Manx100 toughest and wettest one yet…
Rough seas, delayed ferry and torrential rain and that’s before we have even started the epic Manx100 mountain bike race.
I call it epic because it does fall into that category and anybody who has ridden the 100km or 100 mile race will agree. 10,000 feet or 15,000 feet of climbing it’s that simple or is it???
33 riders entered the 100 mile event, but only 17 started including myself, Saul, Andrew, Anthony and Chris all of us from Yorkshire.
We finally docked into Douglas at 10.30pm and cycled to our B&B. all very tired and in need of some sleep.
As I entered the room, a bag of cheese sandwiches had been left by my awesome friend Karl. I shared them with Saul and Andrew. We hit the sack about midnight as we needed to be up by 5am in order to get to the Grandstand for a 6.30am start. No prep yet, no race number, no bag drops, nothing. My eyes were barely open and my stomach was empty… not a great start. We were off, rain was pouring down we all hate starting a race when it’s raining. The consolation was that it wasn’t cold for some of us.
The Manx100 is a tough day out so I won’t take you through the whole ride but the msc tyres from terraventure.co.uk/msctires/ are just what you need for a course like the Manx. When the rain and wind are relentless and the trails are like rivers with puddles that are knee deep it’s even tougher so I was resigned to doing the 100km again, for the 3rd time albeit my 4th Manx100.
My friend Andrew suffered at East Mountain Gate with the rain and wet forcing him to retire at 30miles. Saul Muldoon an inspirational rider won the 100miler in 11hr 16mins, a remarkable time in those conditions but that’s where Saul excels.
The only rider carrying a map board, rucksack and 2 litres of water with gels as this is the way Saul likes to roll.
Having done the Manx four times on 4 different bikes i recommend the full suss option.
- Rigid
- Fatbike
- Hardtail Ti
- Full suspension- definitely the 4th option wins.
This was another great event thanks to the fabulous marshals and I can’t wait for next year for another go at the 100 miler .
Kit used
Bike: Salsa Spearfish xx1 30-50t (needed the eagle)
Bars: Jones
Forks: RS1
Wheels: SRAM rise Carbon
Tyres: MSC Tractor and Roller – (faultless) www.terraventure.co.uk/msctires/
Charlie Bum Butter
BearClawJersey
