LUCY BELL TAKES ON THE NAUGHTY NORTHUMBRIAN

 

Our talented multi-discipline bike racer Lucy Bell has been in action again; this time braving the rain and mud of the Naughty Northumbrian Enduro. Here’s her report…

The demanding Naughty is nestled away high in the Northumbrian Cheviot Hills and is touted as one of the hardest Enduro races on the UK calendar. At 27 miles and with 5000ft of climbing spread across 6 stages, it’s a huge challenge which includes compulsory practice for all stages on Saturday before racing the full loop again on Sunday.

The stages are all on private land and this year, due to Storm Arwen, the tracks were 80% fresh-cut; with an average gradient of about -20% to -30% these tracks are not for the faint-hearted.

I opted to race my Cannondale Moterra LT e-mountain bike, as I knew the heavier planted feel of my bike would suit the scree field stages – if you’ve heard the hype about these sections it’s all true, they are MENTAL. I was pleased with my choice even if stopping down some of those steeps was a challenge, it was worth it was I bloody love my e-bike on natural techy tracks.

 

Unfortunately we were treated to some biblical weather on the practice day, leaving us feeling pretty nervous before Sunday’s race stages. The tracks and transitions were steadily getting more washed out, making what was already tricky that much harder. Fortunately I was racing alongside a super crew and ‘Team Gaskell’ prevailed on Sunday morning, with a good bunch of mates rolling out the start arena to support and help each other round the whole day. To help cope with the conditions we did ‘trains’ and pretended we were just riding not ‘racing’, but when the starting beeps went we all went mad and somehow managed to stay on and get to the bottom of each stage with only a few small get-downs in between! Big shout as to Helen Gaskell, Georgia Leslie, Claire Bennett, Rachel Wight, Adam Wight and Luke Parkin for all having the grit and determination to survive that day.

This was my 51^st race according to Roots and Rain, and no question the absolute hardest most technical thing I have ever ridden. If you like it tough then get the Naughty on your list for 2024, it is epic beyond all imagination.

 

Big thanks to Wheelbase Darlington for whipping my bike into shape before the event and supplying me with everything I needed to get through that day – big love!

That’s just about if for the Enduro season now, but I have some plans for Winter ‘23 so I won’t be sitting still – watch this space 🙂

 

You can follow all of Lucy Bell’s biking adventures at @loowcie

A BIG thanks to Jerry Tatton for the awesome race photos @jwdtphotography