Race Report: Pedalhounds Enduro 2021 Round 1 - Land Of Nod

Apr 4, 2021
by Nick Bentley  



With Lockdown being relaxed across the UK and the government giving the green light for organised grassroots sports to take place once again Round one of the Pedalhounds Enduro Series signalled the start of the 2021 UK racing calendar. With all the precautions put in place you would expect, and even the sun coming out on a bank holiday, it was a good sign that everyone was in for a good day.

The race took place over 5 short stages, which the riders could ride in any order but all racing was done blind with no practice, however, you could ride each stage with a maximum of 3 laps with the fastest 2 out of 3 times for a stage added together for the final stage time. This keeps everyone on their toes whilst allowing for one throwaway run. It's a really good format for riders of all levels.

The Land of Nod is not one of the most extreme venues for Enduro in the UK, but it is a good example that even with very little elevation, well-designed trails can make for fast, fun racing, with a mix of open fast flowing stages and steep technical ones there was something for everyone over the 5 stages. The perfect venue for easing yourself back into racing after lockdown.

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It's so good to see number-boards being attached to bikes again.

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Daisy Potter showing just how excited everyone was to get back to racing.
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Lydia Hughes having a good day at her first-ever race, it's always good to see the lady's field growing.
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Paul Walker with the flow through the trees.

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Tom Hayden-Carlyon leaning it in on stage 1.

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Will Clay pushing for the finish line on stage 2.

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Not everyone kept it rubber side down today (both of these riders walked away unharmed). There was, however, a big crash on stage 2 towards the end of the day with the stage having to be shut for 30 minutes, as the amazing medical team looked after the rider. (I'm not sure how the rider was I hope they're fine)

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Neal Burton on his way to 6th in the vets field.

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Warren Field winning the prize of the craziest face pulled whilst riding round a corner today.

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Darren Archibald sending it on stage 2

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The steep chute at the end of stage 1 was perfect for just getting off the brakes and letting the bike do its thing.

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Dan Hole the Hope rider showing some style on his way to 2nd in the 19-29's field.

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Robin Godding on the charge through the trees.

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Finlay Geaney choosing to send it instead of pumping the roller.

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Katie Drake heading to the chute at the end of stage 1.

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Luke Robson and Steven Stock flowing through the top of stage 1

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Samuel Fellows leaning his Cube into the corner.

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James Craik pumping through the roller to the end of the stage

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Luca Thurlow on his way to 2nd in the 15-18's field.

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Jacob Garrod getting loose on the last corner of stage 2.

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Mikey Nash pressing send.

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Rachel Clay on her way to winning the lady's 40+ class.

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Lewis Clary took the win today in the 19-29's field.

Results
Hardtail Men

1st. Michael SMITH
2nd. Mitchell WALKER
3rd. Jack WALLER
12-14 Boys

1st. Thomas HAWKINS
2nd. Thomas WHITELEY
3rd. Nathan DIWELL-WILSON
15-18 boys

1st. Jack LEAR
2nd. Luca THURLOW
3rd. Daniel STURGEON

19-29 men

1st. Lewis CLARY
2nd. Dan HOLE
3rd. Ryan KEYNES



30-39 men

1st. Warren FIELD
2nd. Jamie ARNOLD
3rd. Ross SEARLE
40-49 men

1st. Aidan BISHOP
2nd. Ashley NEWBERY
3rd. Ian HOPKINS
50+ men

1st. Keith WILSON
2nd. James CRAIK
3rd. Neil BASS
Fun men

1st. Rob DWYER
2nd. Tom BINDLEY
3rd. James BETTERIDGE



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Warren Field topping the timing sheet with the fastest time of the day.

E-bike 14-29 men

1st. Matt BAYLISS
2nd. Chris BAYLISS
3rd. James JACKSON
E-bike: 30-39 men

1st. Casey DARE
2nd. Jamie WILKINSON
3rd. Steven STOCK
E-bike: 40-49 men

1st. Graham GOODYEAR
2nd. David HEMMING
3rd. Mark BAKER
E-bike: 50+ men

1st. Allen CRAIG
2nd. Kelvin TATUM
3rd. Bradley BRIGGS



12-18 girls

1st. Charlotte MCGREEVY

19-39 Women

1st. Emily ASHWOOD
2nd. Sarah CRELLIN
3rd. Rhiannon GUNNER
40+ Women

1st. Rachel CLAY
2nd. Kim BATSFORD
3rd. Renée DIWELL
E-bike women

1st. Alexia DESILE
2nd. Daisy POTTER
3rd. Jenny TATUM



Another amazing Enduro organised by the Pedalhounds team, something that is not easy in the current climate. The next round of the series is at Matterley Estate, Hants 24-04-21.

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6 Comments
  • 13 9
 Done a few of these now on my none pedal assist but won’t anymore as it’s an advert for De-Restricted E-BIKES.

some one is going to get killed on these races.

The seller of the bikes should be ashamed also for de-restricting the specialized Levo bikes. You know who you are .

Ebike racing should and will be banned.
  • 2 6
flag mcozzy (Apr 5, 2021 at 7:42) (Below Threshold)
 Less slow pedal bikes clogging the uphill transition is a win as far as I'm concerned. The sooner they are consigned to history the better.
  • 3 3
 Your a tool then as ebikes ruin it for proper racers . Ebikes will eventually be banned due to the illegal de-restrictions as someone will get killed .@mcozzy:
  • 1 1
 @CloudStrife9: E.L.E. Everybody love everybody.
  • 5 3
 Great event ran by the team. We loved it and so did everyone else. Thank you and congratulations to all involved with the organisation.
  • 2 2
 Great news racing is back on :-)







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