The Small Boar Ride
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With the Lycra bandits on hardtails adopting the attack position at the front, the baggy leisure riders and myself hung at the back of the mass start, in fear of getting elbowed and jarred out of the gate.
After the rules and regulations were announced to the crowd, the horns sounded and the riders pedalled off in a cloud of dust.
The girls and I set off together, amazed and just how many riders were charging down the lanes.
The various routes were well marked along the way with painted arrows, and marshals covered the crossings and turning points to ensure no rider deviated from the route.
Within the first 4 miles, calamity struck as my dropper post failed me. Being unable to raise my seat, I was forced to ride the remaining 17 miles in a low seated position. My poor knees.
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With a thousand riders charging up and down singletrack paths, there was a number of stops along the route where bottlenecks of riders formed. This can’t be helped when an event has a large number of entrants of varying ability.
Thankfully these stops were short, and we were all pedalling on our way again shortly after. It was a great excuse for a quick banana boost though.
As a group, we decided to stick together throughout the route. Ensuring no one was left behind on the climbs and descents, and making sure everyone was comfortable with the pace.
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However, riding in groups means an increased chance of mechanical issues. Over the course of the ride, we suffered two punctures tyres and time out for changing tubes.
It was only in the final 3 miles that our group got separated, but we carried on to the finishing area where we all met up again for a much needed piece of cake.