XC Racer Blog Post

Pembrey round 2

Share on Facebook  Share on Twitter

BY: Donna Morris

Published: 20th January, 2015


Pembrey round 2

Well that was a bit of a shock to the system! Having not been on my bike since the last cyclocross back in mid December and no turbo training for me. (I can't stand it!- although I probably should get in to it, if I'm to improve further!) Exercise has consisted of swimming and running.

We left snowy Cefn Gorwydd (our home) to arrive to beautiful sunshine at Pembrey, but nevertheless a bit slippery under foot! Phil did the last round but it was a first for me, apart from racing cross their last year and battle on the beach. I was a bit apprehensive as I'm not a powerful rider and flat non technical course don't suit me.However after a quick practice after signing on I was quite pleased, that the course had lots of fun singletrack, a few sandy steep climbs, or runs!!! I managed to get three quarters of the way up in the practice on the first climb but, it was almost quicker for me to walk/jog up, and I definitely jogged up the second. There was a slightly more trickier drop off and descent down round a tree, which was a nice little surprise as I though there wouldn't be anything like that out on the course.

I got back to find phil had locked the truck after telling me it would be open, I need to change gloves and get my gel! Damm, but then luckily phil returned with only a few minutes to the start. Nothing like rushing from the car park to this start, when the call up whistle went!! It wasn't long and the experts which phil was racing in were off, then a few minutes later myself and Angela the only two adult women racing set off with the sport men.

I had a good start but then on the flat section just before the woods power legs Angela overtook me. This wasn't the plan,I knew I needed a good run into that section , as although I didn't feel it was a technical section, quite a few were going to come unstuck and struggle. So there was a bottleneck and I managed to nip into the ditch and brambles and edge my way through, passing Angela and a few others at the same time. This allowed me to. Come neatly clear into the drop off section, quite a few runners bug I just rode on through. From their on the whole lap I tried to push on as quick as I could, to try and get a gap. The sandy climb was hell, but the majority of riders turned into walkers so I wasn't too distressed about it. The there was a lovely flowing single track, which I now have become better at riding, the flat sections were uneventful then to the next beastie climb, get my walking boots on,then my favourite bit of all, the first time I have gelt like I was flying through the air in my bike!! A fast singletrack, with a jump in it!! I was buzzing after this, then it's followed by a flat section back to the start field, where you just nipped back into the woods, where thee was a wicked little up an down, through tunnel section which brought you back to the start. 
Young Huw Higgins Worral, showing me how it's done!! And many more aswell!
I did keep glancing behind me, but I couldn't see Angela.each lap I managed to continue at the same pace, only on the third lap I stupidly, as I was getting tired to a corner a bit wrong and ended in the brambles, twisting my seat in the wrong direction, and getting a few thorns in my gloves. I managed yo push my seat back into a more respectable position and pick the thorns out of my gloves with my teeth!! I felt strong in the last lap and was pleased to come over the line winning lady and a good 12/13 minutes ahead of Ang. I rode the whole race with Pablo and one other guy, they were just ahead off me all the time, but on the last lap I managed to overtake the other guy, just leaving Pablo who finished a little in front of me.

Phil lap had a great ride taking the win in the experts, I just wishes that on my last lap he could have attached a rope to me. And pulled me up the climb, as he overtook me scaring the life of me shoutin watch out skinny A**! Then he proceed to ride up the climb like it was a walk in the park!,he assures me that it was blooming hard work. Both myself and phil really enjoyed the course, I'm just a bit gutted I can't make the next one, but hopefully will be able to the final and the opening round of the welsh series on the 8th of march.

Well done to all racing, and a big thank you to matt and crew for putting on the race series, and also to Liz, Marshall's etc.

Not a bad start to the season two wins for XCracer.com!

Thanks to Huw for the photos, plenty more on his website for you to buy.

Mummy and daddy morris riding for XCracer.com/scimitar

MtZoom
Exposure
Scimitar




Blogger Info:


Donna
 

Donna Morris

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

Read More By Donna
Disclaimer:

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

Advertise your business/event here »