Great weather for the XC race at Dalby today. They'd changed the course a bit, missing out a bit of the loop at the end of Adderstone field and removing the 'bus stops' after Worry Gill. I think that Young Mike came 4th in the Youth race, and that mum Ruth was 2nd in the women's event. 

In the Open event, me, Rich, Stu and Dave were racing for bragging rights. Which once again go to Rich.  He took off right from the start and pretty much disappeared. Me, Stu and Dave were a bit closer together, at least for the first lap. Someone stalled on the rocky slab right in front of Stu, who had nowhere to go but into him, which made him fall. Me and Dave were right behind and took the opportunity to slip past. Stu overtook me at Worry Gill soon after, though, when I took the chicken run and he didn't. Dave went up the first climb (the old red descent) at a pace but then almost blew up on the long climb to Jingleby summit. That was where I caught him. I was hoping to catch Stu in the same way, but it never happened.

I didn't see much of local rider Rob Powell (Malton Wheelers), except the back of him when he accelerated away at the start. It was a good event, though, and it was great to get support shouted from RCC members at various points. Really lifts you.  I managed the climb up out of Worry Gill on the last lap. 

I think we finished: Rich 5th, Stu 9th, me 13th, Dave 18th. Not sure how many there were in our race. Couple of dozen? Certainly less than 30. 

Here's my Garmin plot of the ride. 

Racing continues this Thursday, eh fellers? But on tarmac this time.

Results now online. 

Seems Rich beat me by 'only' 9 1/2 minutes this year, a slight improvement on last time.  But in terms of positions etc, we're roughly where we were last year - except Stu, who didn't cramp and consequently went a lot faster. 

Me and Rich got interviewed by someone from Winkball (not a euphemism). Rich is on page 1. I am on page 2.

very impressive!