Sleepless in the Saddle 2006

 

Sleepless in the Saddle
Catton Park, August 12-13 2006
Report & Images Joolze Dymond

 

Results Link - Results by Singletrackworld Magazine >>>>

 

What a great sight - smiles all-round!

 

A Tale of Two Races?

 

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness? it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair?."

I wonder if Mr. Dickens knew that his words would ring so true a hundred or so years later, to sum up the season finale of the 24hr racing scene in the UK. Sleepless In The Saddle is regarded by many as the chilled out relaxed event that you see your season out with; a long relaxing ride with friends, a BBQ, some beer and wine as you cheered on those out on their laps. This year's event took place on the weekend and the outlook was good, 8 miles of dusty trails, carefully designed to test and invigorate all that rode. Situated at Catton Park, the event organized by Pat Adams and supported by Kona/Paligap, is now in its 7th year and, as with all Pat's events, continues to grow and evolve. This year was no different with a 40% increase in the numbers entered plus a record number of soloists hoping to challenge themselves as well as their rivals.

At 2.00 pm Saturday the start line was buzzing with those chosen to do the first section, the dreaded 1/2 mile run. Competitors leave their bike in the arena dash off round a loop before coming back in and remembering, amongst all the chaos exactly where they left their steed before heading off to start the first of many laps. A sea of brightly coloured lycra that would soon wash away into the surrounding course surged forward as the start gun was fired.

It wasn't the warmest of days, but when the racing got under way many were glad that the searing heat of the past weeks had been replaced with a more soothing cooling wind. The skies were grey but at least it wasn't raining. Well, not yet! The course proved popular despite the clouds of dust and many riders were rewarded with fast riding, whooping it through the singletrack tackling all obstacles with a cheery smile.

That Le Mans start - scary to watch, but great fun!

George Budd and James Lister were soon setting the pace for the men's solo. This was a rematch from SSMM just a few weeks ago, with all the main contenders back at SITS. Close behind the leading two were Paul Murrin, Matt Page and team mate James Leavesley, all kicking out fast, consistent laps. In the women's solo, Kate Potter, just returned from her exploits in the Trans Alps, where she finished in a creditable 2nd spot with team mate Jenn O'Connor, was the dominant force, her steely determination masked by her happy, smiley persona. Closest rival Jenn Hopkins, looking a bit battle weary after successfully taking the solo crown at SSMM, forged through on her customary singlespeed.

All was looking cosy and fast for all the categories as the day drew to an end. As night settled in leaving an eerie orange glow of the distant city of Birmingham, riders turned on their lights and faced a whole new course as darkness transformed familiar sights into to a strange and wonderful landscape.

Exposure lights, light supporter of the event had put up a worthy prize for anyone who did the fastest night lap, the chance to win a top of the range light set and be named King or Queen of the night. Competition for this was fierce, with tactics playing a huge part as riders did 2 or more laps back to back to get the 'flying' start they needed and with it the extra seconds that would make all the difference. Dave Collins, Scott UK team rider (but taking a back seat at this event, riding for a team of friends) soon took up the challenge, recording a staggering 28min32sec lap. This left rival Richie Mardle - Saddleback, breathless and beaten with him recording just over 30mins. Meanwhile Abi Greenaway, at last getting the form she deserved, rode a blinding lap taking the title of queen of the night with 39mins 12secs.

Night brings its own special atmosphere to the event

Not long after these sterling efforts, the clouds opened and the course was soon awash. The dusty trails of the daylight hours now transformed into soul-destroying (and in some cases bike destroying) gloop. Fast lap times were now replaced with a war of attrition and laps closer to 90 mins were being recorded as the riders bravely fought their way through the night.

As the night dragged on the weather carried on with it's cold and wet. The course at times looked deserted as more than one team and a few solo riders decided to sit the worse out and see how events turned out in the morning. Many were forced to run/walk as the mud clogged tyres and in some cases ripped the rear mechs off the bikes. Still they carried on. As dawn broke the rain seemed to stop and the course began to dry, making it more rideable and a bit more fun. By now solo race leader George Budd had reluctantly called it a day, through injury, which left a persistent James Lister to take the lead.

By the end of the race the rain had returned, but by now categories had all but been decided. A last charge by the RAF man Simon Harrison, brought him home just seconds before the final bell allowing his team mate to go off for another lap, pushing them up to 28th in the men's sport category. The Woo-Ha Rammit Ecosse posse had already claimed the top spot though with a massive 35 laps. Just 7 minutes separated the next 3 spots with the Army taking second with 33 laps and only 3mins to spare over Glencroft Rabble in 3rd, whilst a mere 4 mins behind were Mountain Trax Top Bananas.

Ema Bradley lead her team of MBR Ladies to victory in the Sport women section, with them recording a worthy 26 laps, two ahead of rivals Pink Heiffers with Stripey Badgers taking 3rd with 23laps. Kona sponsored teams dominated the elite categories, with Kona UK taking top spot with 37 laps and Torq Kona a close second with 36laps,. FreerideSpain.com took 3rd in the men's event, with Torq/Kona taking the women's event.

The mixed event was a close run contest with the lead changing constantly throughout the night. Eventually Saddleback took the honours, despite the stiff challenge from 7Stanes, just 9 mins adrift. The Gateway Racing team took 3rd. Despite the appearance of no.1 DH'er Tracy Moseley doing her bit for the Paligap team, they were much more interested in the chilling part of the race to be in any contention.

Rod Towart and Brian Harrison took the honours in the men's pairs with 28 laps between them. A lap behind were Rich Holmes and Rik Thompson, whilst Wayne Geldard and Martin Lunn put in a huge effort to grab 3rd.

 

Sartorial contrasts were on show (it was the glorious 12th we suspect which inspired the right hand outfit)

The mixed pairs were conquered by brother and sister duo Pip and Henry Lansdown, both equally matched taking a convincing win with 28 laps, whilst 4 laps behind wee Dennis Jaques and Shelia Pearce. Husband and wife team of Jon and Claire Saddler took 3rd.

The women's pairs was won by seasoned riders Liz Slater and Pat Hercberg, who delighted with another win, are seriously thinking of retiring after one of the hardest races they've done. Kate Chappell and Jennifer Cady took 2nd while Sharon Smith and Samantha Frisby took 3rd.

Meanwhile in the solo race, the atrocious conditions had wrought chaos. James Lister took his continuous lead to the line to claim first just a lap ahead of Paul Murrin. Ian Barrington rode like a man possessed on the closing laps, with a real chance of a podium position now increasing. As he picked off his rivals one by one he triumphantly crossed the line in a well earned 3rd spot.

Kate Potter took the win in the women's solo, her 3rd year in a row, looking as strong as ever, with Jenn Hopkins finishing a creditable 2nd. A delighted Lorraine Staley achieved her ambition of getting a podium position after only 2 attempts taking a well earned 3rd. Special mention also has to go to single mum and 24hr solo novice, Anne Dickins who finished with a flourish and a smile in 6th spot, just proving if you have the determination anything is possible.

There's a bit of the Crop-Circle about this one!

So despite the weather the spirit of the event endured and everyone who took part agreed what a brilliant event that Pat and his hard working team had once more provided. Now the mud has been washed away and the repairs made and the muscles not so sore, people are already thinking of next year and what the enduro calendar will bring.

Don't forget that if you have the enduro bug the guys at Thetford MTB are hosting the popular Dusk til Dawn 21-22nd October.

With many thanks to Charles Dickens for providing the quotes, I feel we must use one more to sum up event: "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to, than I have ever known."

Riders Comments:

Jenn Hopkins:
I'm pleased with my ride and result. I was tired and struggling to focus before even starting and the conditions knocked the 200 mile target on the head, which is frustrating but you can't do anything about the weather except have good showers and a nice strong jet wash, which we did. Got plenty of nice fast laps in before it started to rain but had to stop and have a couple of cups of tea in the early hours before I could get warm and going again, which is unusual for me. Coming past changeover and seeing only two riders waiting brought home how tough conditions were - when you're soloing you just stick your head down and get on with it and don't always realize how hard it's become. Lovely atmosphere amongst the riders who stuck it out, though - much laughter in the solo tent and out on course, particularly from the two guys who stopped to help after I'd crashed and got stuck upside down in the nettles...

Ian Barrington:
A lot can happen in 24 hours, especially when you're racing solo. I crossed the line to earn 3rd place and the magic handshake from Pat. I said to Pat "that was the hardest thing I've ever done". He smiled and asked me "But you enjoyed it?" "Oh yes!" I replied.

Mark Holt:
This is my 8th or 9th solo 24hr event. This one was tough but with the usual great atmosphere, some fantastic sport from the marshals, and the organizers have been great as per usual. Just a fantastic event.

Kate Potter:
It got better as the race went on. For the first 6 hours I felt a bit poorly, I really wasn't sure if I was going to make it through the night. Then all of a sudden, as it started raining I felt more and more alert, it was really strange. Usually it's the other way round, when I've done 24hr races before I usually get weaker towards the end, but this one was different. Yeah I'm quite pleased especially to finish feeling a lot fresher than I normally do, usually I feel a bit dizzy and spaced out, but I feel okay at the moment. Going from the hard tail to the full suss as well as changing to solids, as the liquid feeds weren't working made a huge difference.
I really enjoyed it, it's a shame about the rain as that really changed things but the first 12 hours were fantastic, it was really tough but there were enough interesting sections out there to keep you alert and I thought it flowed really nicely. For a soloist I thought the course was perfect.

Lorraine Staley:
It was extremely hard, mentally demanding, it was cold it was like riding in plasticine, and I never wanted to go near another 24hr event again whilst I was doing it. But now I've finished, I've got what I wanted and I'll probably do another one.

Zak Toogood -Kona UK:
It was really fast and quick paced to start with when it was bone dry. Then when it rained it got really really greasy really slippy and it was hard work from there on.

Anne Dickins:
This is my first 24hr solo and my 3rd ever mountain bike race. I've got 2 kids and I get out on my bike a couple of hours a week, so if I can do it, anyone can! I loved it, it was brilliant, the encouragement from everyone was excellent the atmosphere was second to none. Without a shadow of a doubt I'd do another one.

Richie Mardle - Saddleback Racing:
Awesome race. Nice and dry to start with, then a crap load of mud and then it got real quick all of a sudden. We all dug in and gave it all we got and we won. Yeah!

Mark Alker - Singletrack:
I've been riding for 24hrs solid, not. I did 5 laps yesterday and they were fantastic, the last lap I've just done was harder than all 5 rolled into one and probably took me a bit longer too. I rode about 2 miles, pushed the rest, spent an inordinate amount of time pulling mud off the bike so the wheels would turn, then it rained, then the batteries on my ipod gave up and then I punctured.
So all in all it was great fun. No really it has been a lot of fun in a horribly nasty masochistic way. You gotta laugh haven't you.

Dave Collins - King of the Night.
It was okay for 8 hours then it was horrendous. Nice to have a pleasant ride riding for a beer and BBQ team, no pressure. We just ambled round having fun. We had a go for the competition of course seemed a shame not to.

Elite women:
Gruesome, awful, terrible but we won. Somebody had to do it.

Abi Greenaway - Queen of the Night:
I was really pleased - it was my aim of the whole race to try and win the Queen of the night. I went out before it got really muddy. Despite the mud it was still fun though.

James Lister:
It was a really good race when it started, really dry and fast and then it chucked it down with rain and then it was really, really hard work. Especially for the soloists, going lap, after lap after lap. Really pleased - it hasn't really sunk in yet.

Pairs Women:
It was abysmal; it was a bit hard going. It's gotta be one of the hardest ones we've done. It was so hard every yard or so you had to stop to clear the bike of mud just to get the wheels round. Glad it's over and pleased to have won.

Pairs Men:
Yes and No whether it was a good race really. Yes, to have the honour of getting the top spot on the podium, but no, we didn't enjoy the wet weather. The rewards are justified. Last year we came 3rd and my partner retired but he came out of retirement the very next day and here we are.

Mixed Pairs:
We won it! It was really hard but really good fun. It's the first time we've raced together. It's hard riding as pairs. As soon as the rain came it was hammer time, it was so hard staying on the bike and getting round the course but we did it. We'll be back, bring it on!

Sport Women:
Excellent race. We've had ups, we've had downs, we've had mechanicals, we've had lots of thick slimy mud. In the end just getting round in one piece was no mean feat, but the team was excellent we did well. Makes up for our 4th at SSMM.

Jon Smith:
I walked up the climbs, I walked down the descents, I went backwards on the flat ?. It was the only way I could get any traction?.