Page 2 - Jaymee Garrood Follow Your Dreams

So whilst fire training held many physically demanding
aspects, nothing gets your prepared for a seasons MX
than bike time, but with limited days to make this
happen Jaymee had to make do with one practice
session before the first nationals round, so with the
iTech Husqvarna looking fresh thanks to the guys at
@ZeroNineMXgraphics sporting the AMCA approved race
number, #999 was all set for the season opener thanks
additionally to the amazing support of @PutolineUK
making the machine purr in the hands of chief mechanic,
motivator and number one fan, Dad Steve.
Round one at North Nibley was a pretty solid start to the race
season, but the day didn’t get off the best of starts, as Jaymee struggled in qualifying after dropping the bike in the early morning
muddy conditions, making gripping the bike a challenge, resulting in only a couple of quick laps being timed leaving her out of the
th
top 10 gate picks, but despite this she started well and soon was up to pace in 6 place. Mid way though the race more drama as
her pace began to drop, seeing the #999 machine slip down the leader board, a resulting rear tyre puncture making the iTech
Husqvarna difficult to handle on the now hard packed conditions, however
she heroically manage to bring the bike home to collect some points.
Race two and three were less dramatic thankfully, as solid starts and
sensible racing saw Jaymee make good finishing in both races, resulting
in 8th overall. Tired from the day but happy with the overall Team
Garrood headed home from the Sunday meeting just in time for FF
Garrood to pack her kit, grab her boots and head to the Fire station for
another week on the run.

With the operational days coming thick and fast, Jaymee had also been
getting in the overtime while it was available to complete additional phases
of her probationary training and to top up the pennies for a planned trip
away after boyfriend and Team G crew member Dave completed his Fire Service training, which started only a couple of weeks
after her completion. The schedule was relentless by the time we reached round 2 of the BWMA at Bushton.

With a revamped track in perfect condition, well prepared by the AMCA,
we are all set for a great days racing and after a solid qualifying we were
good to go.

The usual suspects were on great form, at the head of the field with
Chelsea Gowland on fire even with a fractured arm sustained at the men’s
MX 2 meeting the week earlier, closely followed by Cath King and
Charlotte Hall, banging bars in every corner. Adding in the lighting fast
Bethany Allison and Marni Saunders to the mix, as well as the electric
starting Kaleigh Dunston, racing was fast and furious.

With another puncture to the #999 machine, later found to be a rim issue,
Jaymee had her work cut out keeping up with her IMBA team mates, but
stuck doggedly at the task in hand grabbing an improved 7th overall on
the day, after some very delayed racing. On the whole the team were very
pleased with the progress and improved bike fitness.