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.

Hit the North 4 - Consistency is Everything

I'm not delusional - I appreciate a lot of criticism can be directed my way with regard to my cycling abilities.  However, I'd like to put the 'lack of consistency' one to bed once and for all.  Regard the below Garmin Statistics from last years and this years Hit the North:

                                                                 HtN 2013              HtN 2012

Time (hr.min:sec):                                       2.14:46                2.18:00
Distance (km):                                              25:50                   26:70
Number of laps:                                              4                          4
Average Moving Speed (km/hr):                    11.9                     12.0
Best Pace (min/km):                                     1:40                     1:39
Position:                                                       174                      174

Bit spooky eh?

Photo: Ed Rollason

Last year I thoroughly enjoyed Hit the North, but this year I absolutely loved it - I thought it was great.  Great people, great course, great atmosphere and great weather.  In addition, and contrary to the above stats, I thought I had a cracking race - much better than last year - and felt much stronger and faster.  

My race essentially started with a lap or so of formation Team Here Come the Belgians riding with Laura Jolly and Belgian Brother Ben.  Thanks you two, loved whizzing through the trees.

Photo: Jonathan Jolly

Although we eventually became separated, and mid race I managed to pull a bit of a lead on them both, I always had thoughts of impending doom, and my mind uncontrollably took over.  With my little couch potato alter ego perched on my shoulder, sowing the seeds of paranoia, I set about trying to maintaining my lead.  Ignoring the taunts of:

"you're not fit enough to keep Laura and Ben behind you..." 

"Don't look now, they are just there..." 

"Those ARE twinges of cramp in your quads..." 

"You're gears are full of mud and skipping, you're going to have to stop and clean them out - oh and whilst you're at it, you may as well quit now because you're a looser..."  

I ploughed on!

I maintained my lead up to the last 500m or so when, glancing over my shoulder, I spotted Belgian Bro Ben!  OH NO!  100m to go he passed me!  I stood and stamped on the pedals but there was nothing there!  Cramp gripped my legs and my mud soaked gears skipped big time with a horrid CRACK!  CRACK!!  Perhaps my little shoulder dwelling imaginary friend had had something all along?

Oh well, after a valiant effort on my part I thought, Bro Ben pipped me to the line.  All credit to him... I suppose??  And anyway, I didn't really want to beat him - No!  What and ruin my consistent 174th placing record?  That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it.

Photo: Jonathan Jolly