So here's how the weekend and my 2nd ever DH race went.
Saturday was a practice session with Tracey Mosley and Katy Curd, arranged by Diva Descent, walking and talking over the track with them was an amazing experience and really helped, with great tips on riding each section and body position I noticed how guys on their bikes hung around our little group eves dropping on what Tracey would say.
The practice session was also a good opportunity to meet up with the other ladies in the class.
I left the Forest of Dean on Saturday feeling OK.. and even managed to get some sleep on Saturday night. Feeling didn't last though, Sunday morning came and no way could I eat, I didn't even want to talk that much on the drive down. On arrival at the forest I was feeling worse and did my best to keep away from the race. Like last time the venue was buzzing with excitement and all that did was make me feel worse. I snapped at Darrel as he got my bike ready, and felt sick. In an attempt to keep calm I didn't warm up on the race track but stole myself away to warm up on the top sections of another track away from the crowds
Once I settled on the bike I went to walk the track to see how the relentless practising that morning had changed it, which wasn't much. Then it was the sit and wait time.
Having met the other girls on Saturday helped as we all joked and chatted at the start, then as the race proceeded our numbers whittled down as riders disappeared into the woods. Then it was my turn, like last time I was shaking on the start and as the beep counted down I trembled more.
On the 5th beep I had no choice but to go.. my first run was terrible I knew the track, I knew all my lines, but nerves took over and I just felt ridged on the bike, hitting the wrong line before crossing the forestry road annoyed me, and after the forestry road a braking bump took me by surprise and I bumped off the track towards a spectator. I tried to gather my thoughts but a nasty root section was next and I took the wrong line into it and bumped my way down the roots, surprised to remain on the bike I carried on down the rest of the track to the finish. All the girls met and asked how it had gone, I could barely talk.. and to be honest I'd got down without falling off but far from the confident ride I had hoped for.
As the women ran first I had plenty of time to watch the other riders head down and cheer on the racing partners of the other ladies. Then all to soon it was time to head up to the top for the 2nd race run. Given my bad first run I really felt very negative about trying again but I knew I could do better and there was only one way to find out.
So back onto the start ramp with those horrible beeps.. As soon as the light went green I left, pedalling over the mud at the start I managed to get the bike on the right line and clicked up a gear as I pedalled towards the first table top, I felt the bike go into the air and then land as I headed towards some roots steps, pushing the bike forward I didn't even look at them, but did hear Darrel cheering me on. The section before the forestry road I hit my line, holding the bike on route and diving across the forestry road down into the woods, this time I staying on track and taking the correct line into the nasty root section. Rather than looking at the track I let go of the brakes allowing gravity and the bike to take me down and enjoying the ride, by now my legs and shoulder muscles were on fire but I had less than 100m to go so holding on I bumped and crashed my way to the finish, crossing the line with a massive smile on my face. At the finish I gasped for breath, exhilarated and buzzing from the rush.
I hoped my second run would be faster, but having felt so much more in control of the bike I suspected it to be slower so the euphoria to discover I was 1 second faster was the cherry on the cake.
Having met the other girls on Saturday helped as we all joked and chatted at the start, then as the race proceeded our numbers whittled down as riders disappeared into the woods. Then it was my turn, like last time I was shaking on the start and as the beep counted down I trembled more.
On the 5th beep I had no choice but to go.. my first run was terrible I knew the track, I knew all my lines, but nerves took over and I just felt ridged on the bike, hitting the wrong line before crossing the forestry road annoyed me, and after the forestry road a braking bump took me by surprise and I bumped off the track towards a spectator. I tried to gather my thoughts but a nasty root section was next and I took the wrong line into it and bumped my way down the roots, surprised to remain on the bike I carried on down the rest of the track to the finish. All the girls met and asked how it had gone, I could barely talk.. and to be honest I'd got down without falling off but far from the confident ride I had hoped for.
As the women ran first I had plenty of time to watch the other riders head down and cheer on the racing partners of the other ladies. Then all to soon it was time to head up to the top for the 2nd race run. Given my bad first run I really felt very negative about trying again but I knew I could do better and there was only one way to find out.
So back onto the start ramp with those horrible beeps.. As soon as the light went green I left, pedalling over the mud at the start I managed to get the bike on the right line and clicked up a gear as I pedalled towards the first table top, I felt the bike go into the air and then land as I headed towards some roots steps, pushing the bike forward I didn't even look at them, but did hear Darrel cheering me on. The section before the forestry road I hit my line, holding the bike on route and diving across the forestry road down into the woods, this time I staying on track and taking the correct line into the nasty root section. Rather than looking at the track I let go of the brakes allowing gravity and the bike to take me down and enjoying the ride, by now my legs and shoulder muscles were on fire but I had less than 100m to go so holding on I bumped and crashed my way to the finish, crossing the line with a massive smile on my face. At the finish I gasped for breath, exhilarated and buzzing from the rush.
I hoped my second run would be faster, but having felt so much more in control of the bike I suspected it to be slower so the euphoria to discover I was 1 second faster was the cherry on the cake.
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