Marin Dusk till Dawn

Thetford Forest

21-22 October 2006

Images & Report: Joolze Dymond

Results - Visit Timelaps' Website >>>>

12 hours of darkness. 12 hours of near silence. Just you, the whirl of your tyres over the soft ground, the click of gears, the squeal of brakes, shadows dancing, the beam from your lights changing the landscape for each and every lap, hard breathing, tired legs, no respite. The occasional burst of light and noise as you enter the arena before once more entering your own private race. All the joys and the challenge of enduro racing with the added twist of all being done in complete darkness. Just you and a faithful set of lights to guide you home, through the twists and turns, through the eerie landscape of Thetford forest.

The start-finish was buzzing as the riders got underway

D2D now in it's 5th year, continues to attract a strong following year on year. This year was no exception despite the later date, many thinking it would be too cold and /or too wet; in fact a record number of entries were received from those eager to pit themselves against one of the hardest enduros all season. Thetford, provides an intriguing mix of fast swooping singletrack, banked berms to speed you on your way, whilst whooping with delight as you carve your way through the tall imposing trees, before bursting out for short stretches onto fire road before being flung once more into a rollercoaster ride, of ridges, stumps, corners and roots, all navigated in total darkness.

Forest settings are probably more photogenic by night

Despite laying claim to being below sea level in some spots, Thetford is anything but easy, especially at 3 in the morning as you once more negotiate Plum Buster climb. In total each lap held 9.2 miles of sweat inducing, muscle cramping, butt numbing mountain bike fun, which was tackled by 128 solo riders; 14 of which were women, 57 pairs, 97 teams of 3 or 4 people and 1 tandem.

The most laps completed were by Whyte racing, comprising of Luke Smith, Steve Heading, James Taylor & Billy Whenman, who completed a massive 20 laps, or 184 miles between them to take the win in the men's team section. Fat Birds (Paul Ashby, Nigel Scott, Ben Loaker & Kim Marsh) weren't far behind in 2nd conceding just 1 lap, whilst a further lap behind was Beyond Enduro 2006 team of Phil Buick, Nick Owen, Nick Evens & Gerald Tudor.

Whilst 20 laps was impressive for the 4 man team, even more impressive was Andrew Westwell, who took the solo men's title after covering a staggering 16 laps (147miles). His win didn't come easy as there were plenty of challengers, including Sleepless in the Saddle & 24/12 solo winner James Lister, still in his first full year of enduro racing, keen to make his mark, as well as seasoned racers Adrian Scott & Matt Carter, to name but a few.

Some entered into the spirit of the underworld, others just had a battle on fending off tiredness

Lister was certainly the man to beat as he set a blistering pace early on, leading the race all the way until the early hours of the morning when the long season and his fast start caught up and he paid the price, calling it a day with 11 fast and creditable laps to his name. This left Westwell to take up the gauntlet eagerly chased by Adrian Scott, Rory Hitchens, Anthony Salmon & Matt Carter. Westwell held of the challenge the only solo man to complete 16 laps whilst 8 riders followed with 15 laps each. 2nd spot went to Adrian Scott, with Hitchens just holding off a late charge by Salmon, who in turn just held off Carter to pick up 4th.

In the ladies solo event, it was the ever smiling Jenn Hopkins, who had her heart set on the win, to add to her many enduro crowns picked up this year. She did so in her own true style, riding her customary singlespeed, with no suspension front or rear. Her consistent approach led her to clock up 15 laps, enough to place her 3rd in the men's event and 2 clear laps over rival Meggie Bichard. 5 ladies recorded 13 laps, including Bichard who took 2nd just ahead of solo novice Wendy Cashmore who took a fine 3rd spot in her first solo attempt.

There were happy (manic?) riders everywhere

As much of the country was subjected to torrential rain, the weather gods at Thetford kept the worst away, probably the result of asking the local TV weather presenter to hand over the prizes. As the event progressed the unusually warm & dry evening, gave way to a slight chill, but nothing that people were expecting for an event in October. And still they lined up at the handover section cheering on the soloists and waiting for team mates to come in to hand over the baton, before they themselves headed out. Many took advantage of the brilliant service provided by the guys at Lumicycle, who not only charged up batteries, but also did on the fly repairs for many riders, enabling them to finish the race with some light.

Things at times got a bit dangerous as all sorts of home made devices were brought in to be charged, with at least one deciding to burst into flames! Whilst Lumicycle serviced the lights, Tutti Bicci provided mechanical assistance, as did event sponsors Marin, Torq provided some energy, with vats of free Torq energy drinks freely available as well as samples of all their tasty bars. Everything geared to make the riders life that little bit easier.

Team Sagem, consisting of Paul Davies and probably the grand daddy of enduro riding Patrick Schalbetter, took prime position on the podium in the men's pairs with 17 laps between them. Schalbetter a consistent competitor for many years was overjoyed to at last take a win and promptly announced his retirement, leaving at the top. He'll be sorely missed. Meanwhile just under 10 mins later, the Army duo of Matthew Wex & James Cooper, narrowly squeezed into second spot with just 4secs to spare between them and 3rd placed Cakes R Us team of Philip Peacock & James Carpenter. The amusingly named Saturday Night Beaver team of Donna Clarke & Kirsty Wright picked up the women's pairs prize.

Ghostly forms drift through the woodland

Whilst a gentlemanly George Budd who was spotted in the early hours of the morning talking his team mate Ruth Owen Evans into another lap, took top honours in the mixed pairs, with Climb on Bikes team, consisting of Sara Randell & Paul Davis, wishing they hadn't consumed so much beer the night before, celebrated with a glass of champagne they claimed 2nd. With Team Platinum, James Hampshire & Nadine Spearing taking 3rd.

Racing in their new team strip for 2007, the newly formed, Salsa Racing women's team, were obviously inspired and took the win with 13 laps. Main rivals, The Flumpettes, were at a disadvantage when a bizarre accident involving the team leader and a glow stick, left them one man down, undeterred they carried on taking a creditable 2nd spot.

The mystery of the team with no name that won the mixed team event was soon cleared up at the finish were we found out that in fact they were supposed to be riding as pairs, but with a team member letting them down at the last minute, the team should have been called "Johnny Cash Made Us Do It" but had no time to change it. They went on to record 18 laps and pick up first spot against hardened enduro riders Extreme Endurance, who picked up second a clear lap ahead of Fig Rolls Racing.

Meanwhile the only tandem to bravely compete, around the tight bends, nasty logs and rooty sections finished with 4 laps to their names.
And so another Dusk Till Dawn was over, a resounding success thanks to all the hard work put in by Paul & Frank and many others.

Although there was no dusk and dawn didn't arrive till the race had finished, it was once more a cracking race. A real friendly enduro that some call a race but for many it's a time to socialise and meet up with friends, whilst doing something, just that little bit different. What a way to spend a Saturday night. Roll on next year, I can't wait, it'll be even more fun. Dusk with some definite Dawn next year - October 6th/7th 2007.

Rides Comments:

Jenn Hopkins - Solo Women's winner
It was lovely, kind of bizarre but a lovely course. It was liked being dropped into a tumble drier, not knowing which ways up and which ways down and going round and round and round?. And it all didn't go to plan, my lights stopped working and I didn't get enough food down and my ipod stopped working. I'm battered.

Beyond Specialized - Mixed pairs
I'd like to thank Ruth with putting up with having to ride an extra lap she wasn't expecting too. Brilliant race a really good course, its gotta be the best enduro course all year.

Andrew Westwell - Solo Men's winner
Very pleased with the win. I've done loads of 24hr solos before but never 12 hours. I never knew that a flat county like Norfolk could provide such a hard but enjoyable course. Being from Lancashire it's just hill, after hill, but this is just so flat but so much harder.

Wendy Cashmore - Solo
I wouldn't do it again! It was good. The course was ace and because it was really warm and the weather was really dry it was a really good race. But it was hard work, but worth it. I knew it was going to be hard, I expected my legs to hurt, but it's not it's your shoulders and your arms and everything else, except your legs.

Team Sagem - Men's pairs
It was good and after so many years of biking, actually winning something, is perfect really. I'm always up there but until today I've never won anything.
Brilliant end to the year.

Whyte Racing UK - Men's team
We got a good start and a few of us got away pretty quick. There were 3 of us away from the start and we were pretty close behind Fat birds team who were leading for the first 3 or 4 laps. Then we managed to get a little gap of about a minute, minute and a half on our 4th lap and from there gradually built it up. In the end we had a lead of about 10 mins. Didn't have any real problems through the night. One of our guys had a crash but nothing to bad. Quite a few people were clipping trees out there. Brilliant course, one of the best courses I've ridden, love it to bits.

Team with no name AKA "Johnny Cash Made Us Do It"- Mixed team
We haven't got a team name as we were actually two pairs until Wednesday of this week, when my riding partner, got back from Fiji Friday morning not realizing D2D was the next day. We had a bit of a last minute rethink and the email with the team name didn't get through.
Enjoyable racing as a team rather a pair really. We had a great race; the course was excellent, very enjoyable.
It's been a great end to a great year. We've had fun all year round, we've ridden the Trans Rockies this year too, and so this was just the icing on the cake, a fun end to a fun year.

Salsa Racing - Women's team
Another brilliant event here at Thetford. Really pleased that I'm racing with my daughter for the first time, so that's brilliant. We were really motivated by our excellent new team sponsors, Salsa bikes & Whyte Forks. Massive thanks to Paul (Hore) as always, such great organization. The course was absolutely brilliant. A wonderful event.

Archer RC - Tandem
12 hours round Thetford on a tandem, didn't involve adult discussion as we promised. We had a couple of little "exciting" moments. On the whole it was good fun, a nice course. And it was great getting lots of encouragement from other riders.
It was quite a tandem friendly course. Great event, so friendly.