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My First Beastway by Simon J

Ouch!!! my first race was a close fought battle between myself Elliot and Neil.

Having only just got my hands on a second hand mountain bike on the Sunday, I was ready to go. The only problem was that my Hydraulic disc brakes seemed to have bled to death. Not to worry cos Shaun Haribo came to the rescue and did a quick repair job that night so I would be set to race. I picked up my new machine, still foaming at the mouth with anticipation and thought maybe I would take it for a test spin up in Shirley . Neil and I did and we met up with a couple of psycho down hillers. These guys thought they would show us every crazy path on gravel pit hill How we survived I don't know anyway the bike made it home but again it was bleeding  all pressure was gone so no race for me. Neil suggested borrowing a bike from one of his neighbours (RACE BACK ON!)

I arrived at the circuit with no bike just a helmet and some mitts. luckily Mr Neil found his way after getting a bit lost. We entered the Sports category and parted with our crumpled up tenners which was pretty much all the money I had. Marco spotted us and shouted "alright Lads put these on" he handed us these what I can only describe as yellow condoms with sleeves apparently they were the kit of the 80's but it looked more 70's to me. Never mind We got a few strange looks which just made me want to try even harder.

I remember the start thinking wait for me! and then getting off the tarmac and on to the gravel and thinking sh1t this is intense. I tried to stay in position and over took a few people my goal was to finish the race. That was until two ladies flew past me at about 100MPH ok slight exaggeration, but my new goal was to keep up with them. Not cos I didn't want to be beaten by girls I just felt I needed a carrot dangled in front of me oh boy what a carrot!! after staring too much I must have gone blind cos they faded into the distance. A bit later Sylvain flew past lapped already damn! it was not long after this I noticed my hands were in pain from the bashing and bouncing and I realised that I wasn't wearing my Mitts (dosy F**k) must have been all the excitement. Still I wearn't giving in I was going to finish this race. There was a fairly steep incline at the halfway stage which I made sure I powered up everytime it was quite funny cos Monty was stood at the top of it so I kind of felt the extra effort was required. There was a great little jump just after it which I jumped just for shear pleasure of it I was trying to impress President Joyce I think) anyway I struggled quite badly on the last lap, and I could feel Elliot and Neil breathing down my neck so I tried to push it a bit harder so they wouldn't catch me and also I was trying to catch the little guy that had over taken me only seconds earlier. I made it to the line and then collapsed on the tarmac. I felt pretty damn good too, if you ignore the wretching sick feeling in my stomach JOB DONE!

Simon J

Haribo, Joe, Jon and Neil all raced as well

There was lots of singletrack and around 150 other competitors all enjoying the evening

Don't ask...