Race Re-Cap: Leisure Lakes Bikes UKGE - Hamsterley
Round 3 took us to Hamsterley in the north east of England and a shorter loop than we are usually used to, only 20km and 600m of climbing. I didn't mind too much as it was nice to have an easier loop mid season and at least you got to practice each stage more than once.
The team was still reduced due to injuries still to Chris and Jamie so it was down to Flin and I to represent. We headed up late Friday morning aiming to get a loop done but due to traffic jams it took a bit longer than expected to get there. We still managed to get 3 stages done though before retiring to the caravan to refuel for the next day of practice and seeding.
We woke Saturday to glorious sunshine and prepared for a full loop of practice. Stage 1 had a pedally fresh top section before rejoining an older trail with a cheeky little climb mid stage and then a rooty sprint to the finish.
Stage 2 started with a straight sprint for 20 seconds until it joined onto a set of flowing trail centre corners that were marbled with loose gravel. It then shot back into the woods for some tight twisty corners with hidden roots to catch you out.
A short steep transition took you to the top of stages 3 and 4 and to the better tracks of the weekend. Stage 3 was more of a downhill track with nice stump gaps, rocks and roots to catch you out and good flow throughout. Also far less pedaling!
Back up the same climb again and you were at the top of 4. This was my favorite by far and I think for many other riders too. Loamy corners from top to bottom only split up by a flat, short fire road sprint.
Stage 5 and seeding was the same as a previous event 2 years ago just with a new bottom section. It was a sprint to say the least but had good flow from top to bottom. A sea of trail centre type corners took you down the hill until the last 30 seconds where it used a freshly built loam section. This was a test of fitness and who had the strongest legs.
![Lisa Hollifield Photography]()
Seeding time! The legs were burning by now! Pic|Lisa Hollifield
With practice done we rested up with a brew, got some pasta down us and waited for seeding to come round. Soon it was time to go collect the timing chip and head back up the hill and get ready to embrace the inevitable leg burn that would soon take over.
![Race Report Leisure Lakes Bikes UKGE - Hamsterley]()
Stage 3 one of the better stages on the day, Tim flat out during race run #pinner Pic|Doc Ward
My seeding run went well up top and felt like I pushed really hard on the pedals. I think maybe too hard as when I came to the lower loam section I lost concentration and slid out on one of the many root filled corners. Even with this tip over I seeded 10th in senior knowing I could have done better. Flin took a steady run down which placed him 17th in elite.
Soon enough race day came around and it was time to head to the start ramp and get out on the hill. My day went pretty uneventful, riding within my limits and keeping it clean knowing I was off to Whistler in five days time. I managed to pull a few spots back and finished 8th overall putting me 4th in the series standings.
![Race Report Leisure Lakes Bikes UKGE - Hamsterley]()
Stage 5 the lung buster, Tim mid cardiac arrest. Check out that sky #bluebird Pic|Doc Ward
Flin on the other hand had a day of crashing with two on stage 3 and another on 4 and 5. That being said he still managed to pull a few places back and finished 12th overall despite not really enjoying the tracks put in place.
![Race Report Leisure Lakes Bikes UKGE - Hamsterley]()
Flin mid race run trying to find the grip on those marbles Pic|Doc Ward
I just want to say a big thank you to Steve and the team at UKGE for doing what you do. There was a bit of moaning about the venue, tracks and loop distance this weekend and although I do agree it wasn’t the biggest test for the UK’s national riders, the guys put in a lot of effort for us racers, and also have day jobs too. It’s worth noting they are always open to any suggestions but when you’re met with a barrage of criticism it can get you down when you’ve spent a week preparing tracks, try and keep it constructive. There is always a rider meeting after seeding and now will be a comments box next to the Billy Can. We all want the best tracks, venues and race series and with such a new developing discipline we can all help shape it.
Once again thanks to Leisure Lakes Bikes, Specialized, Renthal, Cycle Plan, Muc-Off and invsiFRAME, you guys are awesome! Also thanks to Doc Ward and Lisa Hollifield for the pics.
www.leisurelakesbikes.com / @Leisurelakesbikesrt
The team was still reduced due to injuries still to Chris and Jamie so it was down to Flin and I to represent. We headed up late Friday morning aiming to get a loop done but due to traffic jams it took a bit longer than expected to get there. We still managed to get 3 stages done though before retiring to the caravan to refuel for the next day of practice and seeding.
We woke Saturday to glorious sunshine and prepared for a full loop of practice. Stage 1 had a pedally fresh top section before rejoining an older trail with a cheeky little climb mid stage and then a rooty sprint to the finish.
Stage 2 started with a straight sprint for 20 seconds until it joined onto a set of flowing trail centre corners that were marbled with loose gravel. It then shot back into the woods for some tight twisty corners with hidden roots to catch you out.
A short steep transition took you to the top of stages 3 and 4 and to the better tracks of the weekend. Stage 3 was more of a downhill track with nice stump gaps, rocks and roots to catch you out and good flow throughout. Also far less pedaling!
Back up the same climb again and you were at the top of 4. This was my favorite by far and I think for many other riders too. Loamy corners from top to bottom only split up by a flat, short fire road sprint.
Stage 5 and seeding was the same as a previous event 2 years ago just with a new bottom section. It was a sprint to say the least but had good flow from top to bottom. A sea of trail centre type corners took you down the hill until the last 30 seconds where it used a freshly built loam section. This was a test of fitness and who had the strongest legs.
With practice done we rested up with a brew, got some pasta down us and waited for seeding to come round. Soon it was time to go collect the timing chip and head back up the hill and get ready to embrace the inevitable leg burn that would soon take over.
My seeding run went well up top and felt like I pushed really hard on the pedals. I think maybe too hard as when I came to the lower loam section I lost concentration and slid out on one of the many root filled corners. Even with this tip over I seeded 10th in senior knowing I could have done better. Flin took a steady run down which placed him 17th in elite.
Soon enough race day came around and it was time to head to the start ramp and get out on the hill. My day went pretty uneventful, riding within my limits and keeping it clean knowing I was off to Whistler in five days time. I managed to pull a few spots back and finished 8th overall putting me 4th in the series standings.
Flin on the other hand had a day of crashing with two on stage 3 and another on 4 and 5. That being said he still managed to pull a few places back and finished 12th overall despite not really enjoying the tracks put in place.
I just want to say a big thank you to Steve and the team at UKGE for doing what you do. There was a bit of moaning about the venue, tracks and loop distance this weekend and although I do agree it wasn’t the biggest test for the UK’s national riders, the guys put in a lot of effort for us racers, and also have day jobs too. It’s worth noting they are always open to any suggestions but when you’re met with a barrage of criticism it can get you down when you’ve spent a week preparing tracks, try and keep it constructive. There is always a rider meeting after seeding and now will be a comments box next to the Billy Can. We all want the best tracks, venues and race series and with such a new developing discipline we can all help shape it.
Once again thanks to Leisure Lakes Bikes, Specialized, Renthal, Cycle Plan, Muc-Off and invsiFRAME, you guys are awesome! Also thanks to Doc Ward and Lisa Hollifield for the pics.
www.leisurelakesbikes.com / @Leisurelakesbikesrt
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