Mountain Mayhem - a small history of a big event.

In the beginning...

Many years ago a man had a dream, a big dream. Could he put on an event that would expect riders to ride off road for 24 hrs and enjoy it?  Despite setbacks, Pat persevered and the answer was a resounding YES and Mayhem was born.

10 years on and that dream is still a reality and now Mayhem is regarded as THE prestigious endurance event both in the UK and abroad. It's held in esteem by many, copied by many more, but as yet, never bettered...

- Since it's inception in 1998, Mountain Mayhem has seen 13,000 riders made up of 3,000 teams and 500 solo riders, complete 75,000 laps of various size and shapes at it's 3 venues. Clocking up enough miles to take them to the moon three times or 28 times around the equator.

Between them:

- they've spent 3,500 days in the saddle

- used 26 metric tons of energy gel

- produced 35,600 gallons of sweat

1. -and drunk 40,000 cups of tea
   

Trentham Gardens was host to the inaugural Red Bull Mountain Mayhem. A small number of teams, 24 hr race pioneers rode through biblical proportion rain and gritty Staffordshire mud in the UK's first taste of around the clock racing off road. Of course, back then pretty much everyone had rubbish lights and were running rim brakes - the conditions were so bad that people were going through a set of pads every lap. Swinnerton Cycles ran out of brake pads pretty quickly on site and had to return to their shop and strip all the pads off all the bikes they had in store to try and keep up with demand.

Mayhem also was an unofficial world record (unofficial as the money couldn't be found to pay for the Guinness Book of Records to attend to ratify it...) it set the record for the most miles ridden off road in one cycle race.

It was a fresh view on staging a MTB event, which in hindsight captured the imagination of cyclists all over the place and changed things forever. There was even a concert accompanying the event...anyone remember Space?

"There is no more inspirational character that I know than Patrick Adams. I first met him when one of my colleagues went looking for someone to help us (Red Bull) to understand and get involved in mountain biking. To say that we hit the bullseye is an understatement. It was our first serious venture into sport and thanks to Patrick it will always rank as one of our best. He helped create the vision of the 24 hour event called Mountain Mayhem and then surpassed all expectations in executing it so perfectly. His knowledge, his experience and particularly his integrity and exhaustive attention to detail created a groundswell that has become Mountain Mayhem....................a real World class event."

Harry Drnec - ex MD Redbull

Red Bull Mountain Mayhem moves to Sandwell Park Farm this year. An unexpected venue right on the edge of West Bromwich (not Birmingham!) with a fast flowing  course and plenty of space to cope with more riders and a bigger arena... And more riders is exactly what Mayhem got, a total of nearly 1,000. The Elite Women's category was added for the first time. If riding in the dark wasn't daunting enough for the then inexperienced 24 hr'ers the course went through a ruined abbey which was rumoured to be haunted.

And for the unicyclists there was their own little race along side the big daddy, 24 mins of fun and frolics with one wheel... a taster of the fun to come perhaps?

There was another concert too, although to be fair we were all having too much fun on our bikes to notice Boy George & Dina Caroll!

"Well I have ridden 3 Mayhems with the Giant/Helly squad..98, 99, 2000, the first one was memorable for the extreme weather and endlessly cleaning myself/gear. The last one for the winning of it.. I have fond memories of that as I got to dictate the tactics and it made the difference I think...I had ridden 110 miles by 3 am in the morning and we had lapped the rest of the field..we had a room booked in the Travel Lodge, I had 3 hrs off so I went to get some sleep, getting to the TL I completely missed the closing barrier in my hazy daze and got whacked on the head so hard I got knocked off the bike..didn't remember it 'til later though..and I got no sleep anyway. It's just the sick feeling of eating caffeine and sugar endlessly that I remember most about Mayhem....uck"

Robin Seymour - Giant pro rider

Red Bull Mountain Mayhem was back at Sandwell for a second year, the course was turned round to run clockwise, which worked really well using the tracks available to full effect. In probably the most memorable Elite race in Mayhem history, Helly Hansen/Giant team won the race ahead of Merlin-Rock Lobster and Raleigh. It was a close run thing throughout, but they eventually won by a clear lap. Perhaps the biggest news was the addition of the solo category. No one knew how those few brave souls would get on or why they'd even try such a thing! Everyone was blown away with their determination and ability especially with the performance of winner Roy Hunt, who completed 23 laps beating experienced endurance athletes Matt Ohran and Issac Wilson who'd flown in from the States. Also we saw unicyclists take part in the main race for the first time and there were sightings of a UFO crash site...

"What can you say about Patrick and the lovely Chris, that hasn't already been said?

Pat and I have worked together since the first Mayhem in 1998. In those ten years, we've both lived and breathed the event. We've looked on with disbelief as the rain thundered down on those epic, wet years and we've glowed with pride as thousands of people have cheered that starting horn. And at the end of each event we've smiled at each other and said 'We got away with it again'.

Pat's called me up at all hours of the day and night, worrying about every aspect of the event. It's that concern for the event that has made sure that nothing has been overlooked on the day. Pat is so keen to make sure that everything is running smoothly that we have to take his radio off him on the day. It runs smoothly because Pat has thought of everything - including getting the people who care as much as he does, to work for him.

The folk who work for Patrick, Chris and Jill do it to be part of the event. Hacking through undergrowth, tangled up with miles of course tape, or rebuilding bridges in the middle of the night are all part of the fun, but the main reason we keep coming back to work with Pat is the same reason that the thousands and thousands of racers keep coming back - to say 'I was there'.

And, of course, to shake the Big Man's hand when it's all over."

Chipps Chippendale - Editor/owner Singletrack Magazine

A lot happened in 2001. The event was back once more at Sandwell Park Farm, but only just. It was the year of Foot and Mouth; it was kept quiet but confirmation that the event would be allowed to go ahead, came just 2 weeks before the event was due to run... Eeek! This was also the year where the race sold out within the first 48 hrs of the entry forms being available... Pat sat up all night with freshly brewed coffee, welcoming those that travelled miles to deliver entry forms in person, a trend that continues to this day...

The course was tweaked once again to fit in even more riders and included the dreaded field of treacle and even had a fookin' great big foot bridge built over the start/finish straight. Ben Bardsley took solo racing to the next level, winning that category after completing a whooping 29 laps, a total most teams would have been chuffed with, also Nicola Davies was the first lady to compete in the solo category, winning the women's section with ease and finishing 8th in the men's. Also the Giant World team came across to race for the first time and won - mainly because Rune Hoydahl stopped anyone going to the change over area whilst Christophe Depouey was on his lap. Each lap that there wasn't anyone there to take over, the angrier the Frenchman got and the faster he went!

“In 1998 a 24 hour bike race was a unique and amazing idea. Ten years on and there are plenty of other 24 hour races, but Mountain Mayhem was the pioneer and it's still an event like no other. There's no way you can do Mayhem and not come away with a story to tell. Here's to the next ten..."

Mike Davies - Editor Bikemagic.com

The event returned for a 4th year to Sandwell and was bigger and better than the previous year (a theme seemed to be developing here...) The arena was full to bursting point with stands and displays, plus the campsite was almost to capacity with just under 1500 competitors signed up to take part. The whole solo riding thing took off in a big way with a massive entry for that category. The Giant World team flew in to race again, oh and won again.

"I was desperate to take part in Mountain Mayhem as a Junior but the rules strictly say no Under 18's - so unfair I thought…. Until one year when I was 19 and reality hit home, at 3 am I stood shivering in the change over pen at Sandwell Park dreaming of a nice warm cosy bed. Thank goodness the rule existed!

Mountain Mayhem is an amazing event - and as much as everyone appreciates the whole weekend, even I don't appreciate how much hard work, time, effort and passion Pat put in. It's due to him that enduro events have really taken off in the UK. The atmosphere and enjoyment is everywhere to be seen from Friday right through until Sunday night - Ok there might be a few more weary bodies but you can't miss the fact that everybody is there to enjoy themselves.

Katy Simcock (Middlehurst)- Ex Giant rider

It was a year of new sponsors and fond farewells. Saab and Salomon came on board for the final year at Sandwell. There will always be fond memories of that little patch of green in the middle of West Brom, but the event had been there for 5 years and had just out grown the venue. Also it was farewell to the bar at the Moat House, which propped up many a tired person over the years.

The field of treacle had dried up and turned into the corrugated field... subsequently sales of full suspension bikes rocketed.

"Mountain Mayhem in the UK was my first experience with 24 hour racing. I was fortunate to race with a well supported team in dry and mild conditions. Some of the impressions that I will never forget are, riding amidst a snake of lights winding through the forest singletrack, how good a bacon sandwich can taste at 4 am and the shared experience with all the competitors. Even though everybody was deeply fatigued the general attitude amongst the racers was supportive and positive."

Ned Overend- Specialized pro rider

"Mountain Mayhem is the Daddy of all MTB events in the UK. It is an awesome spectacle, great to compete in and offers a challenge to all levels from pros to fun. For me I enjoy the atmosphere and the team aspect and I think that is the same for every competitor and it's great to see that magic 24 hr clock."

Oli Beckingsale  - Giant pro rider

This year Mayhem rolled into the classic mtb venue at Eastnor Castle Deer Park in the Malverns. It provided more space, bigger hills, trickier trails and rain...

The weather was nearly the same as the opening round all those years ago and made the going very tough indeed. So much mud and grass ate its way through so many drive trains. It proved to be a tough one, both mentally and physically, everyone who got through that deserves respect.

"Throughout the year we do many endurance rides and crazy things on our unicycles, but Mountain Mayhem has become our main endurance event of the year. We really appreciate all the support we've received from Pat over the years and thank him for giving us the opportunity to ride in one of Europe's largest 24 hr races. It's the one weekend in the year when we unicyclists become Heroes and Gods in the eyes of the 'two wheeled' ones."

Steve Colligan

The 2nd visit to Eastnor, the now coined SSMM and the theme was big: big screens, big expo, big entries, big other stuff and even the London Philharmonic Orchestra made a dramatic appearance along with a big firework display. It was both awesome and surreal! The course was altered again and it suffered some pretty horrendous conditions. It seemed that people were getting used to this now and those who had the experience of a few 24 hr races under their belts were well prepared and got through the rain and mud and were treated to a glorious sunny day to end the race with. This year saw the introduction of the Giant Dirt Demo Day, which gave everyone the opportunity to try and compare bikes from loads of different manufacturers.

"Mayhem makes me tired, sleepy, hungry and grumpy thank you very much for a fantastic event!"

Nick Craig- Scott pro rider

It had (for a nice change) pretty good weather throughout and more of the same fun; laughing at bike riders trying to run at the start, followed by a day and night of pedalling. A helicopter display team flew over the biggest Mayhem to date and had a great view of the seemingly endless Kenda climb, even waving encouragement to some riders. Trail staff Chris D and Ickle Paul helped the riders further by thoughtfully handing out sweeties to the riders at the top of that climb. Oh and mini Mayhem was born, just getting all those new competitors in training at a very early age.

All in all there were just shy of 2000 competitors. Such a nice time was had by all that no one really noticed how badly England were doing in the World Cup!

"Gosh, yes, I was there at the beginning. I can't believe that it was 9 years ago - was I really that thin? Ten years of racing and chatting with the pros and the legends. Ten years of baked and dusty laps. Ten years of muddy hell. Ten years of adrenaline and anticipation before the 2 o'clock start. Ten years of fear and self-loathing at the low-point of the night. Ten years of tired hallucinations. Ten years of support and encouragement from total strangers. Ten years of relief at the end and ten years of glory laps where Pat welcomes each and every finisher across that damned finish line. I guess my love for this race and determination to make that goal was shown in 2005, when on the Tuesday morning before the event I was taken into hospital. Sod the symptoms, what was making Kirsty and me ever more nervous was whether I'd make it to Mayhem as I was kept in overnight, then again and again... Released on Friday morning we drove home, packed the car and drove straight to the race. Under doctors orders not to do anything strenuous I got my lowest lap tally yet (2) and I still managed not to finish last. Sitting by the side of the course at the bottom of the climb out of the campsite doing 24 hour heckling made a nice change.

Mayhem? So good it's worth breaking out of hospital for."

Nick Wallis - One of the first on the start line back in '98

Another successful year, complete with sunshine, rain, mud and DJ's in the forest.... Mayhem continues to grow and evolve. It is THE social event of everybodies mountain bike calendar, the place to meet friends and make loads more, all with a common theme of the love of mountain biking.

"How many of you remember standing on the start line at the first Mountain Mayhem - with it pouring with rain?  There was an atmosphere of apprehension, the anticipation of the first 24 hour mountain bike race in the UK. Once we were racing everyone was wearing out V-brake pads after just one lap, sliding in the mud, running out of clean dry clothes. The local shops were taking pads off of their new bikes to sell.  You would think that this would put people off the idea of 24 hour racing - but no it was THE event of the mountain bike season and has been for the past 10 years."

Barrie Clarke

2008 - A Giant Weekend- The Story Continues...

Many thanks to photographers: Geoff Waugh, Chipps Chippendale & Joolze Dymond for providing us with Mayhem photos from across the years. Also thanks to Jo Burt for creating the 10th anniversary Mint Sauce print, with which we raised money for the RUSS APPEAL. And not forgetting Ag, without who’s input this would have been a ‘mare! Ta.