Romantic ride!

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BY: phil Morris

Published: 13th January, 2013

Happy New Year to you all!!!

With a very eventful, stressful 2012 out the way. But also the most memorable year of my life, and a life changing one for my little man Ryley ' The Boss Morris'. It's time to move onwards and upwards in 2013. As means of escaping the daily pressure of looking after the kids, getting Ryley to all of his appointments and being his personal physiotherapist, I love to hop on my bike and go for a spin. Having done the odd race in 2011 and having quite enjoyed it, I want to get a little better and enter more evens in this coming year. Phil noticed that I was enjoying and wanting to go out on my bike more, instead of going to the pool for my other fond hobby, swimming. And for Christmas got me a few bits, which I have, been wanting over the past few years for my biking. I also had a great deal on a 29er which I couldn't turn down before crimbo, so I now have a Sensa 29er. Over the festive period our household was summoned by the usual bugs, but old mummy managed to break out with shingles. So with getting out on the bike being hampered, I haven't been able to go and get used to my new big wheels and different set up. So last Friday Phil decided that he would take me up to Abergwesyn, to Coed Trallwm. Only the second time we have been out on the bike together in the past 8 years! We had planned to do the Red Kite event on today, but my dad decided to hold my mums 60^th birthday meal, so we were unable to enter. I had been looking forward to doing it, so didn't want to feel left out. This is why we went up there on the Friday for a spin around the tracks.

We biked up there from Garth in freezing conditions, and I was beginning to think it wasn't such a  good idea after all, but we carried on. I have Raynaud's severe and can occasionally get attacks. But have not had one for a long time, until today. O my god, we got to the trail centre café and headed up the log fire road climb, Phil assuring me I would soon warm up!! Funny ha ha!! He rode on and I tried to pedal at a good pace, giving my fingers a good shake every now and again, in an attempt to bring them back to life. Getting towards the top of the climb, the numb sensation, was now turning into a rage of fire and on reaching the top felt like somebody was stamping all over them!! Horrible! Phil smirking away with me in a mess, feeling nauseous with pain and making some noises, recalled by Phil, as like a crow!! After a few minutes of retching, followed by a few jelly babies my fingers were revived and we carried on!! I am UNIQUE, after all Phil!! The trail was then a single-track climb up to the top, with a few big puddles thrown in. On reaching the top the fog sat in the valley and the sun was now shinning. Now for the downhill, a very technical, rooty, slippy, uncombed downhill trail!!  I clipped out and made it down there in one piece!! We carried on, but got a bit lost, due to the tree felling and cut up tracks, but soon got back on the trail which lead back down to the centre. We then caught up with the organiser of the Red Kite event who was setting up the course, so we followed on round the other side of the forest on the Sunday course. Nice flowing single track, followed by a climb to the Top and then we diverted a little and joined back up down a track and on joining back up with the marked course. I managed to slip on a rock on the flat and come a cropper, bang on my side, bike went straight from under me, leaving me in a heap, groaning on the floor, looking up to a voice saying" how the hell did you manage that?" What's the third event to happen today??? Thankfully nothing!! We finished the course and rode back to Garth, I drove home, and Phil biked back. Quick shower, view my war wounds, rub on the arnica and voltarol and off Physio with Boss!! Cracking little ride that although eventful, I really enjoyed it, and a few tips off Phil gained as well.

 

However, his tips did not continue as on Sunday morning I got out after we had done the weekend  physio drills, although it had frozen the sun was shining. Not a mention about watch the black ICE! Off I go really enjoying the fresh air and sun, whilst riding my bike, then bang crash, not a second to think, I was down!! Nightmare! I had fallen on the road, skidded down and all I can say was it B****y killed and I instantly dreaded what damage I had done to my new bike!! S**T, after taking a few minutes to breathe deeply, try not to cry and getting my feet unclipped, I hobbled back down the road, with my wounded bike, bent rear mech, ripped seat and handle bars to be desired!! Whimpered through the door and sent Phil to look at the damage, alongside checking I was alright. No broken bones, just one hell of a grazes side and aching knee. No more riding in the freezing weather for me, well at least on the road anyway. I have learnt and will never do that again!! Brave the elements my a**e. Just hope I recover soon, sat slapping on the arnica and radian B.

Happy training everyone, and hope to see some of you at the up and coming MTB races. I hope to make the next Red Kite event on the 3^rd of February at Coed Trallwm.

 

Mummy Morris

Riding for XCRacer.com