Beastway '06

[DirtDiva]

T wasn't sure how much she had in her, so she did one lap and then went in for a cup of tea. It meant that she got a DNF though (we weren't sure if it would or not), so next week she's determined to do two and get a finish (and then have a cup of tea).

I'm not sure how I'd fare in something where everyone was all hardcore and serious, but this is big fun.

[DirtDiva]

OMG!! I left out the most important part! I won womens sport class (20-29 year olds for this series) because the other girl had a mechanical or whatever and pulled out after two laps! (I did wonder how she didn't lap me... )

I rule!

[bikerz]

I rule!

Yes you do! Great write up - can't wait to read the next one!

[DirtDiva]

I'd watch it with the compliments z - I might get a big(ger) head!

[bikerz]

You could always blame it on the swelling from your ill-fated holly encounter!

So where is the toothy grin you promised? (Thanks to Jobob and her ever-present camera, my hill-climbing grimaces are always being documented!)

[DirtDiva]

I've got to wait until they post 'em on the website. So sometime next week, most likely.

[DirtDiva]

The photos aren't up proper-like yet, but if you scroll down far enough, you can see me here. This one's a bit more death grimace than toothy grin though.

Tonight's race went well. Still only did three laps, but I would've had a fourth in me if I'd had the speed to need to do it - a big improvement on last week. 99.9% sure I was the only one in my class tonight. No idea what my time was yet, but it ought to be better than last week, because the course was easier. I did stop about four times to raise my saddle though - bike got serviced the other day and they rather overdid it when they greased the seatpost. I managed to dent a spoke when another rider and I got a little close right near the end. The wheel's not too far out of true, so at least I could ride home. Must make a booking with the bike doctor.

I'm going away for a few days tomorrow, but I'll try and give you a few more details next week sometime. Right now I need some shut-eye. Night y'all.

[Trekhawk]

T wasn't sure how much she had in her, so she did one lap and then went in for a cup of tea. It meant that she got a DNF though (we weren't sure if it would or not), so next week she's determined to do two and get a finish (and then have a cup of tea).

I'm not sure how I'd fare in something where everyone was all hardcore and serious, but this is big fun.

LOL that is such a cool ride report. Love the talking to your bike part.

Congratulations you racing guru.

See your friend has it right - riding and a cup of tea - aaahhh heaven.

Trek- off to put the kettle on - hawk

[DirtDiva]

Thoroughly so-so. Physically I was fine, but I was way off mentally.

It's been a nice, but really lazy week. I didn't want to ride my bike until the spoke had been fixed from last Wednesday, but I couldn't get that done until today, so no riding for a week. And instead of running or swimming or something to take up the slack and help me keep getting fitter, I went to Dublin for three days to visit friends and ate and drank lots instead.

Basically, I just couldn't bring myself to push myself, which is a bit frustrating really. There was one climb I totally know I could clean, and another couple I'm pretty sure I could have made if I could have just set my mind to it. There was one that was just impossible though, so I don't feel bad about walking that one three times.

I also got knocked over by some doofus who didn't take enough space to pass. He had masses of room, but was obviously paying more attention to the three folk chasing him, so somehow he bashed my handle bars and next thing I was on the ground getting up close and personal with some rather long grass. At least it wasn't one of the many (manymanymanymany) nettles about the course that I landed on, so no owies except for a bit of a pedal bruise.

I had some competition tonight, so unless one or both of them had to drop out, I'll be looking at third place this week. Photos from last week still aren't up, but I'll keep you posted.

[Lise]

Cool story and pix! Are you in the top picture (211) or bottom (146)? Where's the holly? Seriously, though, those hills look brutal. Good for you! Looking forward to more tales of adventure racing.

[Trekhawk]

First I must say I love your new pic.
Lise is right good for you getting out there and giving it a go. The thought of racing makes me hyperventilate. Not an issue for me though as I hear you need to stay upright for most of the race and I seem to have a problem with that on my MTB at the moment.

[DirtDiva]

I'm 146. The new avatar is from the start of last week's race - that's my front wheel in the foreground! Oh, and there's no holly, just nettles.

[DirtDiva]

It was a good fast course this week. Flowed nicely for the most part, except for the sharp turns at the bottom of both of the noteworthy descents. Killjoys! Two climbs I didn't make this week. One would probably have been fine on fresh legs if there hadn't been a corner in the middle of it (sometimes my multitasking abilities let me down when it comes to steering and forward momentum up hills). The other was very short and very steep and I had fast blokes right behind me each time I got there, so it was easier to just stop and let 'em past and then push the bike up. Saw a few people rolling backwards on that one, so probably wouldn't have made it up anyway.

I posted an okay time for my three laps, but that was more an indication of the course than my performance - had a major case of dead legs. I think it was mostly to do with the dregs of the cold I've had, and I possibly hadn't had enough to eat or drink over the course of the day. Might not have been a fine performance, but the effort did a good job of calming the jitters I've had all week (have been wasting time stressing over things neither I nor anyone else can do a heck of a lot about - I'm sure you've all been there).

Hope I'm germ-free and raring to go next week.