SSUK10 – UK Singlespeed Champs

Getting the this year’s SSUK was a bit of a mission for many riders, having to track down a tiny campsite in a tiny village in the middle of South West Wales. However, those that made the effort were rewarded with a great atmosphere, great food and camping and, best of all, a fantastic course worthy of a UK Singlespeed Champs at the little-known trail centre at ‘Cwm Rhaeadr‘ near Llandovery.

Riders were treated with the traditional Le Mans start – only, whereas the usual ‘jape’ is to mix the bikes up randomly while the competitors are down the road, this year they were all neatly organised (and in the case of Singulars particularly, stacked) by colour…

The course itself was four laps (if you were quick) of a fantastic trail in the woods. A big climb, with plenty of pushing, weeded out the weak, but then everyone was rewarded with a beer tent near the top of the climb for refreshment, ready for the fantastic singletrack downhill that followed – nearly all freewheeling from top to bottom – only to do it all over again.

As riders drifted back to camp, the slightly showery skies cleared and the evening entertainment started – with a tug of war, a HUGE prize giving ceremony, mini bike derby and free food provided by the Dropoff café. Dancing and drinking went on well into the night…

And results? Yes, there were some:

Men:

1 -Jonny Pugh

2 – Steve Web

3 – Richard Lansdowne

Women:

1 -Mel Spratt

2- Pippa Lansdowne

3 -Ivy Denham

And, as tradition dictates… everyone else came fourth. Roll on next year! (Applications to promote next year’s events are still being accepted…)