Whinlatter MTBO 2010, a win at last

The penultimate round of this years British MTBO League was held in Whinlatter Forest, near Keswick, in the Lake District. The drive up the M6 past the Howgills and along the A66 to Keswick was stunning. Bright sunlight falling on autumnal colours, blue skies and spongy clouds hanging in the valleys.

I had not ridden at Whinlatter before, so I poured over an old MTBO course I had managed to get hold of the night before. From this I knew route-choice was going to be key, and had decided in advance to go for the longer routes round on main tracks/roads and generally avoid the single-tracks where possible keeping the speed up.

The slippery conditions immediately became apparent on the way to number one, the track snaking in and out of the trees from the start, testing confidence. I rode cleanly through the first few, taking the longer route-choices round and really gave the hills everything, knowing there was plenty of recovery time on the descents.

The long leg to number 10 brought the first big route-choice decision. I chose the straighter route with slightly more climb. I think, perhaps, although I was fairly quick, that the higher route via the trail centre car park may have been quicker. The climb at the end of the leg was punishing and I was all in at the top turning for number 11, another difficult route-choice. I, like most, took the bonkers steep, slippery, single-track up a rain-soaked gulley. It was a horrible 80 or 90 metre climb alternating the bike from shoulder to pushing to literally dragging it up behind me. Eventually a flight of steps led up the final few metres to the forest road above. Together with the climb up to the previous control, the climb totalled 260m and broke several riders for the rest of the course.

The route in and out of 13 was a sublime needle-covered single-track and very fast, bringing smiles to every one who flew down it.

Turning for home I had a near accident on the 'red route' singletrack from 14 to 15. My right hand slipped off the bar somehow and I careered forward, just managing to scrub off most of the speed before dunking myself in a huge puddle. Then came number 15, the control that has since caused controversy. I belted round the high berm and didn't see the track junction to the right. I took the next and punched the control on that track but the code was wrong. I carefully descended the track to the bottom and stood puzzled for a few seconds before realising I was just too far from the edge of the forest. Turning right I found the right track 70m or so further up, averting a miss-punch, but others were not so lucky.

So to download and told I was first, even if organiser Tony had thought I was over 40 and had stuck me in vets! Being a late starter, most people were in so no waiting around to see if anyone else would go quicker, I had finally won something this season :o) A very happy Stodge!!

Alan and I hung around to collect in controls and I spent a beautiful half hour climbing back up through golden forests of leaves for fantastic views over the Northern Fells, a great way to finish.

results available here http://www.bmbo.org.uk/images/event/a0aae642b6d559df9dd46ad21cc0d26c.html