XC Racer Blog Post

Bristol Bikefest

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BY: Donna Morris

Published: 10th June, 2014


Bristol Bikefest 2014

Usually XCracer enter the mixed 12 hour team event on the Saturday, but with a few riders keen to ride other events etc. Ant White opted to do the 6hour solo, me and phil entered the mixed pairs 6 hour on the Sunday. Having worked a long day on the Saturday we decided to head off at 6 in the morning. With no kids in tow we set off and arrived to be greeted by blue skies at Ashton court. We pulled up trackside by team mate ant, went and signed on and got ourselves sorted. A last minute brake pad change on Phil's bike, thanks to Ant having a bit of his shop in his van!! (Thanks)

With a few useful oppositions we opted for Phil to do the first two laps, hoping he could get 2 descent laps in before I set out for mine. Ashton court races always start with a difference, a run!! The worst part of the race for phil!! He hates it, however despite hating it he was first to his bike!! I couldn't quite believe it! Off he went and I walked back up a long trek back to the start. (Note to oneself take my bike next time!! If there is a next time!!!)

It wasn't long and a local lad came through leading, having the upper hand of knowing the course like the back of his hand and been a sipped demon on the singletrack descents! Phil came through closely behind. I quickly got ready as I only had about 25 minutes until it was my turn. I waited in the pits and saw that I closest rival was about 3 minutes behind. Last year on the same course I did 33minute laps so I was hoping to be a but quicker this year. Ruth Owen Evans was my closest female rival followed by Kathy Beresford. Phil came in and I took off, the course for me, never plays to my strengths but I felt I was riding it smoother and quicker than last year although every time the course throws me and I sometimes nearly go the wrong way as there are tracks everywhere and it isn't really taped off. I came out of the singletrack having followed a tandem the last 50 yards, thankfully it was a road section followed by a road climb so I got straight past and put my foot down. All was going well and I made good time until I overlooked it on the fire road descent at the last corner and braked the wrong time and the wrong spot and hit the decks right in front of the poor shocked air cadets eyes!! I couldn't move my leg, the pain was unreal and I just sat there seeing stars, fuming wasn't the word! The air cadets signalled for help and bystanders where attending me. Once I had released my leg after about 5 minutes I looked down to see plenty of blood and flesh!! Not nice, when it's your own leg! I eventually got to my feet and although me in loads of pain I couldn't let the hubby down, we had another 5 hours to go! I doubted myself as to whether I could actually get back on and pedals slowly my way back so at least had the option of continuing the race, and the cadets tried to convince me that I need medical attention. But been a morris I got back on and slowly carried on, with plenty of grimacing going on, but on returning the figure of eight had great cheers from the cadets! (Cheers guys and thank you for your help!) just before the last climb I was overtaken by the leaders, I just pushed on and came over the line about 30 seconds back. A quick shout to phil,and off to the paramedics I hobbled.

It want until I got off the bike that it was starting to ache and stiffen. A quick wash by the southwest emergency team and I was hoping for better news, but they informed me I need to go to hospital and have anaesthetic, a proper irrigation and stitches. Sh1t just what I needed the week before margam and man v horse!! The cadets were kind enough to offer to transport me so I hobbled my bike back to the truck filled my bottle up for phil and just put some gels and a bar for him on a deck chair! We hadn't planned on lots of bottles! As he came to the finish I shouted I'm off to hospital, bottles and stuff on the side.

He was left to it whilst I headed off to hospital. I spent nearly 4 hours in A and E , came away with a thoroughly cleaned gashed leg, 10 stitches, and just escaped going to theatre to have more treatment.

Phil managed to get the message I was ready and picked me up. This was catch up time, what an eventful race!

He had no idea what I had done or how bad it was, I had no idea that during his subsequent laps he had 2 slit tyres and ended up having retrieve my bike from the car and ride my bike for the last 4 laps! A bike too small for him and knocked his knees numerous times, it must have looked a sight! However, through tout most of the race phil managed to keep the lead, but after the second blowout he didn't quite get back to top sot and despite all our troubles we managed to get second only 7 minutes back on first place.

Many thanks firstly to the air cadets!!! Only young but very caring, top lads! Thanks to all the event organisers and to phil for battling on despite all that was thrown at him, after my departure!

As always thanks to xcrcaer.com/scimitar
Exposure lights( new set of lights brought to the event by Martyn, thank you) and sorry I never got to see you!
Mt Zoom
Accelerade

Many thanks to Rob Barker for his photo, please check his website for more great shots!



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Donna
 

Donna Morris

Mum of 2 cherubs, keen to get better mountain biker, wife of Phil and mini manager of XCracer.com team

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This blog post was written by a third party and their views do not necessarily reflect the views of XCRacer.com

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