Midlands xc series rd 2 – Jessie Roberts

Last weekend we decided that I should race the Midland XC rather than test ride the National champs course at the Southern XC as Carla Haines was competing there and would pass on all relevant information.
I did a quick practice lap of the course making it to the start line with minutes to spare. I didn’t have time to change my bottles before the start but luckily there was still enough for a lap.

Due to the weather being amazing I knew I would have to
make a serious effort to drink plenty as dehydration could happen very easily on a day like that.
The course was brilliant! Lots of steep descents, big big climbs, off camber single track, river crossing - lovely! I think it’s probably the best course I’ve ridden all year
I didn’t really have much of a race plan, having had 3 hard weeks of training after the last round of the National series at Wasing Estate; this race was the last session before my rest week! Sometimes it’s hard going into a race with really tired legs and knowing that you’re not going to perform but it’s all about the bigger picture…!
First lap I tried to stick with the pack for as long as possible, but as soon as we hit the big forest climb I was slowly dropped. However I got into my own rhythm and started mixing in with the other men that were racing at the same time.
The main climb was in direct sunlight so that made it even tougher; luckily there were some nice descents afterwards to recover on. 5 laps later I was finished and it was time to enjoy the sunshine. It was probably one of the hardest races I’ve done, but I loved it! Bring on next weekend at Margam where hopefully I will be fresh and my climbing legs will have returned!

Big thanks to the organisers of the event; hopefully XC racing will return to Mansell Lacy next year! Also thanks to WXC mtb team UK for their continued support.

Jessie gained a 3rd place podium position and valuable National points.

SOUTHERN XC SERIES ROUND 2-PIPPINGFORD, EAST SUSSEX

BY CARLA HAINES-ELITE FEMALE

After a long journey, we finally reached our destination: Pippingford, at 11pm. The tent was set up and off straight to bed.
I got up at a reasonable time to watch the other races and go round the course. I did one lap to see how dry it was and if I needed to change my tyres or not. I decided to change just my rear tyre to Kenda Small Block eight and keep my front on Nevegal. I then did another lap, slightly harder, to wear it in before the race. The course was great; a couple of technical tricky sections and some nice single track and climbs, so I was really looking forward to the race.
It was an extremely hot day so drinking lots was essential! I prepared my bottles and other requisites that I needed for the race then started my warm up. It was an uphill start so I chose a gear that I could accelerate with but not too much of a low cadence.
All the women started off together: Elite, Expert, Master and Sport. My start wasn’t very good at all to be honest and it took a while before I got it back in again. Due to the fact that it was an uphill start, it wasn’t the fastest so I didn’t lose too much time and within a few seconds I caught up with the pack.
The first lap I was chasing and I managed to get on the leaders wheel at the base of the long climb and rode up with her. After the feed station there was a good single track section which I’m quite strong on so I knew the right place to attack. As I did so I slowly pulled away and was out there on my own.
Now my main competitor was the heat, so I made sure I was drinking plenty to keep well hydrated. I picked up the pace a little bit, strangely trying to keep cool. I had one final lap to go and at this time it was quite a battle, but staying focussed and concentrating on my riding I was nearly at the finish.
The final climb was the hardest bit and very draining. As I got to the finish the crowd cheered and applauded which was really encouraging. I collapsed on the floor and poured a bottle of water over me. I was relieved to finish but I did enjoy the race very much!
It was a good experience riding in the hot conditions because I learnt how to cope and push hard even though it was difficult.
I was so pleased with winning; it’s given me a bit of a boost before the 3rd round of the BMBS at Margam next weekend. My team mate Rachel Fenton also got 3rd so a successful weekend from the team.

24hr MTB Solo Championships – Rickie Cotter




My first ever 24hr and for me this was one of the events I wanted to win the most, my motivation through training has been the thought of taking home this title so I was going to fight for this one even though I didn’t know what to expect from such a long event. When I saw the jersey in registration it gave me goose bumps, every lap I could see it and every lap I wanted it that bit more.
The course was relentless you know a course is tough when you start looking forward to the long fire road climbs as it s a bit of a break! But the views were amazing and where it was so hot it was bone dry a rarity for Scotland!
I started with an air of caution but kept in touch with the leader. The temperature was nearing 30c during the day so I planned on making my moves nearer the night I had confidence in my night skills and my lights are always reliable so had to play it cool for the first 12hrs ready to bust some moves in the moonlight.
Had a puncture at 10pm but it wasn’t a problem, I lost a couple of minutes and that was my slowest lap. Then I started to do some work and put in 4 swift laps to take the lead and then dawn arrived and I entered a whole new world of pain. From then on it was a case of getting your head down and just keep pedalling and it started to get hot again which becomes a chore because your fluid intake has to be high. Every lap I took on food and then swapped my raptor 6 which seemed to be so important because of the sun.
Then, finally it was time to stop pedalling and my feet were so grateful, time for a lie down in the shade and rest with a great big fat smile knowing that I had achieved what I set out to do and that was bring home the jersey.

Rickie has now qualified for the 24 hour mtb Solo World Championships in Australia !!


Watch Out Australia here she comes……

BMBS Round 2 Wasing Park

So the week leading to the national didn't exactly go to plan with me, yet again, coming down with another bug :(..... Just my luck. Despite this my legs still felt really good and I was looking forward to racing hard :) all I had to do was stay positive!

We travelled down saturday afternoon to ride the course that evening but still feeling ill I only manged one very slow lap and decided to wait till the following morning before riding parts of the course again. Even from riding the course slowly I could tell I was really going to enjoy myself, with the short sharp fire road climbs and technical sections playing in my favour.

Sunday morning arrived all too quickly for my liking but feeling much better and still positive about my performance, I headed out to practise a few bits of the course and check my bike was working smoothly. Following this, a warm up on the turbo called my name and then before I knew it I was on the start line next to my main rival Katy Winton waiting for the gun to go off.

I lead from Katy through the first sections off fire road before she jumped in front going into one of the technical sections. Here I started to loose contact with Katy's wheel and pile up of girls in one of the drop off sections caused chaos which katy took advantage off and managed to get round quicker than me, putting in a gap between us. I couldn't get back to her and the gap was getting bigger so I focused on limiting the damage.

At the end of the first lap I was in second and still pushing hard to keep the gap the down as much as possible. Hunting down riders one by one I finished my second lap, still feeling very strong to be told by dad that katy was floundering. This ignited something inside of me. I went on a charge, attacking everything, which in places sent me veering off course instead of the preferred course.

I crossed the line in second only 4 minutes down on Katy which is a big improvement of the 7 from the last round and taking into account my week before I was veryy pleased with how it went. The course was superb with a mixture of everything, suiting me down to a tee!

A thanks has to be made to my fans dad, rich, james tom an laura who seemed to be on every corner of the course cheering me on :) and of course the WXC team in the pits.

All that's left to say is.......Bring on round 3 :)