Artic Sherwood!!

BY: phil Morris

Published: 25th March, 2013

Spring time yey!

This weekend was the first National at Sherwood Pines. Towards the end of the week the forecast was looking dubious for the weekend and for us the weather looked the worst on fridy into Saturday, so we made the early decision to abandon plans on going up straight from school on Friday to going Saturday. However, with doubts in our mind of what to do, the snow by us was not too bad however there was severe weather on our 4 hour journey. Plans changed then to just me and Phil going and leaving the kids behind as temperatures were going to below freezing all weekend, not good for camping! Each time plans were made, they were halted, (both nannies snowed in, aunty heath and Uncle Steve was drafted in!!! (many thanks!) To cut a long story short me and Phil just about got to Mansfield 4 hours later and about 6 pm Saturday night.

Destination ski resort, minus the skis and lifts!!! Never caravanned in the snow before, but we were not the dullest, there were a handful f other motorhomes dotted around the forest car park. And one insane camper in a tent!! I was very concerned and kept saying to Phil, "won't he freeze to death???" hats off to you whoever you were!!

Anyways after firing up the heater we had a fairly comfy night apart from me suffering with severe stomach cramps and numerous trips to the loo!! What more could go wrong!! Thank fully nothing!

Up bright and early, artic conditions outside, off I go to sign on, still in my pj's under my thermals!!

Forced a banana down for breakfast, my stomach not coping too good. How the hell was I even gonna make it to the start line let alone race! The start of the race was delayed and there was a delay in the gridding but we eventually got underway. There were only 2 in my cat and I was already 2^nd in my eyes as Gillian has got much more experience under her belt than me!! So my aim was to just stay on my bike and not come a gutser!

Conditions were bleak and the ice/snow covered roads were dicey. I won't describe the course in depth but in a nut shell, it wasn't a course for me. Not enough climbing or anything to get your teeth into, however, in the conditions, well done to those who got the race together and well done to anyone who even got on the start line!! We are all mad! Plenty of snotty icicles out there and the horrible snow showers form the trees, every time the wind blew. The first lap as always for me is really frustrating, I get off ok then a few crash in front and then you lose your rhythm, panic I'm gonna be the next for the ditch and then the next batch catch you up, the you pull over for riders to pass and I have to say a terrible course for overtaking.

Anyway after my slow first lap I wasn't last in the women's so I just pushed on and I did gain a couple of places. (All the women cats went off together). The final lap was the best for me, I never touched down once and there was no one really in my way or blowing behind me. A few elites lapped me but not all!! So there is an achievement! Well done to our new team mate Maxine Filby who just lapped me towards the end!!! Well done!

The first lap I was freezing and couldn't feel my hands, face or knees, but after that it was really enjoyable. A few sloggy sections and plenty of slippy roots but I'm glad we made the mad maybe mental effort to attend. I actually finished, don't quite know how I even had the energy!

My first national podium!! Probably the first and last this year but my aim is to get better and get closer to my cat racers. I know I ride reserved, I must forget falling off and hurting myself and push my body to its limits. I should be hurting from start to finish according to Phil and if I'm not then I'm not pushing hard enough!!! Ok next time dear!!

Phils Race.

Conditions were horrific and the worst I have ever raced in. My bike probably tripled in weight and I have never had mud frozen solid to the spokes before and everything frozen up! As temperatures raised, so did the mud!! I was gridded on the front row and had a great start, leading out the field. The course was very churned up and mud spraying everywhere. Half way around my main rival passed me.

At the end of the first lap Jon Pugh (Cycle Tec) had about a 30 sec lead. The course was a bugger to get passed anyone but everyone's in the same boat so can't really grumble there. The second lap was a bit of a disaster as I had an off, my bike slipped from under me and I went head first into the snow! Few seconds lost and I came into the arena a little further back. The 3 rd lap was persistent and Jon now was not really gaining anything further but I didn't think I would gain on him either. The past few races against Jon, I have finished a good 4/5 minutes behind, so today's result was already looking promising for me.

The last lap I pushed hard and too my surprise I was closing the gap and came into the feed zone, close to the finish just behind him. My plan went out the window when he caught sight of me and heard the bellower (Donna ) shouting at me!! The final loop was no place for sprints, just a slog through the mud, so I finished about 17 seconds behind 1^ST Place. A very pleasing result for me against Jonathon Pugh who is a very strong rider and I think will take some beating this year!

Hats off to everyone who rode, and amazed my bike actually got to the finish in one piece. However, with plenty of excess pounds!!! Both in weight and in repairs!! The cleaning and fixing will begin tomorrow once I and my outside tap have thawed!!

Thanks to all involved and to our my sponsors

Donna and Phil Morris

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