As we arrived at Gandale, the rain had stopped and it had warmed up slightly, so we parked the van and wandered over to the registration tent to sign on. Richard grabbed a coffee, and we headed back to the van, I prepared my bike (a Trek Top fuel 9.9 ssl wannabe) and got kitted up in my race gear. And Rich went to sleep.
I had a quick chat with one of the race organisers then headed off for a practice lap. The course started at the bottom of a very gravely steep climb which offered very little traction, it then wound up onto a long fire road the headwind here was just nasty. The course then turned back on itself and continued on winding past a stream, unbeknown to me, i'd be riding through that very stream in under half a mile. A few little climbs later the course turned right onto a descent where there was a few riders fannying about deciding weather or not to ride it or not, I didn't think twice and just smashed down it and into the stream. The course continued down the stream and back onto the fire road.
This was a fast fire road with 3 large puddles towards the end. I glanced down at the garmin at it said 25mph just as I was hitting the puddles. The fire road then turned 90 left, but on the corner was a cattle grid and a large gathering of people all yelling 'slow down' I carried on regardless and then realised why the crowd were shouting, the cattle grid was slippy, very slippy. The back end of the bike kicked out, but I managed to control it and continued on to the foot of the next climb.
At the top of the climb you continued straight on and onto a grass track. Which quickly tightened up through some gauze bushes. The course turned sharp right and I was travelling way too fast and carried straight on into a large gauze bush, much to the amusement of the marshall who was sat watching. I picked myself up and carried on up the grass climb. The course then dived off down a lovely descent which quickly turned into a very steep slippy uphill which required granny ring to get up. A quick fire road stint lead me to the infamous water splash, the first two were avoidable by using a line to the right, but the biggest deepest water splash was un-avoidable, so I sped up and lifted the front wheel, but as soon as the front wheel lowered slightly and touched the water, you were drenched, from head to toe! Yet another climb led you back towards the start, but this was not the end of the lap! It continued down a short sharp descent and into the trees. Winding through the trees was nice and a change from the open moor that was the rest of the course.
The trees spat you out onto another steep climb, which required a good back tyre, the cross mark performed outstandingly, hardly loosing traction where many others were slipping and having to walk. The finish was in sight now and only a short climb separating me from it. I spun up the climb and headed back to the van to change my socks for sealskins. A wise decision.
Heres a link to a video of last year course preview which includes some of the trails we rode today:
I met up with Rich back at the start and talked to other competitors about the course, and soon enough it was half 11, which meant one thing. Race time!
The race started with a rolling start which was a good idea, but i'm still trying to decide wether or not I preferred it to a standing start. I started strong gaining places by the second as we climbed up to the fire road. Something wasn't right though, I didn't feel myself at all, but carried on trying to push myself, but my body would not allow it, i had to slow down and tuck in behind another rider to get out of the headwind. We got to the technical section and i started to feel slightly better, this was short lived though, as soon as reached the climb I started to feel it again, but this time worse, I honestly felt like I was going to throw up.
The lap was soon over though and some encouraging words, not suitable for a blog, from Rich spurred me on a bit. I was starting to get into a rhythm and feeling slightly better although this was short lived as a photographer on the course took a photo of me on a climb, the threw his camera onto a pannier rack attached to a ancient single speed road bike, sprinted past me on the fire road then stopped to take more photos...
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| Photo courtesy of Richard McGuire |
I don't remember much about the third lap other than it was getting windier by the minute.
The fourth lap was good, I was starting to feel myself and pick up the pace, the only problem being that i'd pushed on and now I was on my own, there was no-body to hide behind in the headwind. Then out of the wind came two elite riders, one of which I recognised as the Aire cycles lad from brown backs who snapped his chain then finished second. I latched onto their wheels and pushed on down the fire road, which was just what I needed. I backed off slightly on the technical section and watched them pedal off into the distance, But I was pushing on and passing some other riders which felt good after a crap start to the race. The lap was over before I knew it and so was the race, I got the thumbs up from the timing boys and left the course.
Richard was waiting in the start area with the Yates cycles team from Malton. After a quick chat with the lads I spun back to the van to get changed, shaking hands with Sam Roper on the way. I got changed and headed back to the start for Richards and Bens race. 2 o'clock rolled round and they were off, so I headed up the hill with Dickie Dale of the Yates cycle team to spectate. Richard and Ben (Big Bear) were making good time along with Tom and James (Yates) The second lap spelled disaster for both Richard and Tom who both experienced mechanicals, Richard punctured and retired, and Tom's cleat bolt worked loose, but he was able to tighten it quickly and continue.
Richard and myself returned to the van to get changed and load it up ready for off, then returned to the start to watch the lads finish and congratulate them.
Overall the first round of Nutcracker was very tough, but very good fun. Looking forward to the next round...
I finished 6th in the junior category and i'm unsure of the other lads results.
Here's a link to my Garmin data from the race:
I do apologise for the length of this blog, I get carried away, and i'm also sorry for the lack of photos in this report, the unofficial Big Bear photographer (my dad) did not attend this race.
My next race is the 22nd April at Dalby Forest - Round 2 of the national points series. I'm looking forward to it, and possibly see some of you up there?
Stay safe on the trails & and the road
Until next time...
George
Below are some photos I took from the 3rd race (sorry about the quality)
