We ask TransWales Female Solo winner about her Welsh adventure, was it a crazy whim or an amazing challenge
Sally and Rob before Sally's solo TransWales
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Why did you choose to ride Solo?
TransWales was our holiday! We entered as a mixed pair but as we got closer to the event we realised that we had different aims for the event - Rob was very keen to race, as he'd missed his main races due to illness, whilst I planned to just ride and see how it went.
What was the best part of the TW, favourite trail or best stage win?
Day 2 with the time trial and then a great linking stage.
What was the hardest part for you?
Day 6 - the longest day - came just at the point when I felt I had nothing left in my legs. the whole day was very tough.
Have you done any stage races before....would you do again?
No, that was the first one and yes I'm considering doing TransScotland 2007 if it goes ahead.
Can you give us a brief history of your mtbing career...
I've always been into outdoor activities, mainly hill walking. After meeting Rob (the SO) I ended up going along to a lot of events with him and decided that I'd rather have a go than sit around watching and handing out bottles. I've done a few extra events each season, the odd XC race and then a couple of enduros and a mixed team at D2D last year. I entered SSMM solo this year but was very ill leading up to it so only rode for a few hours durring the event. I've never trained specifically for any event, I don't train actually, but I do a bit of trail riding with Rob and I run with a friend of mine. I've ridden in the Welsh MTB parks quite a lot and I think that is the main thing that fell in my favour at TransWales.
The Solo leaders jersey!!
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How did you find the camping/facilities/food etc?
It was a bit odd to shower whilst a bunch of blokes were on the other side of the curtain! As a hardened camper I found the facilities rather good.
Would you do it next year?
Maybe, if the route changed each year I'd do it. I think half the fun came from not knowing what was coming next.
What's your next challenge?
I think I may ride the National Marathon series final at Checkendon. I'm then entered for D2D in a mixed team.
Sally rides for www.extreme-endurance.com you can check out her progress on their website.
Julie Grrrrrrrrrr
