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It’s June, around the weekend nearest to the longest day, so that means only one thing for now, MOUNTAIN MAYHEM. Richardsons CC had four solo riders this year: me, and first timers, Jackie ‘Houghing Jax’ Hough, Sandwich Chris and Too Tall Tom. The Boys’ Team were back: Mark G in charge (not an easy task), with Tom Stockhill, Hackness Mike and Steve ‘Little’ Hopper.
The boys rode an impressive 24 laps, claiming 21st place, the sheer joy of riding as a team clearly bringing out the best in each of them! Well, something like that! Will the team ride again? Lots of speculation – let us know your plans boys!
Jackie, renamed Jax because she is a hardened mountain biker now, rode as planned. Steady away for the full 24 hours. She coped brilliantly with a course that was both hillier and more technical than last year. Several falls did not faze her; a bacon sandwich in the early hours seemed to inspire her. I am sure that everyone one of us there kept trying that little bit harder because of her example. Well done, Jax.
Sandwich Chris rode like Sandwich Chris. He was always cheerful, cool, laid back, even stopping for a well earned beer supplied by a fan(!). He did 13 laps and finished 39th out of over 150 solo riders, so not so laid back really. When he finished it was clearly a very emotional moment for him, and great for us to be able to share it with him.
Too Tall Tom didn’t really know what he had let himself in for! The practice lap of the course shocked him. My 10 mile training loop in Dalby was rather easier than the real thing to say the least. A very nasty crash on a long very very fast sandy descent knocked his confidence, which was probably no bad thing, but not the best thing to happen on his 40th birthday! Being a runner rather than a mountain biker he got to the front of the field on the half mile run at the start, then managed to keep lapping at a very fast pace. Unfortunately for his final result, he kindly rode with me for a few laps which slowed him somewhat, but he still finished 32nd and could easily have made the top 25, an amazing result. Top 20 next year, or why not go for top 10? Just don’t take pity on me next year!
Well my second Mayhem is over. It was been a completely different experience from last year. Due to a virus that would not go, my training started slow and eventually stopped! Not the best way to prepare for a 24-hour race. My trainer, Mark G, advised me to pull out and concentrate on getting back to full health. We agreed on a compromise: I would ride but have a rest, ideally a sleep, and just ride for experience. I, naturally thought that on the day i would do just fine. Sleep? Not me!
From the start I was off my pace from last year, slower by a good 10%. Yes the course was longer and harder but to be on the podium i needed to go a lot quicker and it wasn’t going to happen. I kept plodding on, happy to be back on enough form that I was able to keep riding. A dramatic fall, a full double twist over the bars resulted in a scratch on the back of my leg which bled like crazy and got me lots of concerned comments from riders, which is always nice! It didn’t hurt and I carried on quite happily. However about 3am i fell badly, I hit my head, which really did hurt. I got lots of bruises and broke my front light and my back brake.
After being picked up by a very nice rider, I carried on feeling rather sorry for myself. I was tired, I couldn’t see well and i couldn’t stop very well. I limped back to base camp. Lorraine took one look at me, and very wisely didn’t give me any sympathy other than listening to my tale of woe. I was fed, watered, and sent on my way on the spare bike. It was no good: I was just too tired, even stopping to sleep for 10 mins half way round the course. Well I would have slept but for all the other riders stopping to ask if i was okay. Too Tall Tom had lapped me by this point so kindly rode with me, keeping me going until I got back.
I was fed again. I ate so much I expect I am the only rider to actually gain weight in a 24 hour race. Then it was bed for me. I had ridden until daylight and that was enough. I fell straight to sleep for a good two hours. I decided that I had done enough: I would retire, chill, hang out, do nothing, laze in the sun. Yeah, that’s not me - and so within the hour I was back on my bike.
About half one on the final afternoon Jackie, Too Tall Tom and me decided not to push for one extra lap, but to sit in the sun with a beer and cheer on other riders. Just before 2pm we got back on our bikes and rode together through the finish line. I hadn’t got a podium but I had had a great time - and there’s always next year!
Richardsons Cycles Shop
38-40 Castle Road
Great weekend and great photos. Matt has really captured the joy and some pain of the event in these photos I especially like the one with Jax and her medal what a smile after 24 hours of riding. What you get from this event is a good team spirit not only from all of the 2500 cyclists at the event but closer to home a true demonstration of the strength of our club with all levels of riders coming together to ride or to support each other. Great! I suspect we will have even more riders next year.