Viper Marketing & Communications Group

Broken bikes and bruises at Bristol BikeFest 2010

- News article posted on Monday 07 Jun 2010 at 10:44 by Jim Hardcastle

Every hurdle was put in Team Viper's way before and during the Bristol BikeFest. Various virus' kept a stream of pre-race excuses flowing in the build up. Broken bikes piled on the pressure and then Neil rode into a tree.

Jim was chosen for the first lap with the 'Le Mans' style start as apparently he's the only one that can run! A quick sprint up the hill to where our bikes were quickly breaks the field up. All was going well with Team Viper in the top quarter until disaster struck on Jim's first lap. Coming off the bridge the rear mech got pushed into the back wheel, ripping it off and breaking spokes - race over for this bike and a run back to the start line. No one said it was going to be a duathlon.

To be fair Dave and Neil coughed and spluttered their way through the event but they still managed to do some lightening quick laps. The course was spot on: bone dry and race fast with happy dust everywhere.

Ian was riding like a man possessed fueled by home-made flapjack. Lord knows what was in it but it definitely worked!

Neil came back complaining about how unforgiving trees are in Ashton Court. He rode clean into one having just overtaken a rider. That rider then had a grand view of Neil peeling himself of the tree. The bruise is quite spectacular.

And then Jim broke another bike. Neil's Viper bike, a sleek xc model fit for the skinniest and most adept of riders was no match for Jim's oafish line choices. A ripped tyre wall and puncture put paid to that one. Bike 3 for Jim. Ian was looking worried as Jim rode off on his machine.

On and on they went. Lap after lap. Cough after cough. Yogurt, lemon drizzle cake and energy gels fueling them.

Calculations were made and Dave was sent off on the glory lap. Could he get a final lap in before the deadline of 9pm? He did it with 1 minute to spare. Team Viper were on the line cheering him though with tears in their eyes - but that was probably the happy dust. 

Team Viper would've come top 5 if it wasn't for all the mechanical issues - post race excuses have already started.  

- Posted on Monday 07 Jun 2010 at 10:44 by Jim Hardcastle