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The Hunt - View from the pack

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To be honest I wasn't planning on racing this one. Tokyo Fixed is one our latest stockists and one where, during lengthy chats about bikes, riding and racing, it was very apparent we had the same point of view. Which is why Morvélo stepped in to sponsor The Hunt {A Fixed gear Crit}. For both Morvélo and Tokyo Fixed, racing and events should be about fun, speed, enthusiasm and throwing something different into the mix. So a fixed gear crit seemed like a great choice to us and one that hasn't happened over in the UK before, but has in some lively races in different parts of the world. I'm a sucker for novelty and change so I signed up along with fellow KMP rider and friend Phil Moore.

Now, the three words Fixed Gear Crit would normally conjure images of a crash fest. A mixed ability of riders thrashing around a circuit with no brakes would probably be many peoples idea of hell and one to avoid. But it would be their loss. Sure, there will be crashes, and there were, but no more so than the road racing I've taken part in. It's a fact of life. If you race road or track bikes chances are you'll be in a crash. So the key is to not think 'If' but to make appropriate plans. You see it and hear it all the time whether it's a 3rd Cat race at Hillingdon or in the Giro, stay near the front. Do that and you'll have a great race and stay safe. Unless you have Roberto Ferrarisprinting in front of you.

So that's what I did. Making the choice that I'd rather lose energy than lose skin. Which is why it looks like I'm giving everyone a race long leadout in this video. Just look for the flash of white in amoungst the sea of black. Oh and some bad ass deep Reynolds Pista wheels! Hear the rumble.

There were two heats and then a final. I was in Heat one. The pace was good, the racing close and The Hunt undoubtedly had the best atmosphere of any road or track race I've taken part in. Large amounts of cheering and heckling (Phil bought his megaphone :-) and a good passionate crowd.

It reminded me a lot of the Singlespeed World Champs (MTB) races and events I've been too. A smallish group of enthusiastic riders, a wide range of abilities, a desire for some fast and fun racing and some great looking and sweetly specced out bikes mixed with some beaters that look like they could tell some good stories. No attitudes and an international flavour with riders from the USA, Holland, Greece and Italy making it over. 

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So Heat 1 and keeping my nose in the wind I played it safe. Which is more than can be said for a few riders. Hearing the mash of metal and tarmac a crash came down mid-pack and sent one rider down and several swerved off into the car park - but into a fence.Thanks must be given to them for narrowly missing my parked car too although I'm not sure you'd notice another dent in it.

The heat was lively with attacks going off every other lap. I tried a few times but the quality of the riders at the business end was high and I was always brought back. I gave it one last big dig on the last pinch but went too soon and was passed to take 2nd in my heat. Happy with that though!
Phil saddled up for Heat 2 and spent most of the race sitting pretty near the front. As misfortune would have it though, the one time he slipped back a bit the bunch got squeezed a Phil took it upon himself to tear some extra ventilation holes in his knee warmers - and knees:

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Game over.

Patched up he returned finely to heckling duties as I lined up for the final. Once again the plan was to stick near the front. Everyone was a bit more cagey in this one, with one big attack going by the eventual winner but he was bought back a few laps later just as we heard that tell tale noise of clashing pedals once more. I looked over to see that it had happened fairly close to the front. Chas from MASH SF signaled to GO GO GO! So the 8 of us just buried it to make sure the split stayed. Now we were in a smaller group and working well to stay away with everyone doing their turn. Last lap and the guy who beat me in the first heat went for a flyer. I'd seen how strong he was so thought this was THE move.

Trouble was, it wasn't. I caught him just before the last rise but had pulled with me two super fast Italians who promptly dispatched me in the last 200 metres. The others were closing fast and I still had a slim gap. With nose on the handlebars pedalling full tilt around the final bend I crossed the line 3rd! Hell yeah! 

All in all one of the most entertaining races and events I've been to and plans are already a foot to hold another. You can be sure that I'll be there again and Morvélo will be supporting.

Check out the full gallery over at Imagehunters
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Posted by Morvélo