Filling in the Blank Months - A venture into Enduro

I'm back!!!!! 

Here's a quick update of what's been going on at Reluctant HQ.  In June I had an operation which wiped out most of my summer.  The first week of August I was given the OK to ride my bike, good thing as 14 days later I was off for a 2 week trip to Morzine (I didn't lie to the doctors but I did neglect to mention the type of riding I would be doing) I had a great time but struggled on the bike.  Some DH tracks were ok but as soon as anything technical appeared I was stuck, having lost my core muscles meant I couldn't balance or adjust my weight so my holiday was limited to Blue and red trails but I had a great time and was touched when Jill at Riders Refuge presented us with our PDS goodie bags which she'd collected and kept for us.

After returning from Morzine it was very apparent that I need to regain the fitness and muscle that I'd lost so I was relegated to my trail bike.  Off the bike I was allowed to start Insanity training again which hurt but really helped and after just 4 weeks of Insanity I was able to stand on 1 leg and suck my tummy in a bit.

Jed also needed some TLC after Morzine, my lack of physical ability meant I relied on my bikes suspension more than normal and I'd killed my brakes.  Plush Hill Cycles came to the rescue, with Jed, fixing his broken spokes, servicing him and price matching CRC on a new set of Zee brakes.

October brought a tough personal period for me with the Organisation I worked for closing, this was mentally hard and a very bruising experience, leaving our clients without access to service and me without a job.  I was also in charge of the closure, which was a massive amount of work.

Due to everything that happened I decided to miss the Welsh Champs, I wasn't mentally or physically in the right place to race DH and decided to wait for the Mini DH races at FOD to return to competition.  However I wanted a fitness target so entered the Mini Enduro again at the Forest of Dean.

Mini Enduro

So I finished work on the Friday, had Saturday to recover (had worked a 55 hour week) before heading to FOD for the enduro.  My fitness was nowhere near up to the event but I was only doing it for a laugh with Louise (who talked me into doing the race).  The week before the event had been bone dry but Sunday night had brought rain and it continued to shower on an off during the day.  We walked stage 1&4 but I only managed a practice run down stage 3, and a slide down stage 2 both of which suffered from deep mud that was only going to get worse.  Come race time and due to the weather the event was cut down to 3 stages, this was a relief to me and my lack of fitness. Having never done an Enduro before I didn't know what to expect, Enduro riders are definitely a different breed to Downhillers, with Enduro riders taking the event very seriously.  I was relieved that the ladies group still had the same camaraderie that I have become accustom to at DH races.

Stage 1
This had a long pedally bit at the top through mud,  on this bit I caught up a chatted to 2 other women in my class.  My DH racing experience paying off rather than any skills.  The stage had a horrible off camber slime fest part in the middle,there was NO grip and I opted to get off the bike and stay as high as possible, it took me ages to clear this part.  After this the track dived down on a steep section through spindly trees.  I first tired this off the bike as the mud was 6inches deep but I soon realised that the best way was to sit on the bike using my legs as outriggers to brake and steer.  As I exited the bottom I was knackered.

Stage 2 
I knew this stage was going to be a nightmare, in practice this morning it was bad so after 300 plus riders had raced through it, I was dreading what condition it was in.  I arrived at the top dead on my time and after a quick rest started off down the stage.  The top section was again pedally and muddy, but I was able to stay on the bike and attack it, as I dropped off onto the forestry road I was cheered by the friendly marshals.  There was a quick pedal down the forestry road before dropping down the muddiest section of the day, I slid my way down but even my outrigger technique didn't work on this part and I soon came off the bike and given I could barely stand up in the mud I ended up pushing the last few meters of the mudfest dropping onto a more established track to continues the stage. without a hitch but very slowly.

Slog to Stage 3
So after trudging through the deep mud on stage 2 I was knackered but there was no time to rest I had to get back up the top for stage 3.  I pushed up the steep track, jumping on my bike to make up the time when it levelled out.  On the pedally bit across the top I met up with other riders and rode to the start with them.  I was cold, wet, muddy and rapidly getting exhausted.  So glad to get to the top and have a few minutes to rest.

Stage 3 
I'd been dreading this stage, my practice run in the morning hadn't gone well and with the track more cut up I was nervous and considered pulling out.  however my friends would be at the end waiting for me and I would be letting them down as well as myself if I failed to start, I just needed to get down.

I started at the back and enjoyed the top half of stage 3, as I was cold the effort needed to plow through the mud warmed me up and as I couldn't see the wet roots under all the mud I just kept plugging on.  I caught up with one lady earlier on and passed her, just before the hardest part of the stage I caught up with another lady and we rode to the technical part together.  Given the mud and track condition I opted to slid down this section on my bum with my bike in hand.  It was obvious from the marks in the mud that many had fallen off here so as I only had a matter of meters to the end I played it safe, getting down in relative ease.  I called to the other ladies who had gathered that I was down safe and give them encouragement as they made their way down.  As soon as the first one got safely down I wished them well and continued on the stage, singing to myself as I went, soon the woods opened out and I was pointing the bike down to the finish to cheers from my friend and Darrel.  As I whooshed out of the woods I was so pleased I'd not wimped out.

So I survived an Enduro, I'd not say they are my kind of thing.  Firstly the riders are so serious about the competition, more like XC riders that DH.  However I really enjoyed the challenge, especially given the weather conditions and mud.  I like to try new things and I'd probably do one again as the fitness aspect was good to make me focus on more than technical ability, the event also reminded me of what a great bike my Yeti is and how much my riding has progressed since I took up DH.

So now I was back to racing it was time for me to get back to racing DH.

Reluctantly not riding!

Well to cut a long story short, I've not been riding since my last Time Trial on the 29th May, which I didn't finish!

What I though was a stomach bug that plagued me the week before the Aberystwyth came back with a vengeance, what followed was a 2 week nightmare that resulted on the 10th June to me being admitted to hospital crying in pain and the next day operated on to remove a rather large growth in my abdomen.  So strictly no riding for 6 weeks, and a load of drugs.  I'm now 4 weeks post operation and slowly recovering, though not as fast as I'd like.

So what does an active person do when they are told to do nothing.

Well on Saturday I accompanied Darrel to attend a Dean Trail Volunteers (DTV) Dig Day.  We'd been intending to help out at a dig day for over a year, but our schedule and races tended to clash so we'd never made it.  However Darrel had brought a new frame of one of the guys and with me laid up there was no missing this one.

I was going in a supervisory capacity, as unable to do much to help.  So here's what happens at a dig day.

Meeting time is a relaxed 9-9:30 in front of the cafe, Alan Grist Chairman of the DTV was there as we pulled up and introduced us to the other guys digging.  After a relaxed chat, it was time to head into the woods.

The plan was to work on a skills section of the free-miners trail, this section would have balance beams and skinnys on it with trail linking the obstacles together. Picking up our tools we were given brief instruction on how to dig the trail and then let loose.  Darrel worked one way with another Alan digging in the opposite direction.  Me, I watched for a bit but not being one to sit still I helped with what little I could do and took pictures.  The atmosphere was cheerful, and the more experienced diggers gave tips and as well as the physical work there was a healthy banter.

We talked about the boar and my disappointment that I've never seen one in the flesh, of course there was bike talk, and we even stopped to watch the bikers riding the wooden drops to the side of us.  The banter kept coming ad the trail grew, and at last it was ready for DTV Alan to start adding some rocks from one of the pits in the forest to form the base of the new track.

Those that know me will know that Darrel is a plumber and used to manual work, so it was odd to see him sweating as he dug away, it wasn't easy and was physical but a great work out for those look for an alternative to a gym session.

Once the trail was dug the soil needed to be removed from the side of the track as the Boar have a habit of refilling the trails if topsoil is left to the side :) As Darrel's strength started to fade, Alan came over to let us know it was finish time.  the 2.5 hours had flown by and looking back I was impressed at how much track had been dug.  Digging it however is only the start, it would then need filling with rock, gravel added onto the top and then 'whacker plated' down.  All this work is done by hand!

As we packed up tools and headed back to the centre for a well earned cuppa, I looked back over what the small group had done and felt a massive sense of achievement.

After a drink and chat at the centre, Darrel went off to ride and I placed myself at the edge of the DH tracks to watch.  As I walked up I heard a couple of guys on AM bikes moaning at the state of the bottom of one of the trails, I bit my lip as I walked past (normally I would of said something but still feel vulnerable).  If the 2 guys had come to help this morning the difference those extra hand would of made would of been finishing the whole section and getting it filled with rocks. OK the dig this morning wasn't on the DH tracks, but the sooner the sections on the Freeminers are finished the soon the guys can start work on the DH trails.

The dig day was really good fun, we were made to feel welcome and no-one moaned about me not being able to do much.  It truly is a case of any little help you can offer will be gratefully accepted.  In the future, before you go and pay for a gym session why not save the pennies and pop down to your nearest trail dig day.  You'll learn a new respect for the trails you ride, you'll appreciate the work that goes into developing and maintaining them and you'll have a great workout.

With the DTV volunteering doesn't come without it's perks, anyone who digs on the day will get a free drink at the centre, if you attend 10 dig days you will get a free parking pass for the year.  By helping out you get to talk to the people designing the trails and give your input into the developments of the centre.  You also get to meet new people and make new friends.

I'm hoping to be attending the next dig day, why don't you give it a try, miss a mornings ride in return to build trails that last years.

So if you are inspired to give Trail Digging a go the next Forest of Dean dig day (which just happens to be DH trail maintenance) is on the 19th July at 9am

The DTV can also be found on facebook here

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.  

In a forestry far far away.......

So having wanted this weekend to come quickly (which it didn't, the prior week just had to drag its feet like a reluctant child), when it actually came I had changed my mind. 

In the week I'd made a very rash decision to buy a British Cycling Racing Licence, to go with my new bike and not so reluctant attitude to DH.  OK so in theory, it's a bit of paper with my picture on stuck between to sheets of plastic!  Wrong, it means I just got serious, I'll (hopefully) be collecting points, and if  I ever get my skills up, I'll be able to race in the British Downhill Series. 

The new bike also to me meant I'd be expected to go faster. 

The course had been released as Corkscrew, which to me is one of the least technical tracks, it's not tight or twisty and the bottom has limited lines, it's just rough and rooty. I also thought it was the best track for my first race on the Jedi, I wasn't used to him and being unsure of how he handles a point and go track was in my favour. 

So I was up the top of Corkscrew on my lovely shiney new (to me) Canfield Brothers Jedi, ready to roll down for the first time.  And it went fine on the top section, I was feeling comfortable on the bike, and even starting to lay of the brakes a bit.  So after a few runs down to the road getting my lines sorted , we decided to go for lunch, as the bottom half of the track was still busy I opted to roll down another DH track which I enjoyed and relaxed on the bike a bit more.  

We had a relaxed lunch break and as riders started to thin out, we made our way back up to practice the lower rougher section.  Pushing all the way to the top to warm up our muscles, as I rolled down I was just filled with dread at the thought of the rooty lower half, I really don't know why, I can ride it all.  As I started the root steps down to the forestry road I unbalanced on my bike as my muscles tensed.  As I crossed the road I slammed on the brakes... I just couldn't do the roll into the lower section.  No reason, other than my own stupidity... 

I pulled over off the track and sat with the other riders watching them filter off to the lower section.  One of the best things about DH is people help each other, no-one laughed or criticized my stupidity, and Ami and Rachael even offered to ride with me sandwiched in the middle to help me down.  Forest of Dean guru Ieuan (4 seconds behind Danny Hart) Williams offered to lead me down, even offering to go slowly.  I had a hissy fit at my own idiocy, the numbers dwindled and I calmed.  Ieuan got ready to start and knowing I'd have a clean track in front of me I nipped in behind him with Darrel on my heels.. I honestly don't know what I panicked about, the Jedi was brilliant, absorbing all the bumps and despite my tense and bad riding didn't send me unceremoniously sprawling across the mud.  After getting to the bottom, I actually wanted to ride it again, this time not so tense, so I pushed up and rolled down, working on looking up, not at roots, and getting used to how the Jedi acts on the rough.  After a few runs I was even getting my lines naturally.  As it was now 4pm, and I did need energy for the race tomorrow we decided to head home.  

Nick Morris (AKA twiglet) posing in the car park

Sunday 5:30am came way too soon, and despite a good nights sleep, I woke up with a massive feeling of dread.  I loaded the dishwasher with last nights dishes and even made Darrel a mug of real coffee (grinding beans etc..) to try and find some solace in mundane tasks.  It wasn't working, I felt sick and just full of impending doom.  All the kit was loaded in the van so it was just a case of picking up the items like my knee pads and SPD shoes that I had worn home last night.  I put my knee pads on to make sure I didn't forget them and my SPD were next to my trainers by the door.  As we drove down the road, the horrible feeling that something was going to go wrong got worse.  We approached Crickhowell (approx 1/2 way) it clicked.  I'd not put my SPD shoes in the van, we pulled into a lay-by and a check revealed me to be correct. It was too late and too far to go back home, I was going to have to ride flats, which I've never done, like ever.  I took up MTB'ing on SPD's, and being clipped in is 2nd nature to me and stops me doing stupid things. Oddly I relaxed, that feeling of impending doom melted away, I was annoyed at my stupidity, but all I could think is I knew something was going to go wrong and forgetting my shoes was not as bad as slamming into a tree flatout :-) 

Jed, number board on and ready to race

As we waited for the bike shop to open, Darrel decided, if they had a pair of nice SPD's in my size he'd get them for me, and take the cleats out of his.  So after my normal 2 visits to the ladies, I was walking alongside Darrel, who kindly pushed Jed, up the hill to the start in a nice new pair of 661 SPD shoes, to go with my new bike.  I wasn't expecting my first run down to go well, normally it doesn't so as I rolled down the top section to warm up I was please to hit my lines and feel relaxed.  After a couple of runs on the top half, I was feeling happy so with a cheer to Simon the road crossing marshal I darted into the lower section, feeling confident on the Jedi as he gripped to the churned up mud.  As I went down I failed to notice that one of the roots had hollowed out the other side more, as I popped over it, the bike washed out to the side, rather than recover I let the bike slip off the track, so I could have a look at where I'd gone wrong and let 2 faster riders have a clear run.  It was a simple fix, I'd normally dropped to the left to land on the flatter part of the track, but this had worn and now the root needed to be taken more to the right.  Happy and confident that Jed and I could do this I continued down, getting my lines and feeling happy.  I was made even more chuffed when a random guy came over and said I was looking a lot more relaxed on the new bike today, and starting to let it do it's job... With a massive grin on my face I pushed Jed up to the start.  

Now, I'm not going to say I'm not nervous, but I'm not going to bore you with it either.  Starting a DH race will never be easy, I'm sure even the pros would agree this.  But it's a fact of life that you got to start to race to race.  So once again I was on a start mound waiting for the beeps to drop.  Then I was off, I stuffed up my start, changing down a gear instead of up, annoyed with myself I looked ahead to find my line to the right onto the table top, letting the bike go in the air this was quickly followed by root, corner, brake, jump, braking bumps, root corner jump it all seemed to speed by, I cheered to Darrel and Simon as I over braked off the forestry road, still no 100% trusting Jed, as I hit the roots, concentrating on the one I needed to stick left on, as I dropped over it the bike stayed on track, hitting my lines over the other roots and over the corner, I could hear the commentator calling my name as I was on the short home straight.  Pedalling across the finish line, my heart was thumping so loudly I didn't catch my time.  I was just happy, the bike was amazing and I was down in 1 piece.  Nick came over to ask me what time I'd wanted to beat, 1:50 had been my previous, Nick informed me I'd done a 1:46, on such a short track 4 seconds was great, new bike, less grippy track it's hadn't been in my favour to beat last years time. Darrel came down with some food and we sat relaxing watching the guys come down.  

Me and Jed on our first ever race run together

Relaxing in between race runs

1:30pm and I was back at the top, yet again waiting for the beeps.  I'd put in a great first run, so no pressure on this run as I heard the start I was off, this time I know I was faster on the top section, everything felt smooth and comfortable as I headed down the track, I over braked on the large root drop I needed to keep left over and off balanced myself, as I headed down I missed a marker, and instead of going on the line I'd been practising I found myself on a middle line into the largest of root drops, I didn't mean too, however I must of cursed myself out loud 'S*$t I'm on the wrong line' in reply I hear a guy yell back 'don't worry just keep going your doing fine' so I did, dropping off the roots I pedalled to try and make up the lost time, hitting my line and letting the bike head down I knew I was going slowly and let off the brakes, making the turn onto the now very slippy finish straight pedalling again as I crossed the line, I was so happy.  1 second off my first race run time, it doesn't sound much but to me it was.  

It's no all about the racing :)

We stayed to watch the rest of the race and enjoy the atmosphere. 

So my review of the weekend and why I got so stupidly nervous.  

A) New Bike, I'd only really had 1 proper days riding on him and that was with the too soft forks.  I didn't know how he behaved on different terrain and with the new spring in the forks he again acted totally differently. I didn't know where the bikes strengths are, or weaknesses.  Also Granddad has been part of my identity, know one was ever going to take me seriously on a 15 year old bike.. Now I'm on a bike that says I mean business... 

B) Putting pressure on myself.  I now had a really good new bike and a racing licence, so I should be fast and competitive 

What I've learned is: 

The Jedi is an amazing bike that I'm going to have a great time on, it's way more competent that I gave it credit for and I love it.  

Having a racing licence means nothing, other than I have a number after my name on entries and might gain some points.

Racing DH is one of the best sports ever, and I really love it.

So my exciting life doesn't stop here, I've got 4 days to recover then the bit I'm really scared about.  I've got a training session on Friday with World 4x Protour Champion, DH rider and Haribo lover Katy Curd.     

Massive thanks to Loeka for my lovely kit, Fix Distribution for supporting me and getting me and Jed together.  Everyone at Naked Racing for putting on such an excellent event and to all the riders and spectators who made the weekend so great.  Special thanks to Darrel for not racing to support me on my new bike and for buying me some lovely new SPD's

Grateful thanks to Mark @ Photo-bike.com for supplying me with these images from Sunday. Gotta love my facial expression on the bottom one :)  

Image supplied by photo-bike.com

Image supplied by photo-bike.com

Image supplied by photo-bike.com

Image supplied by Scott Kendall