Jan 2010 Timing Day

"I've never even tried to clear it before, it just happened!"

Rider: Peter Gill, Photog: Stu Hopkinson

3 degrees Celsius, heavy mist and murky, that's how the top of the hill looked with Harry, John and Mick ready and waiting when I arrived at 9am, a quick check to make sure Harry hadn?t wet the bed and we got to work. Suddenly things got a whole lot brighter when Sam Maddison showed up on his new team Orange, first ride out and it looked superb with it?s perfectly colour coordinated orange glow sending geiger counters off the scale around the country. We spent 5 minutes warming our hands on the bike and headed off for a steady run down the Red course to check it was ok and we kicked off the trail prep and marking. 

Seems Sketch shrunk in the wash over Christmas
Rider: Luke "minisketch" Cryer, Photog: DrifterJon

We figured it might be a quiet day with the weather and forecast rain but by the time we got to the top of the hill things were getting pretty busy. Si Paton was set up with the Descent-Gear.co.uk stand and the rain was still holding off, result.

Descent-Gear giant Si Paton tests his fresh-out-of-the-box 22shhh!

Photog: DrifterJon

So the course was standard Red including the original long right hand corner that's been disused for a few years, crossing the fire road into the rooty Ss. It was going to be a real test of fitness with a long, flat out trail finishing with a slippery sting in the tail. Adding in the bring your hardtail promo we had and it was shaping up to be an interesting day although we were all grateful that there were no skinsuits on the hill this time!!

Runs kicked off and in the spirit of hardtail pride Mick Whyte then posted a 1.26.9 to set the hardtail bar nice and high. 
The course may not be the most technical we have on the hill but it had lungs popping up and muscles screaming for mercy for all but the uber fit riders. It was eyeballs out all the way and great to see such a mix of bikes from full on DH race bikes to 24? wheeled, singlespeed, fully rigid boneshakers, there?s a few dentists in work for the next couple of weeks.

In the end Andy Hughes stormed it to take the fastest time of the day at 1.19.1 while vet hardtailer Mick held on for fastest time in his category.  Top senior hardtailer was John Lee with a 1:25.6 pulled out right at the end. Ride of the day, though, has to go to Tom Hodgkinson who not only got the fastest time in Juniors with a 1.24.9, but simultaneously took the fastest hardtail time of the day. He's either been practicing, or someone needs to put him on a big bike!

In the Ladies cat, Elite racer Harriet Latchem took time out from winning regionals to sprint the Red course in 1:29.5, a full 15 seconds clear of Becky and Nadia. Winter training obviously pays off!

Back in the middle of the field, Richie Parsons crossed the line headfirst, Stu Tite notched up his best ever RG result with a top ten overall placing and third fastest hardtail, and Luke Cryer showed that he's not all no-footers and cheek by posting a very respectable 1:27.8
The day also saw our first ever young rippers cat with newbies Josh Laywood and Jessica Pearson showing that everyone can get involved in the Guild. On the right course it?s be great to see these young guns going for it again.

Slippery conditions didn't phase young Jessica!
Photog: Stu Hopkinson

So have we proved a point? Full sussers are faster than hardtails on our little hill? Maybe, but judging by the buzz that filled the hillside there?s no shortage of fun whatever you ride.

Media:

Boon's first video of 2010: Red Mist



Joe Ellement's Vid:



Photos:
Drifter Jon 
http://drifterjon.pinkbike.com/album/Racers-Guild---Jan-23rd/
Stu Hopkinson
http://stueysasquach.pinkbike.com/album/Racers-Guild-Jan-2010/
Kasper Wozniak's Dad
http://mtbkacper.pinkbike.com/album/Racers-Guild-23Jan-Cannock/
Tim Pegasus
http://timpegasus.pinkbike.com/album/RG-Jan-23/


Jan results are now available and the 2010 calender should be up to date this week


Over and out:
Stuart@Racersguild & Alex@Racersguild