Round 2 of the SWXC series on Sunday. The weather gods were shining on us, and rightly so after the wash-out slop-fest of round 1. Typical spring; in the sun, lovely, but chilly in the shade. A steady NWN breeze.
Woody's bike park was the location, just outside Par near St Austell. It's a downhill bike park so for an XC race, each lap consisted of 2 hair-raising descents and 2 lung-busting climbs. Yours truly preferred the latter because the former is way outside my comfort zone.
That said, I was proud that I conquered my fear and by laps 3 and 4 I was rolling off 3 of the 4 drop-offs. Another lap and I'd have done the 4th one
#notlast is a thing and I finished (always the goal!) 16/19 in my class...15 mins behind 15th
The race environment is still very new to me and measuring my output is proving tricky. I had loads left in the tank but don't want to blow out half way through.
Still, I thoroughly enjoyed it and the atmosphere on course is great. Everyone is encouraging and even the pro's/whippets are down to earth and friendly. The next round is back at Grammercombe in a few weeks. Now I've ridden there I know what to expect which breeds a bit more confidence.
A LOT of elevation! Amazing location, to the left and out of shot there are some great sea views. I'll defo be back to practice...hopefully with an operating uplift service
This will be as close as I'll be to the pack. The chap in the pink helmet I pass and finish ahead of on lap 3. Also shout out to the chap in the tartan also on a Hei Hei
On one of the B-lines, I've informed Kona of my sponsorship and expect a bounced cheque in the post any day now
Almost at the top of the long second slog back up to the start/finish line. Slow and steady, in my zen place. 1997/98 shirt on a 2021 bike
Shitting my pants at what's coming up
My lap times? 27 mins, 27 mins, 27 mins and you guessed it 27 mins. Reliably slow - that's me!