Both Mick W and Emma S were in action in North Yorkshire last Sunday and though seperated by only a few miles were in very different events.
In a build up to later targeted events, and in order to get a good long race-pace effort in, Emma did the Thirsk 10 mile road race. The event was a good one and though the racers were subject to hailstone in parts, quite a few PBs were recorded. Emma was just short of her own but successfully accomplished the 'training-race' objective and was able to sustain her target pace right up to mile 8.
Mick on the other hand was on MTB duty, with his first race of the season in round 1/6 of the Altura Nutcracker series. This series is fiercely competitive and attracts many notable and sponsored riders. Past champions and ex-pros are fairly commonplace amongst all the age groups competing.
Round 1 was on the internationally acclaimed and purpose-built Dalby Forest XC track (rarely made available to the public) and was, unsurprisingly, a challenge to simply ride. Huge drop-offs and some highly technical sections had competitors picking lines with care. A flavour of the event can be seen here.
Mick performed admirably in the company with a top half of the field finish. First time out on a new race-bike too. Promising stuff.
