Just thought I’d post the race report from last week’s FNSS round, it’s a bit wordy as it’s for our team facebook page! Online here with pics https://www.facebook.com/CotswoldCyclesRT/posts/1790992587878539?notif_t=like&notif_id=1498157755326383

Words here:

Last Friday saw the hottest evening of the year we had seen so far for the latest round of the Friday Night Sumer Series (FNSS). This is one of the longest running MTB race series in the UK and is based upon a fairly relaxed format of mountain bike racing on a short circuit, usually about 10 minutes a lap for a time of 45 minutes plus a lap. This creates some very exciting racing with, at times, up to 150 riders all racing on a 1.5 mile track with very different abilities ranging from top 10 nationally ranked Elite riders to young kids and recreational riders.
My son Fraser, Stuart Tyrrell and myself have been regular riders in this series and try to fit as many in as possible depending upon other schedules. Last week’s race venue was the National Bowl in Milton Keynes and involved features ranging from tight off camber woods sections to flat out blasts and leg breaking climbs! We try and aim to get to the venue at 6pm, pay our entry fee then slowly warm up to allow all the stresses of the working week to flow the other way!
As soon as we hit the track we knew grip was at a premium; the surface was very dusty and we were all suffering from the dreaded ‘front-wheel-wash-out’ syndrome. I had opted to ride the Trek Procalibre 9.9 hardtail as I felt it would be a benefit on the punchy climbs over a full suspension bike.
On the back of the circuit they had a small drop off that could be easily rolled by taking a specific line. I quite fancied a bit of air time though and hit the middle of it fast. Now 20mph may not be fast by roadie standards but on a short circuit MTB course it’s as quick as it gets! I took off and as I did so the rear of the bike kicked up and the front dropped. “Oh dear” I thought (or words to that effect), “I’m about to go over the bars on a section that should be easy!” I managed to just about land it, the front wheel hitting the soft gravel and sliding to the right, I corrected this and instead exited stage left off the side of the bike landing hard on my back with my head hitting the ground for good measure. “Great”, I thought, “I’ve come all the way here to take myself out of the race on a ‘nothing’ feature!” Thankfully, Stuart did a great job of not running me over – I’ve no idea how he missed me, but it was close!
I got my legs turning again and the pain in my left glut (bottom!) was quite severe – I couldn’t ride up the hill easily so circled around the flat trying to get some movement back in my leg. Whilst doing so, I realised that some of the regulars in my category had headed off to the World Championships in Andorra so it might be possible for me to get a good points haul. I had nothing to lose after already crashing so headed for the start to see what happened.
We had a decent field in Grand Vet with about 35 riders. I usually make a reasonable start so made sure I was up there at the front and went into the first singletrack section in second place. While still sore, it was not unbearable – “great” I thought, “let’s carry on”!
Going into the second lap, Tim Stowe came past me and went into the lead, knowing he was very proficient in getting through tight sections I quickly moved in behind him to make sure he didn’t build up a lead. I followed him for a couple of sections and then saw an opportunity to pass him, the plan being to make sure I kept him behind me on the tight sections where he would be strong!
I’m not sure what happened to Tim after I got past but he dropped out the race and suddenly I had a reasonable lead – head down time and hope no one catches me now!
The races are usually about 50 to 55 minutes in length so they are truly a flat-out blast, however at about 50 minutes I got the two laps to go board which would take the race distance to a full XC length, not what I had in mind! I could also see the second placed rider getting closer, ‘oh no’ I didn’t want to lose my first opportunity of a mountain bike race win by getting caught on the last lap, so guess what? Head down again for the finish! I managed to clear the line in first place with about 20 seconds to spare – I was quite pleased with that.
Fraser was already at the finish, having come fourth in the competitive Youth class. He was sporting a good amount of gravel rash from a crash mid race but had managed to get up and maintain his position.
Stuart had his best finish of the series so far coming in at 14th despite feeling a bit off-colour that evening and, more importantly, managing to finish ahead of riders that have been beating him in the previous rounds.
So, a good evening all round – a bit more skin lost and a few bruises gained but very happy with our results!

Great write up and fantastic riding!

Cheers rj, I was under the impression that 29ers were the way to go.

N + 1 beckons I feel..

I race on a 27.5in HT (in fact its my only mtb so i ride everythign on it) and it doesnt hold back my performance one iota… my fitness and skill however certainly do 😆

I ride a Scott scale FWIW and think its absolutely brilliant.

ferrals – just wondering if you saw anything about what happened to Nigel Brown in the race at Builth Wells where he crashed on the ‘feature’ (or if anyone else did?). Maybe you could drop me a quick email to iainwight@aol.com as his family are trying to understand what happened and what was changed on the course between sessions.

Nigel is still in hospital awaiting an operation which had to be postponed as his condition was more serious than expected unfortunately.
Thanks, Iain.

oldracer, I think it all depends on your own preferences, age, size, riding style, budget, type of races/courses, etc…

Seen plenty a fast rider still on 26” HTs but for sure the majority of the field is split 29” HT & FS. Ideal would be for you to test a 29” bike and see how it felt, from everyone I know who’s made the change they’ve been happy and regretted it.

Wow.. that really is a big nail !

Hi adsh, Nigel is doing better now, surgery went well and he was able to attend his daughters wedding at the weekend which was really good (with the help of crutches and a brace). Fingers crossed for a full and fast recovery.

Porlock to dunkery beacon? That’ll take you from sea level to 519m

Having a crack at the MMWM event at Beacon Park tomorrow, first short XC race of the year on normal bike; did Cannock Winter Classic in fat bike class earlier in the year so it should be interesting to say the least, considering at the moment I’ve got all the acceleration of a nissan leaf 😀

Sorry to hear you got taken out at Exmoor today. What a course though – never knew a circuit could have so many mega steep climbs – including the 25% Porlock Hill.
I enjoyed the ride but so knackered now – & had hamstring cramps 1 mile from the finish. Happy with my 3hr 59mins for full marathon

Well done chaps. Yes i heard a load of riders go down behind on the road, i tried to stay in the front 25%.

Got home about 1am. Elbow is glued together, lost of stingy momemts as the cleaned bits of Exmoor out of the flap. Ive a course of antibitoics and some codiene, but ive a massive swollen elbow and knee minus any skin.

Very sore today, but hoping to do something on the turbo starting tomorrow in prep for nexts Sundays race!

I’m going to say it and i know experience counts for a lot, but even on the climb you have riders shoving there way past without a word. Those that arent on the race circuit need to learn some ability to let a rider know your coming from behind with the customary “on the left/right” – riders cant always see and here so let them know youre coming!

Quick question, MTB Marathon series, are they races or sportives?

Just looked on there website, that explains why its mostly on bridleway

“Is the ride timed?
Although the ride is not a race, rider times will be posted on the website shortly after the event”

No, its a sportive whereever you start.

However, classification is somewhat arbitrary, sportive or racing, common courtesy should dictate safe riding wherever you are.

I hope you heal up quick Kryton, likewise your daughter DCL.

🙁 can’t make it this weekend. Which is bad for my boy. But it’s too far away for him to get back in time for his Orchestra stuff.

I raced Pippingford last year, and whilst it was really muddy, I could see that it was a fantastic venue. Very natural feeling rooty course. Opposite of somewhere like Wasing. In the dry, Pippingford will be great.

Don’t reckon i’ll be racing though – 🙁 – still on antibiotics for lymes and feel rough. Gutted, as I was looking forward to this round more than any other.

Heal up well kryton and dcl’s daughter.

Pippingford is going to be my first proper XC race in a good few years so glad to hear its a nice natural course, I struggle with big man made features!

That sounds good. It’s the big drop with the woodwork at Wasing that gives me the willies. I didn’t race Wasing this year, but the past 2years I’ve said to myself, ‘right get on with it and do the drop’. B-line instead every time.. 🙂

This one:
https://www.facebook.com/SouthernXC/videos/760821477369521/
Obviously Phil Pearce makes it look easy!