Black Park 2014

This year’s Black Park XC race was moved in the calendar from late March to 1st June in an attempt to improve the weather. After the last two years had been total washouts the organisers were hoping for better weather. And the gamble certainly paid off. We could not have asked for better XC conditions. Unfortunately the change in date resulted in a clash with the Gorrick Summer Monkey race but as Black Park was already in my diary, and because I have raced at Caesars Camp three times in the last six months already, I choose to blast around the pancake flat venue at Black Park.

Phil Morris leads out the Mens Services race

I managed to get a practice lap in (despite Jason being busy racing in the Vets Category) thanks to the Donna Morris Crèche. So while Chloe and Halie Rae played, Isaac (8) and I rode the 3 mile course. With masses of twisty single track, bomb holes and just plain lumpy ground, the full sus was a good choice. I cocked up with tyre choice however. After the mudfest of last weekend and the forecast rain (that never materialised) for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I left on my all weather Ground Control tyres. To say these were overkill was an understatement. I think Furious Freds would have been ideal. Oh well, too late now.

At 12.32am a very small ladies field set off. With the National Services Champs starting 1 hour earlier this split the filed in two and my usual nemesis Cat Ross was in a different race. Emma Craddock and Agata T-D were my competition in the Elite race.
The extremely flat course meant we all stayed together for much of the first lap. We quickly hit the back markers of the Men’s Sport race but there must be something intimidating about a train of three panting ladies as most of the guys seemed to positively dive out of the way as we passed. My only real problem of the whole race was getting lost, and I wasn’t the only one. Practically the whole of the Men’s Services field, from about the top 6, took a wrong turn on a fire road and had to about turn and retrace their steps back to the course. My error was minor in comparison but as I reached the end of one of the single track sections and popped out onto the fire road I was left with no idea which way to go. It took a few moments of searching to find the next arrow. When Pre-riding with my 8 year old I had no problem following the course but at race pace it was a different story. It just goes to show how blindingly obvious the marking needs to be.

The start of the Ladies Expert race

Six laps of the course was hard work. I found most of the course flowed really well, with the exception of a couple of corners and one bomb hole that I rode seven times (1 practice + 6 race), took a different line every time and never found a way to make it smooth. Also with no climbing, there was absolutely no descending and so absolutely no rest. I don’t think I stopped peddling for more than a few seconds. It was like being on a turbo trainer. The mountain goats where in their own personal hell. However, I felt great, kept the lap times consistent and made one final push on the last lap. I finished almost 4 minutes up on second placed Emma Craddock, who also had a good race despite usually favouring endurance distances.


Glorious weather and a fast and furious race course

All in all it was a fabulous event, arranged by West Drayton MBC and sponsored by Beyond Mountain Bikes. The weather produced a fast and furious race course and the competitors provided a very friendly atmosphere. Thanks to Beyond and the other sponsors for the very generous prizes and to the Scouts who made expert marshals.

Well done West Drayton MBC.