Bikedock Belles

Luckily enough Taryn had mentioned that her Friend and experienced racer Paul Mc Arthur was also down a team member and would be happy to pair up with Julie in the mixed pairs category providing that he didn't have to wear pink lycra. Juile warned that running is something that she does only when being chased but will get on with whatever tasks lay ahead to the best of her ability!

The first secret task which involved having to eat half a packet of cream crackers after running approx 6k through the woods, Paul arrived seconds before Julie and had already started cramming crackers into his mouth like it would be his last bite... Not competitive at all... But this out standing cream cracker eating performance set the Bikedock Belle-ettes(or was it Bikedock Belles and Belle End) well on their way for the 3k kayak.

Meanwhile the Foxy Fillies at the mass start had all their mandatory kit carefully packed into their rucksacks, however somehow managed to not have a watch between them!! Joanne was later spotted at their first task dipping the crackers into the water to help  soften the texture, Niiiice... They munched thru the half packet and grabbed their kayaks, launched them into the river with a little confusion over left hand paddle and right hand paddle they narrowly escaped being swept down the river. The main incentive to keep them going was Karens desperate need to a'herm Water the flowers to put it politely, apparently these flowers needed watering approx every half hour, lucky there were plenty of trees about!

Julie not having much experience in this new found world of adventure racing had carefully packed two lovely sealed bags of pasta to keep the energy levels up during the race, during registration she noticed Paul glance at the liitle package of food with her baby size metal fork, at which point she said ... oh it's ok Paul I have a fork for you too. Needless to say Julie didn't have time to 'water the flowers' let alone sit down for a pasta picnic, Julie really enjoyed the challenge and having someone to push her on. Karen and Joanne had constant amusement throughout the day laughing at the thought of Julie pushing her limits with Paul and it was heard on the grapevine that two Foxy Fillies were spotted 'walking' with a bag of pasta on the run section... tut tut tut.

All jokes a side, this was a great days craic and everyone involved was really encouraging and friendly.  Hopefully Round 2 on 4th Dec in Bangor  will have even more new entrants, we will be there for more off road fun and adventure. Thanks to CCAR for putting on a great day and Joan for all your yummy buns, especially that lemon drizzle cake, it was also heard on the grapevine that the Foxy Fillies were searching for the dibber at check point 23 when the heavens opened, at this point they decided to call it a day and make their way back to the Tanagh Outdoor Centre for Joans buns!! Who can blame them after almost 5 hours of hardcore adventure racing!


Well done everyone,

P.S. Does anyone know if Karen got her bike back from Ivan yet? We heard it was left at the finish line after the race, lucky it wasn't her horse!!


Ding Dongx

Julie