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Go Mountain Mayhem

At times the future of Mountain Mayhem looked uncertain. With no headline sponsor lined up it it was looking a bit touch and go for 2015 at one stage. However, thanks to GO Outdoors, this years event seemed back on track as a great weekend of racing, riding and fun.

Held at Gatcome Park (also known, by my 6 year old and her entire school, as Princess Anne’s back garden) for the 3rd year it was also the 3rd year in the row where the weather has been mostly dry. Thank God. I think the dark memories of the “wet years” at Eastnor still haunt me, but dry and dusty trails were the name of the game this year. My wet weather tyres stayed firmly in the boot of the car.

Gatcome Park lends itself well to 24 hour racing with masses of trackside camping - thank you to everyone who cheered us on through the night

After many years racing as a team of 4 ladies, we had a foray into the world of 10 man racing last year and haven’t looked back. My husband also rides (although solo endurance riding is more his thing) and with the kids in tow, the team of 10 option means we both get to ride, we don’t have to abandon the kids and we still get a good weekends camping in. But I should point out that whislt the team of 10 is definitely the easiest option, it is still not an easy option. With only 4 laps to do, each one requires 120% effort. That’s like doing 4 cross races in 24 hours. It’s not surprising my quad muscles did pinch a bit this morning as I scooted the kids to school.

We arrived on site on Friday evening, pitched up behind the Pivot Boom Pods race team (in the vague hope some of their speed would seep in our direction like osmosis) and generally made ourselves at home.

George Budd – Hard at it with the race preparation. I personally had him pegged as a hot wax kind of guy, but apparently the electric shaver is the weapon of choice.

The kids enjoyed the Pyjama race and were delighted with the wildlife tent by Creature Class Animal Encounters where Emma allowed them to handle pet toads, tarantulas, snakes, spiders, guinea pigs, rats, a skunk and loads of other animals.

Chloe was made up with her trip to the Wildlife tent

On Saturday morning I headed out early for a practice lap and literally bumped into HRH who was out riding her horse (and generally having a nose around the race course I think). She was ever so friendly and gave me a great big smile before turning her horse and heading off in another direction. The lap itself was almost identical to last year, being mainly fire road or field riding with a few small bits of single track thrown in. I believe there is a long term plan to build some new trails on this land which would be great, as I can see the existing course becoming very monotonous if it has to be repeated again.

oh the pain - if you weren't there you just won't understand....

We had the obligatory argument about who was going to do the run a few weeks ago. Once all the doctors notes and letters from home had been submitted, we were left with only one rider who had allegedly entered a running race before (year 11 school sports apparently) and so he got the job. Actually Ryan did a very good job, finishing the run well up in the field, and rapidly making up places as soon as he got on his bike. The first round of laps disappeared very quickly with laps times in the region of 33-37 minutes.

We went into 1st place from the start and rapidly started to pull away from the competition. Last year we had a hard fought battle with Malvern Cycles and Isla Bikes team and eventually managed second place. This year the Isla Bikes team consolidated their effects into a mens team of 4 and they were busy upsetting the Pivot Boom Pods apple cart.

Al Fairborn found the batteries flat in his electric shaver this morning.....

'Smile and say skinsuit' became the catch phrase of our weekend at Mountain Mayhem. Fourt4th Lights team boss Del Copella had a few “sample” skin suits kicking around in the back of his van (*&*%^$^???) and with a few of our team of 10 new to racing in Fourth colours, it was inevitable that they would see daylight for the first (and possibly last time ever). There is something of a step up from lycra shorts and cycling tops to a skin suit and to say a little encouragement was needed was an understatement. But almost like a few pints of Stella, a couple laps of the Mayhem course seemed to lower the threshold for resistance, and skinsuits were worn (mainly under cover of darkness I might add).

The lesser spotted "middle aged man in skin suit" - actually not looking bad, the training is obviously paying off

This year the racing was thankfully uneventful for us. No punctures, no mechanicals and just a couple of overcooked corners that left two of our riders with nothing more than grazed skin and dented prides. We took first placed team of 10, by 7 laps. Managing 40 laps in 24 hrs 29 minutes.

With 30 plus on the podium, getting a photo was one step too far

As usual heroic efforts were made by the soloists, and for the first time, the pairs riders. You all deserve warm baths, hot food and getting your heads looked at.

HRH Princess Anne was on hand again to award the prizes and chat to all the winners. She may be more Barbour Jacket than ball gown but Chloe was very impressed she got to go to school today and tell everyone she had seen a princess.

A big thanks to the organizing team and all the sponsors. Especially to GO Outdoors for stepping into the breach and stepping up to the mark. Little things like a well stocked shop, event deals and staying open for the duration of the race make all the difference.

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