Lets try again.....
Â
Round 3 of the Racers Guild Super Series yesterday.
Weather was amazing, but had been detrimental to the track.....
We arrived just after 08:00 to sign on and do track walk.
We looked at how the course had been taped and checked if some of the lines we'd looked at previously were still inside the tape.... luckily they were, so all good there.
It was apparent though that the good weather had turned the track in to hard packed with loose gravel & dust over the surface - one of the reasons that racing doesn't usually happen over the summer months at Stile Cop as the tracks just break up and get worse the drier it is.
So she got sorted and ready for the 2 hour practice session at 09:00 and joined the queue. 20 minutes in, just as she got to the front of the queue, and the session was red flagged due to a rider down at the table-top.
Course medic dispatched and this turned into a 90 minute delay whilst the course medic and Ambulance Service dealt with the casualty and got him transported to hospital - we later found out that the rider was OK, no breaks or long lasting issues - mild concussion and a couple of sprains.
Due to this delay practice was extended to 13:00 with racing reduced to 1 run only from 13:30. This meant that Immy's revised race time was around 14:35 for her one and only run.
Practice went well and she gradually built speed over the 4 runs that she did - kept it rubber-side down and no dramas.
Went had a chill during lunch and just left her to read & listen to music.
Racing started on time, but then the course medic was dispatched another 4 times to deal with incidents. This led to another hour of delays, so she didn't get called until around 15:30....
I went down to watch and all the other girls came through - then when Immy should have come down there was red flags and again - and reports of a rider down - not what you want to hear as a parent....
Marshall wasn't entirely sure what had gone on so I ran to the top of the hill to fid out. About 3/4of the way up my phone buzzed.... it was immy texting to say her run had been red flagged around half way and she'd been sent up to the top for a re-run - phew!
Apparently the rider before Immy had had a sketchy moment and momentarily stopped on the track and the Marshall flagged it although she'd already started riding down again and passed me towards the finish... so a bit of confusion.
Anyway, the commissaire had got Immy to just sit in the shade after her push back up and slotted her at the end of the Vets category.
Clean run, and came down in 3rd place - so made the podium!
She wasn't happy with her race run (when are they ever...), she'd done better on top section in the flagged lap apparently, but she handled all of the disruption throughout the brilliantly and didn't have any dramas on track or mechanicals.
Next round at Stile Cop is end of September.
We've got a couple of MIJ races and one at Revolution Bike Park before then.
Massive congratulations mate, brilliant stuff. Hope she got her favourite treat for tea last night 😃
You're welcome to try our Session anytime matey. I'm not allowed to sell it now, but it's there for using.Â
She looks quite tall, is this a good thing for a DHer?Â
She looks quite tall, is this a good thing for a DHer?Â
Â
Doesn't seem to matter really. Minaar is a giant, Jackson is a dwarf, it doesn't seem to much come into play.
Â
You're welcome to try our Session anytime matey. I'm not allowed to sell it now, but it's there for using.Â
Cheers,it takes you up on that.
Will try and get another used frame if I can until she stops growing lol
Â
She looks quite tall, is this a good thing for a DHer?Â
She's currently 5ft 6in and 14.5, so probably a bit more to go - probably be taller than me at 5ft 10in lol.
As Weeksy said Minnaar is over 6ft and so is Benoit Coulange.
You're welcome to try our Session anytime matey. I'm not allowed to sell it now, but it's there for using.Â
Cheers,it takes you up on that.
Will try and get another used frame if I can until she stops growing lol
Â
It takes time when they're the age both of ours are. Mine has been on his Session for over 2 years now and people think it's small. But well, 2nd place in Fort William says he's still getting on OK with it LOL. But i'll admit, it's potntially a little small for him hence why we're testing bikes this weekend. They just seem to grow and grow now, but weirdly they seem to peak a lot earlier, like 16 or so and that's it, they stop.. (hopefully)
Anytime at all mate. Ping me when the next academy day is and i'll see if we can make it.
Â
As Weeksy said Minnaar is over 6ft and so is Benoit Coulanges.
Florent Payet steps over the conversation...
Oh yeah, forgot about 6ft 6in Flo Payet!!
Ryan Griffiths is 8ft tall according to Bernard Kerr 😂
Stockport World Series Rd2 - Revolution Bike Park (not in Stockport.....)
So we were back racing this weekend at Revs for the Farmer Johns Stockport World Series Rd 2.
Early start Sunday morning to ensure we could get parked in the main car park.
This was our first visit to Revs so wasn't sure what to expect.
Â
Track for the race was the lower section of the newly rebuilt Main Line.
Â
Managed 4 practice runs - with the heat, humidity and bloody steep push up it was all either of us could manage lol
Clean practice runs which she was happy with.
Only feature she was missing out was the gap jump, which we'd seem a few people get wrong and go through the tape and down the side of the hill...... so she was taking the low line though it.
The aim of the day was to get clean runs, not break the bike, learn a new track/venue and get more experience.
She was happy that a 3 of the girls she regularly races against were there, so they all hung out at the top during practice and race runs. I caught up with a couple of the parents too which was nice.
Â
First Race run was the banker lap.
Came down in one piece and was happy with her run, slotted in 7th, and thought there were a couple of places that she could pedal a bit more.
Â
Second run didn't quite go to plan as she missed her line on the gap and bobbled along the middle line......
Apart from that the run went pretty well with getting the extra speed in a couple of areas.
Came down and stayed in 7th, and was just under half a second slower - so without the missed line probably would have been faster.
Still, stayed on the bike, had a clean day had a great time.
It was also nice to see a lot of the same Marshalls and BC Commissaires from the other races she does and that they recognise her and have a chat too.
Have to say that the organisation was really good on the day, couple of minor hold ups but pretty much ran to time.Â
Â
Next race we have pencilled in is Racer Guild at Stile Cop in September.
There is an MIJ race in a couple of weeks, but she has Coaching with Katy on the Saturday and the weekend after we're off to Scotland for a week so she's decided to give it a miss as she doesn't want to risk racing and spannering herself before Scotland as we're heading to Fort William the end of the week for some more coaching on the World Cup track.....
There's also a Gravity Events race at Rev's, but it's the day after we get back from Scotland.....
I hope she got her choice of take-away 🙂 Nice job.
So we've had a week in Scotland and yesterday was a trip to Nevis Range.
We'd pre-booked some coaching for Immy on the WC track.
It was closed to the general public due to the broken boardwalk that happened at National Champs last weekend, but was open for use by the coaching team.
Aim of the session was carrying speed through roots & rock gardens and more on getting comfortable will the bigger jumps.
Session went well and the Hazard Hoofer (River Gap) was ticked off.
Â
We're back up there tomorrow for a general ride and some laps on the WC track.
Â
So secondary at Nevis didn't go so well.....
Weather at the top was rubbish - wind & rain.
WC and Top Chief were closed but Blue Doon was open (for the time being).
It was slow going with the wind and rain - had to keep cleaning my goggles and head wind made progress slow.
About half way down Immy had a big OTB on a sketchy section.
She was OK, sore neck and back but needs a new helmet, goggle lenses and grips.
Back protector and Helmet did their job and Lazer have a crash replacement scheme so will give Freewheel/Madison a call and see what they can do.
Â
Â
Well that sucks 😩
Glad to hear she's ok. Hopefully doesn't put her (or parents) off getting back on the horse.
Oh man, heal up young lass and start hitting the crazy again soonÂ
Thanks all.
She's fine after a decent nights sleep.
She's just hacked off that she rode the WC track including clearing the river gap on 3 runs and then stacks it on the 'easier' track.
In fairness though Blue Doon is way looser than the WC track. It just seems to be really soft and break up easy on the top sections.
She'll be back on the bike next week practicing at Stile Cop.
Need to get some new grips as hers are trashed after the crash.
Round 4 of the Racers Guild Super Series at Stile Cop yesterday.
Track used was New Line.
We've been up and practiced quite a bit over the last couple of weeks - I say 'we' it's been her and a couple of mates from coaching as my shoulder isn't great on anything rough as waiting for surgery....
It's the most practice she's had on a single track before the race, so hopes were high.
With the stormy weather the last few days the track was just wet enough to hold together and give decent grip.
She managed 6 practice runs with her mates in the morning - one minor 'comedy' off resulted in being swallowed by the ferns - my mate watched it happen and said all he heard was laughing from the bush......Â
Racing started on time with no issues until about 10 riders into the youth section. Big crash resulting in a rider needing taking to hospital - hopefully all ok, but delayed proceedings by about 90 minutes.
First race round down and she's nailed the top & middle section, I was waiting at the bottom section as she came off the last drop - nicely off it only to land slightly off line and catch the edge of a stump with the front wheel - folded ang hit the deck. Quickly up and back on the bike. Put her in last - she wasn't overly happy but was pleased with how it went up until then.
We weren't sure if second runs were happening due to the long delay, but the organisers decided they'd go for it and do a quick turnaround.
Second run didn't start great as she ran wide on the top section and got a pedal tangled in the ferns which cost a few seconds...... Rest of the run was great, hit all the lines and had good speed everywhere.
Finished the day in 5th, not what she'd hoped for, but was generally happy with her riding and speed.
Â
Also turned out to be an expensive day as we came home with this.....
Medium 2022 Vitus Dominer - this will get built up over the winter as she wants to finish the season off on the Commencal.
Â
Â
Â
Ooooooh shiny new toy day 😀 i like it.... Nice job sir.
Round 5 of the Racers Guild Super Series at Stile Cop yesterday.
Track used was Little Bringe.
She's been up and practiced a bit over the last couple of weeks - trying to fit it in between school, Duke Of Edinburgh and various other commitments - but she's had a few runs down and was fairly confident on the techy parts as that's what she'd practiced on the most.
With the rubbish cold rainy weather over the last few days and the leaves etc falling of the trees it's made for some interesting grip levels in various places.
Practice was cold and damp but she got 4 runs in, and she was happy with that.
Luckily everything seemed to be going to time so racing got started on time.
First run she was a bit cautious and came down in 4th - 2 seconds off 3rd.
She knew where she needed to make up time - the pedally bits between a couple of berms and the last corner to the finish!!
Second run she went faster on the top section but had an off on one of the berms - after the previous 100+ riders had gone down after her last run the berm had started to break up and she just put her front wheel a bit too high and the berm broke away.....
Got back on and rode the last half of the track with a bit of a dead leg & sore hip but that was it.
Stayed in 4th.....
She was 2nd in the overall standings before the race.
Best 4 points finishes are carried over for the final standings - after yesterdays 4th she's now tied for 2nd - so all comes down to the final race to see if she can snatch 2nd back....
Either way she's really happy to be in contention for an overall podium.
She was hacked off with the crash, as she felt she'd got a podium run in her yesterday - after a bath and a hearty meal she was happy with both of her runs and especially how she rode all of the roots sections with the low grip.
Final race is 30th November on a track called A&E.....
Awesome, we'll try and come over to watch if we're not away 🙂
Â
Is she doing the 100% in 2 weeks ?
So it was the final round of the Racers Guild of Cannock Chase Super Series today, and the last race for us this season.
She was joint 2nd in the overall going into this race - with whoever finished in front would take 2nd....Â
Today's race was on the A&E course - not one she's raced previously, but we did a few runs last weekend.Â
The weather hasn't been kind and it's turned pretty slick with a couple of sections of speed sapping slop....
She put down 4 decent runs in practice and was fairly happy with how they went and how the course was riding.
1st race run was a bit cautious - time on the board and see where she was against the other rider tied for 2nd.
She had about 2 seconds to make up in her 2nd run to catch/overtake.
So it was where could she pedal more, are the lines ok etc.
2nd run and she was on a really good run on the top half - visibly faster than previous run, then with the extra speed she missed a braking point and almost overshot the corner and almost went through the tape.... wheeled back onto the course but that run was over, and so was 2nd overall...
So, off the race podium today, but with a couple of the faster girls coming back for the final round it was a tough ask, and we'd focused on the overall result.
Final scores on the doors and a solid 3rd overall - quite a decent gap back to 4th, so a solid season and we're both really pleased with how she's progressed over the season.
The camaraderie between the core group of the girls has been awesome all season.
 
Â
So plans for the off season is getting the new bike built - it's off to (name drop alert!!) Ronan Dunne's current race mechanic for a bit of work before I bolt the rest of it together once I strip the current bike.
Then try and get as much time on it as she can. Get out in the mud and slop and get that confidence up in crap conditions.
We'll try and hit some bike parks now my shoulder is on the mend, and carry on with the additional coaching with Katy's female race sessions.
Next season is the local series again, Farmer John's race at Revs again, and hoping to get on the Pearce Series if we can.
Overall a really good positive season.
Amazing, well done to her mostly but also you. Massive Dad points.Â
So a new season is almost upon us.
Racing plans are pretty much set for the year.
Local Racers Guild Series at Stile Cop again - although we can only do 5 of the 6 rounds, but as 4 only count that's not too much of an issue.
Managed to get sighed up to the Pearce DH series - entry into Rds 1 & 2 confirmed and on the reserve list for 3 & 4.
Stockport World Series race at Revolution Bike Park also entered as she really enjoyed that one last year.
Might get a couple of MIJ races at FoD entered too.
Due to where she finished overall Nationally she has priority entry into the National Series rounds, but we still think it's a massive step over what she's raced before. We're hoping that the Pearce rounds will give a good idea of how she/we handle a full weekend and all the logistics etc that come with that.
After her last session of coaching Katy has suggested giving Enduro a go too - so we'll be looking at a couple through the year, but due to her age I'll need to ride too....
