Will Downhill Racing-BDS Round 4-26/6/2011

 

Dust covered the track by Sunday



After just getting the all clear from the doctor, I was itching to get back into race mode! And where better than Llangollen, boasting some of the best technical tracks in the UK. Saturday brought rain, wind and fog making the steep chutes and switchbacks of the track more of a drifting event than a race! However practice felt good, with all my lines sorted and a bit more confidence brought back since my accident.



The final jump in the woods spat
riders out onto the home straight



The weekend then got even better as blisteringly hot weather made the track much faster and I could achieve more of a flow compared to the death-grip styled madness of Saturday. Overall I finished down the ranks, but this didn’t matter because my personal aim was to get my confidence back, and above all enjoy myself, which is what I did. Next month will see me return to Llangollen for the BDS champs. Apparently there are a few surprises in store for the course, can’t wait!

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.

Its that time again - BBB 2011 Demo Bike Sale...

Not many left now!  No pictures - just great prices and all sold with warranty and a full service.  The level of discount reflects the amount of use but all are in superb condition.

2011 Trek Fuel EX7 Black, med/lar        £2000 now £1395

2011 Gary Fisher Paragon 29er, med      £1600 now £995
2011 Gary Fisher Paragon 29er, large     £1600 now £1195 inc full upgrade to XTR & £600 DT wheelset!

2011 Gary Fisher Superfly 100 Elite 19” £5000 now £2995 - The fastest 29er full-suss on the planet.

2011 Trek Madone 5.2 58cm                 £2800 now £1995

2011 Orange ST4. medium                     £3119 now £1995

We also have three new, Trek Fuel EX-8s with £500 off, making them only £1800, down from £2300 in the sale.  The sizes are 17.5" and 18.5" in both colours.

 For any questions or a demo ride just get in touch.

t. 01751 474220

e. shop@bigbearbikes.co.uk

See the latest news on our website at www.bigbearbikes.co.uk

Become a fan on Facebook or follow us on Twitter

And remember...... for great riding Follow the Bear!

Malton & District Cycling - The 50+ and easy rider group.

Malton And District Cycling

The fifty plus and easy rider group

Contact Keith Buck tel: 01653 628211

e-mail: bucksawpit@btinternet.com

Runs will start from the Slingsby maypole, Slingsby, North Yorks.  Unless an alternative is given.

Pace, steady touring, about 12’s.

The route will be circulated on the Monday/Tuesday before the ride.  Please join the group where it is convenient for you.  Liaise with the leader to coordinate times.

For events shown in  italics  contact the organising club member.

Sun. 18^th Dec. 09:15am Slingsby.  09:45 Welburn/A170 junction.

Cockayne/Bransdale/Carlton (anti clockwise, Martin likes the down hills this way) Helmsley, Harome, Slingsby.

Boxing Day. 11:00am Eden Camp. A one hour jolly with the Malton Wheelers. 

Matthew Entinknap 01653 694571 

e-mail: maltonwheelersrc@tiscali.co.uk

2012

Happy New Year!

It’s a Leap Year. An extra day on the bike.  Yippee!

Sun. 15^th Jan.  10:00am Lidl car park, Welham Road, Norton. Malton Wheelers/CTC 60m or 60K

£2:00.  Matthew Entinknap 01653 694571 

e-mail: maltonwheelersrc@tiscali.co.uk

Sun. 5^th Feb.  ?? Watch this space.

Wed. 29thFeb. Leap Year ride. To be advised.

Sat. 19^th May.  CTC rides from Slingsby.

100m in 10hrs

240m in 24hrs

300m in 24hrs

All rides will be in 50 mile loops, returning to Slingsby at the end of each leg.

£? To be advised

Entry on a standard CTC entry form.

No entry on the line.  Sorry.

Closing date for entries Tuesday 1^st May.

Keith Buck

Sun. 8^th July.  CTC Scarborough.  100k.

Jim Buddo 01723 863103 

e-mail: jandjbuddo@iscali.co.uk

Sun. 9^th Sept. CTC Malton. 50 & 80 mile rides.

Jim Buddo 01723 863103 

e-mail: jandjbuddo@tiscali.co.uk

Whitby Wheelers - Club Runs

Whitby Wheelers- Sunday AM Club Runs October & November 2011

Oct.  2   Marton 10am to Dean's Garden Centre*,  Stockton-on-Forest. 

 Return via Welburn.

 

 Oct.  9   Irton Garden Centre*. Return via Harwood  Dale.

 

 Oct. 16  Sleights via Sandsend and coast road to Lockwood Beck  &  Castleton*.  (Jim Theaker's ride).

            

 O)ct. 23  Egton, Egton Bridge, Lastingham, Hutton-le-Hole*.

 

 Oct. 30  Marton 10am to Thirsk*.  (Patrick's ride  - presumably fast).

             

 Nov.  6  Sleights, Thornton Dale (Balderson's*), Pickering,  Swainsea Lane,  Stape.

 

 Nov. 13  Sleights to Great Ayton*, Castleton*.

 

 Nov. 20  Thornton Dale 10am, Wintringham, Luttons, Driffield (Bell  Mills*).

 

 Nov. 27  Castleton, Rosedale*, Stape.

Please note, * denotes café stop.

Whitby Wheelers subscriptions are :- Adults £10, Family £15, Juniors £5.

Club Contacts for Ride Info etc...

Patrick Mudd 01751 476647 / Chris Greaves   01947 810159 / Mike Fielding 01751 432626

Will Downhill Racing - BDS Round 2 – Moelfre – 10/04/2011

We arrived at Moelfre on the Friday night with enough time spare to walk the track and I found it to be very much the same as when I last rode here. This time though it had been made even better with some easier lines put behind the tape to make it more interesting and a berm put in place.  An old jump had also been removed increasing the flow of the top section. Saturday was great! The weather was boiling so out came the sun cream and tinted goggles for an epic day of hitting rocky drops and railing dusty berms with a great atmosphere to greet you at the bottom. There were also few lines on the course so I could really just focus on my speed and squeezing in every possible crank turn. Sunday brought great weather again, but in practice I ended up crashing on a rider who had fell off on a drop out of my view. Hands were shaken and apologies exchanged before I continued riding with a sore chest.  Unfortunately this pain, combined with the pressure of my one shot at nailing this race run, ended with me coming off and injuring my back. I was air lifted to hospital and diagnosed with a fractured vertebrae... gutted! I will race again for BDS Round 4 at Fort William and to compensate I plan on entering two NDH rounds. On the bright side though, at least I got a helicopter ride out of the experience!

Pictures and info from the event can be found at:      http://www.halobritishdownhillseries.com/homepage.html

Pictures of me and my race history/stats/ etc can be found at:     http://www.rootsandrain.co.uk/rider5610/william-hugill/photos

Will Downhill - BDS Round 1 – Nant Gwrtheyrn – 20/03/2011

 I was very excited to be back on the bike for another year of racing. The first stop of this season was round 1 of the British Downhill Series. This would be a step up for me with more points on offer, but also I would be racing in the youth group. The event itself was very well organised with many big brands showing off their latest kit, with lots of goodies given away. The track resembled the course I rode at Kidland the previous season; tight and steep corners with rocks and drops to keep you on your toes, but with the addition of an exhausting fire road section. The track was made more difficult with Sundays sloppy conditions, and I finished 25^th out of 29 overall. I am pleased with this result for my first race against a higher level of competition and I look forward to BDS round 2 at Moelfre. 

Pictures and info from the event can be found at:    http://www.halobritishdownhillseries.com/homepage.html

Pictures of me and my race history/stats/etc can be found at:     http://www.rootsandrain.co.uk/rider5610/william-hugill/photos/

Coming Soon in Ryedale - Cycling Challenges & Races to try...

These are all really great, local events for Road and Mountain bikers that you will probably find a few 'bears' having a go at.  If you would like to have a go just follow the links or give us a call or drop us an email for more information or advice.


We say 'live local, ride local', so go on - what's your next challenge?


Tue 17th May - Mountain Bike Treasure Hunt from Big Bear Bikes:
http://www.nymbo.org.uk/2011summermboscore.htm

Fri 20th to Sun 22nd May - Dalby XC World Cup Weekend:
http://mtbworldcup.co.uk/


Sat 4th June - Mountain Bike Orientering @ Farndale & Bransdale: http://www.nymbo.org.uk/farndalebransdaleflier2011.htm


Sat 2nd July - Mountain Bike Orienteering @ Cropton Forest: http://www.nymbo.org.uk/croptonflier2011.htm


Sat 16th July - Stockton Cycling Festival Sportive acroos the North Yorks Moors:
Stockton Cycling Festival Sportive
 

Sat 16th July - The Clifton Cycle Club - Dalby Red Route Challenge: Clifton Cycling Club

Sat 16th to Sun 17th July - The Yorkshire Wolds 146 mile Cycle Challenge:
http://www.yorkshirewoldscyclechallenge.org.uk/

Sun 7th August - The Ryedale Rumble:
http://www.ryedalerumble.co.uk/



Mon 29th August- Mountain Bike Orienteering @ Broxa & Harwood Dale:
http://www.nymbo.org.uk/harwooddaleflier2011.htm


Sat 17th September - Mountain Bike Orienteering @ Dalby Forest:
http://www.nymbo.org.uk/dalbyflier2011.htm


Sun 18th September - Moors Marathon, 75/50/25k
http://www.nymbo.org.uk/index.htm


Sun 9th October - Dalby MTB Duathlon:
http://www.ukmtbtri.co.uk/events_dalby.html


Sun 2nd October - The Clifton Cycle Club MTB Hill Climb Comp:
http://www.cliftoncc.org/


Good Luck!
The Bears


PS. If you would like to join the Big Bear Bikes team and ride in our colours then just ring the shop and ask for David or Mark.  We offer great deals for team members.