alexander – Hadleigh MTB Club Rookie Squad

Race Report – Welsh Enduro Series Round 2 – Coed-Y-Brenin

After a 5 hour drive up to a friend’s house in Dolgellau on Saturday, meant I could have a reasonably leisurely start to the Sunday, with only a ten minute drive to Coed-Y-Brenin to get signed on and setup for my first Enduro event!

Transponder picked up, number board on I took a gentle ride up the first transition to get a sighting lap in prior to the race. Join the queue at the head of the stage to get some breath back, the xc training helping as I wasn’t blowing too hard and pull the goggles on to see what stage one of three held.

Only three stages? Yup, all black graded runs, rocky, fast and technical. Stage 1 was aptly called The beginning of the end, with some the rocks and roots rattling the bars all the way.

A fairly long transition onto stage two, Y Slab, with a techy rocky climb to the start gate.

A couple of line choices on the steep rock slab to start meant a slower line on the left or the faster straighter line requiring a pre hop to clear a section and get a fast run down the rocks. Feeling confident I thought I’d try option 2. Lost foot off the pedal, went down the rocks on the front wheel and a big OTB to the chorus of ‘oooh’s’ from everyone watching. Decided to do the slower safer line.  Overall a tough long stage.

Very long transition to stage three, ‘Rocky Horror’ a fast loose stage to begin with, all single track, fast fireroad link into a steep slippery wooded section with some awesome looping berms to the end of the stage.

Managed to get back to the carpark to refuel before my race time, Then called up to start in the group of ten. Here I found probably my favourite part of the day. The transitions were spent chatting with a few of the guys in the group which made the race seem more like a social ride out , only with stages of riding completely pinned and then comparing experiences on the next transitions.

Stage 1 felt good, rough but fun. Stage 2 I threw the chain after the first slab drop, quickly put it back on and got back into it, catching a couple of guys in front of me. Stage 3 was fast and I felt like I’d emptied the tank by the end of it.

Overall a great introduction to the world of Enduro racing, the standard of riding was insane and will definitely be going back for more.

Thanks to Scimitar for the awesome new Enduro team jerseys.

UCI Junior World Cup – Hadleigh Park – Daniel Cavalla

The UCI race weekend started for me on the Friday evening when I visited the track to do a practice lap.  Afterwards I went to the Cannondale Factory Race team question and answer session in the Hub.  Manuel Fumic, Maxime Marotte and Helen Grobert from the race team were there to answer our questions.  I asked “have you had any major injuries from racing?” Manuel said he has broken many bones including fingers, wrist and collar bone (which he broke three times in one year!)

The under 12s race was at 12 O’clock on Saturday.  I was a little bit nervous as it was an international race.  We were grided according to when we entered the race, which led to me being on the front row.

I liked the course.  I felt like I was fast on Deanes Drop because of the amount of practice I’ve had, and the Mitas tyres also helped.  I was quite happy with my result, I got 6th.

I enjoyed the weekend – watching the other races and playing on the pump track and parkour with Mason and Max.

The Hadleigh team looked great in our new kit – thank you to Scimitar for the kit and Hardnutz for the helmets.

Daniel Cavalla – HMTBC Youth Team

Travers ESES Hadleigh Round Two Race Report – Christine Rethman

Well what an event. I must admit, I was a little nervous of racing at Hadleigh as so many features still scare the heebee jebbies out of me. But what a pleasant surprise (except the long grass, that was not a pleasant surprise).

Travers used parts of Hadleigh I had no idea existed!!!! But will do in the future.

So I set off on my practice lap thinking I would not survive it, but not only did I survive it, I flipping enjoyed it!!! “What is happening to me?” I found myself saying as I went around the course. I even enjoyed the snaking up hill, something that has never entered my vocabulary before. Am I becoming a mountain biker?

Best parts of the course for me was the twisty turn around the oak tree and that wonderful swooping downhill into the arena, both technically challenging (well for me anyway).

I set out with a target of doing two laps at least, but as the race went on I found myself wanting to do one more lap, what a surprise. From the girl with no control, no stamina, no anything really, I have now become the girl (or old lady if you listen to my son) wanting to do more and more. I ended up doing six laps. I was personally so happy and felt that I had really achieved something. Will definitely be signing up for all the rest of the races, even on the 23^rd which is my 50^th Birthday, what a way to spend your 50^th, sweating your guts out, but you know, would rather do that then drink myself senseless under the table as I have done in previous years!!!!!!!

My other highlight was racing with my son, something I have never had the pleasure of before. Even though the little tinker lapped me three times, it was great to see him power past me, real proud Mum moment.

Travers Series might not have all the thrills and spills, but I tell you, it is hard and great to push you to the next level.

Christine Rethman

UCI Junior World Cup – Hadleigh Park – Max Rethman

From high expectations to deep frustration to fighting back – Max Rethman U12

Life lesson – Something to learn and take away for future reference

Racing on home soil is always more special than racing elsewhere, so I entered this race pumped up and ready to give it my all. On the start line I was gridded on the third line, this annoyed me. But I was determined to get to the front. I was so focused that when the whistle went I was up at the front quickly (not my usual start). By the time the start of the uphill on the snake I was fourth, and that is where it all went wrong. My chain jumped off and I had to stop. It was horrible. I could not get the chain back on. No one was allowed to help me because it was a UCI event. Everyone went past me, it was really horrible. And then the girls were started, they all passed me too. I was getting very upset now. I eventually got the chain back on from the advice from my Dad, Mel and Chris. But as I started off the lead rider was already in sight on the start line!!! It was now a battle to get back whatever I could.

The course was good, a little more challenging than the usual MSG under 12 course. Best part was the B Line at Oak Tree Drop with a tight turn at the bottom, and I really liked the uphill climbs. For me now it was all about picking riders off one by one. Nothing too technical as they had under 9’s racing the course. I would have liked the course to be more challenging, but it was what it was. It was hard picking my way past everyone and at one point I wanted to give up but I kept on going for it and managed to get myself back up to ninth.

It was not a good day but then these things happen, so you just have to accept it and move on. What I can take away from this is that I will check my chain in future and not leave everything down to my Dad. My bike has to be properly prepped before every race, by me.

UCI Junior World Cup – Hadleigh Park – Mason Porter

On Saturday 6^th May 2017, I raced in the U12’s race of the Hadleigh Park International. There were 18 riders in the U12 category including Max Rethman, Daniel Cavalla and me.  I had tried not to ride my bike as much all morning as our race wasn’t until 12pm, not just to stop dad moaning at me but to try and save some of my energy.

We were doing 5 laps, of those laps I managed 3.  I found the course very challenging. In the race we were up against: Team Darenth; Colchester rovers; and others. Daniel was in front of me on the start line and got a really good start.

As we went up the first hill Max’s chain dropped off and he had to stop and put it back on, he had to do it himself or go all the way round to the tech zone for someone to help which was closer to the end of the lap. As soon as he stopped everyone over took him. As soon as it was back on, he got back on and carried on racing and made it as close to the front as he could.

It was a fairly short course but I think that’s because I know Hadleigh, we went up the climb from the start finish straight and along the bottom of triple trouble, before getting to the Gap jump we turned and went through the gate heading up to Oak Tree down the B-Line and back down toward the start finish loop.

The most challenging part was the berms, I like the berms though and the Mitas tyres on my bike grip them so well.  Then the tight turn near Kevin our team manager, better not crash in front of Kevin I thought.

I spent the rest of the day riding on the pump track, skills area and around the track with Daniel while watching the Elite riders practicing in the afternoon.

Thanks to Hardnutz for my brilliant helmet, Mitas for my tyres and Scimitar for our awesome new race tops.

Thanks also to all the marshalls and supporters for shouting for me going round.

The photo of me is credit to Damon Parsons.

Mason Porter – HMTBC Youth Team

UCI Junior World Cup – Hadleigh Park – Ben Matthews

Early start to the track cold and grey Skies. The team went on a practise loop looking at all the a and b lines finding the faster line; after then we waited nervously for the startup.

It was time on the grid ready to race, the whistle went everyone sprinting clipped in and racing. At the first corner I crashed knocking my stem out of line, I had a multi tool and was quickly fixed and carrying on; lost the pack covered in blood but carrying on. The race went well, the sun out and the club cheering me on. I got lapped in 2 lap then that was my race over quick and painful but one of the best I have done.

Ben Matthews – HMTBC Youth Team

MS&G Round 3 – Henham Hall – Max Rethman

Unusually hot day at Henham Hall found us all racing in just shorts and race tops, which I prefer as you can move better.

The under 12 course was not particularly technical. With no real A lines in the main course it would be hard to find a technically challenging course for the under 12’s. So the course favoured the sprinters rather than the technical rider.

The start was on an uphill that led into the woods. The best part of the course was here in the wood where there were lots of short uphill’s and downhills with lots banks which you could go around really fast. This was the only real technical bit in the whole of the under 12 course, so I made the most of this.

The rest of the course consisted of long stretches of grass where you had the opportunity to overtake other riders that led in and out of the wooded areas. I would have preferred to spend more time in the woods and done some of the technical stuff that was in the main course, as there was nothing really hard. There were two steep hills that tested the strength of your legs. This allowed the strength riders to gain time on the spinners as they could power up the hills.

The finish was a dash over the bridge to gantries, this was great as if you were in a group you could really sprint for the finish.

Although this was not my type of course I did enjoy it.

Max Rethman

Travers Bikes ESES –  Round 1 (Potash Night Race)

With only a day’s rest since the Potash Spring Classic, Tuesday evening saw many of the HMTBC team return to the same venue for the opening round of the Travers Bikes ESES race series. Always an eagerly contested series, the first race was the night race where the start is in the late evening and the light fades away leaving the racers to battle it out into the darkness.

A stong field arrived, albeit minus a couple of key Hadleigh riders whom are saving themselves for the Nationals event this weekend – good luck Guys! After a quick sighting lap to check out the course features (essentially Sundays Spring Classic race in reverse) and we were all good to go.

I lined up on the front row of the grid and after the usual expert guidance on race etiquette from our local commissaire, the horn sounded and we were off!

After charging along the open grass stretch I was placed third heading into the twisty singletrack course. The pace was pretty ferocious from the start as the talented Kieron Jarvis was leading the pack with the rest of us struggling to keep up with him. At the start of the second lap I was still holding third place but as I knew I had two fast riders on my tail, decided to change tactics at the second feature by opting for the B line and allowing the two riders behind through over the A. I was now right on their tails as we headed off. Although similarly paced we separated slightly over the coming laps and I found myself on my own, some 10 to 20 seconds behind them. Trying to keep them in sight as the laps ticked by and the light faded, it became increasingly difficult as I was now catching back markers and Youth riders. Everyone looks the same from a distance at night and you can only really identify a rider once you get close enough to get them in your lights. I kept pushing as hard as I could and just when I thought I was catching the rider in front of me it would turn out to be another back marker!

Ahead in the distance I could hear the bell sound for the lead riders so I knew when I next crossed the line it would be the start of my final lap, “last push” I thought to myself. About a third of the way through the lap I thought I caught a flash of the jersey of the guy in 4th. This spurred me on even more as I started to give chase. To my surprise, I caught him up easier than expected and then as he graciously let me past announced that he had ‘bonked’. A quick exchange of sympathy and then with a virtual spring in my step I finished my lap in good shape and in a very happy 4^th place.

There were some great rides from the Hadleigh team especially from the Youths with Harrison Darley crossing the line in first place and Joe Champness in second, both showing great form this season.

It was also great to see Rookie team members giving it there all, Kudos especially to Alfie Cunniffe who lost his only light towards the end of the race and rode to the finish in the dark! Also Rob Bates for whom this was his first ever race  – nice work!

As always, big thanks to Hardnutz Helmets and Mitas tyres which performed flawlessly throughout my race and also Travers Bikes for putting on yet another great event.