16-17 April 2022, Rock UK, Newcastleton
Only a week after Round 1 we travelled north again for Round 2. A very different course but one which was going to need some tactical nous rather than just pure speed.
While it may not have been as technical overall as Tong there were still plenty of tricky sections which could catch the unwary.
Aelwen (Juvenile Female)
For round two we all travelled as a family to Scotland. We arrived late afternoon and all met together as a team, with Paul for a manager’s briefing. This is the first time I have experienced this, and it felt very professional.
Saturday morning, we did a team course walk looking at the various features, and I felt quite confident that I could go well here. Late morning course practice, on my new bike, with a quick change of tyres thanks to Tim at Schwalbe and I was happy.
Sunday was an early start, which I’m now getting used to. And after a good warm up routine thanks to Max, I was ready to go.
I had a good start, and I followed Zoe’s wheel through the wooded section, then after the pits I took the lead. Then Zoe and I made the gap and traded places throughout the lap. On lap two, going up the wooded climb, I managed to gap Zoe, so I got my head down and went full gas to extend my lead. Crossing the finish line going into my final lap I could see Zoe had only just entered the arena, so I knew I had a good gap. All I had to do to take the win was to manage my final lap and get around safely.
I’m really pleased to have managed the course technically, as my new bike gave me lots of confidence. I’m very happy to take my first win at a National MTB round, and really looking forward to R3 in a few weeks’ time.
- Aelwen won the Juvenile Female category for our first RR23 National win.
Evie (Short Course and Youth Female)
I had an awesome weekend in Newcastleton for Round 2 of the national xc series!
I arrived on Friday afternoon and went straight to a fun zip lining course before we had a team meeting which I learnt a lot from and really enjoyed.
Saturday morning the other girls and I walked the course with Paul before we went out to ride our practice laps. The course was lots of fun and I loved all of it. I’m proud to have done all the A lines and loved the climbing and skills section.
Later on we had another meet up with the team and enjoyed lots of cake from the team (Daphers won the baking competition!) I felt good on Sunday morning and I felt strong throughout the race and enjoyed every bit of the course. I had good power up the hills and felt I did well on the skills section and had a blast down the muddy descent!
For the first couple of laps I was battling for 3rd and super pleased to end up finishing 6th! My best result of the season so far.
Sunday night we had a camp fire and pizzas and a fun night with lots of the other racers to finish a great weekend.
- Evie came 6th in Youth Females.
Becca (Youth Female)
I thought Scotland was meant to be cold but it certainly wasn’t for race weekend.
Saturday was course walk and practice - loved the course but knew it would be hard and resting was key.
Sunday, woke up early had breakfast and went down to the RR23 tent. Had a good warmup and was ready to go. Had a great start and pushed on, lost a few places going into the rooty single track climb and unfortunately a girl crashed in front of me. Due to me not leaving enough room I went into her and my bike ended up in the ditch. It was just about fighting for the rest of the race then.
I came away with 9th - my head was there just not the legs after a rest week. Can’t wait for Round 3 to improve further. Had a great weekend with RR23 - the moist cake made it.
- Becca came 9th in Youth Females.
Daphne (Junior Female)
Last weekend me and the rest of the team travelled up to Scotland to do the 2nd Round of the National XC MTB series.
The course was pretty different from the last round with long climbs and fast descents.
I felt good in practice and was riding all of the A lines which I was happy about.
I messed up my start by missing my pedal which meant I was last coming down the start straight but I quickly managed to get past riders and was about mid pack heading into the first climb and was starting to work my way through the field but then unfortunately my race came to an end with a puncture at the end of lap one. No spare wheels meant that I got DNF for the round. But the form felt good and I felt strong on the course. Looking forward to the next round in Fife in a few weeks’ time.
- Daphs sadly DNF'd but at least has plenty of positives to take from her race as well.
Newcastleton also brought with it some new team building challenges as well as the racing. We had the cake competition which Daphers won narrowly. However, Daphs failed miserably in the cup of tea making practice and is going to have to seriously up her game. Aelwen won but her mum commented the quality wasn’t the usual standard. We’re blaming the tea bags for that. And in a new venture for all we had the team RR23 washing up challenge. Again, not bad for a new skill but we will be revisiting this one as well.