I joined other Cliftonites at the Nutcracker for my second ever MTB race. As stated in other posts the race consisted of a lot of sliding about in thick orrible mud - no good for someone who's spent most of his life on trusty old tarmac. Got lapped and pulled out after 3 laps (be nice to finish one of these one day), for a lowly finish. Still I should look at it as more of a success than my first foray into MTB racing as at least I could ride it all (rather than running bits) and although I fell off about the same number of times I don't seem to have any cuts or bruises.
How people ride at the speed they do on those surfaces I'll never know.
Here's some people with a lot of cleaning to do when they get home.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/64249849@N03/5849715023/
Weekend round-up, 18th/19th
Moderator: Moderators
I was in Sweden this week for the MTBO world cup and World masters championships. Great Britain got a bronze, a silver and two golds! The bronze was Killian Lomac for the boys and the other medals were Charlie Somers Cocks for the girls.
Some of you might recognise Steve Willis in the photo, he's the guy who organises the NYMBO events (trailquests) he did well, 5th on Sunday I think it was!! He is a very good orienteer, we don't get to see how good he is normally as he just goes for a pootle round on his favourite tracks in the trailquests.
I am not old enough for the masters yet so luckily I still have 3 years to get good enough to go for it. I had 3 races in Sweden and felt much happier this time. I wasn't fast but I never got lost and finally enjoyed the races as I wasn't completely petrified like I have been in the past. I just need to start cranking it up a notch now. We had lovely new kit and all looked really smart.
It was a fantastic weekend, wet and muddy on the first day and I couldn't see a thing, the other days were nice and sunny. Very technical orienteering in woods with tracks literally everywhere, that made my brain hurt and really tested everyones navigation skills!
Some of you might recognise Steve Willis in the photo, he's the guy who organises the NYMBO events (trailquests) he did well, 5th on Sunday I think it was!! He is a very good orienteer, we don't get to see how good he is normally as he just goes for a pootle round on his favourite tracks in the trailquests.
I am not old enough for the masters yet so luckily I still have 3 years to get good enough to go for it. I had 3 races in Sweden and felt much happier this time. I wasn't fast but I never got lost and finally enjoyed the races as I wasn't completely petrified like I have been in the past. I just need to start cranking it up a notch now. We had lovely new kit and all looked really smart.
It was a fantastic weekend, wet and muddy on the first day and I couldn't see a thing, the other days were nice and sunny. Very technical orienteering in woods with tracks literally everywhere, that made my brain hurt and really tested everyones navigation skills!
Tom Simpson vets photos - and music(!) - here:- http://www.dinningtonrc.co.uk/new/galle ... 202011.swf