Bontrager Twentyfour/12

Share on Facebook  Share on Twitter

BY: Matthew Lewis

Published: 2nd August, 2013

"Your brains a-bleedin and your legs can't seem to stand." So blasted the stereo as I turned over the ignition before making  my way out of the mighty and iconic Newnham Park after another fabulous Bontrager Twentyfour/12. I'd forgotten that I had been listening to Dylan over 24hours before as I drove into the park but the lyrics seemed almost relevant to the effects of a 24hour race on the body. I still don't know how the solo riders do it and to be honest the lyrics of the Ballad of Hollis Brown are probably an exaggeration anyway but my legs were certainly feeling it! 

I've raced at NewnhamPark on a number of occasions but this year's Bontrager Twentyfour/12 course, in my opinion anyway, was the best by a long way. Some said that for an enduro the lap may have been a little on the short side but the sections included and the way they were cobbled together made it great fun to ride and it flowed really well. It also would've held up to the weather-if it had rained which it apparently was in every other corner of the country! We only had a few showers and that seemed to be whenever Phil was out on the course anyway so none of us minded!

There was to be a 50quid prize for the first rider home and our fast Espoir Richard Jones was sent out in an attempt to claim it, he narrowly missed out to Dexter Hurlock from Mondraker. We reminded him of this all day and all night-especially Hollie! They scorched around in a 35 minute lap which included an additional start loop so they weren't hanging around out there.

Hali-Rae giving it some beans with team boss!

I was sent out last after teamboss and  Generalissimo Donna who was adept this year at barking orders and more than once she caught me nattering in the change-over area when I should've been there waiting to high-five or whatever we were doing(Donna kept me in coffee and sweets all weekend, thanks Donna-and Hollie!). I was lapping in half-decent times and trying to keep up with the Jones' (and the Morris' and also Scott Clipstone). Scott was drafted in due to other xcracer.com team members being unable to make it. He was a great addition and he doesn't hang around on a bike either. There is always the big debate over to single lap it or to double up on laps and if so, at what stage of the race to do this. We 'singled' up until 11pm and then began our double shifts which saw us lapping in about an hour and 10minutes. By this stage of the race we were in front of our biggest rivals on the weekend, the orange clad Fruit 4 London team. One of their riders I've subsequently found out took a nasty tumble in the night so they were down to 4 but they have some pretty quick riders and were a constant threat over the course of the race.

Despite texts from my wife who couldn't believe that we had dodged the almost biblical rain that had hit other parts of the South-West and Wales the weather held out apart from one or two nasty showers that Phil had to endure. The course held up really well and many sections remained loamy and dusty throughout despite the showers. The descent down from the Bluebell woods was ace and of course, the notorious Cottage Return was excellent. My particular favourite was the Zombie singletrack running parallel to the river. The roots made it great fun and I found myself becoming increasingly and curiously attracted to the blonde Zombie at the end of the section as the race wore on.
My bike took a right pasting and my Lefty fork is currently in pieces awaiting some TLC after making some amazing noises over the course of the race. My bottom bracket is shafted. It wobbled its way through the event and was a source of much amusement at the Cycle surgery tent and in the change over area. The bike was virtually musical in the latter stages of the race. If anyone out there wants me to test bike bits then get in touch. I guarantee  that I can break it.

By 10am we had a clear lead over Fruit 4 London and the Feed station and as long as we didn't get a puncture or mechanical we could get just grind out the laps. Eventually we finished one lap ahead of our rivals and took the top step on the podium to add to our victory at the Bristol Bikefest. Incidentally the atmosphere out on the course was great and apparently there were one or two impolite racers but in the main this remains one of the best events on the calendar not just for the courteous clientele but also the course, the arena area which was bigger than even this year, The Bonty tepee which was far too comfortable and cosy for my liking. I avoided it until the finish otherwise I would never have prized myself away from the bean bags.

Last lap for me and the musical Lefty.

A great weekend spent with great company and another win so I'm happy and long may the event continue. Fingers crossed for my Lefty- I hope she pulls through. It's touch and go at the moment though.

Thanks to Dave Hayward for the great snaps. Here is the website www.DaveHayward.com

Matt Lewis
Xcarcer.com
Use Exposure
Accelerade
Scimitar Sportswear
Mt. Zoom.