Okay

Here we go again, what is he on about this time.  I'm writing this blog in response to a question from the last one, so bear with me.

I was posed the question about being a vegetarian rather than vegan because that limits my diet.  These are fair enough questions and once again in the staff room my life choice was brought up (so it wasn't the vegan) as to whether my chips were vegan.  Well I said as far as I am aware the chips are done in separate fryer in vegetable oil, but it is fair enough to assume that they might fry other things in there.  The point I made was that I have took reasonable steps to make sure I am not contributing to animal suffering and if someone else wants to chuck other things in the fryer with my chips then that is their problem not mine.

So back to the original question, I don't think my diet is limited for starters, it is different and takes thought, but not limited.  I responded to the question at the time with a short narrative about as humans we learn and don't just accept things as they are.  In short, we shouldn't just artificially breed, keep in less than desirable conditions, take their young and bodily fluids meant for a different species, then slaughter them because we can.  I know this is blunt and has probably got some people angry.  Remember, I know have the belief that these animals should be cared for and loved like any other creature on this planet, they want to live, not die. Therefore I cannot knowingly contribute to that system.

This has nothing to do with farmers though,  we need farmers and they are brilliant people who keep us all going.  As I go along on this journey I think about stuff and listen to others about the various questions that have come out of being vegan or plant based diet.  I am convinced farmers would be better off and put back at the top of most valuable people in society if we learn and change what we do.  It is basic supply and demand, they only supply what the consumer wants.  So think of it this way.

I was sat in bed this morning and thought of this, so sorry if someone has already published this, or thought of it.  I was looking at the news the other day and there was a piece about another probe we have landed on mars.  We are incredible, we are intelligent and have the power to do that!  So what if they wanted to land one of us there?  I am sure NASA are thinking about it, so it came to me that they would need to feed that person?  It is very unlikely therefore that they are designing a space craft that would carry cows, pigs, sheep and chickens  (I know I am being silly).  However it is true, the amount of food, oxygen and waste produced would not make it viable for the return.  So think of it this way, imagine then that our planet is the space craft, we are all hurtling through space on this thing.  We are not managing the system properly though and are damaging ourselves because we like bacon?  It just doesn't make sense to me anymore.

If we changed how we do things, the amount of food produced needed to sustain the current system would end world hunger (it is a genuine belief by some). Farmers would make more money and put back to the top of society.  This is why I am vegan.

Please know that I have just got older and more silly, and just love, so try not to have to many negative comments lol x

Why would you want to be Vegan?

Well the answer to that is most of you reading this wouldn't.  And how do you know there is a vegan in the room? they tell you of course.  I try not to tell people but it does come up in conversation and I am now writing this blog to tell you all about it so there you go.

If you haven't clicked off yet then thanks, all I want to do is tell you about what I have learned, what conclusions I came too and the rationale of the "why".  This is not intended to have a go or start a debate and not aimed at anyone.  Again I use this blog as my own diary so that one day I can look back and see what my life has been like, you never know the kids might too.

Essentially I became vegan because of my partner, she decided to follow the vegan philosophy, before me and I will admit I was sceptical and concerned out of not knowing what it is all about.   The actual reason I am vegan or plant based diet is because of someone called James Aspey.  He does a talk and part of it  just struck a chord and changed the way I view everything.

I don't think I am a better person for doing this, I don't look down at anybody either, I am doing this for myself.  There are lots of wonderful people in this world who eat meat so what is the point having a go? now I am vegan I wish they wouldn't obviously but it is their choice.  So that's the first thing off my chest.

I had a debate in the staff room the other day and I must admit I did get a bit preachy but I had my reasons.  The main reason was someone actually asked me "what you are vegan, so are you miserable?"  I had to ponder that one, I had always thought I was alright, the last few years have taken their toll but that's due to life glorious challenges.  Being vegan has actually been liberating and makes me feel happy.

I was also told that vegan diet was silly because I am not that healthy due to my tendency to consume the odd drop of alcohol.  Well I will be honest here,  the vegan diet is not necessarily the healthiest diet, anybody who claims that their diet is are on loose ground.  And yes I drink too much, I am not vegan for that reason though and try to just eat healthily and yes I do take supplements.   But overall you do feel better.

So why be vegan?  I made this desicin because James Aspey said that if you love animals then how can you kill them?  It really made me think, I now cannot differentiate between a cow or a dog, a sheep or a cat, they are the same to me now and I believe that they should be allowed to live like any of us.  Its not radical, its purely about love, I have grown over the years and people involved in my life might think where the hell did this come from.  I think the same, but if one person reads this and starts to think about it then great.

Outlaw triathlon 2018

Background

Sat at work in the middle of December, the nights are dark and it is cold.  I am a little overweight and looking a bit grey, so I am feeling the winter blues, a familiar story for a lot of people.  So I am sat there thinking of something to do or a challenge to look forward too, hence ironman.

Now it's fair to say it is not the first thing that springs to mind, normally I dream about getting fit and entering mountain bike events and wonder if I could do well.  This time, although mountain biking is still there, I just wanted to do something different.  I had been taking the girls swimming most Sunday mornings and decided to start doing a few lengths with limited success, but it started me to dare to think I could do this as it was always the swim that put me off.

Then the real reason for looking into what it involves is reason itself.  Most reasonable people take the point of view that these things are great to aspire too, but say you need to train for years, put lots of hours in, money, and generally put barriers up.  I decided to enter the outlaw in February having never swam more than a length or having formal swimming lessons, hated running and had absolutely no idea what a triathlon was.  That coupled working full time, bringing up two daughters and a healthy appetite for henry westons cider.

How

I didn't know anything about ironman, I just thought ironman were all the same.  Now I know that ironman is also a brand and have events all over the world.  The outlaw is an ironman distance race but is it's own brand.  I thought about it and concluded that it doesn't matter, its the same distance, I am from Nottinghamshire, the swim is not in the sea and I live close so logistically and becoming an outlaw made sense.  Decided to take the plunge and enter, which one of the ways was to enter on a charity place as I had left it late.  I deliberated for a bit and thought ok, lets do it, it is a good cause and will focus me into actually doing it.  I reached my target due to the generosity of family and friends, and I must admit it does give you a great feeling.

The Swim

July 29th, 5.50am treading water whilst cleaning my goggles, put them back on and instantly they fog up, so off they come and I clean again.  This happens about 4 or 5 times, so not nervous then.  The water was surprisingly warm and I felt comfortable, people started to get in the water and before you know it the starting gun had gone and we were off.  The usual but not as manic thrashing around occurs and after doing the sprint triathlon earlier in the year I am not as intimidated.  The swim went well, weirdly I had lower back ache which I put down to buoyancy of the wetsuit, and I didn't drink as much water this time.  My sense of direction needs working on, I was all over the place, but I managed to latch onto a couple of swimmers which helped me along.

                                   
 Bike leg

I got out the water, checked the watch and was bang on my predicted time.  Wobbled into the change tent and sorted myself out.  I was going to wear my arm warmers but couldn't get them on, I also forgot my gloves.  This wasn't a bad thing as the weather was horrible, wet and windy.  Saw Debbie and got out of transition, I knew I wasn't going bad because there were a few of us who set off together.  Started pedalling and felt quite good, was going surprisingly well and my average hovered around 17-18mph.  It was tough, the head wind and rain was brutal, I saw Debbie at the first major round about and this spurred me on, so I cracked on.  The north loop of the bike leg is where I started to dip, it was a bit more hilly and I started to feel unwell.  I convinced myself it was the water from the swim and my head dropped a bit.  Then as I got to Epperstone through the bleak driving rain I caught two figures cheering me on.  Dr Geary who I work with and her daughter were at the side of the road and this really made me smile, especially to brave the weather.  Got to a hundred miles and thought that's it, but the extra 12 miles really were hard.

The Run

Oh dear, was really fatigued by now but ok.  Got ready and set off, checked my watch and the pace I was jogging at was 10 minute mile pace, this felt comfortable and I expected to be able to maintain it.  I was wrong, my legs just got heavier and heavier and I planned to get to half marathon distance before taking a break.  I did it, but once I had stopped it was hard getting going again.  The next 13 miles were tough and the last leg of the run goes around the lake before the finish, which is 5km, I had to dig deep, really deep.  Got to finish and had enough energy reserve to do the floss to the cheering crowds (had to be done).

It still hasn't sunk in what an achievement this is, will see if I take to triathlon but for now I will rest.  The reason to all this is that I wanted to prove to my girls that anything is possible, had to finish for them and all the people who donated to cancer research.  Debbie was fantastic and really supported me which is just brilliant.  To all family and friends who came to watch and supported the cause I thank you so much.

Coedy came to watch to, he behaved brilliantly and was such a nice sight too see when I got back.  He is a star and very handsome.

Now what next...……………………………………..

Really need to step it up!!

Did a hundred miles on the road toady as I have not been doing any distance for a while.  Whilst the ride was not the best I have had, or the fastest, I realise now that I need to step it up as running a marathon when I got home was the last thing on my mind.

This is going to hurt!!!!

On a plus note the swimming is going well, did a mile last night with relative ease.  I put the ride on facebook via strava for you to view.


will try and blog more and tell you what I am up to as I step it up!

“Nothing that’s worth anything is ever easy” Mike Hall.

I am going to try and blog again!!! I used to blog about mountain biking a bit, then life changes and it took a back seat.  So I have decided to take on a new challenge which is to do an ironman triathlon.  The idea has always been there in my head but never really came to anything until I started to take my youngest swimming.  Whilst she practiced I started to lane swim and was quickly lapped by my eldest who is thirteen, so being competitive I decided I wanted to get faster.

Obviously entering an ironman was the motivation I needed, to be honest though it was.  Most of the mountain biking I have done has been endurance, so I have a tendency for the longer events.  So I am going to talk about what it involves, but I haven’t turned my back on mountain biking, I just needed a new challenge.

The other decision I made since the last blog was to live life as a vegan.  living with someone who is a vegan, I found my diet changed, then listening to people like James Aspey it struck a chord with me.  It is not easy; the reaction from people varies from person to person.  But this is my blog so I also would like to give an insight into why I made this decision, and maybe convince others why it is a good decision, maybe break some of the stereotyping associated with this growing movement.

I am a very lucky man..................



If I was writing this blog a year ago I am not sure I would have been saying the same thing.  I used to blog in the comfort of knowing what I wanted out of life and knowing how I felt about other people around me.

That all changed in quite dramatic circumstances a year ago which resulted in me not being able to compete in Mayhem 2015.  The friends around me understood and carried on, they went on to do well and continue to ride.


Fast forward a year and I am writing this blog as a competitor in Mountain Mayhem 2016.  I have competed in this event a few times now and I love its ability to draw together a mad crowd of people who love mountain biking.  This year it also brought me closer to a sub set of people inside the event from our little mountain bike community of Sherwood pines.  This was enabled by a very good friend.  The bloke in question is called Graham Gee. 


Graham is a very special person and if you spent any time in his company I can guarantee you would feel the same way.  This year he asked me if I wanted to be a part of his team again and so of course I said yes.  The reality kicked in about what I had agreed to though about a week before the event.  It dawned upon me that I had actually agreed to take part, but also take part in a team that might do well in this race.  I had spent most of my year recovering from a life changing event and rebuilding my life, which didn't put me in the best shape, but it is also one of the reasons why I am a lucky man.

Anyway here is a picture

I am a very lucky man because I met somebody who had the same experience a year ago and for some reason wanted to be a part of my crazy journey.

I am a very lucky man because I have two beautiful daughters, a great set of friends who invite me to ride in their team, loan me very expensive lights (thanks Rob), and mates who text me when they see how well we have done (Carl).  I am lucky though because I met Debbie through cycling, and our community of cycling friends.  I really am a lucky man.




I might even start blogging about cycling again soon (nah,..... I much prefer talking about myself)

Keep riding your bike and keep going forward.

Selkirk National MTB Marathon Champs 2015

 My blog is called adventures mtb endurance racing and my trip to race in the British Mountain Bike Marathon Champs in Selkirk certainly lived up to its billing.  As ever, I have mixed emotions about what the race was like for me.  It is easy to look back and analyse the event and look at how to improve but the fact is that I have been doing this long enough now to stop making the same mistakes.





The race and venue is awesome.  The course was super tough and I have battled through (and given up sometimes) in some tough races but this was epic.  It was relentless, climb after climb and apart from some little road sections there was no let up.  The start was great.  The race kicks off in the town and by some miracle after the elites lined up I got my name called out by the commissioner.  It’s a nice feeling but also puts pressure on when you are clad in pro race gear and your name gets called to the line.

 
 
 



It was a neutral start behind the race van (ok it wasn’t that neutral) and it weaved through the town with quite a few people cheering us on.  They really get into this stuff north of the border.  Anyway as soon as the van peeled off it was race time and within a few hundred yards the top riders just went.  I managed to catch Julie up on the first section of the climb and set off at a reasonable pace.  I latched on to the back of the elite women’s trio and felt comfortable for a while.  That all ended when I found to my dismay the climb seemed to never end, I could see the elite men a mile or so in the distance and they were still ascending.  The reality of what I had entered kicked I, and at that point and I just sat in and hoped I would make it round.

The bike was great and it descended brilliantly and was the only thing that was keeping me in touch with the riders around me at the back of the field.  Some of the main marathon fast guys then started to catch me and at about 8 miles my head dropped and I was seriously considering cutting it short.

I had grossly underestimated this race!  I had nothing in the tank, my legs felt heavy and I was not feeling great.  I didn’t want to eat or drink because I felt bloated so all in all I just wanted it to stop.  Perhaps the hard tail bike would have been better for me with all the climbing (it is a lot lighter).  Doing a lot of riding with no structure the weeks before probably didn’t help my cause either, and driving there and back on my own certainly wasn’t up there with the best decisions I have made.

 

 

I finished in about five and a half hours, on my best day I would have liked to do around five hours.  But hey it’s not all doom and gloom, there was success for Julie who managed 2^nd in her class and to think I drove to Scotland and back, rode one of the toughest races on the calendar and didn’t actually come last is a testament to how far I have come in the last few years.

As ever the moral is just ride your bike and enjoy it.
   

New Bike

New bike, new season and new challenges.  Its that time of year when everything looks positive and the planning and preparation is in place to race again (or at least try too).  The main difference this year is that I have actually entered some races!!!!!!!

 

 

 

So the plan so far looks like this

 

1st round of nutcracker MTB at Whinlatter

 

1st round of NPS at Sherwood (my local race)

 

National MTB marathon champs at Selkirk

 

Mountain Mayhem 4 man team

 

Bontrager 24/12 24hour solo (yes I am insane)

 

 

 

 

Mixed in with these is as many of the nutcracker series I can manage and a few of the Midlands xc series.  So it looks like I might be able to string a few races together this year.  This is also off the back of a new start this year riding for Pines Cycles-Felt-Enve.

So now that Felt will be on my new top it made sense that a felt bike was in order, my wife totally agreed and was so happy that I added another bike to my collection.  I am not a sponsored rider so getting anything for free is a bonus, a free bike is well out of my league, however I did get a good deal.

I went for the felt edict series, basically a full carbon 100mm suspension marathon machine.  I have to say that I am impressed so far, I got this bike for the longer events and I think it will serve me well.  Its first outing was a Cannock chase where it performed well, then its second trip was in the peaks.

It ate the miles up and the bike climbed well, I thoroughly enjoyed the day out but if you look at the pictures its easy to see why, having a nice bike is a bonus.

As I said though, I am not owt special so who cares what I think lol.  I know the guy who is helping our professional rider this year whose opinion and results really matter.  However if he reads this and wants me to do a proper write up, especially how well the Vredestien tyres work, any equipment or spares lying about which could help my endeavours would go down well (yes I am selling myself lol)


Anyway as I always say, when I have actually done some races I will try and blog about racing my mountain bike which is what this blog is meant to be about.

Foo Fighters and trails like these

A couple of weeks ago I managed to drag myself up to Coed y Brenin and catch up with some old friends, and meet some new ones in the process.  I really love it up there and when the opportunity to ride a couple of days were offered; it was a no brainer really.


I knew Shergie and Andrew from our endeavours as pronghorn riders and racers, to which I still had plenty to talk about.  I was quite negative at the time of its coming to an end, but out of it came some great friendships.   So, this weekend I also got to meet Stuart and Tom and needless to say I think they are cracking blokes.  To cut a long story short I managed to wreck Stuarts new forks (it is sorted now thankfully). But when I spoke to Stuart recently I said that in a mad hour during the weekend we managed to break three bikes but made some great friends (but that's mountain biking for you).

Anyway, fast forward couple of weeks and there were some further developments locally that have really made me smile.  My local shop and team arranged a meeting mid week to sort out next year.  I was just going to do what I normally do and just ride what I can when I can and keep my head down.  Anyway it looks like I will be riding with not only my mates, including Mick who is a national champ; but also a professional mountain biker and all round top fella.

I cannot say much more than this because they have contracts, but needless to say this person has been on the podium in a world cup!!!


Its amazing to think that I will be riding in the same kit and might even compete in the same events, I never saw this coming.  I genuinely am grateful that http://www.sherwoodpinescycles.co.uk/ have let me be part of this.  However it looks like I might have to step up the training and be a bit more focused, and a little less my normal beer swilling self. 

This morning I got out for a couple of hours and hit the local Kitchener Trail, this picture was from the early part of the trail and captures what Sherwood is about.  Look out for team Sherwood Pines next year, I will try to keep people updated; but also because also we have new riders and old ones who might surprise us and get some results (no pressure Jon).

Not racing

This happens every now and then, stuff happens and family commitments get in the way so you end up missing out.  That is all it is though; its just that feeling that all your mates are racing and having 'fun' and you are not...but to your work mates and friends (who do not ride bicycles) they see it as you get a break and get to hang with the family.

This is true, but it does 'mess' with your noggin.   Anyway I will put up a picture of a race from last year as it happens, and as it happens I didn't finish that race either (its a good picture though).  But this blog is to get a message across about how I feel about the 'scene'.

The fact is I have lost motivation to actually race (it will come back) but its a problem because this sport is hard and you cant rely on team mates to help you; this is because they are the ones who normally want to beat you.  I have found a great friend in Jon Lightfoot though, and he is going great at the minute.  So that's the first thing off my chest in this blog; also I have good friends who are now in other teams which is not a bad thing either.


Which leads me in to what I actually want to get across; no matter what you do or how seriously you take this sport, it is just a sport.  It was 2008 when I decided to put shop kit on and pretend I'm a cyclist.  From then I have started my own clubs, been in super teams where the earth was promised as long as I coughed up some money in the first year (oh yes I fell for it) and now ride for the shop where it all started.  Two pieces of advice have stuck with me, the first was from Andy Cockburn "forget the team stuff just enjoy riding your bike", the second was from Gareth Hayes, "stick to riding with that fast bloke (Mick Powell) and stay with your local club".


And that's the rub folks, Sherwood Pines Cycles are my team, they are my local shop, they are a meeting point for so many of my friends and the staff are a great bunch of personalities.  Its a local shop for local people as Edward would say. 

Thetford winter series

I have this blog to talk about stuff which a) is about bike racing and b) is about stuff that matters to me.  I f anyone reads this shit then that's a bonus.  This series is probably the only one I have ever completed, but in doing so I have learned a lot about myself and life in general.

I have probably landed 6th or 7th overall with coming quite close to a 3rd place in round 3.  For two rounds I was going well and for the other 2 rounds I probably should not have bothered going.  The difference between entering or not was my team mate Jon.

He has been brilliant throughout and has driven every round.  No hassle just get up go, ride and go home.  I wish I could be more like that sometimes instead of over thinking things and making more excuses than just getting on with it.  I don't though which sort of makes me who I am. 

I am going to keep this short, I basically need to stop thinking and just enjoy the ride which is something we all need to tell ourselves every now and then.

 

Thetford winter series Rd2

Excuses, excuses, excuses.

I have loads of them for this one.  In real life though I cannot complain it was a fair result in the end; 10th position, and if I could have been arsed to do another lap it could have been 8th.  I really did not have the verve to even try though.

Excuse 1

I had a weird run up to the event, I missed a cross race and the following week I broke my rear mech before the start so missed another round.  I know it shouldn't, but things can start to nark you after a while.

Excuse 2

My wife has changed her job and this is not a moan but it meant that I had to step up the dad duties, which is no bad thing.  It just affected my riding and I felt I had missed out.

Excuse 3

I just felt crap!! I had mouth ulcers, felt tired and if Jon had said he could not go I would have thanked him and stayed in bed (I am glad I rode the event though).

Excuse 4

I crashed early in the race which knocked me back (I landed on the stem with my soft parts!)  I just could not get back to the group Jon was in.


So there we go.... plenty of excuses

Still a great event though, the course was tough and if I wasn't such a mardy arse I could have done better.......................................................... 

Thetford winter series

It has taken a while but it looks like I will be gridded for the next round of the Thetford winter series.  This will be a novel experience because I usually have to barge my way through most races or get to the start line hours before anyone else.  Indecently on that subject when I have lined up early at races, every now and then the top guys just turn up and stand in front of you.  Rant over but I seriously feel like punching them.

So as most people are taking it easy or training I am racing cross and doing these 4 hour events.  And to be honest I feel like everything is going well for a change.  The cross racing is just mad.  Its flat out full gas and great fun.  The first race of the winter series was really good though.  I convinced Jon Lightfoot to enter from the team knowing that a) he would enjoy it and b) he would be a good team mate to drag me along.

The course and the weather were excellent and the only mistake really was that we started from the back.  When we got going though it was basically wheel to wheel  for the first few hours, I led for the most part and then the penultimate lap Jon went on the front, the plan being that we race the last lap.  Then disaster struck, I got cramp on the last lap! it was also both legs and really annoying.  I tried to put effort in and every time my legs just said no.

1	8	04:21:45		701	Paul Ashby	Mtzoom.Com -
2	8	04:27:04	00:05:19	716	Mark Wingar	Gipping Race Team -
3	8	04:31:40	00:09:55	736	Lloyd Bettles	Clee Cycles / Kcnc / -
4	8	04:33:45	00:12:00	713	Carl Smith
5	7	04:04:45	1 Lap	731	Jon Lightfoot	Pines Cycles/Sram -
6	7	04:04:50	1 Lap	735	Robert Bradley	Pinescycles/Sram -

Fair play to Jon though he hung back until I got going again and our last lap was quicker than the previous two. So the honours went to Jon because I had no intention of sprint finishing the last climb especially after such a good race.


So the next round beckons and now we are top riders the pressures on as they say.  I am actually looking forward to it and I know we can do a good race again if we work as a team. 




 

Dusk til Dawn 2013

Mixed feelings about this one............     I have said this before but cycling is weird because it takes a team effort but ultimately relies on the person turning the pedals.  I personally like the 'team' side of stuff because underneath I am quite a social person, especially after the odd beer or three.

Cycling doesn't like this, and my theory is you have to be anti social in a way, because the aim is to beat your mate and like it.  I turned up at this race in a big group of people who are great and have good team spirit but felt quite alone.  I had no one 'in my corner' as such and relied on old mates and their good nature to accept me and help out.

Don't get me wrong, I was focused and sort of ready, although I did not feel that good the week leading up to the event.   I also had high expectations because of recent form and a confidence (whether it is justified or not) that I can podium this sort of thing.  So I set out my pit and got down to the start nice and early ready to take on 12hours of cycling.


So what happened..... basically I was going well and then I wasn't.  I set off briskly (not mental though) and found myself trading laps with Tom Ward who eventually came 2nd.  We parted company about 5 or 6 laps in and then I settled, but at 8 hours in I started to feel rotten and then never recovered and so at 10 hours I simply had to stop.



Am I down though???? no is the short answer, I got it wrong a) I did not have pit man b) I did not give 12 hours racing enough respect c) I did not feed or drink enough again.

So for six hours I felt good and sure I was good enough to grab a podium.  So lesson's learnt and I am safe in the knowledge that I gave it my all and there was no way I just wanted to top 10 again....... I wanted a podium.

Two things then, shall I lower my goals?  bollocks no.   Shall I train even more and try harder next time?  yes.


Hence the cyclo cross bike and the notts and derby league races entered.

  
So I going to thrash myself around muddy fields for the winter and hope I get even fitter and faster.

What's the worst that can happen.............................................?

Wiggle Mountain Mayhem 2013

Another month, and another 24 hour race.  This one was a team affair though so it should be easy?

Let me tell you though that team events are not easy, but they are however a laugh, never boring and a great test of friendship and teamwork.  Myself, Graham, Mick and Nigel set out on this mini adventure a few months ago when we hatched this plan to enter a team.

One of the first things was to sort out the line up from the members of pines race team which was easy because we were the only ones who were in the others words "mad enough" to enter a 24hour mountain bike race.  So Nigel entered us and pretty much forgot about it until the week leading up to the event when you suddenly realise that you have not prepared at all.  It became real when we had a meeting the Wednesday before to sort out who was taking what to the venue.  This is where who was doing the run at the start was also decided, whereby Nigel begged us all if he could do it (ok he said he runs a bit therefore we decided he was doing it).

My own personal preparation was not great, I don't think I had fully recovered from 24hrs of exposure and I was on antibiotics for an infected tooth which needs work.  However as the race day got closer I started to get excited.  Myself and Mick travelled down on the morning of the race so it was a great that Graham and Nigel had set up base the day before.  Nigel had everything you could need, lights, gazebo, tents and heating!  Graham provided the stove and loads of food (he can tuck allot of food away!) and also the usual encouragement and enthusiasm for all things mtb.

Myself and Mick got there and provided the usual wit and banter that everyone loves us for, then we got our stuff out the car and took over their base camp.

We had fairly high hopes for this event, with the team line up and the ability of all of us I don't think we were being unrealistic in our expectations, but as you can see we were beaten into to fourth and the winners were Jedi knights who are pretty good at most things.

There was lots of incident and little things that went wrong but we kept pushing all the way and put in some pretty consistent laps.  My own personal mistake was going out on the wrong tyres which I have done many times before, but had it not rained then it would not have been an issue. 
               This is what is exiting about endurance events though, you can always make time back and these things happen to the other teams as well.

 

I think that it was going to take an issue with the other teams in order to grab a podium spot so we never gave up and our lap times improved as daylight appeared, but in the end we landed in fourth which is no mean feat at one of the biggest races for mtb.  So a liitle bit tired and weary we took down our camp, loaded the car and headed for the arena to hand our timing chips in and collect our medal.

 Everyone gets a finishing medal but if there was just one awarded to each team then it would have to be Nigel who received it.  Basically he did the run, did a quick lap even when his chain snapped and also posted the fastest lap out of all of us by quite a margin.  The way the running order went also meant that he and Graham did the final 2 laps which put them at 8 laps to our 7.  He basically was rider of the day and all round top bloke.  If we decide to to this again as a team I am absolutely sure it would be a podium next time.................................................................................

24hrs of Exposure 2013

2013 - 24 Hour Open Men	Laps	Time
1st Craig Bowles (GB)	30	22:50:16
2nd Michael McCutcheon (IRE) - The Bike Rack/Avanti	28	23:01:14
3rd Martin Smith (SCO) - Cotic/AQR Holidays	28	23:15:14
4th Jason Robinson (GB) - Four4th Lights	26	23:05:30
5th Rob Bradley (ENG) - Sherwood Pines Cycles/SRAM	25	22:53:40

So I came in at about five hours and was asked if I was ok and told to eat something. The conversation went

"what do you want mate?"

So I replied..............

 "a go bar will do"

 then after a second I was asked.......

 "which is it?"

So I told Tom........

"it is a go bar, it is a bar that says go on it, aka a Go Bar"

 

This caused much amusement in the pits, but why Tom didn't punch me is a mystery. This is the point though, 24hr racing is crazy and this being my first one could not have gone as well as it did without the help support and planning that goes into theses endevours.

Lots of incident throughout the night and stories of good and bad patches, but the turning point was the heavy rain that came down which played havoc with the course and ruined a lot of even the top riders races. I managed to get dry and keep riding which ultimately got me my result.

I have to mention the people who helped me................

Tom Allen ( the best pit man),

Michael Powell,

Pines Cycles

Graham Gee and the SPCC.

For a first attempt at a 24hr race I am quite pleased with my performance, also my preparation and the good freinds who help and support me.  I talk a lot about my little famiy which is awesome, and therefore I have to say that they are still awesome.  Doing things like this takes it out of the family sometimes but I am finding the right balance which is making my life the best ever at the moment.  I love my family, my job and mountain biking and all three are great.  

So what next?   Well I think I will do one again and I still feel I have alot to offer.  In a few months I will be a veteran rider and on this performance I would have been on the podium if I was in that category...........so watch this space because I am inching further towards a podium spot