Lewis Burn 8 #awesome
The 4am start from Edinburgh to get to Kielder for the Lewis Burn 8 was always going to turn out to be a very long day.
As I got to Kielder Castle looking for directions to where we needed to be, I used the toilet facilities and headed to Kielder water along the main road and took a right turn before Matthew Linn car park where it would be signposted from there with the odd Marshall. The 15 minutes drive along the gravel track would have us all parking on the left side behind one another so the exit would be much easier.
6.30am and it was -2c degrees but sunny with fab blue skies. I was parked behind Lewis Payne an awesome endurance rider who would do well in the event.
After picking up my race number and prepping the water bottles etc I was set and I made my way to the start line chatting to Rich, Chris and Naomi.
There was a buzz in the air and apart from it being a bit chilly everyone looked excited to be there and why wouldn’t you – riding your bike for 8 hours in one of the most beautiful parts of the country.
A quick rider brief and we were off at bang on 8am as the race finished at 4pm and no laps after that time would be counted. My aim was to do at least 6/7 laps as I was feeling good, I just needed to make sure I refuelled every lap.
The gravel road climb was steady and after about a mile you turned left which would take you down a gravel descent and then a right turn into the most technical section of the course, through an off camber rooted section which would catch most people out. Having got through this section without falling off or crashing into trees, it was a long climb of singletrack which would zigzag its way through the forest.
This was the first real climb and after a few laps you would definitely start to feel this bit. Some more gravel and forest section of flowing singletrack had you dropping into a stream with rocks either side so a careful approach was required. The climb up was long but the descent to the grassy section was worth it. As I popped out from the forest, I discovered that this was a course that just kept on giving as I found myself on a long descent back to the start line and as long as you were prepared to climb then the reward was the amazing descents.
I have always said that all lapped courses like this one should finish with a fast descent and this didn’t disappoint. With over a mile long it just kept on going and the speed you could generate was incredible. As you dropped down you could see Kielder water and the finish line was insight.
First lap done and I continued on my much-loved Fatbike that was enjoying the challenge and stopping every lap to refuel certainly worked. As I approached lap 6 Rich Rothwell lapped me again at the same place so I knew he would be on for a podium spot.
My thoughts were go for another lap, as there was a fatbike category trophy up for grabs. I could see a few others on Fat in particular a younger lad who couldn’t have been that far behind me. I knew I needed to up my pace for the last lap knowing I needed to be back before 4pm to make it count. As I approached the wooded section, I could see my fellow competitor in front feeling fatigued. We said hello and I cracked on as riding a course you enjoy is a great feeling and gives you that extra zing.
At the final climb I stopped at the top for a couple of pictures knowing I had enough time and the course deserved to be prolonged for a bit longer to enjoy it.
Lewis Burn 8 has everything. 8.5 mile laps with 1,200 feet of climbing per lap and is certainly a test of strength and endurance as you need to smash yourself for 8 hours. The course is pure genius. Barry and the team have created something rather special and I think it’s every mountain bikers dream to ride a fabulous course like this. The Marshalls as always did a brilliant job it was all sign-posted so you couldn’t go wrong.
Great win for Rich, Lewis and Naomi in their categories and I’m sure that this event is here to stay and will become a classic.
See ya all next year!
PS. Well worth it for the mugs!
