Pearce Cycles Winter Series - Rnd 1, Hopton
Well, what a weekend! First race of the year over and done with, and I can tell you I'm very well acquainted with the floor at Hopton now.. I shall be doing my very best to shun it when we return for round 3!

Photo by Jeff R King - Cheers buddy!
The weather was pretty kind I'd say. Some showers, including some sleet on Sunday, kept us on our toes, and a downpour on Saturday night really slowed the track down for Sunday but overall it was sunny and pretty pleasant.
Practice on Saturday was really great fun. I've not been to Hopton for about three years and couldn't remember the track at all. It didn't take long to recognise a few bits though, and soon felt like I was pretty on it. I even pedalled! Usually a lazy tyke in practice with rest-stops and no pedalling, but full runs with pedalling this weekend. Felt pretty good.

Photo by Jeff R King - Cheers buddy!
As I mentioned, by Sunday the track was riding a lot slower with the extra moisture in the ground. I felt sooo slow compared to the day before and didn't really ascribe it to the changed track conditions. Result: in my first race run I got a bit angry cos I thought I was going too slow and crashed four times, oops... yep that made it even slower. Second run had to be a steady one and I did have a near off, followed by a proper off. Gave myself a good talking to, relaxed a bit, managed to keep it upright all the rest of the way, but it wasn't quite enough for the overall win.. Second place'll do though, better sort out this crashing thing in time for Bringewood!

Photo by Jeff R King - Cheers buddy!
The weather was pretty kind I'd say. Some showers, including some sleet on Sunday, kept us on our toes, and a downpour on Saturday night really slowed the track down for Sunday but overall it was sunny and pretty pleasant.
Practice on Saturday was really great fun. I've not been to Hopton for about three years and couldn't remember the track at all. It didn't take long to recognise a few bits though, and soon felt like I was pretty on it. I even pedalled! Usually a lazy tyke in practice with rest-stops and no pedalling, but full runs with pedalling this weekend. Felt pretty good.

Photo by Jeff R King - Cheers buddy!
As I mentioned, by Sunday the track was riding a lot slower with the extra moisture in the ground. I felt sooo slow compared to the day before and didn't really ascribe it to the changed track conditions. Result: in my first race run I got a bit angry cos I thought I was going too slow and crashed four times, oops... yep that made it even slower. Second run had to be a steady one and I did have a near off, followed by a proper off. Gave myself a good talking to, relaxed a bit, managed to keep it upright all the rest of the way, but it wasn't quite enough for the overall win.. Second place'll do though, better sort out this crashing thing in time for Bringewood!


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