After having a blast at this years BikeFest, we were invited back to share in the action at Oktoberfest, hyping riders and giving onlookers something to smile at. Perhaps birthing a new tradition for the Vito Sport sponsored Bristol races, we brought the Pedal Progression ramp out to play for the second consecutive time this year! [left]
A cold but clear start to the day brought about an optimistic feeling around the Oktoberfest camp after a horrendous few days of rain. The ground was soaked and muddy in places, but the all weather trails of Ashton Court were more than ready for the 100’s of riders that would race through over the next 8 hours.
Pedal Progression joined commentator Matt Carr on the finish line which had moved from previous years due to the ground conditions of the old site. This time round the final straight was the fire road connecting the end of the Quarry Trail with the red trail that switches back through New Barn Wood.
“Matt Carr and I quickly moved the Pedal Progression ramp into position… Right in front of a deep, muddy puddle!”
Oktoberfest consists of two four hour races and an eight hour, each with a number of different categories. The first four hour and the eight kicked off at 9am, and once the first lap had been completed, Matt Carr and I quickly moved the Pedal Progression ramp into position… Right in front of a deep, muddy puddle! For some, this would be the highlight of their lap, others refused to be swayed by our cheering of “hit the jump!”, and Martyn Cooper will probably want to forget it after his wet and muddy exit! Poor guy.
One heavy rain shower in the afternoon came as an unwelcome surprise but added to fun, keeping riders switched on as drive components began to clog with mud and bikes put on the pounds. Our megaphones continued to blare and cow bells rang as we heckled and encouraged everyone involved.
The second four hour event saw Bike Riders United race. A team consisting of pro riders Martyn Ashton, Steve Peat and Blake Samson. Vito Sport had run a competition the week previous where the lucky winners were partnered with one of the pro’s to complete the race. All of the pro riders hit our ramp with Blake Samson stealing the show pulling a massive no footer!
As always, a good crowd appeared for the last hour as their friends and family came around for the final laps. A great atmosphere descended with people sounding their own noisy instruments, shouting encouragement and offering cider to those who looked in need! Peaty and I shared a chest bump as Blake came around for his third no footer of the day. It was a rowdy ending to a great race!
Congratulations to Paul Newman and Mike Wilkens on another great event. Lets hope the ground condition will be slightly more kind to us next year!
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