The Soggy Buttocks 15th October 2009

Riders: Paddy Hambly, Martyn Woodbridge-Harris

On Sunday, after the storms had cleared and the wind died down, two GOWCC warriors headed south across the moor to the delights of Newnham Park. Given the amount of water it was with trepidation that we faced the start line with 60 other young men. Would this be a mud plugging exercise? Would we need to swim through the river? Would we end up with webbed toes?

We needn’t have worried. The start, however, was not pleasant. 50 yds, then up a horribly steep gravel stream track, this would be familiar to the 12/24 riders. So within 300m lungs had been vomited. The track then turned to single track traversing north before turning back up a forestry track into the trees. It was then onto winding track through the trees, dodging roots and sliding the bikes around trunks. This was followed by the sweetest bit of swooping singletrack, through bombholes and over rocky drops and always more or less downhill. Lush! There was then a drop down the field and across the grass before a nasty climb up and through the trees. A steep, gravelly drop then brought us to the river crossing. And boy was it deep. (First time, I was too fast and too far forward nearly catapulting me in. Second time, too slow and had to work very hard to get up the other side. Third time, just right.) After the crossing the route took us along the river and back into the start/finish area and ready for two more laps.

After an hour and ten minutes Paddy finished, followed by me ten minutes later. Discussions were then held about best bits, scary bits and tiring bits before taking the bikes to the bike wash while we washed down a cup of coffee and a bacon sandwich.

A great event and we were back at home in time for lunch. Entries are now being taken for the next round on the 10th of January. Come on Gentlemen! Don’t listen to the routemeister, he’s starting shaving his legs! Join us on the next one.

Cheers
Martyn

Results for the Fun - Male category below. Click here for full results