Just back from Bike Live – few quick word from a XC racer…



Great to go to such a big gathering of all things MTB – good to see all those DH/DS
stars plus all the exciting side shows – but did anybody notice that there was a
XC race going on?



Maybe I’m just a sentimentalist, maybe my other memories of Newnham have been of
world class fields of XC racers, maybe the folks at MBUK don’t give a monkeys about
those who still insist on wearing lycra and getting out of breath but was I alone
in feeling like a cast off at the event?



Things like : no commentary – no co-ordinated prize givings – extortionate entry
fee (must be the all time UK record – correct me if wrong) – fluctuating race lengths
etc….



The good guys of XC race organisation – namely the Sidebottoms from SAMS and Time-laps
did the best they could but I feel they were let down by the overall organisation.



When speaking to one of the distributors exhibiting at the trade stands – I was actually
asked if there was an XC race on! The guy assumed there was ’cause he kept on selling
XC race tyres!



So in summary, if this is the future count me out – I’ll get my festival kicks from
Red Bull or Cheddar..

Anyone got any comments? Mail
us with your feelings