Beastway '06

[DirtDiva]

So, I was trawling around the internet one day, and I stumbled on this (http://www.beastway.co.uk/series2006/index.html) series of races. It made me think. Hmmm. That looks as though it wouldn't matter if/that I'm rubbish. At the very least it'd ensure that I get at least one ride on real dirt each week. Maybe I should give it a go... :confused:

I managed to talk one of my friends into being a little bit curious, so we went along for a look-see on the first night. We stood in the pouring rain and watched everyone go 'round. We were hooked already! :D Besides, there were only two women racing; as long as we could complete each race, we'd have to end up scoring some points (top ten in each cat get points)! They change the course a bit each week, but you can go ride all the trails during the week (for a small fee) as long as there are no events on. We decided to go along on the Monday (a holiday, luckily) and check it out before we made our final decision. Very worthwhile.

Wednesday dawned and I was really quite excited. As the day dragged on I bacame more and more and more (and more!) scared. :eek: By four o'clock I was about ready to explode. Decided not to tempt fate by having that afternoon coffee after all. Thankfully, by then it was just about time to grab something to eat and get changed and all. T was swinging by my place at five and we were going to ride up to the cycle circuit. We made pretty good time - forty-five minutes at a semi-leisurely pace (although it may have just been the nervous energy...).

Got there, filled out our forms, twisty-tied our numbers on and headed out for a practice lap. Definitely glad we did that. There was one monster climb that we had seen before, but there turned out to be a second one that was almost as bad. You know the kind: your legs need to be in the granniest of grannies, but you haven't got a hope of traction until you're well into your middle ring. Suffered a catestrophic twisty tie failure out there somewhere, but at least that was well within my mechanical capabilities (and my number didn't come off completely). Headed back to the club rooms and chilled out (if such a thing can be said of two pants-wettingly nervous folk :rolleyes: ) for forty minutes or so before the race.

There were eight women in the line-up this week (plus one in the youth categories): one vet, five masters and two in sport. Halleluia! I couldn't do worse than second in my class! There were only one or two in the women's line up who seemed to be taking it really seriously, so it was nice to have a bit of a laugh with the others while we waited to start.

Got off to a reasonable enough start - behind five, ahead of two. The novice men started just behind us, so about half of them passed me really quickly. One of the women who was behind me passed me on the first monster uphill (not hard, given that I was doing a dead stop, trying to get a foot out before the thistles could get me kind of a move). Next I saw of her she was in the grass, bike upended, tube in hand.

I'm pretty sure everyone and their dog passed me at some point, but most of them were really clear and polite about it. One or two surprised me because the front person called out, but then the person behind didn't. Oh, and the leading woman (also the one who seemed to be taking it most seriously - possibly not a coincidence...) called out that she was coming through, but didn't tell me what side, even after I'd asked. When she called out again she got quite a loud "Well tell me what side and I can move!" It did the trick. [ETA: No, wait! I passed one of the novice men (he was completely done for by then) on a downhill quite near the end. Go me! :p]

I never made it more than halfway up either of the monsters, and there was one other hill that got me right near the end in lap three. My drivetrain was making some pretty unhappy noises after a while. (Apparently I talk to my bike; one guy turned his head in surprise when he heard "Oh, for ****'s sake! Shut up an give me a gear! You're having your service on Tuesday!" - guess who was tired and cranky by this point... ;)). There were a couple of really fun bits too: one fab banked turn that you could go as fast around as you dared, plus a neat wee bump I got a sweet little air off of on my last lap (the marshall there even gave me a cheer for it :D). Oh, and luckily I had spotted the photographer at the top of a tough little climb, so he got a big ol' toothy grin instead of a death grimace. I'll post the photo when it's up. If it's good, I might even have me a new avatar. :)

All in all, a great experience. Everyone was really friendly and encouraging. I even met my goal of three laps (I was unbelievably glad not to have to do another! :p), and my top secret, don't tell anyone goal of doing it in under an hour (you finish whatever lap you are on when the leading expert bloke wins - not sure when they give him the bell, but I'd guess whenever he comes around at about the 45-50 minute mark). There's eight more races (and then a team race, but I have no team), so I hope to be completeling four laps by the end of it.

And there you have it. Can't wait for next week! :cool:

[mtbdarby]

way to go Kiwi! I love how your personality comes through in your posts. Sounds like you found yourself a new hobby - did T do it too? And glad to hear there were no holly bushes there to grab you.

[DirtDiva]

T wasn't sure how much she had in her, so she did one lap and then went in for a cup of tea. It meant that she got a DNF though (we weren't sure if it would or not), so next week she's determined to do two and get a finish (and then have a cup of tea).

I'm not sure how I'd fare in something where everyone was all hardcore and serious, but this is big fun. :D

[DirtDiva]

OMG!! I left out the most important part! :eek: I won womens sport class (20-29 year olds for this series) because the other girl had a mechanical or whatever and pulled out after two laps! (I did wonder how she didn't lap me... :p)

I rule! :cool: :D ;)

[bikerz]

I rule! :cool: :D ;)

Yes you do! Great write up - can't wait to read the next one!

[DirtDiva]

I'd watch it with the compliments z - I might get a big(ger) head! :p

[bikerz]

You could always blame it on the swelling from your ill-fated holly encounter!

So where is the toothy grin you promised? (Thanks to Jobob and her ever-present camera, my hill-climbing grimaces are always being documented!)

[DirtDiva]

I've got to wait until they post 'em on the website. So sometime next week, most likely.

[DirtDiva]

The photos aren't up proper-like yet, but if you scroll down far enough, you can see me here (http://www.londoncyclesport.com/reports_2006_mtb/beast2w.html). :) This one's a bit more death grimace than toothy grin though.

Tonight's race went well. Still only did three laps, but I would've had a fourth in me if I'd had the speed to need to do it :p - a big improvement on last week. 99.9% sure I was the only one in my class tonight. :D No idea what my time was yet, but it ought to be better than last week, because the course was easier. I did stop about four times to raise my saddle though - bike got serviced the other day and they rather overdid it when they greased the seatpost. I managed to dent a spoke when another rider and I got a little close right near the end. The wheel's not too far out of true, so at least I could ride home. Must make a booking with the bike doctor.

I'm going away for a few days tomorrow, but I'll try and give you a few more details next week sometime. Right now I need some shut-eye. Night y'all.

[Trekhawk]

T wasn't sure how much she had in her, so she did one lap and then went in for a cup of tea. It meant that she got a DNF though (we weren't sure if it would or not), so next week she's determined to do two and get a finish (and then have a cup of tea).

I'm not sure how I'd fare in something where everyone was all hardcore and serious, but this is big fun. :D

LOL that is such a cool ride report. Love the talking to your bike part.:D

Congratulations you racing guru.

See your friend has it right - riding and a cup of tea - aaahhh heaven.

Trek- off to put the kettle on - hawk

[DirtDiva]

Thoroughly so-so. Physically I was fine, but I was way off mentally. :(

It's been a nice, but really lazy week. I didn't want to ride my bike until the spoke had been fixed from last Wednesday, but I couldn't get that done until today, so no riding for a week. And instead of running or swimming or something to take up the slack and help me keep getting fitter, I went to Dublin for three days to visit friends and ate and drank lots instead. :p

Basically, I just couldn't bring myself to push myself, which is a bit frustrating really. There was one climb I totally know I could clean, and another couple I'm pretty sure I could have made if I could have just set my mind to it. :mad: There was one that was just impossible though, so I don't feel bad about walking that one three times.

I also got knocked over by some doofus who didn't take enough space to pass. He had masses of room, but was obviously paying more attention to the three folk chasing him, so somehow he bashed my handle bars and next thing I was on the ground getting up close and personal with some rather long grass. At least it wasn't one of the many (manymanymanymany) nettles about the course that I landed on, so no owies except for a bit of a pedal bruise.

I had some competition tonight, so unless one or both of them had to drop out, I'll be looking at third place this week. Photos from last week still aren't up, but I'll keep you posted.

[Lise]

Cool story and pix! Are you in the top picture (211) or bottom (146)? Where's the holly? Seriously, though, those hills look brutal. Good for you! Looking forward to more tales of adventure racing.

[Trekhawk]

First I must say I love your new pic.
Lise is right good for you getting out there and giving it a go. The thought of racing makes me hyperventilate. Not an issue for me though as I hear you need to stay upright for most of the race and I seem to have a problem with that on my MTB at the moment.:o

[DirtDiva]

I'm 146. The new avatar is from the start of last week's race - that's my front wheel in the foreground! Oh, and there's no holly, just nettles. :eek:

[DirtDiva]

It was a good fast course this week. Flowed nicely for the most part, except for the sharp turns at the bottom of both of the noteworthy descents. Killjoys! :p Two climbs I didn't make this week. One would probably have been fine on fresh legs if there hadn't been a corner in the middle of it (sometimes my multitasking abilities let me down when it comes to steering and forward momentum up hills). The other was very short and very steep and I had fast blokes right behind me each time I got there, so it was easier to just stop and let 'em past and then push the bike up. Saw a few people rolling backwards on that one, so probably wouldn't have made it up anyway. :rolleyes:

I posted an okay time for my three laps, but that was more an indication of the course than my performance - had a major case of dead legs. I think it was mostly to do with the dregs of the cold I've had, and I possibly hadn't had enough to eat or drink over the course of the day. Might not have been a fine performance, but the effort did a good job of calming the jitters I've had all week (have been wasting time stressing over things neither I nor anyone else can do a heck of a lot about - I'm sure you've all been there).

Hope I'm germ-free and raring to go next week. :D

[BikeMomma]

tlkiwi --

Your racing sounds like a total blast. Good job and hope you keep improving and having fun! Your reports are great! Keep posting as long as you are racing!

I noticed the website said that this is the last year for this, as they're going to bulldoze it to make way for the 2012 Olympics. Do you know what venue or Olympic facility is going to be built in its place?

Loved the "going in for tea" note. That's soooo English (I'm half -- my Mum's from Southend/Westcliffe in Essex). I'm pretty American and "Californian", since I was born and raised here, but I definitely inherited the tea-drinking gene. :p ;)

~BikeMomma

[DirtDiva]

I'm not sure exactly what's going to go there. I'm pretty sure it will become part of the Olympic Park, which will contain the Olympic Stadium, aquatics centre, Olympic Village plus hockey, cycling (velodrome, I think) and basketball facilities. :confused:

[BikeMomma]

Well I guess if a racecourse has to be destroyed for future development, let it be replaced with an Olympic village!! Sounds cool...I'm definitely going to have to make it over there in 2012. :)

[DirtDiva]

Very short report this week. The first 1.75 laps went fabulously. Then I died. The legs were fine, I just couldn't keep my heartrate up there any longer. Alas, the answer to that problem is simply get fitter. Phooey. I don't have the patience for that! We'll see how my time was over my three laps whenever they post the results.

:)

[Trekhawk]

Very short report this week. The first 1.75 laps went fabulously. Then I died. The legs were fine, I just couldn't keep my heartrate up there any longer. Alas, the answer to that problem is simply get fitter. Phooey. I don't have the patience for that! We'll see how my time was over my three laps whenever they post the results.

:)

Well done. I have decided anyone that races mountain bikes is hardcore. Not only will you suffer (apparently if you are not suffering you are not working hard enough ) but you have to keep your mind clear for all the technical stuff. Hmm not fit enough or clear minded enough for that.:D

Keep the reports coming for those that dont like to suffer.:D

[DirtDiva]

It's all in good fun Trek; I'm not really into the suffering part either. :p

The results are up. I have cause to be happy as I posted my fastest time by nearly four minutes (although the first lap was significantly shortened for "traffic management" purposes) and I did all my laps in under 20 minutes. Probably need to lop another 4 minutes off my time before I'll cross the line in time to do a fourth lap. I get four more races to try and make it happen.

Y'all can see a pic of me from last week here (http://www.londoncyclesport.com/pics_2006_mtb/beast5/132.jpg). :)

[Trekhawk]

Cool Pic. You look like you are having so much fun.
Congratulations on the time. See now add a touch of suffering and you will get faster.;)

[DirtDiva]

Hard yakka this week. Someone filled the course with freakin' corners! So sure, a certain amount of turning is necessary, but I can do without the downhill, 180deg turn, back uphill again supersize combo nastiness! :eek: I got to the course a little later than usual and couldn't be arsed doing a practice lap. Oops. Blithely followed the two women just ahead of me and four of us ended up in completely the wrong place and wasted a good three or four minutes. :p Not surprising that I ended up with my worst time ever, but I'm gutted that it was one hour four seconds. One hour, FOUR SECONDS! Couldn't I have picked up another five seconds from somewhere to stick to my goal of doing my three laps in under an hour every time? That sucks man! :mad: On the other hand, I honest to goodnessly really truly beat someone in my class for the first time (unless she had a puncture or something - it wouldn't count then). :D Yay me!

Here I am, suffering on a climb (http://www.londoncyclesport.com/pics_2006_mtb/beast6/11.jpg) during the race on 28/06.

[DirtDiva]

I didn't expect much of myself this week. I've spent most of the last few days coughing and blowing my nose and generally doing my best to further the spread of germs. But I actually had quite a lot of fun tonight, albeit in a slightly (i.e. completely) masochistic way. Don't know what my time was yet, but there were less people in the finish area when I rolled up than there usually are. I mean, I suppose it could mean that all those other people did one more lap than usual, or maybe that there were less racers than usual, but I'm so not thinking about those possibilities. :p

I managed to drop my chain twice on exactly the same point of the course. The first occasion was definitely operator error - had one of those moments where the fingers don't do what the brain told 'em to and I ended up mashing gear levers all over the show. I think perhaps the second time my bike was just reminding me that she still wasn't happy about the way I treated her the first time around. ;) Perhaps next time I should just suffer in the middle ring when I hit that climb... Interesting how, when the pressure's on, you don't mess about trying to do things the best way; it was more like: Grrrr. *YANK* Fixed. Sweet! :D (And then sraight back on the bike, of course.) The girl who usually has the closest time to me had some chain issues too. Took the joy out of finally beating her as her issues were more serious than mine. Next week I'm marshalling. I'll have to try and leave her in the dust fair and square the following week!

Anyway, to bed with me! I'm knackered!

[DirtDiva]

I didn't race last week because I was marshalling. Quite relieved by that at the time as it got up to 37C/99F that day. :eek:

We had the last individual point-scoring race of the series last night. I won my class again because my competition was marshalling and out of town. Go me. :p I must admit to being a wee bit gutted though - I missed out on being quick enough to be able to get in a fourth lap by, as far as I can figure out, no more than a minute. :( There's a team race next week, so that's my last chance to embrace the pain and suffering (like that's gonna happen :rolleyes: ) and go that little bit faster in the first three. I don't care if the fourth lap takes me half an hour, I just want to do a fourth lap! Dammit!

There is something to be said for turning up regularly. I'll have won my class by at least 20 points :D (all scored on nights I had no competition, but shhhhhhh ;)).

[spokewench]

That first race with the killer hills sounds just like on of my first races in California years and years ago. It brought back some mighty fine memories of walking up the hills and smiling all the way! Keep it up. Racing is always a good motivator to stay on the bike!

:D

[DirtDiva]

The very last race of the series was last night. 'Twas a team race. Cobbled together a team on the night (three girls and a bloke in ours), which seemed to be what a lot of other poeple were doing, so it didn't feel too disorganised really. I think they were giving points for wherever you each ended up in the overall finishing order and then they take the best three results from your team to figure out your ranking. They haven't actually got the results up yet, so I can't tell you how we did. [ETA: 45th out of 56 teams.]

Each member started two minutes after one another, so there were four starting waves. I was riding second for us. Being used to starting off with about ten women, I have to say that starting off with about fifty people at once was pretty intimidating. The first half lap was ridiculously slow because of congestion, then there were some dodgy overtaking manoeuvers :eek: as the faster blokes from the next wave caught up and got impatient (really quite irritating - usually folk at Beastway are pretty good about passing), then things settled into a more normal pattern. Felt really good out there riding. :D Only one climb I couldn't manage, although there were a few others I didn't always find the right gear for (managed to push the bike up everything more quickly than usual though, which was a bonus). For once the legs and the lungs were cooperating instead of bickering about who was the most tired. :rolleyes: Didn't manage to finally make that fourth lap, but it was a shorter race than normal (to make more time for the end of season prize giving), so I can live without it. Also managed to finish just in time to beat the queue for tea and cakes. :cool:

The prize giving was cool. Mind you, I won stuff, so I would think that. :p Definitely worth showing up more often than the competition! ;)

RIP Beastway.

[BikeMomma]

Awesome, DirtDiva.....what a great series! Sounds like a real blast of a time.

Now make way for the bulldozers.....:( They ought to put a plaque up in the future Olympic Village in Beastway's honor...... That would be cool.

Glad you had so much fun, and thanks for taking us along...:)
~BikeMomma

[Trekhawk]

Awesome, DirtDiva.....what a great series! Sounds like a real blast of a time.

Now make way for the bulldozers.....:( They ought to put a plaque up in the future Olympic Village in Beastway's honor...... That would be cool.

Glad you had so much fun, and thanks for taking us along...:)
~BikeMomma

Im with BikeMomma thanks for posting about your series.

How long have you had the new user name??? I love it. Im so slow on the uptake please tell me its not been an ae'on.

[DirtDiva]

I've had the new name since I hit 1000 posts - a few weeks ago, but not that long.

[Trekhawk]

I've had the new name since I hit 1000 posts - a few weeks ago, but not that long.

Thank goodness - good to know I havent completely lost the plot.:o

[bikerz]

The prize giving was cool. Mind you, I won stuff, so I would think that. :p Definitely worth showing up more often than the competition! ;)

Well - what cool stuff did you win???

[DirtDiva]

Let's see...

* Five Torq bars;
* Beastway t-shirt;
* Beer mug with my name and category and position engraved on it;
* Water bottle from the sponsoring bike shop;
* £50 (:D :eek: :D) voucher from the sponsoring bike shop!

Oh, and a plastic bag to carry it all home in. :p

Not bad, eh? :)

[bikerz]

I think we need a picture of the beer mug in action down at your local!

Congrats!