Welsh Cross Debut

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BY: phil Morris

Published: 11th October, 2012

Day Cyclocross debut

The welsh schools cyclocross championship was held on Penlan playing fields on the Saturday. Lots of children gathered and with the sun shining, we had lots of exciting racing. Hali-Rae was keen to have a go, even though she is only 5 and she would be up against 7/8 year old. I pre-entered her and due to daddy working it was my job to take her and support her. We got there leaving enough time for her to have a little practice around the course. "just like dad does" she said!

It wasn't long and she was lined up with a group of about 15 year one and two. She was the youngest competitor but un-deterred she took off on the whistle like a little trooper. Head down and away to go! She kept up her efforts and each lap kept on going. A few tears amongst other riders and a few dropping out. I cheered her on, along with her nanny and gave her the incentive to keep going and she may get on the podium!! What a spur that was! Over the past 4 years, when she has been with us all over the country racing, she always asks I wish I could get on the podium and get a medal!1 Well today was that day and she came in a fantastic 2nd place under 8 girl!! Very proud mummy moment and a gutted daddy!! Not being able to watch her but she made up for that by wanting to race again on the Sunday in the welsh series cross held at the same venue. And again raced her little heart out and came 21 out of 28 boys and girls!! She kept on chugging, and crossed the line and burst in to tears, as her fingers were freezing!!! Well done racey Rae!!! Many more podiums to come!!

Phil had been nursing a stinking cold over the past few weeks and despite still thinking he was going to ride up until 8am on Sunday morning, when I asked him what the hell was he racing for, when he could hardly talk to me without coughing!!

He gave in and decided it was a bad idea. So it was my chance to ride/race. I have dabbled a bit in the racing scene this year, nothing to serious and having had a go once before a few years back at a night cross I was keen to give it a crack. As Phil wasn't using his mountain bike, with skinny tyres, he said I could use it!! A little unsure, as I had never ridden it before and it had different pedals and set up to what I am used to. But after testing it out up the road against my mountain bike up the road, before we left, this was my machine for today!

I got out for a little practice lap and it wasn't long until we were lining up. There was a nice group of women. Some very experienced and some novice. My aim was not to be last and to enjoy it! Off we went and the first few laps went smoothly I managed to ride nearly the entire course apart from one short sharp slippy climb, which I couldn't quite get up. (Well I might have been able to had I had my cleats clipped in, but I wasn't 100% comfortable with his pedals, so un clipped for this climb!) I don't know what lap it was but we came around and it was announced 6 laps to go! 6 laps I thought, how the hell can I do another 6 laps. Amazingly I did, but the laps few laps I hardly had the strength to lift the bike over the hurdles!! Bit more muscle power needed!!

Each lap I was passing a few riders and knew that there was about 3 women behind me, but I had no idea where the actually were and I had Laura Williams (jif) in my sight but I wasn't gaining or losing anything on each lap. The bell went and on the last lap I tried to give it an extra boost, which I must have, because I actually was gaining on Laura, but didn't gain enough to pass her! Next time maybe!! Coming over the line was a great relief, and I really enjoyed it.

Just have to get a bike set for me now. I don't like road riding much so a mountain bike and skinny tyres will do me!!

Thanks to Phil, mum and my babies, for all their support and for all the support out on the course by riders and spectators!
Cracking, slippy, muddy course with a few short sharp climbs. Well done to all the organisers and helpers.

Pictures courtesy of Roy Bevis (Smugmugphotos) Thank you Roy!

Donna Morris

Riding for Xcracer.com