Bikedock Belles

The Young Guns were excited at the day ahead, as always, with Fraser wolfing down his psychological “breakfast of champions” (Frosted Wheats, in case any of you want to try them!) and firing on his lucky shorts. His excitement was added to by the prospect of little brother Alex, aged 3 and 10 months, doing his first official race in Fraser’s U8 category.

The Lady Dixon course is perfect for novice MTBers and little tiny kids.

The U8s started at 11am and raced a 2-lap course. Fraser has had a mixed start to the Ulster series, finishing 2^nd in the first race at Davagh and then 7^th in the second race at Tollymore, so showed some uncharacteristic hesitancy ahead of the actual race. The numbers in the U8s were daunting too – a record 37 little riders!

Fraser started front-line on Sunday, with little brother Alex bringing up the rear in the starting grid! Adam McCaughtry got a great start in the 2^nd row of the grid, with Zak Tsoutsas and Christopher Duncan mid group. Fraser entered the single-track, after a 100m grassy start, in 6^th position but emerged back onto the grass in 3^rd position before another straight stretch back into a different single-track area. Although Fraser was challenged at the end of his 2^nd lap, he held onto 3^rd and was closer to leading U8 Chris Curry (Banbridge CC) than he has been in previous races.

Adam continues to impress with his consistency, and despite feeling ill for the few days before, he raced hard and ended up in a brilliant 8^th place.

Zak and Christopher were in the second half of the table, and continue to enjoy the event for the event’s sake, as well as the fun post-race with other kids – not to mention the free crisps and drinks, and the bouncy castle !

As for Alex, in his first unaided race (well 99% of it anyway), there was no way he was stopping after the first lap. He wanted to keep going and “do all of the race”, smiling the whole way around – even when he face planted next to a pile of nettles ! It didn’t seem like his smile could get any bigger, but it did when he saw the chequered flag at the finish ! …. And even more so when he spied Fraser. The two of them spontaneously ran towards each other with their arms wide open and hugged. And caused a certain person to cry ! Oh, and Alex finished ahead of 5 other youngsters.

U10s were off next and raced 3 laps of the U8 course. Dillon Cook and Sam Duncan are up into this age group this year, and siblings Ben and Kelly Wilson (from the Dromara neighbourly squad!) also in this category. Ben finished an impressive 6^th out of 22 riders, and sister Kelly was the 2^nd placed female in U10. Dillon was 16^th overall and Sam was penultimate in the results table. . . . .quite an achievement on a bike that wouldn’t be too big for Alex ! His parents say they are saving their pennies now !

There were 8 girls racing in the U10s – an encouraging number – with Sarah Elder giving her all as always. As did her sister Emma in the U12s.

U12s for the Young Guns means Max Melville – on a high after getting a very welcome letter about his school placing for next year following his transfer tests. Lets hope he takes his cycling passion to Wellington College – where he will no doubt excel at hockey anyway. Max has immense stamina and power, also boasting a fantastic attitude to MTB.

The 12 riders had to complete 3 laps of a tough larger course than the U8s and U10s, including a lung and leg busting hill. Max fought hard in the first lap to gain a good position, but found the strength of a couple of the riders from the South (of which there were a large number given that this race was also part of the Irish series) too much. His finish of 7^th is not reflective of his ability – and he is already relishing the race this Sunday.

As are all the Young Guns – the race takes place at Magheramorne Quarry, Larne, and was their favourite race last year. That very fact shows the spirit of these Young Guns – because technically it is a very difficult course, with lots of crashes last year! Bring on the “Badges of Honour” eh?!

Ding Dong!

ps you can see we're lacking girls in the Young Guns. Any of you out there fancy your kids having a go ?

Andrea