01 September 2011
Torq 12/12 enduro
Ray submitted the following race report.
A few teething problems at the start, generator powering the inflatable start arch cut out and collapsed, and the quad bike leading the warm up circuit stalled, otherwise a really well organised event. Antony jostled with the pros to get a good first lap putting us well in front of the have ago masses. Knowing that rain was on it's way and conditions were good managed to put in a good first lap, passed a guy in the last quarter mile who had wiped out and looked in a bad way. Ambulance turned up to take him away, Tread later found out when he visited the medics after his crash latter on that he had sprained his ankle (obviously a soft roadie, not a hardened mtb rider). Simon put in a good first lap (second fastest of the day) and Tread followed up with a good time despite rear mech problems and a massive downpour of rain. The rain was so torrential that it completely changed the dynamics of the course, lots of slippery mud and roots. The SRAM guys who had set up camp to help with mechanicals did a really good job sorting his gear change problems, even offering to change cables at no cost. Took quite a bit of getting used to the wet course on my second lap but managed to overtake lots of riders struggling with the conditions to get a reasonable time. Nobody at the transition area so decided to go round again, was quite a challenge as was really looking forward to a rest, turned out that the team had mis calculated the time and turned up only moments after I had pushed on. Team had no idea that I had gone round again and were getting concerned, asking course stewards if anyone was injured or suffering major mechanicals. Team were pleased when I turned up, that was my hardest lap, 16 miles flat out. Got dark on my third lap after four miles, conditions were getting better, bike was handling really well. Managed to keep the speed up by riding smoothly through the single track and keeping off the brakes. Tread came off on his third lap on a part of the course that was not wearing well, lost his main light and had to finish his lap on a weak headlight, he did well to complete the last mile which was very fast and winding through the trees. Antony and Simon finished the last three laps and pushed us up 2 places into 17th. Really pleased with the results, a lot of good teams in front of us, looking good for Dusk to Dawn.
Thanks to Antony for organising the event and providing the homely gazebo, thanks to Simon for the very fast lift in the car and the cups of much welcomed tea and thanks to the team for a really enjoyable and rewarding event.
Thanks to Antony for organising the event and providing the homely gazebo, thanks to Simon for the very fast lift in the car and the cups of much welcomed tea and thanks to the team for a really enjoyable and rewarding event.
00:42:52 Antony
00:40:37 ray
00:41:48 simon
00:44:04 tread (poured with rain)
00:45:24 Antony
00:43:43 ray
00:48:52 ray (second lap, team got timing wrong and missed handover)
00:48:42 simon
00:46:41 tread
00:46:52 antony
00:47:27 ray
00:51:27 simon
00:55:10 tread (crashed, broke lights mile 5, injured knee)
00:48:34 Antony
00:54:17 simon (19th place)
00:49:06. Antony (17th place)
