Racers Guild December 2010- CDL, frozen then a bit yucky.

I love snow, I’ve been out riding a bike in it most days over past 2 weeks, either nightrides or riding to work and going the long way home through the Chase, flying past drivers with their iced up windows and spinning Pirellis- Muppets. Trouble is that the much needed build day we had planned was cancelled, so we have no more trails to play on at Style Cop and it looked touch and go over Decembers RG. 3 days of balmy 5 degrees melted it just enough for Harry to do an inspection on Saturday & confirm it was on. Come Sunday morning and the trails were all frozen again, Richey took an early inspection run and his Intense’s WetScreams were giving it the Bambi, not good.

After a slow turn out it warmed up enough to break up & melt the top surface and we got a good 47 riders including our wonderful sponsors van of cheap spangles, DESCENT GEAR. (Tip from Si Paton- tyres are going up in price next year, so buy lots now.)

Becky, reprazentin like Ronnie.

As CDL had become rideable again it was decided to use it again for a timed practice. Top section off the red was riding well before you hit the post-tree felling newer section. Shame we couldn’t get the new bits finished beforehand (keep an eye on forum for next build day) but it was good to see what lines were emerging. There hasn’t been any decent rain to wash the fresh sticky loam away, so it made for a difficult time in the middle section, sticky and slick, roots and a few tree stumps and boggy-down bits. Getting the line wrong here was easy and you couldn’t make the time back up, but there were a few options. I liked the inside lines on everything- slower speeds maybe but certainly less slippy. Once you hit the original section the roots were more exposed than before, so again it was harder to carry speed up to the fire road gap. Way many more riders were casing the gaps than normal. Last few corners were riding well with the option to cut which was pretty greasy. A sharp greasy rooty left and quick sprint and you were done.

In the 15&under class Tom Austerberry got a very quick time of 106.6 to lead with Ed Smith following and James Patrick took his Hardtail into 3rd. Declan Whyte mostly sat in the car with the heater on scoffing his dads sausage rolls.

Bob taking time out from starter duties. pic by ten yearsafter.

Andy "Top Dog" Hughes was the only rider to nudge under a minute with a 59.8, Mitch Ingley was close with 100.1 whilst Chaz Owen was slightly behind in 3rd getting 101.4 on both his first and last runs. No-one came close to those 3 but Adam Burton gets Pinkbike props for getting his Hardtail into 7th.
In the Grandads category Si Paton blew Micks doors off with Neil Owen just rounding out the podium places.
Becky got her consistent result of 1st in the ladies- How can we encourage more women to attend ? Surely no one wants a pure sausage festival.
It was a good mellow day, everyone got lots of runs if they wanted and no serious injuries.
Sleigh of the day goes to Santa’s green V-10 with matching fork colorway.
Thanks to all those who have supported RG through what in some respects has been a difficult year. The relocation of our star organiser left a gap we have been slowly filling. Plenty of folks have stepped up and started helping out. If you want to be involved further your input would be more than welcome, just go speak to Harry. Next year is going to be a standardised date using the 3rd weekend of every month.

Mitch keeping his racepants on. Pic by ten yearsafter

As well as the monthly meets we need LOTS of help on the build days coming up. We know the trails are only half rideable, this sucks- there are some great plans agreed, just need the weather to mellow out so we can set some dates and willing helpers to turn up and we can get some spanking trails sorted for next year. There will be newish stuff and much better old stuff but we really do need your help.

Video from Lance> http://www.pinkbike.com/video/173044/

I’ve only been attending RGs for 18 months and I’m loving it, its pushed my riding and given me new friends and a different perspective on the riding scene. Next year I want to start doing a few uplifts elsewhere, I’m proper hooked and would like to thank everyone for making everyone else welcome and pushing our riding and good times in the right direction.

I know a good few riders are riding BDS next year with some stepping up in terms of category and changing sponsors. We hope the wind is blowing in your sails next year- seriously, kick some national ass for the rest of us, we are proud of you and you give us a level of riding to aspire to.

Thanks to every marshall, snapper, driver, bike fixer, parent, videoist & trail helper who has attended all year but most special thanks to those who really have made something special for no reward apart from other folk having a good time.

Take a bow-

Aaron
Stu
Alex
Alex’s mom
Harry
Adam
Richie
Mick
Bob
Del
Chris
Lance
Liam
Andrew
Bruce
Boon productions
Si Paton

Happy Christmas to all and hope to see you (holding a shovel) in the New Year

Scruff.