My first race finally came after all my training over the winter. I went to North Wales to stay the night before as it was closer for us to go the next day and we wouldn't have to get up as early! I woke up on race day at 6.30, had some breakfast and my dad and I left by 6.50am.We stopped on the way there to get flapjacks, jelly babies, drinks and a coffee for dad!
We got to Llandegla for 8.15 and my friends from the club were there. Dad got my number - it was 13!! He then got our bikes out and took me and my friends around the course so we could do a route check and see what the best lines were. The hill from the start was long and steep. On the trail there was 2 sections which had an “A” or “B” line, A is hard and B is easy. We rode the first “A” line which was a steep drop but when we got to the second one we were told it wasn't being used in our category and weren't allowed to ride it, boo!
On the start line the girls had to start a minute behind the boys. This made it really hard at the start at the climb was narrow and we were stuck behind the slower ones. I had passed a few girls on the hill but didn't know my position until I came to the “A” line drop where all my family were, they were cheering me on and dad was shouting “Cari, your 3rd, keep it up, well done!”.
I kept riding as fast as I can but then we had lapped the ones at the back and kept getting stuck behind them! As I was in the top 3 girls we had to do an extra lap so 3 all together. When I came over the finish it was really busy and loads of people were calling my name!
I was very happy I came 3rd as I got to go on the podium. I had a medal and some prizes.
This was my first race on my Frog 69. The bike rides really good, the hills are easier and I get up faster with my bigger gears, its faster downhill and smoother as the front is a little bit higher so its good for steep stuff.
It was a great day and I cant wait for the next one!