Brownbacks

It was the last race of the brownbacks series up at Lee Quarry on Sunday. I really enjoyed the ones I did in 2009 but missed all of the last series and most of this one. So although I was working Sunday afternoon I was determined to get up there. Initially I had an idea I could ride there, race, ride to work etc. Until I looked at the timings and realised I would have to leave before the race finished. So I drove. It was still close getting to work, thanks for doing my prize first. It was really close racing with all five girls and I was beaten into second on the hills, need to work on getting uphill faster! But I got a prime for the fastest lap which was nice.

Odile came up and took pictures instead of racing. Got some good shots of me as well.

I really enjoyed it so thanks to the guys who organise it and Baron Aggregates for sponsoring the Racing Diva category, a good prize list definitely raised the quality of those racing.

I wrote up the race over on the cooksons blog as well so wander over and have a read.

Last brownbacks race

I woke up yesterday feeling terrible, I had spent the night burning up and just wasn't right. First thought was I would do the race on gears instead of the singlespeed but after struggling through breakfast I knew racing was out of the question. Lots of paracetamol later - very unusual for me - I headed up to watch. I had talked my friend Odile into riding so wanted to see how she got on. She hasn't been riding long but has survived a couple of trio adventures. The day was so hot and I found the walk up to the quarry hard! But it was fun to watch the racing - some of the trails looked a lot scarier than when I was riding them!
Odile finished 1st female in the 'Have a go hero' womens category and picked up a spot prize as well.

Three singlespeeders turned out today, here Mr Sparkle (who finished 2nd) leads trev up one of the climbs!

That's the end of series one, but series two is on the way in August. Definetly recommended!

Prizes from MAXGEAR

MAXGEAR have kindly provided the prize list for the women's racing up at lee quarry. This meant I had a couple of vouchers to spend there. So I've been on and choosen a few bits. I really like their tiny pumps and a saddlepack in pink was a must buy for me! I also got a new pair of compression tights which should be good for recovery. Wander over and have a look, remember you discount code (MAXIT10) if you are a first-time customer.

Brownbacks Series 1 Race 3

Once again I was carless again so I had to ride over to the race. Rigger was all happy with his new bottom bracket, cranks and chainring. But I seemed to be making hard work of the ride over, I think the running the day before had killed my legs! Still there were nice views over the hills and the promised rain hadn't appeared yet! I arrived with plenty of time to register and dump my bag in someones van. I had no idea what the racing was to be like today but I knew Molly wasn't riding as she had a broken wrist. We'd had a good race last time so it was a shame. Soon it was time to start and the first hill killed me, I was walking within minutes my legs said no! But I knew I had to at least finish the race, the idea of giving up was very tempting! The course was very different to last time and led to me doing a lot of pushing, I wasn't much better on the downhill sections I knew and was not riding well. Still I told myself if I finished I would be in a good position for the series win. The course never let up, I found it hard to find anywhere I could let go of the bars and drink! Somehow I ended up completing 5 laps, I felt like I was right at the back but who knows!

Prize giving came and I was the 1st female in my category, I got another nice trophy - realised I hadn't put a picture oup of it last time. This time the rock was even bigger so I was glad I had brought a bigger rucksac! After eating all the food in my bag it was time to head home. It's a lot easier that way - less climbing - which I was glad of.

Now its time to sleep I think, it'll be takeaway for dinner!

My first Cross-country race

Today was the second event in the Hope Race Series up at lee quarry and organised by brownbacks. I couldn't make the last one but definetly wanted to be at this one. The decision had been made to take rigger and it was an early start as I needed to ride over since Ali is away with the car - my mum actually offered me a lift last night but it is a long way for her to come to take me to a bike race! I was very cold waiting for the race to start and was beginning to wonder if I hadn't worn enough clothes, but once I was racing it was fine. We set off and it took me a while to get going, all the people round made it hard on a singlespeed, I was passed by the other two singlespeeders on the first climb and I knew there were at least two girls ahead of me. One of them was my friend Molly who had won the category last time. On the first two laps I could see her in the distance which had me pushing, the third lap though she got away from me and I couldn't see her. I think this is the lap I slipped off on a rock, fortunately to the side that wasn't a cliff! Turns out Molly had fallen the lap before hence me getting closer to her. The next two laps I started making inroads on her again, but I was thinking I was running out of race. I think Enduro stuff suits me more than flat out for 1.5 hours. On the last lap I hit the last hill with her only 10m or so ahead so it was a hard effort, then on the flat where she had been gaining I just sprinted. I caught her on the next hill where we were both pushing, I think she had the edge there with all her running! Followed her down the next singletrack section and then went for it on the next flat section, she was there for a while but the next glance I had 5m, I pushed hard up the hill, 10m, then I heard "my seat post is broke" - shame as it was really close. But it meant I was less worried through the last singletrack section. I finished just a few minutes ahead as molly crossed the line with her saddle in her mouth!

Turns out I was the second singlespeeder back and 1st in the women's weekend warrior category for which I got a fab trophy. I'll be back for the next one an I recommend everyone has a go, if you are a racer already there is a category for you and if you are a little more nervous enter the have-a-go heros - a slightly shorter course and the marshalls were being really helpful on the downhills those guys were doing.

I did 6 laps in total:

I was pretty happy with the splits - the first being the extra climb we did at the start. They were pretty consistent and unlike normally I managed to work harder on the final lap! I had to I had Molly in my sights!

Dave got some pics of me. (Hope its ok me stealing them!)