Mixed weekend for the XCracer.com team

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BY: phil Morris

Published: 21st April, 2011

Dalby 2011

After 2010's event I was looking forward to Dalby, due to the fact that I love the course and I won my race there last year.

We travelled up Friday morning, stopping for a splash with the kids on route. We arrived about half five and quickly set up camp. After nearly six hours on the road the hassle of cooking tea wasn't inviting, so we headed back to Thornton-le-dale for some pub grub and to pick up some basic supplies.

Morning some came round, after the Dalby Fox had visited and ripped our bin bag down off the awning!!  The sky was blue, sun blazing and temperatures were rising, so we decided to head of to the seaside in Scarborough. After a donkey ride, some ice-cream and a paddle in the ocean it was time to head back to Dalby for a practice.

I signed on and picked up my new kit, which I was keen to try on as it looked pretty tidy!!  I met up with Mel and Niall and we all headed out for a lap of the course. After a couple of laps, I was happy with my race prep and headed back to base. The course was very similar to the previous year, with only a few minor changes.

We camped next to the new children's play area, which was much to Hali-Rae's delight. The only problem we had been trying to get her from there. (Even going round on her bike with a head lamp on in the dark!!!)

After a fairly unsettled night, we woke pretty early and it wasn't long before the sun made an appearance. We couldn't have asked for better weather.

First up was Mel in the Elite Women's race. Mel had a storming ride to finish 6th, a fantastic result on a course that gave her a fair amount of grief last year!!
WELL DONE Mel! Claire was also racing in the experts but unfortunately felt unwell and decided to call it a day after a couple of laps.

Next was Niall in the expert men, he also didn't have a good day in the saddle and came back to base early.

So it was half 2 and my turn. I was gridded 3rd behind Matt Dennis and Ed Moseley. From the gun I got into 3rd going into the first bit of single-track, but managed to drop a place before the feed zone. But there was plenty of time left so I wasn't too bothered.

Once we got to the major climb of the day, I decided to push hard. This moved me into 2nd behind Matt, who yet again was storming the lead!! At the top of the climb I had a gap on 3rd which I was quite pleased with. Lap 2 I lost contact with Matt, but had seemed to create a buffer back to 3rd. Lap 3 I had a mare and a close call with the ground/tree so I eased up a little and was caught napping!!(Ed had bridge the gap now!!)  The next lap was spent trying to keep up with ED on the descents, which I failed badly at!! He was awesome!!  Luckily my climbing was saving me!! On lap 5 Ed again left me for dirt on the downhill's, by the main climb I was about 40 meters back. I went hard and managed to get back to Ed. I stayed in this position until the final, fairly short climb, where I decided I had to give it my all to maintain my position; I knew I needed to get a lead into the final single-track. I managed to get a small gap and this was just enough to hold on to 2nd place!!

Im now going to see if I can find someone to teach me to ride my bike downhill properly after a real lesson in how to handle a bike!!

For me this was another really tough battle and I had a great race against my fellow riders!!

I rate Dalby as a super race venue as you need to be on your game at all times, as one second lapse in concentration, will see you hurtling to the floor!!!

More importantly the facilities on site have improved, making it a great event for all the family. Just ask my little girl!!

Thanks to all involved in making the BMBS such a great event. Top marks!!

As always thanks to Donna and Hali-Rae for feeding me and constant encouragement and to anyone else who showed me their support.

Phil Morris Riding for XCRacer.com
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