Mick's Meanders
Kielder Winter Warmer 2010
A cold morning on Saturday 21st Feb greeted the 3 loons prepared for a blast around Kielder, the first of a 4 part race series. Mick H met Jas at his and then collected Matt for the drive at about 07:15.
Shortly after leaving Newcastle it became apparent that there had been a bit of snow overnight. With about 5 miles to go to the start the snow got thicker, Jason let the wheels of the van drift into the snow and then all of the occupants of the van said “Oh Sh#t” as the van slid towards a barrier and ditch. Fortunately Jason’s cat like reflexes saved the slide moments before it plunged off road. The last few miles of the journey were conducted in silence and at about 10MPH!!
Upon arrival at the Anglers Arms pub registration started and the organisers insisted on seeing all of the equipment listed on the rules page!! Ooppss at least Matt had a first aid kit and we blagged the rest. The start was delayed to allow a Land Rover to drive the highest parts of the course to flatten the 4” fresh snow so that it could be ridden.
At the start line a cold bunch of riders waited for the gun, some probably wish that they were shot with it rather than racing. Despite the conditions, it was agreed that the full distance of 3 10 mile laps would be done.
The lap started with a blast alongside the lake with Mick quickly disappearing off into the distance followed by one gear Jason and Matt. The first climb had the field quickly spread out. Mick managed to gain a good mid-field position and got to attack the first good stretch of singletrack with no one in front to hold him up. Then there was the so called fire road sections. Due to a lack of fire on the roads they were covered in 2” of packed ice with 4” of compressed snow on the top. This made for some entertaining offs and the fast sections nerve-wracking. With all of the recent damp weather most of the lap was either snow covered or a bit like a swamp. The bonus parts were the sections in the trees that were nearly dry and could be properly attacked. Jason and Matt were having fun riding close to each other with Jason at times watching how out of control Matt can be going down hills and still not crashing.
With a small field racing the following laps were done with hardly seeing anyone. After lap 2 Mick was feeling drained and thought about not bothering with the last lap, but the section before the end of the lap was so much fun to ride that he thought that it would be worth another go. But half way round the last lap, after the steep singletrack climb/walk he got back on the bike only to cramp up in both legs at the same time. A couple of minutes passed (fortunately no other riders) until he could straighten out his legs from the screaming pain.
Now for a lesson learned. There is no point having super carbs filling your camelbak if you forget to drink it, thus giving you horrendous cramps!! Or riding lap 1 of 3 as if you could win the race when you will have 2 more laps of agony to complete!!
Eventually the fun of the race was over and the rider behind Mick asked where he had come and was told 20th. Mick, being the mathematical genius that he is worked out that he must have been 19th. Not bad after the pain of the last 2 laps. He then plodded round to the pub to await the arrival of the other 2. First to show was Jason on his singlespeed funny wheeled machine. A hell of an achievement getting that thing up the climbs and then Matt arrived who later on in the year is returning to do 3 times the distance..nutter.
One of the highlights of the day was the soup and roll that was free at the end. We hung around to watch the whippets collect the prizes and then had a much less eventful journey home.
All in all it was a good day out with a bit of competitive riding thrown in. The organisers did a brilliant job getting a course together that was ridable with some excellent sections of singletrack.
Bring on the rest of the series and if nothing else some of the entry fee does go to good charities.
Mick H.