WHAT an awesome experience!
Mountain bike skills was part of a 30-strong team riding the world's biggest mountain bike endurance event for Original Source at the weekend
And our team of five managed 21 laps in 24 hours - so not a bad effort. Each lap was 9.5miles with 1,400ft climbing.
In all, we were totally blown away with the whole event. The sense of occassion and adrenaline was phenomenal.
pleasure seeking
The track too was a knock out - congratualtions to Patrick and his team for designing and maintaining one of the best single track loops we have done in the Malvern hills for a long time.
The route set out with a gentle grass climb out of the stand and then cheekily weaved its way through the forest, including a superb fast descent to the lakes.
The long pull out of the stand further along the ponds took you up a small road climb then back into the mud and under the trees to negotiate all the slippy roots.
Then came the descent to the lake, weaving in and around all the bushes and negotiating some fine tracks down to the rocks.
Another long climb took several riders out with cramp but the pull was worth the effort for the superb views at the top and an awesome descent back into the stand.
Praise has to be given for the upkeep: on realisation that the kahooners descent was going to be carnage (we lost five riders down there on the warm up lap so in competition it really could have been a bit much) there was a new route put in place, and similarly else where.
We were graced with good weather and only a couple of showers in the nights changed the terrain, and cost teams time through the night.
night riding
When the lights were needed (compulsory after 8pm) the fun really started. To think the winning single man did 27 laps in 24 hours gulp as well as the rest of us pushing on through the early ours... but it was worth it to see the sun come up at 3.30/4am. Magic.
In all, my heart sank at the start when the commentators asked how many people were back for the second year and hardly any of the 2,500 riders raised their hands. 'No repeat custom, then' I thought. But I can honestly say that won't be the case for me.
This is one ride I could do again and again. Who knows next year we might make a team all of our own! Let's hope so...
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event is held in the stunning grounds of Eastnor Castle Deer Park in
the heart of the Malvern Hills, with an approximately 9 mile long
course designed to be testing and rewarding for a wide range of
abilities, from plucky have-a-go riders through to National Champions
and Olympians.
