XC Racer Blog Post

BIg Catch up time!

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BY: Donna Morris

Published: 1st August, 2013


Finally we are connected back to the land of living, so it is time to have a mass catch up on the past few months race events.

Firstly we go back to round 3 of the National Points series at Margam Park. The weather leading up to it was promising and it continued to be a boiling weekend. (Dare I say a little too hot for racing!!) We arrived midday Saturday and set up camp. The Horton's kindly offered to watch the kids and take them to the farm park, whilst I and Phil went for a practise. Cheers guys! The kids loved it and it allowed Phil to talk me through or get his own back on me on some sections!

The course was really good and suited me down to the ground. Lots of climbing, technical sections, no gravel bits and no tight bends! It suited Phil as well, so we were both quite positive. Although due to me nearly coming a cropper at the welsh round held at margam, I had the ebby jebbies at the first descent. After few moments of nearly throwing up, I got myself together and got down it in one piece! There was only the last descent that I took the b line, so I was quite pleased I managed to do most of the course. Again the masers field was sparse, but plenty of sport, vets and grand vets, for me to chase and try to beat!

Margam was gobbling up quite a few riders and the ambulance crew were kept continuously busy. So much so that there was a delay of 45mins at the start of my race, due to an accident. Not the best way to start a race, in the heat waiting around, letting the nerves build up more and more!

Having had a good start I headed off up the first section of mainly climbing about half way up the group. The first tech section was a bit of a mare, because lots of women got off and ran down the edge, I knew I could ride it but if the rider in front stopped I wouldn't have the momentum to ride it! Thankfully I was behind a tech rider so I was ok. This section allowed me to pass a few riders and head off to the rooty wood section following that was the rocky shute and then the climb right to the top. I managed to ride the little hump again, yay!! The next descent was real fun single-track, then into a tricky little section which I had to be careful not to take the tree out at the bottom! Then on to the road and into the tight uphill bend up into the new tech section, where I though better not kill myself and took the advice of my hubby and took the sludgy b line! For the early laps this is where I lost most my time and allowed Kim Long (my little battling racer) to get back past me every time. I wish I had her no fear factor!! Then it was into the wood shavings, followed by the climb back up to the single-track section in the woods. My race went really well, I managed to stay on my bike, put out consistent fairly quick laps and most of all I managed to beat all the sport, grand vets and all but 1 vet!!! My best result to date! The heat was a killer and really zapped me; it felt like my head was going to explode!!  Thanks to all the support out on the field and to Hollie for watering me!!!

Phil had a really good race and started to feel a bit better on the bike having had a few more hours training!! He came in the consistent position of second, behind the speed demon Jonny Pugh of Cycle Tec(he needs a few kids to slow him down!!)

 

Hali-Rae excelled in her little race and came home with first place under 8 girls and had a nice little prize too!

 

 

Next race for me was the midweek race at the Showground Builth Wells, held by CYCLE TEC. A very local, friendly race for me and with Phil working and unable to compete, I have the honour of flying the xcracer flag so to speak! The field was looking flushed, although only 2 women taking part, but that doesn't matter; I like to race against the men, and see how many I can conquer! The laps were fast and there is just no giving up, similar to a cross race and I finished 8 laps in a pleasing first place and not too far down the overall field. If you're looking for a fast and furious midweek race then head to the showground at Builth wells next Wednesday night, details found on cycletec  Facebook page.

 

Finally I will do a brief summary of the National Champs held at Caethkin Braes, Glasgow. The week before we had a week of physio in Perth, with Ryley so we only had an hour's drive on the Saturday morning. We were quite looking forward to this round, as the Scottish, like the Welsh usually put on a good course and with it being a test event for the commonwealth games we expected it to be. However, after going for a practise I was a little gutted and was a bit worried about racing. I compare the course to Bristol, Ashton court. Having done Bristol bike fest this year I can honestly say it was very similar, just the rocky drops were a lot higher. The gravel single-track and double sided descent was just sheer hell for me. I cannot for the life of me ride them at speed, I have a real fear of skidding out! Although I could ride the entire course and all the technical sections, I couldn't put my foot down and lacked the power on the flat. So overall it was going to be more like a experience ride and gaining confidence race for me. I have never ridden rocky drops like that before so, tat in itself was an achievement. The race started and although I put out consistent laps my times were minuets down on my usual rival's ain the different cats and the speed demons in my own cat, that are elite riders in my eyes were like rockets!! Well done girls! Phil again confirmed my findings and he wasn't looking forward to racing it. A good course to have fun on but not a real proper racing course. The severe lack of hills was Phil's disappointing factor!

 

Phil's race go under way and after the starting loop he was in the top 3, this is kinda were I was expecting him to come through on the first lap, but we didn't really know what speedy Scottish riders were in the bunch. However, after about 7 riders came through the feed zone, close to the end of the lap, I thought he must have punctured, but then he came through in about 9th place. He looked like he was struggling and I really didn't expect him to make it round another lap!!

He surprised me and he looked to come through a bit more comfortable and each lap he came through stronger and stronger and was pulling his way back to the front group. Jon was leading out in front by a few minutes but Dan Wells was in second and Phil was gaining on him fast, but didn't quite have the extra 30 seconds to beat him, so finished 20 seconds back from 2nd place. If only there was another lap, maybe he could have clinched 2nd. 1st is out of the question this year, but overall he finished 1st master in the older cat and third in the overall cat.

Overall the weekend summary for us was great weather a nice fun track, but not a great mtb racing course. Nice hot showers, but the main criticism of the weekend which I have to flag up was the supporting races. Not to bore you all, but the idea of encouraging and getting more people into the sport went clean out the window!!One little girl travelled 9 hours to be denied a race and others willing to have a practice before committing to entering the fun race were denied the opportunity.

 

Hopefully this won't happen again and they will take notice of my little 6 year olds personal complaints letter!!

 

Anyway that's the Morris clang update. Part from mentioning we won the 24/12 mixed team category at the weekend, my first 24 hour team event and only third time riding at night. But Matt Lewis is blogging on that so that's all until my next race.

 

Thanks to Roy Bevis for the photos

 

Donna morris

Riding for

Xcracer.com

Mt Zoom

Exposure Lights

Scimitar Sports

Accelerade

 





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Donna
 

Donna Morris

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

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

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