The Outdoor City Weekender’s city centre bike extravaganza, the Howard Street Dual went down this Saturday on the streets of Sheffield.
Photos by Szymon Nieborak / Words by Becci Skelton
Live streams and head-to-head racing, the Howard Street Dual was arguably the highlight of The Outdoor City Weekender that brought outdoor enthusiasts to Sheffield for a celebration of the outdoors.
Szymon Nieborak was on hand to capture the action as daylight practice turned to night time motos and Becci Skelton gives us her version of how things unfolded.
Your author and Sheffield shredder, Becci Skelton
50to01 arrive en masse.
Take it away Becci…
Not gonna lie, the old nerves were kicking off a wee bit for this one, especially with a somewhat moist forecast; flat grassy corners aren’t anyone’s friend.
Just a few weeks after putting a decent sized hole in my thigh and a dead leg savage enough to maim a baby elephant, I wasn’t really in tip top condition, but they’re just excuses, right?Following a short riders briefing and instructions not to be a dick (a challenge in itself) praccy got underway.
A few sketchy runs down and I started to find a bit of speed and Jesus, she was fun. Praccy and seeding done, and obviously, it started raining. It dawned on me that I was pretty much the only one riding clips.
In true sheep style, I panicked and chucked me flats on resulting in two very loose heats against the local Swede Hanna Jonsson. I had a sick battle with both her and Abi Lawton and managed to progress to the semis against the rapid BMX bandit, Chloe Taylor…
I subsequently ass-slid my way out of finals and into the small finals against Toni Fryer. I snaked the first heat but a stupid mistake on the tight-ass last corner put me less than a second behind her and into 4th place.
It’s so sick to see so many speedy young lasses coming though, not so sick when they knock you out. Joking. Honest. Super stoked for my buddy, the pocket rocket Carrie Poole for taking the win. She’s some girl.
So all in all…a bloody cracking day washed down by some fine ale. Cheers to This is Sheffield and all involved. Big love.
Search for the grip, dangle a safety leg and pray to your chosen deity that you’ll stay upright.
Concrete and wet grass combine to make tyre choice an absolute nightmare.
A man that needs no introduction.
Becci up against everyone’s favourite Swede, Hannah Jonsson.
Sheffield Steel himself on a charge mid-moto.
Carrie Poole took the fastest lasses title pipping Chloe Taylor to the post in the big final. Toni Fryer would edge out our wordsmith Becci to take the bronze.
Steve Peat would edge out Brett Penfold in the big final to take the win, with bezzy mates Sam Dale and the Rat in the small final.
