Kenda Midlands series round 2 - Cannock Chase

BigRing tells us how round 2 went on return to this old favourite Midlands venue.
The warm up lap left me and Smiffy a little bit disappointed ,me especially having ridden at Cannock Chase before (MoreEarsThanGears) and knowing the endless amounts of singletrack that's available here, still a race was to be fought out and we were the fighters to be doing it ......
.......but Smiffy looked decidedly uninterested and I was just happy it wasn't raining .

The start line showed quite a surprisingly large field for the senior race, but then again it did have at least two cats' starting together. The Masters which is normally the largest race was the smallest I've raced in this season and the Vets was even smaller still.

From the gun (whistle) we crossed a undulating farmers field before turning on to the first bit of fire road which gradually crept upwards stringing the racers out along its entire length.
I took up my normal starting position towards the rear where I could see Smiffy somewhere near the front, after a bit of up and down on fire road the first descent came, very fast . Loose stone and rocks easily hitting 30mph before slamming the brakes on hard for a technical right hander. Another descent on singletrack flicked you out on to some more fire road after a short but steep climb the road went up and down for about half a mile flying along at well over 30 mph once again.

Turning left onto the first serious climb of the day which dragged up and then vicously kicked up to the right at the end, a short piece of doubletrack followed, leading to Smiffy's favourite piece of the course ,a very steep soft technical descent through some trees.

Smiffy said the pine needles didn't taste very nice ..both times he tried them,
me well; brakes off and hit it hard.
Another climb which I managed to big ring all four laps, led you to the fastest descent of the race starting off rutted and firm changing to loose stone the shooting you out through the trees onto fire road at the end. Then it took us into the trees for some singletrack that was difficult because of the soft conditions under tyre, but this bit of trail did hold some nice surprises if you decided too try them.

Some nice little jumps had you getting some air time with enough space to throw in some stylee . and then the final climb which wasn't long but went upwards very sharply..very ... had me scrabbling around stupidly for traction on my slicks
Four laps was easy enough for both me and Smiffy a very demanding course meant I had nothing left to lead a charge at the end ,although I felt I did make steady progress through the field on all laps ,Smiffy said he had nothing left in the tank after a hard Friday night race, (view from) and crashed a lot and still beat me (ba"**d).

Very enjoyable race though , bit too much fire road but a good mixture of everything so a well done too SHOKWAVE RACING..and roll on the next round.


As usual we didn't have a clue where we came, results from Shokwave when they are ready, see if they forget Smiffy this time then.
Smiffys view from a bit further up the field;

The course was mostly very dry and rocky in places, so I elected to keep 2" Hutchinsons tyres on for added confidence on the downs.
With hindsight semi slicks may have been better overall but there you are.

Got away with the leaders but had a mishap with another rider in a tight turn and 4 others jumped past. Tried to get back on terms but crashed on the very steep drop thru the trees, more slipped past so I tried not to worry too much and just set my own pace.
By the end of lap 1 it was obvious I still had Fridays race in my legs and I wouldnt be challenging at all today.

Crashed twice more on the steep down, straight over the bars each time so went down on my arse on lap 4. Was pleased that I didn't let my head drop and pull out, that would have been the easy option but I stuck in there and finished.
Lloyd was within 2 minutes at the end too, he took it steadily from the start and worked his way through, nicely.
Am riddled with a cold as I write this 2 days later, so that wouldn't have helped either, at least it's an excuse to stay home and drink whiskey!! See you at the next race, Smiffy