Rach learnt plenty of lessons from her maiden cross-country season, before becoming the British Female Masters national champion
This year was my first time tackling the full British Cycling National Cross-Country Series after dipping my toes into a few cross-country races last year – and I became totally hooked.
The series kicks off in April and runs through June, wrapping up with the Cross Country Olympic (XCO) and Cross Country Short Track (XCC) National Championships in July.
To say it’s been a journey would be a huge understatement. Over the season, I’ve grown so much as a rider, racer and all-round athlete.
I competed in four of the National Series rounds, where I consistently finished on the podium, but I never managed to secure the top spot. Nevertheless, my efforts earned me second place overall in the Expert Female category, just one step below Elite level.
My XCO season concluded last weekend with the National Championships in Dalby Forest, Yorkshire. In the National Championships, competitors race within their age group, placing me in the Masters Female category for ages 30-39.
The sun was shining and the course was a blend of flowy sections, brutal climbs and technical features, which kept everyone on their toes. It was, in my opinion, the best course of the season, and I thoroughly enjoyed racing five laps of this challenging track.
The good mix of singletrack, fire roads and widely taped sections meant it was awesome to ride, with plenty of opportunities for timely overtaking manoeuvres and sneaky lines to get one up on your competitors.
My enjoyment was heightened by taking the win and being awarded the blue stripey jersey reserved for age-group national champions. It was a fantastic way to round off my XCO season.
Here are six lessons I learned while racing at the National Championships.
1. Teamwork makes the dream work
Although it’s just you on the track, cross-country racing is anything but a solo sport.
I’ve been lucky enough to be backed by the amazing Alterra Performance women’s team, which has helped transform my race season in terms of results and enjoyment. This support helped catapult me to victory at the National Championships – it was a true team effort.
Having a pit crew, so I don’t have to worry about carrying nutrition or fixing mechanical mishaps, has been a massive help.
My teammates help dial in my line choices and push me to perform, while having racing and nutrition advice from coaches Ash and Alex, has been invaluable.
Although it is possible to race alone, it’s so much better with a psyched crew around you – and it makes winning mean that little bit more.
2. The XC crowd are a friendly bunch
When I started this XC racing malarky, I was heading to races alone and not knowing anyone. Although it was a little daunting, it didn’t take long to meet people. I have made some pretty awesome friends just by chatting to people at races – and some have even become teammates along the way.
This sense of camaraderie was especially evident at the National Championships. From the friendly conversations on the start line with my competitors to the congratulatory hugs and podium banter afterwards, the atmosphere was incredibly welcoming.
The cross-country racing circuit truly is a friendly and inviting community.
3. The female categories are well attended in XC
Female participation in mountain biking is on the rise, although there is still a long way to go to achieve gender parity. In the cross-country discipline, however, the future looks especially promising.
At this year’s National Championships, 87 women competed – a significant increase on the 47 participants from last year and double the number at this year’s Downhill National Championships.
It’s fantastic to see a strong turnout in the younger age categories, with some impressive performances from British youngsters. The future looks bright for female cross-country mountain biking.
4. Talking out loud helps
I’m often tense on the first lap of a race, leading to numerous mistakes. Once one error occurs, they seem to compound and I end up struggling to regain my position. The National Champs seemed to be no different; I crashed on the first lap.
However, this time, I managed to regain my composure much quicker by talking to myself, reminding myself to breathe and focus.
Repeating “focus and concentrate, Bennet, focus and concentrate” out loud helped keep me relaxed on the bike, allowing it to move beneath me and flow through technical sections. On the gnarly descents, I focused on breathing out loud, which helped me maintain my composure and stay focused on navigating the tricky sections.
Talking to myself out loud may have earned me some funny looks, but it seemed to do the trick in keeping me on the bike.
Aside from that initial mistake on the first lap, I didn’t make any significant errors, which was a big improvement for me. It’s progress I’m eager to carry forward into future races.
5. I really do love racing
I had a rough lead-up to the National Champs. My motivation took a hit after the final round of the series – fatigue was setting in, life was getting hectic and my bike was in dire need of some TLC. I was drained from travelling all over the country every weekend. It was taking a toll both financially and physically.
I found myself questioning whether making the trip to Yorkshire was even worth it.
Then, just a day before the race, my cross-country mountain bike became unrideable due to a stripped bolt. Panic set in and it hit me that I truly wanted to race.
After scrambling to find a replacement and sending out a flurry of texts, one of the Bristol crew came through and offered me their old bike. To my immense relief, I was back on track for the Nationals, reignited with a new sense of determination.
I was eager to race and win, and despite the pre-race nerves that made me look like I was dreading it, I ended up loving every moment of the event.
6. I look good in blue
In mountain bike racing, the prestigious Elite national champions earn the coveted white jersey adorned with red, white and blue stripes. This year’s honours went to Annie Last and Cameron Orr.
For the age-group national champions, a blue jersey featuring the same red, white and blue stripes awaits the winner. I won’t lie, I think blue is my colour, matching my Alterra Performance kit perfectly.
With a successful XCO season done and dusted, my sights are set on the XC marathon National Championships in September, set to take place in Newcastleton, Scotland.
My training has shifted focus to get ready for the marathon distance, with longer days in the saddle and less interval training.
It will be nice to just get out and ride without staring at my Garmin, ready to put down the next burst of power. I can’t wait to head north for the next National Champs – and I’m hoping for a similar result.