Royal Navy @ Mayhem

Perhaps over looked as not a "proper race" but with 10.6 miles and over 1100ft of climbing per lap it may not have been the most technical 24hr course this year but 2011's Original Source Mountain Mayhem was definitely challenging enough.

Mayhem is an event unlike any other, where else would you see sumo suited riders, a British Superbike and TT star, Two British champions, one European champion, two world record holders, a smattering of Elite XC racers, members of all three Armed Forces plus the Fire and Police Service and assorted unicyclists all in the same place at the same time.

The freebies alone are worth the entry fee, two T-shirts, two cups of coffee, a pair of socks, frame mounted mud guard and enough Original Source Shower gel to keep me smelling fresh until the same time next year. And if you are mad enough to be a soloist you can add a special Mayhem Buff to that list.

Mayhem is the Inter-Service Endurance Champs and for the past three years I've been competing as part of the Royal Navy Royal Marine team, this year we were able to field two mixed teams which was a first for us and great to see. For one of our women this was to be her first competition, in fact for half the team this was their first go at an endurance event. The relaxed nature of Mayhem is perhaps the reason why these guys have already signed up for next year!

Like last year the weather decided to toy with us all right up to the start of the event, raining heavily up to the start and continuing with light showers up until about 4 o'clock. This rain had left the trails slippery and challenging for those nominated to ride early in the event. As the last of our team to go out, by the time I got to ride, things had dried out sufficiently for the lap to be an enjoyable if sticky in places blast, and having learnt from the mishaps at Wasing the previous weekend I'd stuck some captain's tyres on the epic so traction wasn't a problem.

With the rain giving up and going to sit over Wimbledon or prepare for a weekend soaking at Glastonbury it didn't rain again all weekend so when I ventured out for my subsequent laps I swapped the Captains for Fast Tracks and the course just got better and better. Everyone was friendly and the extra trips through the camp ground and over/under the bridge were great fun, Hi fiving and cheery greetings exchanged; all part of that certain Mayhem something. I even managed some sleep between laps which was something as I'd managed to pick up a bug or something as when I wasn't riding my guts were doing a very convincing impression of a washing machine on spin cycle!

An Earlier start time meant an early finish, and it just so happened that after three years it was to be my turn to take the "glory" lap. Taking the baton off Jason at 11:06 there was no need for me to sit up or lurk I could ride flat out and not worry about having to go round for a bonus lap! 1hr and 1 min later I was round, shaking Pat's hand and receiving 5 well-earned finishers medals.

Is it the best 24hr course? Probably not. Is it my favourite event? Not by a long way. Will I be back next year? More than likely, that's the thing about Mayhem, there's that certain something that draws you in again and again, and who knows; I did hear Mrs XCwanabe mumbling something about giving it a go, so perhaps next year I'll be pit crew and chief support!

Well done to

Maddie and the Hope All Stars for breaking Scott's seven year winning streak.

RAF Cycling for taking the win in the inter-service cat as well as an impressive podium in the open cat.

Steve, our intrepid Soloist and early bird camper.

Finally thanks to

Jake/Rich, Juliet, Jason and Slinger

Martyn, Spike, Jacqui, Bagsy and Alan

Not for getting Jane, Diane and Mummy and Daddy Long