Event Reports

Ride Off Roads event at Carlton Grange was blessed with the hottest day in March for 90 years apparently!

I don't mind a bit of sunshine myself and it truely was a glorious day. As the dust spread out behind us on the gravel path to the parking there was no chance of getting stuck in the field. It was bone dry and the large number of vehicles showed a good entry.

We could glimpse bikes through the trees and had a stroll over to see what the woods had to offer. Like most natural woodlands the tight twisty track wound its way through the trees with different tracks in places but it mainly looked fairly single track.

Andy P and myself got signed on and got ready for the race. The start area was very tight with barely twenty metres before the track tightened up to single running. With us being on the last row I knew it'd be a trail ride till everyone got spread out so wasn't too worried about a blinding start.

After a good warm up Wayne flagged each row away. Really close to the start a few riders had taken a tumble. I don't know what class they were from but they seemed to be ok and getting up. I'm not surprised as there were roots a-plenty everywhere. You really had to be careful as some were pretty big but on the whole most were fine. The course was around the ten minute lap mark (for most and a bit less for the faster riders) and wound its way through the woodland continually. Most of the course was second and third gear with a couple of tracks where you could wind it up in fourth before slowing for the next corner. Despite the bumpy and twisty nature of the course it flowed pretty well. Definately a feet up job for the best drive and smoothest ride, you soon got to know the slightly better lines and where the big roots were.

I set off at a relaxed pace right near the back trying to avoid arm pump and figured I'd pick up the pace once it thinned out. But once you got in a line with the others there was no-where to pass and the following riders made you keep the manic first lap pace up. I caught Andy up and followed him for a bit, only to come round a corner and see him picking himself up and pointing the wrong way. A leg sized root had spun him off but he was sorting himself out so I left him to it.

So for two and a half hours I kept circulating at a steady pace trying to ride the berms a bit quicker and make up time where I could. I really enjoyed myself and only had one off right near the end when the front tucked in some soft stuff. I just missed out on another lap at the end by 50 seconds but I was getting pretty tired by this point anyway. The bulk of the midfield were all very close really and I wish I'd pushed a bit harder and got a better result, but I'm only in it for the fun these days and enjoyed the race. (And my fitness isn't quite up to scratch really). I can't really say much more than that. With nothing hard and the course being the same all the way around you just kept on going riding berm after berm and some of the ruts that appeared. Twisting through the trees continually trying to keep a good rhythm and be smooth. I know that might sound dull but trust me, it was actually pretty enjoyable.

I reckon I'd go there again but maybe not in the wet as it could easily become a bit of a slot race with most of the track being single line. The course was really well marked and easy to follow. In a lot of respects it was similar to Westwood and a little like Tong. So if you like either of those venues it's well worth a visit.

I think Wayne had a sucessful day overall. I believe there were a few riders who bashed themselves but nothing serious and everyone seemed happy in the paddock. Next time though, I'll be on the front row for clubmen and try to avoid the train, push a bit harder and get a better result. While all the time enjoying myself!

Geraint.