by WO2 J M Owen
Company Sergeant Major Instructing Musketry
1st Battalion Welsh Guards
Wednesday at 1400 in the Welsh Guards means one thing: sports afternoon!
A small but keen contingent from across Battalion, in possession of a random assortment of bikes and an even more random choice of clothing, banded together and formed the first Welsh Guards Mountain Bike Team.
Being based in the shadow of the former Guards Depot means access to a wide and varied training area, allowing the team to train on famous hills such as Concrete, Ten Second and a test of nerve on the way down Heart Break. On more than one occasion it has been a test of landing skills as we get it slightly wrong!
A number of the team have completed the Basic Mountain Bike Maintenance course, most notably CSgt Scarf, who regularly puts right the damage of those less skilled, and then bans the likes of myself from touching their bike other than to ride.
Some team members were motivated enough to completely strip their bikes down and experiment with new colours and designs in the hope of reinvigorating their look. LCpl Worthington has proven himself quite the “little” mechanic.
Further Mountain Bike Leader qualifications within the team have allowed us to organise a number of trips, most notably to Bike Park Wales where the team’s skills and drills plus a large amount of courage have taken a test on trails such as ‘50 shades of black’, ‘Enter the Dragon’ and ‘Popty Ping’.
The team trips to Wales have raised the profile of the team and the Regiment. A number of young potential Gdsm have stopped to speak to members of the team, and are very interested to hear that it is possible to be paid while doing something you love!
This year also saw the team participate in its maiden race event when the REME Cycling Team hosted the first Inter Corps Gravity Enduro Race, held at Erlestoke, close to Salisbury.
The event provided a good testing ground for the team. A heavy downpour during the morning of the event ensured that every tree root became a possible source of injury and embarrassment. The team, however, performed well over 5 stages, 3 of which were timed with LSgt Dunn doing well to complete the event due to his brakes failing at the start!
The team proved a surprising addition to the Erleskote race, raising eyebrows as the only Infantry team to enter, and drawing praise for the new team race tops.
The chance to get away from the office for a day of riding cannot ever be underestimated. Fresh air, new surroundings and the opportunity to show the remainder of the Army what the Welsh Guards are all about made for a wonderful day and one hopefully we can repeat; the competitive element providing more of an edge to the day.
The team failed to take away any of the medals on offer, those being swept up by the Army Mountain Bike team, who clearly spend the majority of their time competing!
The future of the Welsh Guards Mountain Bike Team presents a number of possibilities. We have natural ties with the other Foot Guards teams and these strengthen our ability to enter future races, as well as providing us with the possibility of traveling overseas. We have trips to Cyprus and the Alps, plus a number of domestic trips being planned where work commitments allow.
Any member of the Battalion, regardless of equipment or ability, is more than welcome to join us on a Wednesday afternoon and have a go: a sense of humour and lack of fashion sense are a must!
