Southern XC round 2

After a cracking course at Wasing for round 1, round 2 was held at Checkendon, home of the XCRampage races.  The organizers had pre-warned us this years course was flat…. but seriously, I have made lumpier pancakes. The pre-ride consensus was not fabulous. Initially l thought I had bought the wrong bike. With 1.5 miles of edge of field riding out of a 4 mile course it looked like the cross bike would have been a better bet. But it was a course of two halves and the second section was technical and twisty single track that was oh so slippery in the wet that riding it fast and getting it to flow was going to be very hard. 

This years packed race calendar was also obvious from the starting line up with all the categories looking a little "light" and the ladies especially missing a number of regular riders. But despite this, 8 elite ladies still lined up and on the gun the battle lines were drawn.

Jules Toone stomped into the lead along the fire road but slowed into the first section of single track, bunching the field right back up again. I made my move on the second field run and moved up to third place behind Jules and Cat Ross. I tucked in and made the most of the tow through the fields before sneaking past both the other girls to enter the last section of single track first. On lap 2, Cat and I worked together to put a gap between us and the rest of the field. With such a flat course the whole category remained very bunched up and this kept the pressure on the race the entire time. 

We also suffered a lot with traffic. The fairly long, twisty single track sections were a devil to overtake on and the first two laps were spent nipping around junior racers. We started lap 3 just after the gun for the men’s open race and hit the back markers at the first section of single track. The only uphill in the entire race course seemed to cause bedlam in this category so jumping off and pushing was the only option. A minor slip on a corner on lap 4 gave Cat the opportunity she needed and she put a gap between us. As I tired she stretched her legs and put an eventual 47 seconds into me by the end of the 5th lap. An excellent race from my point of view and fabulous training as I don’t think I stopped peddling for the whole 1hr 45 minutes.


On the podium with Cat Ross

With regards the race course, I have only been to this venue once before but I definitely remember more single track, and more hills. I am not sure why the organisers decided to ditch the single track in favour of fields but I can only assume that they were denied access, or that the terrible winter weather and claggy clay soil had left the trails in too poor a condition to race on.  Whatever the reason, they produced a tough course, which crossed the start area twice, improving the situation for the spectators who were having their battle against the weather.  One signficiant problem with riding on farmers fields was the relatively high number of punctures I saw. My hubby Jason also suffered this fate with a 2inch nail through his tyre only ¾ round the first lap meant he didn’t even make it onto the score sheet.

Even Stans couldn't cope with that!

But that was only half of our scheduled riding for the day. With the kids having a few days holiday in the Isle of Wight with Grandma and Granddad, Jason and I took the opportunity for a bit of extra training. A further 20 miles around the trail Centre at Swinley forest really put the nail in the coffin for me. After a hard race, even bimbling along the trails felt like torture. But with Bontrager 24:12 in mind, all suffering is good suffering.

Many thanks to the organizers and all the racers and supporters. Another hard day at the office.