So Last weekend I did my first proper cross race for the full hour, I was a bit anxious but had herd it was a good cause with and nice woodland section, this is right up my street as I spend most of my time screaming down single track across more land or in woods. There was a big turn out probably due again to the sunshine and blue skys ( what is with the weather this autumn?). I dragged the family along as well so they could watch the U10 and U8 race. I think watches these little one race if just brilliant every thing from little dots on balance bikes to kids ( mostly on Islabikes) that look like they would give the British cross team a run for there money. After the kids had finished I did a quick practise lap and was feeling a lots better about the race, the woodland sections was great and mostly down hill and the fact that I feel off on the first soft corner didn't put me of.
As the race gridded up I hung back to start some where near the back of the pack with the intention of setting of at a steady pace, as it turns out we didn't have a choice as we all got squished up on the first 1/2 lap but the field soon opened up as the faster boys pulled away. It did take me 2 laps to get the hang of the course and after that I settled in to a steady pace. We had 2 hurdles on a nice slippy hill after a hairpin to get over. The training I have had with the Bronte Wheelers helped me immensely to get over these and I even sort of looked to know what I was doing but by far the best section was the wood land. It was narrow, fast, down hill with lost of bends and roots to get around/over. I did come of once due to my speed being better that my skills and again when I was chasing some much faster/better races down through the woods. I was keeping up with them until about the last 50 meters, when the guy I was on the back wheel of slowed down a bit more than I expected for a bend and my front wheel tapped his back wheel on the exit and I was off in the brambles ( sorry if that was you) but he carried on ok, so no harm done
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I did the 7 laps I wanted to do and didn't come dead last so I was very happy about that. I do think I could have pushed on a bit more and maybe got and an 8th lap in, maybe next year. I am looking forward to my next race a Boughton hall, Rapha supercross weekend so that should be good fun. Another great day out with a really friendly atmosphere, some of you should try it.
:xmas-cool: Keep this on the QT but I have just taken delivery of one brand new Beinn 24 Islabike in the new very metallic orange/red colour for my 8 year old girl. I will sort out some picturs if I get the chance but I looks fantastic and a bit more modernt that the older grey graphics, I think she will love it. Fingers crossed she will do next years summer cross with me.
