Brighton Big Dog in Mixed Pairs

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BY: Melanie Alexander

Published: 30th August, 2011

To do well in any race you need to be able to stay in the saddle. I am obviously rusty at riding lots of dusty single track at speed as I fell off on my first, second and final fourth lap. Mark took a nasty tumble on his second lap when clipping a stump sent him flying over the handle bars.

I was racing in the mixed pairs with husband Mark, both wanting to see how our legs would respond after the Sudety mountain stage race which finished three weeks prior.
There was strong competition in the mixed pairing meaning a close race was had with the leading mixed pair changing a couple times throughout the race.

 

Mark of the start line. Photo by Russ Gillespie

 

In the mixed teams the men on the whole raced the first lap. Chris Metcalfe from Charge bikes had a quick first lap and changed over to Abi Greenaway in first place. Mark came in second just ahead of Matt Loake from Southfork Racing who was paired with Jane Cumming. I caught and passed Abi and felt I was going well though about half way round I noticed Jane Cumming right behind me. I pushed harder making a slight gap but a bit too much speed round an off camber corner, weight in the wrong place and I was down like a sack of potatoes allowing Jane to pass. A bit of fumbling - put chain back on, picked up bottle, twist bars round and I was off. Jane was out of sight through the twisty singletrack.

 

Enjoying the trails. Photo by Russ Gillespie

 

Change over to Mark for his second lap, knowing we couldn't be much more than 30 seconds down on Southfork racing who were now in the lead. Next lap Matt Loake came in first, then Chris Metcalfe. After a minute waiting for Mark I realized something must have gone wrong. When Mark appeared there was no time for a chat as we tagged and I sped off with one aim - to chase Jane and Abi down.
I felt good, passed Abi around half way to only moments later clip a stump, or slip on a root, I'm not really sure which and I was on the ground again. It took me longer to get up this time, I'd managed to get my leg trapped between handlebar and bike frame and my left leg was still over the frame resting on top. I got untangled and up on feet and had to line bars back up between my legs, put chain back on and finally got away. I passed Abi again, but definitely had not gained any time on Jane who was riding smoothly through the single track.
Back at the van my mum and dad had come to watch the race, they informed me that Mark had had a nasty crash on his second lap leaving him limping and with a bruised back.

 

Fun Trails Photos by Russ Gillespie

 

Mark had a fast and uneventful third lap and in the process managed to close the gap slightly. My third lap was also uneventful. Mark had a strong fourth lap and had now managed to close the gap down to Southfork racing to just over two minutes, though Charge bikes at this point were back in the lead. 

 

Out for my fourth and last lap, legs were feeling heavier now but I was able to push on, Ten minutes from the end of the lap something got caught around my pedal or in my back wheel, my bike stopped dead and I was flung over the handlebars. I got up a bit stunned, 'what is going on I am riding like an idiot?' to find another guy checking over his bike asking if I was OK as the same had happened to him. Back on and I was in pain now, ribs were hurting but it was mainly downwards to the end. I knew I had lost more time, handed over to Mark who went out for the 9th and final lap He passed Abi half way round meaning we were back in Second.

 

photo by Russ Gillespie

 

Southfork racing had a clear win racing hard and fast to the end with almost a five minute lead. If we had managed to stay in the saddle then we most probably would have been having a painfully close race with them. We finished second just a couple of minutes up on Charge Bikes.

 

Most riders were not spending their race hitting the deck. I put it down to tiredness and the fact that I was pushing myself to my limit (and maybe a bit beyond) chasing the Southfork pairing who were riding well and pushing us.

 

 The course was brilliant, so much single track, fast and a lot of fun to ride. The organisers did a brilliant job and I can see why it is so highly rated and has always got good reviews.

 

Thanks to Brighton photographer Russ Gillespie for the photos.

Thanks to Mum and Dad for their company and to Mark for being my race partner

Photos: Phil Alexander

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