Well that was a great evening of racing, shame it didn’t turn out quite how we hoped! Firstly, thanks to everyone that came along to support us, it’s really appreciated and makes the racing that bit more fun! It was my first time riding the Otley races, along with Matthew Bulmer and Chris Emsley in the cat 2/3/4 event.
 Matt Bulmer of All Terrain Cycles breaks away at Otley Road Race 2016 A strong headwind up the only climb in the race made it a tough prospect for anyone who wanted to breakaway, but that didnt stop all of us having a go and being involved right at the front of the race. Matt was the first one to slip off the front, covering one of the early breaks which was soon pulled back, and then Tom Wood from ‘Bradford Olympic RC’ managed to get a decent gap, so on the climb I put in an attack to try and get across to him. But by the time we came back to the finishing straight we were all together again. Chris was next to go, but again, he was quickly chased down, and as the race wore on the pattern remained the same with all three of us trying to get a gap, but getting chased down each time. With over a hundred riders in the race, things were a bit hairy at times, and we all had a few near misses.
 Steve Colloby of All Terrain Cycles at Otley Road Race 2016 Through the finish line with 3 laps to go, and the whole bunch was together, we raced up the climb, and I was about 20 riders back and looking for an opportunity to launch myself off the front. The next thing I knew the rider to my left had switched across my front wheel, his rear mech going into my front wheel, and forcing me into the rider on my right…. I managed to hold it for a second, and thought I was going to get away with it… but then we were both on the floor in a tangled heap! We both got up and walked away with a few cuts and bruises, nothing too serious, but by the time we were up the bunch was out of sight. Back to the race and with only two laps to go, things were getting even more hectic, Chris had been caught up behind my crash, and was trying to make up ground, and Matthew was fighting to hold his position near the front. But in a race like this, there are two types of riders, those that throw caution to the wind and take all the risks to win, and those that have to get up for work in the morning!! As a result Matthew and Chris lost ground in the last couple of laps to some crazy riding from the sprinters, and the race finished with Theo Hartley from DFL In Gear Development taking the win in a bunch sprint with Matt and Chris both finishing in the bunch.
 Chris Emsley riding for All Terrain Cycles at Otley Road Race 2016 All in all it was a good race for us, we were right up there in the mix until the last two laps, and we came away with pride in tact and heads held high. Onwards and upwards, there’s always next year for Team All Terrain! |
