Ace Race One Day Series

Ace Race One Day Series - Bracknell

Tim McDowell - Team SleepMonsters/Inov8 / 20.07.2008

With a mass start on bikes, only 15check points, 8km of running and 5 possible shoes changes, the second round of this years ace one day series looked like it was going to be a fast and furious affair.

Having finished 2nd in the last event, we knew this would be a decider for the series so we went out hard over the first few check points. (The thing is so did everyone else, which made for some very entertaining single-track riding!). A bit of blind-fold rope following and water carrying soon slowed our pace and new rivals Tea n medals went ripping past.

Meanwhile the solo race was being dominated by Nick Gracie and Patrick Meldrum, with Welshman Gary Davis in 3rd and chasing hard. Unfortunely Gary\'s efforts were in vain as a bad crash on the bike put an end to his race, and several stitches in his knee - ouch!!

The course at Bracknell had us visiting the same transition 5 times throughout the 3hrs and leaving via a different track each time, this literally became the \"hub\" of the event as we dashed in and out via different \"spokes\" or tracks. The final few check points were where we made our move and took the lead.

Unfortunately over excitement got the better of us as we hammered down some very nice single track, (narrowly avoiding the SleepMonsters photographer) and we made a nav error. This let not only Tea and Medals past but also round one winners, Moxie Crew!!! Aghhh.. The final challenge of a pond crossing with bike, looked easy enough. But at 6, 2â€? and with water up to my nipples I did wonder how the more vertically challenged in the race would fair?

A fast ride on some great tracks into the finish and one last suprise. In the form of some 6 legged skiing brought our race to an end, in just under 3hrs and only 1minute behind the other two teams. Thereâ€™s one round left and all to play for!

The solo race had unfolded as the bookies would have predicted. Nick Gracie thought he would use the event as a hard training session and destroyed the field completely. (Proving once again why he is one the UKâ€™s top adventure racers). Patrick Meldrum came in a very comfortable 2nd.

Over a hundred teams and solos finished the event and all looked like they had an adventure of some sort. This shows the one day series is still going strong after nearly 8 years and still attracting first timers and seasoned racers alike. See All Event Posts