Our day started with the alarm sounding at a very early 6.15am, followed by a quick look out the window for a weather check.
With the bikes all packed in the van it was time to start a very long 1 hour 15 minute road trip from Torquay to Tavi. After getting all the kit on and feeling ready to ride, we all headed down to the very stylish signing in area on the side of Chaz's van.
Haby-Blu Cann
Looking over the entry list I could see there were going to be some fast times popping up today with very familiar names - Will Soffe and Adam 'The Pinner Price' topping that list. Also it was really good to see a group of riders from France make the mammoth trip over to join us in some low key fun and games. Little did we know that the young lad was like the Duracell bunny on speed, smashing everyone's times with the fastest fun of day, with a 1:38. Boy could that boy pedal. It takes a lot to make me lost for words but watching him ride did the job.
With signing in all complete and paying up my £1.50 for my home made number board on my bike I was ready to take a look at the track.
Julian Jacobs
The course had new start ramp which was something I was pleased to see before heading off down the main track. The first section went down though the woods with a few wet and very rooty corners put in to spice things up before you dropped onto the fire road. Your legs were already starting to burn from all the pedalling at the top with you then having to leave the nice hard compact fire road to tackle an uphill, wet, rooty and stump infested bus stop - this was a killer!
This would have been the only part of the track I would have changed but never the less it was still an interesting part to watch and listen to all the groans coming from all that tackled it. The course now started to pick up speed as it carried off down though the woods with a few rock gardens and some off camber sections before you came to the other fire road crossing where you popped over the bank - which I named rut heaven! This was a very steep but short mound which sent a few riders into the brambles and dead trees lying ready and waiting on the other side of the corner. After making it round there with not too many dramas, the course then came into some really fast folly switch backs that rocketed you out the end into some more rock gardens and a steep left hand decent through the tight trees. After crossing the last fire roads and coming into the bottom section of the fun but heart busting track you just had two more corners and a long straight finish to tackle.
Dan Fisher
The Pain was over and I don't think I've ever been more pleased to see Don's face so much before, but my joy was very short lived after seeing my times for the day. But on the other hand it was really good to see some of the younger and fitter riders putting in some excellent runs, Bow Cann being the first name that comes to mind.
To round my thoughts up from the day I was really impressed with how all Rob and Chaz's hard work had turned out. All the pre race hype had had lived up to expectations and riders went home happy.
Womens Podium
To be honest I can only fault a couple of things from the days racing. The first of those being, was finding the place. From chatting to people all day that have never been to the area or racers trying to direct family members to the parking, they all said they could have done with having some signs from the round about, just down the road so people will know exactly where to go. It has also been suggested that when they got though the gate there need to be signs to the main car park and the over flow parking area. So to be honest no major faults, just me trying to fine tune it for others next time.
Masters Podium
It's going to be the start of a very interesting series and good foundations for bigger things to happen next year no doubt. Maybe even a visit to the highly talked about Gawton Downhill trails, or is that me just hoping a bit too much? Time will tell.
I will be reporting all Big Peaks/MoreDirt races and events throughout the year, so stay tuned for some great footage and photos on the teams progress.
Happy Riding all and keep us posted with your thoughts.
Results
Expert Men
1. Will SOFFE - 1:40.06
2. Adam PRICE - 1:42.71
Hardtail
1. Ben DEAKIN - 1:43.66
2. Andy PAYNE - 1:47.11
3. James BROWN - 1:57.90
Juvenile
1. Owen WILLICOMBE - 2:01.31
2. Joel ANDERSON - 2:06.74
Youth
1. Bow-jango CANN - 1:45.78
2. Isaac ANDERSON - 1:47.68
3. Dominic JEFFREY - 1:52.12
Junior
1. Ludovic OGET - 1:38.93
2. Jay WILLIAMSON - 1:46.11
3. Bill COLWILL - 1:52.58
Senior
1. Alexandre ARTZT - 1:43.57
2. Jamie JONES (sen) - 1:44.52
3. Remy MOREAU - 1:44.75
11. Daniel FISHER (Big Peaks/MoreDirt) - 1:50.43
Masters
1. Jody BENT - 1:42.12
2. Chris WARNER (Big Peaks/MoreDirt) - 1:50.40
3. Julian JACOBS (Big Peaks/MoreDirt) - 1:51.19
Veteran
1. John COBB - 1:49.78
2. Philippe DA-SILVA - 2:00.85
Junior
1. Ludovic OGET - 1:38.93
2. Jay WILLIAMSON - 1:46.11
3. Bill COLWILL - 1:52.58
Women
1. Haby-Blu CANN (Big Peaks/MoreDirt) - 1:54.60
2. Angela PROCTOR - 2:04.98
3. Marjorie CHOLEZ - 2:18.18
Article by: Dan Fisher
Big thanks to:
Big Peaks.com - Ashburton
100% Health – Paignton
MoreDirt.com
Rider Run Company
Vandale Clothing
