Scott MTB weekender at Builth Wells

Leading up to the event I was hesitant as to which ride to do and which distance. I opted to do the short night and the long day, but weather dependent I would do the 50k. The forecast was changeable In the days leading up to the event, but on the Saturday night it was dry and a tad chilly! And well Sunday was just a whirlwind.



Both me and phil were riding so we went and signed on Just after meeting Nannie and dumping the kids with her for the night! It wasn't long and everyone was starting to line up, no one really knew what time exactly we were setting off, it wasn't dependant on when it got dark! So although I was kind of ready for the start it was a bit of a ready steady go and free for all!

The pace was fairly constant on the way out following the lead vehicle, it was a long road climb all the way to the top of pan llyn, this is where the route diversion was, 20k to the right and 40 to the left, the 40 had an additional loop out around the hill. I felt pretty good going up the road and this continued, I had a little part on and a high five of my bib as at the top of the never ending climb which spurred me on no end. I passed the f eyed station and from there on it was a case of Epping my wits about me and trying to avoid going over the bars on the un known downhill route. It was great to do a loop of that hill, which I haven't done before. Although I nearly ended up in the lake! I though we were to go over the concrete dam, until I got half way across and there was a massive gap!! Oops!! Maybe they didn't mean to go across here!!

I then met up with a fella who like me was having a bit of trouble deciding which way we were supposed to go! Not easy in the dark, although this was helped by my fantastic EXPOSURE USE LiGHTS, which were a million times better than his! We played cat and mouse until the road/rocky descent and just after this we rode together, got chatting and bizarrely we finished d the night ride two years ago together!, at least we haven't lost a similar fitness levels! After a short section on the road it was downhill to builth, then a nice gun little singletrack up by the quarry, finished off nicely with a punchy little xc course on the showground. I came over the line a very pleased 2nd lady home only a few minutes back on elite TORQ rider Carla Haines. My ride was boosted by having a delicious rhubarb and custard energy gel and I was recovered by strawberries and cream recovery drink, courtesy of TORQ.

I had a quick shower and it wasn't a long until phil cane over the line, joint first place really with
Steven Roach of Cycle Tec and NIck Craig of SCOTT. Brilliant result! Surprised himself I think!!


Home to bed, I was in nod land by 12 ish and then with alarm all set. 8am soon came around and it was get changed sort my bitsout and off we go again back to the showground.

The whirlwind winds, were un us and didn't look like it was going to be a easy day in the saddle. I had half planned to do the 50 k if the weather was bad but due to the early cut off point I didn't. 10 30 and we were off. The pace was high on the way out, not been a road rider I was surprised how well I kept my pace going and not many people left me for dust! This was very different to the night ride two years ago when I felt like dying by the time we turned off to the hill. At the top of the hill climb, was the diversion. This was too early on for yo opt for the shorter route so I took the 75. The next hour was hell, lots of climbing added by gale force head and side winds, blowing me off my bike! Quite comical for the guys following me!! I had a group riding together in front which I was keeping a little distance in front, which included one female. All was going well until the last boggy ditch, when clunk, Jamm, that was it! My chain had jammed, 20 or so people passed, no one checking I was ok, until one friendly chap offerd to help! Thank god! Eventually we managed to in jam it but little did I know that it had buckled my wheel in doing so. My bike felt odd and hard to ride, like a brake was stuck on. I looked down to see a warbled wheel brushing against my frame. No way! Damm it! I just pootled on to the feed zone which I knew wasn't too far away about 30 minutes or so. I met donn from Cycle Tec here who tried to fix it but it need a bit more work! So after about 35 k I had to limp back home! However, I had two fantastic rides and more riding in two days tan I have done nearly in total since Christmas.

Bike fixed by Cycle a Tec and in the shed ready for my next ride this coming Sunday at my first national in Newnham Park,plymouth. This will be a fantastic weekend I'm sure as we are in the hands of the mad husband and wife duo, Fully Sussed.

All pictures courtesy of Rob Barker! Check out his website for some fantastic pics at low prices.www.robbarkerimages.com


Donna Morris

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