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RAF Ardua Bagshot 24-10-10 |
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Written by Richard Troth
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Monday, 25 October 2010 |
 Erika and i Arrived nice and early as usual and noticed Damon Lock and Dan Lewis already there......(Tongues out waiting for food wagon lol). This would be my first outing out injury free and so hoping i can finish event just to get some confidence and track time back, have been doing loads of fitness stuff recently so don't think that will be an issue.
The organisation was spot on as usual with the Military run events, start time was 10.00 for Championship class and my class (Sportsman) was 10.04.
Erika was there Photographing for Team Snapper, was a very social event and lots of huddles and chats going on was great to meet up with my club mates (PMCRC) Shane Babey, Stu Smith, Stew Churchyard, Damon Lock, Aaaron Dibnah, Martin Biles, Clare Taylor,Tristan Robinson and my good buddy Chris Davey, was also good to catch up with Dan Lawry, Freddie Broadway and Alan Cook and always good to make new friends like Aaron Phillips, Stephen Hartland and Alan Taylor.
Had no pre start nerves and was so determined to finish event no matter what as Dan Lawry has already nicknamed me the "One lap wonder" lol
Off we went and i got away in the top ten of sportsman and was quite happy playing follow my leader when someone fell off in front of me up one of the climbs and everyman and his dog passed me as i had no option but to turn round and start again, Stewart Churchyard asked if i was ok as he flew past me (Thanx Stew), got myself going again and did not meet another rider until about 20yards from checkpoint when Freddie Broadway went past so fast i actually thought i was stationary lol..... i just kept plodding and fell off some 10 times but just silly mistakes and nothing that major, had funny incident when an Expert rider went past me and i followed him into the Hard route unknowingly and was met with this log that was about 3 to 4 foot off the ground and was wet and covered in mud.... i tried in vain for ten minutes but eventually back tracked to easy route (Note to oneself: Look where you’re going lol), a few riders came through the hard route whilst i was there and all struggled to get over albeit they made it though.
I thought some of the climbs were awesome and really suited the Husaberg which did not miss a beat all day. it was great my PMCRC buddies and other friends went past me and shouted encouragement to me, i very nearly forgot to refuel as the time passed so quick and did not refuel till the 2 and a half hour mark(Note to oneself "Look at clock lol") the laps and time were dropping and i kept to steady pace although my fastest laps were 7,8 and 9 in that order, i managed to complete 9 laps in 3 hours 12 minutes and was ecstatic at finishing as many people thought ‘what is that idiot doing jumping around in the middle of the paddock for?’
I did not struggle fitness wise at all, just need some off road skills, would also like to say how polite all other passing riders were
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Looking forward to riding again already, just nice to have injury free enjoyable ride in the woods.
Thought course overall was tough but tough to me will a walk in the park to others.
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RAF Ardua 2010 
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