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. 

2014 Start as I mean to go on

Firstly Happy New Year!

I purposely avoided writing a ‘what I’m going to do in 2014 post’ partly as blogs seemed to be full of them and secondly my mildly pickled brain, over the Christmas madness,  wasn’t in much of a state to decide what I would or would not be doing in the next 12 months.

One thing I did know was that I’d continue to be racing DH, and not so reluctantly as before.

Which brings me nicely to the weekend just gone.

My first race of 2014, was the 661 mini DH round 2 at the Forest of Dean. 

The week prior to the race hadn’t been my best, I’d been knocked for 6 with the cold from hell, to the extent that I did consider whether I’d caught man flu.. So rather than practicing my DH technic I was veg’d out on the sofa drinking lemsip.  The internet buzz mainly concentrated on which track we’d be going down, with a fair amount of speculation as the track wasn’t release until the Thursday.

I have to admit to begin happy over the track being Sheep Skull, it’s my favourite track, but my only race on it wasn’t the best experience. 

Friday night we packed the van and sorted out our gear, I was surprised how calm I felt normally by now my nerves have kicked in.  I went to bed and fell asleep still no nerves, until 2:25 am, I woke in a cold sweat, sleeping restlessly until the alarm went off. 

Arriving at FOD I was more excited than nervous, I’d not seen some of the girls since the last race and we chatted as we pushed up the hill, Darrel joining us.  My first few runs were the normal sketchy stiff mess that I expected, but as I made my way down the course I relaxed and enjoyed the track.  I did struggle a bit with my lines but was happy I had routes through all the technical bits and when we followed the track in a complete run to get some lunch, I loved riding the lower section. After a quick can of coke (nerves stopping me eating) we headed back, i wanted to just run down the middle section in 1 complete run so set off after Darrel.  I was feeling confident and happy as I went passed Danny Hart who was doing a track walk with the ripper category, as I passed them felt the bike loose grip and instinctively knew I was going down.  I held the bike up as long as possible to scrub off my speed before giving in to the inevitable and hitting the deck.  I’d simply got caught out on a really short off camber section!  Pushing up I had a good look at where I’d gone wrong, a very simple mistake I’d just come too far over to the right.  So I set off again and cleared the section.  Following this we did a few runs down the lower half before calling it a day and heading home.  

Sheepskull Practice 

Next morning, the atmosphere at FOD had changed you could tell it was race day!  The weather had changed as well, yesterday we only had one shower in the afternoon, but today it was persistent and relentless rain.  I’d slept reasonably well and didn’t feel too nervous as I waited my turn to do a practice run, I was practising with Darrel so we’d agree I’d follow him down to the 2nd forestry road crossing.  As I set off after him on the top pedally bit of track I froze.  It was like I’d totally forgotten how to ride a bike I got to the first crossing and wanted to cry.  Darrel had long gone so I pushed up and went down again, a bit better but to say I was stiff was way off the mark. I was trembling with nerves and my body was ridged with fear, as I kept riding the same bit of track.  I gradually relaxed, as the track became more familiar I rode on more of an autopilot and as long as I didn't think too much found things improving.  So I braved crossing the push up and riding the middle section and it really went tits up.  The rain had actually given the track more grip as tyres were able to cut into the saturated slime, but that off camber bit caught me out again, and again, and again.. Yep my first 3 attempts all resulted in me sliding off track! I couldn't work out what I was doing that was so wrong, as I watched rider after rider clear this section. I leant Granddad up against a tree and in-between riders walked the section.  My theory on what I was doing wrong is based on  my horse riding experience, I was using a tree stump to the right of the track as a marker to aim for, and as I'm one sided to my right this just took the bike over the couple of inches off the grip.  I looked for new markers and tried them out until I was able to clear the section and keep upright, though I wasn't trusting this bit of track and going rather slowly.  Due to the time taken up here I didn't have a chance to practice the lower sections but was happy there yesterday.

So 11am saw me in line to start my first race run, the rain was still falling and I looked more like a drowned rat from my offs that a DH racer J

My first run was nervous, and as I got to my nemesis I slowed to ensure I stayed on the bike, slowing a bit too much and having to really pedal to get to the roots which was where I got a surprise.  Fellow Loeka/Fix Distribution rider Clare (at her first DH race) was just at the bottom of the bomb hole line through the roots.  I’d never caught anyone on a race run so backed off to let her clear the roots before I entered this technical section, calling to Clare as I dropped onto the road, she stopped to let me by as I dropped down the lower section calling to her to ‘tag on behind’ and ride with me.  The rest of the run was fine, I love this bit of track it’s pretty much point and shoot with a pedally bit in the middle which killed my cold reduced strength.  I headed happily down to the finish.  I’d survived run 1 listening for my time I was 7 seconds quicker than my fastest time last year, in conditions which were much worse.  I was ecstatic.

Image supplied by photo-bike.com

After watching Darrel compete in the Hard tail class, it was again a quick lunch of coke and a sedate push up to the top. 

2^nd race run is seeded from the first race run times with the fastest girl going first, as I’d caught Clare on my first fun we agreed that I should start before her, hopefully giving us both clear runs.  I felt so odd not to be the last in my class as I headed off as soon as the beeps changed.  My second run was clearer, I really enjoyed the first section relaxed enough to take purposely pump the bike into jumping onto the push up track (secrectly hoping there was a camera there to capture the moment) and headed down to the middle section that had caught me out that morning.  I still didn’t trust the track and over braked, but hey I got through clear as I lined up for the bomb hole and dropped across the road yelling hello to Simon the Marshall.  As I disappeared down into the woods I was carrying more speed than before and stupidly over braked as I looked for my line, having to pedal to get my speed back up as I exited the woods on to the flat section and heaved on the pedals, all it seemed to do was move the suspension rather than propel me forwards, as I was about to run out of steam the track headed down again.  I dropped down a chute, braking in the slime to get onto the home stretch letting the bike take me round the berms as I could hear the noise from the finish line.  As I passed Rob (another Marshall) I knew it would only be seconds before I was home, my whole body was aching as I entered the last few meters, crossing the finish line with a grin. 

Image from MnDPhotography

1 second faster than the mornings time, which given I was knackered and still suffering the after effects of my cold, I was so happy.

DH for me isn’t about coming first, it’s about improvement so setting faster times each attempt is key.  The only thing that could have made the conditions worse on Sunday was snow, it rained from when we left the house at 6:30am until 1pm.  I struggle riding in the wet, especially if there are rooty sections and I'd never really raced in theses conditions so it was a great experience. 

And for the 2nd time I wasn't last.

Team Loeka/Fix Distribution

Now for the Thanks; 

Loeka and Fix Distribution for supporting me this year

All the marshalls, photographers and spectator's who stood out in the rain to watch a bunch of mad people. 

Naked Racing for putting on another excellent race



Next race is the 661 Mini DH round 3...... 

To find out more about my fellow team rider Clare Curtis check out her blog 

Manning up and moving on

661 Ladies Category

Last year I didn't enter the first round of the 661 Mini DH at the Forest of Dean, partly because I never intended to race in the winter (wet slippy tracks, slippy roots, risk of getting snowed in at home) I had a whole list of excuses.  But my main one was because I'd been warned that the race was on Ski Run.

It's not that the track is mega hard, I just had a hang up with it. I'd tried to ride it and couldn't, after that I'd simply avoided the track.  It needs some level of commitment to get down and that's something I really lack on a bike.

Roll forward to this year and it was time I manned up and I had another go down the track and to my surprise found it to be OK,  so there was no excuse for me not to enter the winter 661 Mini Series this year.

My relationship with Ski run is rather hit and miss, I either get down fine and love it, or hold on for grim death, off balance and petrified.  In direct correlation to this are my feelings of racing on it, part of me wanted to as it represented an  improvement in my riding, the other part was petrified as Ski Run with added race nerves could be a match made in hell. 

So I had mixed feelings when the track was announced as Ski Run, as the race chatter built up during the week I was carried away by everyone's excitement just that one nagging fear of my hit & miss reputation on Ski Run. 

Saturday practice started with a track walk with Katy Curd, looking at lines with her laid back and confident nature is a real cure for pre race nerves.  Then it was time to get on the bikes, Ski run track was already busy so I headed off to another track to warm my muscles and get focus, before heading over to Ski Run.  I have to say how happy I was with practice, having now done a few Forest of Dean Races people have got to know me and give me some time to ride down rather than setting off after me (very grateful for this guys).  My first runs were terrible, nerves taking over and flow totally lacking, but the more I rode the more relaxed I got.  I had no massive hang ups by the end of the day other than not knowing what lines would be open race day (track wasn't fully taped on Saturday).

After a fun night in at a local pub, and breakfast cooked by Lindsey Hanley, we all rolled out to FOD for race day.  I was feeling a lot more relaxed than normal, I think the bacon butty had helped.  However when I started heading up the hill nerves hit, I simply didn't want to ride. I thought about going to warm up on another track but as I neared the top I wondered if that was a good idea, I was avoiding the problem not tackling it and with some lines taped in that I'd not really ridden I did need to practice. 

I simply rolled down on my first run, missing all my lines and not making a turn. I was livid with myself, I'd was confident and happy the day before so why the shaking wimp riding today.  After a stern talk to myself I pushed up and this time rolled down slower but focusing on what I was doing not what I was feeling... it worked I hit the lines I wanted and made the turn.  My next few runs were aimed at increasing the speed and still hitting the lines, until I decided to do a run on to the forest road, I washed out on some roots, the back end totally slipping out, as I dropped down the chute slightly sideways. I was too scared to scream or swear.  Walking back up to look at what happened, the roots were now looking nice and polished, as several bikes went over I witnessed wheels sliding and some recovered some didn't.  At my slower speeds I didn't have a hope, the lack of forward momentum meant that my bike didn't straighten before the steep drop onto the forestry.  This is were DH comes into it's owe, you see next to the roots was an older established line, of a couple of roots then a rock step, riding up to it, it looked less inviting than the smooth level roots to the side, but for me it could work.  I watched, studied and worked out what I'd need to aim for to make the line and pushed up.  My first run was entertaining, I looked for the features that would line me up and aimed for them, I felt the suspension move as my front wheel pumped over the roots, then it dropped away to make the step, the rear naturally followed and before I knew it I was heading down the chute to the road, with a small collective of expletive's and a cheer from below.  The line worked, no slipping, it was grippy the whole way through and felt more natural for me to hit than the roots.

Now I'd got my main lines sorted it was race time...

I'd not got time to do a complete ride to the bottom but knew that part of the track pretty well (I thought) so was happy.  My target time was 2mins 22 seconds, the time Hannah had done at her first race on Ski run (and her first ever DH race)

My first race run was pretty uneventful, I was short on a couple of my lines meaning I had to brake excessively to make corners.  I had a lovely skid on the forestry road as I was going faster than my practice runs (according to my Hubby it looked impressive). The step down areas felt pretty OK and the run down felt pretty confident and good.  As I crossed the finish line I listened for my time 2:19. I was dead chuffed 3 seconds below my target.  My challenge was set for run 2 as 2:15.

So after cheering on friends, a can of coke and enjoying the atmosphere, I was back up the top and looking forward to run 2. 





As per normal I elected to go last, and as our numbers dwindled at the start I felt more focused than previously.  As the beeps dropped I was off, this time I pretty much hit all my lines up top, but elected to miss one as I could see the ground had changed and didn't trust it, this meant over braking to make a turn (seconds lost, but not as many as if I'd come off) I hit my line to the right of the roots perfectly and therefore had plenty of time to modulate my speed for the drop onto the forestry, impressed with myself for not swearing this time, however I over braked on the forestry road to make the line as I dropped down the track (mistake 2, again lost seconds) as I cycled down I hit a new line that had appeared during the race, but looked at the surface and over brake as I came onto it rather than trusting the bike to grip (yep more lost seconds), as I cleared this section I knew I'd lost time so pedalled as I crossed the timing split.  Then dropping down to some roots I hated but did my best to look forward and not brake, clearing the roots, I over braked for a berm (even more lost seconds) and tried to pedal, that when I realised my total lack of fitness had kicked in, as I pedalled for the first jump my legs felt like lead, I rolled the first jump, dropping a gear as I went to ease the tiredness, lifting off ground of the last tabletop, and pushing into the berms I found my thigh muscles on fire as I pretty much limped over the finish spent of all energy.. My time however made me shriek in joy 2:12 Yes! 3 seconds below my target.

I am annoyed with myself, I know I could of gone faster.  Firstly if I'd walked the track race morning I'd have seen the new line that developed and practiced it.   My fitness let me down, but most of all my confidence.  I can ride the tracks, I didn't even have a 'oh crap' moment, in my first race run I got down without any issues, so why the hell can't I let go of the brakes a bit more.  So for my next race prep it's fitness training, and working on my speed. 

If your interested in having a go at Down Hill racing, I'd highly recommend the 661 Mini DH, for more information visit their website here

For information on coaching with Katy Curd, who kindly shared her expertise with us on Saturday Click Here

A Reluctant Year

September was an Anniversary for me!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

So my years stats are:

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

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

Darn Shoulder, anyone got a spare

So I fell off my bike.... 

The bad:

1 cm separation of the AC joint, and a lot of bruising to the bone (I never knew bones bleed)

The Good:

A miracle happened, no lasting ligament damage, apparently this is very rare with such a large separation (AC joint is normally 1-3 mm gap).

I didn't hurt anything else.

The Recovery
I'm writing this for anyone else who has an off, and to remind myself what to do.

Week 1 - 2

I knew I'd had a proper bash on route down the hill, the next day it really hurt, I knew I'd not broken the collarbone but something wasn't right and my shoulder was stuck up by my ear. X-rays and a trip to Hereford confirmed my suspicions, I'd moved my collarbone, with a AC joint separation (what ever that is) and my bones had bled from the impact.

I was give a sling to support my injured arm, and told to keep my arm rested for 2 weeks, no biking for 6 weeks, I pulled a very sad face, said '6 WEEKS' Dr relented and said maybe 4 if I was good.  I wasn't going to listen to this and nearly took my arm out of the sling until a friend showed me his deformed AC joint, he'd not taken the advice.  So the sling remained in place for the 2 weeks. 

During week one, wearing a bra was out of the question, anything touching the top of my shoulder hurt, so halter neck bikinis and baggy tops it was.  Also I realised how 90% of my wardrobe is made up of tops that you pull on, so I think I spent the first week in about 3 different tops that I had which did up at the front.

However I did manage to do some gentle exercises with my arm in the sling and towards the end of the 2nd week with my arm out of the sling.  I did movements really just to stop the shoulder seizing up and to prevent it becoming fixed in the wrong place, no weigh bearing just gentle opening of the joint. 

Wine drinking was limited as pain killers and vino don't mix, I couldn't drive so watched a lot of crap TV and surfed the internet a lot.  Oh, and ladies, if you bugger your shoulder be prepared for the pits of despair, I'm not on about mentally, I'm on about arm pits.  I couldn't move my injured arm to shave that arm pit, or use my injured arm to shave the other.  Shoulder injuries = Hairy pits.

Also expect little sleep, I hurt my left shoulder and predominantly sleep on my left so nights were dreaded.

Week 3

The novelty of injury had worn off, I was pissed off, bored and irritable through lack of sleep, Darrel gave up on the sympathy and the cooking. 

I'd ditched the sling which although was great not to have it, my arm ached permanently and I just couldn't get comfortable. I introduced more exercises, using a very soft/weak exercise band to give my arm some resistance and worked on getting the shoulder joint to move.  I also booked an appointment to see Dave Smith the excellent Sports Physio who had sorted out my other shoulder.  I was booked in on the Thursday and although I knew it would hurt I was looking forward to some expert help in sorting the joint out.  However I noticed my shoulder was dropping and returning to it's normal place.

The more I was able to move my joint, meant with some pain and determination I could shave my arm pits, it's amazing how much growth you can get in 2 weeks... And how the hell do men cope, boy it felt good to have a proper trim.  Talk about celebrating small victories. 

Week 3 however was the worse, I'm always a very up beat person and I found this week the hardest, I over analysed my accident, blaming myself and my lack of skills, I even took to blaming myself for being short as if I was taller then my small sized bike would fit properly (don't ask I was depressed).

I started driving my car, not very well and in hindsight probably not very safely, but living in a very rural area driving is essential and I needed to be able to get around.

However my appointment with Dave picked me up, ok the exercises were simple and minimal and I got home after my hour session, had to take 2 pain killers and a 15 min stint on the TENS.  I religiously did my exercises, Friday morning before work I was there for 30mins just pushing down on the exercise ball, opening the joint and although the movements were small, everything was starting to feel more normal.  I was moving around better and by Sunday had a great time watching friend race DH at the forest of dean.

Week 4

I'd been short listed for a stupid online voting contest (entered during my depressed end of week 2 stage) which gave me focus..   Monday I rode Sherry for the first time, although it was one handed and a plod.  Tuesday I got out on the bike, I was very wobbly and just stuck to the road and a 100m trail... but it was so nice to go out, I'd been pain killer free just using the TENs machine since the Friday the week before. 

I was doing the exercises Dave gave me twice a day now and feeling the difference, this pulled me up mentally, and I was starting to be able to sleep better so less moody.  Dave session was booked for the Thursday and I was hoping for good news, as I'd worked hard and really hoping he'd see the improvement as that night I wanted to go off road. 

I'm a nervous person who's confidence is easily dented and watching the DH racing although I missed not racing I looked at the track and knew my confidence had taken a blow, just walking it I was fixating on parts.  The sooner I could get out and ride the sooner I could work on building up my confidence and getting over my spill.

I was given the OK to ride as long as I was sensible, so Darrel and I set of for Nant Y Arian to do the short loop.  I started of shaky and on the first descent Darrel got a pinch puncture, as we'd only been doing the short loop we hadn't bothered to bring a repair kit, Darrel pushed back and I opted to continue.  I wasn't feeling comfortable on the bike, partly my shoulder was sore and also my confidence was low.  I made my self to continue I couldn't pump the bike over the small steps instead rolling them which shocked my shoulder but wasn't as bad as I expected.  What was worse was my steering, weaving through the trees was more like wobbling and dodging trees.  But I survived and shoulder was better than I expected.

Week 5 (well just)
Having survived Thursday, the following weekend was a Bank Holiday and we'd had so many plans which my off wreaked.  Sunday I was determined to go out on the bike.  I chose Llandegla I love the trails here and know the place pretty well so if things weren't going to plan I knew the short cuts home.  We set of and I have to confess I forgot how rough the red trail is, my option with my bad side was hold on for grim death, braking wasn't easy.  So biting my lip I just went for it on the rough bits hoping speed would smooth out the trails (bollocks is all I can say to that theory).  Despite the pain on the rough this ended as soon as I got on to the smoother trails and we had a great ride, even taking the B-line option. 

Feeling more confident on the Bike, Monday we decided to meet some friends at Afan Bike park, James and Lindsay are a couple we've met through DH'ing and both are determined to see me in the air.  We had a great time playing at Afan, and it's definitely a place to visit again. The bike park / skills section is brill for practice, all routes are short with an easy push up, and by the end of the day I was happily getting the little Yeti in the air forgetting my shoulder and acting like a kid. 

Week 6 and Beyond.
So week 6 I was back on the DH bike, the bigger heavier bike was harder to manoeuvre but that's just a case of working to build the muscles up and get the joint strong again.  My confidence has taken a knock, I'm back to getting apprehensive at the mere thought of DH.  I've entered the Taff Buggy DH race on the 21/22 Sept, this will hopefully settle the DH butterflies in my stomach and get me back in the swing of things. 

My shoulder is still sore, this isn't going to stop over night.  I was so lucky not to have torn ligaments and I think this is down to the work I'd been doing with Dave on my posture and the body armour I had on.  I've got to remind myself not to over do it, as it's no longer in the nagging pain stage I have a habit of forgetting it's a little weak and going to lift stuff, or worse with it only to be reminded by a shot of pain.  I'm still doing the exercises I was given and trying not only to build up the injured area but also the muscles around it.

So next blog will probably be my next DH race report ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR