Brownbacks Race 1 - George Flinton

Jumping into the bus at Habton, I had no idea what to expect of the first race at Lee Quarry, I knew from last time that the quarry can get quite techy in places and also can include some nasty climbs. Talking to David on the way up, he made out that the course would be the easiest of the series as it was the first race.

After an hour and a half of travelling down in the BBB bus we pulled into the entrance of Lee Quarry, and quickly unloaded the bikes and signed on at registration. Once changed into our race gear, we set out for 'the hill', anybody who has been to Lee Quarry will know which hill I mean.

Some Bears playing in the quarry

The practice lap was rode at a steady pace, partly to warm up and partly to study the course. I thought the course was similar to the last race I had done there minus the big hill every lap. I liked the course this time round, it wasn't the best course i've ridden but the climbs and decents were in all the right places, there wasn't much time for resting on this course, just had to get your head down and go with it.

The Racer...

The start was fast approaching as we pulled up to the line, after the racers and the racing divas set off I knew it would be our turn in just moments. The siren sounded and we were off, I surprised my self as I set off and headed to the front of the pack, a few words of encouragement were shouted at me as I passed Wayne on the Single speed. As I reached the top of 'the hill' it occurred to me that there was only one guy in front of me (the winner overall) Soon enough Bob appeared on Sams Trek 9.8, and there was a fight for 2nd place, eventually Bob pulled away as his bike seemed to float up the hills being fully Carbon. Rob pushed on and overtook the lead guy and continued pushing until he had a good couple minutes lead, then with all the pressure of actually leading a race for once, Sam's bike gave up and broke, putting Bob out of the race. :(

Bears don't hang about...

The race continued and running through my mind were various song lyrics and also thinking that I wouldn't be able to keep up this lead, how long would it be before the next guy passed me? I knew I had to keep pushing or face loosing my position, so pushed on I did with yet more encouragement from various Bears at different points in the course, and even some marshals shouting 'come on you bear'.





After hearing through the grapevine that this was the last lap, I set about really trying to catch the guy in front, I had no idea how far ahead he was so just had to push,  coming round the pump track for the last time, I caught sight of some people that I wanted to pass on the hill, so I set myself an aim, and completed it. Coming over the finish line, the winner was stood there, he came over and we shook hands and exchanged congratulations, thats how all racers should end a race, in my opinion anyways.

Single Speed...

Dave came in in 3rd place on his giant Trek 'superhorse' 29er and the other bears weren't far behind. After rolling down the hill back to the vans and getting changed, it was time for the results, on the weekend warrior class podium was Mark Richmond, David Beeley and myself.

Big wheeler...

I was very pleased with my result, to be honest I thought id end up lower down, more like 10th place, It just shows the difference training and the right bike can make to your results. I was riding the Trek top fuel 8, which is available at BBB and i'd recommend it if you are wanting a race bike, but not wanting to pay a silly price.

Trek Top Fuel 8

Hopefully next race I will improve my result as I will be riding a Top Fuel 9.7 (carbon) with fast rolling racey tyres and such like, It would be nice to have an all bears podium at the next race, it will be tough but achievable.

Trek Top Fuel 9.7

Smiley Bear...

Well thats it for my first race report, hope its included everything you wanted to know, I know it's not the best reading available but I aren't much of an author, that's why i've included so many pictures :P




Ride safely everyone and remember for great riding ALWAYS follow a bear.

Looking fast...

Weekend Warrior Podium

Trust Richard...

 Oh and one last note before I leave, anyone who wears PURPLE gloves for racing will be punished...

Brownbacks Race 1: as ridden by a non-techie Diva Bear!

As a “non-technical” mountain biker I find it surprising that I enjoy riding at Lee Quarry! Catch me on a normal ride and I’d be walking at least half the stuff that’s included in a Brownbacks race at Lee Quarry – however put me on a start line and I seem to be able to muster enough courage to at least have a go at most of the course!

I’d not really been looking forward to the race at Lee Quarry this time though – last year I was bike fit, this year I’m not! The courses generally feature steep sharp ascents and concentration-tight descents and I knew as I lined up on the start line with the Racers and Racing Divas that the race had now attracted some “proper bikers” and that it was going to be tough from the off.

Tired legs meant that my usual ‘power it up the first hill and hold them all up on the descents’ approach wasn’t even on the agenda! The pack broke quickly – I was in the middle somewhere....lap 1 was hard, throwing up on the big climb at the far side of the quarry seemed a very real possibility – although that might have been as a result of actually riding the “mountain rescue covered descent” – something I normally walk/run down (and did on all subsequent laps!). Things improved marginally for lap 2 but by lap 3 my legs were empty and I was already reaching for the TORQ gels. A bad sign indeed. There was no option but to only use the small chainring, there was nothing left absolutely no speed and no power...still it wasn’t until lap 4 that I started feeling the threat of the Planet Fear girl and we jostled for position for about half the lap (even whilst summoning marshalls and mountain rescue for the poor chap who’d binned it big-styley!) before she got me on an ascent and spun off into the distance. By this point for me it was just about finishing....I was almost envious of team-mate, Rob, stood at the side with a puncture! I’d convinced myself I was the last Diva on the course so decided not to give it too much effort on the final lap! Fortunately that tactic didn’t bite me but next time I’ll be conscious that there actually might be more Diva’s behind me – this time there were two – including Jo Holden, winner of the series last year!

So lessons for me from the Quarry: a.) ride bike more, and run less, in preparation for a mountain bike race, b.) don’t stop racing until I’ve actually crossed the finish line – who knows what is going on behind you, and c.) at all times keep smiling, of course!

Brownbacks MTB Racing - top results for the 'bears'

Very well done the 'bears' on Sunday at the Brownbacks MTB XC race at - Lee Quarry.  Top honours go to George who bagged 2nd in the Weekend Warriors and a £40 Big Bear Bikes voucher.  David got third and saved himself £20 as he owns the shop!  Richard, Joe, Wayne and Debs did great with top ten placings, Steph got a fourth in the very tough Racing Divas class and it was her first time at Lee Quarry!

Commisserations to Rob who was leading the Weekend Warriors when he broke the bike he was borrowing - hope its not too expensive Rob but a win next time will get you an £80 Big Bear vocuher!  Mike was running Top Ten in the elite Racers catergory before his front tyre failed on Lee Quarry's rough stuff.  Not to forget Sam and Toby who were both riding Brownbacks for the first time and did great in the Under 16s.

Can't wait for the full results and timings to be published on the Brownbacks website:   Brownbacksracing

If anybody wants to have ago at this great form of mountain-bike racing - just get in touch with us at the shop.  How hard can 90 minutes be?  Next race is Sunday 24th July, then Sunday 21st August and the last one is Sunday 2nd October.