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 

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.