Brecon Beast 2013

This year I've decided to try and be a bit more proactive in trying to raise some money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association. My idea had been to enter a 12 hour enduro MTB race, fortunately the Dusky Valleys 12hour Enduro is fairly local to me. The race started 8pm Saturday night through to 8am Sunday morning, a real challenge and the opportunity to my AyUp's and Hope lights to the test. Sadly the event was cancelled due to the low number of entries. This left me in the position of having sponsorship, but no event!

I needed a substitute event, step forward the Brecon Beast. I photographed last years 'Beast, but it was time to set aside the camera and roll out the Giant Trance. It's always a tough choice between photographing an event and attempting to ride in it! (Wentwood 50k is a case in point!)

I'd missed the cut off for online entries, so it was an early start Sunday to get up to Brecon and join on the day. There was a choice of two routes, the short 67KM route or the long route - a leg aching 97km. For some reason I went for the long route, but you had the choice to swap routes at the split point.

I was riding with some other members of the Mynydd Du MTB club, having a few familiar faces and a laugh waiting for the start helped settle the nerves. The start was just after nine, it was a tight squeeze exiting the sports field, but once out on the road the race spread out and set a good pace down the hill an through Brecon. At this point I feel I should thank the drivers in the area for their patience as several hundred cyclists blocked their way.

Once out of the town and into the narrow country lanes the ride closed back up, with little space you needed to be aware of who was around you to avoid a collision. This was the case for several km, until once again the ride started to spread out. There was alot of tarmac riding, split up by short section of XC, until the we all turned left off Heol Senni and over the mountain towards the feed station and then Sarn Helen and Ystradfelte. At this point the guys (and girl) from Mynydd Du were out of sight, I'd dropped back finding that maybe I'd pushed to hard early on to keep up with them on the Heol Senni climb. It was a tough climb, the start line banter seemed along way off, so focusing on a point just ahead of my front wheel I gritted my teeth and kept pedalling - I find this helps on a long, non-technical climb.

The feed station wasn't quite at the top, there was around another 10 minutes of climbing ahead. I took the opportunity to top up my Camelbak, stretch my back - which was quite painful (must remember to adjust saddle) and have a bite to eat. Apple Strudel Mule bars are Heaven sent! There are really nice! Whilst at the feed station I meet most of Mynydd Du, who were just setting off again - one was awol however! Finishing off the Mule bar, it was time for a scenic pee (maybe to much info!) but despite the weather closing in, there were still some amazing views. Getting ready to set off again I found the awol member of the club - who had bumped into his brother and a mate on the route - small world!

Thinking there would be safety in numbers I waited for them to fuel up and then tagged along with them. Their fitness showed and I was soon at the back of the group for remaining part of the climb. As the track levelled out and then started to drop, I could stand on the pedals and stretch my back and legs again - a welcome relief. The pace soon quicken and the Marshall promise of a good downhill was kept! Starting to pick up speed I was faced with a rider going in the wrong direction - there'd been a crash, heeding his warning I slowed and passed a rider supporting his injured arm. He had a couple of other riders with him, so I pressed on down the hill. Passing bottles and inner tubes shaken from peoples bikes and packs and even some other riders, the climb was worth while - it was fun! I was surprised by the number of people suffering from punctures - the bane of many a ride recently for me. I easily passed half a dozen people changing inner tubes.

Wentwood 50K, Goshawk Challenge, 2013

The challenging Wentwood 50K Enduro took place today (10th March), it was the 3rd year that I've attended - with the camera - the bike staying tucked up at home! For a change, I actually got to the car park with 25 minutes to spare before the start. This gave me an opportunity to chat with a rider about his Canyon purchasing experience, and also to catch up with Robert Storey, the event organiser. A thank you must go out to Robert, for taking a few minutes to give me some guidance of where to head on the route.

The weather was worlds apart from last years event, 2012 was pretty warm for an early March day. 2013 was cold - a bitter wind certainly made sure you were wide awake. After a quick look round for any familiar faces, I headed for the start line - whilst there was still space between the riders to get there - the hedged lane soon fills up. I took some pictures of the riders on the line, but like a fool, I'd not noticed I'd knocked the focus switch on the lens to MF (manual). Not wanting to get in the way of the start, I headed about a 100ft down the lane to a gateway. From here I could get some shots of the riders streaming past from the mass start. After the last of the riders had gone past I headed for the main feed station, the speed of the front runners caught me out - they'd already gone through before I made it to the route. After the majority of the riders had passed, I headed back to the car and back down the road to a forestry commission site - unfortunately - against the flow of the race. A slow drive!

A short walk into the forest took me down to a steep(ish) hill, leading to a small stream. The hill caught quite a few out, ironically, tending to be those pushing down the hill. Some riders took it at pace and flew down the hill. I spent the rest of my time at the event here - I'd filled my memory cards - so I've got to invest in a larger capacity one.

I'll upload my pictures to my Flickr site over the coming days, as the event is for charity, I only upload low res shots, if you'd like a hi-res version, then please contact me and I'll email you a copy in return for a donation to my Tribute fund towards Motor Neurone Disease. (I'll send you a link to where you can donate. Your donations have raised £34 towards MND, It's not much - it's probably cost me more in petrol! but it all helps.

I'd appreciate any feedback on my pictures, good or bad, it's a way for me to improve - I'm thinking about setting up an online shop for other events, but I know what high quality images are been produced by other photographers.