Parc cwm darran 1991 inspiring race

Darrenov

It was a cold, dark and very very wet day. I had come to watch my brother race. After a couple of laps a leading group of 5 men emerged with a lone teenage rider a little way back. This teenager was riding a battered up raleigh massif with his dads leather motorbike gloves on - it was bitter. You could see his bike struggling. Every time he passed the line everyone cheered him on. He finished 5th and after the winners the organiser invited him forward for a huge cheer. That day the conditions really took control - there were so many riders with top end bikes finishing down the field. My brother finished 12th and he was on an standard kona lava dome. My point is an average rider with a pro bike might gain a few places in a race compared to other average riders but top local, club and pro riders will beat you on anything. Its nice to see the flash bikes but the rider is where it counts.