Part One:
First weekend back after the op, I didn't realise how much I'd missed being on the bike until I was on it again. I've had umpteen people asking when I was going to be back on it, as I looked depressed and wasn't my usual self (co-workers). Hmm, smiling all day today, I see what they mean ;)
Anyways, Bbbom, you lay down a challenge while I wasn't riding, now you're going to pay ;) lol
Saturday was a half day to make sure I was okay on the bike i.e. could pick it up if I dumped it (nothing unusual for me). The people parked next to us must have thought I was nuts as once the bike was off the tailer, I turned around and laid it on the ground then picked it up again. Then I went for a short ride around the nearest trail - no worries! I couldn't believe how nervous I was, but that dissipated once on the bike.
Anyway, the guys decided to see a trail elsehere (they were test riding a bike to make sure they'd be okay on it for the race Sunday). I was torn between riding with the girls or the guys, but decided to go with the guys. Great fun, I managed to click well with the bike and found that the 11-year-old wasn't as fast as I thought he was, and could easily keep up with him. He crashed early on trying to keep up with the others, so I told him to ride his pace & not worry about his dad & Henk as they'd wait for us. My main problem on the ride was finding neutral - I was always at least one gear higher than I thought.
Anyway, the race on Sunday was a fun two-man harescramble, so after Saturday, I thought I'd go along & maybe enter if I could find someone to ride with (my usual riding buddy wasn't keen as she didn't feel she could do it with everyone racing past her).
Sunday was misty until we got into the forest, then it turned to brilliant sunshine, absolutely stunning looking at the trees and the sea after spending the last hour in the mist. Once we got there, I sort of looked around as to who was there (we were reasonably early) to see if I could spot someone I could ride with.
In the meantime Henk had spotted someone & asked him who he was partnered up with and offered me (thanks - not). Well, that made me more nervous as I know the guy, I know how he rides, but I also know what he's like - great person, and I didn't want to let him down. He decided yip, that'll be fun, we could even possibly win the class - total four entries.
The trail was pretty easy, but with 65 bikes going around, by the time it was my turn, it was getting cut-up. Roots were exposed, whoops on every single straight there was, but nothing major.
(continued)
First weekend back after the op, I didn't realise how much I'd missed being on the bike until I was on it again. I've had umpteen people asking when I was going to be back on it, as I looked depressed and wasn't my usual self (co-workers). Hmm, smiling all day today, I see what they mean ;)
Anyways, Bbbom, you lay down a challenge while I wasn't riding, now you're going to pay ;) lol
Saturday was a half day to make sure I was okay on the bike i.e. could pick it up if I dumped it (nothing unusual for me). The people parked next to us must have thought I was nuts as once the bike was off the tailer, I turned around and laid it on the ground then picked it up again. Then I went for a short ride around the nearest trail - no worries! I couldn't believe how nervous I was, but that dissipated once on the bike.
Anyway, the guys decided to see a trail elsehere (they were test riding a bike to make sure they'd be okay on it for the race Sunday). I was torn between riding with the girls or the guys, but decided to go with the guys. Great fun, I managed to click well with the bike and found that the 11-year-old wasn't as fast as I thought he was, and could easily keep up with him. He crashed early on trying to keep up with the others, so I told him to ride his pace & not worry about his dad & Henk as they'd wait for us. My main problem on the ride was finding neutral - I was always at least one gear higher than I thought.
Anyway, the race on Sunday was a fun two-man harescramble, so after Saturday, I thought I'd go along & maybe enter if I could find someone to ride with (my usual riding buddy wasn't keen as she didn't feel she could do it with everyone racing past her).
Sunday was misty until we got into the forest, then it turned to brilliant sunshine, absolutely stunning looking at the trees and the sea after spending the last hour in the mist. Once we got there, I sort of looked around as to who was there (we were reasonably early) to see if I could spot someone I could ride with.
In the meantime Henk had spotted someone & asked him who he was partnered up with and offered me (thanks - not). Well, that made me more nervous as I know the guy, I know how he rides, but I also know what he's like - great person, and I didn't want to let him down. He decided yip, that'll be fun, we could even possibly win the class - total four entries.
The trail was pretty easy, but with 65 bikes going around, by the time it was my turn, it was getting cut-up. Roots were exposed, whoops on every single straight there was, but nothing major.
(continued)