Team Wideopenmag’s Chris Hutchens reports from a baking hot Southern Enduro Champs in the Exmoor National Park.
Photos courtesy of Big Mac Photography.
Hutch headed to Exmoor to battle for the title of Southern Enduro Champion under a baking sun.
Sweltering heat beat down on the Northern Coastline of Devon, baking the already dry ground and penetrating through the thick forested hills above Minehead. The crumbling hills would welcome the Southern Enduro Champs this past weekend and some 550 eager riders.
With temperatures hitting the high 20s all weekend the two day event would push riders physical ability and the trails tested everyone’s technical prowess. Seven stages in total sounds like a big day out however the course only clocked up 20km and 1000m. Not the biggest day out by any means but the stages were challenging and took a lot out of you despite their relatively short lengths.
There was a definite theme over the weekend and the track rather binary. Flat out fast or tight and tech. Lightening speeds were hit on stage 4 where riders darted between thick trees and avoided knuckles on a number of stumps and half felled trees. Stages 3 and 5 tested riders agility, ducking and diving through narrow and tight turns with the occasional steep chute and frequent blown out turns. The tracks were evolving all weekend. Where the rain creates ruts the heat created dust and countless blown out corners.
What was a beautiful supporting turn in practice; in many cases became a trap during the race. Caution had to be taken and a definite awareness of the trail ahead. A tough skill to master while attempting to remember 7 stages. Every meter of the track counted and precision was vital.
Times ended up tight during seeding and race day. Seconds would split riders and local knowledge shone through with some superb rides from the local guys and girls. Notably from Jack Delbridge and Tom Everett who stepped up into Elite and put some solid times down all weekend. I’m sure we’ll see more from these pair in future at a national level.
My lap on Sunday was constantly filled with chats on lines and features in track. A conversation I could barely contribute to as I continued to try and recall the trails we were racing. Inside and outside lines; avoiding roots or gapping roots; taking bomb holes, or not and even the occasional road gap which I seemingly hit in practice!
This part of the country is one I should be more familiar with given that my Mum was born just up the road in Taunton and my uncle runs a successful guest house and restaurant in Instow.
I’m however unfamiliar with the region so this was also a great time to check out Minehead and the local area. After riding the track, checking out the local pubs and having a quick swim, on a number of occasions, I’ll certainly be back to explore more of the areas biking offerings.
With all of the excitement of a new place and a chilled weekend away from EWS and National events this was a perfect event for the Calendar. Completion was fierce and saw Southern Enduro Champs crown. The categories would be won by the following riders. A massive congratulations to them all!
Your Elite Men’s Southern Enduro Champ is Si Wakely with Katie Wakely taking the Elite Womens’ title.
