WildBettys posted on July 04, 2010 12:10
Another weekend of firsts. The first Dirt Divas All women's 8 Hour Relay at King City Centennial Park put on by Fauldsracing; the first Wild Bettys team to enter an 8 hour relay; the first time for Pat, aka Biff Betty, to be the starting rider at a relay; the first time I've seen a start delayed for a last minute portapotty visit...(gotta love small events!); the first time Isabelle has ever ridden that long and the most laps in a relay any of us has ever done as we were a 3 Betty team in the 3/4 member team category and the laps were short; the first time to step up and call ourselves 'expert' ( the only other choice was 'beginner') ; and the first time I ate both a hamburger and hotdog right after an event with no ill effects.
It takes courage to step out and do something new for the first time...we applaud the organizers of this event. There have been all-women's relays in the past and very much enjoyed by many but each season brings out new people with new ideas building on old, and a few who dare to put their ideas into action.
The King City venue is perfect...aside perhaps from the no running water or electricity, which might be obstacles for the crew, but racers always know to bring plenty of water and we kind of expect a portapotty arrangement for events even at those venues that have facilities. The trails with their twists and turns and short ups and downs make for a very busy, fun 5 Km singletrack loop. I guess that's why there's a weekly series there, eh?! dahhh! It's a close hop to the city, outside of commuting hours, but for the urban Bettys and especially those of us without cars it's a venue that we can only enjoy on the weekends and so an opportunity to enter into a new event where the trails become oneway for the day and you can try to go as fast as possible...well...we just couldn't pass that up...even on a holiday weekend!!
Congratulations to all the riders who came out to the inaugural event, 'beginners' and 'experts'. See you all next year!!!
Coming up next will be the first opportunity for the Wild Bettys to help with our beloved, recently storm ravaged Don Trails. On July 17th, along with TORBA and the City of Toronto, we will be helping at a trail maintenance day....we need 10 Bettys to commit from 10 till 2 on that Saturday and of course any family or friends would be most welcome, all you need is good dry footwear and a keenness to get a little dirty....check out our calendar and public forum for details....this is a first for the Wild Bettys as a club but many of our members have participated in builds in past years and it really adds to the trail riding experience when one feels a sense of ownership from having helped build and maintain the trails under your spinning wheels. Hope to see you there!
Ride On!
Melinda.