Racers Guild, January 2011.

Edit: Results are now up in all their true to the tenth of a second glory. Results are final.


Course- Red, all of it.

Conditions- breathless & light headed.
Happy new year rippers, now cough your lungs up.

It has become a minor tradition for Racers Guild to run the full red course at the start of every year. I don’t generally ride the whole red, I get round the berm and pull over. Riding it in its full length at full speed is a killer. To add more fun Hardtails were encouraged, it kinda makes sense as the red is a pretty easy trail and it makes for a change to ride your XC bike and hope it doesn’t snap, or ride your Dirt Jumper and hope the tyres grip.

A little bit of marketing on T’internet from Si Paton on southerndownhill gave a few new faces a chance to try RG timed practise. With many local riders off playing on bigger hills where the names are just consonants, bragging rights were up for grabs. With 71 riders vying for the podium and rain constantly looming on the horizon, everyone was opening the taps early, no sandbagging. The trail was pretty dry, a strong wind was a good reason to keep air time low, pro-racer style. Once across the fireroad the trail changes from packed sand to wet loam and a couple of rooty tooties towards the end, giving the snipers on Lower Cliff a clear line of site.

Junior Boost, nuff style. (Pic by Stewygolf)

Great turnout for the Youths, all 13 of them were flying, often literally. Joe Millard practised the fastest with a 1:25.4, Jonathon Stewart took his HT into 2nd and James Patrick got his only run into 3rd place.

Bike of the Month goes to that brand spanker Spesh Demo. Sammytastic.

In the main category (16-39 years old) Andy Hughes was one of the few True Pinners in attendance, blowing everyone else away with a 1:17.5. Chaz Owen was closest with a 1:19.2 with Scott Barley close behind on 1:19.4.





Mr Motivator, this was on his way back up for yet another run. (Pic by http://kitman.pinkbike.com/ /)

Vets class got a result sheet which was not the normal Whyte-fest. Gary Rowe got quickest with a 1:23.7, with Chris Jones 1:24.3 and Neil Owen just 0.2s behind. Si Paton, the man of efficient stature who single handedly is probably not solely responsible for the UK DH scene being the best in the World came in 4th, he should have gone faster really but its nice to have his support and for him to bring along the mobile Descent-Gear Canine Mis-Behavior Van.

We are not worthy. (Pic by http://kitman.pinkbike.com/ )

I can't not mention those who chose to ride their hardtails, mainly because I beat them all, including Harry who miraculously made up 8 seconds on his last run in the wet and rain *cough* of course you did Harry. But in all honesty riding your not normal for DH bike really makes you think about your lines, jumps, speed, everything really. Give it a go next time, you might not be as fast but it will either put a smile on your face or a brown streak in your Troy Lee Jim-Jams.

One of our clocks is now broke and the Insurance has just been renewed so many thanks to everyone who dipped into their pockets and made a donation, without this we simply can't run RG.

We are missing quite a few number plates, if you have one please return it, there will be no consequences, but without those missing coming back the entries this summer will be limited to the plates we have left. We are missing about 20 now.

As always the course pixies, marshalls, first aiders, endists and startists are the most wonderful people who represent all that is good and wholesome in the world. Giving generously for nothing but the betterment of others.

What happened last Build Day, Build Days are good.

Fancy doing something for the betterment of yourself ? Come to our DH Build Day on 5th February. We are chipping away but need all the help we can get, there is still much to do after the Winter of Discontent.

Click here for info >

http://www.bikeadventuresuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=9979
Scruff.