Conquering a Cliff

Well, what a weekend I've just had, it started badly with an tummy bug all the week before meaning I missed out on Zumba and Insanity all in the hope I'd be fit and healthy to ride the Conquer the Cliff DH race.

I'd been looking forward to this race for ages, I'd wanted to do it last year but it clashed with the Diva weekend.  So when I saw that it was being run again this year I planned my weekend around going.

Friday saw the arrival of Hannah who was staying over as Aberystwyth is only an hours drive from our home.  Her arrival triggered the reality of racing and we sat eating tea talking bikes and races.  The weather forecast was abysmal, enough to make fellow Diva Emma question coming, however we nagged her Friday night and she conceded that if she didn't come she'd regret it.

Saturday morning was an early start, with the gear loaded in the van we headed out to the west coast of Wales, surprisingly arriving to a blue sky over Aber.  Signing on Hannah and I collected our numbers and headed up  the track, at the bottom it was fine, a few steps on a relatively simple gravel path.  However this changed further up and the only thought going through my mind was 'how many steps'  I tried to keep calm and walked all the way up to the top, hoping the steps would look better when approached downhill.  Walking the track downhill didn't really change the steps, and I also noticed the wooden bridges were slippy with damp.  I got to the bottom wishing I'd practised riding steps, the whole course was slightly alien to me, being totally man made for walking, flat corners and changes in surface.

Now the reason I'd entered this race was 2 part, a) it's a race and relatively local b) the uplift is on a funicular railway.

The train is clearly not designed with the Downhiller in mind, and could only be described as Jaunty, ( in other words old fashioned and slow). I found myself wondering how many practice runs we'd get in before racing with the uplift speeds and some people opted to push up the hill.  At the top I rolled down the first section before the bridges, pushing back up to warm up on the relatively easy bit before hitting the bulk of the steps.  My first run down with the intention of hitting the steps found me halted as a rider had come down on the first bridge hitting the stone wall.  I pushed back up again hoping to get a clear run, this time I made it to the bridge, the slippy surface was off putting and I panicked at the narrow steps with a stone wall to the right and hand rail to the left, with a bend, it was all too much for my nerve so I jumped off and ran down them, hopping back on continue.  The 2nd bridge was much grippier and the steps dead straight so gritting my teeth I rolled off them, surprised at the anti climax that was riding steps.  I headed down feeling much happier and confidently rolled the final run of steps to the finish.  I did 3 more runs down, but due to the slippy bridge ( I got held up on every run as some-one had gone down on the bridge) and the curve in the steps I just couldn't bring myself to ride them.  My race tactic was to hop off and run them, however Lindsay wasn't impressed by this plan so it was up again on the train to follow her down.  This run the organisers had nailed some carpet to the bridge to give much needed grip and with Lindsay in front, a whole heap of expletives I went for it.  Lindsay, not realising I'd tagged right onto her rear wheel stopped to check I was OK as I bumped into her, to a cheer from the medics who had watched me struggle.  I thanked Lindsay, happy that now I could clear the whole track we headed down to wait for our race runs.

Getting used to the steps at the finish

By the time my first race run came around the weather had properly changed to a steady drizzle, in normal reluctant DH fashion I set off last of the ladies.  I happily hit all my lines, heading down the track, up the top I stuffed up a tight flat turn, as I came into the dreaded steps.  The Jedi bumped happily over the uneven steps prior to the bridge and I just kept my heels down and weight over the back letting the suspension do it's job, however I was over zealous in my eagerness not to brake on the slippy bridge and pretty much brought the bike to a halt on the last step.  As I pootled over the steps I pushed my heels down, gritted my teeth and sent the bike over the first steps, once on there was no going back as the Jedi happily hopped down the steps, again the Medics and Marshall cheered encouragement to me.  I was off over the second bridge before I knew it, relieved I was over the worst part and enjoying the ride down to the finish.  The track had been loosened by all the riders and my lack of experience on flat turns and gravel ensured that my time was slow but I had a great time, the atmosphere at the bottom was electric despite the rain and I was beaming as I crossed the finish line.  I was so happy I didn't even catch my time.

So after a chill watching the Elite racers and hard tails it was back up on the train to get ready for the 2nd run.

Being up the top of the hill felt like a different world compared to the finish area, up the top it was quiet with gulls calling, the odd spectator and the beeps counting down the riders as one by one they headed down.  As our turn came round I again opted to run last, not wanting to hold the other ladies up, I also got to ride down behind World Cup Rider Manon Carpenter.  After a short red flag, following a rather horrible looking over the bars off by Hazel it was my turn to go.  Manon shot off after her beeps and I was in the 20s count down.  I left the start in the drizzel taking the lower drop off the well as before but keeping the bike more balanced as I headed down, letting off the brakes on the loose gravel a bit too much as again I stuffed up the tight turn.  Trying to make up for lost time I let the bike go down the first steps before the bridge, loving how the Jedi seemed to relish these drops.  At the bridge I was forced to brake as the carpet had wrinkled up exposing the very slippy wood under.  I heard the commentator say Manon had finished, amazed at the speed she'd got down in.  Again I lost seconds but putting my mistakes behind me I attached the 2nd bridge which I really enjoyed riding, putting my heels down and weight back I pushed the bike out as it came over the top step, to which the bike responded by floating down the steps, I barely felt the wheels touch the concrete.   Heading down the gravel path I took in the amazing view below me, the Music getting louder as I came down the hill, again I stuffed up the tight flat turns, hitting the last row of steps I let go of the brakes totally trusting the bike to do it's job, turning to the finish line I stamped on the pedals loving the run and glad to be back after my off at my last DH race.

I loved riding the 2nd Bridge Steps

The race was a great event, despite the weather people had come out to watch us ride down the Constitution Hill Path in force.  I got to meet 2 world cup riders, Matt Simmonds (who kindly helped me with getting my bike on and off the train) and raced against Manon Carpenter who was amazing to see in action.  Lindsay took a well deserved 3rd place, Hazel despite her off in her second race run maintained her 2nd place with Manon taking top honours.

I got to ride the the railway up the hill, and act like a wild teenager (making up for a non misspent youth) riding down footpaths and jumping steps.  I will be back next year, but have some practising on gravel, flat turns and steps as homework from this race.

So, my next adventure was to be a return to Taff Buggy, sadly this race was cancelled.  So now it's fitness training as in a few weeks we head to MTB heaven, Morzine for the Passporte event.

Doing it with friends

For a change I'm not blogging off the sofa, instead I'm sat in the lovely setting that is Coed Y Brenin woods. Having spent all weekend driving me around and supporting me, Darrel's gone off to ride leaving me to write my blog and possibly play on the blue trails.

I'm tired rather than sore, oh and I'm really sun burnt with killer panda eyes from my sunnies.

So this weekend I tried something different, I raced 4x!

After last weekends disappointment I was really looking forward to this weekend. I needed to get back on my bike and simply have fun, which is how the weekend worked out.

I will admit, I didn't know what I'd fully let myself in for, Darrel had done a 4x race when we first started going out but it was very much a local race. My first 4x race was to be the 2nd round of the Schwalbe British 4x Series, nothing like jumping in at the deep end. Luckily my fellow Fix Distribution/Loeka rider Clare Curtis is a 4x rider and promised to show me and the other first timers the ropes, she even arranged for one of the elite riders to do some coaching on Saturday afternoon.

1pm Saturday, Darrel and I pulled up at Afan. The track was already taped and a few riders were heading down the course. After an excited reunion with Clare, her partner Jo and Sheena, Darrel and I went to walk the track. I was pleasantly surprised, unlike DH the track isn't out to kill you.

After last weekends crash I didn't know how I'd feel on a track, so for my first run I took the Jedi, and found after only the first couple  of sections that the DH bike was total overkill on the track, though the rocky section was lovely and smooth :)  I also discovered I'd broke my rear shifter in last weeks off so the lack of gears totally ruled the DH bike out.  Stupidly I was nervous about riding the Yeti, not because of ability, but because there were a lot of fast riders on Yeti 4x bikes and my XS ASR5 with saddle down looked too much like it belonged.  And in fairness after a twiddle on the suspension set up, the little trail bike felt very much at home on the 4x track.  After a few runs down I was starting to feel relaxed and had definitely got over my bad weekend, this was helped by the fact that 4x is very much more relaxed than DH racing.

Me and Sheena watching practice

At around 4pm we were met by our elite rider for a coaching session, working our way down the track being told about technique and line choice.  Again this was a really informal and fun session, with us looking at hitting lines through the rock garden and trying to pump the bike to keep speed up.  After this session came my 4x fear, the dreaded gate.  Clare took me up the top and we watched a few riders set off, and I noticed the gate was different to I expected with it falling away from the riders (my big fear was it being like the MX gates which fall towards the riders).  I was nervous for my first go, and clambering up on to the start block was awkward, my short legs and unstable ankle (old injury) not helping.  Once up I lined the bike up and opted for the 1 foot down start, the disembodied voice started and then BANG, the gate fell and off I went, the extra height of the gate giving a little more speed into the first lumps.  Clare was brill, she insisted I did a couple of practices before I headed home which I was grateful for, as I realised I was better not trying to clip in on the SPD until the first corner.  So it was home for some tea and sleep before race morning.

Sunday May the 4TH - Star Wars day
OK, owning a bike called a Jedi, I was sad that he was so out of place on the 4x track, but Sunday saw us at Afan Yeti unloaded and waiting to roll.

I went with Abigail to warm up in the small bike park at Afan and once feeling relaxed on the bike headed over with the others for some gate practise.  I tried a few different lines down, as with 3 other people on the track I didn't know where I would be able to ride come race time.  By now the sun was out and the party atmosphere had properly kicked in as race time approached.

For those like me not familur to 4x, it runs in Motos (heats) where you are randomly drawn against other riders in your class, so in theory you will ride against the different riders.  We got to ride 3 motos and the results from these would determine whether you'd made it into the finals.

My first Moto

My first moto was the scariest, still unsure about how I'd cope with 3 other people all trying to hit the fastest line, I didn't worry too much as I knew I'd be slower than the regulars so hoped that I'd get good clear runs down being at the back.  On my first moto, the other riders were gone in a flash, however as I approached the rock garden my line was blocked by a rider down, I switched happily onto another line and passed the rider, pedalling to make up lost time and crossing the finish in 2nd.  The motos run fast and it was straight back up to the top to wait for the next one, with only 30min max until it was back on the bike to do it all again, this time I was up against 3 seasoned 4x'r and the difference out of the gate was shocking, I pedalled and did my best to keep up, trying to keep the last rider in sight which I kind of managed and hit my line through the rock garden, loving the lower section.  Again it was a quick return to the top for my last moto, This time I had Sheena in my group, and as a fellow 1st timer I was determined to try and keep with her.  In practice I knew she had the edge on the top bit of track, which I was struggling to keep speed on.  As the gate dropped we were off, I pedalled and kept focused on Sheena, she was pulling away up the top as I expected and as we came to the rock garden I was able to maintain the distance between us, and holding it until the finish.  My moto results were 2nd, 3rd (only 3 in that moto) and 4th I didn't get through to the finals but was happy, I'd not come off, I'd ridden confidently and had fun.  I was also relieved not to have made it through as my bruises from the previous week were starting to ache by the end of my 3rd moto.

My first 4x Race

So what did I think of 4x;
If you are thinking about giving it a go, don't think do it.
Despite DH & 4x being classed as gravity events, that is the only thing in common and if I'd tried 4x before DH I'd probably have never taken up DH.  The tracks aren't as technical and there is a lot more pedalling needed, to me 4x was all about maintaining speed.

The gate isn't scary, it makes a lot of noise and it was hard to get on, but other than that it was fine.

The people are lovely, all the 4x girls were happy to share their knowledge with me and the other first timers.

It's very relaxed, although the motos came around fast, the whole atmosphere was chilled and fun.

Chilling in-between Motos

The rest of the racing

I have to put a comment on this blog about the racing.

Firstly my team mate, fellow Loeka lady Clare.  Clare was brill, she gave up some of her practice time to ensure that all us first timers had fun and to helped us out if needed.  She happily answered any queries we'd have over the racing.  Seeing Clare in her natural habitat was great, and her love for 4x is infectious.  But the cherry on the cake was she came 4 overall making it through to the A final.  I was so pleased for her and it was great to share in her joy.

Katy Curd - Katy also has to have a mention, Katy has been an inspiration to me and such a support in my attempts at DH.  Katy was also racing at Afan, but as she holds the Pro Tour title she was allowed to ride against the guys.  It was great to see her holding her own against the fellas, and she too made it into the A final, taking 3rd overall in the senior mens class.  




It was a great weekend and just what I needed after such a hard off the weekend before, so I've got over my crash, got a few bits to fix on the Jedi and then in 2 weeks I'm trying my hand at my first Urban'ish DH race, the Aberystwyth Cycle Festival Conquer the Cliff DH Race.

Team Loeka / Fix Distribution