A small cluster of Musketeers entered and conquered the famously tough and aptly named ten-mile Bicton Blister multi-terrain race on Woodbury Common near Exmouth.
Due to aftermath of the floods the first major hurdle was getting to the race start. The flood diversions made that difficult and caused Guy and Craig to get lost, but then that does not take much.
Despite an array of electronic gadgetry with navigation aids we managed to drive in ever- decreasing circles round abandoned cars and fire fighters pumping out flooded remote houses without getting anywhere.
Eventually, we arrived somewhat breathless to register half an hour before the start, which is early for Guy, but late in Craig’s terms.
It was a brave decision not to cancel the race, but the right one, especially when refugees from the cancelled Harepath race boosted numbers to about 400.
The route is renowned for being very tricky underfoot, with rarely a level and even path, after all the Royal Marines train there and if it is good enough for them…!
So when the tough at last got going – the Musketeers found it the wettest race ever. Puddles became much deeper and rivers and streams and ditches swelled to at least thigh depth.
There was no point in avoiding puddles in the first few metres as is instinct, instead we waded in at the first opportunity, taking the direct route.
Trail shoes became caked in mud and soaking wet and shorts soaked from splashing through deep puddles, it was a case of following those who dared and survived.
Craig and Marie and Guy completed the race and, dare I say it, enjoyed the challenge. Though Craig said it was not as adrenalin-rushed as mountain biking, his previous pastime.
Mind you there was plenty to keep us on our toes with steep slopes or stream beds strewn with rounded pebbles and crevasses ready to trip you up like ball bearings. And very narrow gorse-lined twisting animal tracks on the edge of a steep slope.
The sense of achievement was great, mixed with relief that it was over. Race HQ is at civilised Bicton College with subsidised Costa Coffee bar with hot food and large rooms for meeting and registering and changing. But no showers to wash and warm up in.
Maybe a larger Musketeer line-up will make the trip next time and we would all benefit from the famous Musketeer camaraderie.
By Guy Boswell