Yeah, yeah, it’s all good now, isn’t it? After 4 previous instalments whining like a ponce, Stumpy Rider has faced his demons and emerged with a jammy 1-1 draw. No doubt he’ll be all philosophical with a new found respect for the trails or wanting to do next year’s event on a rigid singlespeed. Naked.

It’s later in the afternoon now. All 4 Dons have ridden and I’m waiting on BMFW to complete his second stint. It’s not so bad this time. Big Col’s with me at transition and 40Something’s further up the trail looking out for the tell-tale orange “support” Camelbak.

BMFW appears, relief etched on his face. We exchange pleasantries, the Camelbak and timing chip and once again I’m off. This time it’s much, much better. Water splash – done. Boardwalk – tick. Steps Of Doom – easy. It’s smooth, it’s confident, it’s sooo much better. Round the back, Lazy K is at least attempted and I reckon I cleaned about a third of it before I join the merry band of walkers. Into the technical descents and I know the lines and ride with more confidence and less brakes. Water splash and subsequent section are taken in my stride but I’m tired now. I push my bike to the Hole in the Wall and the final sections sap my energy. Brain fade means I overcook the photo-op hairpin and choose to walk down rather than risk a stupid off. In the process I wreck another rider’s line – I apologise profusely but she doesn’t seem too disappointed tho’.

The transition area appears ahead, then disappears as I make the final run into the trees on the skills loop boards and, while there’s delight that I’ve finished/survived my 2nd of 2 laps, there’s a little sadness that I won’t be riding these trails again for some time.

To my surprise, Big Col’s waiting to go. The clock was ticking and we’d worked out that, being the 4th rider in our sequence, he wouldn’t be able to start a second lap before 7.30pm cut-off. However 40Something was apparently just that little bit too magnanimous in sacrificing his own lap to his team mate in order to poof off to the luxurious B&B which his family had recently arrived and checked into.

About 15 minutes in, Big Col must have been questioning the wisdom of swapping with 40Something who, by now, must have been out of the shower and on his second beer or something equally taxing. The heavens opened and Fort William was treated to a torrential downpour.

We didn’t exactly ooze sympathy for poor Col, as we huddled in the sanctuary of the pit area, sheltering under the gazebo, occasionally clearing the water which pooled on its sloping eaves and preparing to draw lots for who would go and greet the poor sod when he finished his lap. However, the rains stopped and we emerged to go and welcome him. And blag the miniatures of Benromach whisky which were given to everyone who took part.

Big Col’s face mirrored our own feelings of chuffed-but-knackered as we toasted a great weekend and some fabulous riding. Anyone for pairs next year?

Epilogue – the final reckoning

Team Don Logan completed 7 laps of the 10 mile course in 10 hours, 22 minutes and 21 seconds, finishing 13th in the Senior Male Quads category. Out of 14 teams.

simeracing.co.uk (Barry and Stu) placed 48th out of 85 in the Senior Male Pairs category, completing 8 laps in 9 hours, 43 minutes and 53 seconds. One of the funniest moments of the weekend was seeing Stu’s face when Barry reappeared from his 4th lap with about 15 minutes to spare before the 7.30pm cut-off time! Stu politely declined the challenge of a 5th lap despite the good-natured abuse from the rest of us.

Slime Time Racing (Ross and Michael) also completed 8 laps, in a time of 10 hours, 35 minutes and 30 seconds, placing 59th in the same category and also losing 40 quid between them to Barry and Stu.

PS – Team Don Logan would like to thank Evans Cycles in Glasgow for the loan of Big Col’s Pinnacle Tent Peak 1.0 full-susser for the event. As I write, he’s probably trying to negotiate a discount on its purchase price on the grounds that someone’s already put 20-odd miles on it!