Mountain Mayhem Muddy Mess

The camp ground was already heavily waterlogged so there was no where to camp, anyway after much slipping and sliding we managed to find a spot that was nothing like level but it drained well.

How bad can it be! its reined hard all week and there was a little burst of no rain while I put up the tent and set everything up, while my Dad had fun toeing the rest of the team's caravans in to place. The camp was set and the rain started again then stopped and started (well that's how it was all weekend)...

Its race day, I had a surprisingly good nights sleep. We all line up for a La Mans style start all ready sinking in to the ground and mud, but the count down began 5, 4, 3, 2, and GO!!! we was off, I soon realized how little running I had done, I got along the first running straight and the course turned away from my bike "wow wow where we going my bikes that way" then it turned again and again going on muddier and muddier paths, finally after about a mile and half got to the start finish strength where the bikes was, I don't know if it was the adrenaline of shock that I was running but I ran all the way.

The first lap went ok, I though to my self this isn't too bad the mud is tough but I can cope, I managed to clear the first lap, then after every one else had been through on the second lap it started to get worse, and then it started to get un-ride able, pushing the bike round the 3rd lap was impossible my gears didn't work, my wheels didn't go round, stopping every 100m to try and clear some of the mud from tires and drive chain only for it to clog up again instantly, I decided to try and take a brake half way round the 4th lap and get a couple of hours kip (I think most people did).

When I woke it wasn't raining but the word on the street was the ground was worse that ever. I got my kit on with full intention of finishing the lap that I started before my kip. It got closer and closer to the cut off time and I still had no intention of heading out. Although I was torn between going out to push my bike for another lap and half to get 6 laps in and getting changed and heading to the start finish line to cheer on the finishers including Team JMC.it vets team coming home in second, and watching Team JMC.it's Jason Miles coming over the finish line on a FAT bike (that had entertainment value alone.

I know the picture do not show how much mud and how grueling and relentless the course was....

Thanks to my Mum and Dad for being my pit crew, and Team JMC.it for letting me join there camp and using there pits, to be truthful I think they had the hardest job (well done guys). Until next time :)