Since then a lot has happened, I raced DH at the FOD and knocked 18 seconds of my time from last year on the GBU track. The summer time trials have started up on the road bike, I've fallen off a bit as well and I've been manically trying to get fit. But the last Bank Holiday weekend in May is what this blog is about so better get on with it.
25-26th May 2013 was DIVA DESCENT at Innerleithen.
All week I'd been hyper a mix of nervous anxiety and excitement, so it was no surprise to wake up at 5:30am on Friday morning despite doing a Time Trial the night before. Darrel and I packed the van and set the Sat nav to collect Hannah (Fellow Diva and DH nutter). A quick pick up and a long drive found us all in Scotland, Darrel with a sore head and us Divas more excited than ever. After pitching the tent we headed to Glentress for a play in the free ride area and I think it was then that reality hit. I was so apprehensive, I couldn't settle on my bike. Tomorrow I was going to have to ride Innerleithen. A short ride round Glentress didn't help, I was tired from the time trial and lack of sleep, my confidence was low.
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| Our home for the weekend |
Saturday morning came, and as we pulled up at the car park I saw familiar faces of Lindsey and Hannah so parked next to them. Their excitement was infectious, signing on I met Sarah the Head Diva who kindly assured me that the course was fine. First item of the weekend was a course walk with out coaches, As one of the coaches hadn't arrived we were split into 2 groups, Poor Katy Curd (who had previously done a course walk with me at FOD) drew the short straw and had me in her group. The first thing I noticed was how long the Up Lift took, and as we piled out of the mini bus we excitedly chatted with each other about our experience, or lack of it.
The course walk was exactly that, a wander down the track with Katy pointing out lines and technique, but in my head all I was thinking was OMG I've got to ride down this. The course was steep, there was some tight bends with sneaky little drops before them, and a couple of rooty bits. The weather was dry and the track was dusty and loose. Katy was brill, assuring us that everything was rollable even for my poor DH Skills. In my heart I was feeling sorry for whoever got stuck coaching me down the track, I was in simple terms crapping myself.
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| Me during the Coaching Session |
After a lunch break which for me was a can of coke (too scared to even contemplate food), we were put into our coaching groups. I was assigned to Emma Guy, luckily for us it was a coach BOGOF as Emma came with Jess Stone DH demon and fellow Pimms lover. Our group was a bit of a mix of abilities, all of us had our strengths and weaknesses and we worked well together. Emma was ace, she utilised Jess to show us position and Jess rode bits of the track demonstrating 'how to do it properly' as we worked our way down. We all encouraged each other on the technical bits and as we worked our way down I felt more and more relaxed. Emma and Jess were both so chilled and relaxed that it rubbed off on me and for the final technical section I even found myself going first (something I never normally do). By the end of the session I was buzzing, I'd ridden the track, time for a well earned Pimms and something to eat. I returned to the campsite excited more than nervous about the impending race.
So after another cold nights sleep it was off to Innerleithen again, nerves had yet again started to grip me. My biggest concern was fitness, this was a long track and could I hold it together for practice sessions and 2 race runs. Now my normal race tactic is to stay as far away from the race as possible, I get worked up, scared and find practice petrifying with all the fast riders zooming up behind me. This is where the Diva Descent difference really came into affect, our numbers were smaller and as we started to work our way down the hill we either rode in small groups or gave each other space. As I rode down I relaxed into the track remembering Emma and Jess's advice. I enjoyed it! I rested at the 2 track crossings and as I made my way to the finish I was tired but so happy. Another lunch of 1/2 can of coke and it was race time. I was drawn as trail blazer, a position I normally blankly refuse to hold, but with the support of my fellow Divas I was off, smugly knowing it would shock the hell out of Darrel who was marshalling. As I passed points on the track I noticed I was ticking off the technical sections as I cleared them, celebrating each bit cleared as I worked my way down. I really was loving it, the hill fell away before me and before I knew it I saw Katy Curd stood at the track side which could only mean one thing I was near the end. I crossed the line to cheers from everyone there, and was so chuffed, as I was first down I even got my 5 seconds of fame in the hot seat.
As the first race run progressed, Diva's accumulated at the finish all with massive grins and cheers for the Diva crossing the line. The last of us finishing to a chorus of 20 plus ladies and the rare male voice.
Seeding / Races Run 1 was completed without any serious injury, we were all pretty keen to head up and go again. This time it was full race conditions, slowest first. I surprisingly wasn't the slowest, though very much within the more sedately timed group. I keenly loaded my bike on to the trailer, safe in the knowledge I'd logged a time, so this run was all about fun and maybe a little more speed.
Rather than bore you with a race run account, I believe a image speaks a 1000 words so here is my final race run on Video (BC doesn't allow filming of race runs so please don't tell them) (Oh and a warning that there is some swearing!)
As you can see in the video I got 'red flagged', this was a bit confusing, as much as I knew what it meant in the heat of the race I didn't even see the flag although it glaringly obvious, until I was on a techy bit right next to the Marshall. Other than this short hold up, I had the most amazing fun in my life, I was relaxed, enjoyed the trip down and even with the hold up was 5 seconds faster that my previous run.
The Diva weekend was amazing, we were a group of like minded, fun loving females supporting each other and sharing experiences. The whole event was relaxed, I loved meeting the other Divas. As I normally ride out with guys all of who are fast and fearless, I particularly enjoyed riding with others who shared my apprehension and happily expressed it. I'm really hoping to make the next event at Hamsterly and will definitely be at the Forest of Dean and Wales round.
Here are a few pictures kindly taken of me on my way down
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| Crossing the finish line, knackered by smiling |
I would like to add a MASSIVE thank you to Diva Descent for organising such a brilliant weekend and to all the Marshalls and helpers who put up with me.
