On arrival at Bontrager Twentyfour12 this year I couldn’t help but notice that huge increase in participants, supporters and trade stands from the previous year, this worried me a little. Before any event most riders have issues that need settling in the big blue phone boxes, and with the increased turn out I feared for the safety of my nostril hairs. It was therefore a pleasant surprise when I discovered at 11am on Saturday morning (traditionally the ‘chocolate hail hour’) that not only were the toilets still clean but, they also had paper and soap left! This type of organisation bodes well for the future of UK mountain bike racing.

Bontrager ’08 was without doubt a cycling highlight for me with a podium finish in the 12 solo so this year I was desperate for a repeat performance. The field this year was packed with top end riders so I knew right from the start that a podium finish was unlikely but I figured that if I could hang around near the front of the field I might benefit from a mistake made by one of the endurance big boys. With this in mind I chased Josh Ibbett off the line and sat his wheel for half a lap. As my eye balls filled with sweat I quickly realised this was not realistic if I wished to finish the race so sat up and waited to find my own rhythm. My ‘own rhythm’ didn’t seem that far off of Anthony Whites’ as he came past me with Ade Scott so I jumped his wheel and sat there for 2 laps. By the time I realised I was punching well above my weight it was too late, I said cheerio to Anthony and Ade and promptly blew up.

 I took me two and half hours to ride through the ‘bonk’ during which time I shook, slurred my speech, struggled with tunnel vision and seriously considered climbing off. At the six hour mark after 9 Mule Bars, 12 gels, a pack of Jaffa Cakes, 6 Mars Bars and a pile of Accelerade I finally sort myself out and settled down to a reasonable pace that finished me off in 6^th place. Anthony went on to take second in the12 hour and first in the 24 hour, Ade rode a really strong 12 hours smiling for all and finished in third with the unbelievable James Lister taking the win still turning out 48 minute laps at midnight. When he lapped me the second time I felt a bit pathetic so when he whipped around me again 30 feet from the line at about 18mph I was forced to brush a solitary tear from my dirt encrusted face and hang my head in shame as I pottered under the finish inflatable.

In the other categories fierce battles were being fought, notably in the 24 hour open where XC Racer, Marvelo/Exposure and the Trek 69ers were just minutes apart and teeth were gritted right to the line. XC Racer came out on top with Marvelo/Exposure and the Trek 69ers clawing at each other on the last lap. Marvelo/Exposure appeared around the corner just 1min 21seconds in front to take second place.

My fellow team riders for South Fork Racing were also having a good night with a second place in the 12 hour open male (see photo), a 14^th for the social team in the 24 Open and third in the Torchbearer pairs. A more detailed report can be found on the SouthFork blog.

Another excellent event at Newnham Park, many thanks to Martyn and his team for excellent organisation, clean toilets and hot hot showers. See you again next year.

Mike Tomlinson

www.southforkracing.co.uk