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Torq In Your Sleep: Race Report

by Joolze Dymond, 01 Sep 11. Results [ 1» ] Photos [ 1» ]

After weeks of preparations both by the organisers and the competitors it was all over in a matter of 12 hours and nothing, not even a couple hours of very wet rain could spoil the fun that the event provided.

Year on year this friendly event has continued to grow, attracting a huge range of riders from complete novices through to World XC riders and Ironmen competitors all rubbing shoulders, bumping along enjoying the compact 8 mile circuit. This year the event saw nearly 800 riders line up, all eager to get to grips with lashings of fast rolling singletrack fun. Winners were found even before the race kicked off with some lucky riders finding excellent prizes tucked away in their pre-race goodie bags!

All the organisers hard work over the recent months to improve the course paid dividends as rider after rider came in after their laps with huge grins plastered all over their faces. They related tales to friends and families of fast berms and twisting ribbons of trail that snaked effortlessly around copious amounts of trees, offering you glimpses of other riders, darting in and out of the landscape up ahead.

It didn't all go to plan for Gorrick scribe and race leadout man
Paul Howard who inadvertantly forget to put the quadbike into gear

Riders just after the start loop filtering through the S's to start their lap proper

Even the torrential rain 2hrs in made little difference to the race, with some riders relishing in the slip, sliding nature of the course, as they whipped around the increasing damper trails. Fortunately the ‘upstairs’ tap soon dried up, leaving the course an ever changing collection of lines, that made each lap a guessing game of fast rolling fun. As the day progressed riders waiting for their next lap coupled with solo riders helpers seemed glued to the ever-changing results screen, eager to find out where they were in the grand scheme of things.

As night fell so did the mist, with riders eerily lighting up a ghostly landscape as the light faded, then as midnight struck a myriad of fireworks lit up the sky with a burst of welcoming colour signalling the race was over. Riders headed to the marquee keen to grab a well earned beer or two and a bacon buttie.

The racing was electric throughout with some real close battles for that ultimate top step throughout the categories. One of the closest had to be the Veterans solo race with Dave Brothers taking an early lead. However as the race progressed, rival Chris Clark, battled furiously behind to try and bridge the gap. In the closing embers of the race, Brothers slowed significantly enough for Clark to edge past to take the win in the closing stages. Both riders clocked up an impressive 14 laps with less than 5 mins separating them.

In the Women’s Solo race eventual winner Rachel Sokal made her way to the head of the race by lap 2 and didn’t look back racking up 12 laps, 2 clear of runner up Ruth Crawford.

Rachel Sokal on her way to the Solo win

In the Men’s Solo race, all eyes were glued on novice soloist Chris Bowles. Inspired by the exploits of older brother Craig, Chris decided to have a go himself. Despite a lack of training leading up to the event his steady start paid dividends as he clawed his way up the leader board to finish just 1 lap in arrears to winner Al Fairbairn.

Solo Male winner Al Fairbairn

In the Mixed Team race, BOB Hope and his Friends had their worked cut out keeping the hungry TORQ performance team from their door. After a monumentous 12hr scrap just 8 measly minutes separated BOB Hope in first from the two headline sponsors teams; TORQ in second and the Mountain Trax Mixtures third.

Event sponsors TORQ were also in action in the Male Team event with the Boyles brothers Anthony & Sion teaming up with Ben Thomas and Billy Joe Whenman, taking on the might of AWCycles, containing new dads Simon Earnest and Tim Dunford, with Stephen James and Vince Kamp. With both teams rarely going over 40 mins a lap the heat was on. 19 laps later and it was TORQ who ruled supreme, with AWCycles racking up 18 laps in second.

Certainly living up to their name, especially at prize presentations were the Crazy Ladies who took the win with 12 laps in the Women’s’ Team race 1 lap more than runners up XC Birds.

It was a closer affair in the Mixed Pairs race with 15 laps apiece the win went to VC10 keeping their rivals Stowmarket CC off the top step by just over 31 minutes. It was a battle of the lights in the Men’s Pairs as lighting sponsor Four4th Lights battled with Lumicycle. In the end Lumicycle had the edge taking the win 2 laps further with 17 laps, leaving the Four4th Lights honour to be upheld by the Women’s Pairs of Jo Munden and Louise Robinson who took their race with 15 laps, 2 ahead of rivals MTB Mum’s Ride.

Jo Munden racing for Four4th Lights in the Female Pairs

The winners were not just the guys and girls who rode hard to grab their spot on the podium, other competitors were rewarded with excellent prizes thanks to sponsors & supporters TORQ, Saddle Skedaddle, Mountain Trax, Continental, 1st Gear Cycles, SRAM, and Four4th Lights in a race number prize draw. So everyone was potentially a winner on the night, rounding up an excellent day out on a bike around some fun packed trails, with a friendly enthusiastic bunch of riders! See you next year!

The Mountain Trax Yabba Dabba Dont's followed up last years Bananaman fancy dress theme with Captain Caveman

Lumicycle won the Mens Pairs

Soloist Chris Bowles