MTB Club League Round 8

The latest stage of the Club MTB League took the riders to the trail centre in Castlewellan for something different. We took in a section of last year’s Ulster Championship course (where we even got to see the trail building fairies at work) before dropping down on to the red trail for a complete loop of the trail centre.

We have had great numbers at all our club races this year and tonight was no exception with 18 riders taking to the line. We had the usual faces and a couple of new potential club members – all eager to race – warm welcome to Jamie, Josh and Drew.

Although there was a shortened version of the course planned for the juniors – James and Karter stepped up and completed the same course as the adults. They both blew the adults out of the water, with James taking the win and doing his own victory parade and Karter taking 2^nd. Well done guys.

The handicapping for the adults is getting easier as the weeks go by – mainly because we’ve sussed out the sandbaggers and those doing the secret training.

Jamie McPhail was 1^st adult home – claiming the last spot on the podium and wetting his appetite to sign up for the club, get his race licence and race this Sunday at the next round of the NPS.

Not everyone gets on the podium but judging by Strava – there were a lot of PBs smashed proving how much effort everyone was putting in.

We even got a KOM on the night for the loop.  Well done Barry.

Surprisingly we had no punctures – and only one mechanical. Brian Kellet was unfortunate to break his saddle early in the race. Think I just figured out who ate the chocolate cake we brought for Darren.

That was my first go at organising a race. I’d like to thank Dafydd Davis for his help on the course design and Darren McCann for time keeping and the rest of you for turning up and racing.

Cheers Mick.