Sparky Dave's report from 2008 Gold Rush Challenge

Location…………..Coed-y-Brenin mountain bike trail centre

Mission…………...To complete 3x 10mile laps on an XC course

This is unfamiliar to me not only writing a report but writing a report where we have had some success. Lets hope that we are writing more reports about success during the coming season.

With a relaxed start format we got there with plenty of time to spare to sign on and get our kit on. The event today was held by the Rotary Club of North Wales, you can always rely on ultra smooth organisation run by loads of folks who want to talk all day. Rotary had certainly done their research for this one, plenty of staff around to help and the shuttle bus to carry spectators or riders between the old and new CYB centres. The main charities benefiting from today were Welsh air ambulance and cancer research.

We took our time getting ready knowing that we had a one hour window within which we could make our start, so no mass start with a mad rush on the 1st lap. James decided to go first, he was eager, he donned all his downhill gear to lull the opposition into a false sense……….and boy did it work. James fitted his timing chip and made his start up the 1st single track climb. James was still within sight when the race commissaire announced that only 3minutes was left to make your start in the race, perfcet timing or what.

Now all Dai and me had to do was wait, until I realised that I had to put my old chain back on to reduce the slip on the rear cassette, mad dash back to the van then. We got back to the changeover area with plenty of time to spare. I tried to judge when James would finish his lap, other fit riders seemed to coming thro at around 70mins so anything less than that was a bonus, anyhow he was keen to show us the benefit of his strict training regime.

We saw J descending down thro' the woods, I(Sparky Dave) was up next. Not wanting to let the boys down I hurried and took my layers off and left just one layer, it was quite warm today. James rounded the last corner, as I frantically transferred the timing chip Dai held my bike ready……and we’re off.

Up the single track climb overtaking solo riders breathing soon speeds up. After 5 mins climbing we descend on fire road for about 2 miles, then turn right up a singletrack climb. This was great, it didn’t seem that you were climbing that much at all only trouble was getting past the solo riders proved a little tricky. Pushing on, fireroad climbs and singletrack descents I was feeling good, keeping an eye on my average speed I wanted to keep it above 10mph, it had dipped to 9mph but I knew that the end of the lap was a massive descent.

I started descending and knew that was it, no more climbing and then on exiting a narrow descent I was being told to turn left and turn my bike back up the hill! I eventually hit the last drop into the arena, this was spesh epic country. Hardpacked, rocky with little drops here and there, My Spesh pro captain on the front sticking to the rocks like glue, I had to pick my lines carefully, 40psi in the rear on a hardtail is not that much between you and a pinchflat. I was thinking The Welsh Rarebit (Dai Price) must have been chompin at the bit by now, I hammered along the final straight straining to see where Dai was, then I spotted him, standing 10yards back studying the trees with all his layers on.

Dai eventually came round from his ornithology to realise he was here to ride a bike today. He was ready, right look out this was gonna be rapid, Dai mounted his steed…..then fell off right on the start line! Now all James and me had to do was wait for Dai’s blistering lap. He’s already proved this season that he is quick with a 3rd place at the recent Welsh dragon xc,

Dai climbs and descends very quickly, James and me both agree that he’s going to enjoy his lap and the lap record of the day 47mins was under threat from The Welsh Rarebit. He finished but alas did not break the 47mins. Our laps times were James 63mins, Sparky Dave 55mins and Dai 51mins. We had won by a huge margin of 25 minutes, but the solo winner had beat us by 12minutes, remarkable. We had won our 1st race of the season, 3 bottles of wine and £45, the latter of which we will send back to Rotary for the Air ambulance.

This has been an excellent event, I’d like to thank all the people involved that made it happen today. We will be back next year.