The Polaris is a 2 day mountain bikng and orienteering event which has been going for some years. What caught our eye this year though, was the beer tent and live band for the evening.

The weekend’s event was based at Traquair in the Tweed Valley. A mecca for mountain bikers due to the trail centres at Innerleithen and Glentress, and sure enough the riding did not disappoint.

Checkpoints were spread across a 22 x 15km map, and the riding was simply superb. Natural singletrack, mountain top checkpoints and some route choices which allowed a revisiting of the red and black trails at Innerleithen and Glentress.

We discovered the Traquair breweries Bear Ale abv 5% which provided some fuel (and amazingly no hangover) for the riding over the weekend.

Considering our laid back approach to the event we were well chuffed to be 6th at the end of day one in our class. Our final placing being 7th.

Stats Day 1 70K 1900 metres +/- Points 330

Stats Day 2 52K 1800 metres +/- Points 231 (lost 9 for being late)

Thanks to Lisa for doing most of the navigation, driving and generally being a bit of a star.

The next one is in the Lakes in October, maybe see you there.

I love going fast on a bike. No, I mean really fast. Trying to squeeze that last mph out of whichever bike I am riding.

Today I was reacquainted with the consequences of riding a bike that bit too fast.

Me and Lisa had been for a spin on the road bikes over Whaley Bridge way taking in Long Hill whilst heading for morning coffee in Buxton. The sun was shining, life was good.

From Buxton we peeled off the A6 towards Wormhill en route for Peak Forest. A nice relatively quiet road.

There’s a great little descent passing Hardybarn on the right  which if executed well enables you to carry a great deal of speed up the hill on the other side of the bridge (see map).

Today I manged to get the requisite 30 ish mph heading down the hill. In fact, oh no I had too much speed.

I applied both brakes and locked first the back, and then the front wheel. Skinny tyres on a quarry dust covered road. I tried the brakes again, but was now fast running out of options.

It was apparent that no way was I going to get round the corner.  An impact with a 4ft white limestone wall was looking very likely now.

Oh but look, a nice big kerbstone and grass verge.  I chucked the weight back over the bike and put the front wheel straight into the kerb. After this I’m not exactly sure what happened, but Lisa said it looked quite spectacular.  Needless to say me and the bike ended on the ground in a sideways sort of pose.  Thankfully I stopped just short of the wall.

Ouch, that hurt, a bit of blood here and there and swellings, but nowt broken.

Might need a new front wheel though

Rain mud wind and sunshine. Just the way we like it.

After my disastrous last 24 hour solo at SITS last year, it all came good at Eastnor for me at Mountain Mayhem this time.

My goal for the race apart from finishing, was to beat a couple of my regular training partners and mates.

All 3 of us set off fast, for me that meant a quick run and a breathless first few laps. Heck I was even in front of TwinklyDave at one point, though of course not for long. I pitted after 3 laps to be told my rivals James (aka Crazy-Legs) and Simon had 15 minutes on me. They stayed in front for a while longer, riding together and pushing the pace. After a few more laps I reeled Simon in, then once the rain really started James came in for an extended R+R stop. The mud was now horrendous. Several times a lap I had to stop and clean the drive train to ensure the rear mech on the Ti 456 didn’t end up in the rear wheel, there were plenty carrying their bikes back in bits by now.

By lap 7 my rivals had retired. Simon permanently and James for some sleep.

I slogged on through the night. Lots of walking and chatting with pals along the way. Rob and Twinklydave were still flying along, though for me my job was done. Come 10am I needed a lie down and some food, I was officially knackered. Back out for a last lap in the sunshine though.

Great weekend. The riding was good, the company better.

Big thanks to Ann for keeping me fed and my bike clean.

Congratulations to the other On-One boys Rod on 4th place and Dave in his usual 6th.

Me, I came 23rd.