Red bull fox hunt 2015

 This event is one I've wanted to do since I heard about it so this year I secured a lift way in advance of sign up.
It was well worth the wait!
Driving up took 9 hours so we arrived on the Friday and headed in to Edinburgh to explore.
On Saturday we were all warmly welcomed by the red bull team And our host Rachel Atherton.
Uplifts were provided by Jeep, lush brand new Jeeps too!
The first run of the course was awesome. Starting off at the top riding down steep heathers we then head into flat out fast rough rocky clumpy grass, then over some climb and into the kids for A lines and B lines. The technical lines were so fun with a rock garden and sizable jumps. The dual slalom was brilliant.
In the evening was yoga and beers. With more yoga from lululemon we a were refreshed and ready for a practice run. Having qualified in 43/126 I was happy and enjoyed an empty course one last time.
Up top waiting for the race to start I was in the 5th row back. I was really nervous having never done a mass start race before.
Once the horn blew I stayed in the pack to suss out how it all worked, soon as I had chance I started seeing overtaking opportunity's opening up. I over took more than I expected, especially as I am normally am pants at overtakes. The whole race was a rush and felt amazing! Rachel over took me towards the end of the course and I finished in 38th place! 5 places up from qualifying. The weekend was amazing but the race was the most fun race I've ever done. I met so many nice girls too and was great to catch up with friends too. I would highly recommend the weekend to anyone no matter their ability or experience.

Throw yourself back into it!

woodlands rounds 1 2014

start ramp gap jum

Wow its been along time since writing a race update!

Due to severe lack of funds my husband and I have had an entire season out of racing downhill!

We sure picked a good one to get back in to it!

Officially the hardest racetrack woodlands has to offer - the Scotsman... and of course some good old English rain!

It was a sloppy day on race day so all the previous days practicing and line choices didn't mean much so a fresh perspective was required. Having practiced all I could I knew it wasn't going to be an easy day.

The beginning of the track was straight forward, gap jump off the start ramp into a flat turn with tree stumps, try not to slide out of the corner and line up to pedal like mad and launch off another jump. Then on to my favourite section steep switchbacks.

All good so far and then came the horror of the bottom section....

It was steep, very steep with exposed roots criss crossing and sharp turns to negotiate. Once through those it was over some rocks and roots into the crap catcher, or around it, neither was easy!

Having practiced the crap catcher and going straight over the bars with everyone else I decided chicken line had to be a winner on this occasion although forgot to control my speed with the excitement of racing so still did an impressive hip slide down the hill. Once scrabbling around and back on the bike it was into the final section littered with rocks pointing in all directions keeping momentum was hard and the light was poor and in a fluster of nerves and frustration rode into a rock which stopped me dead! once having fought my way out I sprinted to the finish line.

It felt like my worst race ever and I was so frustrated and angry. I knew it would be hard from the start but in hind sight we all came off several times and our times were pretty close.

On reflection I leant a lot from racing such a hard track and am now even more motivated to push on with my training building my skill, strength and fitness for the next race.

A video for anyone who loves a bit of benny hill and riders falling in to the infamous "crap catcher"

 

Podium again

the face of concenration

 We went back again for another year of Falmouth urban downhill at Tremough campus in Cornwall.

The course was completely different, much longer with different stairs and jumps. This year 5 girls took part instead of just me! Is amazing how fast our race scene grows every year.

After an amazing days riding at cafe the day before I was feeling pretty good and there was only one huge gap jump I didn't do, which would have made up the time to second place.

podium maya Atkinson, tyde D'Souza, laura griffiths

Although it was fun I think I'm all urbaned out for now and missed roots and rocks, plus st austell brewery didn't sponsor this year so there was no beer to be won and we all need a good beer after a days riding!

rachel atherton interview

Endtroducing: Rachel Atherton

This interview by DIRT just makes me love her even more!

Angus sure is one lucky pooch!

Best quotes-

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever given?
Get a dog.
Get a bike.

What one thing would you change about yourself?
My inability to house a straight set of teeth in my mouth.

Elinor Wesner

Zerode Bikes - Elinor Wesner from Bill Winters on Vimeo.

new big rig

 I just bought a 2009 Norco Atomik, my first ever downhill bike! I can't wait for our trip to Scotland to fully see what its like :D