Aston Hill

Aston Hill September 2010 was my first proper race. So I didn't really know what to expect. I went with Russ and Brian and Simon, all had been racing before, Simon and Russ had both done loads of DH racing, with Russ grabbing 6th at the last Aston Hill Black Run race earlier in the year.

Day one, Saturday was practice day, which went well. Only a couple of minor crashes. I couldn't get over how steep it got, the top was really flat with loads of peddling and couple of jumps, then loads of off camber corners, then the hill just got steeper and steeper, with loads of switch back berms. All in all great fun to ride.

Day two, Sunday was Race day, practise for me went really well, did a few full runs, and mucked about on the top section a lot, as there was a fairly big jump on to the fire road, which was loads of fun, just trying to hit faster and faster. Russ wasn't so lucky with a crash in the off camber section, managed to make a mess of his elbow and had to go to hospital which was a massive shame. Brian was first down the hill out of us lot and came in 1:12.63 grabbing 15th in Masters, Next down was Simon 1:10.78 placing him 28th. Then it was my turn, this being my first race, i was just wanting to have fun, not take it to seriously. I set off, hammered it down the first flat out top section and over the kicker, sending proper big, with massive cheers from the crowd, going fast into the off camber section, then disaster struck. My chain came off!!! Well came off between the chainring and bash guard so I could still peddle, but not properly. It felt like i just cruised the rest of the track, staying off the breaks and trying to peddle. I ended up with a 1:10.35 somehow placing 25th!!! even with a mechanical i'd managed to get a top 30! I was chuffed to say the least.

I headed back to the Van, fixed up my bash guard so that the chain wouldn't come off again, and went back to watch Brian's second run, which he shaved nearly another 2 seconds off his time finishing 13th in Master! To say i'm stoked for him would be an understatement.

Then it was my turn which would never happen. One of the other riders had a massive crash on there second run and had to be air lifter out with suspected broken neck, hopefully the guy was alright and is riding a bike again. we had to leave as it was getting late, they did finally restart the race but not till we'd left. Placing Simon 32nd and myself 30th, i was still pleased with my result, but really wanted that second run, but these things happen. there is always next year.

I got back home and started packing for Whistler...

More on that next time.

Summers Here!

Spring came and went incredibly fast, it was mostly dry and warm. We managed to get a lot of digging done at the local spot ready for the summer. The lads had offered me a place on their trip to the Alps later in the summer for the Mountain Style Comp and the rest of the week to riding. But had to turn it down as i'd just booked flights to Canada, and ultimately a road trip up to Whistler AKA the mecca of mountain biking in North America (if not the world).

So the booking of my trip to Vancouver and Whistler had brought on some new goals for the summer. I knew i was going to have to get fitter for starters to help deal with the arm pump i was possibly going to get. I'd made the mistake when i went to the Alps back in 08 of not training before i went and so suffered a massive amount of arm pump, which bloody hurts and make it impossible to hold onto the handlebars. I didn't want this happening again.

So I thought about getting gym membership and working out. But the thought of being surrounded by pumped up guys with little dicks wasn't my cup of tea, plus the idea of running on a tread mill getting literally nowhere doesn't really tickle my pickle. So I settled for more riding and digging. Which in turn complement each other, with new trails and jumps comes better technique and ability on a bike. This was starting to take effect, the jumps were getting bigger all the time, one of the doubles being over 30ft, with more technical lines in to them as well, and so a new exercise is starting to set in, in the form of mental exercise. Being physically fit isn't mush of a problem to me, having the bollocks to hit a 20ft or 30ft Gap stepdown for the first time, was kinda new. I'd been doing tables for years, but after a hard crash when i was in my teens I'd lost my confidence doing doubles. So I was back to square one again doing this kinda thing. so i set myself the challenge of taking on one jump at a time and getting that dialled before moving on to the next.