COWAN HOUSE CLASSIC

Sunday 12th August was the annual hosting of the 42km Cowan House classic a great local race on the calendar, sponsored by Bonitas and the Wildlands conservation trust. Known for its fantastic mix of single track and good climbing, this event normally attracts large numbers. In 2011 the conditions were terrible with a mix of cold, rain and mud. This year was very different with a dry track and sunshine, it planned to be a great event. After a disappointing ride at Eston the previous weekend and a week of Anti Biotics a race was never on the cards as the recovery from my chest infection was going to take its toll, but the Saturday before the race I went for a spin on the mountain bike to see how the body would be feeling and i felt pretty much recovered enough to give the race a go. My plan would be to just sit in and try and take it as easy as possible to see how i would feel. We started the race in really good conditions, but the wind was blowing pretty hard which always makes riding on your own that much more difficult. The first 10km I was happy to just ride at a steady pace and then see how I felt. Andrew Hill came with me and when we got into one of the single track sections where there was no slip stream from the wind, I gave it a test and managed to get a gap. I kept riding at my own steady pace and by the time I had got to the KOM point I had established a good lead and now could ride comfortable to the finish for the last 20km. With these trails being my training ground it was pretty easy for me in the single tracks to keep a good rhythm. I managed to win overall and defend my title from 2011, which is always great and helps the confidence to get back on track and now stay focused on the bigger goals ahead.