Strathpuffer 2009

Back in 2007 the same 4 of us entered this event. From the start it all went wrong, what with Brian braking his ankle a couple of weeks before hand thus ruling him out and being unable to find a replacement we were already in trouble. By the time the remaining 3 of us got to the event centre John had come down with flue and George hurt his leg and could hardly walk.

In the end we managed a total of 13 laps and finished in 67th place out of the 79 starters. However, we learn't many lessons from this experiance such as the need for more than just two small 2 man tents and just how bad the conditions could be.

So roll forward a couple of years and we decided to enter again to prove to ourselves that we could do this and finish somewhere towards the middle of the pack.

In 2007, as said before, we had learnt a lot and this time in 2009 we came far more prepared. For a start we had 4 of us all fairly healthy and keen. We also had Johns campervan and awning to supplement the 2 small tents and even Al to act as our support crew which basically involved making lots of hot drinks.

Brian volunteered to do the first lap which was great as that got me out of the running start and he was also the fittest amoungst us at the moment. We got up at about 8 on the day of the race and decided on our race order and tactics (one lap at a time not two as we had done back in 2007).Brian was to go first, me second followed by George then John.

Brian got us off to a good start coming back in about 40th place which is where we were hoping to be. My first lap came next and I manged what would turn out to be my best time of just under 44 minutes. George follwed with another lap just over 44 minutes then John in about 48.

Having all completed a lap we thought the course was great, the climb was long but steady and the top section offered up a few technically challanging bits. The desent was fast and the final mud fest only to be expected at the Strathpuffer.

Brian set off again on what was to turn out to be our teams fatest lap of just over 43 minutes then keeping to the order we all followed in turn to complete our second laps. By this time we we're rising up the order and by the time John left for his third lap we had reached the dizzie heights of 21st. By this time it was dark and snowing heavily at the top of the course; this led to John, with his head down and squinting in the snow to miss a turn off and go the wrong way. Realising his mistake he eventually turned round and got him self on track to complete the lap tired and cold. As Brian set off for the next lap the rest of us went to check our position only to find we had fallen back down to 35th. Worse was to come as John was to tired to take his next lap so the rest of us would have to carry on as a 3 while John got some sleep.

2 more laps each followed and to our surprise we quickly started moving back up the order. John, now rested then came out for his 4th lap and all was back to how it was at the start. Another lap each followed but by now the times had dropped back down to about 1 hour per lap as the tiredness started to take a hold. John completed his 5th lap (do bear in mind that John is just a few weeks short of 60 so did bloody well really) which was to prove to be his last but had lifted us up to 20th. Brian set off in the dark and increasing snow to complete his 7th and final lap and move us even higher, up to 19th place.

My last lap followed, starting in the dark and snow by the time I got to the top of the course the light was coming through and all was incredibly beautiful - a real winter wonderland. That was enough for me so I handed over to George to set out on his 7th and our teams 26th and final lap. George arrived back at 9.22 and with no one willing to do another lap that was it. We had finished and just had to wait to find out our final position.

It turned out that we managed to hold onto 19th place by a massive 7 seconds. We were all really pleased with that as not only had we laid the ghost of 2007 to rest but did it in style by far exceding our own expectations.

It really was a great event, well run and organised, very friendly with a laid back atmosphere. Doubt we'll be back as its just to far away but would recommend it to anyone who fancy's a bit of a challange.

With the race over it was time to pack up and start the long journey back to Dorking. We had planned a overnight stop at the Clachaig Inn in Glen Coe and boy was it welcome relief when we finally got there and were able to take a nap at about 5 for a couple of hours before hitting the famous boot bar for a beer and meal. We had been up for about 34 hours solid so that nights sleep was a deep and good one.

Great weekend. A few pictures below to hopefully give a feel for the event.

Taking shelter in Johns camper	Our base for the event.
Its a running start.	George completes another lap.
On Saturday afternoon the weather was pretty good.	But it didn't last and soon the sleet and snow arrived.
The event center at least offered warmth and shelter.	George and Brian taking advantage of event centre between laps.
The start/finish straight in the early hours of the morning with the snow falling.	George nears the end of his and our teams last lap.
A view accross to near by hills covered in the overnight snow.	My race number clearly visable once the bike had a post race clean.