September usually means taking time to relax before starting the preparations for a busy winter season, but not here at Devonshire Lodge or MTB Bansko!
Nigel has been putting in lots of hours training on his trusty steed, or in geek speak his Specialised Epic Fsr as September is a busy month on the MTB competition scene here in Bulgaria.
This weekend saw 8 of the Bansko MTB'ers competing in a 24hr relay race in a place called Matenitsa which is toward the middle of the country in the Stara Planina mountain range. We entered 2 teams of 4 and the rules really were quite simple: ride for 24 hours and do as many laps as possible, but only 1 member of each team was allowed on the trail at a time.
Nigel's team came in 4th after a tie break decided on group times.
They lost out by 15 minutes! But, both Bansko teams were awarded a rather obscure, Mad Max looking award made from an old bike chain and old gear cables etc. for being the teams who participated in the spirit of things and remained upbeat throughout. It wasn't drink induced either!
Not sure the Bulgarians quite got it, personally I think it was purely that Brit sense of humour that always seems to shine through.
Nigel has been putting in lots of hours training on his trusty steed, or in geek speak his Specialised Epic Fsr as September is a busy month on the MTB competition scene here in Bulgaria.
This weekend saw 8 of the Bansko MTB'ers competing in a 24hr relay race in a place called Matenitsa which is toward the middle of the country in the Stara Planina mountain range. We entered 2 teams of 4 and the rules really were quite simple: ride for 24 hours and do as many laps as possible, but only 1 member of each team was allowed on the trail at a time.
Nigel's team came in 4th after a tie break decided on group times.
They lost out by 15 minutes! But, both Bansko teams were awarded a rather obscure, Mad Max looking award made from an old bike chain and old gear cables etc. for being the teams who participated in the spirit of things and remained upbeat throughout. It wasn't drink induced either!
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| Nigel, Steve (hiding), Adam, Kjeld, Tim holding the Mad Max award, John, Victoria and Phillip |
Not sure the Bulgarians quite got it, personally I think it was purely that Brit sense of humour that always seems to shine through.
Back into training for Nigel now he has just entered his next competition - this weekend! A mere 'stroll in the park' 100km! I don't know where he gets all that energy from.
