Round 4 Pearce Cycles

It looked to be a glorious weekend - sun was shining and moods were high. I arrived at my mate Emma's at about 5pm and had a cup of tea and a bit to eat before heading to Bala for the Pearce cycles round 4.

We headed off at around 7pm and it didn't take us long to get to the Ryds-y-felin track. We had a walk of the track to see what it was like as it was the first time I had been there so I was pretty excited about what I was going to encounter!! The top section looked hellish fast, lots of berms and turns and nothing tight, it was all dry which made it loose. We then went into the woods and the last bit ending up in a field with a couple of sketchy doubles to finish things off. We pitched up the tents after and I got an early night for tomorrow's practice.

The first practice run went fairly average. I pootled down just to get the feel of the track and to warm up abit. The second practice run went good before the last bit. I felt like I was beginning to go with the flow and start nailing lines. Then I got to the jump bit just before the doubles at the end and launched myself off it and completely wiped out on the grass that was starting to wash everyone out. It was funny actually, although it was a hell of a wipe out, i found it quite fun!! Anyway, I got on the next uplift only to find in the que... I had no front brake! The fluid had all come out probably as a result of my crash earlier. I was absolutely gutted, but didn't bother sorting the brake out as I was getting my new bike the next day so I ended up spending the rest of the afternoon walking the course with a cup of tea in my hand! I did find this fairly interesting (even though I was real pissed that I wasn't riding) as I could see the lines that the riders were taking and stuff, what lines were quicker etc... usually I just ride without taking too much care over the lines but after walking it, I found loads of lines. Only problem was that I wasn't going to be able to practice them. But I started at the top of the course and memorized everything, absolutely everything in detail too to the bottom of the course! As I came down I saw Tracy Moseley ready to leave so I had a quick chat with her as she had been riding the track at practice. I went through the main lines that I had seen and as I wasn't riding, I didn't know whether or not they were do-able. After agreeing which lines were worth doing, I ensured that I was to do these in my race run.

Race day was upon us and I was feeling less than confident. Although I knew I had the lines sorted in my mind to the finest of detail, I was still worried that I wouldn't actually be able to do them in my run. I made sure that I was on the first uplift so if I needed to do a second run I could. The run went real good at the top but I crashed at the first double. I shortly received my new bike but unfortunately not in time to get a practice run in. My race run was very very average although I did feel fairly fast - I knew I was breaking too much (squeaky brakes!) and I knew I wasn't pushing myself. I got to the end just beating Kerry by a milli-second and I knew that I was reserved in my riding as I didn't know how the bike handled. I couldn't believe how far away from everyone else's time I was though and I was actually convinced the timing was wrong. I was so peeved and more determined to make those lost seconds up somewhere.

The second run was better, I was 7 seconds faster in my second run, but it wasn't fast enough to take the junior win or a decent overall position. I finished and after finding out my time I was absolutely gutted and close to tears. Dan Jarvis my team manager and Emma were trying to get through to me that there was nothing more I could have done under the circumstances of only 3 runs and having to do the race runs on a new bike! Looking back now I know thats true but at the time it really got to me!!

Anyway, I'm fine now and that poor result inspired me to ride harder than ever before especially with Fort Bill closing in and a new bike to get used to. I have suddenly found this massive determination not to lose again! I tell you what, I hate not doing well!! Ahh well, should be back on form in no time.