2013 X-Fusion/Enduro1 Round 1: Great Wood - Race Report

Round one of the X-Fusion/Enduro 1 2013 series kicked off at the Great Wood on the Quantocks last weekend, with over 150 riders turning up to brave the cold conditions and tackle a tough course designed by Duncan Anderson and his two boys.

Having taken advantage of the Triscombe uplift run by Duncan in the past on several occasions, I travelled to the event expecting a tough course with some technical descents and tough climbs.

The race was made up of five timed downhill bias stages, spread over a total distance of about 26km connected by timed transition stages that could be ridden at an easier pace but with time penalties if you didn't make it to the next stage on time.

This was only my second ever enduro event, but after taking part in the Mini Enduro at Haldon Forest last month, I was hooked on the enduro racing format. The pre race nerves were not helped much by meeting race organiser Carlos at the sign on tent! After being warned about some nice surprises in a couple of the stages to look out for and finding out I would be setting off as the seventh rider in and around some of the local whippets, the pre race nerves really kicked in!

Before I knew it I was lining up for start of the event and the first transition to stage one. The transition started with a short steep climb and was a bit of shock to the system in the cold temperatures, but I managed to settle into a rhythm as the transition joined a forest fire road. I have to admit it was difficult to judge my pace on the first transition, as like myself a majority of the riders were riding the course blind.

I made it to the top of the first transition with about 10 mins to spare, after passing a couple of riders who were already suffering on the first climb, or maybe they were pacing themselves for the transitions ahead!

Stage One, the shortest of the five stages started up on the edge of Great Wood with a fast section of trail centre like single track which helped relax the nerves before firing you across a fire road into an freshly cut section of trail full of roots and off camber corners. With a bit of foot out action and lots of dabs to keep the bike upright I made it to the bottom of stage one before I knew it in one piece.

With only a few seconds to catch my breath I made my way to the start of stage two, which out of all the transitions was one of the toughest. With two tough climbs not helped by two days of heavy rain before the event and some over grown gorse bushes I made it to top of stage two with a few minutes to spare to prepare myself before setting off again.

Stage two begun with a pedally rooty piece of single track before chucking you into an awesome section of trail through a natural gully, which you crossed up over a few times. The next section was fairly flat, but with lots of roots to catch you out it proved tricky to carry my speed before you entered the first of race organisers surprises. This turned out to be lung busting pedal up and down a rutted fire road to finish! This stage turned out to be just over 3 minutes, which felt a lot longer and proved a real test of fitness.

After such a physical end to stage two a few riders including myself started to find the transition to stage three tough, with a couple of riders arriving late. I managed to arrive with a few minutes to spare avoiding any time penalties but this didn't leave me much time to get myself set for the next stage.

Stage three turned out to be taste of things to come. After a series of rooty corners, you entered into some tight trees, which thankfully to some sunlight, I was able to negotiate myself safely through before the fun started. After another short flat section, the trail suddenly started to get a bit steeper. Before I knew it, I was over the bars on one of tricky switchbacks in this technical section. I managed to pick myself up before dropping into the final section which didn't get much easier, but I was still in one piece!

The transition to stage four proved to a bit easier much to my relief. A few riders were still finding it tough and more time penalties were being handed out. After a quick sprint along the edge of the fire road you turned into a muddy section of single track which allowed you to keep your speed up. This didn't last long as you were then directed down which for me was one of the toughest sections of the whole event. This old reinstated track which I was told use to part of a road, got very steep, with some almost impossible off camber sections and drops which made staying on the trail tough. It was at this point I began to feel a little happier about being one of the first riders to set off, as it obvious this section was going to get tougher to ride as the day went on.

I was relieved to reach the top of the final transition ready for the final stage without picking up any time penalties all day. A few riders must of been finding it tough and decided to shortcut this transition, but as a result were disqualified!

Stage five turned out to be my favourite stage of the day, which I later found out was the original Triscombe downhill track! This was evident as I made my way down the stage with a serious of man-made berms, jumps and drops to tackle. After a short fire road crossing you turned left into the final section with some more small drops and steep turns, then down through a steep chute to finish.

I was happy to have made it around and was sure I wasn't the only rider to have finished the event without a crash or two!

The stages turned out to be far more challenging than I had ever expected. At the same time I left for home having probably had one of best days out on my bike in a longtime! The conditions made for some tough transitions and the stages had pushed me out of my comfort zone in places, but left me feeling I had improved as an rider.

I would like to say a big thank you to all the marshals who braved the cold conditions and also the Anderson's for building some excellent tracks design to challenge even the best riders. And finally to Carlos, the race organiser who had worked hard with the Forestry Commission to put on an excellent event with a great atmosphere!

The next round is at the Forest of Dean on the 16th June. I can't wait, see you all there!

Full details on the series and results can be found on the Enduro 1 website. www.enduro1.co.uk

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