Kings Wood is a large area of woodland close to Ashford and are so large (1500 acres) that many animals such as deer, badgers and foxes can live without too much disturbance from visitors. There is also a population of adders and slow worms living in a secluded spots. The woods are said to have been a hunting ground of King Henry VIII. As an ancient woodland site, King's Wood is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The main species of tree include Sweet Chestnut, Corsican Pine and Douglas Fir. Every year at bluebell time the woodland is carpeted (see http://www.jillbatchelor.com/journal/2008/bluebells-at-kings-wood-challock-kent.html).
The race started at 9:00 so an early start. Left the house at 6:00 with the sun just rising and the morning pleasantly chilly. Glad it's finally getting light in the mornings as it makes the cycle to work so much more enjoyable. Driving eastwards into the sun, got really pretty dawn colours and the birds seemed to be equally pleased to see spring finally sprung - as the dawn chorus was impressive. Made good time due to lack of traffic so stopped at the services on the M40 (near Leeds Castle) at which point I realised I might not be best prepared. The day before had been a glorious spring day in London - the first 'no-coat-needed' day of the year. The forecast was equally good - for London, I hadn't checked Kent! It was freezing! Driving off after the stop, my ice hazard warning light came on and I noticed that there was a heavy frost on the fields and mist clinging to the valleys. Also at this point, the sun went in.
Having registered for the race, I looked around for the next stage of my pre-race routine - sourcing a cup of tea. The van was there but it wasn't open! No tea! I rushed backed to the car, put the heater on and flicked through the Sunday Indie. There was nothing for it though, had to get out at some point, put the bike together and rack it and work out what kit I needed. You always look around you at the other competitors to see what they are doing - all of them were in long-sleeved cycle jerseys, most in tights, gloves, some had hats ..... I was in a t-shirt and shorts with fingerless cycle gloves. That should teach me - check the weather for where you're going rather than where you are - duh!
Race briefing was unique as that while it had the normal conditions underfoot warning, watch out for "civilians" as it's an open access woodland - we were also told to watch out for deer! Apparently, the previous year a rider was so entranced by seeing deer that he managed to cycle into one of the marshals which also caused two other riders to come off. I thought he'd mentioned the species as Black Deer but checking on the British Deer Society website (http://www.bds.org.uk/index.html ) seems unlikely.
Having warmed up (a little) with a pre-race jog (and seeing some of the 'art') we were off! It as very muddy underfoot but few puddles and certainly nothing like last weeks race! The start is downhill which you have to do at a fair-old pace as then you are in the wood on a single file path and if you get stuck behind someone slow it gets a bit frustrating. It broadens out onto a track which gradually goes up hill - again nothing like the gradients of the previous week. It keeps going up for approximately half the course - then turns a corner and right back down into the valley. Then its another single track section back out of the valley, through a lot of coppice woodland back to the transition.
Although it was the first day of spring, I noticed that the ground flora wasn't particularly advanced - certainly nothing like the pictures of bluebells. Checking the maps, realised that the run and bike course were both on a north-facing valley side which, coupled with the harsh winter (especially in the part of Kent) is probably the reason why spring seems late here. In a couple of weeks time though the woodland is going to be a riot of colour.
Fortunately the run had warmed me up so the cycle was less daunting without warmer clothes. Again we set off downhill on grassy and slippery tracks - back down to the bottom of the valley. A 90 degree muddy bend and then the first hill. Now these slopes were more like last week and if you didn't get your gearing just right it was a case of getting off and pushing. Fortunately I was in bottom gear aka the "granny gear" so made it up OK. Then at the top, yes back down we came. The next bit was a single track switch back steeply upwards - again needing careful gear choice, then (you've guessed it) back down again on a single track with a strategically placed muddy puddle just at the bottom apex. More ups and downs, through some coniferous woodland, areas of deciduous, part that had been clear felled and a large area of coppice management - mainly on single and narrow tracks. So it was quite a technical course especially as it was muddy but no drop-offs or jumps - though I did leave the ground once inadvertently when I got my race alignment slightly wrong.
That was lap one. Repeat twice more. The only note worthy element of lap two was I managed (as usual) to fall off. Fortunately pretty soft landing as I fell into mud. On the third lap, one of the spectators - a small boy shouted out encouragement to the rider just behind me "Daddy you can catch him" which spurred him on to overtake me (fortunately I was a better hill climber so overtook later).
Back at transition, on with the trainers to repeat the run course. Felt pretty good so burnt off a couple of the runners but then came the long climb. That hurt and from then on it was more a case of holding on, in sight of the guy in front and loath to let the guy behind me overtake. We finish the three of us within about 10m of each other. Knackered but at least the van was open so I could get a cup of tea (and a breakfast roll!)
There's some video from last years race on YouTube (and no I can't spot myself). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbkUefqp3cs&feature=player_embedded
Result: 17th out of 58 in a time of 1:16:46
(8mins faster than last year, 2secs behind the guy in front and only 3 secs ahead of the guy behind!)
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