Like everyone this year, I've watched in dismay as event after event has been cancelled or postponed to 2021. In the grand scheme of things, a few cancelled bike races aren't the end of the world, but for the organisers and events teams that put in so much effort and contribute so much to the sport, Covid-19 has been bleak. So the news that PMBA's organisational powerhouse Kev was going to postpone the Graythwaite race but try to enable it to happen eventually was music to everyone's ears.
Having bullied my brother and my Dad into entering too; we were half ready for a fun weekend of family bicycle misadventure, half ready for disappointment as local lockdowns in the run up to the event continued the uncertainty right to the last minute. But race weekend came and we found ourselves in the ever-beautiful South Lakes full of familiar excitement and trepidation. Pre-race information had warned us to expect extra queuing and strict measures to keep everyone safe and it was reassuring to see that folk generally had got the message. Far from the usual festival atmosphere of the finish arena and rowdy spectators, this year's event was a toned down affair. The stages themselves on the other hand were anything but toned down; there was barely any let up across all seven stages with steep slop, off-camber roots, committed drops and greasy rocks ready to catch you out as soon as you let your guard down. What this year's Graythwaite lacked in atmosphere, it more than made up for in properly demanding racing - great stuff!
It was clear from our immediate arrival on site that Kev and PMBA were taking no chances; the slick organisation, proactive marshalls and insistence on face-coverings and physical distancing created a reassuringly Covid-safe vibe. It was almost impossible to ignore that we were racing in the context of a global-pandemic; no finish arena, no spectators, no live results screen, no podiums. Whilst this did take a slight edge off the usual social side of an event like Graythwaite, it was hopefully obvious to everyone that this approach is what's needed if we're going to be able to race at all in these weird times.
Words: Rosie Holdsworth
Photos: @digitaldownhill
