Exmoor Beast: A BEAST OF A RIDE

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Exmoor Beast: A BEAST OF A RIDE

The Exmoor Beast, held on the 1st November, remains to be a very popular sportive on the calendar. Despite treacherous weather conditions, 1087 riders (of the 1728) started the tackling route around Exmoor. We've got this report, straight from the Exmoor Beast organisers for Cyclosport.org

Entrants to the Exmoor Beast, who were hoping for a continuation of the Indian summer conditions of late October, woke up to appalling weather. The start had to be delayed an hour, while organiser, Marcus Di Vincenzo, evaluated the bleak situation. Storm force gales had already seen one of the event support vehicles blown into a ditch on the high moor and the hold- up turned the registration area at Butlins, Minehead into something resembling a refugee camp. Many riders took advantage of the enforced inactivity and sprawled out on the floor to grab some unexpected relaxation before the off.

Putting the safety of the riders first, Di Vincenzo ordered that the mid section of the 100 mile route be closed and all resources directed to cover the 100 kilometre version. Although some were initially unhappy at being denied the longer challenge, within the first 10 miles all realised that even attempting the longer route would have put them at severe risk of complete exhaustion or hypothermia. The leg breaking climb of Dunkery Beacon had already taken its toll, with most forced to walk its fearsome gradient and some already heading back to Minehead.

The weather had to be the worst ever experienced in UK sportive history, with gale force winds, gusting at over 50mph, blowing riders off the road and face stinging freezing cold rain testing riders’ resolve to the ultimate limit. By the first feed at Simonsbath, where wood burning stoves and hot soup greeted the bedraggled hordes, it was clear Di Vincenzo had made the right call, with some riders having battled for over 4 hours to cover the opening 35 miles.

If the opening had been a nightmare, the final 28 miles were a relative dream, with a turbo charged tail wind pushing many along at over 25mph on the road to Wheddon Cross. The sun even made a late appearance to spur the riders on to the Brendon Hills and the exhilarating descent to Timberscombe.

The final surprise of the day was the finish; it was indoors. The timing mats had been positioned across the wide hallway leading to the deregistration point. Here riders picked up their certificates and commemorative kit bags which appropriately displayed the legend “I tamed the beast”. On such a day, nobody could argue with that.

THE BEAST STATISTICS

1728 entered.
641 (37%) chose not to ride.
1087 started.
76 (7%) abandoned.
Fastest male was Andrew Boyd, in 3h 42m 35s.
Fastest female was Jane Cumming, in 4h 10m 14s
Oldest rider was 71
One service vehicle alone dealt with 62 punctures.

2010 Entries open on January 1st www.exmoorbeast.org

Graham Bewick
All I can say is WOW! when you finished this sportive you knew you'd been on a ride, lol. I fell off, got blown off the road and my back break decided it was too wet to work. I've never, ever ridden in such strong winds and driving rain in my life. I was descending at about 35mph (not too fast but fast enough with only one working break) sheltered from the cross wind by a stone wall, every time I came to a gate in the wall I had to hang on for grim death, I would literally watch my front wheel get blown sideways as I zipped along. Everyone I spoke to afterwards said how scared they were at certain points, everyone had a tale to tell. What a ride though, loved it and I'll be back next year when the beast rears its head once again. Well done to the team who ran the event it all seemed very well organised. See you next year.

Andy Jenkins
My first sportive and despite feeling the effects of a chest infection and some cracked ribs I still managed 5hrs 17 which I was happy with. The conditions were certainly tough but for me it made it all the more challenging and after all, it was November although some mats over the cattle grid going up Dunkery would have been welcome. The factilities were excellent and the indoor finish was nice. Well done to all who took part in this event and to Marcus and his team for a super day. I will definately be entering next year!

Stuart Proctor
Wow, what an experience, I've been finding it difficult to explain to people just how windy and wet it was up there, I'm probably in some kind of denial that it ever took place!! Managed it in 4:50 which I thought was respectable; what was interesting and quite telling was that the time to the first feed station was about 3 hours... the rest took 1:50 with wind-assistance, you work it out!! The carnage going up Dunkery Beacon had to be seen to be believed! Set off with a guy called Richard from Newton Abbot, but with the rain, the wet leaves, people falling off or walking, slipping on the cattle grid, we got split up. Last I saw, he was pushing up over the cattle grid, hope you got around okay Richard! The rest of the climb up over the moors seemed to go on for ever, but I made it up, just about in one piece. Never experienced cross winds like that before, it was really a case of holding on for dear life! But it wasn't just fun on the ascents... I have to say that the descent to Lynmouth was one of the most frightening things I have ever done, gawd knows what how big the balls were on the guys that went zipping past me must have been! It was with immense relief that I rounded the bend to the left and started the 'gentle' ascent up Course itself was tough, but in a similar way to the DLMC, not as tough as I was expecting it to be, just the weather that added that extra level of 'interest'. I guess living in Shropshire, the hills become second nature, whatever the weather. Will I be back, oooohh yes, can't wait, see you next November!

Steve Jones
My first sportive ever, only started to ride again this year after many years off. I'm 46 and was riding my 21 year old Harry Hall 531 framed bike with shimano 105 kit, including biopace chainset! If I can do it in 5hr 28 then I would encourage everyone to have a go. The weather just made it more of a challenge and more of an achievement to finnish. Those who decided not to take part realy missed out. Yes it was tough but the feeling of elation on passing the finnish line more than made up for it. My advice , just go for it! fantastic event. Can't wait for the next one. L'etape maybe!!