Soggy Bottom @ Newnham Park, Plymouth this weekend

milese

Whilst browsing the net I saw that there is a 3 race series held at Newnham park over the winter, with the first race this weekend.

As I'm local I thought about going along, for what would be my first event.

I normally only do a bit of light hearted riding once a week at a fairly gentle pace, so am a long way from being really fit or a great rider but would like to do more.

What are the 'fun' races like? What sort of people / ability enter? Same for the general adult men sport class, whats the standard like? I'd hate to enter something and be embarresingly slow or get in peoples way!

garyspain

Go for it. There are some great tracks around Newnham and the fun event is a great place to start but ill bet you will want to move up for your next one as it gets addictive quickly.

chalky89

Guys (and girls!)...

Does anyone know if you can enter on the day for the soggy bottom series??

I've left it a bit late to get my entry form posted off, but would like to try my hand at this Sundays race. Couldn't see a contact email address on XCracer to ask them...

Cheers,

Greg

FSR_XC

Think they are accepting entries on the day.

I'm going up to spectate

Justinjured

Did my only race at soggy bottoms rnd 3 in Feb earlier this year. All I can say it is a real experience. I enetred the sport cat and to be honest struggled badly with the last 1 1/2 laps or so.
As it is my local race am thinking of doing this sundays race in the fun section (just 3 laps)
The soggy bottom route varies from race to race I believe, but all the variations I imagine are quite challenging rides. Reading the XCracer website there is a grassy climb on sundays course which is a real pain, especially after you have probably had dozens of riders go over that same part of the course several times throughout the duration of the day.

I am pretty sure that race day entry is normal. (I pre-registered for the feb race, but there were plenty of riders registering on the day. )

The standard of fitness of the riders i found phenomanal esapecially those in the elite/expert cat who just seemed to sprint 5 laps of the course in the time i had done 3!!

If i go on sun it will be in the knowledge that there will be many quicker riders there, but also knowing that th atmosphere is very friendly.

chalky89

I was over at Certini's today, talking to one of the guys who works there, can definately enter on the day

I've ridden Newnham a few times, did the MBR weekend there last year.... took my Whyte 46 on the 'half marathon'... Moral of the story... don't take a 6" travelbike weighing 30lb on a ride when your trying to keep up with the fast men!!

I suffered that badly on the last lap, I went out and bought a Giant XTC the following month!!! Hopefully it will be a bit easier to drag around the course tomorrow.... I've never raced a XC event, only done enduro's, so hopefully things won't be too fast for me!!!

I'm getting old now :? :?

Give me a shout if you see me there... I'll be on the cream coloured XTC with a carbon rear end..... probably loitering at the back of the field

Cheers... Greg

FSR_XC

I've put some pics on this thread:
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12549461