Uplifing

Well, after all the excitement of a new bike and the plethora of blogs that followed it feels like ages since I've blogged.

So last Saturday 15th March I was invited to the GAS DH uplift at Moelfre.  I'd attended a previous uplift there in January this year on the old super 8 so was keen to see how the new bike felt.

Moelfre is not a good track for me, it's fast!

Quick course description is:  from the top of about the highest hill in the area you follow a narrow rut track along a wide ridge line, there are a few gentle bends down.  The first bit of note is an old quarry with a rock line, then the track continues down next to the fence line before a couple of berms, a couple more jumps and then it splits into 2 options.  Option A is the main line, going down what are referred to as the BDS bends, these are steep loose switchbacks returning on a really tight lefthand bend onto the main line.  Option B is a wider berm, then a rough rocky line linking up on to the tight lefthanded bend of the A route.  After the 2 tracks join up, it's a narrow loose steep track with a few bends before the steep shoot to a stream before crossing the uplift track, from here on it's again a rough rocky track traversing along & down the slope with a few step downs and bends before finishing at the field.

My first run down on the Jedi wasn't that good, the strong wind at the top unnerved me and I admit, the steep shoot into the stream scared the hell out of me so much that I ended up getting off and trying to push down it.  I rode the rest of the track feeling a bit down as last time here I'd been riding the shoot after a couple of  attempts so I felt my riding had deteriorated.
Back on the trailer for another ride up, I was happier on the top section and not relying on my brakes as much, and even the steep loose stuff before the shoot didn't feel as bad as the first run, but that shoot looks and feels terrible. I crept up to is with a foot on the ground and with some encouragement from Darrel stood up on the bike and rolled down it.  This shoot is evil, you simply can't take it slow as the grounds too loose and steep.  Once down I felt so much happier and was able to enjoy the lower section more.

It took a couple more runs until I was happily riding the whole of the middle section, but a couple of rocks were catching me out so Darrel and I decided to walk down and have a look on foot.  On uplifts you don't seem to walk tracks and it's a shame as I found I'd been riding totally the wrong line on a couple of bits purely as when on the bike they look right but viewed on foot look totally different.

My next run down was ace, no having to dab a foot and new line choice meant I was more in balance for the technical bits.  On the lower sections I was letting the bike run faster and loving how the Jedi just soaks up the braking bumps.

I'm noticing that I'm still not working the bike like I should, I either pump the front or the rear, rarely pumping the whole bike which either results in jumps landing on the front wheel or rear wheel.  I think this might be too do with nerves, something to work on.  However I noticed my cornering since my coaching session is getting better and the more I put the bike into the bends and move the more natural it's feeling.

I had a great day at Moelfre, I got to meet another Loeka girl Jennifer and hope to see her at a few more local races and uplifts.  It's great to meet people through the Loeka Ambassador programme, as we all have a love of MTB's and the outdoors in common.

Unfortunately due to some issues with BC my racing plan for this month have changed with the Taff Buggy race dates changing so my next race is the final Mini DH at the Forest of Dean.

A bit about GAS DH.  Gas front man Simon is a regular at events as a marshal, to be honest I have mixed feelings about Simon as a Marshall, he always calls out encouragement to me and is a friendly face at the side of the track but he always marshal's the bits I'm most likely to scream on or fall off (AKA the scary bits).  Simon however loves the sport and as such is running a series of uplifts and possibly some push up races.  I'd really recommend GAS uplifts, they have a great relaxed atmosphere.  Check out their page for regular updates. 

Coaching Session

So on Wednesday I was having a panic.  The reason, I'd had a glass of wine and watched some videos of Hopton DH races.  I was also thinking about the Coaching session I had booked for Friday.

Now I was really looking forward to coaching, I love learning things, I love improving.  But I was also worrying, my biggest fear was that I'd not see any improvement.

Friday morning arrived way too early, I'd had a restless night and the threat of snow didn't help (I have a 2 hours drive to the Forest of Dean across the Black Mountains).  Darrel kissed me good bye and I droved off singing along to Rudimental... Once at FOD it was time for my normal visit the toilet way too many times (darn nerves) and had to ask the guys in the Van next door to help get my bike out as I couldn't undo the ratchet straps keeping him in place.  Then it was off to meet my coach for the morning Katy Curd.

Now as per my previous post I'd chosen Katy as she knowns me and she' always pretty upbeat as well as one hell of a rider.

So at 10am with Jed in the pouring rain and Katy riding her Rose trail bike we made the way up the hill.

The first thing Katy wanted to look at was position, riding the very top of Sheep Skull, the overall feedback from Katy was position was good.  But my riding could be improved, firstly Katy got me to keep my weight more neutral and not carrying it on my arms (first hick-up of the day, I lightened the bike, but in doing so failed to steer opppssss).  Next came pumping, I've seen how the hard tail riders really work their bikes so really appreciated the work on this, also it was interesting that Katy noted how I happily pump the front of the bike but neglect the rear, so the next run down was pumping the whole bike.  When I got it right it felt good, and the front definitely felt looser.  We then moved onto the top of Flat Land, I think I've ridden down here about 4 times, it's a short track that doesn't really go anywhere with a mass of roots at the end.  So after katy got into position to watch I headed down. It felt pretty good, I was trying to utilise the dips and roots to pump and keep speed up, and was feeling pretty happy until I took a stupid line choice, trying to avoid 1 big root I rode to the right and then saw the 2 really shiny slippy roots the other side, I know I fixated on the one and the bike came down, with me hitting a tree stump.  I was a little shaken but fine, Katy looked mortified. Basically I'd messed up, Katy explained I'd covered the first of the two slippy roots fine, but as I was looking at the 2nd one my weight came forwards onto the front, stopping the wheel being able to 'float' over it, and my double wammy mistake, I braked.  We had a look and it was obvious that a) I needed to keep to the left over the larger root, therefore hitting the slippy 2 in a straight line, and b) not look at them.  Now, not looking at a slippy root is for me really quiet hard.  After Several attempts, and Katy using her gloves on the ground as markers I was starting to get it, and although not hitting the roots fast I was riding them in a better position and looking ahead.

We then headed off to the rooty bit of Sheep Skull, on race runs I always take the longer option of a bomb hole here, the fast line is across a mass of off camber roots.  Katy was being really optimistic, with her aim of getting me across the off camber roots.  But to start with she had me riding the Bomb Hole, making me keep my head up and remembering to put my weight through my legs more, and pumping, the bomb hole felt miles better after a few runs.  It was then time to try the off camber roots, we walked it, and discussed it and I even rode in to it a few times but in the now pouring rain I just couldn't get it.  Even the guys out for a days DH were taking the Bombhole, so we decided rather than me get disheartened to work on other things. I feel really bad about not taking the root line, more for Katy than me.

So after a quick change of track, it was on to cornering, Katy again worked with a few different techniques until we found the one that worked for me, and boy did it feel different.  Another weakness of mine was highlighted, when I need to get lower on the bike I do this through bending my knees, not bending at the waist.  I know why this is, my core muscles aren't strong, I'll be doing sit ups weekly now.  I also comfort brake, it's like I need to know they are still there, another habit I need to work on stopping!  Yet again I did a few silly mistakes, ending up lying at Katys feet laughing.  We then did a run down Ski Run, I will say there is nothing more terrifying than a run down Ski Run in the pouring rain with a top class rider behind you.  It was brill, I did my best to remember the things Katy had told me, even putting in a pump here and there.  Despite the freezing cold and the pouring rain, everything just felt smoother, and the 2 corners at the bottom of the track rather than stopping dead and turning I felt the bike sink in and move around me.  After a bit more practice on these corners it was obvious we were both too cold, wet and I was getting tired.  So we headed down to the Cafe to warm up, I was shocked that the 3 hours had passed.

I also know that I'd been taking on board Katy's comments as I ached more after 3 hours coaching than I did after the race last sunday.  I've got masses to practice, and will be doing my homework, I did try on Sunday but was a bit too bruised and sore to give it my all.  I'll be working weekly on my core to build that up too.

So in the short, I'd highly recommend Katy as a coach, she was lovely and relaxed, explained everything well and was patient with me.  We couldn't of had worse weather for the session, yet she never lost focus and my riding will definitely improve from it.

In praise of Katy, like so many of the professional Downhill / Gravity lady riders, she is a credit to her sponsors and sport.  I'm the total polar opposite of her, where as Katy is a podium regular, I'm at the back fighting not to be last.  But I can't imagine she would of treated the coaching session any different (other than content) if I'd been Rachael Atherton.  Like all coaching, the hard work is now up to me to get the techniques to become second nature.  I will be booking more coaching with Katy in the future, there is so much I want to improve on and learn.

If you would like to have some coaching Katy can be contacted via her website here.