Going into this race I had no idea what to expect, just numerous questions running through my mind; am I ready for racing? Have I trained enough? Have I practiced enough? Have I tied my shoelaces in the right pattern and have I packed my lucky boxers?! You know, the superstitious things we racers sometimes do...
It was always going to be an eye opening weekend, a lot of things have happened since the last time I raced... leaving my old team, healing from injury, a new bike, new training yada yada yada.
This is only my second season racing downhill and I can't believe how much I've learnt over the winter and how the experience of training and injuries changes your perspective on racing. Instead of taking things race by race it was time to get my game face on, focus, stay rubber side down and think about the full season ahead.
Anyway... I should actually start talking about the race! As with most race weekends located over Welsh pastures it was an inspirational forecast of minus temperatures and rain, but as I always say, assume it's going to rain and you'll never be disappointed!
Upon walking the track Saturday morning I was really impressed with the venue, it had a little bit of everything, steep chutes, jumps, ruts, flat turns, pedally bits, there really was something for everyone. This was a good test of preparation as I'd never visited Taff before so it was a clean sheet to start the season and get back on it.
It was bitterly cold on race day, 4 layers of clothing wasn't what I had in mind but it was essential for not freezing your ass off on the uplift, trust! After putting in a handful of 90% runs I was feeling good for my race runs, leaving me feeling excited and syked for racing but still a massive part of me was just wanting to get the job done. After race run number one I'd managed to hold it together despite getting a HUGE two wheel drift going on one of the flat grassy turns (which felt radd I have to add) and put in a solid time of 1:55.
This put me into the lead in Senior by just over a second, which felt good but I knew that I had to dig deep for the second run and find some more time. Once I'd chomped through copious amounts of Haribo and completed the standard 'uplift day bolts check' it was time for run number two...
Rolling up to the start line I was really looking forward to my race run, the rush of racing the clock and getting away from everything for those two minutes where you're completely focused on riding is the raddest feeling ever! After putting together a much smoother and consistent ride during my second run, with a sh*tload more pedaling I knocked 2 seconds off my time and brought home the senior win with a time of 1:53.2.
So overall it was an awesome weekend, lots of fun, lots of riding, a fun track, good prep and a radd bike all made it worth the 5 hour drive on the way home, bring on the next race!
