NPS # 6, Douce Woods, Co. Wicklow – Sun 1st July 2007

This should have been the most amazing course, but 6 weeks of almost persistent rain turned the incredible trails in a muddy mess! Now, it wasn’t that bad, but there were some very tricky bits. I think the last time I finished a race that muddy was Ballyduff in 1991!!!
I got the holeshot into the first singletrack (again), and had about 15 seconds at the end of the first descent! I increased the lead throughout the race too. I caught all the experts (+3 mins), but none of the elites (+7 mins), maybe next time!
The new element, in only its second race, got well hammered. A dip in the river on lap 2 and 3 was needed to clean up the drivetrain and keep things smooth. Its gagging to be raced on a fast dry course. My closest rivals did not get results today, Damo was running the event, Peter O was off doing an outdoor challenge event, and Gordon L failed to finish. This result has moved me into 1st overall in the league, only one race left, so it should be a nail biter.
Well done to all of the Epic team for putting on a great show in difficult conditions.The last round of the NPS is next weeknd, 8th July in a flat prk in the Dublin suburbs. It should be very fast, flat 7km circuit with 80% singletrack! Get the hardtail out?

The steep climb back to the finish, hard in the mud!

Some of the trails held up real well

While others were almost unrideable!