Nutcracker round 5 - Aske

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BY: Katie Carmichael

Published: 16th July, 2014

It wasn’t until after I’d entered round 5 of the Nutcracker series that I realised that with a few more miles in the car I could have been battling it out against the nation’s top riders at Sherwood Pines. I was tempted, but decided to stick to the Nutcracker – I really love those races, and round 5 saw a return to Aske Sawmill, which was a great course last year. It did mean, however, that I was in a field of one.

Rain overnight had made the course a bit greasy. There are loads of natural sections, and lots of roots, so I was tentative on my practice lap. By the end of the lap I had managed to convince myself that the mud was actually quite grippy and so long as I was light on the brakes all would be fine.

James’ start line course description almost undid all of that convincing, with talk of greasy roots, slippery mud and danger. I tried to ignore him.

True to form I had a pretty slow start, hitting the rooty single track second from last. I managed to pick off a few sport men who’d slipped out on that section. I knew from practice that with the right gear choice and an eye up the track my 29er would sail over the roots and grip the mud.

There were two other women racing, but one got a puncture, so there was never really a race to be had. Not so great for getting fast lap times and race practice, but quite enjoyable all the same. There are some really fun woodland climbs on the course, some bombholes which are more fun in the dry but provided a good test of nerve in the wet, some loose shale descending, a few off camber rooty traverses, and some lung busting grassy climbs. Something for everyone!

With no real race pressure I tried to keep it clean, remembering the hints and tips I’d picked up from the guides during my week at Bike Village. I came away with consistent, if not very fast, lap times, a good number of points and a very generous voucher from the race sponsors. In spite of the low numbers, the Nutcracker team pulled out another great race. Sadly I’ll miss round 6 at Swaledale but I’ll be back next year for more Nutcracker racing.

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More on the Nutcracker Altura XC Series 2014 Rd 5:

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