This year’s Phoenix team put up a good show in what was a thoroughly enjoyable event. There were none of the weather extremes of previous years and the hot Friday baked many sections to perfection. The 8 mile course had a many fast dry sections, with a few extra muddy bits for added amusement.

The organisers described it as their toughest course yet, with more climbing than ever. The Kenda climb was deceptively simple but that straight road up the mountain had many a rider off and walking.

Solid lap times were recorded during a warm day one and as the lights went on Doug did the first properly dark lap. The venue then took on its own magic as hundreds of night riders could be seen dotted around the course. Unlike previous years the course didn’t weave in and out of the camp site so once you left the arena you didn’t see it again until your return.

Simon and Jason did the first double night shift with Nick and Doug scheduled for the early morning. Nick was even lucky enough to catch a night lap in the rain but that soon passed. Decent lap times were recorded with no real time being dropped. Unfortunately in what can only be described as two over–tired incidents of ‘falling off the road’ during his dawn shift Doug knocked himself silly and couldn’t do a couple of stints.

The big red mean machine of Jason, Nick and Simon, however, kept grinding out the times. After a huge dose of pain-killers and sleep Doug was given the honour of the final lap. Be-medalled, be-bothered and bewildered the Phoenix foursome were finally able to sit down and compare post race notes.

Two riders had to be retrieved by ambulances, one so seriously injured a course diversion was put in place while he was ‘stabilised’. Nick got rained on, Doug had a new mech hanger fitted, and won £60 worth of tyres from Kenda. Simon only rode a double chain set and Jason rode on and on like he had a new set of legs fitted before every turn. Well done team. We were 81st in the Men’s Sport category, and in the circumstances that was reasonably satisfying. The entries will be open for next year in only a few months. Form an orderly queue here…..