This Sunday I had my first chance to ride Bike Park Wales, so I thought I'd pass on my thoughts and experience.
There has been a lot of buzz over this development, from rumours of ski lifts, a European Style Bike Park within the UK, to stories of the Old Dragon DH days, one thing was obvious a lot of people were waiting for this new centre to open.
As Darrel and I drove to Cardiff we could look up on the hill and see the tracks start to weave their way down. As I've just made the change to DH having a facility like Bike Park Wales only 1 hour from home was really exciting, it would be somewhere I could go and practice after work. As although based slap bang in the middle of Wales, there aren't many open DH tracks near us.
My impression from the internet hype was that Bike Park Wales was going to be a DH centre, and yes all the tracks do go Downhill and there is an uplift. But that's were the similarities end. I'm gutted I'd never read this article prior to going.
http://www.chopmtb.com/2013/01/14/check-out-the-plans-for-bikepark-wales-its-like-a-whistler-for-trail-riders/
It's basically a trail Centre were the emphasis is on going down, not up.
Not having read this information prior to going, we packed the DH bikes, Full face lids and body armour (mistake 1). I was hoping for trails that would test my nerve, with tricky sections I could practice technique on and really push myself to my limits. So as we loaded the bikes on to the uplift we decided to start on the Red and warm up before hitting the Expert level Blacks. The red we choose was Wibbly Wobbly, a lovely track which in the open had some great rock steps to practice dropping off and, the section in the woods was pretty much straight forward surfaced trail. Fun but not the heart stopping red I had been expecting. We hit the first forestry road crossing decided to push up for another run down one of the blacks.
This is were we hit mistake 2, Bike Park Wales is really not designed for pushing up, it was a killer for me. My shoulder is still not fully healed so pushing on steep slippery ground was hard work at best, with no push up trail it was a case of up the edge of the live tracks.
Once up top I was keen to try the Black trail called Dai Hard, again I set off slowly to scope the track out, with each pedal stroke I looked for where the track was going to start to plummet down only to see it gently glide down the hill, then the hard-core surface stopped and so did most of the riders up ahead, the track was slippy mud and many of the people on XC bikes seemed to lose direction. Now the track wasn't difficult just slippy and on my run I ended up stopping and finding it hard to get going but nothing a second run wouldn't have sorted out, but that was my problem. At no point did I feel the stomach clenching fear, my heart didn't jump into my mouth and my body didn't go ridged with fear. I just slipped my way down, even missing the chicken line around the 'road gap' and rolling this feature instead. This was not my idea of a DH black and this is were I wish I had read the above article. We followed the red 'rim dinger' back down to the uplift stop, and yet again a fun but XC/trail centre trail, I felt very much over biked on the old Super 8.
After a stop for lunch it was back to the uplift, as we were just paying by run, we had to wait 30mins for an available bus, and luckily got one just be for the rain hit, and the shower had pretty much passed for our run down the other black graded 'Enter the Dragon' this had to be my favourite trail of the day, we even pushed back up for a 2nd run, big berms and a nice gradient down, my only concern was a wall drop, definitely not roll able but with no warning, a poor trail rider had met his demise there, this was obvious from the abandoned trail bikes at the feature and the ambulance at the end of the trail. After our second run, I couldn't cope with any more pushing so we took one of the other blacks back down, yet again a nice trail but definitely overkill on a DH bike. Back at the van we changed and loaded up our bikes feeling disappointed.
Here is why.
My only experience of Bike Parks is the likes of Les Gets and Chatel, these are designed for DH bikes, I'd assumed Bike Park Wales was as well. I'd selectively and subconsciously read articles that re-enforced this assumption, quotes like ' in 2018 we'll have a facility that can run a world cup event', and the fact that the Welsh National DH Championships are running there to me gave me the impression that it would be DH orientated, especially as the BDS is running there next year and their other tracks scare me. Bike Park Wales isn't a DH centre, it's a trail centre, designed to give trail riders the DH experience.
It's a great centre and an amazing facility, but it's not the DH centre I had wished for. I will definitely be going back, I'm sure at some point the pure DH tracks will appear, and the trails there are fun but not the heart stopping fear inducing trails I'm starting to love. BPW will be a great venue for fitness training, as 8min DH tracks with uplift are rare in Wales, and for improving my speed I think the place will rock. But for improving my technical ability I will be returning to Hopton, it's free and the roots scare the hell out of me.
Reluctant Downhiller in action
Thursday 26 September 2013
Wednesday 25 September 2013
Taff Buggy - The race
RACE DAY
(Read here for my practice report)
Practice had left me tired and I was shocked when I woke up having slept through to 6:40, a miracle by my DH racing standards of 5PM starts.
Excited nervousness was the best way to describe my emotions. I knew I could clear the track, the weather if anything was better than practice and the venue had a great atmosphere. Once the bikes were unloaded and kit was on, I took my time chatting to Lauren at the vans to clam myself down before a relaxed run down the hill, Lauren kindly offered to follow me to make sure I was OK and as I cleared the bits I'd had problems on yesterday my confidence was high for the race run. As 1:27 approached friends turned up to watch and the atmosphere was electric.
I was my normal bag of shaking nerves on the start, as soon as I pulled my lid down I wanted to vomit, I was shaking as the beeps counted down, the lights flashed and I was off, all be it slowly. As I worked my way down the top section I took it slowly telling myself it was simply a timed ride but my mind was on the chute and rock garden. Granddad didn't help by spitting his chain come off at the front on a rough section and as I passed Darrel and Mark, I was manically pushing gears and trying to pedal to recover it. I came into the chute and turned in the wrong place missing my marker, and as the bike slid down I felt the back come out and shift sideways, I steered into it, letting go of the brakes and pushing the bike to the right with my leg. A miracle happen, the bike responded to my actions and as I exited the chute straightened out, all that was left was the rock garden, I slowed my speed looking for my markers this time and rolled onto the causeway, keeping my heels down. I heard a familiar voice yelling encouragement, I tried to work out how the hell Hannah had made it up to the garden to cheer me on, as I relaxed for the final part of the track, finishing to cheers from Lauren and Louise. I ran to check my time, my aim had been 4:30, so was elated at the 4:15 on the screen.
My elation was however short lived as it became clear that Hannah had not made it down, having come off at the rock garden. We all pestered the marshals to see what had happened and to make sure she was OK, we're a close knit group us female DH'rs and don't like to see each other get hurt.
Hannah appear rolling down the hill, unhappy about her off and that she'd aggravated her hand she knocked yesterday. We tried to pick up her mood as we took the tractor back up, Louise's shifter was broken so as we only had a few minutes before race run 2 the organisers sent the Hard Tail class down infront of us to give us the time for much needed repairs. The it was off again.
My 2nd race runs is normally my best, and although I was still very steady up on the top, and gain Granddad spat his chain off when I needed it, I settled into the race and was looking forward to the chute and aiming to nail the rock garden for a second time.
As I approached the Chute, Darrel was stood at the top yelling encouragement as I hit my markers and let go of the brakes, keeping off them as I crossed the field at the bottom
With just the dreaded rock garden left I steadies my bike and lined it up on the first rock, releasing the brakes and letting the bike do it's job as I flowed down the mud covered slabs, and cleared the last still on the bike. I was pretty much home safe, letting go of the brakes and event whooping in joy as my bike took to the air over one of the jumps, and as I made the final turn and headed down to the finish I could her the other girls yelling.
My time 4:08, OK slow by the others standards but a good 7 seconds off my previous run and a really enjoyable event.
I've got a long way to go before my speeds get near the other competitors, but with each race I do feel I'm improving and I have such a great time, scaring myself to death.
Massive thanks to:
Taff Buggy - Practice
Monday morning has come and passed, I'm crashed out on the sofa trying to feel 'human' and summon the energy to go for a relaxing ride on my horse.
But the energy isn't there and everything hurts in varying degrees when I move, in fact I don't need to move as my chest feels tight when I breathe, and my throats is a little on the sore side. This sounds like a moan but honestly is isn't. I've got that odd feeling that is becoming somewhat familiar to me, the one of feeling like hell but contented and happy about it.
Now the reason I feel this way is because I raced, my first one since I damaged my shoulder at Llangollen, and what a cracking weekend it was.
It started off manically and didn't stop until Sunday evening, the whirlwind DH legend that is Hannah Escott started off proceedings with a Friday afternoon dash to Hereford to pick her up, tea and board games (yep, us extreme sports people know how to party), Saturday morning was the normal half asleep loading gear into the van and driving to Taff Buggy, non of us had been and I wasn't sure what to expect. I'd watched videos on youtube but they never do a course justice and this was very true of Taff Buggy.
It's a lovely place, a proper south wales hill farm with views over the industrialised and densely packed A470 corridor, yet seemingly other worldly. The race epée centre is at the top of the course, which seems odd for a DH race as most have the hub around the finish, how ever it works really well.
The course was great, started with a gentle slope down start field with the track weaving over a old hedge line then through a gate and the first of many options kicked in. Every drop had a roll-able line, and there was plenty of options for line choice (with a few exceptions of course), the lower section of the course was great, a fast flowy finish through bracken lined berms and jumps to the finish and uplift pick up. The course was great for me with bits to test my nerve and bits to force me to let go of the brakes and bits that just made me smile.
However it didn't start that well, race nerves properly kicked in at 3:20am on Saturday morning, at the venue I got on my bike and was so tense, my body was ridged and I simply didn't let the bike move under me, every muscle was locked.. My first ride down was terrible with me getting Darrel to carry the bike down one section and not being able to ride the rock garden I limped down to the uplift. Back up the top Lauren kindly offered to lead me down, but I was just so stiff, the suspension on the bike was trying to work but my leg muscles seemed to fight it and block it moving, Hannah suggested I session a smaller section, which helped me physically relax but the mental block was properly down. The big sticking point for me was the rock garden, it's not that big and the rocks were surprisingly grippy in the morning but I couldn't see a line and every time I tried to ride it I slammed on the brakes or put my foot down. I watched riders (that normally helps) but couldn't get it. I got angry with me, Darrel (who was on ground helping) got frustrated with me... I ended up riding down the rest of the track in dismay. I was tired from being tense, emotional from my lack of confidence and I'd fallen off more times than I could remember.
Up the top again, Hannah came over to see how I was getting on, it was now 2:30 and I was running out of time to nail the track. Hannah is the most upbeat person ever and simply said, follow me. I tagged on and as I weaved slowly and in dismay behind her I approached the first technical bit and with massive encouragement from EVERYONE, I let go of the brakes and rolled to the bottom, it felt so good to ride down it, I jumped off my bike lying on the grass nearly crying with joy, all that remained was the darn rock garden, so with my confidence creeping back up I followed Hannah downwards. At the top Hannah, as promised, rolled it as slowly as possible, then stopped at the bottom shouting at me, Darrel was at the top encouraging me and as I rolled in I stopped on the top rock, paused, let go of the brakes and was off... heart in mouth, mouth swearing and cursing as the bike bounced and pedal hit granite. But I survived and after a small celebration I followed Hannah to the uplift, getting the star treatment of a lift in the Tractor cab rather than trailer.
The next practice runs were great, I felt my confidence building, even an off after the chute didn't bother me, it was a silly off and caused more from my tiredness than ability. My tenseness lifted and I was moving with the bike not fighting it. I finished on a high...
But the energy isn't there and everything hurts in varying degrees when I move, in fact I don't need to move as my chest feels tight when I breathe, and my throats is a little on the sore side. This sounds like a moan but honestly is isn't. I've got that odd feeling that is becoming somewhat familiar to me, the one of feeling like hell but contented and happy about it.
Now the reason I feel this way is because I raced, my first one since I damaged my shoulder at Llangollen, and what a cracking weekend it was.
It started off manically and didn't stop until Sunday evening, the whirlwind DH legend that is Hannah Escott started off proceedings with a Friday afternoon dash to Hereford to pick her up, tea and board games (yep, us extreme sports people know how to party), Saturday morning was the normal half asleep loading gear into the van and driving to Taff Buggy, non of us had been and I wasn't sure what to expect. I'd watched videos on youtube but they never do a course justice and this was very true of Taff Buggy.
It's a lovely place, a proper south wales hill farm with views over the industrialised and densely packed A470 corridor, yet seemingly other worldly. The race epée centre is at the top of the course, which seems odd for a DH race as most have the hub around the finish, how ever it works really well.
The course was great, started with a gentle slope down start field with the track weaving over a old hedge line then through a gate and the first of many options kicked in. Every drop had a roll-able line, and there was plenty of options for line choice (with a few exceptions of course), the lower section of the course was great, a fast flowy finish through bracken lined berms and jumps to the finish and uplift pick up. The course was great for me with bits to test my nerve and bits to force me to let go of the brakes and bits that just made me smile.
However it didn't start that well, race nerves properly kicked in at 3:20am on Saturday morning, at the venue I got on my bike and was so tense, my body was ridged and I simply didn't let the bike move under me, every muscle was locked.. My first ride down was terrible with me getting Darrel to carry the bike down one section and not being able to ride the rock garden I limped down to the uplift. Back up the top Lauren kindly offered to lead me down, but I was just so stiff, the suspension on the bike was trying to work but my leg muscles seemed to fight it and block it moving, Hannah suggested I session a smaller section, which helped me physically relax but the mental block was properly down. The big sticking point for me was the rock garden, it's not that big and the rocks were surprisingly grippy in the morning but I couldn't see a line and every time I tried to ride it I slammed on the brakes or put my foot down. I watched riders (that normally helps) but couldn't get it. I got angry with me, Darrel (who was on ground helping) got frustrated with me... I ended up riding down the rest of the track in dismay. I was tired from being tense, emotional from my lack of confidence and I'd fallen off more times than I could remember.
Up the top again, Hannah came over to see how I was getting on, it was now 2:30 and I was running out of time to nail the track. Hannah is the most upbeat person ever and simply said, follow me. I tagged on and as I weaved slowly and in dismay behind her I approached the first technical bit and with massive encouragement from EVERYONE, I let go of the brakes and rolled to the bottom, it felt so good to ride down it, I jumped off my bike lying on the grass nearly crying with joy, all that remained was the darn rock garden, so with my confidence creeping back up I followed Hannah downwards. At the top Hannah, as promised, rolled it as slowly as possible, then stopped at the bottom shouting at me, Darrel was at the top encouraging me and as I rolled in I stopped on the top rock, paused, let go of the brakes and was off... heart in mouth, mouth swearing and cursing as the bike bounced and pedal hit granite. But I survived and after a small celebration I followed Hannah to the uplift, getting the star treatment of a lift in the Tractor cab rather than trailer.
The next practice runs were great, I felt my confidence building, even an off after the chute didn't bother me, it was a silly off and caused more from my tiredness than ability. My tenseness lifted and I was moving with the bike not fighting it. I finished on a high...
Watch this Taff Buggy Video by Alex Cottam
Wednesday 18 September 2013
Shrink it and Pink It
I had an argument with a total stranger (male) recently over women's bodies - all because I made the mistake of saying Women's Specific Bikes are marketing.
Now, I can be an argumentative cow, especially when I get the bit between my teeth. Women's anatomy is something as a woman I have an interest in and some knowledge based on personal experience. Being told by a male that I needed a different bike because mine was the wrong build for me having spent months looking for the perfect trail bike was a little insulting.
On my quest for my perfect bike I was told by one sales person that the WSD Cube he was trying to sell me came with 10mm less travel on the rear than the men's bike because women being lighter in weight need less travel. Now I'm no skinny Minnie and some of my male friends weigh considerably less than me, so how does this make sense...
Then there's my personal favourite 'Women have Longer Legs to Body Ratio', as I'm sure most women who have gone to buy a bike at some point have been told this by bike shops, and it's splattered all over the web. There are however many studies that show this isn't true, linky at the bottom of the page if you want to look into this in more depth. But the fact of the matter is Women are just in general shorter, no amazing extra long legs or short torso, females are as a sex just shorter (OK there is the odd long legged exception to the rule). I admit I used to wear 4" heels and bootleg jeans all the time to cover up the fact I'm really a 5'1" short arse, which would of made my legs look considerable longer than my body, but it was fake, an optical illusion, bit like push up bras and spanks.
Now I'm not anti WSD bikes, what I don't like about them is the 'impression' that manufactures give that they are something special and then charge a premium for it. Some bike shops don't help this, by using perception rather than fact, they limit women customers to a range of bikes that might not meet their needs or requirements.
If I'd gone down the women's specific route for my trail bike my only option at the time was an Orange 5 Diva. A lovely bike but not really what I wanted in a bike. If I'd gone down the women's specific route for a DH bike, I'd not be riding DH!
Is the perception of WSD bikes part of the reason females are such a minority in mountain biking in general?
WSD bikes all seem at the lower to middle level of mountain biking, and I wonder if it's because women who ride regularly and are in the know will buy a bike on it's ride-ability not on marketing. Looking at the top female mountain bikers I have met and the bikes they are riding, none are on WSD designs even those sponsored by the leading WSD manufactures. My female mtb friends all have unisex (AKA Men's ) bikes, we just added our own touches here and there.
So bike manufactures, don't aim for women, badly, aim for everyone inclusively.
If your a female looking to buy a bike, don't rule out WSD but don't limit yourself to them. Bikes are like people they come in all shapes, sizes and geometry. What's more important that the stickers on the side is how you feel on it. I'd recommend demo days, a 5 minute ride round a flat car park isn't enough to tell how the bike will handle on a steep technical trail. I've kissed many frogs in search of trail bike perfection. My perfect bike is an apparently imperfect, designed for men Yeti ASR 5, in extra small, however on this bike I have competed in XC races, Downhill Races and a road Time Trial (more on that later). For a bike that doesn't fit, my riding has come on leaps and bounds since buying the little lady, now all I need to do is find the same biking imperfection of a Downhill variety...
Link to one of the many article on women's leg length myth.... Bike shop sales persons please note.
http://www.femininebeauty.info/f/leg.length.polish.pdf
Now, I can be an argumentative cow, especially when I get the bit between my teeth. Women's anatomy is something as a woman I have an interest in and some knowledge based on personal experience. Being told by a male that I needed a different bike because mine was the wrong build for me having spent months looking for the perfect trail bike was a little insulting.
On my quest for my perfect bike I was told by one sales person that the WSD Cube he was trying to sell me came with 10mm less travel on the rear than the men's bike because women being lighter in weight need less travel. Now I'm no skinny Minnie and some of my male friends weigh considerably less than me, so how does this make sense...
Then there's my personal favourite 'Women have Longer Legs to Body Ratio', as I'm sure most women who have gone to buy a bike at some point have been told this by bike shops, and it's splattered all over the web. There are however many studies that show this isn't true, linky at the bottom of the page if you want to look into this in more depth. But the fact of the matter is Women are just in general shorter, no amazing extra long legs or short torso, females are as a sex just shorter (OK there is the odd long legged exception to the rule). I admit I used to wear 4" heels and bootleg jeans all the time to cover up the fact I'm really a 5'1" short arse, which would of made my legs look considerable longer than my body, but it was fake, an optical illusion, bit like push up bras and spanks.
Now I'm not anti WSD bikes, what I don't like about them is the 'impression' that manufactures give that they are something special and then charge a premium for it. Some bike shops don't help this, by using perception rather than fact, they limit women customers to a range of bikes that might not meet their needs or requirements.
If I'd gone down the women's specific route for my trail bike my only option at the time was an Orange 5 Diva. A lovely bike but not really what I wanted in a bike. If I'd gone down the women's specific route for a DH bike, I'd not be riding DH!
Is the perception of WSD bikes part of the reason females are such a minority in mountain biking in general?
WSD bikes all seem at the lower to middle level of mountain biking, and I wonder if it's because women who ride regularly and are in the know will buy a bike on it's ride-ability not on marketing. Looking at the top female mountain bikers I have met and the bikes they are riding, none are on WSD designs even those sponsored by the leading WSD manufactures. My female mtb friends all have unisex (AKA Men's ) bikes, we just added our own touches here and there.
So bike manufactures, don't aim for women, badly, aim for everyone inclusively.
If your a female looking to buy a bike, don't rule out WSD but don't limit yourself to them. Bikes are like people they come in all shapes, sizes and geometry. What's more important that the stickers on the side is how you feel on it. I'd recommend demo days, a 5 minute ride round a flat car park isn't enough to tell how the bike will handle on a steep technical trail. I've kissed many frogs in search of trail bike perfection. My perfect bike is an apparently imperfect, designed for men Yeti ASR 5, in extra small, however on this bike I have competed in XC races, Downhill Races and a road Time Trial (more on that later). For a bike that doesn't fit, my riding has come on leaps and bounds since buying the little lady, now all I need to do is find the same biking imperfection of a Downhill variety...
My Beloved ASR5, Shrink'd - YES, Pinked - HELL YES, WSD - definitely NOT
Link to one of the many article on women's leg length myth.... Bike shop sales persons please note.
http://www.femininebeauty.info/f/leg.length.polish.pdf
Monday 16 September 2013
Darn Shoulder, anyone got a spare
So I fell off my bike....
The bad:
1 cm separation of the AC joint, and a lot of bruising to the bone (I never knew bones bleed)
The Good:
A miracle happened, no lasting ligament damage, apparently this is very rare with such a large separation (AC joint is normally 1-3 mm gap).
I didn't hurt anything else.
The Recovery
I'm writing this for anyone else who has an off, and to remind myself what to do.
Week 1 - 2
I knew I'd had a proper bash on route down the hill, the next day it really hurt, I knew I'd not broken the collarbone but something wasn't right and my shoulder was stuck up by my ear. X-rays and a trip to Hereford confirmed my suspicions, I'd moved my collarbone, with a AC joint separation (what ever that is) and my bones had bled from the impact.
I was give a sling to support my injured arm, and told to keep my arm rested for 2 weeks, no biking for 6 weeks, I pulled a very sad face, said '6 WEEKS' Dr relented and said maybe 4 if I was good. I wasn't going to listen to this and nearly took my arm out of the sling until a friend showed me his deformed AC joint, he'd not taken the advice. So the sling remained in place for the 2 weeks.
During week one, wearing a bra was out of the question, anything touching the top of my shoulder hurt, so halter neck bikinis and baggy tops it was. Also I realised how 90% of my wardrobe is made up of tops that you pull on, so I think I spent the first week in about 3 different tops that I had which did up at the front.
However I did manage to do some gentle exercises with my arm in the sling and towards the end of the 2nd week with my arm out of the sling. I did movements really just to stop the shoulder seizing up and to prevent it becoming fixed in the wrong place, no weigh bearing just gentle opening of the joint.
Wine drinking was limited as pain killers and vino don't mix, I couldn't drive so watched a lot of crap TV and surfed the internet a lot. Oh, and ladies, if you bugger your shoulder be prepared for the pits of despair, I'm not on about mentally, I'm on about arm pits. I couldn't move my injured arm to shave that arm pit, or use my injured arm to shave the other. Shoulder injuries = Hairy pits.
Also expect little sleep, I hurt my left shoulder and predominantly sleep on my left so nights were dreaded.
Week 3
The novelty of injury had worn off, I was pissed off, bored and irritable through lack of sleep, Darrel gave up on the sympathy and the cooking.
I'd ditched the sling which although was great not to have it, my arm ached permanently and I just couldn't get comfortable. I introduced more exercises, using a very soft/weak exercise band to give my arm some resistance and worked on getting the shoulder joint to move. I also booked an appointment to see Dave Smith the excellent Sports Physio who had sorted out my other shoulder. I was booked in on the Thursday and although I knew it would hurt I was looking forward to some expert help in sorting the joint out. However I noticed my shoulder was dropping and returning to it's normal place.
The more I was able to move my joint, meant with some pain and determination I could shave my arm pits, it's amazing how much growth you can get in 2 weeks... And how the hell do men cope, boy it felt good to have a proper trim. Talk about celebrating small victories.
Week 3 however was the worse, I'm always a very up beat person and I found this week the hardest, I over analysed my accident, blaming myself and my lack of skills, I even took to blaming myself for being short as if I was taller then my small sized bike would fit properly (don't ask I was depressed).
I started driving my car, not very well and in hindsight probably not very safely, but living in a very rural area driving is essential and I needed to be able to get around.
However my appointment with Dave picked me up, ok the exercises were simple and minimal and I got home after my hour session, had to take 2 pain killers and a 15 min stint on the TENS. I religiously did my exercises, Friday morning before work I was there for 30mins just pushing down on the exercise ball, opening the joint and although the movements were small, everything was starting to feel more normal. I was moving around better and by Sunday had a great time watching friend race DH at the forest of dean.
Week 4
I'd been short listed for a stupid online voting contest (entered during my depressed end of week 2 stage) which gave me focus.. Monday I rode Sherry for the first time, although it was one handed and a plod. Tuesday I got out on the bike, I was very wobbly and just stuck to the road and a 100m trail... but it was so nice to go out, I'd been pain killer free just using the TENs machine since the Friday the week before.
I was doing the exercises Dave gave me twice a day now and feeling the difference, this pulled me up mentally, and I was starting to be able to sleep better so less moody. Dave session was booked for the Thursday and I was hoping for good news, as I'd worked hard and really hoping he'd see the improvement as that night I wanted to go off road.
I'm a nervous person who's confidence is easily dented and watching the DH racing although I missed not racing I looked at the track and knew my confidence had taken a blow, just walking it I was fixating on parts. The sooner I could get out and ride the sooner I could work on building up my confidence and getting over my spill.
I was given the OK to ride as long as I was sensible, so Darrel and I set of for Nant Y Arian to do the short loop. I started of shaky and on the first descent Darrel got a pinch puncture, as we'd only been doing the short loop we hadn't bothered to bring a repair kit, Darrel pushed back and I opted to continue. I wasn't feeling comfortable on the bike, partly my shoulder was sore and also my confidence was low. I made my self to continue I couldn't pump the bike over the small steps instead rolling them which shocked my shoulder but wasn't as bad as I expected. What was worse was my steering, weaving through the trees was more like wobbling and dodging trees. But I survived and shoulder was better than I expected.
Week 5 (well just)
Having survived Thursday, the following weekend was a Bank Holiday and we'd had so many plans which my off wreaked. Sunday I was determined to go out on the bike. I chose Llandegla I love the trails here and know the place pretty well so if things weren't going to plan I knew the short cuts home. We set of and I have to confess I forgot how rough the red trail is, my option with my bad side was hold on for grim death, braking wasn't easy. So biting my lip I just went for it on the rough bits hoping speed would smooth out the trails (bollocks is all I can say to that theory). Despite the pain on the rough this ended as soon as I got on to the smoother trails and we had a great ride, even taking the B-line option.
Feeling more confident on the Bike, Monday we decided to meet some friends at Afan Bike park, James and Lindsay are a couple we've met through DH'ing and both are determined to see me in the air. We had a great time playing at Afan, and it's definitely a place to visit again. The bike park / skills section is brill for practice, all routes are short with an easy push up, and by the end of the day I was happily getting the little Yeti in the air forgetting my shoulder and acting like a kid.
Week 6 and Beyond.
So week 6 I was back on the DH bike, the bigger heavier bike was harder to manoeuvre but that's just a case of working to build the muscles up and get the joint strong again. My confidence has taken a knock, I'm back to getting apprehensive at the mere thought of DH. I've entered the Taff Buggy DH race on the 21/22 Sept, this will hopefully settle the DH butterflies in my stomach and get me back in the swing of things.
My shoulder is still sore, this isn't going to stop over night. I was so lucky not to have torn ligaments and I think this is down to the work I'd been doing with Dave on my posture and the body armour I had on. I've got to remind myself not to over do it, as it's no longer in the nagging pain stage I have a habit of forgetting it's a little weak and going to lift stuff, or worse with it only to be reminded by a shot of pain. I'm still doing the exercises I was given and trying not only to build up the injured area but also the muscles around it.
So next blog will probably be my next DH race report ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
The bad:
1 cm separation of the AC joint, and a lot of bruising to the bone (I never knew bones bleed)
The Good:
A miracle happened, no lasting ligament damage, apparently this is very rare with such a large separation (AC joint is normally 1-3 mm gap).
I didn't hurt anything else.
The Recovery
I'm writing this for anyone else who has an off, and to remind myself what to do.
Week 1 - 2
I knew I'd had a proper bash on route down the hill, the next day it really hurt, I knew I'd not broken the collarbone but something wasn't right and my shoulder was stuck up by my ear. X-rays and a trip to Hereford confirmed my suspicions, I'd moved my collarbone, with a AC joint separation (what ever that is) and my bones had bled from the impact.
I was give a sling to support my injured arm, and told to keep my arm rested for 2 weeks, no biking for 6 weeks, I pulled a very sad face, said '6 WEEKS' Dr relented and said maybe 4 if I was good. I wasn't going to listen to this and nearly took my arm out of the sling until a friend showed me his deformed AC joint, he'd not taken the advice. So the sling remained in place for the 2 weeks.
During week one, wearing a bra was out of the question, anything touching the top of my shoulder hurt, so halter neck bikinis and baggy tops it was. Also I realised how 90% of my wardrobe is made up of tops that you pull on, so I think I spent the first week in about 3 different tops that I had which did up at the front.
However I did manage to do some gentle exercises with my arm in the sling and towards the end of the 2nd week with my arm out of the sling. I did movements really just to stop the shoulder seizing up and to prevent it becoming fixed in the wrong place, no weigh bearing just gentle opening of the joint.
Wine drinking was limited as pain killers and vino don't mix, I couldn't drive so watched a lot of crap TV and surfed the internet a lot. Oh, and ladies, if you bugger your shoulder be prepared for the pits of despair, I'm not on about mentally, I'm on about arm pits. I couldn't move my injured arm to shave that arm pit, or use my injured arm to shave the other. Shoulder injuries = Hairy pits.
Also expect little sleep, I hurt my left shoulder and predominantly sleep on my left so nights were dreaded.
Week 3
The novelty of injury had worn off, I was pissed off, bored and irritable through lack of sleep, Darrel gave up on the sympathy and the cooking.
I'd ditched the sling which although was great not to have it, my arm ached permanently and I just couldn't get comfortable. I introduced more exercises, using a very soft/weak exercise band to give my arm some resistance and worked on getting the shoulder joint to move. I also booked an appointment to see Dave Smith the excellent Sports Physio who had sorted out my other shoulder. I was booked in on the Thursday and although I knew it would hurt I was looking forward to some expert help in sorting the joint out. However I noticed my shoulder was dropping and returning to it's normal place.
The more I was able to move my joint, meant with some pain and determination I could shave my arm pits, it's amazing how much growth you can get in 2 weeks... And how the hell do men cope, boy it felt good to have a proper trim. Talk about celebrating small victories.
Week 3 however was the worse, I'm always a very up beat person and I found this week the hardest, I over analysed my accident, blaming myself and my lack of skills, I even took to blaming myself for being short as if I was taller then my small sized bike would fit properly (don't ask I was depressed).
I started driving my car, not very well and in hindsight probably not very safely, but living in a very rural area driving is essential and I needed to be able to get around.
However my appointment with Dave picked me up, ok the exercises were simple and minimal and I got home after my hour session, had to take 2 pain killers and a 15 min stint on the TENS. I religiously did my exercises, Friday morning before work I was there for 30mins just pushing down on the exercise ball, opening the joint and although the movements were small, everything was starting to feel more normal. I was moving around better and by Sunday had a great time watching friend race DH at the forest of dean.
Week 4
I'd been short listed for a stupid online voting contest (entered during my depressed end of week 2 stage) which gave me focus.. Monday I rode Sherry for the first time, although it was one handed and a plod. Tuesday I got out on the bike, I was very wobbly and just stuck to the road and a 100m trail... but it was so nice to go out, I'd been pain killer free just using the TENs machine since the Friday the week before.
I was doing the exercises Dave gave me twice a day now and feeling the difference, this pulled me up mentally, and I was starting to be able to sleep better so less moody. Dave session was booked for the Thursday and I was hoping for good news, as I'd worked hard and really hoping he'd see the improvement as that night I wanted to go off road.
I'm a nervous person who's confidence is easily dented and watching the DH racing although I missed not racing I looked at the track and knew my confidence had taken a blow, just walking it I was fixating on parts. The sooner I could get out and ride the sooner I could work on building up my confidence and getting over my spill.
I was given the OK to ride as long as I was sensible, so Darrel and I set of for Nant Y Arian to do the short loop. I started of shaky and on the first descent Darrel got a pinch puncture, as we'd only been doing the short loop we hadn't bothered to bring a repair kit, Darrel pushed back and I opted to continue. I wasn't feeling comfortable on the bike, partly my shoulder was sore and also my confidence was low. I made my self to continue I couldn't pump the bike over the small steps instead rolling them which shocked my shoulder but wasn't as bad as I expected. What was worse was my steering, weaving through the trees was more like wobbling and dodging trees. But I survived and shoulder was better than I expected.
Week 5 (well just)
Having survived Thursday, the following weekend was a Bank Holiday and we'd had so many plans which my off wreaked. Sunday I was determined to go out on the bike. I chose Llandegla I love the trails here and know the place pretty well so if things weren't going to plan I knew the short cuts home. We set of and I have to confess I forgot how rough the red trail is, my option with my bad side was hold on for grim death, braking wasn't easy. So biting my lip I just went for it on the rough bits hoping speed would smooth out the trails (bollocks is all I can say to that theory). Despite the pain on the rough this ended as soon as I got on to the smoother trails and we had a great ride, even taking the B-line option.
Feeling more confident on the Bike, Monday we decided to meet some friends at Afan Bike park, James and Lindsay are a couple we've met through DH'ing and both are determined to see me in the air. We had a great time playing at Afan, and it's definitely a place to visit again. The bike park / skills section is brill for practice, all routes are short with an easy push up, and by the end of the day I was happily getting the little Yeti in the air forgetting my shoulder and acting like a kid.
Week 6 and Beyond.
So week 6 I was back on the DH bike, the bigger heavier bike was harder to manoeuvre but that's just a case of working to build the muscles up and get the joint strong again. My confidence has taken a knock, I'm back to getting apprehensive at the mere thought of DH. I've entered the Taff Buggy DH race on the 21/22 Sept, this will hopefully settle the DH butterflies in my stomach and get me back in the swing of things.
My shoulder is still sore, this isn't going to stop over night. I was so lucky not to have torn ligaments and I think this is down to the work I'd been doing with Dave on my posture and the body armour I had on. I've got to remind myself not to over do it, as it's no longer in the nagging pain stage I have a habit of forgetting it's a little weak and going to lift stuff, or worse with it only to be reminded by a shot of pain. I'm still doing the exercises I was given and trying not only to build up the injured area but also the muscles around it.
So next blog will probably be my next DH race report ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
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