National series RD 1 Codham Park

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BY: phil Morris

Published: 30th March, 2014

Nationals round one at Braintree

With the clocks going forward it was time for round one. What a contrast from last year! Snow and minus conditions to beaming sun and balmy 20 degrees! We headed up Saturday and after an epic 6 hour journey arrived at Codham Park. After signing on, we headed out for a practice. As expected but kinda hoped otherwise. The course was flat, a few short tiny climbs, lots of rutty grass, a bit of twisty woods and only one technical descent, which after watching people do it for 20minutes I did it, and actually there was nothing to it, so for the elites it must have been a doddle. Phil wasn't feeling the love for it, but after six hours to get here there was no backing out!

Having left the kids with Nannie, to enable us both to race and for me not to have raced in the sport race the day before. We headed off to a travelodge, had supper and hit the sack.

Morning was here and it was brekkie, then off back to codham. A little warm up and it was time for gridding. I was riding in the masters/expert cat, and with about eleven of us, it was going to be a good race. The gun went and as usually I had a crap start and was about last going out of the arena. It took me 2 laps to start catching the group in front, and I managed to get passed four by the start of the fourth lap. The course not paying to my strengths I was pleased to have caught up, and overall pleased to have comfortably ridden the descent every lap, with no mishaps. The last lap I had a great little battle with AQR rider Katy beresford, I was a little quicker climbing and through the woods, but she whooped me on the Flat, power stuff. So we played cat and mouse but I ended up being the mouse and got gobbled on the last section. However I came over the line in 7th overall and second master (I Think). Looking forward now to the next two technical, hilly courses, hopefully I will be further up the final placings. Roadies and all the flat birds look out!!

A quick handover of keys and it was Phil's turn. He had a good start but on coming to the bmx track he had a mare, like myself a complete clown at mastering it! Loosing loads of time and lost his placing. He plugged on, but continually lost time and after been in third place for the first 2 laps, he then slipped a pedal and had to run up the climb in the arena, losing more valuable seconds!! He was then lying in fourth, and by then that was his finishing position. Disappointing, but kind of inevitable on that course and predicted as soon as we pulled up on site! I have full faith that he can get back on the podium at the next two rounds anyway!,

Well done to all the guys and gals racing, team mates and tithe organisers. Although I have highlighted the lack of techy stuff and hills, it wa a spectator friendly course and fun in places.

A weekend off racing for us next weekend, then our next racing will be the following weekend in a much hillier part of the world, mid wales! Round 2 of the welsh series and the Scott marathon weekend and big night out. Get yourselves a weekend full of racing/riding!!

Only thing missing on mummy's day, being the only one in my race with little ones, was my little cheerleaders Hali -Rae and Ryley!

Donna and Phil Morris riding for XCracer.com/scimitar