RACE DAY
(Read here for my practice report)
Practice had left me tired and I was shocked when I woke up having slept through to 6:40, a miracle by my DH racing standards of 5PM starts.
Excited nervousness was the best way to describe my emotions. I knew I could clear the track, the weather if anything was better than practice and the venue had a great atmosphere. Once the bikes were unloaded and kit was on, I took my time chatting to Lauren at the vans to clam myself down before a relaxed run down the hill, Lauren kindly offered to follow me to make sure I was OK and as I cleared the bits I'd had problems on yesterday my confidence was high for the race run. As 1:27 approached friends turned up to watch and the atmosphere was electric.
I was my normal bag of shaking nerves on the start, as soon as I pulled my lid down I wanted to vomit, I was shaking as the beeps counted down, the lights flashed and I was off, all be it slowly. As I worked my way down the top section I took it slowly telling myself it was simply a timed ride but my mind was on the chute and rock garden. Granddad didn't help by spitting his chain come off at the front on a rough section and as I passed Darrel and Mark, I was manically pushing gears and trying to pedal to recover it. I came into the chute and turned in the wrong place missing my marker, and as the bike slid down I felt the back come out and shift sideways, I steered into it, letting go of the brakes and pushing the bike to the right with my leg. A miracle happen, the bike responded to my actions and as I exited the chute straightened out, all that was left was the rock garden, I slowed my speed looking for my markers this time and rolled onto the causeway, keeping my heels down. I heard a familiar voice yelling encouragement, I tried to work out how the hell Hannah had made it up to the garden to cheer me on, as I relaxed for the final part of the track, finishing to cheers from Lauren and Louise. I ran to check my time, my aim had been 4:30, so was elated at the 4:15 on the screen.
My elation was however short lived as it became clear that Hannah had not made it down, having come off at the rock garden. We all pestered the marshals to see what had happened and to make sure she was OK, we're a close knit group us female DH'rs and don't like to see each other get hurt.
Hannah appear rolling down the hill, unhappy about her off and that she'd aggravated her hand she knocked yesterday. We tried to pick up her mood as we took the tractor back up, Louise's shifter was broken so as we only had a few minutes before race run 2 the organisers sent the Hard Tail class down infront of us to give us the time for much needed repairs. The it was off again.
My 2nd race runs is normally my best, and although I was still very steady up on the top, and gain Granddad spat his chain off when I needed it, I settled into the race and was looking forward to the chute and aiming to nail the rock garden for a second time.
As I approached the Chute, Darrel was stood at the top yelling encouragement as I hit my markers and let go of the brakes, keeping off them as I crossed the field at the bottom
With just the dreaded rock garden left I steadies my bike and lined it up on the first rock, releasing the brakes and letting the bike do it's job as I flowed down the mud covered slabs, and cleared the last still on the bike. I was pretty much home safe, letting go of the brakes and event whooping in joy as my bike took to the air over one of the jumps, and as I made the final turn and headed down to the finish I could her the other girls yelling.
My time 4:08, OK slow by the others standards but a good 7 seconds off my previous run and a really enjoyable event.
I've got a long way to go before my speeds get near the other competitors, but with each race I do feel I'm improving and I have such a great time, scaring myself to death.
Massive thanks to:
No comments:
Post a Comment