Finally, the beginning of the TREC season is here, and the British winter may have finally let up, just in time to allow us to get our competition preparations done.

Flash and I have been busily preparing for our first competition of the season, to be held over the 5^th and 6^th of May.  I am particularly excited about this event, because it includes a night section on the POR.  This means that some of our orienteering route will be done on the Saturday night after 9:30pm, so it should be suitably dark.  The section will be completely off road, and we are required to wear so much hi-vis clothing that I fear we will be lit up like a Christmas tree!  So as well as increasing the length and speed of our training rides, we are having to incorporate some rides after dark, so that Flash gets used to riding by torchlight.  He is super chilled, and has taken to it without a problem, I think the main problem will be my ability to navigate without landmarks!  University and exams has been really getting in the way of things, and if I had the time we would have done more long distance training rides prior to this event.  However, seeing as I am restricted to weekend riding, Flash is under the care of Zana Jackson from Great Allrounders, who has been my instructor for many years. She is helping me keep Flash ticking over during the week and schooling him for me, and he has been helping her in return by ‘nannying’ some of her youngsters on hacks.

Only four weeks until I am home for my summer, and I cannot wait. I have entered 5 competitions so far this summer, ranging from Dartmoor to Aberdeen, so we will be travelling a lot. The World Championships in Italy are getting scarily closer!