This years outing for the annual Sark Mountain Bike race grew considerably from last year’s event with a downhill race added to the event and the cross-country race growing into a 4hr enduro. The first weekend of September brings questions whether we will have a final month of sunshine or winter looms. Well patchy rain and overcast condition all weekend were not sufficient to knock the ambitions of 60 riders with many competing in both events.

The downhill event took place on Saturday with every rider getting the opportunity to ride the course two times with the best time counting towards the competition. A newly built course which is apparently the best one in the Channel Islands according to downhill regulars, was the morsel everyone tested then battered down. For those on a hardtail or normal XC bike we were certainly slower than the full-sus guys. A sprint off the launch pad and into the Dixcart valley followed by 6-8 switch backs with was a pretty tough opener. Dropping right onto a narrow singletrack lead the riders into the heart of Dixcart valley. The rain and outcrops of greasy tree routes meant getting the right line was paramount. Dropping rapidly past a house in the valley (a granite wall on one side!) and a sprint traversing the stream in the valley was the final challenge. A newly built bridge by the course designers allowed some finishing speed. The winning times were in the one and a half minute category. As this was my first enduro and one test run I was certainly humbled and learnt my technical skills need some polishing.

The evening’s entertainment coincided with the Sea Festival in Sark so the MTBers joined the local celebrations with live music and also seafood on offer to load the carbs and, of course, beer to quench our thirst.

The cross country course grew from this year incorporating more of the island and more terrains. The loop started from the festival tent and headed off along the compact gravel across Harbour hill peak and down into Dixcart valley. The greasy roots in the valley were the incident of most wipeouts. At the bottom a sharp righthand turn and climb out of the valley tested hill climbing skills. At the top of Dixcart the course opened out onto the south cliffs with singletrack winding its way down towards Little Sark. A gradual climb on gravel back towards the middle of the island was followed with a narrow track back into Dixcart before a climb back to the start of the 2005 course. Riding through grass fields and flitting arround the dirt bike jump course added another few kilometres to the ride before heading down across the island to the north side again where a technical loop was added into to add a final challenge to the ride. A little technical grass riding and short climb to test the weary legs ended finished the course as it headed back to the starting marque. For those doing the 4hr solo event it was out for another lap or to switch riders for the team entries. Overall the XC course was a good mix that was completed by most in 30-40mins with 200 metres of climbing.

It was a great weekend riding with new experiences for everyone. For Guerns it was an opportunity for the MTBers to do the largest XC loop offered in the Bailwick, so there is sure to be the same faces back for 2007.

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