GMBC 2007/08

GMBC 2007 was yet again a record number of riders for the seventh time with nearly 800 competitors registered to ride! This year also saw the introduction of electronic timing courtesy of 'Sport Ident'. Their system is probably the best known and most widely used up and down the UK in MTB enduros and cycle sportifs. On the day it proved very popular with both the organisers and competitors alike, we hope to see them back in 2008.

But, what can we say about the actual day.......WET WET WET!!!

Yep, the Lakeland weather hit us hard this year making 2007 probably the toughest one yet. The combination of a 'new' course and the weather made this quite an epic, all who finished did extremely well and you should be delighted with your performance regardless of the time you took to complete the course. A big thank you to all of you!

Lets also not forget the marshals who stood out in that awful weather for nearly nine hours in some cases.....well done, the event would not happen without those individuals. We just hope they come back next year, we have booked sunshine already!

On a positive note the course was probably the most popular to date despite the conditions! We last used something similar in 2004 if any of you can remember? The ground held up well apart from a small 'puddle' and Moor Top started to resemble a swimming pool!

As far as riding the course after the event; this is not possible as we do us a number of footpaths. We did notice 'GPS' devices being used which records where you have been. The course has even been posted on 'Google Earth' which we have to admit was very cool! However, if you must ride the course please stay legal, if you do venture on to footpaths and you are challenged please do not use our name as this could jeopardize the event ever using that trail again!

The next GMBC will be on the 21st September 2008, hopefully a bit dryer!

Thank you! Team GMBC Richard, Tracy, Stefan and Matthew