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

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

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

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