A Reluctant Year

September was an Anniversary for me!

It was a year since I entered my first DH race and became a reluctant downhiller, and with the start of the Forest of Dean Mini DH 2013-14 series looming my life down hill has come full circle. So I thought I'd be all reflective and write a blog.

I still remember my first DH race like it was yesterday, the nerves and perpetual feeling of wanting to vomit, the sleepless nights and dreams of crashing...  And that was before I got on the bike!

So what made me do this, if you ever see me before a race you'd wonder how I ever survived a weekend let alone a year.  But I have and what a year it is been, I'm not sure if there are words to describe the highs that come with DH racing, and although the biking may be predominately going down, the emotion linked to this sport rarely head in that direction.

Firstly the racing for me is only a fraction of why I've continued with this sport, for me it's been all about the people I've met, who have supported me, advised me, become friends and make DH'ing the amazing sport it is.  I won't name and shame them on here, they all know who they are, I love you all for the help, friendship, advice and encouragement given. 

I can't deny it, I'm still pretty useless on a bike if you compare me to my peers in the sport.  It's only been since September, this year, that I've started properly jumping the DH bike and enjoying my wheels leaving the ground.  I still get scared and I still scream and swear my way down a track, but I don't think that will ever change.  Much to my embarrassment I was referred to at my last race as 'Ms Potty Mouth' by the organisers.  My riding has however improved 10 fold, I've just had 2 days of DH riding where I felt my riding was terrible (fighting the bike, no flow, over braking), but looking back on a bad day this year I rode down a track that last year I was too scared to try!  I'm also pushing myself, I'm looking for the more technical lines, I'm trying different techniques over sections too see what works best for me.  Last year when I looked at a track I'd always look for the easiest way down, now I look for the best way to suit my riding style.  I'm also keen to try different tracks, and have even entered races on tracks I've never seen, this is a massive step for me as at the time of entering I didn't know if I could get down.

My year has also seen me become a Loeka Girl.  I brought some Loeka kit off CRC in a sale in 2011, I'll admit I brought the shorts because they were cheap, in my size and looked OK.  When they arrived I was really pleased they looked better than the picture and after a week riding in the Alps I was so impressed I brought another pair and a top.  So when I saw the company asking for riders to support I applied, not thinking I'd get anywhere, you can imagine my surprise when I received an e-mail asking me if I wanted to join the Loeka Girls.  I'm honoured to be representing Loeka, their products are brill, those shorts I brought back in 2011 still look brand new after a wash.  Being a Loeka Girl has enabled me to meet other riders in different disciplines of MTB'ing that I'd otherwise of not met.  I'd also say that by Loeka having faith in me has helped push me when times have been hard and given me the confidence to keep going.

I'm still bashing around on the old faithfull Santa Cruz Super 8, AKA Granddad.  He had a new lease of life with the fitting of a new DHX5 rear shock this September.  I can't believe the difference this has made, it's like having a new DH bike.  This old bike is proof that you don't need all the newest gear to race DH, he'll be 15 years old next year and yes he will be celebrating.  At races he regularly gets recognised, with many people coming over to see what was their 'dream bike' from their youth.      

So my years stats are:

6 DH races
1 injury
6 weeks recovery
and one hell of a lot of bruises
Shockingly no punctures!
countless hissy fits
A lot of swearing ( this is improving )
Meeting and befriending some of the most amazing people ever...

Would I recommend Downhill Mountain Biking to everyone - Hell Yes
Am I still a Reluctant Downhiller - Yes when I'm sat at the top of a track, but when I get down I love it...