Yet another top podium spot for the Rapidracers courtesy of win-machine Aidan Bishop at the NPS Downhill Rnd 4, Caersws. With all 5 Rapids in the top 15 of the Masters category this was also an excellent team result.

A full team turned up to this penultimate round of the 2006 NPS, with all 5 UK based riders competing in the Masters category (1/6 of the entire Maters field!). Despite a good turn out from the Rapidracers team, the overall turnout at this NPS was relatively low. Were so many riders on August holidays, or were people voting with their feet at the organisation of the 2006 NPS?

We were all a bit concerned as to what course we would be riding this weekend as we had been told this would be yet another ‘new’ track (Rugog II?). Thankfully it was a modified version of one of the old Caersws tracks, and a personal favourite of mine.

The uplifts were quick this weekend partly dueto the direct uplift route, but also the high rider/ tractor ratio. A lot of practise runs were possible. Starting at the very top of the hill, first up was a series of BMX style jumps, berms and doubles – something that I eventually mastered (honest)! Then into the woods for a bizarre ‘longer than it looked’ double and a series of rooty switchbacks.

The infamous nose-dive into the road crossing came next, followed by a meaty berm and a series of small undulations to be pumped. Then a drop back into the woods for some fast dusty action. Those who have raced at Caersws will know that the dry soil gets very dusty and wears away quickly exposing roots, rocks and some big holes and ruts. The dust also has a tendency to settle in the low spots giving the impression that your riding through a sand pit at times!

Dropping out of the woods at warp factor 8 (ok, it might have been 6?), hit the high-speed left-hand berm carrying speed for the step-up. Having hit the up-slope of this step-up before and landing on my head, I chose to take the right-hand chicken line, which didn’t lose that much time really – play it safe kids! The pointless rock garden had been removed which was good, then you launched a road gap into a berm, then more rutted steep dust fun came next.

Which line was best through the dusty shute? Any of them probably!!! Over the road then the dramatic drop into the field, hit the berm carrying 3g (4g for Gummy – the photo doesn’t lie!) and then the big dilemma: do the chicken run or 32ft double (why was everyone calling this a triple?). In previous years the chicken line was marginally slower, and only those with balls of steel did the triple. Not this year though! Quite reasonably the chicken line over the baby doubles had been taped with a bend on the grass that tightened like a banana on steroids, resulting in a 5 second time penalty for the egg laying, feathered types. So, the dilemma was simple: do the 32ft jump (same length as a double-decker bus) or lose 5 seconds! After the jump, pedal hard on the grass for one final jump into the finishing arena. A fun, technical, and demanding course.

To the racers… Aidan buoyed by his recent NPS 4X victory in deepest Cornwall qualified in top position on Saturday, no pressure then! Gleedo hadn’t ridden his DH rig since NPS Round 1, some 3 months previous and wasn’t sure if he could remember what to do in the saddle. He was even talking things down by saying the Crash Master may beat him this weekend, now that’s just being silly…….Thankfully for Stef, remembering how to ride a DH bike is just like, well, remembering to ride a bike! Stef qualified in 3rd so the normal service from him had been restored.

Gummy however wasn’t faring so well, still carrying a bad back injury from the European Masters Champs in Italy, and also trying to get used to his new Giant Glory with it’s 5” long top tube. Gummy took some painkillers washed down with Gummy Berry Juice and qualified in xth position (on the old faithful 222). Bromley, fresh from completing the Megavalanche with me in France qualified in 11th position, and I brought up the rear in a disappointing 17th (I did have the hot seat for a nano second though).

After a carbo session on Saturday night in the local Chinese restaurant, the Rapids dispersed to their beds, B&B, tent, van and car for a good night of sleep. A little shower in the night did little to dampen the dusty track in the woods. Aidan and Stef having qualified in the top 100 riders had the luxury of a lie-in as the rest of us had to make the top of the hill for 9:00am and practise.

To the race. A single timed race run is always a gamble as a single slip or mechanical can cost you a whole weekend of racing. With all our lines dialled, it was time to lay down some Rapid fury!

I was first down the track, and with the exception of a small mistake in the top section I had a smooth run. Personally, Bromley and I were dead chuffed to attempt and clear the 32ft triple in the field being the penguins on the team! My time of 2:38 and 15th place matched Bromley’s qualifying time, what could he do in the race? A clean(ish) run from Crash Master and 2 seconds to the good on me with a 2:36 and 12th place (I’ll get him soon…). Gummy, struggling with his back and (morning) Glory posted 2:32 taking 8th place. Good, but not up to his usual high standards. Stef then posted 2:30 and 7th place pipping Gummy at the post (despite crashing in the woods!) No podium place in the first four times, so it was down to 'The Bishop' to bring home the bacon!

Ex pro-elite Andrew Titley posted a superb time of 2:26 taking the hot seat, but the Bishop put in a sterling time of 2:20 blowing that out of the water and yet again taking the win! Cue mass team celebrations at the finishing line.

Back at the team pit area and no injuries to speak of, Gleed Jnr (Jessica) had been taught (correction: manipulated) by her elders to call me ‘Mr Loser’ – children can be so hurtful sometimes!? However, with a 1st place, and the Rapids occupying 1 rider in 3 in the top half of the Masters category – we were all winners this weekend!!!