Event Reports

Another first class NEEC timecard event

To say I've lost count of the number of times I've done this event would be a gross exaggeration, but in truth I've been to this venue more than any other in all my years of riding. Yes, they run two events a year here which has certainly got something to do with it. However the main reason is that it never fails to deliver!

The early season event is usually the wetter of the two run but after all the sun we've had there was barely a puddle to be seen. Even so, some pretty sloppy ruts appeared and even a section of the test was re-routed due to it being a virtually impassable mush.

As I've done a couple of times now I camped the night before just outside the forest. Although you can drive up in the morning it nice not to have to get up at about half five. After me and Andy had finally packed our tents away and driven the last bit to the event we weren't that early, (no change there then) and were followed to the start area by Mike VT.   

The start was in the usual place and the course was split into two checks. The first was a long check with the test and fuel. The second was a very tight check which took you back to the start.

I know a lot of the forest now after all my visits, but every event has something new in it. We set off on one of the well used alleys and got generally twisted and turned about on tracks that have all been used before. Some have been in previous tests and others ridden the other way but they're all good to ride. As usual there was a real diversity of tracks. Open bumpy tracks, forest road, tight single file stuff in the trees, some hills, baked hard ruts from wet events and some very soft loamy stuff in the trees. It all just kept coming for miles and miles until after about 35 minutes you hit the test.

The first lap is the sighting lap for the test and then you're timed on your subsequent laps. The test was soooo tight it was mad! Right from the off it was single file tracks in the trees with almost nowhere to pass unless the rider in front pulled over for you. It was a fairly long test too but even so it was quite good fun to ride.

After the test you had about five minutes of riding back to the fuel and check. In all it was a good fifty minutes of riding and was great fun. The second check was really tight on the second and third laps and I reckon a lot of people will have dropped time here. Flat out for just under twenty minutes is really hard and only the fastest riders in each class will have cleaned it.

My three laps all went pretty well. I had a few spills but nothing fast or too scary. My one near disaster was on my last lap. Whilst on the first check I changed gear but it didn't feel right. I looked down to see my gear lever at an odd angle and thought I'd managed to bend it somewhere. I looked for somewhere just off the track to pull over and hopped off to have a nosey. I barely touched it and it fell to the floor, along with the bolt! A gentle parting of the shrubbery revealed my bolt, still with its washers on PHEW! A quick bit of spannering had it all good as new again and I set off to make up for the lost few minutes.

My first test went really well but the second was a dissater. Having passed two riders the third I caught refused to give way on the tight tracks. Being a sportsman I was right up his chuff and eventually he left me a gap which involved getting over a log and a few roots. This however didn't go well and had me off the bike pulling it free of the log. I caught him up again but this time he steadfastly refused to move over. A mad block pass got me through at a corner and then I left him behind. In all he cost me at least a minute, very annoying but then if I'd got over that log...........?!

As I won't be vying for the silverware it doesn't really matter too much but may well have cost me a place or two.

I really enjoyed the event and will be at the next one later in the year. A few other club members came up and all did ok apart from Paul who managed to snap his chain and Mike who was goosed after half the race distance. Andy Cook in his first timecard did very well and should be at the pointy end of things with Andy Reid not too far behind. Dave dropped a bit more time than the others but still claimed his Rekluse clutch was fantastic and it saved his day.

With there seeming to be a bit more interest in the competiion side of  things I'm hoping to get a few more riders doing these NEEC events and hopefully more of you will be joining me for the next Langdale.

Geraint.