Summer Series

Share on Facebook  Share on Twitter

BY: phil Morris

Published: 17th June, 2012

 

 

This weekend I was keen to support Jay and Maddie, as this year with one thing or another Phil has not been able to race any of the rounds, I got my act together and got the bike in the car ready to set off Saturday morning. The forecast was very dubious and I must admit I felt like staying in house, but when nannie arrived at 6.30am I had to shift myself ad hit the road!

 

This was only my third every ride/race and my first at going alone. My plan was, just get around, even if it meant walking most of it if I had a puncture (because I hate fixing them, especially in the wet!!)

 

I arrived in good time and surprised Maddie at sign on!! By braving the weather. At this point it was just mizzle coming down. I got parked up and headed up to put my bottles in the feedzone. I then got soaked walking back down and spent the next 45 minutes sat in the car, thinking that it would soon ease off. (I should be so lucky!! To put it mildly it blinking thumped it down and did rain I think for nearly all of the race- or was that just the brown spray!! At 15 minutes to the start I had to get out and put my number on. I then put my waterproof trousers on and headed up to the start.

 

I then met up with Matt (team mate) he was riding in the master's race. I was desperately hanging onto my trousers but. Knew that as soon as I was into the race, I wouldn't be able to ride!! Corby( Stephen Corbyn )was kind enough to lend me his waterproof jacket to race in, to save getting my back wet and cold. Ta Muchly!! I gobbled up an Accelerade gel, as I can't eat anything before I race.

 

After the elite men, and other categories a huddle of women lined up (they set all the women categories together as there was only about 8of us and then the fun and

Open men went behind us. Apart from the one elite rider, the other women had all ridden the other rounds,a few of them had pre-ridden it and said there was a bit that was un-rideable. I gave pre-riding as miss!!!

 

Off we set and from the start all I can say is the race consisted of mud, mud and more mud, not just on the bike. I feel that I have still got mud coming out of all orifices!! Slippy roots and a few hairy moments a boggy run, pull my bike up a hill climb. That thankfully I saw a few good riders off their bikes also.(which made me feel a little bit better!!) Pleases tell me nobody actually managed to ride that entire climb?? Definitely not after it had been cut up so much?

 

There was some nice twisty downhill's and single-track, but for me in those conditions was bloody hard work, avoiding slipping into tree stumps, and trees!!

 

The first lap was tough and really though that all the front women were long gone. The second lap I nearly went the wrong way, and last my momentum bit because it wasn't the same. The first part of the course was different and consisted of more slippy ,Rooty single-track and a few little hills!! Instead of the fireroad on the first lap. However, during the second lap I seemed to pick up and feel quite good( I think I am definitely better at endurance than speed and originally we were going to do 3 laps but after the 1^st lap they cut it to 2, due to the conditions. In hindsight for me I would have been on the podium if it was 3!! Never mind next time- when I have my supports to gear me on and tell me how far in front or behind I am!! Right at the last section of the second lap, I saw what I thought was a woman rider. Then I though no it wasn't but as I got closer it was!! Could I catch her? There was a male fun/open rider between us and a twisty little climb on single track. I rode behind him closely for a while and then though I'm never going to have a chance so politely asked him to let me by. After a bit I cut on past him (thank you) but with their only being 100 meters to the finish and Wendy caught a glimpse of me and pegged it to the line. I try my best but just missed out on third by a few seconds!! Next time I'm not going to sit behind for so long and bite the bullet, be polite and cut on sooner.

 

All in all though I was very pleased to end up so close, as I thought she was well in front of me. However, Wendy informed me she was slowing up and feeling the effects, where I was getting stronger and going faster than the first lap. Thank you for the last minute challenge and well done!!

 

I think all of us women who rode deserved a medal!! Those conditions are probably the worst I have ever experienced and observed. Don't think I have ever seen Phil quite as caked in crap and mud as  was yesterday!! I can still taste the grit and feel the mud in my eyes!! Can't wait to see the photos!!

 

I have to say the only thing I found really hard yesterday was not being able to take a drink properly. My bottle was caked in c**p and despite trying to take a sip swish it around spit it out and then take a swig!! After doing that few times just gave up and didn't bother. And as for getting a gel I couldn't do that as I would have ended eaten more mud than gel!!And felt that my body had probably got a fair amount of mud inside already!!

 

Forest of Dean did you say I think Face of Dirt was more applicable for that race!!

 

Well done to Maddie and Jay and all the fully sussed team!!

 

Thank you to Ed also for putting my bike up on the car roof rack!!

 

Thank you to anyone who cheered me on.

 

Donna Morris

Xcracer.com