It was another lovely, warm autumnal morning for the latest of the Wheelers’ off-road races, with a record 27 starters turning out. Organiser Vince Hounsome had added some new challenges to the course, with a descent through the trees into a steep drop-off and an extra loop towards the end of each lap.
The opening lap saw the leading half a dozen riders approach the drop-off with confidence, thereafter it became very entertaining from a spectator’s point of view, a little like watching ‘It’s A Knockout’! Once one rider stopped, those following had to get off as well, which led to various methods of getting down or around the obstacle. There were even a few people attempting to stay on their bikes and ride down!
Nigel Brown led the first lap and a half from Kim Little, with Kim taking the lead on the steep hill towards the end of lap two. Kim kept up a narrow lead until the very end of the race, when Nigel, who had been closing in on Kim, powered through the mud and water just before the last corner to grab the win.
Josh Day was third early on in the race but came home behind rapid single-speed rider Tom Downes, who was third, and the cyclocross riding Charles Rees, who was fourth ‘on the road’ but had been advised to ride a shortened version of the course.
Andy Parsons was next home ahead of Vince Hounsome and first junior rider, Lawrence Pitman, impressively riding to eighth. Jake Ludgate, Jay Hookins and Alex Hookins were the final unlapped riders.
Tom Harvey and Liam Teesdale were second and third in the juniors, with Toby Easby ahead of Kian Calloway in the Youth section.
There are some more photos from Oliver Chant on the ‘Pictures’ page, who at age 7 is already taking better pictures than his dad!
The next round is on December 11th, race start at 930 – no doubt Vince will have some more changes and surprises in store for everyone
Full results here
