Bikedock Belles

The Young Guns have been looking forward to the series, which runs on three consecutive Sundays in Ormeau Park, but when it came to the day there were only a few representatives. Technical, logistical and emotional problems meant a no-show for 4 Young Guns riders – and meant emotional problems for their parents!

First up was the U8s at 11am, with Fraser keen to get the year off to a good start after his Ulster and Irish title wins in 2010. After an excellent start up the tarmac path, an unfortunate pile up at the first bend into the trees meant Fraser lost a lot of time and got held up behind loads of riders on the tight single track. The race was 2 laps and Fraser managed to create some space for himself and flew past many kids on his second lap……managing to end 6^th overall. Impressive after his tumble, but no consolation for him at the end….for a whole 4 minutes until the crisps were produced!

Little brother Alex had insisted on ditching his “baby” bike during the week and on his “big boy” bike wanted to participate at Ormeau. With a helping hand – and in those conditions even that was not enough to avoid 3 faceplants ! – he enjoyed the thrills and spills of the testing course. And on Monday proudly displayed his bruises on his shins – badges of honour !

In the U10s Dillon Cook had an impressive ride – after an impressive fall too! Dillon has just moved up into the U10s and faces many older and bigger cyclists, but with every bike ride he is improving his skills and has the gutsy determination to fare well even at his young age in the category. Despite finding it difficult to overtake on the singletrack, Dillon finished 13^th and was a happy chappy at the end. Or was that more to do with the mini muffins his mum provided at the finish?!

Dillon was just behind Sarah Elder of Carn Wheelers, who along with her sister Emma, has been a keen participant in the Young Guns activities outside of the races. These girls have the true Belles spirit and are always happy, smiling and encouraging others. We look forward to seeing them in the bright pink!

There was a big gap between the kids races and the adult race – in which Monthly Debbie and Belle Andrea competed…..thanks to the kind offer of Monthly Molly to look after Fraser and Alex so that Andrea could race. Early in the race Andrea was wishing the offer hadn’t been made and that she was just at the sidelines watching Debbie – it was a tough, muddy course, with the back tyre flailing from side to side even on the straight flat bits!

Molly insisted that it was no problem looking after the boys, and in fact was sure that they would end up looking after her! Aside from the immense and selfless support of Molly, Andrea and Debbie were also supported by Joanne and Taryn – both of whom had dragged themselves out of bed on a Sunday morning! Joanne was effective in shouting “you are catching her”, even when lying through her teeth!, and Taryn proved again that she can be really useful to Andrea and wheeled her bike for her (this time Andrea wasn’t on it, unlike the airport trolley in the Himayalas that she sat on while Taryn pushed her – hmmmmm, wish that had been in the mountains too, and not just the airport!).

Having seen the race first hand, Taryn wished she had done it – but that would have interfered with her training/tapering ??!! for the High Peaks Marathon this Saturday. Ahem.

Debbie was awesome at Ormeau, as always throwing herself 100% into everything….even the trees!! Results show that she blasted off on the first lap, then eased back a bit, but with every lap then got a bit faster. Go girl! At the finish Debbie said her legs were like jelly, the course was yucky mucky… and that she loved it – a real love / hate thing going on !

Molly survived Fraser and Alex – indeed proving a real hit…so much so that Andrea was a bit worried that the boys may begin to think that their mummy’s adventurous and innovative side was pretty normal really! I mean, surely everyone would lead the boys to dangerous overhanging trees, break off a huge Y shaped branch and turn it into a catapult?! Go Molly!

As for Taryn, she loved the idea of such antics that you can get up to with young children – but also loved how useful they are….for taking such big branches home for burning since the oil had run dry, and for running over to wangle free crisps for her own consumption!

It really was a great day all round – mud, sweat tears….fun, friendship and laughter. Roll on this Sunday!

Ding Dong!

Andrea