Enduros are great; in how many other cycling races can you end up on the start line next to a man dressed as a chicken?

63 lined up for the start of the 7-lap category, on a beautiful sunny morning, in complete contrast to the previous weekend™s horrendous weather. For once I was quite happy to be at the back of the group and after a quick chat with Captain Paxo (real name Mark Blay from the “Berks on Bikes” team) discovered that this was a huge turnout compared with previous editions of this event. Having never ridden any distance event other than Mountain Mayhem it was an opportunity for me to discover what a real endurance event was all about.

Following a lecture on etiquette and rules, we were off. The Evans boys were obviously going for the win as very quickly a select lead group had broken away, leaving the rest of the field to chat and cruise along. As the lap progressed, I steadily worked my way up to the second group, annoying one of the veterans by drafting from one group to the next (well, I am an ex roadie!). The initial 63 riders fragmented fairly quickly; the Gorrick organised event has a reputation for being one of the toughest in the South of England, and this was well deserved considering only 2 miles of the 10 mile lap were fire road and there were 3 granny ring climbs.

My good humour was soon to disappear however when I punctured on a steep descent. The rear tyre flatted with such speed that I had to fight to keep control. Taking the wheel off, I discovered a 3-inch nail embedded, which had left a half-inch gash in the tyre. After much swearing I repaired it quickly and set off again, having been passed by virtually all of the riders I had just overtaken. Back at the start/finish an “unofficial” bit of service from one of the trade tents (who shall remain nameless – you know who you are, many thanks!) had me on the course again. However, with no spare tyre, I had to resort to cutting the punctured inner tube down to cover the hole, before adding the new tube and pumping it up. It worked, but with only 20psi to stop it bulging through, progress was definitely slower and harder work. Ah well, I had paid my money, so I certainly wasn™t going to stop now.

The course was fantastic; some excellent swooping descents, twisty singletrack and a great run down to the start / finish area with a tight 90° corner, which had to be taken flat out, if only to try to unnerve the spectators standing opposite! Fortunately for my pride, I was not the only one making frantic puncture repairs, as the sight of an upturned bike with the rider struggling with a new tube became a familiar one.

By lap three most riders were less chatty, although no one had yet lost their sense of humour. I was feeling a bit sick, but knew to expect this and ignored it. Presumably Captain Paxo was still riding as the start / finish area had been poultry free. I continued on, having to take the descents carefully being down to my last spare tube and having to use the granny ring on the climbs to compensate for the squishy back tyre.

A quick stop to grab some food and more bottles and I was off onto lap four. The legs were feeling tired now and I found myself singing “basket case” by Greenday, which seemed the most appropriate song at the time. The nausea was still lingering, and it was on the next lap that I realised things were going wrong. An attack of cramp (arms and legs simultaneously!) made me realise that I had not drunk enough. Stopping for a few minutes to finish the bottle I remounted, but had to stop again ten minutes later when my legs cramped, again. At this point Jamie Newall stormed past on his last lap!

Much to my annoyance I decided to stop at the end of lap five; there™s no point in injuring yourself unnecessarily and I had learnt a some valuable lessons. My six hours of work and tyre repairs resulted in 34th place, in a category where 70% had not completed the full 7 laps. Jamie Newall completed his 70 miles in 5hrs 48 mins, half an hour ahead of the second placed rider!

Same time next year guys…

Phil Earl / 26.04.04