Race Report: EWS Tweedlove, Riding it blind

This was the text message I received from Lee Jordan on the Wednesday prior to the EWS round in Scotland. He was up there with his wife Fay and some friends of ours, including (occasional Enduro Mag contributor and top racer) Rachael Gurney. They were all doing the allotted practice of Wednesday – Friday, and Lee was genuinely concerned that I had made the decision to do a World Enduro without any practice. I know he only had my health and well being in mind, but I was too busy for time off and the more he pecked my head with tales of how gnarly it was, I have to admit, the more it made me determined to prove a point. So that was it, the big question, could what was reported to be the most technically and physically challenging EWS rounds be done with no practice by an average Joe racer?

I had only been to one EWS race prior, over in Italy last year, I have to admit, although I am nowhere near as fast and fit as your average worlds racer, I was pretty gutted then to just watch. I hate watching, being more of a do-er than a spectator really. I was originally booked into EWS 1, that being the full 8 stages over 2 days with transitions rumored to be tight and testing for the best of riders. Lee and others got a bit into my head and near the end of the week I switched my entry to E2, especially after seeing Rachael sporting a freshly broken collarbone. E2 riders basically leave after all the E1’s, they have no real times for transitions and do 10k less climbing on day 1, due to missing out stage 3, I was basically in hobby class, which I thought to be more fitting to a big race with no practice.

I had smashed both knees up at Innerleithen the weekend prior during the UKGE, one was bruised and the other superglued, trying desperately to keep a rock wound closed. On arrival to the amazing site at Peebles I was so overwhelmed with the vastness of the set-up and just how huge Enduro has gotten to be. It just humbled me to the core, I felt proud to be part of this new bike revolution. This thing was so massive with all the top pros sporting their new bikes and swag, but it felt so right, no pretentiousness like DH, just riders all mingling and in their elements. I chilled out and did some socializing on the Friday, the Atherton’s Aussie masseur did a better job of patching up the knee for me, that was the first obstacle overcome. Next up I was given a nice set of (stay in place) G-Form knee and elbow pads (on test of course!) just to add confidence to those dodgy knees, thanks guys. It was great to just chill, but I did feel like I was missing out, as so many of my mates kept coming into the race village with stories of practice and fun tracks. It was near the end of the day when Donny (Neil Donoghue) choosing to race upon his Tallboy and not the Nomad, asked me if I fancied doing stage 4 of Glentress. I had my mind set on no practice now, wanting to prove a point, but lets face it even though he’s a mate from home, you still don’t turn down the offer of trying to rip down a stage with The Don. Plus Glentress was part of the much easier trail-centre type stages of day 2, so it didn’t really count as proper practice of the gnar shit!

Don and I were soon at the top and off on a charge, he was ripping as usual and I was out of the comfort zone trying to keep up. We got about half way down and Don stopped, it was only bloody Peaty and mates, “Lets train it” Peaty says, yeah I thought, I’m really gunna keep up with you lot! They shot off and I gave chase, 3 corners in and I heard the dreaded noise, “pssssssh” goes a Michelin mud tyre with a rock hole, frame covered in tyre jizz, I limp it down from half way, so really it didn’t count as practice anyway.

The weird thing about the 250 E2 riders is, with you all setting off last you don’t even start till 11.45, what a weird time to get going, my brain had got ready to race and been distracted loads of times (mind up and down like a hooker’s nickers) eventually we headed off after the short interview with Enrico. Finally we were on the move, 47k to go. This was it, day one, the most testing day, with the biggest hype surrounding its highly technical sections, I felt if I could get through this then day 2 would be a piece of piss!

The climbs were all long and ridable and in E2 with no limit they were extremely sociable, we got there with lots of time to relax at the top and get sorted out. Each stage was unbelievably long and all had a big pedal involved at some point, but stage 1 really took the biscuit here, with what felt like a ½k fire-road climb, which just ruined me, the second half of the stage was spent with me just gasping for breath and trying to re-compose myself, all aggression was gone but I got through. Stage 2 (as we didn’t do 3) was the one causing most concern, and not without reason, it was so steep and technical in places, I was just pleased it had dried up considerably from the mid-week’s wet practice carnage. Before the steep section I turned too sharp into a hole, bosh went my full-face lid on a tree as a result of a big over the bars. Surprisingly though the steep techy stuff never proved too difficult for the big wheels of the Carbine to handle; un-ridable my arse! We missed stage 3 and straight over to 4, this was parts of many stages of the UKGE race from the weekend prior, but with so many lines to choose and no knowledge I have to admit it was a bit of a confusing struggle. It never had me on the floor and I had made it, just day 2 to go, I thought it was in the bag. I had also got fastest stage 1 time in Master E2 men by 10 seconds and it gave me such a boost, even though it wasn’t the proper race!

Day 2 was pretty much a carbon copy of day 1, off just before 12, but without the 10k ride out to Innerleithen, the climb was lots quicker and I was at the top of stage 1. I was feeling strong and confident, these fast trail centre stages were just what the big hitting 29er was made for, I though it was a given, lots to prove. From the off I was pinned, it felt amazing, so much fun, a real mixed bag trail, I felt it had been made for my bike as I overtook about five other E2 riders. Half way down I was still buzzing, just about 30 seconds to go, I get on the gas for a short pedal across some roots, PING! That all too familiar feel of a chain snapping, no way, I couldn’t believe it, I managed to coast it down with a bit of scooting to the end. I walked back up the stage to where I thought the chain was and never found it, I was gutted, it was over because of a part I knew may have been a tad too worn, my fault! So began the coast, scoot and hike of shame for miles back to the race arena. On checking the time of my stage 1 I had come in 3rd fastest E2 Master, even with the scooting. But it was not to be, as without the other 3 stages it classed as a DNF, all because of a poxy chain!

So looking back, this raises the question again ‘can a pretty standard Enduro hobby racer take on the most technical EWS riding blind?’ Well I would definitely say 100% it’s a yes, I had lots of energy left from day one, I would have been real tired with doing stage 3 as well, but WOULD have done it. My friends of similar fitness all made the transitions with ease, so that wouldn’t have been a problem. As for day 2, it was just bad luck and I know I could have done all 4 stages and enjoyed it too. I had stupidly listened to other people’s doubts of my fitness and ability and made the mistake of taking them to heart. Now even though I loved it, I feel I cheated myself a bit, opting for the easier version. Next time I am lucky enough to get the opportunity to do an EWS, I shall be going for it, but being a racer at heart, E1 it will be for me and no half measures again, bring it on!

Huge thanks to all involved in making this by far the best mountain bike event I have ever taken the pleasure in being a part of, everything was perfect (except my non-genuine chain!)

Words Jim Buchanan

Pics Doc Ward, Jim Buchanan

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