Causeway Coast Adventure Race Groomsport

The Causeway Coast Adventure Race Series

Round 3 Groomsport
24th February 2013
Team: 62 Cycles Adventure Racing
Andy Lyle and Mickey Regan

Race Report by: Mickey Regan

 

It was our first race back after a long lay off. We had planned to do the full series but illness and other things out of our control meant we missed the first two rounds. Heading to Groomsport with no goal or targets we just wanted to filter back into the racing and enjoy.

The weather was perfect for racing. Clear blue skies dry under foot and a nice chill in the air to keep us cool. The race format was slightly different to other races we have done. The race would be a points based race with a 5 hour cut off time (failure to return within the 5 hours meant point deductions) something to think about while out on the course.

 

We would start in Groomsport harbor with a very short Kayak leg across the bay and back. I think this was the shortest ever kayak leg and I heard no complaints from anyone. We jumped into the boats dibbed and got the heads down to paddle across the bay to the checkpoint. Strong paddling meant we passed 4 boats on the way out passing one more just before the checkpoint. Unfortunately we give them a bit of room and they nipped in front of us to dib before us. Once dibbed we got the head down again for the return leg passing another 3 boats. Out of the boats and it was out onto the first run section.

 

Google maps orienteering through the village of groomsport.

We had a number of checkpoints to pick up in any order. We had no issues with this fairly simple navigation section. Others seemed to use the out of bounds field to buy a bit of time but we stuck to the course and cleared this section returning to the boat house for a brain teaser. Andy made a lightening start and was filling in answers before I even got looking at the sheet. Once I got my head around it I got a couple of answers clearing all but 3 of the clues. I think we ended up getting 16 correct. On leaving the boat house we ran back to the harbor wall to collect the bikes.

 

Bike Section

The bike route had a number of mandatory check points and some optional bonus checkpoints. Straight away we went for some of the bonus checkpoints. Two of these where used in the last Bangor race so it was ground we knew fairly well. One of which was at a reservoir with a wooded section. On arriving to the gates Andy said it is just off the road so we left the bikes and headed in on foot. After initially thinking we were at the correct bridge a quick look at the map we realised it was further into the wood. Thankfully we hadn’t wasted too much time. We should really have taken the bikes in and made up a bit of time as other teams had done. Thankfully we weren’t the only team to read the map wrong at this point. There was a large group of teams took a long time searching for the checkpoint at the first bridge loosing a lot of time. We got back onto the bikes and blasted around the course picking up some bonus and the mandatory check points. The 62 Cycles Carbon 29er was the perfect tool for a race like this. Such a light frame we could really hammer along the bike stages. With this in mind we decided to try to get as many bonus checkpoints as we could while on the bike.

At this stage there was a good group bunched together. Faster teams having picked up bonus checkpoints joining slower teams on the mandatory course. Crossing some major roads we climbed up into the leadmines. The lead mines looks like a bit of a maze but to be honest it was pretty straight forward. The chimney was the biggest structure in the mines. So disregarding the zigzagged paths I took the direct route. Straight up the side of the quarry. Again leaving the quarry was as hard as you wanted to make it. I took to higher ground so we could have a look down towards Newtonards. Some people let the trails confuse them but looking at a map and straight lining out was how we done it. Having stopped at the gates for the checkpoint we decided to push further out for an optional checkpoint. We knew this would involved a big climb out the Belfast road but on the bikes is where we believed we could make the best use of our time. We were a bit slower than we hoped along this section but it was extra points. The route made great use of any off road areas and one check point was in a small wood that was really nice to pedal through. Back onto the roads and we followed the maps to the Transition area at Cairnwood.

Foot Orienteering Cairnwood
The foot section had two mandatory check points and three optional. Andy wasn’t in the form for running so we decided to go for the two mandatory and one optional on the way back to transition. We jogged/walked this section and found the checkpoints with a bit of compass and map reading. No issues we arrived back to transition for a special task. We had three horse shoes each and had to throw them at metal poles. Hit the poles for the points simple. More easy points in the bag for us.

Back onto the road the next section was a really nice addition to the course. We followed the ulsterway along a series of tracks and trails through wooded areas and fields. It was really nice to get off the roads and onto the tracks. The bonus checkpoint here seemed to be the most direct route anyway and on terrain like this it would have been rude not to go for it. After picking up the bonus checkpoint there was a really nice single track through a wood leading out onto the crawfordsburn road. Turning left we pedaled hard into the village. A checkpoint that had us run under the railway tracks again seemed to confuse some people as we seen teams ride past the station. Looking at our time we pushed hard to the next transition. This was an optional run. Again looking at how long it would take use to complete this versus the remainder of the course we skipped it all together. Back on the bikes pushing hard to pick up the remaining mandatory checkpoints.

We got to transition and with the time we had we done the special task. This tested team work. We had to walk on planks that we would lift with ropes. Moving our feet together in a left right motion. Walking around a slalom course we done this first go without putting our feet down. Another easy 20 points in the bag.

Looking at the time we had left and the size of the course we decided to cut out the Bangor run. This was an optional run through the streets. The bike sections where our strong point and we thought we had enough time to clear almost the entire bike loop. Pushing hard around the first three check points it became apparent that we wouldn’t have time for the full course as two of the checkpoints where way out of our way. We had said from the start we wanted to finish inside the time. With this in mind we took the ring road around bangor and headed straight for groomsport. We crossed the line on 4 hours 48mins. As we where one of the first teams back we went straight into first place. I expected that position to drop rapidly as more teams arrived. It wasn’t long before we dropped to second and then third. With more and more teams arriving in and dropping below us we started to wonder had our plan worked? I knew good time management could help us do well but didn’t think just as well we had done considering how unfit the pair of us where.

We dropped down one more place into 4th with multiple CCAR series champions Billy and Gerry piping us to a podium finish. We were both delighted with the result our highest race finish yet. Not necessarily our fastest or best race yet but definitely one of our smartest.

 

We have got the bug back and ready for the next one.

 

Paul McArthur did an amazing job yet again on the course. Having already planned courses in this area Paul was still able to make this one totally deferent to the previous. The additional bike sections and off road trails really helped make this race. The fact that such a big course was used really meant you had to think. Time management and planning really helped us.

Big thanks as always to the CCAR crew for the great race and pre race banter.

Next race: 23rd March City of Culture Derry

Davagh Forest Promotional MTB Shoot

Davagh forest is my local forest and probably the forest in which I really started my love of Mountain biking.

The forest is situated in the Sperrin mountains close to Draperstown. For years Mountain bikers helped maintain a network of old walking trails that had fallen into disrepair through lack of maintenance and no use from walkers. As the trails were forgotten mountain bikers created a small series of trails to ride. For years locals campaigned to try and get some help from forestry service to help build trails. For years the forestry service dismissed any notion that they would ever create mountain bike trails.

This would all change with the help of Cookstown Council, Outdoor Recreation NI (Formerly CAAN)local representatives and the NI Mountain Biking Association. Years of talks, planning, let downs, highs and lows finally have paid off in 2012/13. Outdoor Recreation NI created the frame work in which Architrail would design the trail network. Planning permission was agreed, Forestry service would allow Cookstown Council control over the trail network and Local contractors FP McCann would create the trails.

Building work on the trails is into the last few months. The Marketing team from Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland are now finalizing their marketing strategy for Davagh, Castlewellan and Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trail Centers.

I was asked if I would come along to Davagh on a photo shoot. The marketing team needed some Mountain bike photos and I was delighted to help out. We spent the day on the new trails and what a day it turned out. The trail network is fantastic.

Photos by:  www.tonypleavin.com

http://www.tonypleavin.com/2013/02/more-mountain-bike-madness/ 

The standard of trails in Davagh are on par with anything I have ridden in Scotland. It is a trail that doesn't leave you wanting. Perhaps a bit short at the minute but that leaves room for improvement. This will definitely be a big boost for the local economy.

The trail designers Architrail and FP McCann have done a brilliant job. I will admit I was a bit skeptical when I heard who got the build contract mainly because this was the first time they produced trails like this. It would transpire that I had no need to worry because under the management of Phil Saxena of Architrail and his team they have really pulled it off.  Lets face it unless they brought in build teams from outside NI no one here had the experience. It was great for the economy that the local business got the contract and had the ability to deliver a top class finish. Now they have the experience and the knowledge they can deliver more projects like this if and when funding is available. I am pretty confident you will see a massive boost to the area in this rapidly growing sport/hobby/lifestyle.

I am really looking forward to the trails officially opening.

Well done to all involved and hopefully this is just the beginning.

Snow MTB

Mountain biking in Tollymore Snow

Redbull Foxhunt 2012

The Redbull Foxhunt is a format into its second year.  Following on from a successful first year the Redbull crew in association with Plush MTB Club moved the venue to Cavehill Country Park, Belfast.  A park with some breathtaking views across the city of Belfast, sprawling woodland and a majestic castle in an exquisite garden setting.

 Photo Courtesy: www.redbull.ie

The format is a simple role reversal of the controversial Foxhunt.  This format the hunters become the hunted.  The Fox - former world champion Mountain Biker Gee Atherton.  The hunters - A collection of Amateur and semi professional mountain bikers from Ireland, UK and Europe.  The 120 hunters start in a mass start with the Fox starting 10 seconds after.  Gee rides the course trying to pick off as many of the hunters as possible before the finish. 

This event was held over the weekend of 24th and 25th November.  The real work began 6 months prior to this, getting permits and a full backing from Belfast City Council.  The organizers (Plush MTB club) addressed the issues that some of the local conservation groups forwarded.  When the Council where happy that everything was in place the proposal went to Council Meeting for a vote and the event was passed unanimously.

The weather before the event wasn't the greatest with heavy rain. The organizers done a lot of hard work preparing the course to have as little impact on the area as possible.  Clearing over grown areas piping drainage away from water logged areas and generally cleaning up an already eroded trail (From many years of walkers)  This is the type of work that goes unnoticed by the majority.  The type of work that some of us may take for granted but without this there wouldn't be an event.

Saturday would be practice day with a category seeding race in the afternoon.   The morning was cold but dry and a little over cast.  The event village was the grounds of Cavehill Primary School which backs onto the park.  I arrived early to get registered and get the bike ready.  Riders were arriving from all over smiling with anticipation, story's of the seasons races rang out as riders were reunited from previous races.  Some new faces riding an event like this for the first time myself being one of them.  We just took it all in chomping at the bit to get onto the mountain.  After we registered and received our number plates and arm band it was time to get ready.  Numbers zip tied to the bars, chain lubed, tire pressure dropped for more traction, forks and shock set.  Before riders could ride into the park all bikes went through the power wash to reduce the risk of potentially spreading the tree disease in the area.  Another step the organizers took which showed just how professional and well run the event was.

Leaving the event village it was a short ride to the uplift track.  The uplifts are tractors and trailers with riders and bikes loading up to save the energy for the descent.  Myself and other keen riders where the first up the mountain.   We arrived at McArts fort on the top of Cavehill, the trailer door open and riders hopped out to get a look at the start of the course.  The view from here is spectacular with the mountain dropping away below our feet. The woodland carpets the land below stretching out to the suburbs of Belfast.  The city of Belfast is within touching distance yet feels so far away from this heather and mountainous terrain.  Belfast Lough stretches out below as far as the eye can see.  To the south east Northern Ireland's highest peak Slieve Donard dominants the horizon with its tip covered in snow.  Its not every day you can race in a setting like this and as the trailers kept arriving it became apparent the riders appreciated just how special this setting was.  Everyone stopped to take in the views, pause for a second to marvel in the surroundings before getting their race face on.

I was the first to leave the start area, as this is a local track I know it fairly well so I pushed hard across the first section.  Open mountain quickly filtered into the narrow single track that skirts the edge of the mountain face.  This is usually a very fast section but conditions were tricky and as it was practice the pace dropped slightly.  Reaching the top of the famous quarry trail a marshal stepped out to tell us the track hadn't been open yet.  Some walkers where still on the track and we would stop to give them time to clear.  We got the all clear and as no one was edging forward to go I took off down what is my favorite part of the track.  The narrow single track hooks around the hill to the right with a series of banked corners cutting through the bedrock that can be taken flat out.  The track from here opens into a mixture of soil and rock.  It is quiet technical with bumps and a large rut cut down the middle.  It is a very fast section that falls away with corners right and left before two lines open up.  A steep drop into a step up jump or a flatter corner with a small kicker on the top.  As the trail merges there is another series of tight corners with a few small drops and rocks that can catch you out.  After this there is a long right hand corner before yet another set of tight fast flowing corners with a pitched almost berm like side so riders could keep the pace through here.  The track narrowed with a fence to the left and the quarry to the right.  It swooped down between some trees and across a burn on a grassy descent.  A small jump lead into the next section which would turn into the scene of some amazing crashes as the weekend unfolded.

 Photo Courtesy: Keyser-Soze

This was a steep grassy hill, in the middle a large rut, to the left and right slippery grass and at the bottom a tight right hand corner.  This would lead onto another muddy slope across a river.  Get it right and this was a very fast section get it wrong and it was carnage.  First time through I made the jump staying to the right of the rut meant a tighter cut into the corner but I got around fine.  As I dropped down the slope to the river the back wheel locked up and I ended up going down the slope sideways, a direction that I would become accustomed too by the end of Sunday.  This was one of the sections the Plush crew had worked on and the gravel hard core meant we could ride out of the river and onto the flat section and around the bottom of the quarry.  Back onto a grassy surface the pedaling became harder as the mud clogged the grip on the back wheel.  The lower section of the quarry was a fast flat flowing section.  I made the most of my Reverb Dropper seat post along this section pedaling hard.  At the end of this I dropped the saddle for a drop and a small bridge across the stream.  Another section I love is this narrow single track with steps dropping down and natural steps in the form of the exposed tree roots.  A left hand corner which before the event was very narrow.  Again the Plush crew made a great job of restoring a worn path and building up the sides of this section.  This was the first section of the trail a fast technical and narrow trail leading from the open mountain to the forest woodland.

I was loving it and despite the rain the track was quiet grippy and riding well at this stage.  I smiled as I rode knowing this was just the start of an epic weekend.  We now joined the Belfast castle gravel based paths that would link the top quarry trail with the final single track river trail.  This was I think every riders least favorite part of the track.  A long section of rolling hills that had every rider gasping for air.  The climbs weren't too steep but the pace before and the technicality of the track meant you were working hard from the word go.  So reaching this stage the heart and lungs had already been pushing to there limits.  Some areas of the path had steps but a gravel ramp had been filled so riders could stay in the saddle and pedal through.  This was the case for the first practice anyway. After this tiring riders opted to walk the short climb and jump back on at the top.  With 75% of the track complete we now dropped of the main walking path into the forest proper.  The natural track meandered through the trees with a large natural roller jump.

 Photo Courtesy: www.industryimage.com Warren McConnaughie

 

The trail then fell away between more trees and dipping down into the river eventually crossing the walking path and into a final tree section.  From here we followed the road through the castle car park we then skirted the grass lawns and back onto the path around the castle.  By this stage we could tell we had been working hard and this was just a practice.  I eased back to get my breath and a few riders joined me to look down the lawn towards the finish line jump through the Redbull arch.  As I got my breath one of the riders took off down the hill with me and the other close behind.  Over the jump and into the finish area.  A lap complete and time for more practice before the seeding heats in the afternoon.

The seeding run was a mass start in our categories.  As we lined up the elites took of first followed by the seniors which I was in.  I hadn't the best of starts as both feet were on the ground as Colin shouted go taking me by surprise.  By the first corner I had clawed my way back up to the top 20.  I had great ride the rest of the course with only a couple of small incidents picking off rider after rider I eventually finished 11th.  Saturday done and my face sore from smiling all day.  We returned to the event village to give the bikes a much needed wash and load up to get some sleep before race day.

Race Day
Sunday was a hive of activity from very early morning.  Riders setting up, international camera crews and security loading golf buggies with cameras and equipment which would record the race for a global audience.  Looking around it was almost surreal to be part of this and on my door step.  This is the type of event I normally see on TV from central Europe or further afield.  Mountain biking has come a long way and to see and be part of this event was amazing. This race wasn't just special for the riders.  Spectators both young and old could get up close with a former world champion and possible future world champions.  A format never seen before in the North of Ireland meant riders of all abilities could ride together to the entertainment of the crowds. People that may become inspired to pick up the sport and give it ago after seeing such a spectacle. 

The Sunday schedule was a quick practice followed by the category races and then the main event of the weekend the Foxhunt.  As time was limited we rode the lower section before taking the up lift.  Heavy rain over night had made conditions worse with a slick muddy surface.  Race day was going to be fun either in the saddle or out.  The crowds where noticeably bigger on the Sunday with spectators lining the course from top to bottom.

Category Races
We lined up on the start line in our categories in rows of 5 in the order we finished the heats,  I was in row three and picked a nice line off the heather onto the path.  It felt like we were gladiators getting ready to go into battle.  The bikes rocking back and forward as we pushed the pedals getting ready for the start.  The elites got under way and after a short pause Colin let out a yell "Gooo" for my category to start.  The first row go, quickly followed by the second row and then my row.  Just as the first row started two riders tangled and crashed.  I quickly passed them by as they bounced straight back up and onto the bikes.  A good start but only a couple of places gained.  As we dropped into the next section another crash had me passing riders.  I was aware of a few riders close behind but I was concentrating on my own lines.  At the first small climb I got a good line and passed a few more.  Shortly after this on a very fast section a rider in front crashed and as I was going past tangled with me and I went down.  Quickly back on but a number of riders had past.  On another section a rider again crashed but before I had time to go round two had crashed into me from behind.  I can only describe it as exciting carnage.  Although crashes were happening most of the riders laughed and joked as they got on with it.  A tough middle section had me tiring for the last river trail.  As I approached the roller I pedaled hard for a big jump.  I went big having landed this all day Saturday.  Big mistake as I landed hard my front wheel washed out.  I remember seeing two kids dive for cover as me and the bike bounced out of control. As I hit the ground I bounced back to my feet raising my hands and cheering to the crowd "Best twenty pounds I've ever spent"  I got a good laugh at that and jumped back on the bike to finish the race.  As I pedaled the next section I noticed the gears slipping.  A combination of a bent hanger from the crash, thick muck, grass and twigs caked into the cassette meant the gears weren't at their best.  We rode straight back to the tractors for the uplifts for the main event of the day.  Unbeknown to us most went back to wash the bikes so their gears would work again.

 Photo Courtesy: www.trailbadger.com

The Foxhunt 
After the carnage in the category races this was only going to get worse.  Riders started gathering back at the start area. Excitement and tension building the buzz of the helicopter chattered in the clear blue skies.  As the helicopter flew in over the castle it pitched up and circled above us. Cheers went up as riders waved for the cameras. Spectators, Friends and families shouting their good lucks for the riders. I glanced over to the highest point on McArts fort and could see Gee "The Fox" Atherton getting ready on the side of the cliff edge.  Marshals Ready,  Cameras Ready, Riders Set. The Hunter with his horn ready to start the race on Colin's say.  120 riders starting together trying to filter into one single track all at once.  Before the start you pick your line and have it worked out in your head.

Photo Courtesy: www.redbull.ie

The horn went with a few sharp blasts and it was go. As the race starts that line you picked goes straight out the window and you try aim for any space there is which there isn't much.  This isn't the type of race to make friends.  Every rider for himself, elbows, bar ends, knees and toes anything that you can use to get in front and stay in front.  It may be looked at as aggressive but in a competitive way and not a nasty way.  Inexperience on my behalf left me leaving the door open on too many occasions. I let riders take my line and push me onto a line I hadn't used before. I got swallowed up and into the back of the pack.  Two into one doesn't go and as the open mountain filtered into the single track that became apparent.  Riders collided causing a bottle neck.  Some tried to pass on the outside of the trail but crashed or got stuck in the longer grass.  Bikes and bodies toppled like dominoes. I spotted an opening and took it.  Across a bike and onto an open bit of track.  Riders on the left and right of me.  Elbows touching as we all struggled for grip. Pedaling hard into the first rise before the quarry trail the pace dropped and I had to jump off and run up the hill due to no traction.  As I jumped back on the bike I pedaled around the right hander.  I stuck my tongue out for the camera and got ready for the descent.

 Photo Courtesy: Uberdog Magazine

I came round the corner to another bottle neck.  The descent along the quarry trail was very slow, passing was at the risk of wheels getting stuck in the ruts.  Some managed it some fell into the gorse.  I passed bikes and bodies as riders scrambled to get back on the bikes.  No serious crashes just slippery conditions and different paced riders.  As the race opened out a bit we had a bit more space. Being so far back some of the riders spent most of the time on the brakes with feet on the ground.  It was hard to get into a good pace to use the bikes grip.  The slower I went due to slower riders the harder to find grip.  By the time I reached the flat quarry section there was a good gap to the next set of riders.  I used this section to try and get caught up a bit. I tried to change the gears and they start catching and skipping.  Nothing was going right at this stage so I just settled into my pedal strokes and eased my way back towards the river trail.  I had another crash through the trees with a rider stopping in front of me.  I went left but ended up bouncing of a tree.  As I reached the finish line the chain was slipping so bad I had to roll over the jump.

Foxhunt 2012 finished with a smile.  Well down the pack but one of the best weekends on a Mountain Bike I have ever had.

1st Greg Callaghan 2nd Gee Atherton 3rd Glyn O'Brien

Greg Callaghan - Redbull Foxhunt Winner 2012 Photo: M. Regan

Massive thanks to Colin Finley, Stephen Davidson, Ricky McKillen and all the others at Plush MTB club like the young marshals and helpers.  A special thanks to Belfast City Council for letting us host such an amazing event in the City.  Hopefully this event has showcased what we can host and the huge success it was.  Thanks also to the Redbull team, Eventsec security and Cavehill Primary school for the event village. 

Rick McKee Chairman of the Northern Ireland Mountain Biking Alliance said "The legacy of this event will be long-lasting, with some of the world’s leading action photographers recording the business of the weekend (from ground and air!), so this will go viral on the web and social media for many months to come.  Good for mountain biking, and good for North Belfast, which has a chance to really show its resources and its hospitality at this globally unique event."

Until next year, Keep er Lit!!!!!!!
Mickey

The Wall Duathlon

The Wall Duathlon 
13/10/2012
 
Sometimes I should listen to my body!!

Thursday I got recurring back pain that had me walking hunched like an old man.  Because it had eased a bit on friday I decided I would still give the race ago.  Saturday morning and the pain was still pretty bad but armed with deepheat and ibuprofen it was on.

The weather gods were on our side a beautiful day in the mournes clear blue skies and a perfect race temperature.  We arrived at silent valley reservoir for the registration and our dibber (electronic timing chip which we dib at checkpoints) The bike transition was at the side of the dam wall.  With the bikes racked we all walked down the steep slope to the foot of the dam.  With everyone stopping half way down Ian shouts "we dont do easy", promting us to move right to the bottom of the sloping green.  Ian give us the race briefing on the course and it was time to start.  A roar went up from everyone and we climbed the slope around Rowan.  Striking pains in my back I would see how the run faired before deciding if I will continue.

The run was a 3km clockwise lap of the nature trails on the far side of the reservoir.  I was running at a consistant pace and everything apart from the back felt good.  I got to transition and didnt think twice about grabbing the shoes, helmet, stuffing my trail shoes into my pack and dragging a leg over the bike.  Hunched on the bike I took off down hill to exit the silent valley park.  First up hill and out of the saddle felt a little better than in the saddle, so I just got  the head down and kept going.  The ibuprofen didnt seem to be doing much but the legs felt ok.  The head road was a series of rolling hills steep climbs and steep descents.  Stone walls spread through the countryside hemmed in the green fields in a patchwork like landscape.  The sun was in our faces and it was hard to see in places.  I had a few near misses with cars on blind corners.  the other issue was gravel on corners.  Twice I almost lost the front wheel tipping into corners.  I wasnt pedaling well at all slow on the ups and couldnt put enough power in to get going on the downs.  I was moving though and that was the main thing.  My mate Barry came storming past and joined a group in front.  I couldnt get onto any group and joined the newcastle road and pedaled this section on my own.

Turning into donard carpark I dibbed and racked the bike, kicked off the bike shoes and pulled on the trail shoes.  Drink of water and an ibuprofen to try do something for the pain.  The run followed the river path through donard forest and up onto glen river path.  The first section is through the trees on a very rough path.  Roots of trees rocks and stones littered the root. The shelter from the trees give a nice bit of cover to cool down a bit.  I was jogging slowly and walking the steeper sections.  As I got out of the forest I could see the route ahead lined with walkers and other competitors.  It was hard to gauge who was who and how far ahead some people where.  Although still in beautiful sunshine the temperature dropped the higher we climbed.  Plenty of encouragement from walkers saying it was a tough enough walk let alone run. The climb wasnt getting any easier as wee got onto the steep section below the saddle.  

I met a couple of DH bikers ready to blast down the trail.  Asked if I could borrow the bike for the way down one replied "if you carry it up".  I can barely get myself up!!  Just under the saddle I met the first place runner on his way down.  He was skipping down the stones like a mountain goat.  Shortly after that second and third place in at a similar pace.  I shouted to keep er lit and got myhead down determained to get to the top... Sometime today.  I got to the dibber on the steps crossing the wall and up the last climb.  This bit was tough as I could see more and more on the way down.  I kept going trying to stretch out my back but the pain was there regardless of what way I moved.  I kept thinking I could make up time on the descent so keep at it.  Finally at the top I dibbed and took a minute to get my breath, took a few pics and down I went.

I moved slightly to the right of the steps and onto the softer mountain for the descent.  Down was starting to feel worse than going up.  With every foot I planted a sharp pain was shooting up my back and down my legs.  I wasnt going as fast as I had hoped but still moving.  I dibbed at the saddle and back onto the stone steps.  No avoiding them this time and the pain increased. I just kept moving best I could.  As I reached the flatter section I tried to pick up the pace.  The pain wasnt any better but it wasnt any worse. I thought better going quicker to get down than being in the same pain going slow.  It was on reaching the river trail I took the first fall.  I stepped onto the rock and my foot shot out in front landing me on my arse.  

 I gathered myself and tried to be more careful jumping from rock to rock and hopping over the roots.  Then just when I was getting a good rythym I went again stepping off a rock to drop down to another my foot slipped and I landed right on the tail bone the exact spot the pain is worst.  It took my breath for a second but knowing I was nearly at the bottom I limped on.  It was now I thought about pulling the plug with the pain I was in. I didnt think I could pedal.  I ran to the transition telling myself if I could get the leg over the bike I would give it a go.  I took a bit of water and an ibuprofen had a laugh with Rowan.  Or I should say Rowan laughed at me.  Shoes changed and helmet on this was it could I get on the bike.

I got the leg over the bike, into the pedals and onto the road.  Pedaling was worse than running it felt like what ever was causing the pain was being rubbed together.  I kept going at a steady 15mph out through bryansford and the climbing began.  It would be a long climb from here to spelga dam.  I was keeping a steady 15mph even when climbing.  It was getting warm again on the bike with a very calm day,  only a very slight headwind.  The real climb started as I turned onto the slievenaman road.  I slowed to about 10mph but could see the flag at the fofanny dam check point.  At the check point I took a few cups of water and tried to eat a bit of cake but it was far too dry.  I got back onto the road and got into the steepest part of the climb.  With the legs feeling ok I got out of the saddle and tried to push to the top.  It was a struggle but the sight of spelga dam told me it was almost all down hill from here.  As the road flattened I took a large drink from the water bottle hoping the high 5 would give me a bit of a boost.  I looked down and could see the speed was 25mph on the flat.  I dont know how I was keeping this pace but even on the slight incline it only dropped to 20mph.  At the top of the descent I took a last drink and got the head down.  45MPH without peddaling and with a hydration pack on my back gives you an idea of the descent.  Normally this would be a time for relaxing and recovery but the pain I was in it was hard to hang onto the bike.  Every bump in the road was like a knife in my back.

I turned into silent valley park and met a few runners just heading out on the run.  I got to the transition and almost fell off the bike.  As I stretched out I took the decision to call it a day.  I could have struggled on around the run but didnt want to get half way round then need to be taken off the mountain.  I am dissapointed to have to stop before completing the route but surprised I got as far as I did. 

The route was stunning circling and summiting the mournes.  The weather was perfect the mournes where glowing a golden colour and the craic at the finish line was mighty.  I have never seen so many people looking so broken at the finish line.  Smiling and joking but broken and busted.  Just how you should look after a 26extreme event.


Great event once again by 26extreme, all the marshalls, the med team, sound function DJteam and everyone who helped.