HOPE /PMBA ROUND #7

 This year seems to have flown by!

Last round of the PMBA already! We were back at the fantastic Grizedale forest for the last round and what a sweet set of trails Kev and his team had put in place for us Enduro goons.

Setting of late saturday morning after a bacon butty and coffee it was a quick stop at Darlington to meet up with Damo and grab some ciders and food for the weekend :)  It was then on to Grizedale to get some practice in on stages 4 and 5.
Setting out up to stage 4 it was a good feeling getting back on the bike after tearing my AC joint 3 weeks before I was eager to get out there and make sure I was still working!!

Well I don't think I was.......practice couldn't of gone any worse! Moaned my arse off  the whole way round much to Damo's annoyance, just couldn't get in to a groove and felt all wrong so after some top quality abuse from Damo on what a big girl I was being we called it a day and headed back up to Windermere to meet Allan at a small cottage he was staying in, no camping for us, nice and relaxed looking forward to a good nights sleep.

Morning Practice





So after a hopeless start to the weekend practice and having a word with myself I decided to change tyres over for something a bit more spikey :)  It was on to practice stage 1,2,3 was looking forward to these as they were new tracks not yet ridden. Awesome first stage flat out fast and 2 and 3 didn't disappoint I was feeling a lot better after these and more than ready to race

Stage #1

Good move kicking off the race with this one as first stage, rocky,  fast and loose this was one for the brave. If you let the brakes go and hit everything flat out it worked better for you, few sticky bits but mostly loose rocks with some big rock slabs, this track just begged you to go fast with some nice open flat turns and flowing single track near the finish before a quick sprint over the line felt absolutely pinned down here and it showed!
 6th on this stage

Stage #2

Another new stage and it didn't disappoint, probably my favourite stage of the weekend managed to ride it with the bike fully locked out in practice and felt fast haha, so was feeling confident going into this one, with some technical rooty sections, loose loam and blind drops this stage was balls out fun managed to hit the tree just after first section of woods it was a nasty right hander with sketchy off camber rock slabs going in fully committed it stopped me dead in my tracks, after some words with the said tree I carried on with even more commitment trying to make up for lost time few mistakes but happy with 7th on this stage

Stage #3

Short and sweet this one, not a new track but a few nice little changes to keep you on you toes a nasty sprint off the start up a short climb through a mud bath then down into some fast tight single track before it fired you down what was now a stream flat out into some nicely laid out corners through some berms and into the finish, 6th on this stage

Stage #4     

A long stage this one, hated the start middles was good  but the end is mint! Was nice to see the main man Kev at the top of this stage and setting off he gave me some abusive encouragement to get me up to speed!

Dropping into the rooty mess and and steep rutted drops I've always found it hard to get a good start to the stage here but to my surprise I was hitting my lines perfect, popping off the log drop it was going good went a bit hot into a turn and dropped a wheel over a rut it was back on track and hit the first fire road sprinting like a loon around the corner before scrubbing of what I thought was enough speed ,hhmmmm maybe not enough as I landed to flat off the big drop.  The bike and me parting ways as the roots got the better of me, clambering to get back on the bike as the marshal shouted if I was ok hell yeah dude just embarrassed  haha, sprinting off I made a few more mistakes before finding my groove and by this time my mate Allan was breathing down my neck, shouting words of encouragement we hit the next fire road spring busting a lung before hitting the last section were it was just flat out, Probably the fastest I've rode this section as trying to make up time required less time on the brakes was good to hear Allan shouting and laughing as he rode this stage blind loving every minute of it!

10th on this stage

Stage #5

This was a stage you could make up some time if you had the lungs and still had some power left in your legs, letting Allan go first on this stage I set off shortly after managing a clean first section before heading out on to the fire road for the long sprint just managing to see Allan in the distance gave me a much needed boost to sprint harder and try and catch him, nearing the top I could see Richard /Mountain bike garage shouting words of encouragement as I dropped down in to the last techi section with a few sharp turns and the now familiar rock slabs it was onto the last sprint along the fast flowing single track I cranked in a few peddle strokes until my chain jammed in the chain guide so it was pump through the last section trying to maintain my speed and firing into the finish .19th this stage 

So that's it a cracking race to finish the end of the series, with a strong start on the first few stages I managed to bag myself 8th place with a less than perfect day, finishing 11th overall in series i'm pretty happy with that after a tough year of crashing a lot haha its good to improve on my results from the year before. Once again a big thanks to my Sponsor Richard Ford at Mountain bike garage we have learnt a lot this year mate and its been an awesome journey. Thank you .Thanks to the wife for all the support you've given me this year and cheers to the Enduro goons Damo,James,Carl,and Allan what a year hey lads 

Photographers  you do an amazing job getting in the places you do and I've got some cracking pictures from this year!!

Marshals  some more vocal than others haha some quality banter throughout the season and some much needed abuse when we crash to get us back going, we wouldn't be racing if you lot didn't step up and keep an eye on us, cheers :)

Kev and Mike cheers you guys for a cracking season!  Every race has been fantastic this is a race series that others need to step up to !

So that's it for this series, I've got a few winter races to keep things ticking over so keep an eye out for my next Blog 

Keep it pinned 

Pete

HOPE/PMBA ENDURO ROUND  #6

GNAR Bikepark

Yeah me again!  Been a while since I've been on here with a bit of a gap between races, I've managed  to fill it with a race in scotland and trying to get some training /riding in whenever I could as work had been mad.

So after the usual banter of getting the the lads organized for meeting up for the race all week it was good to arrive at a field in the middle of nowere and have a good catch up with everyone.

GNAR bikepark was our host for round 6 and what a nice area to be above a small village Low Heskett, heavy rain being the only downer of the day.
After catching up with everyone it was decided that we would practice in the morning hoping for dry weather so after sampling some fine grub at the local pub it was a few beers and some banter before an early nite .

Practice

So after coffee and some porridge it was on to practice! Man this place is loam heaven!  Riding sections flat out managing to keep your feet on the pedals for 2 wheel drifts is awesome sooo much fun with plenty of roost, heading up to stage #5 for a practice on the gap jump I had met up with Mr gas to flat/huck n hope Allan Brenkley,  heading down we stopped and had a look taking a quick push up the hill I got in position before peddling flat out! Just before hitting the lip I hear
stop rider!! oooohhh shit, no time and no brakes as I was in the air !!! Landing a good 10 ft past the landing I had over jumped it and ended up collecting another rider and bike sending me in a tangled mess down the hill. Not a great start to the day haha checking he was ok I headed down the bottom of the hill.

On stepping off the bike it was clear I had smashed me ankle up so one of the lads headed for a medic,  after an ice pack and some good banter it was back to the van to get it strapped up and grab some scran before race.

Stage #1 Magic Bus

Short stage to start things off but sweet loamy fun with the track quickly picking up speed taking you through some fast sketchy turns before tightening up at the bottom a fun and fast start.


Stage#2 Elementary




Slippery start to this one with a few small jumps to clear to keep your speed up leading in to some berms as the speed started to increase it was down to the big drops missing them and taking the left hand line for maximum speed hitting a small drop flat out firing you into the finish! short, fast, loose with alot of sketchiness thrown in :)

Stage #3 Get to the chopper

Another banger here with fast loose turns fairly slippy in places before sending you of a drop where you gained warp speed before hitting a big log drop that kicked up yer back wheel if you didnt give it it full commitment!!

 

                                                               Roosting some loam

 

 

Stage #4 Gasoline Alley

My favourite track this one! Similar start to the others before dropping in steep and hitting the most awesome berms that just begged you to rail them faster hitting a sweet hip jump on a corner and a few drops again it flowed so well this stage with maximum fun had by all



Stage #5 G.A.P

Gonna be honest here mint track but after crashing on the Gap jump in practice I
 wasn't keen on hitting this in race! After heading up to top of stage #5 we were told that the track was red flagged as there was a rider down! Never a good sign, air ambulance called for! so it was time to work as a team with all the other riders and clear a way through the forest so that the medics could access without any issues.
Get well soon Ian !
So racing was back on sprinting out of the start I was feeling a little nervous coming into the gap jump I scrubbed off some speed hitting it nicely and landing no issues before heading into some off camber turns littered with roots and a few peddly flat bits dropping down into the steep bits and firing into the finish.



Stage #6 PMBAby

So as we had raced all the stages 3 times our group had gone for stage #6 to start things off . Being the longest stage it had a bit of everything thrown in with off camber, roots, drops and sweeet swwweeet loamy berms and a big drop to finish things off nicely you could hammer down this flat out 2 wheel drifting just hoping you tyres had enough grip as you hooked up in ruts, awesome !



So thats it! GNAR bikepark SMASHED IT, and what an amazing day railing ruts and roosting loam.  Again Kev and Mike have added something new to the scene, 6 stages raced 3 times was mint and gave us all a mega day out excuse me mind if I have maybe muddled up some sections haha, thanks guys

Big thanks to the Medics for sorting me foot out and obviously the amazing job you did looking after Ian

Thanks to the marshals for all the heckling its always appreciated haha top banter :)

Another set of cracking pictures from the photograthers again you lot make us look great thanks

Can't  thank Richard at Mountain Bike Garage enough for the support this year, my Empire took some big hits but came out unscathed bar a bent brake lever,  another top 20 result slotting into 14th place after a big crash on me last lap I'm pretty happy going into the next round sitting 11th overall at the minute.

Until the next one folks

Pete

HOPE/PMBA ENDURO ROUND #5

Kirroughtree

Ok so this one is going to be a bit different, this is "the wife" writing ha!
So this race I was royally invited to join Pete and the other mentalists who enjoy throwing themselfs down mountain sides on 2 wheels as fast as they can. So I decided I would take full advantage of a lazy few days away but how very wrong I was! Pete had decided to try and find me a E bike as i've suffered with bad discs in my back after a riding accident 18 months ago and I miss being in the outdoors he though I would enjoy getting out and about, and up at Kirroughtree I certainly did!
So as usual we packed the van up including the matress of the bed and way to many clothes... you know what us women are like?
So we were packed up and away we were, checking the sat nav was correct (cause we always end up screaming at the sat nav or each other ha) we set off to Bike Scene in Guisborough to meet Neil who had offered Pete the use of a test bike the shop have. Pulling up at Bike Scene I was quite excited to see what the bike was going to be like and Neil did not dissapoint, it was awesome! Having seen the jealousy in Petes eyes I knew it must of been half decent cause I know nothing about bikes. Haing had the low down from Neil about how it all works I was quite eager to get on and have a go, having a back injury means I can't and havn't been able to get out like I used to so I was hoping this would to do the trick and cheer me up a bit.
So we finally arrived and as usual Pete was checking and double checking every thing, which tyres to use and what the course was going to be like as they had to change it last min due to a bit of heavy wind leaving a tree threatening to come down on the track so they chose well and decided to change 2 stages and add a few more to the mix. I decided to jump on the E bike to have a cheeky go and see what all the fuss was about and it was mint!! I knew I was going to be able to bomb about on it no problem but I didnt realise quite how much I was going to enjoy it ha! I'm going to stop waffling now as I promised Bike Scene a review on the bike as a thank you so ill post that on facebook later, over to the hubby, enjoy.......

Practice

So leaving the wife with the leccy bike it was out to practice having to play catch up as i'd arrived late, nothing new there then. Heading out in to the forest I was feeling good having had a great time here last year and wasn't dissapointed as I moved from stage to stage catching up with folk i had not seen since the last race and making some new freinds along the way, all in all a good practice no crashes rode pretty steady checking some sketchy lines for the race :)

Stage#1

Starting off in the woods through trees and few sketchy roots fired you out on to fire road staright over back into the woods before jumping on to some of the trail centre stuff thats got a nice few rock slabs and gravely turns getting your sprint on here was the the order of the day, didnt have any issues here just didnt ride aggressive enough through the wooded sections


Stage#2

Nice fast one here :) sprinting like a loon off the start it was straight into a rocky single track trying to keep my speed peddling through it before it dropped into some rock slabs hitting my line sweet, sprinting again before the next one, going well I thought till I got to the last, one missing my line and heading off track. Scrabbling with the bike I cranked the pedals and pushed hard dropping into the awesome muddy rutted section flat out slipping and sliding but grinning ear to ear yee haw last final sprint through some fast corners to the finish, now that was fun!

Stage#3

Awesome stage this one, starting off in the woods it was tight and twisty from the start shooting you into a drop with sketchty roots and tight trees. Hitting this flat out I was carrying good pace jumping across a fire road bit of trail centre thrown in and then back into the woods for some awesome loamy loose steep stuff it was let the brakes go and ride it out getting loose before jumping back onto the trail centre single track and sprinting to the finish

                                                                      Awesome!!



Stage#4

Short stage this one but flat out and hold on, starting of well it was through a grass turn onto some trial centre before sprinting down the fire road with plenty of speed shooting you into the woods!! This  was pure mud loam heaven just smashing the the turns and keeping plenty of speed all the way through I  crossed the line feeling pretty confident on that stage and enjoying every minute of it

Stage#5

Still loving this stage from last year as its just flat out from the off with loads of sprinting, probably was to steady a the start but managing to get up to speed it was sketchy in a few places where the roots had come through and the track was running fast. Having made it through the top section it was mad sprinting and pinning it through the turns heading through the tight trees where a small crowd had gathered :) before a flat out peddle to the finish wooohoo what a race

Eagerly checking out the board for riders coming in I was buzzing managing 11th overall on the day with a 5th on stage 4 being my fastest stage I was fair chuffed with the result :)




So Kirroughtree lived up to be being an awesome venue again Mike and Kev keeping us Enduroists happy with 5 awesome stages, thanks guys. The Marshals again being on top form with plenty of banter and keeping us right well done all, cheers to the photograpers for getting those awesome pictures, James and Allan always a great laugh smashing stages with you 2 thanks for the laughs.Big thanks again to Richard at Mountain bike garage the bikes working mint !!

                                                       The awesome Empire MX6 EVO

So thats it race over it was time to treat the wife to a few days biking, camping over another night we hit the red route in the morning and am pleased to say Kerry loved every minute of it managing to ride all but the hardest sections

Big thanks to Bike scene and Neil for sorting us this awesome full suspension Fatty E bike for 4 days it's been a massive eye opener for Kerry to see some of the great places we ride and why we do it hope to get one sorted for her very soon

Till the next one

:)

HOPE/PMBA ENDURO ROUND #4



GRAYTHWAITE HALL was the host of round 4 of the PMBA Enduro series, a new venue meant new fresh cut tracks that had plenty effort and man hours put in by Kev's dedicated dig team to give us five awesome stages over a smaller than usual loop but had plenty of hike a bike transitions to the stages leading us to absolute gold !!

So managing to not be into much of a stress Saturday morning having packed the night before it was chuck the last few bits in whilst waiting for me mate Dan who was coming to his first PMBA.

Leaving Whitby and it's fog that's been here for the last 2 weeks it was awesome to see and feel some sun as we pulled into the lovely Graythwaite hall and what a place to set up camp.

Practice

So arriving Saturday afternoon we were allowed to ride practice for a small fee setting out up to stage 1 you got a nice warm up riding along the road before peeling off up a track were you made your way to the first hike a bike.

Meeting another of our mates at the top of stage 1 (Brenki AKA Huck and hope) it was a quick chat and straight into it, dropping on off some rocks it was straight into rocks and loamyness shooting you over a collapsed stone wall and into super tight techy twisty turns with nice drops

Having had a good practice it was time to chill for the rest of the day talking bikes, eating good food and generally enjoying the good vibe

RACE

After picking up the timing chips it was a quick spin and up the first climb to the first stage

Stage #1

Dropping into stage 1 it was straight into some techy rocks jump onto the high line to line me up better for the stone wall crossing before shooting into the woods,for a tight twisty stage this was running fast skipping over roots and rocks managing to hold good speed and loving the dry dusty turns that made a change from slippy wet roots this stage was all about keeping your speed and not making any mistakes having a safe run down this one with only one tree tag I was happy with my run

Stage#2

My second favourite stage this one and what a banger, fast of the start over some nasty rocks before dropping you down a shoot firing you into some techy wooded sections mega fun this !!
Keeping my speed I entered the slightly more open section drifting into the first loose corner scrubbing some speed before launching into a super fast off camber littered with rocks trying to keep the high line just as you dropped down into some loose dusty turns before having to haul on the brakes to make a tight turn, shame that didnt go to plan as a tree helped me stop rather than my brakes, hopping back onto the bike and riding like an idiot I was loose as a goose in the last few turns and hit the finish line with me knee pad round me ankle!!Crashed but was pretty happy with the rest of the stage just loose as and fun as hell :)

Stage#3

Awesome view of lake Windermere to start us off on this stage,after taking in the views whilst waiting in a small que I sprinted off the start over the first few natural jumps into loose dusty turns that had got fairly blown out by now but still keeping speed this continued on before sending you off a drop into some nice fast rutted berms before dropping into the first steep section of the stage, this part having got totally blown out so it was steady in drop off the brakes and hope it grips. Managing to get through that pretty well it was awesome just smashing turn after turn hitting the drop onto the wooden northshore before dropping back into more dusty turns and on to the finish, man that stage was fun 

                   It doesn't get much better riding new trails as steep and techy as these

Stage#4

After a grueller of a push up to stage #4 I was glad to see a few folk waiting in the que taking on some much needed water I dropped 2 gels hoping it would give me a much needed boost.
And a boost it gave me!! Sprinting off the start round the first few turns gathering speed and ohhhh balls right turn !! Missing the high line I tried to endo round but just endode straight into a tree! After a few choice words with myself it was sprint again hitting more dusty steep turns before shooting out into a few fast turns over a small stream and back into the woods bringing you to an awesome finish that took you over a big tree root drop into a sketchy rut that I managed to go high on setting me up nicely for the left hand turn into the finish, loads of dust plooms on this one was awesome watching the other riders hit as I chatted to my mates whilst having a breather, good times.

Stage #5

My favourite stage this one! After another climb back up I was about done but knew that this stage was so much fun id give it what I had left.
Nearly losing it in the first corner over excited it was up to speed in no time over rises and dips before a nicely rutted right hander sending you down the fastest loosest rock garden you could just let the brakes go and just hammer it flat out just enjoying the ride,heading back into the woods with some speed carried from the last section it was down a rocky shute before a sharp right hander remembering not to go through the tape this time! Then it was an uphill pedal through a wooded section bringing you out to more loose dusty open dirt track dropping you down to the bottom of Kevs cyclocross climb !!
Trying to sprint up and getting cramp just at the top, after a dance about I jumped back on the bike and managed to sprint it out shooting down the fire road having a few sketchy moments in the turns before sprinting through the gate onto the grass hauling up on the brakes for the right hand and back on the pedals taking the faster line over the second drop and sprinting to the finish.
Damn what a rush that stage was swwweeeeetttt :)


After 5 hard stages in scorching heat I was surprised to have got 19th place with the stupid tree hugs i'd had but was more than happy to still be in top 20, watching my mate Dan ride in with a big smile on his face tells me he had an awesome time well done mate. Damo had crashed in practice so had to sit this one out, but I'm sure he will be back stronger. Carl Crowley great to see you again young loon your getting faster every time!!! Allan huck to flat Brenkley it was a pleasure to ride with you again and truly amazed at your hucking of the drops and awesome speed throughout the stages well done

                                                                         All smiles

Another great race organised by Kev and Mike and all there trail builders thank you for you vision and constantly pushing us, thanks to the marshals had some good crack with a few of you :)Thanks again Richard at Mountainbike garage who makes it possible for me to do this.

What an awesome weekend riding with mates and and smashing dusty berms, this is what its all about and why I keep coming back see you at the next one folks

Boltby Bash Enduro


So it has been a busy few weeks after the last round of the PMBA and our trip up to Glencoe were we did the Macavalanch After a few weeks of been busy at work and not getting in much bike time I was looking forward to the fairly local to me Boltby bash Enduro.

My usual band of brothers Damo and James were to busy for this one so it was down to my long suffering wife to look after me and keep me company over the weekend.

Setting of on Saturday morning after panic packing, a busy week at work ment I was rushing as usual, it was good to know we only had a short journy over to thirsk, my wife kerry in good spirits not knowing what lay ahead (vanlife aint all that haha)

Arriving at about 10 driving up the windy roads to what can only be descibed as tight ha, we arrived at Paradise Farm! Beautiful surroundings and it had a good feel already, campers and tents with bikers getting geared up for a play on practice day!!
 I had spoken to a few of the bikescene lads who ride Guisborough and organized to ride with them so Kerry set of to go do some shopping while I headed out with the crazy bunch.

Heading up to the first stage it was clear that we were going be greeted with some amazing scenery and breathtaking views, dropping in straight off the moors down grassy rocky descents that you could ride at a nice fast pace it was clear this was going to be a good race and I was eager to see what else lay ahead.

After a good practice doing all the stages bar stage 3 everyone was buzzing for the race a good mix of loamy fast corners fast grassy stages across fields with rocky drops and boulders.

We had decided to camp overnight and enjoy the delights of the hogroast and beer tent with live music, what a great idea aswel.  We sat down with a few friends we had made during the day and tucked into some top quility grub washed down with some nice local beer. Settling into sleep in the van the heavens opened and after a fast dry practice I knew it was going to be a boggy mess on some of the stages!!

                                                                  Waiting to set off 



Stage#1

After a nice warm up peddle to the first stage it was time to get in race mode and as usual I had my pre race nerves, usualy goes after the first stage though so not all bad.

Dropping in off the top of the moors down a steep grassy bank over a small rise that dropped you into some sweet turns on to open moorland were you could pick up some good speed taking you over some dips and rises it then dropped into some nice rock gardens with a steep drop giving you just enough momentum to get up a small hill they had added, hitting the latter part of the stage things just got faster but you had to be carefull here as it had been taped just wide enough to skim past while holding good speeed down the jumps and drops before hitting the bog at warp speed near the end and hoping to come out the other side in one piece. Sprinting to the finish having to jump a ditch and back on the pedals again that was the first stage over not a bad run felt fast and but most importantly it was fun

Stage#2

The transition to this stage was good fun in itself and stage 2 did not disapoint, peddling like a loon into some nice loose loamy turns it was over a small track into some nice fast flowing singletrack littered with rocks and roots, keeping my speed I was managing to flow pretty good through here but the torrential down poor the night before had changed it massivley. Further down having to dab a few times but keeping it upright it was a game of dodge the riders who hadnt been so lucky and after taking a few sketchy lines to go around a few I was glad to get to the bottom without an issue not the best stage for me but kept it clean and smooth.

Stage#3

This was the blind stage we wernt allowed to ride in practice and what a stage! Starting of in a big field it was get your head down and sprint. Peddle peddle peddle I kept shouting to myself  before hitting the first loamy turn and nearly getting it all wrong!! It was into pure loamy bliss OMG this is heaven, trying not to get to over excited as you just smashed loamy turns left right down around this was awesome. Shooting through a wooded area back out into more loamy turns before hitting a grass drop into a field taking on some tight taped off turns and sprinting to the finish !! Wow that was awesome !
Stage#4

Boooom!! Straight into it, a quick peddle then a left straight onto off camber into a berm. I'd practiced the highline into this and chose to use it here shooting me out other side with a nice drift ! Fast, who knows but hell yeah that was fun, zig zagging down the side of this awesome valley drifing berms before smashing into some techy drops and nasty roots trying to stay on this stage I was loose as a goose and I was loving it catching Neil from Bikescene near the bottom of the stage he had a mechanical so gave him some much needed abuse as we sprinted to the finish.

Stage#5

After some pretty hard transitions it was the last climb to stage 5 and with the hot weather damn it was hard! Rocking up at the start line totaly goosed I got me head down and went off like a nutter possesed, I was gonna nail this stage fast off the start into some techy rock garden holding it together along the off camber section it was a mad sprint corner then a mad sprint into a drop and a right, twist down  a gully smashing a berm before sprinting again down a fast dirt track forgeting the right hander only hearing my wife shouting go right before hauling up and drifting round the turns into another straight were there was a big grass drop.... It was do or die as I hucked and hoped into the next section much to the amsument of a small crowd as the bike bucked and skipped around, managing to hold a tight line round the last corner sprinting to the finish!!  Super fast stage flat out foot out !

                                         This pic sums up the day,fast n loose and mega fun



 Well what can I say an awesome weekend and definatly one I will go back to every year, me and the wife made some new freinds as did the dog, was a great 2 days riding with the bikescene lot. Cheers lads

So after peddling me arse off every stage and no crashes I was chuffed to see I had finished 4th!! 15 seconds off a podium and 8th fastest on the day overall so all in all a good days racing, proper happy

Masive thanks to my wife Kerry who pushes me and believes in me, thank you and to my sponser Richard Ford @  MountainBike Garage. It was great to have you there cheering me on

Cheers to all the Guisy lads was a great weekend out

And lastly the Boltby bash crew !! Be it marshels cooks well everyone you put on an awesome event with a relaxed feel awesome food, beer and cracking tracks !!  Thank you we will be back!!

HOPE PMBA Enduro round #2

So this time it was off to Grizdale, to what was to be our host for round #2, having had not had to bad a result here last year I was eager to see how well I would get on with the new Empire MX6 EVO and some extra training I had packed in over the winter on what is one of the PMBA's  narliest rounds. Kev and Mike did not disappoint!!

So Saturday morning started early with getting the Enduro bus packed up and going to pick up Damo and James #Layburn bikes. As usual  Damo and I got lost so yes we were late arriving to pick up James.

Arriving late afternoon after a fun packed journey it was a quick jump into the riding gear and of we went to get some practice in on stages 1+2
We were greeted with some great technical sections full of roots and the usual  rocks that like to catch you out! So here I am after trying some different lines into certain sections much to the amusement of James and Damo after I had to bail a few times we headed back to the bus before dark for some much needed grub!!

Leaving the pub after a decent fill we decided it was just a bit to late to be pitching the tent in the dark, after all its hard enough in the light never mind pitch black with a pint inside!! So we had no choice but to hang the bikes from the ceiling and cuddle up ;)
Once we'd figured out who was hugging who we managed a decent night sleep.

Opening my eyes Sunday morning I was greeted with the all important sunshine, fair enough a touch of ground frost but sun shine and no rain!! So although it was a bit  fresh when I opened the van doors it looked like it was going to be a nice day. And after a comfortable yet cosy night cuddled up with Damo and James (3 guys, 3 bikes and all our gear we had no choice haha) we were ready for the day ahead!!

Sunday practice meant stages 3 and 4 were open so after a quick coffee we headed out, heading into stage 3 I was feeling good and just nearing the bottom hitting stuff on the bike and enjoying how well it was riding until i got to the bottom and heard the dredded sound of escaping air and on further inspection realizing I'd put a few nice sized dents in my rim and a nice buckle, tube in I managed to get a practice in on stage 4 before heading back to the van for repairs. 

                                     After a quick true up it was prepare for an afternoons racing
Race

Stage#1

After a nice warm up ride to the first stage it was straight to business with slippery roots right from the off! After watching Damo take out the Timing chip dooffa and laughing I went and did the same followed by riding first 100m with both feet of the pedals! Not the best start but once I'd managed to compose myself I started to get in a groove and ride the rest of the stage clean bar the no footer off a not so easy log drop that popped out of nowhere. Making it to the finish it was the pedal back along Coniston Water and up the big old climb for some awesome flap jack and loads of water dished out by the lovely marshals.

Stage#2

After having some good laughs on this stage during practice hitting dodgy lines I was looking forward to this stage, a nice fast entry from the fire road sending us in to loamy roots followed by a nasty little stream crossing sucked up all your speed. Hammering on the pedals again to then hit the slippiest roots I've ever encountered falling of as I had done in practice but managing to keep hold of the bike.  This stage just got faster and faster. On to the fire roads  then back into woods down through a grassy field reminding me of the good old dual slalom days finishing with some super fast single track that had me grinning from ear to ear. Awesome.......

Stage#3

Going into this stage I was pretty confident as I had a good run here last year I just needed the bike to come through without any issues, this is a short stage so I concentrated on hitting all my lines and just letting the bike go hoping not to puncture. I was glad to hit the bottom flat out with no issues sailing through the rock gardens, my Empire just soaking everything up, job done happy with the run and the bike!

Stage#4

Although really liking this stage from last year Kev and Mike had added a fire road sprint to this and it was what everyone was talking about. The trick here was going to be how to keep enough in the tank for the sprint and then for the rock drops straight after, roots just seemed to be a nightmare for me in this race and on heading into the woods I was greeted by a shoulder to a tree! Although it helped by keeping me upright so not all bad. I managed to slip and slide out of the woods and head down through the felled tree area before a quick sprint over the fire road onto the awesome jump line were you had to remember you were racing and not get to carried away.

                                           A nice shot just before sprinting up the fire road

After sprinting hard down the fire road and realizing I still had my legs it was a quick drop back into the woods and through a section of drops. The chicken line being the fastest line here then onto a fast flowing single track trying to pump the bike through it and pedal were you could before firing into the finish.

So that was it, an absolutely cracking weekend with some of the best riding I've done. Super technical and plenty of pedaling to really test you, heading over to hand in my timing chip I was feeling pretty nervous as I had made a few mistakes. Going back and calming down we waited for the results I felt pretty good but was still surprised to come away with 18th out of 110 in the masters category....YES I was buzzing!!

I had broken into the top 20 maybe no big thing to some but feel I am heading the right way and at only the second round things can hopefully only get better with consistent training and practice .

So that's it, a great race with great organization. This series is really starting to shape up as one of the best not just for hardened racers but also beginners, well done again Mike and Kev for a cracking day!!

Big thanks to Jerry Tatton and Adam Sherratt for the great photos and also the marshals for the encouragement they always give.

Thanks again Richard Ford at Mountain Bike Garage


Next race is Maca avalanche at Glencoe !!  Bring it on!!!!

Hope PMBA Enduro round #1 Gisburn

So here we are!!! Back into race mode again for the first round of the Hope PMBA Enduro series. Gisburn forest was the venue for the first round. Now this place has always been a funny one for me as the last few times here either mechanicals or crashes have caused me problems throughout last year so I was hoping for a clean race
Things didn't get of to the best start!! Started to get a bad vibe when the Enduro bus broke down on me on Friday night (wheel fell off) so it was driving duties for me mate Damo!

On arriving early-ish ( Damo was late) and meeting up with James (layburn bikes) it was a quick hop and skip over to sign on before heading out for practice.

Practice

                                                                 Photo/ALC Photography

Was nice to have a gentle spin up to stage 1 where we were greeted by the well known Loamaggedon!!

Even in the summer I doubt this stage dries out but other than a few bogs it was drier than usual. As we moved from stage to stage we got to stage 5,  unfortunately a rider had crashed and required an air ambulance. Well done the marshalls and medical team,  it's you that make us feel somewhat safer when things go wrong, and it didn't take long before we were on our way again finishing of stage 5 with a good few practice sessions on the last off-camber section in the woods that loves to catch people out!

Race

                    Quick briefing and turn the timing chips on before setting off






Stage#1 Loamageddon

                                                                   Photo/Adam Sherratt


After a brief wait in the queue it was time to put the hammer down. We had a good run into the woods off the fire road it was straight into roots and mud, trick here was staying upright and keeping your speed on. You got so far down and there was a bridge that led you into a nice deep bog, some chose to run this while others rode and as long as you kept your speed either worked. Finishing of this you came to my favourite part nice left hander with a big rut of a drop, best line being on the left to line you up over a rise and into the finish, if you get it right its sweet section!! Pretty happy with how this stage went.


Stage#2 Homebaked

My favourite stage with an extra add on of fire road then into another wooded section on to the finish. So setting of like loon it's pretty fast from swooping bends over a wooden bridge before you hit the tight twisty tree section onto cobbled corners with a rock drop. Shooting you out onto the fire road where the winter turbo training came in handy as you sprinted up into the next section of woods,  through some rocky blown out corners with a small jump bringing you over the finish line. Was a good stage for me no crashes and kept my speed.


Stage#3 Whelpstone

Transition to this stage is fairly long so gives you a good chance to have a crack with your mates and general banter before head down arse up.
So straight off the drop keeping control of your speed so not to over shoot the jump that shoots you straight into a corner usual gravely corners, nice and fast but it's like riding on marbels when its this dry. Good stage,  few mistakes made but I'm happy enough.

Stage#4 Hullygully

Everyones favourite this one!! Fast and flowing with big berms :)
Setting off from the fire road start before dropping straight into a nice fast section,  think I was having to much fun here as I managed to get a nice drift round one corner. Not fast probably but massive fun, shooting out into the sprint finish I took a wrong line choice on the grass sucking up my speed before splashing through the stream at the finish! Not me best stage but fast and fun.

                                                                     sooo much fun / Photo JWDT photography




Stage#5 Gas to Flat

Last stage and one of the best, it's got everything! Drops, jumps, rocks, roots and loads of slippy gravel, straight out of the start into some awesome drops and turns before sprinting over the fire road to shouts of encouragement from the loudest marshal in racing Duncan Maffey, dropping down into the first drop now named the KS drop onto the other 2 hitting a sweet tabletop into the woods. It's nice and fast this section before slowing you up again for another fire road crossing into more woods full of roots, this being the jinx of me again as I came into the off camber section I caught another rider!! Ended up me going high him going low,  we then collided and ended up a tangled mess! After sorting out my bars and jumping back on the pedals it was a mad sprint to the finish.

                                                                        Photo/NPMphotos





So that was it I waited for my other 2 mates and another lad we had rode with through the day Carl Crowley, he was one to watch! He was chasing at my back wheel the whole day. A quick blast back to the start were we handed our timing chips in and grabbed a brew while enjoying the chilled out vibe that Kev and Mike have managed to create at every race they put on and part of the reason me and my mates keep coming back. Good banter and relaxed feel, thanks guys.

Overall I was happy with my result made few mistakes and one crash leaving me 20th out of 120 riders in the masters category. Fitness wise I felt great so now its just putting everything together for the next race at Grizdale. Bring it on!!!!!

Big thanks to Richard Ford at Mountain Bike Garage! The bike is a dream to ride .

Big shout out to the marshals and medical staff,  you make it possible for us to keep having fun! And also to the photograpers who always seem to capture the most awesome pictures throughout the day, thanks and look forward to going harder and faster in the next race!

Short video from
Whitenosugar Productions!
https://vimeo.com/160021828