Southern Xc#1

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BY: simon ernest

Published: 20th March, 2012

The pre proper race shake down is amost complete.  Now only 7 days before the first National the Southern XC seemed the obvious race to check the legs, check the bike and give time to buy new parts before they break at a big race.  Preparation during the week had been going well, aside from the usual problems at work, looking after my 7 month daughter, spending time with the wife, I had managed to ride the bike a couple of times.  On top of the that the weather forecast was looking dry(ish) for Sunday...maybe I wouldn't have to change tyres.

Race day dawned at 0600 when the baby woke and it did still appear to be dry.  At the venue I caught up with team mate Rachel Fenton who had just got 2nd in the elite race (a superb result, only a couple of minutes down on Mel Alexander).  First question was:
Me: What tyres?
Fenty: Is slippy as hell, really hard going.
Me: Yeah, but can I ride Racing Ralphs?
Fenty: Some really draggy parts, flinty too.
Me: Yeah, but can I ride Racing Ralphs?
Fenty: Hmm, I would change for something intermediate.
After pondering the thought of messing with latex gunk, track pumps and soapy water, I settled on Ralphs.

A gentle practice lap confirmed that my choice was possibly not correct.  However, shear laziness prevailed and the belief that it would do my technical skills benefit.  The course was typical Checkendon, singletrack, flinty, bit of clay, cross farm field, singletrack, steep descent, steep climb, etc.  It seemed like fun.

Come 1400 it was race time. I took my place on the second row and before we knew it the race started.  I slotted in behind George Budd (Salsa) to figure out what the pace would be like. By the end of lap one I had moved past a few riders and had Ben Thomas in sight. Into lap two and Tim Dunford swapped positions with me and dropped me in the last section of the course where my tyre choice really proved ridicuously wrong.  George Budd rejoined me and we settled into having a nice race against each other along with some banter.  Into lap four and it seemed that we were catching Turbo Tim and Ben, a spectator called the gap at 15seconds (this was do-able)...game on!  And then the Chekondon puncture imp struck me and with Tim just seconds away!  My race was then saved when George 'dropped' his CO2 (I cannot decide if this was sportsmanship or clumsyness).  I crammed as much air in as possible and hoped the latex gunk worked its magic.  Before long I was back on the bike and charging.  Last lap and I was flying.  I passed two riders and caught South East legend (and fellow new dad) Chris Minter (Pedal On).  The catch was made on the last single track section, I played safe and settled in behind him rather than risk a silly manovere.  On one of the last straights before the finish I called 'on your left' and started a pass, Chris wisely shut the door on me.  It was going to be a sprint in the arena then.  As we approached the line I had managed to draw level, but just needed a another few metres: I had to be content with 8th. 

What can I learn from that? After taking three months off at the end of last season I seem to be getting going again.  With so much time off the bike at the tail end of 2011 I was nervous about what form I would carry into 2012.  I started training properly in January.  Having completed two races so far this year I know where my form is and its where I expected it to be (all tempo, little speed).   

Great day, great course, great competition.  As ever, massive thanks to SMBC for organising not just this event but the whole series.   

Picture courtesy of Mike @ 1st Gear Bikes (cheers)