très fatigué

mist on the waters and Ben Lomond on the horizon

a magnificent week-end in the Blessington Valley

our race was based at Elverton Pastoral

with views across the rich farmlands to Ben Lomond

at 11am Saturday morning it was two degrees

frost still lay in the shadows

the sunshine quickly burnt the Autumn chill away 

and 140 mountain bikers took on the new race course

first event at this new venue

Tim Dyke was the race director and did a magnificent job

with the help of the Launceston Mountain Bike Club

everything was as it should be

with the added bonus 

of Tim's folks (who own Rocky Gardens) catering the meals

fresh lamb spit roast, venison burgers, berry bread and butter pudding

lashings of wonderful condiments and fresh fruit

made you sort of forget you were racing !

but don't worry after an eight year absence from the mountain bike racing scene

i can tell you i have very much remembered what racing is about !

i mean ow !

who's idea was this ?

i think i need to train more !

just the same

our fallback plan of having two very lean and fit male cyclists

to support our post baby female contingent

paid off

we managed to pull off third place

don't ask me how many teams in our category

i didn't even look at any lap times

through the night

being a 12 hour event the race continued into the night

small beach fires by the lake

the smell of our roast dinner cooking

a wonderful sense of camaraderie was in place

(despite the cyclists trying to thrash each other on course!)

the morning rose fine and warm

the lake again misted with a mountain backdrop

makes it all seem worth training for

maybe tomorrow I'll be able to walk again !

what a morning !

 

thanks to all the sponsors

Elverton Pastoral (as always the generous Ian & Rosemary Dickenson!)

Old Whisloca Cottage

Rocky Gardens

Sprung

Motors