Racing 795

Round 1 of the 2010 NPS was hosted by IMBRC at Slade Valley on 11th April. David C, Rudolf and Jim made the trip on what turned out to be the sunniest day of the year so far. Everything fell into place beautifully for the organisers on the day. The course was almost completely dry and the racers came in their hundreds. There were 80 riders in the masters race, probably the biggest ever entry in any one category. Superb performance again by Rudolf who finished in 12th. DavidC and Jim put in solid performances in Masters and Vets respectively.

Below is a video of the race lap by elite race winner Robin Seymour. He makes it look easy but just look at the guys he’s passing to get a sense of what it was like for mere humans.

Round 1 Results

NPS 2 took place on 25th April. Rudolf was the sole 795 representative to make the long journey to Killarney. By all accounts this was a really tough one with many racers just happy to finish. Rudolf did himself proud again with a very respectable 18th place. More NPS points on the board for the Dutch Destroyer.

Round 2 Results

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Team Racing795 before The Battle of the Schlomp.

Bellurgan Park, just off the M1 north of Dundalk, was the location for Round 2 of the 2010 Leinster XC League. It was a fine day with plenty of sunshine and a chilly breeze.

The course wound its way through a deciduous forest. Comprised of almost 100% singletrack, the race route was excellent, challenging and really well laid out. Unfortunately though, heavy rain during the week leading up to the race meant that some sections were extremely muddy. It was tough going, with no alternative at times but to jump off and push.

It was a day of mixed fortunes in the mud for the Racing795 team. Rudolf managed an excellent 5th in Masters, while David F didn’t finish due to broken chain. Ross was an impressive 16th in masters in his first senior category race, with David C following in 30th. Jim came 8th in Vets.

Thanks to Joy, Paddy, Niall and Isobel for the support, it’s always great to see friendly faces and hear encouraging words when you’re out there alone with your demons!

Many lessons were learned in the mud of Bellurgan Park. Roll on the NPS starting next Sunday in Slade Valley!

Photos

Results

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XC Racing, Ballyhoura (Photo: Shane Lavelle)

Racing795 went XC racing in Round 2 of the XC Developmental Race Series which was held in Ballyhoura, Co Cork today.

Paddy Furlong was the star of the show with another podium finish. He rode a strong race on a demanding junior course and came home 2nd in the U12 race.

In the seniors, Ross Moorhead had a very impressive debut coming 15th of 46 in a pretty full-on, fast race. The Conway-Furlong rivalry was rekindled for 2010, with David F coming out on top by just 4 seconds after a tactical battle royale. David F and David C finished 23rd and 25th respectively. Jim sprinted home for 38th.

The course was ideal for beginners, smooth and flowing, which of course made it super fast for more experienced riders. As a result this was one of the fastest XC races any of us have ridden. The numerous sprint finishes right down through the field were dramatic to say the least. Bring on the summer of fun!

Results

Photos

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K Capital Challenge Rd 2, Carrick Mountain, Glenealy, Co Wicklow

23rd August 2009

And so, after much forecast watching, debating over which bike, what tyre pressure, hydration strategies, fig roll bars or gels – our two mountain biking representatives, David Conway and David Furlong headed for Carrick Mountain on a dreary but better-than-forecast Sunday morning for the K Capital Challenge Rd 2 on Carrick Mountain.

DF had missed Rd 1 at Kilruddery whilst sunning himself in Portugal and was looking forward to getting some mtb action in after a recent spate of triathlons. DC was primed after the 3+hr slog that was Kilruddery and Rd 1.

There was no debate this time as to which race to go for: 30km or bust! Conditions were expected to be tough given the overnight deluge, but thankfully conditions at the start weren’t too bad. With a mass start of 128 it was time for elbows out and drive on. A relatively gentle fire road start for a couple of km’s, then some nice down hill led to a very nasty climb to the top of Carrick. So nasty in fact that most people had to hike their bike up.

And so the fun began. Mud inches deep, puddles like small lakes, fast rocky, loose descents, rooty slidery off-camber singletrack, lung bursting climbs. This course had it all. Even a Eucalyptus plantation in the middle of it all. As DC put it ‘like cycling through a Strepsil’. Or an African rainforest. Or both. In any case it was truly bizarre.

So what of our two protagonists? Well there was no seperating them for about 21 km (despite a spectacular off by DC), when DC stole a march (predictably!) through some nasty, twist, turny singletrack. DF fell behind after an off of his own and then had to stop to do a maintenance job on his by-now mud clogged rear derailleur. Unperturbed, and full of energy from the fig roll bars, he pushed on in the knowledge that there was bound to be a stiff climb ahead where he could start reeling his foe in. This was not to be however, as before we knew it we were at the finish line, the race having been weather-shortened to 24km. Nobody was complaining!

DC was in at 2:21:48 with DF two places behind at 2:24:23, for 72nd and 74th place overall, and 42nd/44th in Masters, very satisfying results in what is an ultra-competitive category.

And the best news: DC scored 28 Clubman points! An amazing metamorphosis from the duck-egg that was Kilruddery…As for DF, he had to settle for a measly 6 points. But who’s complaining, a great days sport was had in the Mud of Carrick.

D Furlong.

Results

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Kilruddery was the by now familiar venue for round 1 of this year’s K Capital Challenge. A new format this year featuring a mass start and a long loop – very long at about 15K!

It was one lap for Beginners/Sports and 2 for everyone else. I entered Masters thinking I would retire after lap 1 if it proved too long/difficult. The mass start was impressive as about 180 riders all started together amid much cheering. Check out the video.

Following torrential rain in the preceding days, weather conditions on the day turned out to be good, if a little windy. The rain had taken its toll on what would ordinarily have been an excellent course. There were some very sticky muddy sections resulting in wheels and gears becoming heavily clogged up, so much so that I had to stop at least twice to scrape mud off. I didn’t mind too much. In fact once I accepted the mud, it was fun sliding and drifting down the sloppy bits! Also, there plenty of dry, fast sections to make up for it.

The muddy sections were mostly under tree cover but the course was quite varied, incorporating upland, farmland and woodland. Plenty of climbs too – the highlight being a snaking, switchbacking ascent up the slopes of the little Sugarloaf.

I was fairly knackered after the first lap but by now I was having fun and determined to finish. WORC, the organisers, had set up a feed station at the start/finish so I actually stopped for lunch halfway through. Thanks to whoever gave me an energy bar and a drink.

Refreshed, I set off for lap 2. It was a slog. A war of attrition if you will but I finally got around lap 2, even passing a few on the way, and winning a mini duel at the finish with some guy in orange gear. It took me 3:13, but I was delighted to finish, and far from last for a change.

Despite my efforts, I scored no Racing 795 Club Man of the Year points. None. Not a single one.

Results

David Conway

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