Summer days

BY: simon ernest

Published: 3rd June, 2014

I've raced the Beyound Mountain Bikes Black Park race so many times in the past, the last being two years ago in the rain, hail and snow. I am still slightly traumatized from that event so was very happy to see the change in dates to increase the odds of some sun shine. Due to an unfortunate clash in dates, the field was slightly reduced but this doesn't always make the racing easier. Being a local event also has the advantage of not having to pack half the house which is what seems to be required when you are taking two young children to a race. A quick(ish) pre ride of the course demonstrated that a) I have very little in the way of technical skills left, and b) it was a typical rooty, twisty, singletrack riddled course. A complete lack of climbs meant you were on the rivet all the time, unless you got lazy and fell off. I was able to watch the last couple of laps of the emergency services champs: Phil and Sam looked to be smashing the hell out of each other (always good to see other suffer), before having to line up for the expert race. Before we knew it, were charging down the loooooong fireroad before hanging a left into the woods...to cut a long story short, I won which was nice.

A massive thanks to the West Drayton Team, they out on a great event at a venue that is family friendly. It is not often you can finish a race, go feed the ducks, have a icecream and play on the swings. Ahh, the life of an elite mtber....

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