Stepping out of the car to see a reigning World Champ ride straight past you is a bit unusual at a regional level MTB event, and to find out that she had a hand in organising the race, which just happened to be in her folks back garden, does make you wonder what the course will ride like! I haven't competed in heaps of XC races yet, but this was easily the most fun and technically challenging. No walking, nothing overly scary even, just loads of tight and twisty which is what I love! It was just like a (really quick) ride through my local woods.
From the whistle to go, I was out in front of the Sport pack and tried to keep with the Elite and Expert guys; but sticking with the big boys didn't last very long! I'm still missing some of the top end spark from my achy, over-couriered legs and this was massively evident from today. No need for a sprint finish as I was a good chunk ahead of second place all the way around.
The Superfly was great, even wrestling wagon wheels through some really narrow bits, I wouldn't have wanted to be on any other bike. I was running a pair of tubeless tires for the first time on the plastic fantastic, so took a couple of laps to get a feel for them but, by the end of it, all positive.
Just now looking forward to Dalby and hoping to get this zing in my legs. I'm not on the road much over the next couple of weeks which'll give me a chance to find go-faster muscles!
Big shout out to Lingard Snr who bottled for me today (and kept track of my laps - which I'm TOTALLY incapable of doing). Thanks to supporters BikeShed Wales, Priority Express and the others who make it all happen. Much appreciated. Photos below...
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| "See, I loves my riding!" Photo by Andy Lingard |
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| Smashing a turn. Photo by Andy Lingard |
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| 1st Podium in aaages! Photo by Andy Lingard |
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