Are you a "fair-weather racer?"

Mountain Bike racing is great fun. It gives you a chance to test your skill level, challenge your fitness, try and improve a few places on your last race and get involved in the cut and thrust of competitive racing (even in the fun category).

What more could you want on a Sunday morning? The answer is simple, some decent weather and a track with mud less than two foot deep.

Over the last 18 months in England it appears to have rained, rained and then rained some more. This has led to the races being run in mud or mud. If you add this to the cold and dismal days that are normal weather for this country then the chance of getting a nice warm and dry race is almost zero. The local event organisers have done an excellent job with locations and tracks but the weather is outside their control.

Along with several others I have found a great solution to this sticky situation. It is the difficult but also rewarding role of being a "spectator". All you need for this are some decent boots to get through the mud, extra warm clothes and most importantly a decent excuse.

Here are a few excuses that some people may recognise:

• "I broke my arm leaping over a bollard"
• "I have been sick with cold/flu/stomach bug and have not fully recovered yet"
• "I haven't ridden for about a month and am not starting today"
• "I promised the wife I would be home for lunch"
• "I am still pi**ed from last night"
• "They keep disqualifying me"
• "Couldn't be arsed"

The excuse is everything. A good one will get you the respect of your fellow club members and a bad one will have them cursing you for being a lazy good for nothing. If you can back up your excuse with physical evidence such as x-rays, doctor's note or third party confirmation of vomiting then you are home and dry.

As a spectator there are certain conditions that you must adhere too. Most important is to support the BOB riders as they speed past the caravan during the race. Secondly, you must appear to be interested in the track and how it is riding. A comment such as "You did really well to come 65th in such testing conditions" does wonders for their self-belief and makes you look better.

Being a spectator is an extreme sport within itself. Everyone can take part regardless of fitness or ability, and so far there are no reported injuries. There is only one category to compete in, it is free to enter and socialising is part of what makes BOB such a great club.

The weather has already started improving so maybe we shall see a few more racers, but until then "Come on lads, you're doing really well."

Jerry McGill

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