Three Carnethies took part in the Mountain Bike Marathon champs on Saturday
10th May 2014. All three opted for the 75k loop with start/finish at Selkirk
and route taking in some of the Innerleithen cross-country trails plus
sections of the SUW. The going was “bad to soft” to say the least with
plenty of mud and wet soily type stuff. The promised downpour scheduled for
all day didn’t materialise – don’t believe everything (anything) that you
read on the web (particularly about me, your intrepid race reporter). Bob
Johnson completed the course just outside the 5-hr mark in 5:00:30 for 1st
Vet 50 and a fleeting glimpse of the podium but no more. Andrew Patience
followed in 5:14:36 with Craig O’Donnel rounding out the Carnethies in
5:42:25. Photos above – paid for but watermarked!
LA RIOJA 3-DAY STAGE RACE
=========================
Bob J completed the Rioja Mountain bike race 16th, 17th and 18th May 2014.
The race saw between 750 and 800 riders take part in trails around Logrono
in Northern Italy (La Rioja region). This UCI-sanctioned race saw quality
riders taking part from all over Europe with all top honours being taken by
the Spanish riders. The courses were ideal for 29’ers so Bob has blamed his
showing of 11th VET 50 on his 27.5″ wheel size instead of the fact that he’s
too fat and unfit compared to the Spanish Grandads (Abuelos). Master 50
results above.
I asked Bob for a comment on both races and he said “From Champ to Chump in
a week – not bad eh!?”
Report by: Hugh Jenner-Taylor