Start of 2015 race season came early on 18th January with Northern Down Hill's Chopwell TT. I had no idea what a TT race was, I'd never raced one before. I was told that the 'Time Trial' is like a mini downhill, each rider being timed down a section of red trail called the 'Powerline'.
It sounded fun so I booked on last year and had every intention of training and getting fit. November went really well, but from December to date I have not been well and unable to train at all really.
So leading up to the race I was not sure whether to race or take photos. I left it to see how I felt on the morning of the race, and despite the inch of snow on the ground and the white blizzard outside, I decided to go for it.
Once I had made up my mind I was anxious that the race wouldn't be cancelled due to the weather, but my biking guru Dan Stringer of Roots MTB assured me it would take more than that to stop a race! And, as usual he was right.
Getting ready in the van was freezing! It was minus zero degrees and I was not sure my lungs were up to the challenge, which added to the pre race nerves. But we made our way to the sign on tent and it was brilliant to see there were 10 other girls racing! I met up with a friend and just enjoyed the atmosphere which was really friendly and everyone just having fun.
Once we were set up with our number boards and timing chip we set off for a practice run. The trail was white and icy so my first run down was taken very slowly!
We visited the trail back in December and it was great to see that Northern Down Hill had returned money from each rider to maintain the trail and it ran really well, except the ice of course!
Second practice went a little faster and boosted my confidence and by then it was time to load up with food ready for the first race run.
Perhaps a mistake, we then sat for a while chatting and despite warming up on the bike, by the time I was on the start line my hands and feet were frozen! Rooky error!
I totally messed up the top section with my feet flying off the peddles at various places, I think because I couldn't feel them! The second half was just a case of peddling as fast as you can up a gradient and over two small jumps but my lungs and total lack of fitness couldn't take it. I am told that you are meant to be out of the saddle and peddling as fast as you can, but I was sat down for most of it!
The break in between the races was so much fun, meeting new people and asking ourselves what we were doing in a snowy blizzard covered in mud, but loving every minute!
Second race came round quickly and this time the heater in the van had kept my feet from freezing. I had a great run (except the lung burn on the second section) and thought I'd put in a much better time, but I had only improved by 1 second. To my surprise however it was enough to come 3rd!!
It was a brilliant day and fantastic to meet new lovely people. I loved it so much I've entered the next two TT's. My lack of fitness had a definite impact as I lost all my time on the peddly section so challenge is to get fit and eat less cake and learn from all the mistakes. I shall also be calling on Roots Mtb to carry on working his magic!
For anyone reading this (thanks!) and wondering about entering a race, this is ideal for a first race and everyone is really friendly. Especially girls, there were 10 of us there and my experience is that girls are so supportive at races and it is a brilliant community to be involved in.
To find out more details about the next race follow Northern Down Hill.
