Alpine Bikes Winter Series 2009 Round 1 – Innerleithen

After a long winter of training and waiting, desperately needing to race, the winter series finally came round at Innerleithen. Arriving on Friday night we went to our B&B, making a wise decision not to stay in the van, and treated ourselves to a bit of luxury for once. On Saturday morning we headed down to the track and I walked up the track whilst dad got the bike ready and Steve arrived.

The track was unusual, not starting from the very top where most races are usually started. Instead the riders were set off from the top of the quarry, missing out the steep push up to the top which, in many respects, was a godsend to most riders after having to ride the 2 mile stretch in freezing headwinds. From the start we went down a grass bank and round a tight tree, instantly crossing the first fire road. Dropping back into the woods you go round a series of switchbacks, always dropping down and pumping through the natural steps in the ground. Over a big root drop and round a tight left hand corner takes you down another grass bank and into the woods again. Now it’s a blast down a long straight and dodge trees and big roots, keeping that ‘on the edge’ style at all times. Round 3 sets of switchbacks which wind down the side of the hill leads you to the second fire road crossing, sprinting all the way and dropping down into the faster motorway section. Here you keep the bike low over a small double and get back on the gas up the bank and down through the tight trees (a bit sketchy with wide bars).

Down through another fast wide section and you’re out into the open down the grass banking. Here the breaking bumps are the size of small cars so finding the smoothest line is essential. Keeping above the roots you pedal down a long straight into a set of switchbacks. Here the track turns sharp left onto a new section where you go down two steep chutes, scrubbing trees with your shoulders to keep the speed up and on the right line. Over a bridle way and you drop into the arena. Here there is a fast but rough section with roots and a few tight corners to keep you on your toes. Round the tight off camber corner and over the ski jump leads you onto the highest line to avoid the breaking bumps round the two big berms. Over a small double, round another long set of switch backs and it’s a final sprint over the road to the finish line.

Saturday was a good day with the track riding fast and everyone enjoying the racing spirit. Despite only getting 4 practice runs in with the short hours of the day, I practiced enough to feel confident with my lines and I was riding well. Sunday came around and the wind had picked up a bit making the 2 mile ride even worse. With the short sleeve jerseys my arms went a bright red colour. After 2 practice runs I headed up to the top and was re-seeded to 2nd. My run went well and I only had one scare when I came inches from going over the bars and sort of lost my line. Other than that it was mainly on the edge, only backing off a little bit through the tighter sections to avoid crashing with only one race run. I came through the finish line in a time of 3:29.20 which was enough to give me 3rd in junior category and my first big podium at the first race of the season. Also finishing 10th overall out of 230 riders was a good feeling.