‘Two minutes to go,’ the countdown had begun for the start of enduro 6 2009, which to me marks the start of my racing season. ‘Oh dear,’ I thought, ‘here comes six hours of pain that will no doubt involve me changing inner tubes, trying to consume large quantities of energy bars and trying to keep riding.’

 

‘Ten seconds to go’ came the announcement. Well there is no turning back now, I wished my dad luck, who was also racing solo and began what I see as running but others may interpret as lolloping. This was the part I had been dreading, the run. By the time I had reached my bike in the pits I was already questioning why I had entered.
 

Laps one, two and three went well but it was on lap four that I realised you have to eat and drink in order to keep going. This prompted a pit stop were I tried to rapidly consume salt and vinegar crinkle crisps, a banana and some coke. I then got shoved back out on my bike by my mother and dragged my way through to lap seven and then it was my turn to shake the top man’s hand.


 

On reflection the race went absolutely brilliantly! The weather was on our side for once, the thorns had dived out of my way and most of all the support of the spectators was first class, the Grimey Lymies deserving a special mention.



Despite my reservations during the run I will still be sending my entry form next year!