Flow MTB rider Elin picked up 1st place in the second round of the Root 1 Racing at Tidworth Freeride
Root 1 Racing was a concept created in 2016 by Tidworth Freeride with the aim to introduce more people into gravity racing by using a rollable track and creating a low pressure event that’s fun for the whole family. Round 2 took place on Sunday 2nd July on their new track 99 Beeches, here’s Elin’s race report
I had been excited about the Root 1 race at Tidworth Freeride all week. Not only was I racing my new bike I was racing in the girls category.
I had to wake up at 4.45 am to travel to the race (definitely camping next time!). I had only ridden 99 Beeches once before so I couldn’t wait to get to the top for my practice runs. Lucky for me I had dad there to push my bike up the very steep push up track to conserve some energy; thanks dad!
My first practice run I took slow so I could familiarise myself with the course. The course was nice and dry which I was grateful for as there are a few sections with roots. The course has a lot of berms which is great as I love cornering. Half way down there is a small drop straight out of a run of tight berms; I took this route to start. I decided on my second practice to miss the drop and flow straight into the corner, this was definitely the faster line. It then leads into a steep descent where you can get some serious speed. Right at the end of this is a roller which, if you didn’t clear the little roller just after it, you caught your back wheel and as I witnessed didn’t end well with a few people coming off their bikes. I decided to squash the roller as a safer option. This lead into a fun jumps section with a few doubles to clear.
We each had 3 race runs. My first run down I put in a good time and was in first place but I knew a few places I could have put in some pedal strokes which paid off as I was a second faster on each of the next runs and held my first place position with a fastest time of 1.17.
I was so pleased to end the day having made new female mini shredder friends and hope to see them all at the next round.
1st Elin Berry – Flow MTB
2nd Jael Maw – Flare Clothing Co
3rd Imogen Rabani