BrownBacks - Race 4 - 2nd October

During the week leading up to the final race of the brown backs series, the excitement was building, I don't quite know why I got so excited, but I did. Friday night was spent prepping the bikes making sure everything was spot on. The bike needed to perform flawlessly as I needed to finish this race.

Sunday arrived and we jumped into the car at 7am to head for Lee quarry. As we were pulling onto New line the song by Sak Noel came on the radio. This was not good. For anyone who is not familiar with this song, it sticks in your head for a while after you've listened to it. 

After grabbing the bike and gear out of the van, we set off up the hill to reccy the course. I knew form last year that the last race is always the hardest, the big hill is included in every lap, which is really nice after about the 2nd lap. Puncture alley was also included in this race, but it was uphill, during the reccy I thought this was going to be pure punishment during the race, but actually, if you just span at it, it wasn't bad at all, and the burns afterwards were really nice, being able to ride them the current way. Another sharp little climb lead us to the highest point of the course, once you reached this point, it was bang it into big ring, unlock the suspension and hold on all the way to the bottom of the hill, winding down the burms, of a drop off into the pump track, then off through the bowl and into the garden to the bottom. The course was great, really flowy, even the climbs were slightly enjoyable.

Climbing

The race was due to start anytime, but as usual we were a good 10 minutes late starting and the pre-race nerves were building, I consumed a quick gel on the line to fill in a bit of time. Then Paul appeared from the hill and began the usual rider briefing. The horn sounded and the racers were off, we all moved forward, the racers had all reached the bowl before our start (I say all, there was one poor guy who's chain snapped on the line) The horn sounded and we set off up the hill into the bowl. Pulling away from the group I thought to myself i've got to do this hill at least 5 more times. Lap 1 was fast with Ben Howe hot on my tail. One guy appeared from the back, stormed past us both, blew up, then fell off, which was a bit pointless. But we pushed on, we were soon passing the slower guys in the racer category and before we knew it, we were back at the bottom of the hill ready to climb again.

Leaving the bowl

Lap 2 had started and we continued pushing on, the laps seemed to be flying by, I think the flowy-ness made time pass quicker. We were passing other riders all the time, which kept spirits high. Lap 3 came round quickly and after climbing up to the top of the course, I had a random sheep charge straight at me, luckily it stopped before hitting me. Coming down into the last part of the course a marshall shouted 'rider down - follow the diversions' as i looked into the distance I could see the mountain rescue team and my dad wearing the BBB top. It was one of our lads, as I rode past I could only see someones hair under a blanket, but my dad informed me that he was alright so I pushed on. It looked like it was Joe that had fallen off, it wouldn't surprise me either, But when I saw richard coming down the hill on Rob's bike, I knew it was him under that blanket. 

Follow the bear...

The remaining laps seemed to be a blur of pedalling, torq, and 'Jonny, La Gente Está Muy Loca' going round my head. I do remember Ben trying to get into the lead, which he did, then fell off... The finish was very confusing as the Racer leader passed me on the hill, so I thought I had another lap to do, but I didn't. I was finished. Ben wasn't far behind and he came straight over to congratulate me. We were then both informed that Rob had been taken to Hospital by mountain rescue. As the last guy came over the line, we all headed back down to the car park for the awards ceremony. 

The ceremony started and there was some good spot prizes awarded, mainly for being a good climber and a nice guy. Then it was onto the race awards, Steph & Debs, Got 1st and 2nd in the racing Divas. Dave came 3rd in the weekend warriors beaten by Ben Howe (2nd) and Myself (1st). The full results will be on the brown backs website in the next couple of days. All in all it was a great days racing, and I was very impressed on how my bike rode after the adjustments we made to prevent it breaking. Bring on next series.

Weekend Warriors Podium 

Special Thanks :

Dad - For spending the money to buy the bike, and the modifications to prevent it breaking, also all the support            that you've given the Big Bear team this year

Big Bear Bikes / BBB race team - For all the support, advice, and general riding. also the supplying of parts and bikes and such like. And also for sponsoring the weekend warriors, some very generous prizes given out.

Brownbacks team - Big thanks for organising everything this year, looking forward to next year already

The 'Fan Club' - Big thanks for being there and supporting the team throughout the season - it really makes a difference having someone shouting at you throughout the race.

Yorkshire Gallery - Some cracking photos - click HERE to visit their website 

The Mountain rescue team - Big thanks to you guys for clearing up some riders who didn't quite get it right, you feel safer knowing that someone is there to help you when you crash.

I'd also like to wish Rob Farrer a speedy recovery from his accident on Sundays race. What happened Rob? Is it true that Joe pushed you off. And i'm sure Morgan will have a leaflet about recovering from a fractured wrist for you to read.

Until next time...

George