Race Report: Pedalhounds Multi stage Enduro Round 1

The Land of Nod was the perfect venue for the first Pedalhounds Multi stage MTB Enduro of the year.

Despite the clocks going forward and the loss of an hours sleep, competitors, organisers and marshals spirits were high, the friendly banter and glorious weather added to the atmosphere before the racing had even begun.

The sun continued to shine all day as riders enjoyed the four stages, ridden 3 times which weaved their way through the private estate.

Stage 1 Saw the riders complete the longest of the 4 transitions and head out to the top of one of the original Pedalhounds Downhills. From there the start of the course quickly dropped into the Pine Trees weaving its way through the pine trees before snaking its way out onto the steeper section of the hill where three 'bus-stops' greeted the riders, the last of which, and the largest, dropped the riders into the final shoot across tree strewn camber and into the stage finish.

Stage 2 Gave the riders lungs and sprinting legs a real workout with a flat out sprint across the top section before picking up the loam through the snaking turns under the pine trees, then a quick blast into the new cambered rutty section before dropping down to more loamy turns into the finish. The lower section of this stage was where the time was really gained or lost.

Stage 3 The brand new stage had a short sprint from the start before the riders left the forest road heading into a virgin section of trail. From here a series of turns that had riders dodging the tree stumps that lay in wait. Back across the forest road and a short sprint, into steep loamy turns, then across a very fast camber swooping down into the finish field. Lots of time was won and lost by riders picking their way through the tree stump section on this stage.

Stage 4 Starting next to stage3 Stage 4 had a short sprint from the start before the riders left the forest road heading into a series of turns that had riders dodging the tree stumps the same as stage 3. Back onto the forest road and another short sprint, then into the steep turns switch back turns, the track then opened up into a fast downhill section carrying riders down to the finish line.

Special thanks to the spot prize sponsors: Surrey Hills Cycleworks, MX Fitness, D&D Cycles, Firecrest MTB, Mojo - Fox, Sussed Out Suspension, Hope Technology, Imprint Grips, Rhino Goo, Fatcreations, 6SEVEN Clothing, Seal Moto, SAXX Underwear and WD-40 Lubricants.

Also special thanks goes to our other sponsors Airport Autos & Van Tech Volkswagen for the podium medals.

Thank you to everyone who came and took part, with the feedback on the day and on social media indicating everyone had a great time. Thank you to the Land of Nod owners for letting us come back and race again this year. Thanks as ever to the First Aid Staff and of course all of our Course Marshall's who without their support there would be no racing.

The next Pedalhounds MTB Enduro will be held on the 28th May at a great new venue Matterley Estate Winchester.