The Mortimer Forest Hill Race is unique. It involves running 10 miles (all off road) and a total accent of 1700ft. The second climb is so steep you are almost on hands and knees, The descents are also steep. This doesn’t make the race unique, what does is that it can be done on a bike! The cycle race starts 1/2 an before the main race for safety reason. Cycling is not the soft option though - the only way most of the hills way to get a bike up is by carrying it!. Some of the descents look impossible to cycle down! The Bike Race started promptly at 10:30.

Mike and I were the only Chuggers taking part this year. That is twice the number from last year!

The race started at 11am. At the start line  we were given instructions. We were told that part of the route was frozen solid - in fact there was some sheet ice! The temperature was hovering around freezing point!

The first part of the race is across the school playing fields. The route crosses a minor road follows a gentle climb into the forest, Then is down to the Mary Knoll Valley. After about a mile the route crosses a stream then it was straight up the side of the valley. There was a queue on this climb - it didn’t slow me down too much.

The route then then descends - it’s not too steep but was very icy. I just avoided hitting the deck! The next 15 minutes was along the Pipe Road.  This is named as it is above the pipe which carries Birmingham’s water supply from the Elan Valley to Bartley Green Reservoir. This is a flat track . After a time we arrived at a building with a plaque saying ‘Birmingham Corporation Water’.  This signals the start of the ‘Big Dipper’! There are 3 steep ‘man-made’ descents each followed a ‘man-made’ climb. After the last climb the route continues to climb up a forest track before descending to the High Vinnals Car Park. From here it’s a tough climb through woods which eventually emerges onto moorland. Then it’s downhill across the moorland and back into the woods, The tracks was narrow and icy. At the one point a marshall warned about ice - I asked him how the bikes had coped? He said most had gone down very fast! 

It was back into Mary Knoll Valley. Then a climb up to the the finish. There are no medals or T Shirts. Just a drink of water and tepid shower! It’s a brilliant race! Somehow I can’t see myself doing it by bike next year!

Times

Mike   112:57

Simon 121:34