This weekend saw me back at Bristol to defend the Single Speed 12 hr Solo title from 2010.  Arrived on Friday evening to set up camp and caught up with friends.  The 9.00 am start meant an early alarm call to sign on and finish my pre-race fettling!  The race started with the usual scramble to the bikes and around the campsite into the first bit of fast, rocky singletrack with the faster riders jostling for position.

This year’s course took in some of the best singletrack from last year but also included the new quarry section which was fantastic.  Coming out of the first lap my legs felt strong but I was determined not to push too hard as I had to remember I had another 24 hr race in 2 weeks’ time.


It was all going well until lap 4 when I lost a cleat a third of the way in which made that lap quite interesting!  After this my motivation took a dive until I saw Phil from Morvelo who lifted my spirits and gave me someone to chase.

The weather stayed dry and the course was riding very fast.  With a few hours to go until the end I found I was still smiling and loving the berms and pump bumps in the new quarry section.  Each time the course led me through the camp site, I received loads of encouragement from spectators.  Even Matt over the PA was giving his wise words of encouragement.  There were a lot of riders on the course who were giving encouragement to me and the other solo riders.  Thanks again to the Team Single Speeder on my last climb of the day.

As I took the last corner into the finishing straight I was handed a can of cider which went down well I can tell you (cheers buddy).  I did 24 laps in total and came in first in the Single Speed category in 11 hrs 40 mins.  Interestingly, had I been in the Open category I would have placed 2nd overall.  Maybe next year I will dabble with the gears!!!  Well done to Mark Goldie and Dr Jon who both had a very strong event.

Again I couldn’t have done all this without the support from my sponsors:

Singular – www.singularcycles.com

Brotherton Cycles – www.brothertoncycles.com

Osprey – www.ospreypacks.com

Torq – www.torqfitness.co.uk

MT Zoom – www.xcracer.com


Thanks to the organisers for another great event – see you in October.