The Merida Brass monkey's series is a set of four winter enduros with the aim in mind of keeping you fit over winter...
I'd entered one round last year and needless to say it was very painful - bike failings, cramp, and an emotional roller coaster all tucked up into five laps and four hours!
This year I was planning on entering all four rounds, but was nursing a pretty life threatening illness over the first race, so had to bail on that one (man flu - treat it seriously kids...)
I'd entered one round last year and needless to say it was very painful - bike failings, cramp, and an emotional roller coaster all tucked up into five laps and four hours!
This year I was planning on entering all four rounds, but was nursing a pretty life threatening illness over the first race, so had to bail on that one (man flu - treat it seriously kids...)
Round 2 was at Caesars Camp, Aldershot. I'd ridden the same round last year and had numerous bike issues - chain tensioner not working, wheels being too small etc etc....
This year I was looking forward to racing on the new 29er - not only is it a 29er, it's also 6lb lighter than the old (steel) SS; added up this shuld make a fair difference.
This year I was looking forward to racing on the new 29er - not only is it a 29er, it's also 6lb lighter than the old (steel) SS; added up this shuld make a fair difference.
I'm under no illusion that I'd be winning/podiuming/top tenning this race, but I enjoy the race aspect, and it's a reason to try and stay fit over winter.
The start kicked off at 0930, and with the 'finish line' being at 1330 (or in my case, 1400 as I'd managed to cross the line shortly before cut off time, allowing me another lap) I knew my legs had it cut out for them!
I'd planned to 'give it some beans for the first lap, then drop into a slog routine fr the remainder! It's a fairly tight course, and a lot of hold ups take place in the early singletrack so another target for me was to make sure I'd come and gone past the start line by the time the 2-hour racers started - it would be a faff to get into a routine only to get stuck behind a big starting group again.
The start kicked off at 0930, and with the 'finish line' being at 1330 (or in my case, 1400 as I'd managed to cross the line shortly before cut off time, allowing me another lap) I knew my legs had it cut out for them!
I'd planned to 'give it some beans for the first lap, then drop into a slog routine fr the remainder! It's a fairly tight course, and a lot of hold ups take place in the early singletrack so another target for me was to make sure I'd come and gone past the start line by the time the 2-hour racers started - it would be a faff to get into a routine only to get stuck behind a big starting group again.
My first few lap times were 36, 36, and 40 min, meaning I'd be past the 2-hour starters with 8 minutes to spare - good times!
I felt I was doing OK - legs were getting tired, but I was plodding on. About a third of the way into the 4th lap, the fast 2-hour guys were coming by. This can be good and bad - it gives you a target to (try to!) chase, which is a good motivator. But you also need to realise these guys are fresh off the line, and are cracking out 32 minute laps. Ergo, by trying to chase them you simply enter a world of lactic acid induced pain. It's a laugh isn't it...
I felt I was doing OK - legs were getting tired, but I was plodding on. About a third of the way into the 4th lap, the fast 2-hour guys were coming by. This can be good and bad - it gives you a target to (try to!) chase, which is a good motivator. But you also need to realise these guys are fresh off the line, and are cracking out 32 minute laps. Ergo, by trying to chase them you simply enter a world of lactic acid induced pain. It's a laugh isn't it...
By lap 4 I was tiring and slowing, as expected, but on lap 5 the killer cramp finally hit me and with all the stopping to stretch out the thighs and hamstrings (yes - I was cramping up in opposing muscle groups...pain scale factor 10) I managed to eek out a 54 minute lap - lame!
I'd been managing to force gels and bars down my throat, and was feeling well hydrated, but the cramp, tiredness, and by now the pouring rain were all wearing my willpower away!
Crossing the line after my 5th lap with about 20 minutes to go meant I was in for a 6th lap. I was chuffed as last year I only managed 5, though I think the course was a tad shorter this time around.
Regardless, I was keen to finish so managed to get round one final time in 51 minutes..
Overall, I placed 19th in my cat (open male 4 hour) which I was fairly pleased with... Roll on round 3 in early Jan!
I'd been managing to force gels and bars down my throat, and was feeling well hydrated, but the cramp, tiredness, and by now the pouring rain were all wearing my willpower away!
Crossing the line after my 5th lap with about 20 minutes to go meant I was in for a 6th lap. I was chuffed as last year I only managed 5, though I think the course was a tad shorter this time around.
Regardless, I was keen to finish so managed to get round one final time in 51 minutes..
Overall, I placed 19th in my cat (open male 4 hour) which I was fairly pleased with... Roll on round 3 in early Jan!
Thanks to Kevin Sheldrake, the event photographer, and Muke, from STW, for the pictures.