With the sun shining, the timing was perfect for the last round
With the sun shining, the timing was perfect for the last round

Speed Machines

In 1967 a very brave man, Donald Campbell attempted to break his own water speed record, originally set in Australia at an astonishing 444kph! He was going for over 500kph in his jet boat and tragically died during the attempt, fractions of seconds away from achieving his goal; the boat flipped and smashed to pieces like a china vase. This took place in January upon the beautiful Coniston Waters set in Grizedale in the Lake District, this being the location of the fifth and final round of the UKGE series of 2014. No records were to be broken here, but I thought as Coop and I drove up, how Donald would have been fascinated by the technology that has gone into making our own little self powered machines, which we all cherish and trust to hurtle ourselves as fast as possible down out own little stages 47 years later.

Top service on the top wheels
Top service on the top wheels
Coop, face-plant scratches from practice and 6 elbow stitches from the previous weekend's race
Coop, face-plant scratches from practice and 6 elbow stitches from the previous weekend’s race

I had never been riding in this part of the UK, so didn’t really have any expectations, more of an ‘it is what it is’ attitude, but as we headed off the motorway and down the many miles of tight lanes, the value of the houses greatly rose as the scenery changed and we entered Grizedale, now this place is posh. Coop and I quickly set up the Enduro Mag pits and made ourselves at home on the Friday morning, the sun was out in much fuller glory than is usually expected for so late in the year, the camping in the pits option being our new preferred pastime. We were told by Steve Parr how all stages bar stage 3 were marked and unofficially open, we got suited and booted and headed on up to explore.

Yet another fantastic location
Yet another fantastic location

The Stages

Stage 1

It was a pretty big pedal up lots of fire roads to get to the top of 1, around the 50 minute mark from the race village. This stage shot you down some single-track stone/soil trails, which were very narrow with grassy wide apexes on the turns, it was hard to know whether to rail the trail or use the grass, the whole of the weekend never seemed to imprint these very similar top half lines into my forgetful brain. Suddenly things got wider and steep as the speed and adrenalin level went up, hold lines or hit trees was the choice. Just as things were starting to be real fun the bike park flat section kicked in, there always has to be one of these! Flat corner after flat corner until you hit some 100mtrs of winding north shore boards to the final fields. The boards were complained about by many and thankfully removed before Saturday’s practice. Into the last field and a bit of a lung-busting pedal, a final g-out shoot before the blast across to finish in the arena alongside stage 5.

Race Village
Race Village

Stage 2

Off up the fire roads again as the weather warmed up even more, we were already getting a sweat on. Stage 2 started with a short pedal into the trees and the top being similar to the top of stage 1, but not for long. Soon we sped into more woods, but with loads of loose peaty fresh-cut drifty turns over roots galore. These were just so much fun, testing the limits of our tyres and making Coop make the decision to change to flat pedals for the next day. One part of the wood consisted of a nasty suspension swallowing compression in and out of a dry stream bed, this just trying its hardest to take the bike down across the ditch in the wrong direction. The type of tracks the UKGE team had put into this side of the hill really did show how things were getting more tight and suitable to the more nimble of bikes. The final part of stage 2 shot you out into a car park literally 40 mtrs across the road from Coniston water, what a cool looking place, as we were sweating our nuts off families were having picnics and dips in the water, just the other side of the trees, quite bazaar!

Fay Jordan, ponders before a run
Fay Jordan, ponders before a run

Stage 3

This stage was actually not open on the Friday, due to it being a public footpath, so the only time I did the big ride from 2 to 3 was on Saturday, and believe me it was quite a tough 50 minute climb up from Coniston side to the very top, where stages 3 and 5 started in virtually the same spot after a bit of a final hike up the rocks. Cast your mind forwards a day to Saturday morning, other stages were great fun but nothing seemed too rocky and gnarly, well 3 put an end to that thought! From the off there were nasty tech rock sections to tackle, tricky and real tyre killers. On my two goes of the top of this stage on Saturday I punctured twice trying to ride it aggressively. The art was to try and stick to the smoothest least rocky lines and just get through the top section, easier said than done. The middle section was about a kilometer of slightly downhill fire road, spin, sit down and spin some more, it seemed to go on and on! Next it fired you off to the final very exciting part of 3, fast singletrack, strewn with nasty roots and logs here and there to keep your attention on the job, it was just so much fun. The transition back up to stage 4 was that same evil climb from the lake, a real killer.

My training partner and future Enduro Mag tester, Andrew Cooper
My training partner and future Enduro Mag tester, Andrew Cooper

Stage 4

Spin back to Friday, we had finished 2 and followed the BCF commisaire of all people up the short cut to the top of stage 4, he said it was fine, who were we to argue! Although he didn’t really see the funny side of Chay Granby asking for his name in case we got in trouble! We were soon at the top of this ‘Friday transition’, which crossed stage 2, and it was time to hit 4. This was another shoot off through the woods, more fresh-cut in the trees at the top, much like stage 2. Out of the trees and some real fun open long-grassed turns onto a fire-road, short nasty sprint up a fire road, then a drop down through some speedy open wider wet trails down to the bottom, more great fun.

Oh dear Rachael
Oh dear Rachael

Stage 5/Seeding

The transition from 4 to 5 was way shorter, around the 25 minute mark, taking you back up to the very top. During our ride up a rather concerning twang came from my rear wheel, one of the very expensive flat-blade Enve wheel’s spokes snapped, ouch! The tyre went down, then the replacement tube went down, the spoke had to be removed, bummer! Finally up at the top looking out 360 degrees on the fantastic scenery of the local area I took in the moment before the final decent down into the arena. I found 5 very tricky indeed to ride, steep, loose and tech right at the top, then about a minute of very tight rooty turns freshly cut in the dark pines till you came out into the open of the clear-felled forest, fast and tricky with cut stumps a plenty. Cross a fire road and it was trail-centre stuff for a while, hard-pack stone turns, drops, jumps, pretty standard really. The link from this section to the last bit of fresh-cut was a horrible long fire-road climb, tough as old boots. The final section was real testing snotty woodland gnar, with a tricky ditch crossing, seeing many a victim throughout the weekend, much to the delight of the spectators. Across the field and down into the arena and it was all done, a full 38k on race day with the full transitions. Upon my pits arrival the Enve guys from Saddleback helped remove my tyre, rotor and cassette to lend me one of their wheels for the weekend, taking mine away to be re-spoked, now how’s that for service!

Is there a better way for the lads to spend a saturday eve than watching Go-Pro runs?!
Is there a better way for the lads to spend a saturday eve than watching Go-Pro runs?!
Mat Vazey's win, for being the most committed UKGE competitor and genuinely top bloke
Mat Vazey’s win, for being the most committed UKGE competitor and genuinely top bloke

Seeding

When kipping in the back of the van I always seem to wake up lots of times during the night, Friday night was no different, each time I awoke I could hear the pitter-patter of the rain on the roof. I remember thinking in my slumber how gnarly some of it could get if wet, I really didn’t want a wet weekend. Morning came and although a bit chilly the sun was out, as it remained thankfully for the rest of the weekend, the heat drying out the tracks by late morning. Coop and I went up again, Coop choosing to do the full loop again after stage 3, me choosing to do two goes of 3 and two goes of 5 before close of practice pre-seeding. In hindsight I think Coop made the best decision, as I never really remembered stages 1, 2, and 4 on race day, heavily safety braking the lot gaining lots of unwanted time.

As you can see by this pic, I rode like a goon all weekend, time for smaller wheels again!
As you can see by this pic, I rode like a goon all weekend, time for smaller wheels again!

This seemed to be the busiest UKGE event yet when looking around the pits, there just seems to now be so many teams and manufacturers sporting their colours in the forms of so many banners and flags, a great site. Riders really seemed to be buzzing at the great tracks and warm un-seasonal weather to finish the series off, with Steve Parr proudly announcing these were the best stages he had ever put on, I don’t disagree. There were three racers attending that brought back the memories of 90’s UK DH. Tip Ponting was back, fresh from his 15 second win of the World Masters DH in Hafjel, Norway. Two first timers also were 90’s elite top 5 legend; James Allaway and last year’s UK DH Vets champ Darren Howarth. They are definitely all coming out of the woodwork; it’s just going to get harder for us older riders.

Tim Pontin (2014 World DH Master Champ), James Allaway (Old Skool Elite legend) fastest master on stage 5, Me (best camera of the 4!) Darren Howarth (2013 UK Vets DH Champ)
Tim Pontin (2014 World DH Master Champ), James Allaway (Old Skool Elite legend) fastest master on stage 5, Me (best camera of the 4!) Darren Howarth (2013 UK Vets DH Champ)

At 3 pm I headed up, feeling tired from the big climbs and sun, but excited nonetheless. I gave it my all but felt a tad tense, struggling on the tight turns and open loose trail-centre berms, but I got down to a steady 13th, a bit disappointed really. Pontin had crashed twice in our category and still came in 1st, 24 seconds up on me, ouch!!

Vini Crighton Poli 3rd Junior, 3rd overall Junior in series
Vini Crighton Poli 3rd Junior, 3rd overall Junior in series

Race Day

The sun was out again and riders were up and at um’ around the 8am mark. Ladies were off first, following the usual short microphone interview by Mr Parr. We were situated right next to the start-off area/podium, so we just chilled right till the off. The day soon went from chilly to red hot, the downhill’s on the transitions were welcome and the long uphill climbs not so much. One thing about this race noticed by many a rider was how the transitions were far tighter than usual. My longest wait was at the top of stage 5 for 12 minutes and the shortest being the top of stage 2 for only 5 minutes, cutting it a bit fine, many of the ‘not so fit’ riders lost time and received time penalties at the end. The one thing I will say about the tighter transitions is the lack of waiting really sped the day up. For those with mechanicals it was a total lottery as to whether they could make their minutes, some just chose to call it a day and go for a DNF. It was definitely a long tough day and I’d say most riders were pretty pleased to see the top of the hill on reaching the start of stage 5 to complete the day. I had rode just ok all day, stayed on, no dramas, but never felt like I could attack. It was upon the finish of my race and realizing I had come in a disappointing 12th that I made a decision. These races are definitely getting gnarlier, more DH stuff, lots of tight tricky tech corners, so the following day I was to ring up the manufacturer I had my next long term test bike on order from and change from a 29 to a 650b; Steve Parr, you were right, I think you have achieved what you set out to do!

We all need to thanks these guys, the staff and Marshalls, great job
We all need to thanks these guys, the staff and Marshalls, great job

Results

Winners were Howard Stuttard (Grand Vets), Claire Bennett (Women), Leigh Johnson (Under 18s), Rob Carr (Vets), Ian Austermuhle (Masters), Ed Roberts (Seniors), Tracy Moseley (Elite Women), Mark Scott (Elite Male)

Masters Series Podium
Masters Series Podium

With Helen Gaskell dropping out due to a mechanical, Tracy absolutely walked it, with over a 2 ½ minute lead. As Ever Howard dominated the Grand Vets. Fresh from his Worlds DH Masters Champs win, Vets rider Tim Pontin could only place 4th after 2 punctures, with the ever consistent Rob Carr taking top spot. Leigh didn’t win Juniors by such a margin this time, as young Elliot Heap was hot on his tail, only 7 ½ secs separating the two. Titley had to concede to Ian Austermuhle for once in Masters, but he was only just under 3 secs behind and Rich Norgate a close 3rd. Seniors was close fought too, usual winner Rob Newman had to concede 2 places, being beaten to it by Ed Roberts then a close Charles Jones. Women’s favorite and Enduro Mag’s own Rachael Gurney decided to put her hand between a barrier and the bars, breaking her hand and ending her bid for the win, Claire had a over a 2 minute lead. Amazingly 2011 Elite winner, the 40yr old Rob Cooksley showed he still had the jacobs with 4th Elite, his last Elite race, Brooksey really has come on this season, he got 3rd, Hope’s fast boy Flanagan 2nd and Mark Scott taking prime Elite position.

I was disappointed with 12th, but 8th in series wasn't too embarrassing
I was disappointed with 12th, but 8th in series wasn’t too embarrassing

Overall series final positions

Women – 1st Claire Bennett, 2nd Nicole Mallett, 3rd Robyn Walton

Elite women – 1st Helen Gaskell, 2nd Sarah Newman, 3rd Carrie Poole

Grand Vets – 1st Howard Stuttard, 2nd Stephan Collins, 3rd Alex Cameron

Juniors – 1st Leigh Johnson, 2nd Elliot Heap, 3rd Vini Crighton Poli

Vets – 1st Rob Carr, 2nd Marcus Jones, 3rd Jamie Smith

Masters – 1st Andrew Titley, 2nd Andy Woodvine, 3rd Joe Finney

Seniors – 1st Ed Roberts, 2nd Rob Newman, 3rd Joe Taylor

Elite – 1st Neil Donoghue, 2nd Martyn Brookes, 3rd Mark Scott, 4th Josh Lewis, 5th Phil Shucksmith

The Don didn't even have to turn up to win overall Elite
The Don didn’t even have to turn up to win overall Elite
The after-party was pretty mental
The after-party was pretty mental

Full results on- www.rootsandrain.com

Big Thanks

It’s been one hell of a season, so many great races and mostly such good weather. Re-visited tracks have been up-graded with much more fresh-cut fun stuff, and so much work has gone into the events. Sponsors seem to be climbing all over each other to get a part in this massive growing sport, which I think is nowhere near the peak of its potential. I reckon next year it’s going to have to be a wait by your computer job, to get entries when they go live for events, this Enduro thing is here and here to stay. So it’s a massive thanks to Steve and all his crew for really putting on 5 great shows this year, Davie at the Billy Can for the top fodder, all the sponsors who have been at the events helping riders out (I’m not going to name them, because I know I’ll miss one out and annoy someone!) It’s also been great to see old faces of DH coming back to racing, enjoying the social side of the sport, plus meeting all the regular and fresh Enduro riders at each round. Till next year guys, don’t forget, not too much Christmas cheer and train like fuck! Over and out for UKGE 2014!

And finally, congratulations to Steve and Liz, he asked her to marry him on the podium, crazily she said yes!
And finally, congratulations to Steve and Liz, he asked her to marry him on the podium, crazily she said yes!

Words: Jim Buchanan | Pictures: Doc Ward


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