Molly reports on her most recent national success:
Sunday 2 June, Shropshire- British Mountain Bike series round 3, 2013. From a weekend of glorious sun, on the scenic battlefield of the Hopton hillside shone another great weekend of gnarly bike racing.
The first kick hit a brutal gradient, plus another, up a zig-zagged climb, with a bit more ascending and a bonus spike to the peak, giving some racers double vision, before the launch into the epic descents, entwined with DH tracks. It’s exhilarating to witness, phenomenally kick-ass to race!
Since starting in September 2012 I’ve only competed in one other National race, Snowy Sherwood, round 1. I came in 11th with my beloved snow-camouflaged Cinder Cone, but we all prefer single digits when it comes to racing … climbing up on my final lap at Hopton four months later and yelling to Tracey not to “take the mick!” about me being in a podium position I had no idea but, apparently “No, seriously,” I was “in 3rd! Keep going!!”
Stunned, ecstatic then sprinting! The red mist was blazing double now to catch up with the leader. Added to the drama- the hindrance of a silly crash early in the first lap; I finished 33 seconds apart from 1st and took 3rd on my first National podium.
Now I know what I can do with my new ‘Ricky the Race bike’, S-Works frame in proud St Ives colours! ;), I am setting my targets even higher for the future, thank you St Ives CC for helping me take the step onto the National podium and for being the greatest club ever!
For even more photos and a fuller, visit Molly’s blog.
