Well the First West Cork Bike fest went off last weekend on two completely different event, a Downhill stage race on the Saturday and a full on MTB marathon on the Sunday with over 90 competitors over the 2 days it was a great first year of this festival.
Here is a Riders review of the event from the Overall winner of the weekend, Adrian Tinkski.
So the Dirt X Challenge started off bright and early Saturday morning, the weather was beautiful and the initial turnout was looking promising, the double Decker catering bus in the woods was an interesting touch, music was playing and the atmosphere was good.
Unfortunately the numbers failed to show but with thirty signed on the first push up commenced. The first stage began with a 150 yard sprint on the flat and down the old NPS course; Greg O’Callaghan took this with a 1.47 followed by Dennis Corkery with a 1.56 both on their downhill bikes.
Then it was time for the long push all the way up, then down the motorway section and middle ground, This run was tough with the average being around 8 minutes and Greg O Keefe doing it in an outstanding 4.17 on a hard tail beating Greg O’Callaghan by 1.10 and everyone else by about 2minutes plus! Plenty of mud all round too to make it twice as hard as it was already.
So you’re getting the picture now, lots of pushing and back at the top of C4 again for the 3rd run and what seemed like a break after the previous one, this went well with plenty of sub 2 minute times and the top ten being very closely spaced With Greg O’Callaghan taking it by 10seconds from Dennis Corkery with Greg O’Keefe 2 seconds further back.
The last and dreaded run was next, Following a long push up no one was in any rush to get started, so after a long rest in the sun people reluctantly began their runs, I have one word for this run HELL, with very tired legs heading down the motorway section over the table top, down the fire road and dropping into C4, a long run in its self, but to get over the barn yard jump and then remember that the fun was over and the push up the walkers trail was in store, this was tough, I tried to run, I tried to pedal, but it turns out the even walking was near impossible, full face on, the temp gauge went through the roof, legs were burnt out and the downhill couldn’t come soon enough, turning back down middle ground was little relief but it was the home stretch so pushing on it finally came, Greg O’Callaghan took his 3rd stage win of the day with a 8.12 from Greg O’Keefe’s 8.27 but O'Keefe had the damage done and took the overall win with a combined time of 16.45 with Rory O’Keefe coming in 2nd in the senior class with a time of 18.42 from Dennis Corkery with a 19.17.
In the juniors it was Greg O’Callaghan (17.12) taking the win from Cam Cornforth (21.18) and Eoin Grant (21.43)
Time for a burger, time for a coffee, racing was done and the final times where added up. It was a Great days racing, More relaxed than NPS but a much tougher day with a lot more time on the bike, It was a shame the turn out wasn’t bigger but I’m sure the good word will have spread by next year.
Following a chat in the pub in Kilcrohane on Saturday night I said I’d write the review on the dirt X challenge and leave the marathon review to Donncha but following the turn of events on Sunday he’s reviewed it from the organisers point of view so I’ll give it from a rather exhausted riders point of view.
So following a long bath to soak my aching legs following the Saturday event I said I’d give Dun a call and see what was happening for the night and pretty soon I found myself reluctantly driving to Kilcrohane with extra marking supplies with the hope of a nice pint in mind, following a quick conversation with Dun and Mike who were still marking, they were quickly convinced to pack it in and finish in the morning (it was dark anyway). So after a few more pints than I expected to celebrate Richie’s Birthday and a rather strange night’s sleep (Apologies William) we woke to the sight of a pretty **** day outside but feeling surprisingly refreshed headed reluctantly out.
The turnout was great with 78 signing on despite the murky weather. The briefing was given and we were quickly under way around 11am. I think it was about quarter of a k up the road that the heavens opened and the stage was set for the day. I must say I’ve never been so completely soaked for such a long period of time, It just did not let up at all at any stage, the fog did have its affect and unfortunately the where a few people who went astray, I was further back which made the trail unmistakable and despite the heavy fog I found I could usually make out the next marker. It was so foggy that I completely forgot where I was and that there was amazing views in every direction all around me, I swear if the weather holds up next year there will be people who won’t believe they where there before.
As for the route is was class A, and I’m sure everyone else would agree that the road sections where very much appreciated following some of the slogging through the mud up on open hill tops, although the descents where great fun. It’s actually the longest cycle I’ve done so I was bloody happy to hear I had only 1.5 miles left, I had been asking anyone I had met for the previous few miles did they have the millage as I was burnt out and to my surprise just after crossing the finish line Matt informed me that I was in 14th and had that no one else for the overall prize had come in yet, and that James had taken the win for the day with a time of 3hrs 12 mins. I had come in at 4hrs 3minutes and William within the hour, last riders where in by 5hrs 5 minutes.
Despite the **** weather, some mistakes and even a cracked carbon frame it seems the day was a big success with plenty of happy but tired faces around the place talking it over, not to mention James’ biggest fan (I swear there will be a bronze statue of him in Kilcrohane next year if that guy had his way)
So thanks to Dun, Mike, James, Matt, Richard, all the Marshals and all who helped, also to Kurt and Una for the big overall Trophy. Hope it comes together again next year with a bigger crew to help out.
Full results are up on the homepage here
www.westcorkbikefest.com as are a few photo’s of the event with more to come.
Also fair play to Adrian Tinski, Rory O’Keefe, Greg O’Callaghan, Daniel Collins, Dennis Corkery, Anthony Cornforth, Alan Ayling, Niall Donovan, Stephen Scully and Niall Egan for completing both days events which is no mean feat and an awful amount of bike time in one weekend.