The End of 2008

The 2008 race season is now officially over, and what a challenge it's been. The theme this year would have to be MUD, as we have had more wet, muddy events this season than in any year previous. Ruth and Simon managed to get some sunshine for the British National XC Champs, but meanwhile Andy and I struggled through torrential rain and knee-deep mud in some of the worst conditions ever at Hit the North, on the same weekend. I enjoyed just ONE dry race in the whole season, that being the World Marathon Champs in Italy in July.

We've had some setbacks to overcome, but we've enjoyed more than our fair share of success. For me, I had a slow start to the season with persistent migraine attacks, but managed to bring it under control and get my training back on track, to produce some of my best ever results. These have included winning the Salzkammergut TT overall, finishing top-20 in one of the biggest UCI World Marathon Championship fields ever, taking my first British NPS win in three years and capping it off with a 12-hour solo win in the Dusk 'til Dawn.

Ruth has also seen a huge boost in performance this year, starting out with 5th in the Gran Canaria Open Marathon in the Open class, getting her first taste of the prizemoney. She then went on to win two out of four British NPS Masters rounds to take the overall series title, and a silver medal in the National Champs. Ruth has rarely been off the podium this year, and has built on her endurance form, winning the 75km marathon series on top of her XC.

Simon has had his share of setbacks, but has shown some shining form, winning the South West XC Champs and Newnham 90, as well as a top-3 result in the final round of the 100km marathon series in truly trying conditions.

As a team, we finished 5th at Mountain Mayhem in the Elite Mixed category, the only team to field two men and two women racing equal laps. Conditions were pretty trying there too, as they have been all season, but our team shone through with good humour and some determined racing.

Being part of a proper race team has brought a whole new aspect to the race experience for myself and Andy this year, and our team mates have been a real joy, as we've been able to share in their trials and successes, as well as our own. Big thanks must also go to our raft of fantastic sponsors, who have ensured that we have the bikes, clothing and equipment to last the distance. Our Altura React rain jackets have had a tough time this year, but they work so well we simply couldn't have managed without them!

For 2009, our team will be taking a whole new direction, with some new faces and new events on board. We hope to be able to confirm our plans in the next couple of weeks.

In the meantime, we have a couple of bikes for sale - details to be posted in the next couple of days.

Thanks and best wishes to all for a happy and restful winter season. Don't miss out on those crisp, cold and clear autumn days!

Jenn