Hurt at the Haigh

Hurt at the Haigh did exactly what it said on the tin I guess - it was at Haigh Hall, Wigan, and it hurt a bit!

Following news of the demise of the excellent Hit the North, I think everyone was looking for an alternative, so when word spread of a new race of a similar 2hr format MTB/CX format - called Hurt at the Haigh - many jumped at the chance.  It soon filled to capacity once entry was on-line, as the urge to fill the mid winter no racing void was obviously a little too much for many people.  170 entrants apparently.  I'm not quite sure all those tuned up on the day but there was still a bumper line up.  

HtN had built a reputation and delivered a real festival of cycling.  Not sure Hurt at the Haigh was quite there in that department, but it's early days, and the well run event will go from strength to strength year on year I'm sure.

The 4 mile long Hurt at the Haigh lap meandered it's way through the mainly wooded park land of Haigh Hall, and was tough going on CX I thought, and perhaps slightly better suited to MTB.  Indeed the winner, Nick Craig, did his winning on a MTB - I know I got to see him lap me three times!  It comprised mainly loamy soils with some muddy grass and metalled tracks.  It proved a test for many bikes, and some dérailleur groaning and gnashing could be heard towards the end!  Mine thankfully survived!  In fact the X-wing was faultless.

I plodded round in my now time honoured fashion and delivered a top 100 finish and solidly within a group of 3 lappers (approx. 15% of the field) so was reasonably content.  HCtB finishing positions:

Paul Nutton        28th

Emma Osenton   64th

Ali Mills              76th

Ben Parkinson    85th

John Parkinson   91st

Steve Cooper     98th (Mechanical)

(I think that is all....)

A glimmer of a more aggressive attacking me did rear its head at one point during the race.  I got stuck in a group and behind some bloke with his bum crack showing through a bizarre mesh panel in the back of their shorts - quite odd and rather alarming!  It was quickly apparent I was not going to be able to spent much time at all sitting staring at a kinky almost fish net tight clad batty crack - as hypnotic as it was - and summoned the last gasps of air from the bowls of my lungs and elbowed my way by!  Much better - and my reward?  A fully lycra'ed backside.

Dig in at the Dock

Dig in at  the Dock at Bo'ness, Falkirk, Scotland is a race I've wanted to do for a couple of years now.  But is very popular and sells out almost instantly (well minutes), and I have previously been unsuccessful with my application.  Bad times...

However, this year was different... This year I got a place!  Good times...

Belgians Belgians Everywhere...

Dig in at the Dock owes it's success to the hard work of the charismatic organisers - see promo video below.  Facebook, Youtube and Flickr et al are all utilised to the max to generate a real buzz about the event.  They over subscribe each year, and I understand generate a lengthy waiting list in the process! This is painstakingly whittle down to the final 150 or so starters!  However, still pop it the diary for next year you never know:-).

So to race day.  After a recent run of poor performances in Yorkshire - due to general lack of ability, a total disregard to any form of training or healthy lifestyle, and mechanicals - I was a little worried come the morning of Dig in at the Dock.  I hadn't put in a decent shift on the bike since Temple Newsam at the beginning October.... three months ago!  In addition, I'd done little in the way of other cycling activities either!  Dig in at the Dock could hurt a bit... if not a lot!

The course looped around the back of the Bacon Butty Stall - Criminal
When gasping for air!

Allied to the general nervousness was a slight hangover from the previous nights antics at my Bro's house in Glasgow - not a biggy by any means - but it was there nagging at me non the less.  So signed on, had a quick natter to fellow HCtB rider Andy Bell (No not or Ride fame... or Erasure fame for that matter - who was marshalling on the day - Thanks.  Big thanks to all the helpers too), bacon buttied up and dressed for action I went for a pootle.

The run up - a great noise from the crowd and cowbells here

An excellent riders course around the old dock opened up before me.  Phew!  Essentially flat with the odd little bank here and there (one a forced dismount) and not too muddy either all things considering (Scotland + winter = MUD... not this time!).  The ground felt a little odd in places - a little squelchy on top but rock hard underneath? Perhaps the industrial history of the area had played a part in this?  

Silky 'skillz' riding the little barriers

The race went well.  Super fast!  The gun went and we launched.  A fast start saw me maybe a third from the back - pretty good for me.  However, the this didn't last and for the first lap or so I slowly went backwards!  Eventually, once the tunnel vision, palpitations and faintness kicked in big time I just had to slow down.  However, I eventually settled into my rightful place about 10 from the back and dug in to hold my place.  Lapped several times by the leaders (as per normal if I'm fair) I churned away - fending off those behind me, even if I lacked the omph to chase anyone down - to 107th.  I was spent by the end - 11.7miles seems a long way in a cross race to me.

I had a wail of a time.  Dig in at the Dock was well organised, had a great course and was a great race.  A special mention should go to the supporters who made an absolute racket with cowbells ets - and even a trombone - oh and a Salsa band, for the entire race.  All credit to them, they created a right atmos.

I can't wait until next year now!