And then the Scottish series began at Meadowmill, after a couple of laps to see how the course was I lined up and got a great gridding, we had been told that after the brow of the hill there was no turn just follow the course. I was on the Sabbath, tubs on, ready to rock. BANG and off I went, a great start and right up there with the fast boys, coming up to the brow of the hill everyone started to go backwards, blouses, it is flat out, the turn has been taken out remember, oh F*&%, it hasn't , into some tape and  away again, must listen harder to the rider briefing. Got right into the swing of the race, first short climb and I was back onto the lead group, lungs screaming but this was more like it. I didn't realise how much the medication had numbed me and held me back for years. Into the singletrack and being held up slightly but it was ok, recouperating and getting focused again before the charge back out, another couple of places to me, this was good, no-one else overtook me after that and I was keeping station with the riders ahead. Dingaling, what the bell already? I then heard the winner crossing the line and realised for the first time I hadn't been lapped in a Scottish race, GET IN! This seemed to take the edge off the race and instead of racing the final lap I eased off and cruised into the start/finish area.

Top twenty was nearly there and I had felt good the whole time, the bike had performed faultlessly I knew there was more to come.

Plean next. I like this course as I practice on it reasonably often when down visiting my in laws as it is 4 miles from them. I arrived early and signed on and got my stuff together, a couple of laps and then to the start. It was a sketchy start as it is narrow, downhill and very fast and busy, I backed off a bit as I approached the first corner but held my own. I got into the singletrack in a decent position and held on up the incline, the race then went into overdrive as it is a fast course with some lovely paths to blast along. Halfway through the race I felt the rear tyre starting to go soft, baws as I had just overtaken a couple of folk on the run up, keep it going I said to myself. I saw my clubmate out walking and watching the race and called to him to have the spare bike ready, he jogged back to the pits where he was waiting for me as I came into them. A quick bike change and I was back onto the pace tho the tyres on the prolite weren't as good as the tubs on the race bike. I kept at it tho and was rewarded with a top twenty place. The first for years. The drive home that night was fantastic as was catching the ferry!! No sleeping in the car for me.

I was really chuffed with how the season had gone, two races in and two decent results, the road miles, reps in the local park and the rollers were all working. Next up a new venue, Strathclyde Country Park. Bring it on.

Photo from the scx flickr site and by DUNCOLM