For how the race actually went, go see The British Continental's coverage here

For last years mens and womens look here

And if you want pictures of the race, look around online for other peoples coverage. I was almost always stood next to a photographer or someone with a proper fancy video camera clearly making content, so there's no need for me to take crap photos. I just cheered on the riders.

The Plan

This year I stressed a lot about my plan, and decided to try and see as much on the Sommerberg as possible, constantly chasing the race and moving. Eventually I worked out that if I set off earlier, didn't see the race come through the feedzone on the first lap, but instead got to Owston for the first passage, that I could see the first passage, then see the second (after they came through the feed downhill that I'd usually start at) and that would make the first lap effectively a bonus. After that the plan was to go the opposite way to the race and stand on top of the Sommerberg, then chase the race back to Owston, watch a sector there, back to the Sommerberg where I'd see the race for the final time as it left to the finish loop. It'd possibly be tight in some places, but chasing the race, or trying to beat it, is always fun!

The Stuff

This needed a subtitle somehow

I stressed about pretty much all morning, knowing at some point I had to go, then at about 12:40 I started getting ready, and by 12:42 I'd got all my kit on and was downstairs... I needed to leave at 13:00 at the earliest really. Owston should take about 50 minutes for me to get to, the race started at 14:00, and it'd take 20 minutes to get to us. I ended up pressing go on my GPS at 12:54, and getting to Owston when barely anyone was there at 13:37 (nice). There were a few marshalls dotted around, and the first chap I saw was a lovely gentleman who was to marshall the Green Lane corner. He was sweeping the road of gravel to give the riders a bit of a chance to not crash there having seen a few stack it in the Junior race that morning (which next year I might try to plan to get to, it's just what to do with the 2 hours between that race finishing and the womens starting, and I probably wouldn't be able to get to Melton to see the Jrs finish, so more like 3 or more hours)

I toddled off from that corner to wait at the village hall where there was a small gathering, and the race would be passing on the first lap. Small shoutout to the marshall with the pride flag coffee mug. I was too scared to say that I like you mug, but if you somehow see this, cool mug, thanks for showing me which way the race was going.

Passing 1

I hung around there for a bit, listening to the music, enjoying the vibe, waving at dogs going past, and just waiting until the race arrived. Looking over the hills at about 14:10 we could see the cavalcade arriving :3 I jogged and rolled down the hill to get to the steep part of the aproach to Owston. It's always better to stand on an uphill as the riders will go slower there, and it's cooler to stand in those parts than downhills. That's where I was to take the photo at the top of this page. One car managed to scrape itself on the raised centre of the road on this part. Worrying for that car that it's scraping on the tarmac road sections of the race. It might have struggled on the chaotic off roads, and numerous potholes that litter the route.

Passing 2

After that race had gone through I rolled down the hill to take a spot on the Manor Farm sector. I ended up slightly on the downhill post crest exit. It's not the best place to spectate from, but it's great to watch the more skilled riders overtake those that are more cautious here. Of course any of them would wipe the floor with me, even on my cyclocross bike.

It wasn't that long until they were back, the race had split slightly at this point. There was a solo leader about 4 seconds off the front, then a strung out main pack, followed by dregs of riders. For riders off the back at this point it was going to be really tough to get back on.

This part of the Manor Farm sector is a great memory for me, as close to 20 years ago my Dad and I stood just around the corner for an early edition of the mens race and a rider had a puncture right in front of us. No punctures that I saw today just yet, but some of the riders stuck in the cars had suspiciously clean single wheels.

Passing 3

After seeing that lap I rushed off to the Sommerberg. I followed a pair of riders from the Hope team who were out to watch the race. It's always fun to follow riders like that. I was riding pretty hard, and they were just chilling. It's really fun to see the contrast in skill and ability. I think I'm pretty good, but anyone I've ridden with at a group ride has got nothing on these guys.

I neededn't have rushed, because it was a long time before the race came though. I got chatting to some of the photographers and one showed me an amazing photo of a Jr rider crashing on the Manor sector through the corner I was stood on (though going the other way). The rider, arse over tit, bike in the air, sliding on their side, and another rider looking back, while a third looks to be sliding a two wheel drift! All riders involved were okay, so it's fine to giggle at the chaos of the race.

This lap had the riders heading in the Southern direction (a direction I haven't ridden this lap in so often, though I have descended the other side of it to get back to Owston many times more than I've climbed the other side, proven later by me getting a PB despite stopping to watch the race). As the race came past it was split up a lot more, though it was still mostly big groups. There weren't many spectators at this point, so me applauding and trying to cheer words of encouragement felt a bit akward. Some spectators knew specific riders (the two Hope lads were near me) so that was good.

One puncture over the top, and an unfortunate call to the helper who rushed in with a rear wheel when it was the front that had gone flat. He had to run back to grab another wheel. It's always tricky to tell what's going on.

The cars were well behind the front of the pack here, the narrow lanes do enough to spread the pack, then you hit the Sommerberg from the potholiest direction. A tight turn in, straight through a gate, and a gentle left hand turn 1% uphill for I guess 800m. Big potholes, nearly impossible to avoid on your own, let alone in a pack. There's a chance to gain some extra speed after this with a small drop down, still full of potholes, then the climb happens. Brutally steep, over 10%, it's been freshly gravelled for the race last year but it kicks up a lot of dust and can be really slippery in the wet! Just past this, right at the top of the hill was where I stood. The riders can see the top, but now have to pick left or right as the centre of the road becomes a raised patch of mud. You're almost locked into this choice the whole way down. The descent I can hardly describe. Heavily steep, some long turns, and potholes that are hard to avoid. Filled with large gravel for sure, but that becomes loose quickly as the riders pelt over it.

This is where the race got long, the broom wagon was well behind the cars with a large groupetto style pack. They'd stay together for the rest of the race, with splinters of riders between them and the cars. There's some tight time limits on the route because of the lap system, but it was to be a long day at the back for some of these riders. Finishing races at a National A level for a lot of riders, especially juniors (there's no Jr Womens race), is a big thing, so they were going to fight to continue.

After the broomie went past I quickly went to chase it down, there was a chance for an extra viewing at Owston if I could cut them off. They were to go the long way through the village.
I followed the Hope lads down the hill. They were on road bikes, not racing, but I still was going faster than I usually would to keep up with them down this sector, again showing the difference in skill between pros and amateurs. I count myself as a great bike handler, especially off road, this terrain is my liveblood, and I could easily have been dropped. Unfortunately they found someone they knew, and stopped there, so I didn't get a chance to follow them down the hill the whole way.

Passing 3.5

At the bottom I followed the broom wagon, and a small trailing of press cars, back to Owston. I was absolutely flat out following it. The rider the broomie was following was barely hanging on, and ultimately wouldn't finish the race. Again, the difference here is incredible, and this is a national race, it comes with no UCI points, most of the riders are semi-pros, the prize money, while great to have, isn't going to fund a broken pair of wheels these days. Everyone here is doing it for the love of it, and a lot for the hope to improve and get a top level pro contract. The list of winners here is great, especially the Jr Mens race. Barely a name on there that hasn't gone on to do more.

I managed to cut through to the exit of Manor Farm onto Green Lane and watch a few groups pass there. A van had decided to cut out of there and nearly blocked some riders because it hesitated to come out. If the road is closed for a bike race, please just stop. It's safer for everyone!

Unfortunately here there was a crash from a rider. She went down fairly hard on the gravel. In herself she was fine, but her bike was messed up, and she was already so far towards the back that she decided to call it a day. Fair enough, can't blame her after that. It's a brutal race. One of the marshalls offered to call the team car or whoever was around to pick her up. She did actually know the phone number, which was impressive (if you're racing and don't carry your phone, stick the team car number somewhere, or someone to pick you up just in case!). At the end of the race, over an hour later, I got back to those same marshalls and found the crashed rider still hanging around. The team car was too full to pick her up, and they hadn't managed to get a hold of her husband. I hope she managed to get back okay without having to cycle to Melton the long way. Not a great day for her unfortunately.

Passing 4

The next passing I wasn't 100% sure where it was coming through. I stood with the older chap from the beginning, who again swept the road dilligently, and chatted with the others at the corner. I was at the other end of Green Lane than I'd seen them in passing 3.5.

As we waited for the race a few more people joined to watch with us, including some of the riders from the earlier Junior race. One showed me a video of his mate crashing on the exit to Manor Farm. His front wheel tucks into some deeper gravel and he goes right over the bars! Ouch. They'd added extra thick crushed tarmac to fill potholes on Green Lane. Unfortunately it was getting broken up instead of settling. Even the cars were disturbing it. This direction for green lane is surprisingly steeply downhill. Those brave enough to let off the brakes were able to get a small gap, and one rider attacked off the front here!

The corner was great to watch from. The first group came around, a really big group, bigger than I've seen it before at this point (though the Junior race that day had a big bunch sprint finish). Then the cars, and groups fighting between the cars. Not a great point to be between cars. The run from Owston to Newbold is super narrow, it feels almost claustrophobic in places when riding on your own. I imagine it's impossible to pass a car there. The cars on the exit were going well wide, crashing into an outside pothole.

The large pack near the Broom Wagon was still there, fighting hard. It was getting smaller, though I think some may have gone off the front and gained time. The list of DNFs is usually about 50% for this race though.

Passing 5

After this passing I thanked the marshalls in case I didn't see them again, and rode off at a reasonable nick towards the Sommerberg. This time I took the route around into Sommerby first since I had some time and did the Sommerberg in the direction I don't usually do it (that's where the description from earlier came in).

The direction for the riders is a tough one. A sharp 90* corner onto the gravel, and then straight up the hill. The middle of the road is mostly useable, allowing some left and right swapping, though in a group you're likely stuck in line. As the riders go through the gate into the field over the top there was a lot of words from riders trying to overtake as this is a good launchpad, but even if you only want to ride your own line and keep your speed up to save energy it can be tough in a group. The top of the hill is a long way away, though it's less steep in the field. You keep grinding, usually in a big gear to try not to slip grip, head over the top and onto that descent. The smoother gravel of the first two corners is nice, but the high speed you gain is terrifying as you hit those potholes on the flat. Some riders will have taken this as a point to attack, or try to put their group into difficulty, especially the bigger stronger riders, as there's some explosive hills after this sector.

There were huge gaps now. One rider stuck well behind the last team cars had a puncture and I hope she made it to the other side of the sector where a lot of teams had helpers with spare wheels. If not she'd have had to just wait for neutral service, which wasn't far enough in front of the broom wagon to replace a wheel before getting caught and being out of the race.

Muddy, dusty faces and legs, bikes covered in Leicestershire's finest dust, tired eyes looked onwards, sure they were headed to the final loop, but there was still some more gravel to come, and the finish isn't easy. The final group came though, still together, a long long way behind the leaders, and huge gaps between groups.

And that was it, the last time I'd see the race that edition. Onwards to Melton they went, and best of luck to the winners.

Homeward Bound

I dropped back down the way opposite to the riders and rode with a huge smile on my face back to Owston. I could take the long way through and hit an extra few bits of gravel on my way back.

I stopped in the village to ask a marshall who was doing the teardown, to see if I could be cheeky and grab a sign from the race, if they were only going in the bin. It seems nobody was sure whether they went in the bin or not, so I left empty handed (for now). I might ping an email to the organisers and see if I can blag a sign from the mens race.

This is where I found out the lady who'd crashed before was still stuck in Owston. The town was barren now though, even though the race had only passed 20 minutes before everyone had either left to go home, or raced to the finish.

I hopped back on my bike, rode into the Manor Farm sector, down Green Lane, and smiled thinking about the race history I've seen of this event as I went down through Newbold back to the feed zone. Bottle nabbing time.

Cleanup Crew

The teams in these races are massively underfunded, usually riders are using the bottles they do in training, they're often unbranded, or nabbed from other races. In the World Tour they throw bottles away as a form of advertising, with all the sponsors on the side. There's no budget for that here.

That said, some bottles are left behind in the feed zone, usually broken, but sometimes good, especially if you look in hedges and ditches. I've had many pulls of bottles before, and even a musette one year!

This year I found 3 bottles at the bottom of the hill before the feed zone, one from the pau team who I'd spoken to at Green Lane in Passing 4. One was smashed up, but there was a Rapha crew there with a rubbish bin who took that from me kindly. I always make sure if I pick up a bottle to take it, even if it's broken. If my bag gets full I can drop it by the signs at the litter zone so it'll get collected when they get those signs in and litter pick that zone.

One thing I annoyingly didn't notice was that one good bottle had a broken lid, possibly the one I threw had a good lid, but oh well. I found a good enough replacement from a bottle that broke in the dishwasher last year (being already very thin, shouldn't have gone in the dishwasher).

After that great haul I rode down to the litter zone. This is where riders are allowed (and only here) to throw away trash from their pockets. Usually bottles don't end up here since they want to be discarded in the feedzone and a new one grabbed, but there's often some there, and I even nabbed an unused energy gel last year! (it's still unused, I don't use them, I think it's out of date now...). In the litter zone there were 2 bottles, one broken from Arkea BnB (a now defunt world tour team), and a lovely Elite 750ml bottle. Great haul there! I left the Arkea bottle up at the litter zone marker so it'd definitely not get missed, and went back down to my gravel ride home.

Ash Lane

I think it's called ash lane, I'm not sure, anyway, there's a sector of gravel that can't be used for the event because at the bottom is a ford crossing that's uncontrollable whether it's passable, and you can't send a bike race across a foot bridge (unless it's cross country marathon, or gravel racing). Last year I got a low top 10 time on the sector despite being slowed on the downhill by some horses. This year I went for it.

Fast into the descent, really testing my new wheels here, there's a lot of ruts and pump track skills come in handy. I almost commited to going through the ford at the bottom, but pussied out and cyclocross dismounted, climbed the bank, and remounted on the bridge. The drop off the bridge gets steeper every time, then a narrow pass under a tree branch, and onto a loose rutted section for about 20m, steeply up hill. After that it opens up, back to the gravel the race is ridden on, and it's a max effort hard climb to the top. 3rd place on that sector, I think maybe I can take the record if I go for it, without the backpack on (excuses), in weather I can cross the ford in. I didn't go for it any time last year though so maybe I won't, but I'll give it another bash after the mens race in April at least.

Long Way Home

So I forgot to eat the food I'd brought with me... I had one pack of crisps, and wasn't generally hungry while watching the race, and I felt great, but the ride home is longer than I give it credit for. Due to the extra gravel it becomes about 45 minutes from after the gravel to home, which is fine, but the last 10km was a bit rough as I bonked.

Once I was home I found my lovely sibling had made snickerdoodles (nice puffy crunchy biscuits) and she let me have one, and I had my sammich, which was good. About 55km ride all around, 2h25m riding time, 4h30m out of the house. I think I spent 45 minutes at least watching the race come past, so that's not too bad of a ratio.

Go Watch Local Racing

Check this link to the British Racing Calendar and try to get out to a race, please? It's a great day out, local races are way better than big point to point events because you can see the riders come past many times. Also check with your local clubs if there's smaller races going on, possibly even criteriums (circuit races, you see way more action on these since it's short laps, and many categories constantly racing), mountain bike races, or cyclocross in the winter. People showing up to watch these races are what keeps them alive, and what keeps the sport alive. We need it, especially with some bad news about cancellations due to low rider numbers this year, and the Tour de France no longer being free to air.

Go out, watch bike racing, and ride your bike! It's a great time!