Winter Enduro Racing - Mud and ice!

Last week I gave in! I finally broke out the full length tights and neoprene overshoes. No more pretending - Winter is on the way!

This means that the Brass Monkeys’s enduro series can only be just around the corner! As usual the series starts with the ‘Winter Warmer’ next weekend at Minely Manor in Hampshire.  The second round is just before Christmas and then there is the added bonus this year of two races in January! Traditionally the 500 entries are a sell out, but this year there seems to be even more interest in these events. At the recent South Downs Bikes shop ride, at least half a dozen riders expressed their intention to race.

As befitting the name the Brass Monkeys are usually cold, mucky affairs that test man and machine in equal measure. The aim is to complete as many laps as you can within the time limit. 4 hours is the deadline after which you cannot start another 7/8 mile lap. From experience I know that if you cross the line with 3hrs 59 minutes on the clock you could get to enjoy another 45minutes of racing. So there is potential for a long day in the saddle.

There is much more to these races than the obvious physical challenge of powering a mountain bike around undulating woodland for over 4 hours. Windy and wet UK winters tend to create soggy, slippery trails. Shifting gear can become a game of roulette as leaves, twigs and other detritus reap havoc with chains and cassettes. The seals of your wheel and bottom bracket bearings will be tested by deep standing water and I’ve frequently worn a set of brake pads down to the metal within a few laps! The ideal situation is to wake up to a nice clear frosty morning, then if you are lucky the mud will be frozen solid and you can skate over the top of the puddles!

If the bike survives this grim onslaught there is the challenge of maintaining your own energy levels in often freezing conditions. The trick is to constantly cram food and drink into your mud encrusted chops! Not always easy when you are busy dodging trees and oily roots. Rucksack style hydration systems are brilliant and allow you to carry lots of fluids and take a refreshing slurp whenever you like. However, dragging 2/3 litres of water around on your back is heavy and tiring. So instead most opt for bottles, which require a pit stop every lap or two for fresh supplies. Energy bars and gels will also help give you that extra oomph when fatigue sets in. Personally I include bananas and fig rolls for variety, as gulping energy gels all day can get a bit sickly.

There is also the question of tools. At many XC races I don’t bother, if I have a problem the race is effectively over anyway in terms of a result. At an enduro there is time to recover from a puncture and at the very least make your way back to the car, which could be 4 miles away! This year I have opted to carry a spare tube and CO2 canister in-case of flats. I run my tyres tubeless with liquid latex, but this won’t seal every puncture. Once a tyre is leaking I find putting in a tube saves faffing with fiddly patches or repeated stops while the latex attempts and then usually fails to seal the hole. The CO2 obviously saves time in comparison to a tradionnal pump, and the small canisters are more convenient to carry in a jersey pocket. In addition to this I will take a multitool, with a selection of allen keys and a chain tool. This should be enough to fix most trail side disasters.

Second guessing the UK weather is never easy but it is important you pick the right clothes on race day. It might be tempting as you shiver in the carpark to slip on an extra layer. However, once the race progresses overheating might lead to dehydration and cramps. Equally decide to skimp on overshoes or gloves and you’ll soon be struggling for control as your feet or hands become numb and useless.

That only leaves the challenge of staying healthy! It isn’t easy at this time of year. Colds and bugs sweep through the office and you can guarantee that it’ll reach your department just before race day! I’ll suddenly become paranoid about every sneeze and sniff, convinced I’m going down with something.

Over the next week I am going to summarise my preparation and share my personal kit selection as race day looms!