Everyone has one or has at some point used one, but a select group of students at Southampton University are using their bikes for more than just getting into lectures when they’re running late in the morning. Instead, they test their skills against technical descents, fast flowing single track and lung busting climbs. I present to you, the Southampton University Mountain Bike Club

Sunday 11 April provided the Mountain bike club with a glorious day to pit themselves against the clock in the final round of the clubs race series. Held in the local area of Lordswood, the racing provides the riders a chance to test themselves against their friends made throughout the year and against themselves. The course provided the riders with a challenging two minute sprint with plenty of trees strategically placed to catch out those that drifted wide in the corners. Each rider was given two chances to place their best time, with the fastest one being taken for the overall.

We had a full field of riders present, varying from the cross-country racers, to the extreme downhillers and the complete beginners. The banter started early with each rider trying to outwit the others in the hope of making one of them make a mistake. Early favourites for the title were newly appointed President Loz Webb and the downhill captain George Job... (read more)