Rain Protection

Pearce Cycles Round 1– Caersws

With our team big guns not racing the Midlands Series, it was down to me and Brommers to carry the can (or should that be flag?) at the first round of the Pearce Cycles Downhill Series - formerly known as the Midlands Super Series. This was again, another fully booked downhill race weekend with 370 riders booked in, the Masters field was equally strong with 43 riders in total. However, the Rapids finished in contention of honours again as I narrowly missed out on a podium, eventually settling for 5th. A pretty good result personally, and hopefully the turn in form I was looking for after a disappointing start to the season. Brommers, battling multiple injuries, old age and a lack of confidence (knowing that I can now beat him at will) to put in a solid result of 13th place (should I really be taking the mickey out of my team boss?).

Warm Ribena anyone?

The rain this weekend felt like the end to our British summer, but then again we were spoilt during April, oh and how we all thought it would be like that for most of the summer eh? Following on from the very dry conditions at Mountain Ash last weekend, the challenge of negotiating the steep, tight, rooty Caersws track in the wet required a bit of adjustment. Instead of pointing the bike at bone dry roots and knowing there would be handfuls of grip, more precision was required. However, the Michelin Comp 16s hooked up really well in the damp conditions and were probably the tire of choice for most of the weekend.

Dave Pearce was now running the Midlands Series, and his bespoke uplift trailers provided a swift service and minimal bike scratches (compared to other uplift services). Caersws is one of my favourite courses in the UK for many reasons, but the main one is the quality and variety of the tracks. A big credit must be given to landowner and farmer Ian who is constantly building new tracks on the hillside and cutting new lines. His enthusiasm for the sport should be recognised - and is in stark contrast to other land owners and track builders, take Coombe Sydenham for example!

Ben Greenland

Although there are about four race tracks at Caersws, the one used this time was the 'main' one, with some minor modifications here and there. The top section was the same BMX style berms, drops and doubles leading into the woods. Everyone seemed to be struggling on the second set of doubles, with most people clipping there rear wheel on the downslope. Then into the rooty woods - hit the double at speed otherwise you're hitting the upslope of the landing. Some off camber roots next, then a drop onto the fireroad. Pump the bike over some jumps, then the steep dive down into the woods for more roots. This section was new and cut next to the existing track, but pretty similar to the old one. Hit the fire road, nail the nice big open jump, then hit the step up gap jump at full tilt. Down into the lower section with some off camber roots to negotiate and drop into the grassy field.

This was a different finishing field than previous races and avoided the dreaded 30' double jump (much to mine and Brommers relief). The grassy finishing area provided much amusement with seemingly every other rider binning it on the wet grassy turns. A shame really when you could have nailed the whole course only to slide out mere metres from the finishing line. The Socom was very well suited to this technically track and was supreme in the rutted braking bump sections. I'm loving this bike more with each ride - despite the 'raw' finish!

After the first run I went into the lead with a solid time of 2:35, and I seemed to stay in the hotseat for an eternity. I knew the faster riders were on there way down though - however the course was progressively getting wetter - especially the finishing field. Brommers came across the line posting a time of 2:41. I eventually slipped down to 3rd with Colin Williams being the last rider left. Could I sneak a podium? Entering the finishing field his bike squirmed on the slippery corner and secretly I was hoping he would stack it. Unfortunately not. I had to settle for fourth after the first run.

Then the heavens opened! Brommers had a reasonable first run, and thought better of the mud and wet conditions and sacked off the second run knowing it was never giong to be faster. He enetually dropped to 13th. Being a real man, I slapped on some mud spikes and went up for my second run. Despite the wet conditions, the track still offered plenty of grip, and I went just 2 seconds slower in my second run. I did however drop a place and finished up being pushed down to 5th in the end, I'm still happy though.

Another good showing for the team at a regional race, and an excellent weekend of downhill racing despite the conditions. Well done to Marc Beaumont for his win at Vigo and to Gee Atherton who won the 4X - there were loads of Brits in the top 30, British Downhill rules!

Pictures courtesy of: Well me....