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.

Bad Day at the Reluctant HQ

I'm writing this blog with a heavy heart and one bruised body.

After just over 2 absolutely amazing months on the new DH bike, I was feeling really confident.  However the week after Easter was a stressful one at work and come the weekend I really wasn't feeling like riding my bike.  But I'd made the commitment to race the Taff Buggy Series and that was what I was going to do but my heart wasn't in it.  I should have followed my gut feeling.

Saturday morning came and I really didn't feel right, none of the pre-race excitement was there, we took a leisurely drive to Taff Buggy and met with Emma, who also lacked the normal enthusiasm.  So after a track walk we signed on and got on the bikes.  I simply couldn't ride, I was tense, stiff and was totally lacking the mojo to push myself.  My first run down saw me going round most of the Obstacles  and not warming up or settling.  My 2nd was mildly better but still a long way off being able to race.

So after a bite to eat I decided to put my body armour on in the hope that it would boost my confidence and put me in a 'this is serious' frame of mind.  It helped, I was clearing all the sections in some form or other, I just had the rock garden to ride.

Last year this man-made rock garden took me all day to clear but I'd managed it and raced it.  So after walking through it a couple of times to know where to put my wheels I got on Jed. I rode confidently onto the rocks, hitting my first and second markers perfectly to give me a clear run through, then it all went a bit odd, I realised early that I was too far forward and pushed off the bars to get my weight back but it was too late I was passed the point of no return and I think in trying to push my weight back I'd also pushed the bike into a worse place and stalled it.  I was going down, I spied an area of ground without rocks to land and with all my strength directed my body there.  Then all I remember was a cracking noise and feeling ground impact with my face, then Jed landing on my back, bouncing off my body and landing somewhere in front of me.  I expected to pass out, I waited for the blackness to drift over me but it didn't happen and somehow I was sitting up with Darrel running over to me, in my daze I stood up and stumbled off the track sitting down the other side of the tape pulling my broken lid off my head as it felt incredibly tight, like it was pushing my head in.  My nose hurt and I was waiting for it to start bleeding.  Darrel was fetching my bike and my first concern was that Jed was OK, I tried to stand up to see for myself and as I instinctively went to push off my hands, I realised I couldn't feel 2 fingers on my left and a stab of pain shot up my arm.  I remover my glove to see 2 really nasty looking purple marks and not much in the way of knuckle, it didn't hurt it was totally numb.  I didn't want to hang round to long, I knew before long stuff would start to hurt and I wanted to ride my bike down to get the lift up.  People stopped to ask if I was OK, I just wanted to get down before my body realised what I'd done to it.  Emma came along to see how I was getting on and as she came over realised something was wrong, looking at my hand she gave the excellent advise of removing my wedding ring off my now looking more sore fingers.  I limped down, on the last mildly technical bit I had to push as the vibrations through the bars were getting more uncomfortable by the minute.

Getting back up to the top, I met the guys from MIJ and the paramedics, who suggested visiting A&E.  I handed back my number and after a quick loading of bikes said fairwell to Taff Buggy and headed to Prince Charles Hospital.  I have got to say everyone there was lovely, the nurses looked at my hand and sucked in breath especially as I said I'm sure it's not broken.  My gut feeling was it wasn't, I've broken bones and I know there is generally a specific pain when that happens.  After a short wait the X-rays were back and Gayles Gut 1 - Nurses 0.

YIPEEEEEE  No broken bones, just a very bruised and sore Me!  After some pain meds, and a quick chat to the nurses I was on my way home.  However I knew in my heart that racing was a no go.  Sunday morning had me wide awake at 6am, my mind had at last turned on to race mode, but I was in no state to race, I knew it was the right decision but I wasn't happy about it.

Sunday morning was horrible, I was feeling bruised, could tell I had slight concussion, had a headache and I was down.  I got up and pottered around the flat, retrieved my lid from the Van to assess the damage and apologised to Jed for letting him down.  I felt that my whole racing plan for 2014 was up in the air, I'd really set my heart on the Taff Buggy series and now I didn't know if I'd ever have the courage to race there, all because of one 5 meter section of rock garden.  After a while I gave up and crawled back into bed for a cuddle with Darrel and some much needed recovery sleep.

Late morning I awoke, still feeling like crap, but knowing I'd made the right choice not to race.  Friends messaged me and texted me which really cheered me up.  It was decided that my lid would need to be replaced so I can now justify buying a new one to match Jed (Black and Red) and with all the lovely kind words I was feeling more positive.

The problem is, since I've had Jed I've had the most amazing time, I'm so much more confident and I love riding the bike.  Last weekends uplift saw me happily chasing down after my friends at FOD, and I really felt like I belonged.  I was on top of the world and felt I could ride anything, but when your on the top the only way is down and that's what happened!  I've had 2 months of bliss, me and Jed were bound to have a disagreement at some point, and now we have the fun of making up.  I'm hoping to get to Bike Park Wales as they have several rock gardens to practice on, and I'm already looking forward.  Next weekend will see me strapped up and trying 4x for the first ever time,  Thursday I've got another hour of hell in the form of a time trial.

Another odd off shoot from all this this is the bruises forming all over my body, the colours are amazing, angry deep blues, sore looking pinks and reds, the odd greenie hues and then my favorite, the purple that seem to suggest that the bruise goes deep into my flesh.  My knuckle is swollen, with a pale green/purple hint and 2 red marks that give a menacing hint of something painful lurks beneath.  Through out Sunday they appeared rising like some bizarre deep sea creatures floating to the surface.  There will be no bikini or short skirt wearing from me for the next few weeks until they disappear.  But with each new bruise Darrel is being sweet and loving, so I'm lapping up the affection.  OK I failed, but I failed trying and I did give it a good go.

So it's Monday PM and I'm miles happier.  I was due a bad day and although yesterday felt like a black hole is really wasn't all that bad, just felt it at the time.  DH is a risk sport, injuries are part and parcel.

Oh, and hi to the guy on the Kona I met on saturday who reads my blog, it was lovely meeting you :)

The ending of the begining

So, I did it!  I rode all the rounds of the Naked Racing 661 Mini DH series at the Forest of Dean and I'm alive to tell the tale.

However yesterday marked a massive change in me.. so much so that after the race I had to go for a walk on my own to process everything that had happened over the last 2 days.  A little bit of me had died, I felt numb, I even sat on a tree stump and had a little cry.. emotions had over whelmed me.

So here's why

Saturday came, and after picking up Hannah from Hereford we all happily headed to the Forest, we were meeting up with some of the other girls for our normal Saturday practice and banter.  However once we got to the woods nothing felt right for me, I rode Jed down the track and although he felt great I just didn't seem to warm up or relax.  I popped over to corkscrew with a couple of other girls to try and get riding properly which helped, but the new top section on Ski run caused everyone problems.  I was sure I could run down on my feet faster than how I was riding.  Seeing Hannah have a massive off didn't affect me ( I was more concerned about her) but the fact that loads of riders were coming down on this section just made me feel happier at my own incompetence.

Bruised but still smiling 

After Hannah's off we all decided to head down for a bite to eat and a rest, so Darrel led me down the lower section of Ski run, and this is where it all started to changed for me.  I loved it, the blown out techy part of the track felt sooo good, the bike popped and soaked up the rough like nothing I'd ever ridden before, I felt disappointed as the track smoothed out.

After lunch, I had a practice on the 2 jumps at the bottom of the track as I have a massive hangup on the road crossing jumps there following an off a while back.  Once I was happy there I headed back up to the top to again practice this section and try and get my lines.  Each run up top however found me not getting my lines and after a much needed reality check from Steve one of the Malvern guys I changed to a safer easier line, followed by another smile inducing run down the now fun middle section.

My previous time on Ski run was 2:13, so Saturday night I set the target of 2:10 as normal posting it on facebook, although on a harder top section I felt this was realistic given the new bike and better fitness.

Sunday morning was hard work, an early start made earlier as the clocks changed had Darrel, Hannah and I in the van heading back for race day.  On arrival at the race I headed up to the top to practice leaving Darrel to help Hannah at the van.  I did a first run down slowly but hitting my lines, another run down and although painfully slow by comparison I was feeling more composed, so not wanting to knacker myself for the race I followed Lindsay down the whole track, again loving the middle.

Image supplied by photo-bike.com

A relaxing and much needed uplift in the bus and some friendly banter with Emma kept me surprisingly calm, and I was the most relaxed I'd ever been at a DH race.  I opted to let Emma have my last place off the start, saying for her to yell at me if she caught me and I'd let her past.. My turn came and as the beeps counted down I was off  it didn't last long as I'd got within 5m of the first Marshall to be red flagged, I stopped and to the bemused face of Emma and the 2 girls running the start I came back.  Emma went off and I got back in to position to start my run.  All to soon the beeps started and off I went, looking for my lines I shouted happily to Simon as I crossed the forestry road and aimed my bike up over the rough and rooty ground, as I crossed the pushup path I was loving the run, the bike was going where I wanted it to and felt in control, I cleared a rooty bit I hate and came round the 2 switch backs aiming up for the tabletop and road crossing, letting the bike go in the dry I was in sight of the finish.. it was over too soon.  As I came round the back of the start tent to hear my time of

2:03...

I was so happy not only had I beat my 2:10 target I had beat it by 7 seconds.  The possibility of a sub 2 minute run was being dangled so temptingly in front of me it would be rude not to try.

Back up the top for run 2, was banter with the ladies then mass of stretching and jumping to wake up tired muscles.. before the beeps started.  I had to find 4 seconds, I had pretty much ruled out finding them on the top bit but as my light went green I left the start tent. Remembering my coaching with Katy I kept looking up and where I wanted to go, every time I braked I cursed myself, as I cleared the top part I yelled at Simon that I couldn't stop to chat :) as I turned into the woods taking the wrong line I found Jed pointing at a load of roots, those 4 seconds sat heavy on my mind and again remembering Katy's training I let the brakes go and looked up, the bike simply rumbled over them, still on the wrong line I dropped down a rocky section turning to the first of the step down bits, trying to stay off the brakes and keep looking up as as I cleared the blown out part I pedalled to make up for the braking letting the bike pop over a small lip before heading back into the woods, again trusting the bike I simply locked on to my markers as then looked for the next one.

Me chasing 4 seconds

Making a mistake as I headed into the first switchback rather than slamming on the brakes I remembered Katys pointers on position and forced my eyes round the bend, moving over the bike and leading my body round with my knee, the bike turned and I swivelled round the next bend, totally laying off the brakes as I headed towards the table top pushing Jed into the berms before the road crossing I was loving the run, it was no longer about survival I was counting the seconds.. when I could I pedalled or pumped and kept my focus on what was in front of me.. as I crossed the finish line all I could think of was had I lost those 4 seconds.  I slammed on the brakes, unclipping my lid to pull it off to hear.. as Cooper called out my time

Image supplied by MnDphotography

1:57

Happy doesn't put into words the feelings that rushed over me..
All the other ladies had great runs, Emma & Hannah knocked an amazing 20s off their first run times. After a quick post race cocktail and chatter we went to enjoy the sun and watch the rest of the racing.  Gradually as I sat in the sun it hit me, I'd surpassed all my expectations and I'd wanted it.  As I'd raced down the track on my final run I'd found focus, I'd been looking for those seconds, I kept a level head, no longer was it a case of getting to the bottom I'd pushed myself and I'd loved it and those 4 seconds didn't stand a chance.

Some things will NEVER change, post race cocktails!

As the tape was being cleared away I put my lid on rolled over the last table top and down the forestry road on Jed, I knew something in me had changed.  That lady who raced DH with the sole aim of safely getting to the bottom had died, she died somewhere up the top of Ski Run at around 1:45pm on the 30th March.  As I rolled along the forestry road on Jed, I stopped and looked back at the scene, people walked past me smiling, some congratulated me, none of them could see the change, even Darrel and all my close DH friends didn't know what had happened.  I needed to be alone to grieve the death and embrace the future..   I pushed up a track and sat on a tree stump, a tear rolled down my face, it wasn't sadness it wasn't joy, it was something else, but it over whelmed me.

So it's now 24 hours after I sat on the tree stump, and I'm so happy.  In hindsight the death of 'Survival DH mode' had been slow, it started last December when I first raced Ski Run, so it was fitting that it died on Ski Run.  Buying Jed and the coaching with Katy were the push it needed.  It's not a sad death, at no point have I felt sad, my attitude to racing hasn't changed my attitude to the race itself did.  So I dedicate my sub 2 minutes run to all my DH friends (including Darrel and yes Ms Katy Curd you too) you have supported me and help me develop and progress, but watch out guys cos I'm coming for ya now :)

My next race is the Pearce Cycles opening round at Hopton 

Image supplied by photo-bike.com

Image by Void Media

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.  

OMG I brought a DH bike

Big News at Reluctant DH HQ.... 

My much beloved Super 8, which started me down the scary road of riding DH, is 15 this year. This bike has a massive history with me and my husband Darrel but although the frame is still solid everything else is showing a lot of wear and he needs repair after every DH race.  

It's time for Granddad to put his wheels up and retire! 

I'm going to be really sad to do this, I've learnt so much on this bike, we've been through a lot together.  So it was always going to take something special to tempt me away from him... and that's what's happened. 

It all started last Monday, when my lovely sponsors Fix Distribution posted an advert for a small DH bike on their facebook feed.  I'd looked and shared it, not giving much thought.  I knew the Canfield brand but had never looked into their bikes as over my price range.  Dave however sent me an e-mail saying he felt the bike would be ideal for me, I looked into it a bit more, still on the presumption that like a lot of small DH bikes it would still be a bit on the large side.  That night Darrel got the tape measure out and compared sizing to my Yeti and other bikes... the Canfield was tiny.. I did the normal watched You Tube videos, read reviews, even asked the gurus on Pink Bike what they though and all i got back was positive comments. 

I spoke to Katie the owner of the bike loads on face book, she happily answered my questions and agreed to meet us 1/2 way between our homes at Cannock DH tracks

So after a very long week, waiting for the weekend to come.  Sunday arrived. 

My plan had been to ride down the tracks on Granddad and see how he responded then try the Jedi, however after sitting on the bike in the carpark, it felt such a perfect fit I was too keen to try him.  

The first run down the red track was slow, the track had some steps that until you got close it was hard to tell if they were rollable or not.  

2nd Run I really noticed the bike.  Fit wise it was perfect but how it moved was unusual, not in a bad way but in a what the hell just happened way.  I noticed that the forks were a little soft making pumping the bike harder, and tyres didn't like the odd sandy tracks. 

At the bottom Dave played with the suspension for me, setting it up as best we could track side to match me.  

3rd Run, I was sold.  The difference in this bike to Granddad is amazing.  Granddad responds best to me either going with him or man handling him.  My 3rd run I committed to one of the small steps, pumped the bike and it flew, I landed totally noise heavy but rather than fly OTB I was able to move my weight back and felt the bike spread under me and keep forward momentum. Unlike Granddad, the more I worked the bike the more it rewarded me, pumping it into jumps it would ping happily into the air, off the steps it simply floated.  

So I now have a new DH bike, one with brakes that work and that fits me. 

I am going to be sad not to be riding Granddad, but would like to introduce you all to: 

Jed - My new steed 

Since he's arrived home we've changed the bars, 780mm were way to wide for me and Monday I suffered from sore shoulders.  So he has some nice carbon bars up front, and hopefully soon a new spring in the forks. Will be fitting my faithful Muddy Marys on him before heading to FOD on sunday for a play on familur ground. 

Would like to say a massive thanks to Dave from Fix Distribution for e-mailing me about the bike. 

Bike Park Wales - My Review

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.