Event Details
Club: | SMBO |
Event Name: | Whitelee Whirl - Glasgow Area |
Date: | 19/04/15 |
Format: | MBO Score |
Mapping: | Ordnance Survey |
Time Limit: | 4 hours |
National League: | - |
League: | - |
Electronic Punch: | SportIdent |
Event Report
SMBO events are always a “what could have been”, as my partner will testify as I pour over maps of an evening looking for the opportunities that could have offered me an elusive podium place. This weekend was no different of course!
Whitelee is the UK’s largest windfarm, between Glasgow and Kilmarnock. A new event centre for SMBO and the open landscape offered lots of fast riding. Ideal for my rigid 26/29er. The weather was cool and breezy and with old hands along with newcomers with local knowledge route selection was key.
Assisting on the start meant that I was chilly by the time I has an opportunity to go. Cold legs meant I didn’t fancy an instant slog into the wind, and fancied the option of a fast run-in if I was late, with options for additional route selection at the end. So anti-clockwise it was, and an initial plan to skip the extreme East and West controls and pick up most of the mid-points.
Heading to #1 gave a chance to judge speed against the map and a jaunty out-and-back over the dam to #5 put 35 points in the bag in just over 15 minutes. South to #10 and an important lesson learned easily – OS forest boundaries are not accurate, and using turbines as navigation counters is asking for trouble.
A wind-assisted 25mph max to #7 brought confidence. Instead of returning now, head out and get #16, #19, #11 and then #30 before carrying on with the plan. Changing plans requires thought however, and I didn’t optimise my route to #12 and #13 before #15.
A compass is part of compulsory SMBO kit and I have had an old ‘baseplate’ compass in my bag for as long as I can remember. But it’s not the right tool for the job and so never gets used. I’ve made mistakes before by assuming I am on the right track (that quarry, at the top of the hill in Selkirk) so did some reading and then opted for a cheap, simple compass to attach to my zip. At the complex junction at #15 it set me straight as I headed off SW, backtrack to the SE track and #17. Next #18, overshot #20 and a slog up to #15 where I was passed at massive speed by whom I assume became the eventual winner (Paul Payne).
Four hours is plenty of time on a mountain bike and gives the chance to review plans. At #15 I was going to start back, but at only just over half-way in time, there was the option to do the big loop. Committed and onto tarmac for #29, #27 (passed by Keith and Lindsey, pairs winners) and over the hill to the lovely narrow track to #26. Now with the wind really behind me I flew up the long climb to #22 hitting my 3-hour target ahead of schedule.
Averaging 10mph including stops so-far, 12 or 13 miles to go but with a massive tailwind. A tactical-late with plenty of points was on the cards. The singletrack to #25 and #21 was risky, but do-able. Nav error at the 5-ways junction then back on track. Until somehow my rear cassette disengaged from the freewheel on the descent to #25. Disaster!
10-miles back in granny-gear is not fun (especially when you are on 1×11) and takes enough time to lose all your points several times over. What-could-have-been was out-and-backs to #23 and #24 and a return via #8, #6, #4, #2 and #3.
EDIT: Winners route - S1, 103, 102, 104, 106, 108, 124, 123, 122, 121, 125, 126, 127, 129, 130, 120, 118, 117, 115, 113, 111, 112, 114, 119, 131, 107, 110, 109, 105, 101, F1
There is always next time: Selkirk (3hr – Sunday 3 May) and Callander (3hr – Sunday 17 May)
Many thanks to Campbell for doing a cracking job of organising the event and the weather.