Rd 1 XC National point Series held in Slade Valley 27-4-14

This may not be Enduro racing in any way of form but its a great way of preparation for getting fit and fast for the next and coming Ticknock Gravity Enduro on 18th of May.
I arrived Sunday morning for the first time to Slade Valley, it was sunny and I was feeling good and strong for my race after taking it easy for the days following p to the event, I could not make practice on Saturday so Sunday morning was my only chance. My race start was for 12 noon so I was to have a quick track preview and back to change into my clean club race jersey and up to the start.

I was racing U16 this year, I new this would not be easy as there was an extra lap and stronger racers that pay more attention to xc racing. I new I would not be racing that competitively, I would mainly be racing for the bit of fun and to get another feel of xc racing and for a bit of training.
I was to be racing on my 140mm Lapierre Zesty 414, may not be the most suitable machine for xc but for an enduro bike she's a class climber. I was in the last row of 13 U16 riders (including the girls). The whistle blew and we are off, I was not used to such fast sprinting so the 29ers and hardtails were gaining distance on me for the first 200m or so until we hit the first climb, that's where I felt the Zesty come to life, passed 2 to 3 on the climb.There where nice kickers and fire road climbs where I was strongest at passing people out and fast on the downhill sections.

Downhill section ( Credit to Action Pictures Ireland )

Over all a class tack and a very tough race all together,was so knackered after going all most 100% in the first lap I was not thinking right and thought I had done the second lap due to the intro lap :P I was happy with my result and came 7th out of 11 in U16 boys
The whole events results can be found http://irishxcnps.ie/?page_id=16
Would like to thank Action Pictures Ireland for the pics. http://www.actionpicturesireland.com/

Downhill section (credit to Action Pictures Ireland)

thanks to sean rowe for the pic

Downhill section