Tag Archives: Mud

Wild in The Woods – Aston Hill Black Run Race – Sunday 27th April 2014

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Aston Hill’s infamous Black Run is regarded as one of the South’s most technical descents. Hosting local and regional races since 1997, it celebrated it’s 17th year of racing in style. After weeks of dry weather left the trails dry and dusty the weekend before the rain in the week running up to the race and a day of cloud cover on Friday ensured that the dry conditions were a distant memory. For those practicing on Saturday there was plenty to perfect with a couple of variations to the trail throwing a curve ball for Aston Hill and Black Run race regulars alike. The track was busy all day with riders all working on those all important lines.

With the UCI Downhill World Cup racers travelling thousands of miles to race in Cairns, Australia expecting sunshine and finding one of the wettest races in years closer to home the wet and challenging track conditions on Aston Hill were very similar.

Sunday morning dawned overcast with a light drizzle ensuring those with fingers crossed that the track would dry out overnight were disappointed. It didn’t dampen the spirits of the riders already that had already entered on-line with many still opting to enter on the day too. Practice put 180 riders down the course and by the end of the session with the rain holding off a much dryer sticker line had a appeared and the riders were looking forward to race runs and throwing everything down to put in a quick time.

The conditions continued to improve throughout the day and then just after the second runs started a heavy shower hit the hill. Considering the forecast the racers had been pretty lucky that this was the first shower of the day and it didn’t last long but had it done enough to change the conditions? For some yes, but the remaining racers through themselves into their second runs with nothing to loose. In some cases it paid off but in others it left riders sliding down the hill after loosing traction on the chalk.

Juvenile

The young rippers never cease to amaze with their all out commitment. Making light work of conditions that had older riders scratching their heads it was Robert Thomas of the Gravity Project that came out on top stopping the clock on 1.54.57, with Charles Griffith in 2nd just 0.92secs off the pace and Josh Mead of Team Porc/Whisper Bikes rounding out the top three with a time of 1.59.29 just sneaking into the sub 2min club.

  Juvenille Men      

1

 Robert Thomas Gravity Project 1:54:57  

2

 Charles Griffiths   1:55:49 0.92s

3

 Josh Mead Team Porc/Whisper Bikes 1:59:29 4.72s

Youth

The Youth men’s race came down to a battle between Alfie Kilner (Bashee Bikes/Team Aston Hill) and Tom Davies (Crank Cycles). The pair have been locked in a duel all season and after the first runs there was very little time between them. However Tom laid down an impressive second run to stop the clock on 1:37:62. Alfie held onto second and Jack Miller rounded out the top three on the day.

  Youth Men      

1

 Tom Davies Crank Cycles 1:37:62  

2

 Alfie Kilner Banshee Bikes/Team Aston Hill 1:42:97 5.32s

3

 Jack Miller   1:44.26 6.64s

Junior Men

Few would have bet against Team Aston Hill rider Al Warrell taking the win on home soil. Al who was back on the bike after injuring his wrist on the team photo shoot the week before. The injury didn’t seem to be slowing him down though and his first run of 1:30:43 set the pace until the Expert/Elites hit the trail. Jack Klimowicz came home in second clocking 1:42:87 and Scott Robinson rounded out the top three on 1:44:29.

  Junior Men      

1

 Alister Warrell Banshee Bikes/Team Aston Hill 1:30:43  

2

 Jack Klimowicz   1:42:87 12.44s

3

 Jack Miller   1:44:29 13.86s

Senior Men

One of the most hotly contested categories and with many of the fastest riders seeing their hopes of a fast time sliding out with them as the slippery chalk pushed them off line. It  Team Aston Hill’s Ross Hammond that used his local knowledge to put together a stormer of a run to take the win and stop the clock on 1:36:28. Second and third were hot on his heals though with Grant Martin just 0.72s behind on 1:37:00 and James Stapleton on a 1:37:17 another 0.89s back and Daniel Sibbick in forth another 0.94s back making it very tight at the top.

  Senior Men      

1

 Ross Hammond Team Aston Hill 1:36:28  

2

 Grant Martin Ipswich Bicycle Club 1:37:00 0.72s

3

 Jack Miller   1:37:17 0.89s

Master Men

It’s always interesting to see who made the move from Senior to Master and the effect the young blood with have on the categories old guard. It was Dan Haines that set the pace on a 1:35:32. James Weames came home in second on 1:36:41 and another Aston Hill regular Chris Spooner rounded out the top three on 1:37:52

  Master Men      

1

 Dan Haines   1:35:32  

2

 James Weames   1:36:41 1.09s

3

 Chris Spooner   1:37:52 2.20s

Veteran Men

The Vets have the advantage of experience and it was all needed to guide their bikes down to the bottom of the Black Run. Pete Little was the man to beat recovering from a rotator cuff injury the racer in him had got the better of him and he’d decided to race. It wasn’t a decision he regretted with a time of 1:44:84 he took the win from Firecrest MTB’s Ian Warby who’s time of 1:48:00 was 3.16s slower. Stuart Chittenden rounded out the top three just a few hundredths off Warby’s time with a time of 1:48:78.

  Veteran Men      

1

 Pete Little   1:44:84  

2

 Ian Warby   1:48:00 3.16s

3

 Stuart Chittenden   1:48:75 3.94s

Hardtail

It’s hard to decide if they were the bravest or the dumbest group of riders on the day. Getting to the bottom of the hill on a full suspension bike was a challenge so making it down on a hardtail deserved a medal. After looking quick in practice it was no surprise to see Cliff Perkins (Beeline Bikes) take the win on a 1:53:10 with Ben Roberts pushing him all the way but eventually loosing out by just 0.37s in second and Scott Cordy in 3rd on 2:05:03 a further 11.93s back.

  Hardtail Men      

1

 Clifford Perkins Beeline Bikes 1:53:10  

2

 Ben Roberts   1:53:47 0.37s

3

 Scott Cordy   2:05:03 11.93s

Elite/Expert Men

What the Elite Men’s category lacked in numbers it certainly made up for in talent with Aston Hill locals and World Cup DH racers Jack Geoghegan (Madison/Saracen) and Philip Atwill (RRP Ghost) both racing on their doorstep as opposed to the other side of the planet. That didn’t stop them laying down their world class skills though pushed all the way by the Team Aston Hill pairing of Glenroy Martin and Darren Evans. After the first run it was Glenroy that set the pace but Phil had given away valuable seconds into the finish after styling up the final jump for the waiting crowd.

With a frustrating first run that saw him off the pace of the leaders Jack Geoghegan was in a determined mood come run two. With the spectators lining the track ready for the fastest riders to do their thing Jack flew down the hill to stop the clock on 1:27:97 just edging out a much faster finishing Phil Atwill by just 0.12s with Glenroy leading home the Team Aston Hill Challenge in third on 1:28:50 with team mate Darren Evans in 4th and Ben Deakin (Primera Cycles) in fifth.

  Expert/Elite Men      

1

 Jack Geoghegan Madison Saracen Development 1:27:97  

2

 Philip Atwill RRP Ghost 1:28:09 0.12s

3

 Glenroy Martin Team Aston Hill 1:28:50 0.53s

For the full results go too www.rootsandrain.com

So another great days racing goes down in the annuals of Aston Hill history racing returns to the slopes of Aston Hill in September when the riders will take on Root Canal.

Thanks to Pete Way and the Aston Hill Mountain Bike Club Race Committee with support from the Aston Hill Club Committee for all their hard work in putting the race on. Gravity Project for the timing the First Aid team and all the marshals. The caterers that kept everyone fed and watered and the fantastic sponsors that supported the event with a selection of amazing prizes across the categories. Grass roots racing just wouldn’t happen with out their support!

 

 

Blockhead Energy Gum Downhill Racing Team 2013 – Josh Lowe, Season Review

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Josh Fort Bill StartStraight out of the blocks and Josh started the season as he meant to go on, with a win at the opening round of the British Downhill Series (BDS) in Combe Sydenham. It was a fantastic start to the race season considering the team was just an idea at the start of the year. It’s no mean feat to go from an idea to the top of the podium in the Expert Category in three months, phew! We are lucky that we are sponsored by and energy product!

From the south coast of England we headed north to the Scottish Highlands for the second round of the BDS in Fort William. With plenty of World Cup Downhill regulars in attendance it was a fast and furious weekend on the mountain. Unfortunately a front puncture in Josh’s race run, just over a minute into the track put paid to any chances he had of a podium repeat. Fortunately it’s four from five rounds that count t the overall, but it’s still a really long drive home after a disappointing result like that!

Round 3 was always going to be a tough one, falling right in the middle of Josh’s A-level final exams. Had he done well in Fort William the plan was to miss this round so he could focus on his exams. To be fair he managed to forget the pressure and focus on getting his championship challenge back on track. Josh finished in seventh place with the top 10 split by a matter of seconds; it was good to get some more points in the bag and get Josh home in one piece to finish off his exams so he could focus on his racing for the rest of the year.

With his A-level’s complete it was time to hit mainland Europe with a trip out to Leogang in Austria for the first round of the IXS European Cup Downhill. The IXS is a stepping stone between the BDS and the Downhill World Cup. With the opening round of the World Cup in Fort William also in the middle of his A-level Exams it was the first time this season that Josh would test himself against the best in European downhill racing.  Coming home in 37th place against such a talented field underlined Josh’s potential.

Then it was back to the UK for the fourth round of the BDS series which took place at Llangollen in North Wales.  Llangollen is a fast and twisty track that suited Josh from his first practice run and he was flying down the track in practice. Going into the race it was his to lose and for and for the second time in the season Josh crossed the line with the fastest Expert time to take another win and really ignite the race for the BDS Expert series title.

With Josh moving to from the junior category to expert in 2013 the aim of the year was to move straight through the category and get a converted place in the Elite category for 2014. With Josh leading the British Cycling rankings at the mid-point of the season and with two wins at the BDS series already in the bag there was a real possibility that this would be a very achievable goal.

With that in mind the British National Championships were the first chance to see how Josh would fair against the best riders in the UK. Whilst at the BDS there are categories based on age and ability for the National Championship only the rider’s age matters. With one senior Championship category Josh was up against the best. Not only the best in the UK but with Gee Atherton leading the World Cup Downhill Series and racing legend Steve Peat looking for a ninth British title the best racers in the World were in attendance too.

Blockhead Energy Gum Downhill Team Rider Josh Lowe on his way to 18th place at the 2013 National Championships at Bala

Blockhead Energy Gum Downhill Team Rider Josh Lowe on his way to 18th place at the 2013 National Championships at Bala

Practice went well and Josh qualified inside the top 20 achieving the first target for the weekend. In the finals he put together a near perfect race run to stop the clock on 3.35.16 good enough for 18th place and a sign of things to come in 2014.

With the World Cup heading back to Europe, Josh had done enough to earn a converted place on the Great Britain Mountain Bike Downhill Team and was eligible to race at round 3 in Vallnord, Andorra.  If it’s a step up racing in the IXS Series it’s a leap to racing the World Cups. The first target is qualifying and with only 80 places on offer for the men this isn’t easy. Unfortunately a puncture in qualifying put paid to Josh’s chances. It wasn’t the end of the world though, just the end of a frustrating weekend.

Off the back of the World Cup it was straight back into IXS action. With a point to prove Josh headed to Pila in Italy for round 3 of the IXS European DH Series. Pila has a monstrous downhill track that’s a favourite with the World Cup racers. Coming home in 46th place in a stacked field of over 200 riders Josh chalked up another great result. From Italy the team travelled to Switzerland to race round 4 of the IXS series on the popular Wiriehorn track. Again Josh pushed his Trek Session to its limit for the whole weekend and finished in 44th place, closing in on his target of a top 30.

Back in the UK it was business as usual at finals of the British Downhill Series in Bringewood.  Josh came home in 6th and secured second place overall in the series. Whilst he was so close to wrapping up the overall title, second was an amazing achievement in his first season as an Expert and would be enough to guarantee him a converted place in the Elite category for 2014! “Job done” as they say.

The season wasn’t over though and it was time to head out to Chatel, France and round 6 of the IXS European Downhill Series. Chatel is like a home from home for Josh and he had high hopes of showing just what he was capable off. However the weather had other ideas and it threw everything it had and more at Josh and the track in the form of a monstrous alpine thunder storm just before Josh’s run. The fact that he slipped and slid his way to a 52nd place finish just shows what could have been.

With the World Cup Series starting late in 2013 there was still two rounds to go! The first stop was at Hafjell Bike Park in Norway. It’s another monster of a track with some massive jumps up top and it was an instant favourite with Josh. He was again chasing that covered top 80 qualifying position and he came home in 88th just 2 seconds off of qualification, a move in the right direction, but so frustrating to miss out by such a small margin.

There was no time to think of what could have been though, as Josh travelled from Norway to Austria for the following weekend and the World Cup Finals in Leogang. All eyes were on the 2013 overall title chase, with it coming down to straight fight for the overall series honours between Gee Atherton and Stevie Smith.

For Josh having raced here earlier in the season he had high hopes of securing that covered top 80 qualifying slot. However so did many other racers and with 160 plus riders chasing 80 qualifying slots it was always going to be a tough weekend. Josh came home in 127th not the result he was hoping for, especially considering how close he’d come the weekend before. Never the less, it was another valuable weekend of racing experience in preparation for 2014.

At the sharp end it was Canadian Stevie Smith that edged out Gee Atherton in a thrilling finale to the series to take the win that wrapped up the men’s overall title. It wasn’t all bad news for the Brits/Atherton’s though, as Gee’s sister Rachel Atherton won the women’s 2013 World Cup Downhill Title. Dominating the series and adding the Downhill World Cup Series title to the World Championship title she’d won earlier in the year.

At the end of September as the domestic race season was fast becoming a memory, there was still the final of the IXS European Downhill Cup to come. Maribor in Slovenia is another legendary European track and one that has a reputation for being fast and furious. Yet again the weather had other ideas and a wild weekend of racing awaited all the competitors.  For the second IXS in a row Josh slipped and slid his way down the track, this time to a 51st place finish. Leaving him to wonder as to what might have been had the conditions not been so epic! Josh rounded out the IXS European Downhill Cup in 58th place and 6th British finisher.

Heading back to the UK after a long hard but very rewarding season Josh rounded out his year of racing where he’d started it back on top of the box at Penshurst with a win at the final round of the PORC downhill series.

What a season! 5 wins a stack of top 10 finishes, second overall in British Downhill Series and British Cycling’s Expert National Rankings. Along with promotion to the Elite Category for 2014! Thousands of miles travelled and hundreds of miles ridden in training and races. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it’s a good job we are sponsored by an energy product!

Blockhead Energy Chewing Gum launched on the 1st May 2013 – made from a brand new gum technology, Blockhead energy gum increases concentration and performance and it’s digested 5 times quicker than an energy drink. One pack of 10 gums is comparative to 4 cans of energy drink! At £1.95 per pack they are great value for money. For more details see www.block-head.com

Firecrest Mountain Biking provides skills and fitness consultancy providing a range of mountain bike skills courses on Aston Hill for riders of all ages and abilities along with fitness and performance coaching for keeping fit through to racing professionally.

To find out more about Blockhead Energy Downhill Team and Firecrest’s range of MTB Skills courses click over to the website www.firecrestmtb.com

The Blockhead Downhill Team was sponsored and supported in 2013 by Blockhead Energy Chewing Gum, Firecrest Mountain Biking, IMB Magazine, Trek Bikes, Kali Protectives, Speedsport, Tesa Tape, Shoretrax Portable Mountain Bike Trails, Lezyne and Whackjob Clothing. We’d like to thank all of our sponsors for their support throughout the season.

For the Blockhead Energy Gum Downhill Racing Team the adventure continues! See you at the races in 2014!

We are currently seeking sponsors for our 2014 race program if you’d like to work with one of the most dynamic and exciting race teams on the circuit then please get in touch. E-mail danny@block-head.com

Maxine takes the win and the Series – Southern XC

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Southern  XC Round 5, Pippingford Estate.

It doesn’t seem long ago that it was the first round of the Southern XC Series at Checkendon, the summer has flown by and the final round at Pippingford Estate was upon us.  The 2010 National Championships were held at this venue so as you can imagine it is a pretty tough course.  This year, to stop us all getting too complacent with the course, the sneaky Southern XC crew had changed a few things.  There was a new arena and start loop complete with a few new sections to challenge even the best technical riders.

I did a practice lap with Pete in the morning, it was a little damp but it didn’t seem to be changing the track at all and it rode beautifully.  The descents were fast flowing and I couldn’t help but grin on the way down.  Pete managed to complete his race in the relative dry but as he finished the heavens opened and there was a huge downpour.  After riding the course when it was so dry I couldn’t imagine just how muddy it would become.  I decided not to change to the Kenda King of Traction tyres a decision which I would come to regret about five minutes into the race!

Unfortunately there were only three of us lining up for the final round,  we were without Carla Haines of  WXC who had opted  to do the SW championship and Jo Munden looking after her other half after a bit of crash while out training.  Still, I knew I would be pushed all the way and the course would test me.  After having a few difficult races my main aim for this race was to complete it in one piece.  On the start line it began to spit with rain again, that was soon forgotten though as the gun went to start.  As we hit the first section of single track my back wheel started to slip and slide underneath me, I really wished I’d changed my tyres to have more grip!

I am very lucky in that the training I have done with Firecrest MTB is mostly at Aston Hill, Wendover, which in the wet is the most evil place for riding, slippery descents and gnarly roots to catch you out just like the course I was facing now.  I felt comfortable tackling the ever deteriorating conditions thanks to Ian.  Luckily, I have also been doing some ride and run drills in my training which definitely came in handy when it came to running up the majority of little climbs.  I was relieved to see even the top elite men having to do just the same; it was that boggy.  I managed to slip and slide my around for four long laps and finish just about in one piece.  My win at this round also meant that I won the Series, a great end to a great series.  Thank you to the Southern XC team for providing some challenging courses, I’m looking forward to next year already.

As always I couldn’t do these races without my sponsors so a huge thank you to Ian Warby and Mark Baines at Firecrest MTB, Baines Racing, Sponser Energy products from Fitness Performance Resource, Kenda Tyres, Limar helmets, Lake shoes, Jagwire, POWERbreathe, Working Bodies and AndyStand.

Southern XC Round 5, Pippingford Estate.

It doesn’t seem long ago that it was the first round of the Southern XC Series at Checkendon, the summer has flown by and the final round at Pippingford Estate was upon us. The 2010 National Championships were held at this venue so as you can imagine it is a pretty tough course. This year, to stop us all getting too complacent with the course, the sneaky Southern XC crew had changed a few things. There was a new arena and start loop complete with a few new sections to challenge even the best technical riders.

I did a practice lap with Pete in the morning, it was a little damp but it didn’t seem to be changing the track at all and it rode beautifully. The descents were fast flowing and I couldn’t help but grin on the way down. Pete managed to complete his race in the relative dry but as he finished the heavens opened and there was a huge downpour. After riding the course when it was so dry I couldn’t imagine just how muddy it would become. I decided not to change to the Kenda King of Traction tyres a decision which I would come to regret about five minutes into the race!

Unfortunately there were only three of us lining up for the final round, we were without Carla Haines of WXC who had opted to do the SW championship and Jo Munden looking after her other half after a bit of crash while out training. Still, I knew I would be pushed all the way and the course would test me. After having a few difficult races my main aim for this race was to complete it in one piece. On the start line it began to spit with rain again, that was soon forgotten though as the gun went to start. As we hit the first section of single track my back wheel started to slip and slide underneath me, I really wished I’d changed my tyres to have more grip! I am very lucky in that the training I have done with Firecrest MTB is mostly at Aston Hill, Wendover, which in the wet is the most evil place for riding, slippery descents and gnarly roots to catch you out just like the course I was facing now. I felt comfortable tackling the ever deteriorating conditions thanks to Ian. Luckily, I have also been doing some ride and run drills in my training which definitely came in handy when it came to running up the majority of little climbs. I was relieved to see even the top elite men having to do just the same; it was that boggy. I managed to slip and slide my around for four long laps and finish just about in one piece. My win at this round also meant that I won the Series, a grea

Southern  XC Round 5, Pippingford Estate.

It doesn’t seem long ago that it was the first round of the Southern XC Series at Checkendon, the summer has flown by and the final round at Pippingford Estate was upon us.  The 2010 National Championships were held at this venue so as you can imagine it is a pretty tough course.  This year, to stop us all getting too complacent with the course, the sneaky Southern XC crew had changed a few things.  There was a new arena and start loop complete with a few new sections to challenge even the best technical riders.

I did a practice lap with Pete in the morning, it was a little damp but it didn’t seem to be changing the track at all and it rode beautifully.  The descents were fast flowing and I couldn’t help but grin on the way down.  Pete managed to complete his race in the relative dry but as he finished the heavens opened and there was a huge downpour.  After riding the course when it was so dry I couldn’t imagine just how muddy it would become.  I decided not to change to the Kenda King of Traction tyres a decision which I would come to regret about five minutes into the race!

Unfortunately there were only three of us lining up for the final round,  we were without Carla Haines of  WXC who had opted  to do the SW championship and Jo Munden looking after her other half after a bit of crash while out training.  Still, I knew I would be pushed all the way and the course would test me.  After having a few difficult races my main aim for this race was to complete it in one piece.  On the start line it began to spit with rain again, that was soon forgotten though as the gun went to start.  As we hit the first section of single track my back wheel started to slip and slide underneath me, I really wished I’d changed my tyres to have more grip!  I am very lucky in that the training I have done with Firecrest MTB is mostly at Aston Hill, Wendover, which in the wet is the most evil place for riding, slippery descents and gnarly roots to catch you out just like the course I was facing now.  I felt comfortable tackling the ever deteriorating conditions thanks to Ian.  Luckily, I have also been doing some ride and run drills in my training which definitely came in handy when it came to running up the majority of little climbs.  I was relieved to see even the top elite men having to do just the same; it was that boggy.  I managed to slip and slide my around for four long laps and finish just about in one piece.  My win at this round also meant that I won the Series, a great end to a great series.  Thank you to the Southern XC team for providing some challenging courses, I’m looking forward to next year already.

As always I couldn’t do these races without my sponsors so a huge thank you to Ian Warby and Mark Baines at Firecrest MTB, Baines Racing, Sponser Energy products from Fitness Performance Resource, Kenda Tyres, Limar helmets, Lake shoes, Jagwire, POWERbreathe, Working Bodies and AndyStand.

t end to a great series. Thank you to the Southern XC team for providing some challenging courses, I’m looking forward to next year already.

As always I couldn’t do these races without my sponsors so a huge thank you to Ian Warby and Mark Baines at Firecrest MTB, Baines Racing, Sponser Energy products from Fitness Performance Resource, Kenda Tyres, Limar helmets, Lake shoes, Jagwire, POWERbreathe, Working Bodies and AndyStand.