Red Kite XC rd 4

BY: phil Morris

Published: 26th February, 2013

Rd 4 of the red kite XC series

The week leading up to the event had finally been mostly dry, but very cold so gone was the mud to be replaced with ice! Not sure which I prefer?

The day of the race again was dry but very cold so it was going to be a fast one. I signed on just before 10 and there were some strong riders down to race again from cycle-tec race team. I carried out a short warm-up which almost left me feeling colder than I was to start with!! I then lined up next to James Nixon on the start line. The race was going to be the most number of laps in 1:30, which in my head worked out at 5 laps. Off the start we were straight onto the first climb which was fairly steady but very bloody long. I had a good start and got away first, but almost immediately I was passed by John Pugh (Cycle-Tec) which I pretty much expected. I tried to hold his pace but slowly a small gap appeared, but by the top I was in second closely followed by James and Dave Evans. On now to the main decent of the day which was frozen solid. The best description of my descending was grim to say the least but I managed to hold on to second, even after a couple interesting overtaking manoeuvres by James! We entered the caf� area all fairly close together. The next section I really enjoyed twisting through the trees and over the river to start the next climb. Then a short decent followed by one more short climb and a final decent back to the start.

At the end of the first lap John had a 20/30m gap on me and James was right on my back wheel with Dave closely behind. On the start of the climb James had a bit of a dig but I managed to pull it back and settle into a rhythm, slowly getting a small gap. Jon now was extending his gap all the time. Come the top I had a 20ish metre gap but knew that it would probably disappear on the drop back to the start as James was dropping like a stone. I decided to not take any risks and try and make up time on the climbs and second part of the course. Right enough James was right back on my wheel by the caf�.

We pretty much stayed together back to the start of the 3^rd lap. On the climb I decided to try and get a more substantial gap so I pushed hard and not far from the top got up on the pedals and gave it as much as I had. This time I had managed to get a bit more of a gap. The decent was now like a sheet of ice in places and I was really struggling to get to grips with it! This time my gap was enough to stop James catching me by the bottom. I pushed on and maintained my lead. John now had a good lead on me so unless he had a problem it was a race for 2^nd place. Lap 4 was the same as 3 go hard on the climbs and try not to kill myself of the descents!

Lap 5 plan stayed the same. The only problem was I thought that this was my last lap! What a mistake to make, Jon had finished just under 1:30 and went again which meant I had to go again!! Bugger!! But it did cross my mind that I might have to go out again! At this point I was glad of the gap I had back to James, but it wasn't enough to go taking it easy. I did manage to hold James off, finishing 5mins back on Jon.

My tip for the season is, National Masters Champ Jonny Pugh.

Now for wifey's bit- very short!

In a nutshell, I should not have even started, but mind takes over body, doesn't it! The STINGER had done me over big style, my legs where still screaming at me, I was still hobbling around and knew that running on un even surface was going to completely wreck me. Deep heated up I set off and had a fairly good ride up the long fire road climb tucked behind young Tanwen Jones of Towy riders, then into the downhill section, with hands completely numb, my grip wasn't the best. It wasn't too long and Tanwen jumped off in front of me and decided it was best to run, so I sneaked passed. (But, should have followed suit) Because about three quarters of the way down the slippy single-track I lost it and hit a tree stump, tried to recover myself but nursing my pulling shin muscle, I dived over the bars and banged me knee!! I got up, far too quickly, the next thing I recall after telling 4 or 5 riders who came passed, that I was alright. Seeing stars and about keeling over!! Not good!! No more racing for me today!! Bugger!! I hope know that I can completely be fit for Coed y Brenin. Phil thinks I should be wrapped in bubble wrap!!

Anyway the day was topped off by a nice cuppa and bite to eat at the caf� based in heart of Coed Trallwm woods and a little presentation of prizes. Thanks to red kite events and all involved and also to Roy Bevis for kindly providing the photos.

A busy few weeks now, before the last round on the 17^th of March, same place, same time. See YOU THERE!

Finally thanks to our sponsors:

XCracer.com

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Mt Zoom

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