June 21st-24th, must be time for...

It's the 28th February and like a kid before Christmas I can't sleep, has he been? I'm in a state of excited nervousness, I go downstairs and….the post has arrived, I check through and....it's there! I rip open the envelope and glance over those magical words, "congratulations, your team entry has been accepted for this year Red Bull", we're in!

How can anyone get excited about a 24 hour bike race I hear you ask? Well ask anyone who is taking part, and it soon becomes clear, you see we're all quite mad! This year not only have BOB's found 5 members mad enough to take up the challenge, but have club members competing in 3 teams?! Team 'Berks on Bikes' will see Mark and Louise Fenwick, Adrian Raddenbury, myself and my brother-in-law Graham racing. Kevin is captaining another team and along with Justin Sheldon and fellow Singletrackworld malcontence are team "can't be ar**d", who as the name suggests have every intention of doing the least number of laps possible. Paul Howard will be racing again in team "Odd Squad II – Even Odder".

The race is unique in that it has a 'Le-mans' style start with competitors running to their bikes before they start racing then teams race in relay style, except for the 40-50 nutters who are riding solo! Yes, there are people out there insane enough to race solo for 24 hours!

The event will be taking place at Sandwell Park near Birmingham and there is a free campsite, where a BOB mini-site is planned as the club van will be present along with the gazebo, bbq and fridge. With BOB's not only taking part but coming along for the weekend it promises to be a top weekend with a great festival atmosphere. (Kevin is bringing the beers!).

Busy on this weekend? No? Then dust off your tents and get on up to Sandwell Park and support fellow BOB's, who will this year be racing for charity, that's right, we're riding for "charidy mate". With several members racing affected by asthma, we're supporting the national asthma campaign, so even if you can't make it, please help us raise as much money as possible and sponsor us as we try to race continuously for 24 hours.

The event is now already sold out with the 400 or so team places being snapped up within days of the forms being sent out. Pictures and stories (and there'll be plenty I'm sure) will be featured in the next issue of Nine BOB Note.

For more info check out: www.redbullmountainmayhem.co.uk. To sponsor us drop me a line or come along to the club nights and Gorrick's where forms will be available.

Anthony Lindsey

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