RG February - Snowed off

With snow on Wednesday, and more snow on Thursday, and then on waking up to find even more snow on Friday Morning, we were forced to inspect the access roads at Stile Cop at mid day Friday. If there was snow on the fireroad, no access to road vehicles would be possible and we would have to call it off. Sadly the news from Harry was grim. The fireroads were thick with snow, and impassible by road vehicle.

February's RG was off, but some hardy souls still got out, got riding and shredded some gnar.

Fotog: Tenyearsafter

Tenyearsafter's 20th Feb set

There will now be no RG in February, but we hope we'll see a lot of you at the Mini DH at the Forest of Dean next weekend. The next RG will be the 27th March.

20th Feb Racersguild@Cannock Chase

Hi folks, details for the 20th Feb Racersguild@Cannock Chase are below. 

Trail work: Big litterpick following the outbreak of litterbugs.

Sign on from 11am
Start times from 11.30am
Timing starts from 12pm 

Don't forget to bring some pennies for the tin!

If you want to help with starting, timing or marshaling, speak to Harry, email him at Harry@racersguild.co.uk, or PM him on here. We rely on your help!

---

Descent-Gear.com our number board sponsor unfortunately won't be here supporting you trackside. He's up in Scotland for a race up there. If your after something for the weekend then they ship out everything next day for free and are open 10:00 to 22:00 everyday and won't be beaten on price!

www.Descent-Gear.com
Office 0121 422 1032
Mobile 07968 229 359
si@descent-gear.com
!!FREE NEXT DAY DELIVERY ON ALL ORDERS!!

Alex@Racersguild

Alex says: The UCI wants to ruin our national championships...

The UCI has recently re-introduced the rule whereby anyone who wins the national champion must wear the national champions jersey during every subsequent timed run and on every podium.

The national champion's jersey has very limited space for sponsor logos and often doesn't fit with the team strip. That means that the rider's sponsors get less exposure during the times that their riders are most likely to be seen. As a result, just as a few years ago, team managers will either remove their riders from the national championships, or instruct their riders not to win. This makes a mockery of our national championship races.

We've already seen Sam Hill mysteriously crash yards away from the finish line of the Australian National Champs whilst half a second up. Team orders or accident?

For the past few years, riders have worn an arm band consisting of their national federation's colours if they are national champion, and that's worked. Why the UCI had to change it back to the bad old ways, we do not know, but it's damned silly.

Bottom line: If you want to see a national champ, not a national chump, you need to sign this petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/UCIrule/petition.html


Alex

The above represents the view of the writer and does not necessarily represent the view of Racersguild.co.uk

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

Midlands MTB Forum Problems + Marshalls

The Midlands MTB/Chasetrails forum appears to be broken at the minute. Please bear with us whilst the forum owners fix it. In the meantime, any updates will be posted here.

We need marshals!
If you are over 18 and fancy two guarranteed in advance start times this weekend, comment on this post leaving your name and email or phone number, or email Harry at harry@racersguild.co.uk