Chicken Skin Handbags

Sherwood Pines XC, Notts - 26th Jan 2003

This race was three laps of an 8-mile course. The conditions were very muddy and when we arrived it looked like it was going to be hard work.

We arrived at around 10.30am for an 11am start. For the first time we left ourselves a bit of time so we had a chance of starting at the same time as everyone else. Unfortunately Mick had made a school boy error and the race didn't start until 12pm. We were gutted and of course a bit impatient.

Our supporters, Chris and CJ the dog, disappeared for a while to stretch their legs. The Team decided to check out the course before the race (perhaps the first time we have done that as well). Pete borrowed one of the test bikes on offer. The bike was worth more than the car we left as a deposit so we were close to leaving with it (just kidding!!!). The course was made up of a long stretch of fire road and single track sections that were probably half an inch deep in mud. The practice lap was hard work never mind the race ahead.

After more waiting around the race began at around 12.30pm. We were all restless and not as eager to do the race as at 10.30am. The first lap seemed ok but hard work. Dave was relishing the challenge.

Into the second lap and Pete had technical difficulties. His chain snapped ending his chances of finishing the race. Chris's calculations worked out Mick and Dave to be between 7th and 12th position.

The third lap proved difficult for Mick. His energy had gone and the mud was taking its toll. He fell in the first quarter of the lap letting two riders pass him. From then on it was mind over matter.

Dave was going strong in the third lap and was really enjoying the race. He was happy that he was able to complete a race without any technical difficulties.

After the race had finished the general consensus of the Team was that the build up was too long and there didn't seem to be many officials taking numbers as you came in to the finish. However the course was put together well. We later found out that we did well to finish as a lot of riders dropped out due to complaining about the weather and conditions. Obviously summer riders. Those kind of people with expensive equipment, they talk a good game but when it comes down to it can't finish a bag of chips.

Results
Mick	11th
Dave	13th
Pete	Not Finished (broken chain)

Sherwood Pines XC, Notts - 16th February 2003

A very wet and cold day. Unfortunately only Mick was able to appear due to those nasty viruses getting Pete and Dave, meaning colds.

A tough race and probably not too strong a field. However the day produced Micks best result yet. A strong 5th place.

Results
Mick 	5th

DVATC, Alfreton Park - 14th May 2003

The first in a series of six began at the Alfreton leisure centre. This series is not one for the mountain bikers, more for the cross trainers to do something in the summer. Still, not being put off by the large number of cross trainer bikes Mick and Pete turned up with their trusty steeds.

The evening was dry but not too warm. Ideal conditions really. The race being with a big push to hit the first corner at the front of the pack. Unknown to the chicken skin handbags there was a large cluster of mud to hold everyone up and even knock a few people off their bikes. Mick managed to squeeze through with out too much trouble. However Pete caught the back lash of one of the riders falling and was held up. From then on Pete was chasing the pack.

The course was ideal for the cross-trainer bikes. A long grass climb for them to get some speed up and not too much technical stuff to give the mountain bikers chance to catch up. Still, it's all good training for future events. The heart is pumping away at the end of the 50 minute race.

Mick - 18th
Pete - 26th

Kona 100, Rhayder - 31st May 2003 to 1st June 2003

What a quality weekend this was to have the first of three Kona 100's. It took place around the small village of Rhayder. The campsite was situated next to the local rugby club. Ideal for the chicken skins to have a few beers the night before.

This event was entered by Mick and Pete. Unfortunately Dave is still keeping the peace in one of the worst areas in the world. No not Mansfield, the scary Iraq.

As ever the preparation was fantastic. Six beers on the Saturday night, before hitting the sack at around 12am. A good night sleep and the boys were up at 6am getting ready for the days marathon. The sun was shining and the weather was hot (quote). Good day to catch some rays as well as climb a few steep hills.

The race started at 10am and everyone began lining up around 9.30am. About 900 riders entered, either for the 50k or 100k ride. The team was situated about half-way down the line, not ideal but a better position than last year. The count down began with 10 seconds to go. The build up had a reel anti-climax when the gun went, as nobody could move for about 2 minutes because of the amount of people. Once the riders were moving it was at walking pace until the town centre was reached. The boys were then away.

The first few Km were ideal, a long back road climb to split everyone up and take you in to the first single track. From then on, it was small single track sections and long sweeping fire tracks going in and out of the woods. Overall a real good course.

The teams' main bodge of the race came just after the first food station, about 25km into the race. The track looped for 5km back to the same place and then carried on up a fire track climb. Coming to the end of the loop Pete and Mick were split by a couple of slower riders. Mick headed up the climb expecting Pete to be waiting at the top. In the meantime Pete had been told to do the 5Km loop again. They were split up until the next food station. Mick re-fuelled at the station whilst waiting for Pete. After about 15 minutes Pete trundled up. Both were confused at what had happened but carried on the race as a team. Other than that there were no other major problems.

The race came to an end for the Chicken skin handbags after 6hours and 38 minutes smashing last years time. The last 10km of the race had to be the longest 10km ever. A slog of a boring road section that took what seemed like an eternity. The finish was memorable as the team name was announced over the loud speaker.

A quality weekend which should be recommended to all bike enthusiasts. Roll on Bulith Wells.

Results

Pete	106 / 144 (in the open Category)
Mick 	107 / 144 (in the open Category)

Time for both = 6 hours 38 minutes

Mountain Mayhem 24hr, Wolverhampton - 21st to 22nd June 2003

At last the Team Chicken Skin Handbags had been admitted to the illustrious 'Red Bull 24 hour race' (or as it's now called - the Mountain Mayhem)

Everyone arrived on the Friday evening. Dennis (the old man) and Janet had arrived early to set the camp up. The weather looked promising for the weekend ahead.

The team consisted of Metal Mick, Pistol Pete, Chris (The Scottish Connection) and a new member 'Tremendous' Tim.

The events camp was massive with a much bigger area of bike stalls than the sleepless had. Before the race even started it was obvious the competition was a lot stronger than normal. All the major teams were there; giant, Gary Fisher, specialized.

Saturday came and the pre race briefing was given. The announcer mentioned some sort of bumpy field, little to our knowledge that this field was the nightmare of the race.

Chris was selected to do the initial run. Being a top cross country runner we were expecting a good start. To our ecstatic cheers he came through the gate in first place. The announcer was shocked. So that's now the teams claim to fame, "At one stage we lead the Red Bull event".

The course as a whole was challenging but not as enjoyable as other courses. A lot of the race took place over grassy, bumpy fields. The particular field mentioned above nearly shattered your back bone if attempted on a hard tail bike, which we all had. There were no real enjoyable down hill sections although there was a very good single track section in the first half of the course.

The team were lucky with any technical problems. Mick had two punctures, Tim had one puncture and Pete damaged his wheel, but luckily it was ok until his lap had finished.

With a total of 28 laps the team remained in the top 50 for the entire race. A very good result considering the competition.

A top event. Would be better without the nightmare field of ruts.

Shimano Sleepless In The Saddle, Trentham Gardens - 9th to 10th August 2003

Another top event and what a result for the team.

Friday morning came and went and before everyone knew it they were making their way to Trentham Gardens. The team this time consisted of Pistol Pete, Dynamic Dave, Metal Mick and Tremendous Tim.

Dave and Rachel arrived first and prepared the camp. What a camp it was. The team had electric. It was a major bonus since it was Forests first game of the season (we couldn't miss that!!!). It was also very very hot so the little fridge came in handy. The question is when does camping stop being camping, particularly when the girls can take a hair dryer to dry their hair.

Friday night passed by with the usual BBQ and one beer each (not a good idea to have many more and then do the race the day after). As per usual the full support team were there to back us up. Unfortunately Janet and Dennis had to leave to go on holiday midway through Saturday. They were gutted.

Saturday started as a blistering day and the temperature only seemed to get hotter. The morning was spent lazing about in the sun catching some rays and of course tinkering with the bikes. Dave had just bought his new bike and it was the first race he had done on it. What a bike he had put together.

The race briefing was given under the midday sun and everyone was warned about the problems the heat could cause. If only Mick had listened. The start was imminent. In the absence of Chris, Pete was chosen to do the initial run before jumping on his bike and doing the first lap. The atmosphere was fantastic as the count reached 1 and the gun was sounded to start the race.

Pete finished the first lap with a fantastic time to get the team in the top twenty.

The afternoons racing was hard work in the sun. Sweat was pouring off every rider. The solo riders must've been feeling the heat the most, or so you would think. However come the second lap of the night run and after a worn freewheel, Mick's nightmare began. Firstly the concoction of sports drinks and food started taking there toll and the race came to a holt for Mick. The rest of the night was spent running between the toilet blocks trying to avoid waking everyone up whilst being ill. To top the nightmare off none of the bike stalls could replace the broken freewheel. Game over.

So the rest of the team soldiered on as a three. A fantastic effort from Pete, Tim and Dave kept the chicken skin handbags in the top twenty for the rest of the race.

The course was as good if not better than last year. The few alterations made it a challenging but enjoyable lap every time (minus the pain obviously). There were two triple arrowed down hills which tested all, especially in the dark, and of course the monster hills were still included (it wouldn't be the same without them).

Rain set in early in the morning. The course was churned up and Tim's last lap, to finish the race, was very tricky. He was unrecognisable by the time he had finished. Again a valiant effort by all.

Thanks goes to the support team for all their effort in the absence of 'the old man' and Janet.

Sheffield City Route, Redmires Reservoir Sheffield - 30th November 2003

The route began on the edge of Redmires Reservoir. It was a dismal day to be biking. The rain was pooring and it was freezing.

The route was taken from the December addition of mbr spotted by Pete. It is 17 miles long (which ended up being 19 by the time the team had finished) and quite a nice couple of technical downhills. Unfortunately due to preparations for a trip in Norway Dave couldn't make it so Mick and Pete took to the saddle for this one.

The start saw the two of them climbing away from the reservoir up a rocky bridal way. The climb was tricky as well as slippy due to the driving rain. Arriving at the top and the first technical problem hit them. It was only a puncture so not much time was wasted.

Two minutes later and the first down hill was upon them. The track followed on from the uphill in the fact that it was rocky and technical. This was a great oppurtunity for Pete to test his new Giant full-suspension frame. It was a great run to start the morning off.

The best run of the day came half-way through the ride on a steep descent to Brestant. The conditions meant that braking wasn't an option. With the back brake fully applied and wheel skidding along Pete and Mick still flew down the descent. The only way of stopping was hitting something hard after falling off the bike. It was diffinately the best adrenaline pumping run of the route. Both managed to survive with no injuries.

After the half-way mark the rain and cold began to set in. The route was no longer an enjoyable ride but a survival trip to get back to the car before someone'ss feet fell off.

The map began to disintegrate in the rain at about the half-way mark. With no back up map things were bound to get tricky as Pete or Mick hadn't done the route before. However with a method of elimination and asking a few locals they managed to make it back to the car frozen, wet and hungrey.

Both agreed the route would be a real good route if the weather was more favourable. Before attempting this bare in mind there are six km's on boring road.