Bad Day at the Reluctant HQ

I'm writing this blog with a heavy heart and one bruised body.

After just over 2 absolutely amazing months on the new DH bike, I was feeling really confident.  However the week after Easter was a stressful one at work and come the weekend I really wasn't feeling like riding my bike.  But I'd made the commitment to race the Taff Buggy Series and that was what I was going to do but my heart wasn't in it.  I should have followed my gut feeling.

Saturday morning came and I really didn't feel right, none of the pre-race excitement was there, we took a leisurely drive to Taff Buggy and met with Emma, who also lacked the normal enthusiasm.  So after a track walk we signed on and got on the bikes.  I simply couldn't ride, I was tense, stiff and was totally lacking the mojo to push myself.  My first run down saw me going round most of the Obstacles  and not warming up or settling.  My 2nd was mildly better but still a long way off being able to race.

So after a bite to eat I decided to put my body armour on in the hope that it would boost my confidence and put me in a 'this is serious' frame of mind.  It helped, I was clearing all the sections in some form or other, I just had the rock garden to ride.

Last year this man-made rock garden took me all day to clear but I'd managed it and raced it.  So after walking through it a couple of times to know where to put my wheels I got on Jed. I rode confidently onto the rocks, hitting my first and second markers perfectly to give me a clear run through, then it all went a bit odd, I realised early that I was too far forward and pushed off the bars to get my weight back but it was too late I was passed the point of no return and I think in trying to push my weight back I'd also pushed the bike into a worse place and stalled it.  I was going down, I spied an area of ground without rocks to land and with all my strength directed my body there.  Then all I remember was a cracking noise and feeling ground impact with my face, then Jed landing on my back, bouncing off my body and landing somewhere in front of me.  I expected to pass out, I waited for the blackness to drift over me but it didn't happen and somehow I was sitting up with Darrel running over to me, in my daze I stood up and stumbled off the track sitting down the other side of the tape pulling my broken lid off my head as it felt incredibly tight, like it was pushing my head in.  My nose hurt and I was waiting for it to start bleeding.  Darrel was fetching my bike and my first concern was that Jed was OK, I tried to stand up to see for myself and as I instinctively went to push off my hands, I realised I couldn't feel 2 fingers on my left and a stab of pain shot up my arm.  I remover my glove to see 2 really nasty looking purple marks and not much in the way of knuckle, it didn't hurt it was totally numb.  I didn't want to hang round to long, I knew before long stuff would start to hurt and I wanted to ride my bike down to get the lift up.  People stopped to ask if I was OK, I just wanted to get down before my body realised what I'd done to it.  Emma came along to see how I was getting on and as she came over realised something was wrong, looking at my hand she gave the excellent advise of removing my wedding ring off my now looking more sore fingers.  I limped down, on the last mildly technical bit I had to push as the vibrations through the bars were getting more uncomfortable by the minute.

Getting back up to the top, I met the guys from MIJ and the paramedics, who suggested visiting A&E.  I handed back my number and after a quick loading of bikes said fairwell to Taff Buggy and headed to Prince Charles Hospital.  I have got to say everyone there was lovely, the nurses looked at my hand and sucked in breath especially as I said I'm sure it's not broken.  My gut feeling was it wasn't, I've broken bones and I know there is generally a specific pain when that happens.  After a short wait the X-rays were back and Gayles Gut 1 - Nurses 0.

YIPEEEEEE  No broken bones, just a very bruised and sore Me!  After some pain meds, and a quick chat to the nurses I was on my way home.  However I knew in my heart that racing was a no go.  Sunday morning had me wide awake at 6am, my mind had at last turned on to race mode, but I was in no state to race, I knew it was the right decision but I wasn't happy about it.

Sunday morning was horrible, I was feeling bruised, could tell I had slight concussion, had a headache and I was down.  I got up and pottered around the flat, retrieved my lid from the Van to assess the damage and apologised to Jed for letting him down.  I felt that my whole racing plan for 2014 was up in the air, I'd really set my heart on the Taff Buggy series and now I didn't know if I'd ever have the courage to race there, all because of one 5 meter section of rock garden.  After a while I gave up and crawled back into bed for a cuddle with Darrel and some much needed recovery sleep.

Late morning I awoke, still feeling like crap, but knowing I'd made the right choice not to race.  Friends messaged me and texted me which really cheered me up.  It was decided that my lid would need to be replaced so I can now justify buying a new one to match Jed (Black and Red) and with all the lovely kind words I was feeling more positive.

The problem is, since I've had Jed I've had the most amazing time, I'm so much more confident and I love riding the bike.  Last weekends uplift saw me happily chasing down after my friends at FOD, and I really felt like I belonged.  I was on top of the world and felt I could ride anything, but when your on the top the only way is down and that's what happened!  I've had 2 months of bliss, me and Jed were bound to have a disagreement at some point, and now we have the fun of making up.  I'm hoping to get to Bike Park Wales as they have several rock gardens to practice on, and I'm already looking forward.  Next weekend will see me strapped up and trying 4x for the first ever time,  Thursday I've got another hour of hell in the form of a time trial.

Another odd off shoot from all this this is the bruises forming all over my body, the colours are amazing, angry deep blues, sore looking pinks and reds, the odd greenie hues and then my favorite, the purple that seem to suggest that the bruise goes deep into my flesh.  My knuckle is swollen, with a pale green/purple hint and 2 red marks that give a menacing hint of something painful lurks beneath.  Through out Sunday they appeared rising like some bizarre deep sea creatures floating to the surface.  There will be no bikini or short skirt wearing from me for the next few weeks until they disappear.  But with each new bruise Darrel is being sweet and loving, so I'm lapping up the affection.  OK I failed, but I failed trying and I did give it a good go.

So it's Monday PM and I'm miles happier.  I was due a bad day and although yesterday felt like a black hole is really wasn't all that bad, just felt it at the time.  DH is a risk sport, injuries are part and parcel.

Oh, and hi to the guy on the Kona I met on saturday who reads my blog, it was lovely meeting you :)

Dipping my toe in the Deep End

Another Monday, another blog to write while sitting on the sofa under my blanket nursing sore legs.

This is getting to be an all to familiar scenario, the reason for this weeks blog was the opening round of the Pearce Cycles DH series at Hopton.  I'd only entered the 1 race as these races are a level up from the races I'd previously done and I didn't know how I'd cope.

Early signs were that I wasn't going to cope very well, the weekend before the race I found the nerves gripping as I took my bike for some brake pads at the excellent Plush Hill Cycles in Church Stretton.  While chatting to Kate about the impending race, I could feel my stomach tighten.  As the week progressed my sleep got more sporadic and after a nightmare week in work I felt far from prepared for the weekend ahead.

Friday morning saw me resort to 'comfort cooking' some people comfort eat, I comfort cook, which wasn't too bad as I had Lindsay and James camping at ours for the weekend and also bribed my parents into looking after my horse with a home made Lasagne.

Lasagne for all!!!! 

Friday evening guests had arrived and we headed to Hopton for a track walk.  My first reactions were ARRRR at a small diversion at the bottom, but other than that I was pretty happy.  My biggest fear was fitness, this track is a lot longer than any of the Forest of Dean mini DH tracks, not only did I have to do 2 race runs but also be fit enough to practice.

Saturday arrived with a cloudy sky and cold wind but dry, as we pulled up to the race HQ.  Meeting up with our normal DH crew of Morris, Hannah and Hannah (yep 2 Hannah's) I signed on, and walked up the hill with Lindsay to check out the diversion bit, watching a couple of riders negotiate it somewhat uncomfortably.  It was time to get on my bike for my first run down.  Darrel agreed to ride down with me as we waited for a gap in the uplifts to give me as clear run as possible, this never happened Pearce uplift service is very efficient and I just had to go for it.  Warning the guys behind to give me space I was on track.  I missed all my lines, took some I'd never noticed, swore a lot and stopped where I could to let faster riders passed.  Darrel waited for me before the diversion bit to lead me down it, and I was off.  Now normally I'm really bad at new bits, I tend to slam on the brakes and have to build confidence up to ride them (this normally involves watching loads of people ride the section and several attempts to get the courage to go down it) however I trusted my ability and I went for it, as the bike lurched over the braking bumps I survived and headed down the lower part of the track over the jumps feeling strangely happy to have cleared the track on my first attempt.  The rest of the day saw me slowly take runs down trying to get the confidence to go faster, but being unsettled by the massively faster riders who repeatedly got stuck behind me (all were really nice and thanked me for letting them pass), I was looking forward to my race runs and having the track to myself.

As the day came to an end I decided to try an alternative line down the track, maybe trying a new line on tired legs wasn't the best of ideas, it resulted in me coming off so determined to end on a positive note as soon as clear I pushed up and rode my original line again, coming down cleanly and with a hint of confidence.  I'd survived practice now I just needed to survive 2 race runs.

Practice run 

After a horrible nights sleep, not helped by some neighbours having a fight at 3:30am on the street outside our home, I woke up with a headache and feeling sore.  I told Darrel to go off and practice without me, I was happy to play on the higher sections of the track rather than push my fitness and do a whole practice run, I knew the track and just wanted it to myself.  After 2 runs down the top section, I got red flagged on my 3rd run (where I'd intended to go further down) rather than waiting and wondering what ill fate had hit some-one I skipped onto one of the other DH tracks, rolling down happily without the worry of some-one flying up behind me.  I then pushed back up and waited for my race run, actually wanting my race run.  As the ladies were in the middle of the pack I had plenty of time to watch the other riders negotiate the top rooty section, as my start time drew nearer friends and Darrel arrived up the top and it was time to get ready.  Due to my race nerves, and concern about being caught on track the starting team had kindly allowed me to start at the back of the masters men, therefore giving me a 2 minute gap before the ladies categories started.  So after cheering Darrel off, I was putting my helmet on and pushing onto the start for my first race run, as the beeps dropped I heard the starter call Lindsay up, 2 minutes was not a big enough gap with Lindsay on my heels, inside I screamed as the lights went green and I was off.  As I headed down the track I struggled not to look at the now polished roots on the top section, using the marshal's as a diversion I happily said hi as I rolled passed, stuffing up my lines as I pasted the speed trap, a little shocked to see a guy standing in the trees, I headed down to Simon (My familiar and friendly marshal of GAS racing fame) yelling a welcome to Simon as I headed down the track, I heard people cheering me, I got lost a bit missing my line but I just kept going on as I got to the rock step, I yipee'd as I let the bike go over the edge,  into a tight section, being amazed at how nimble the Jedi is for a DH bike, now relaxed I was starting to have fun, after the forestry road crossing I headed for the jumps, though not confident to let the bike into the air I struggled to keep the Jedi on the ground having to kill speed and getting annoyed with myself over it. The braking bumps in this section had grown massively since yesterday and my now tired legs were on fire.  As I came to the off piste section I hit all my lines and knew I was home at last happy to let go of the brakes as I took the two table tops at the bottom of the track letting Jed take to the air I crossed the finish line, my time was painfully slow 5:05 but I had loved every minute of it and Lindsay hadn't caught me as I cheered her and the other girls over the finish.

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There was a 2 hour gap before the next race run, this wasn't enough time for my legs to recover and I was concerned over whether I could manage another run, but I was 5 seconds off a 5 minute run and really wanted to knock those seconds off.  So back up the top and again behind the guys I was looking forward to trying harder.  My second run was more focused, I concentrated on where I'd missed my lines and cheered and whooped my way down encouraging my exhausted body to push harder, as I passed the rock step I could feel my legs trembling, my thighs were on fire and I knew I was carrying weight on my arms to try and support my legs.  As I crossed the forestry I worried if I had enough in me to carry on, pushing deeper for any energy left in the tank, I was more and more relying on the bikes suspension to get me down, as I came to the now deep braking bumps I gave everything to hold my weight off the front, feeling the bike pitch as I re-joined the original track for a fleeting fraction of a second I thought I was heading over the bars, but the bike did it's job and in seeing the finish line I dug even deeper and stamped on the pedals to cross the finish, to hear the commentator say I'd made my goal, OK not as fast as the other girls but a 5minute run on a long track for me was great, I collapsed on the grass, exhausted, weak and ecstatic.

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The other girls came down, Ami having an unfortunate off on her final run still manage to hold onto her 3rd place.

In all my first foray into a bigger more demanding race was an experience I'll never forget, I loved my final race run and if I'd been fitter I know I could have taken more time off.  I was miles more relaxed and was able to bring the focus and wanting from my last race onto the bigger track.  And to totally top the weekend off I got my first podium, coming 2nd in the Masters Ladies, ok there was only 2 of us in the category but I felt I'd earned it, I gave my all and found strength I didn't know I had to get down that track.

My First Podium for Team Loeka / Fix Distribution 

I have to say a massive thanks to all the Pearce guys, I can fully appreciate why this series sells out in a matter of hours, they run a great event and I will be back next year.  Massive thanks to all the riders who gave me space on the track, and didn't complain.  Humongous thanks to all my friends for their support.

Loeka and Fix Distribution - I was so pleased to get a place on the podium for you guys, Dave of Fix Distribution brought me and the Jedi together and that bike has given me so much confidence in the 9 weeks I've owned it.

On a sad note however my off in practice had my beloved Loeka shorts, that I've owned since my first Morzine trip 3 years ago, get snagged on a branch and torn.  I'm hoping my mum can repair them as they are so comfortable, but given the abuse these shorts have had I'm seriously impressed with the quality of them and they are a credit to Loeka who's gear is always so well made.      

So Easter weekend will find me heading to the Forest of Dean for some uplift fun from Flyup Downhill, then it's back to racing on the 26th / 27th April with the opening round of the MIJ Taff Buggy Series.



 

The ending of the begining

So, I did it!  I rode all the rounds of the Naked Racing 661 Mini DH series at the Forest of Dean and I'm alive to tell the tale.

However yesterday marked a massive change in me.. so much so that after the race I had to go for a walk on my own to process everything that had happened over the last 2 days.  A little bit of me had died, I felt numb, I even sat on a tree stump and had a little cry.. emotions had over whelmed me.

So here's why

Saturday came, and after picking up Hannah from Hereford we all happily headed to the Forest, we were meeting up with some of the other girls for our normal Saturday practice and banter.  However once we got to the woods nothing felt right for me, I rode Jed down the track and although he felt great I just didn't seem to warm up or relax.  I popped over to corkscrew with a couple of other girls to try and get riding properly which helped, but the new top section on Ski run caused everyone problems.  I was sure I could run down on my feet faster than how I was riding.  Seeing Hannah have a massive off didn't affect me ( I was more concerned about her) but the fact that loads of riders were coming down on this section just made me feel happier at my own incompetence.

Bruised but still smiling 

After Hannah's off we all decided to head down for a bite to eat and a rest, so Darrel led me down the lower section of Ski run, and this is where it all started to changed for me.  I loved it, the blown out techy part of the track felt sooo good, the bike popped and soaked up the rough like nothing I'd ever ridden before, I felt disappointed as the track smoothed out.

After lunch, I had a practice on the 2 jumps at the bottom of the track as I have a massive hangup on the road crossing jumps there following an off a while back.  Once I was happy there I headed back up to the top to again practice this section and try and get my lines.  Each run up top however found me not getting my lines and after a much needed reality check from Steve one of the Malvern guys I changed to a safer easier line, followed by another smile inducing run down the now fun middle section.

My previous time on Ski run was 2:13, so Saturday night I set the target of 2:10 as normal posting it on facebook, although on a harder top section I felt this was realistic given the new bike and better fitness.

Sunday morning was hard work, an early start made earlier as the clocks changed had Darrel, Hannah and I in the van heading back for race day.  On arrival at the race I headed up to the top to practice leaving Darrel to help Hannah at the van.  I did a first run down slowly but hitting my lines, another run down and although painfully slow by comparison I was feeling more composed, so not wanting to knacker myself for the race I followed Lindsay down the whole track, again loving the middle.

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A relaxing and much needed uplift in the bus and some friendly banter with Emma kept me surprisingly calm, and I was the most relaxed I'd ever been at a DH race.  I opted to let Emma have my last place off the start, saying for her to yell at me if she caught me and I'd let her past.. My turn came and as the beeps counted down I was off  it didn't last long as I'd got within 5m of the first Marshall to be red flagged, I stopped and to the bemused face of Emma and the 2 girls running the start I came back.  Emma went off and I got back in to position to start my run.  All to soon the beeps started and off I went, looking for my lines I shouted happily to Simon as I crossed the forestry road and aimed my bike up over the rough and rooty ground, as I crossed the pushup path I was loving the run, the bike was going where I wanted it to and felt in control, I cleared a rooty bit I hate and came round the 2 switch backs aiming up for the tabletop and road crossing, letting the bike go in the dry I was in sight of the finish.. it was over too soon.  As I came round the back of the start tent to hear my time of

2:03...

I was so happy not only had I beat my 2:10 target I had beat it by 7 seconds.  The possibility of a sub 2 minute run was being dangled so temptingly in front of me it would be rude not to try.

Back up the top for run 2, was banter with the ladies then mass of stretching and jumping to wake up tired muscles.. before the beeps started.  I had to find 4 seconds, I had pretty much ruled out finding them on the top bit but as my light went green I left the start tent. Remembering my coaching with Katy I kept looking up and where I wanted to go, every time I braked I cursed myself, as I cleared the top part I yelled at Simon that I couldn't stop to chat :) as I turned into the woods taking the wrong line I found Jed pointing at a load of roots, those 4 seconds sat heavy on my mind and again remembering Katy's training I let the brakes go and looked up, the bike simply rumbled over them, still on the wrong line I dropped down a rocky section turning to the first of the step down bits, trying to stay off the brakes and keep looking up as as I cleared the blown out part I pedalled to make up for the braking letting the bike pop over a small lip before heading back into the woods, again trusting the bike I simply locked on to my markers as then looked for the next one.

Me chasing 4 seconds

Making a mistake as I headed into the first switchback rather than slamming on the brakes I remembered Katys pointers on position and forced my eyes round the bend, moving over the bike and leading my body round with my knee, the bike turned and I swivelled round the next bend, totally laying off the brakes as I headed towards the table top pushing Jed into the berms before the road crossing I was loving the run, it was no longer about survival I was counting the seconds.. when I could I pedalled or pumped and kept my focus on what was in front of me.. as I crossed the finish line all I could think of was had I lost those 4 seconds.  I slammed on the brakes, unclipping my lid to pull it off to hear.. as Cooper called out my time

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1:57

Happy doesn't put into words the feelings that rushed over me..
All the other ladies had great runs, Emma & Hannah knocked an amazing 20s off their first run times. After a quick post race cocktail and chatter we went to enjoy the sun and watch the rest of the racing.  Gradually as I sat in the sun it hit me, I'd surpassed all my expectations and I'd wanted it.  As I'd raced down the track on my final run I'd found focus, I'd been looking for those seconds, I kept a level head, no longer was it a case of getting to the bottom I'd pushed myself and I'd loved it and those 4 seconds didn't stand a chance.

Some things will NEVER change, post race cocktails!

As the tape was being cleared away I put my lid on rolled over the last table top and down the forestry road on Jed, I knew something in me had changed.  That lady who raced DH with the sole aim of safely getting to the bottom had died, she died somewhere up the top of Ski Run at around 1:45pm on the 30th March.  As I rolled along the forestry road on Jed, I stopped and looked back at the scene, people walked past me smiling, some congratulated me, none of them could see the change, even Darrel and all my close DH friends didn't know what had happened.  I needed to be alone to grieve the death and embrace the future..   I pushed up a track and sat on a tree stump, a tear rolled down my face, it wasn't sadness it wasn't joy, it was something else, but it over whelmed me.

So it's now 24 hours after I sat on the tree stump, and I'm so happy.  In hindsight the death of 'Survival DH mode' had been slow, it started last December when I first raced Ski Run, so it was fitting that it died on Ski Run.  Buying Jed and the coaching with Katy were the push it needed.  It's not a sad death, at no point have I felt sad, my attitude to racing hasn't changed my attitude to the race itself did.  So I dedicate my sub 2 minutes run to all my DH friends (including Darrel and yes Ms Katy Curd you too) you have supported me and help me develop and progress, but watch out guys cos I'm coming for ya now :)

My next race is the Pearce Cycles opening round at Hopton 

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