Facing the prospect of riding alone, I came up with the gem of an idea that James H use his "fleet" of bikes to the full. Needless to say I was jealous whilst climbing, and although I made a little further than before, Glentress is going to kill me! But then the fun began when climbing up to charity lane and by the time we were at the top, all pain had gone, as I knew what lay in waiting....

Charity lane with no snow for only the 2nd time since the birth of the beast! It was tops and the bike really felt excellent yet again. Extremely wet, yet the bike doesn't care! Caught some sideways air due to not having entirely clear vision, but felt good. Then down to the bottom of the oven, which has improved due to natural movement, giving some top high speed jumps. We continued to the old boardwalk and the section of steps got annihilated! The FS Vs HT debate continues, but you know who wins....don't you....?

Good stuff. Apart from my rear brake, which needs investigation ASAP!

Good fun tonight - especially as I was considering not going due to a flat front tyre on the Kona.

As it turned out it took Mr Warnock to remind me that I still had a perfectly good SantaCruz hardtail sat in the garage! Rushing home from work to pick it up, loading her up brought back memories of last summer.

Out in the forest and after some essential changes (more rear tyre pressure and rocking the handlebar angle forward to increase the rise and length of cockpit) it was great to be back on board the Chameleon. What a climb - compared to the Coiler Dee-lux (which does climb very well considering its downhill capability) it was a breeze. I got all the way to the bottom of Charity Lane without having to push!

Then came the real test. Riding Charity Lane for the first time in over 6 months without rear suspension...

To my surprise I found it easy, fun even. Maybe not quite as fast but some of the line choices I've taken on the Coiler made picking my way down on a hardtail easier then I remember. The weight makes it even easier to air - infact accidently I got some good moto style whips going on the descent.

Then down the Bottom of the Oven (first time for me) which was good fun - good little trail. Back up and down the boardwalk before back to the car.

No photos this week - we did get some but nothing to write home about.
3 weekends left until Glentress - I can't wait! :)

First Wednesday ride and it was bliss. The low sunlight over the reservoir reminded me how good it is to get out in the week, so bring on the long summer (clocks change this weekend, woohoo!). Just me and Hilton headed out, easy climbing, with me struggling on the steep climbs as usual, and then once at the foot of charity lane, the steady long climbs are a piece of piss! At the top of charity, we were glad to see almost all the snow gone from the weekend, phew! SO we flew down, loving it, pushing the turns and finding the lines, also got soaked, but pushed back up for some top snaps. Then down "Chris's trail". The beast really does chew that shit up big time! Quiet night, so we had the place to ourselves. Raced back down the bridleway, had a bit of a race with Hilton, we both then nearly lost the back ends of the bikes going full pelt, heart in mouth, but buzzing off it!

"You look like you're enjoying that" a bloke said, DAMN right!

Top night, top riding, top memories.

BTW, have I mentioned how much I love my new bike ;P

Now becoming the ride of choice in the Macc area, yesterday we headed out from the smithy, to charity lane, "Chris's trail", walkers barn, down to teg's nose and the descent from there. Macc and its stupid weather meant that the snow from early in the week was still at large which made charity lane a bit shit. 4 out of 5 times I've been out on the "new beast" has seen snow or ice hinder my joy! Still, heading across to Teg's nose was fun, the speed carried over the rocks and stones was a bit much for some, so we had a puncture break! After the long walk up to teg's nose, we had some fun on a rocky drop off. Team rider Ben mocked my "I want to do this by the end of summer" by doing it straight off. Still, never one to shy away from a challenge, I did it. Thanks for the impetus Ben! So, with about 6 months ahead of schedule, what's next I ask?!!! Heading off down the singletrack, it was great to be at the front and in full attack. Loved it, and the climb up to the leather smithy didn't seem to bother us with the adrenaline still flowing. Really need to get fit though, so I'm "off the beer" til after Glentress (apart from this weekend!).

Top riding.

Being woken by the Sunday morning sunlight rather than one of the local boy racers in his Nova was quite refreshing. Getting outside on my bike in the wind was simply fresh. Front brakes now sorted following new fork purchase, it's now the back one that's playing up... Oh well, just have to get it sorted for Glentress! Opting to ride up to the Leather Smithy, I then had a well earned rest while the others unpacked their bikes from the cars. A good hard climb took us up to Charity Lane, where we had to contend with snow and ice on the paths. Strange as it seemed, speed was the best weapon with which to tackle the slushy rocky lane as at low speed the bike tended to slide sideways more. Surviving this we continued to Tegg's Nose (my first time venturing over that way) and a great little twisty single track to end the ride off. A good start to the pre-Glentress fitness regime, but not relishing the fact that I may soon be in the minority of hard tail riders. The previously ruled out full susser may be back on the wish list after all!

Message from Scott(airman)...

GLENTRESS - THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU WILL DO TODAY!

Our long awaited and anticipated trip to the beautiful border country of Scotland that has been shaped and designed for the very need of a mountainbike, [unlike the moaning, unco-operative hills of England!] is in sight. However, as I've been a bit of a mong, been ill, forgetful, a few other things, I only got round to trying to book accommodation recently [last night].

The camp sight with its famous caravans is not an option, they are all privately owned [things have changed since I was 9 and we used to stay there!]. So, we return to Winkston farm, location of our first epic stay, over a year ago now in the beginning of March 2005. Btw, it snowed last weekend, so the competition we saw that guy entering last year was snowed off this year!

Anyway, options are a-plenty, but I really need numbers to confirm AND pay a deposit by THIS WEEKEND [that means a reply is required, I don't care how 'busy' you are!]. Obviously I also need to do the basic math and count how many people are coming, and on what nights they require accommodation.

In summary, we are looking at the weekend of 21st April (Friday) to the 24th April (Monday). I am planning on going up on Friday 21st April for the first ride on Friday afternoon, possibly red route at Glentress or even Downhill route at Innerleithen. That was just to wet your appetite, ride details shall be sorted later....

So, accommodation is required on the....

Fri 21st
Sat 22nd
Sun 23rd

So.........who needs to stay when? Please reply ASAP as I have reservations made, but at the moment only for 4 on Friday and 7 or 8 on Sat and Sun.

Friday is very busy, but the owner of the farm can find us accommodation if required in a neighbouring B+B. The Sat and Sun nights will be in the self catering cottages ("Bothy" in Scots' language), Friday in B+B.

Costs even out to about £60 for the 3 nights, so keep that in mind.

I think that is all, except, Chris, I need to know if Mike and Stu want to come and on what nights. Please get a reply from them tonight and let me know.

You've all got his email so get in touch!

Looks like we won't be riding this evening - everyone's crying off with illness etc and weather looks dodgy.

Sounds like we'll be out at the weekend locally if anyone is interested. Email me and I'll text you details, it'll be sometime on Sunday.

Announcing the Fearingout Team (website in progress here)

Further details will be announced soon but expect to see Fearingout team at an event near you soon!

Starting the weekly rides again next Wednesday - meeting at the Leather Smithy at 4.20pm.

I've recently been asked to publish a list of rides throughout 2006. Well if you are a regular with us you'll get the team email - if you know people who'd like to join us then invite them along. I'm not going to publish a big list as things change.

See you all soon. Hope the t-shirts have arrived and everyone likes them!

First shot of the bad boys!! (and who's the hunky model LOL!)
Scott and Leo have collected theirs and were mightily impressed - look out for the team branding turning up at a ride near you soon...