It's been 2 years since Gravity Events has hosted an event at Hamsterley and what a year to return, when all eyes were on the event in these crazy times.
Not only was this the first of the year for the Gravity events, but also a first event within a Forestry England location since March 2020 and the dreaded word struck that was Covid. Forestry England has been hit hard with visitors hitting en masse due to various lockdown (another banned word) rules and exercise being encouraged outdoors as well as cycling being heavily promoted. Have you noticed if you break your bike recently it's near impossible to get a quick fix?
The event itself was located in Danny Hart's Descend Bike Park located far into the forest from the main visitor centre, with a local farmers field providing a place for the racers and their families to stay self sufficiently. The bike park itself doesn't have the greatest amount of elevation to it, but it does boast a plethora of trails winding down the hillside. This is where Malc's experience comes in, and having spoken to many of the racers, they were pretty stoked with the course. It had a bit of everything, rocks, roots, drops, gaps and berms. Full on fast as you dare go top section to the lower course where it became more rowdy with steeper technical sections and a dreaded but short straight and flat, hard on the pedals transition.
With 200 riders signed on and 191 completing an official time for this event, it was the greatest turn out for Gravity Events since 2018 which sadly never happened due to the Beast from the East. The atmosphere was immense and the thirst to get between the tape was very obvious.
For a full run down of the results head over to roots and rain, but let's have a look at the overalls and do some special mentions. The fastest time of the day went to Jack Reading (Elite) in a superb 1:21.113 on his second run, just taking the win from Luke Mumford (Elite) by 0.109s, who was leading after the first run and looking rapid all day. The 3rd fastest went to Chris Philogene 0.583s behind Jack. Less than one second separated the top 3 riders with Ad Brayton (Elite) and Scotty Mears (Expert) fractionally over a second behind. That was some super tight racing for sure. An absolutely huge shout out to Adam Biggins (17-18 ) who didn't quite break into the top 10 of the day, he was 12th fastest but the fastest non elite or expert of the day.
The women's race was an equally fought out battle. 11 women raced and their category split between U19 and 19+, it makes for tough racing for the much younger women. Phoebe Gale took the fastest time in an incredible 1:35.060 followed by Katherine Sharp in 1:40.532 and third fastest went to Anna Craig in 1:42.605. All 3 top women recording faster times on their second runs. With 191 riders in total and only 11 women (5.75%) where are they all hiding. What's holding back more women racing in the MTB world? Comment below.
For more information on the Gravity Events UK and the next round at Llangollen, which is also an HSBC national series, the first round again being hosted by Gravity Events, head over to their website here or their Facebook Pages. Malc sure had the pressure on his shoulders this last weekend, knowing the enormity of situation, the first Forestry England event, his first round and near record numbers racing. Having spoken to many of the riders over the weekend many were happy to be getting between the tape and thoroughly enjoyed the mix up of the trails used.
Here's 4 young riders to keep your eyes on for the future!
Possibly the biggest challenge was the uplift, with such a small hill, huge numbers of racers, the uplift did struggle to keep up, some riders opting to session the top or bottom sections and opted to push back. I think it's fair to say Malc and his team pulled off a great first event in some hugely challenging circumstances.
So that's a wrap for this report, racing is back!!!
Words and photos @jwdtphotography
Jack Reading fastest in elite and fastest overall
Not only was this the first of the year for the Gravity events, but also a first event within a Forestry England location since March 2020 and the dreaded word struck that was Covid. Forestry England has been hit hard with visitors hitting en masse due to various lockdown (another banned word) rules and exercise being encouraged outdoors as well as cycling being heavily promoted. Have you noticed if you break your bike recently it's near impossible to get a quick fix?
Louie Smith taking a hard hit - rest up and see you shredding again soon
The event itself was located in Danny Hart's Descend Bike Park located far into the forest from the main visitor centre, with a local farmers field providing a place for the racers and their families to stay self sufficiently. The bike park itself doesn't have the greatest amount of elevation to it, but it does boast a plethora of trails winding down the hillside. This is where Malc's experience comes in, and having spoken to many of the racers, they were pretty stoked with the course. It had a bit of everything, rocks, roots, drops, gaps and berms. Full on fast as you dare go top section to the lower course where it became more rowdy with steeper technical sections and a dreaded but short straight and flat, hard on the pedals transition.
Adam Biggins (17-18 ) first in category by the narrowest margin. Kudos lad
Tee Jay Smith gapping the bus stop
With 200 riders signed on and 191 completing an official time for this event, it was the greatest turn out for Gravity Events since 2018 which sadly never happened due to the Beast from the East. The atmosphere was immense and the thirst to get between the tape was very obvious.
Alex Scarre always takes the style seriously
For a full run down of the results head over to roots and rain, but let's have a look at the overalls and do some special mentions. The fastest time of the day went to Jack Reading (Elite) in a superb 1:21.113 on his second run, just taking the win from Luke Mumford (Elite) by 0.109s, who was leading after the first run and looking rapid all day. The 3rd fastest went to Chris Philogene 0.583s behind Jack. Less than one second separated the top 3 riders with Ad Brayton (Elite) and Scotty Mears (Expert) fractionally over a second behind. That was some super tight racing for sure. An absolutely huge shout out to Adam Biggins (17-18 ) who didn't quite break into the top 10 of the day, he was 12th fastest but the fastest non elite or expert of the day.
Scotty Mears 1st in Expert and only one race run?
The women's race was an equally fought out battle. 11 women raced and their category split between U19 and 19+, it makes for tough racing for the much younger women. Phoebe Gale took the fastest time in an incredible 1:35.060 followed by Katherine Sharp in 1:40.532 and third fastest went to Anna Craig in 1:42.605. All 3 top women recording faster times on their second runs. With 191 riders in total and only 11 women (5.75%) where are they all hiding. What's holding back more women racing in the MTB world? Comment below.
Katherine Sharp (19+ F) 1st in category and second overall
Phoebe Gale fastest woman of the weekend
For more information on the Gravity Events UK and the next round at Llangollen, which is also an HSBC national series, the first round again being hosted by Gravity Events, head over to their website here or their Facebook Pages. Malc sure had the pressure on his shoulders this last weekend, knowing the enormity of situation, the first Forestry England event, his first round and near record numbers racing. Having spoken to many of the riders over the weekend many were happy to be getting between the tape and thoroughly enjoyed the mix up of the trails used.
Here's 4 young riders to keep your eyes on for the future!
Stan Nisbet pushing the local boys hard and coming in 2nd in 13-14 boys
Seth Beasley (13-14) looking stronger each race
Jon Morely first in category 13-14 boys
Rocco Brant
Possibly the biggest challenge was the uplift, with such a small hill, huge numbers of racers, the uplift did struggle to keep up, some riders opting to session the top or bottom sections and opted to push back. I think it's fair to say Malc and his team pulled off a great first event in some hugely challenging circumstances.
So that's a wrap for this report, racing is back!!!
Luke Mumford, a hugely respectable 2nd in Elite and overall
Brad Woodall (19-29) new to racing with 2 downhill races and 2 second place podiums, that middle spot will come
Photos rarely do the steepness justice
Words and photos @jwdtphotography
Must Read This Week
21 Comments
;-)
Jerry !
just sayin`