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MSG Ickworth house round 4.

Going again -bike fixed.....
Bob

Not going to make this one.. Have another family outing booked on this date... Have fun all....


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Ill be there doing open race . Number 53 . Red trek 4700

A bit of a long drive for me.
Has anyone been to this location before? How it compares to Codham?

^ Yes I did the very first one there I think it's year three at House now.

It very different to Codham, Codham got woods, switchbacks, bomb holes, Ickworth has grass hills small bit of woods someone muddy drive way.

Scenery nice you got the house & garden for none racers.

I can't say if track changed from year one there was lots of open fields.

It's not worth the drive for an hour race were was a techie bit in woods there was a log to roll over

I'v got a bit of video from year one I'll find link.

Thanks Lazer. Is this your video? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVb1nA7XJJI

They have banned all video cameras from races but allowed for practice laps. (BC rule)

Next year rule these to be no 29ers.
Camera rule don't see why! Good advertisement

I rode this with Laser. I understand the course has been changed quite a bit in the last 2 years though as the first one was a bit tame due to it being the first time MSG had been allowed to use the National Trust land. Should be a lot better now as they've spent a fair bit of time up there preparing the course already. Will see if I can do this one and not break my front mech this time.

If any FB updates and pictures come up I'll post them up here

I read last year there were tricky bomb holes?

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mud-Swea ... 80?fref=ts
if you scroll down to June last year and you'll see all the comments

Thanks for the tip VW-surfbum. I might give it a go then

Race report.
Ickworth House 8th June 14....

Well It started well I got there about 1.00pm which was early than I thought I would be as had a few things todo.

But wwithin minutes of arriving trouble started.
Before I got my bike out the van .
My contact lense that I spent 40 minutes getting in prior to leave came out....
This was my good eye.
Now I tried to put it back and then tried another lense but to no effect. (Eye now sore ..
So now what do I do noway was I taking the right eye lense out ( as bad as putting it in )
noway of wearing my glasses as I would not see out of the left .
So one eyed Bob was my going in position.
Bike came out of the car and sods law no rear brake ( did not have much to start with ( needs bleeding badly.
sorted drinks out and put at feed stn (sister was agreat help and confidence builder .
Looked at the bomb holes near finish and had a go at the B line which was a total mess in front of a big crowd.
Straight into the post at the last climb out foot struck in water bottle cage and could not extract it with others coming up my rear .....
So to the start after I walked to the next bomb hole alomg.


I was well placed third row ( 21 ) 30 plus starters .
Straight was just molehills and bumps ( rough ground ) right bend then a fairly long climb up a hill /slope ..
I stopped before the top and took out the riders behimd and put them out of the stride .
But then went into a wood (only can be discribed as a bog...) went climbs and ditches and roots and all sorts of muck.
No grip to be had on the tryes .
Then a fast stretch which was wet and inclined so as a need to take care as sliding a nd was easily steared off course .
then a climb up to more bog wood land then back on the track towards finish more bog wood and a gravel track (mud flying from bike and others passing riders )
bomb hole and then eventually to opebn ground which was ajewel to ride with banks and flat grass really enjoyed it and did not need the rear brakes and flew along .
Bomb holes before the finish then the finish line .
I knew it was going to be tough ride as even the good riders were puffing and panting .
second lap same third lap and the course was taking its toll .
Helped a chap with a alen key as his head was loose and was struggling .
This did cost me a good few minutes but he was not in my group and I had given up coming first .
Eventually ended the race in my position Last on the track again.
Had my picknic with added sheep manue ../..
Eventually got home at 6.30 pm spent.
This morning agony at worked eventually looked at placing ...
29th and 32 finishers .
Great more points if I hold it then looked at finishers and Mr smith my next one up in the Nat. ranking was not to be seen .
He was due to ride .
Will he get knocked of 4 th place and be passed by me.



All to ride for at Port Talbot /wales next weekend.
MUST GET OUT ON MY BIKE>>>>>
Sod the chickens coming on the 28th.June .

Hope everybody who rode had a good day
Bob

Alway entertaining Bob