English
Wiggle Enduro 6 & Thunder Run 2009 FULL REPORT
A couple of weeks ago I was asked to sit in on a meeting regarding arrangements for Enduro 6. To my delight I was asked to go along and help out. A couple of weeks passed and before I knew it the van was loaded full of glorious Focus bikes and I’m packed and ready to go! After a long drive to the event in Derbyshire, the first thing on our minds was to get the Focus stand set up. We were conveniently placed next to the food tent and the massage tent, once all preparations were successfully achieved for the day it was time for us to relax. Lee Williams popped over for a few hours for a good natter and then we sank a few beers and fell into our tents for some much needed kip. After a rough night’s sleep waking up numerous times due to the cold weather, it was time to get the bikes out of the van and into their positions under the Focus tent. I was then greeted by Team Wiggle sponsored triathlete, Carolyn Hewett who had just cycled from the nearest train station on her Focus Izalco Chrono time trial bike! While Carolyn was signing on for the Thunder Run 10k event that morning her bike was creating some keen interest while under the watchful eyes of Ben and Rob.
After a quick pre race build up from Patrick the heavens opened and the only thing missing from the Thunder Run was Thunder! Undeterred by this the runners were off with Carolyn finding a good position on the outside of the course. It was great to see so many runners had turned out for the event considering the rain and chilly temperatures. Listening out over the PA it was awesome to hear that Carolyn was not too far off the front runner Julia Downes and crossed the line with a superb 2nd place result only 4m32s behind Julia, considering afterwards Carolyn admitted to this being her first off-road run! This was a great start to the weekends racing. After a quick bacon bap from the food tent I met up with Ben Simmons, Team Wiggle road rider and MTBer. After a chat and introductions with Rob and Ben, Steve Behr of MBUK photography fame popped along to organise some shots of Team Wiggle in action. As you can see from the attached photos these came out superbly and made it worth being his pack mule for the day!
Before the event I was chatting with Rob and Ben about entering into the Time Trial on Sat eve. I was in two minds about doing it. However even though it had been a long day I was still determined to get a lap in before it was dark to check out the course layout even though it probably wasn’t going to help me much. I dashed back to my tent to get my kit on and met up with Lee Williams to be taken on a flying lap of the course. Boy I was having fun keeping up with Lee (even though he was taking it easy on me). Riding around the course Lee was trying to have a conversation with me but keeping up with him resulted in my conversation being a little short with my only response being a out of breath occasional “yeah”! (Sorry Lee!) Safe in the knowledge I had got a lap in I was pretty much ready for the evening. I heard later on that Ben Jeffery had managed to get a lap in as too did Rob however due to a puncture in the bluebell section of the course it transpired Rob only managed ½ a lap. Rob was still determined to crack on with the time trial only riding half the course.
Fuelled up on Super Noodles, pasta, energy sweets and gels, we attached our race numbers and lights and headed over to the paddock to warm up before the sun went down.
As each race number and name was called out I was getting a little more restless, and then off we went to line up on the start finish straight. Rob set off first into the darkness and then I was ready to go. Doh I forgot to switch the darn light on! Pressing rapidly on the button was not having the desired effect so I turn to Ben and say
“err Ben it’s not gonna work”
Ben started pressing on the button too with no result, The race official advised that I race at my own risk without a light! Even more frustrated at the prospect of pulling out, I tried one last time. By the skin of my teeth the light flickered into action and I was off! Phew what a nightmare, but I stormed off to catch Rob and was greeted by Paul on the corner of the course cheering us on!
Ben quickly caught Rob and myself after my thighs blew on a tricky technical climb. But once I was settled and after missing two corners, I had a second wind of energy and pushed on. It was blissful riding in the dark all alone, I’ve never experienced anything like this and it felt awesome. All I kept thinking about was getting the long climbs out of the way and having fun on the downhill stuff! Before I knew it I was approaching the final section of the course and I could see the lights of the start finish line. With a quick burst of speed I sprinted across the line. Endorphins pumping and with the sheer joy of completing my first event I met up with the rest of the team at the tent. Overjoyed, exhausted, aching and buzzing we chatted long into the night sharing our experiences of the Night-Time time trial!
After another cold night we woke early to get ready for a busy day. The crowds started to fill and racers were getting ready and signing on for their events. Matt Page managed to get a lap in to get used to his new Focus First Extreme. Shortly joined by Richard Pearman who was getting himself ready for his first 6 hour event on a mountain bike.
With the Team making their way over to their allocated pits stations making sure they have everything required, inner tubes, food, drink etc. The weather was holding and the atmosphere was relaxed. After a pre race briefing from Patrick the event organiser the countdown began. The riders were lining up ready for a 1km sprint to the pit to collect their bikes and then the race was all go! With a great start from Lee and Matt the run was underway. As the runner/riders filtered into the pit area to collect their bikes, it was time to get comfortable as the 6 hour event was counting down.
With each lap that went by it was great to hear each of the Team Wiggle riders get a mention for their fabulous kit and it made spotting them in the forest a doddle for photo opportunities. Every lap we cheered each rider on keeping their spirits up. Although the course did take it toll on bikes and bodies early on, it felt like there were more than 600 riders out on the course as it just looked like a seamless train of riders punishing themselves along each 6 mile lap. Sally Bigham took first place for the Elite women completing 13 laps in 6hrs 11m and 13s with Sally Daw and Roy Hunt crossing the line as winners of the Fun Categories. For the Elite men’s category Team Wiggle, Lee Williams took first place storming in with 15 laps in 6hrs 15m and 51 seconds! For the Pairs, Cox Toone came in first for the mixed. The Men’s Pairs first place was awarded to Bad Ass Bikes – KCNC completing 15 laps, and for the Women’s pairs Salsa Factory Racing completing 11 laps.
Team Wiggle Enduro 6 standings are as follows:-
Elite Men’s Category
Lee Williams 1st place 15 laps in 6hrs 15min and 51 seconds
Matt Page 4th Place 14 laps in 6 hrs 12min and 28 seconds
Fun Men’s Category
Ben Simmons 2nd place 12 laps in 5hours 41min and 31 seconds
Richard Pearman 59th place in 6hrs 22min and 46 second. (Great effort from Rich!)
As the racing drew to a close Patrick was there to greet every rider as they finished and one by one they started to trickle in, tired no doubt but pleased to see a friendly face and comforted in knowing the racing was over. All that was left to do was the presentation ceremony and hand out the prizes. The winners all came forward for their prizes greeted with strident applause and with the press photos captured this brought a truly amazing weekend to close. All that was left for Rob, Ben and I to do was pack up and head home.
We would like to thank all of those who make this superb event possible, the riders and all their friends and families who are there to provide support and congratulations and most of all to Patrick for once again, putting on a superb weekend. Looking forward to the next one!
You can Download all the Race results from Provelosupport.co.uk
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