Spent my day off today blasting around the trails at Mabie forest today. We couldn't have asked for better weather to ride in, warm sun and a nice cool breeze kept us going all day. The majority of the time was spent riding the unmarked sections of downhill singletrack that litter the forest. Great fun to ride if you know where to find them.
I had a rather exciting moment as I came flying into the top of a gully to find I had no back brake.... After picking myself up off the floor I discovered the braking surface on one of the pads had completely fallen apart. A quick pad change left me with just the back brake for the afternoon, which was equally exciting as I managed to get the disk so hot you could smell it on some of the descents.
A little trail news now. The old jump park at Mabie which had become a little neglected and overgrown these past few years is now gone. Replaced by what looks like a little Glentress style freeride run which some huge berms and a couple of doubles, table tops and step downs to mix things up a bit. Talking to the builders they seamed confident about it opening within the month, so I'll be back there soon to see how it all comes together.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Mount St Anne...
Dug out the full results from the World Cup at the weekend - Matt was over there flying the Fearingout flag...
We all know the headliners (Hill/Minnaar/Peat) but Matt came down 33rd, 19.14 behind Hill.
RESULTS
Expect a few choice words from the man himself when he's back at home.
We all know the headliners (Hill/Minnaar/Peat) but Matt came down 33rd, 19.14 behind Hill.
RESULTS
Expect a few choice words from the man himself when he's back at home.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Wet day in Tavi...
CLICK HERE
Some video from Mono and Milky from Tavi... loving the very last shot. Looks a great fun track too :)
Some video from Mono and Milky from Tavi... loving the very last shot. Looks a great fun track too :)
Carnage?
Headed over to Foel yesterday, did some building, did some running from the rain and even did some riding!
Track 3 Drop in...
A few runs on Track 3 had my apetite whetted (not wetted!)...let some air out of the tyres for more traction, was buzzing. After passing the young guns sat in the mud at the side (!), I had a small hop off the bike, got back on it, and as I was heading over the bridge, pinned the jump and got on the brakes to set myself up for the roots and tight line ahead, AAAAAAAAARGH, no fucking front break, seems my hop off had trapped my hose against the foliage! anyway, the back end got all loose and off I came! No control, so rolled backed into the drop in, raging.
Got to the car and started bleeding the brakes, to no avail as my hose has stripped internally. That was the end of the riding, so I played uplift driver, muchos fun! It pissed it down not long after anyway. Andy had just changed into his gear and got soaked after one run...Jus was soggy in his "old skool" outfit of jeans, Haha, everyone was minging! Off to the pub was the only option...
Check out the rain!...
Good day and banter as ever, and apparently what was good enough for me, was good enough for Steve Parr on Saturday! Steve came off worse though, bad shoulder I hear, get well soon! Not as bad as this lad though,
WEAR BODY ARMOUR.......
A few nice pics too on www.foelgasnach.co.uk/riderspics230607.asp
Track 3 Drop in...
A few runs on Track 3 had my apetite whetted (not wetted!)...let some air out of the tyres for more traction, was buzzing. After passing the young guns sat in the mud at the side (!), I had a small hop off the bike, got back on it, and as I was heading over the bridge, pinned the jump and got on the brakes to set myself up for the roots and tight line ahead, AAAAAAAAARGH, no fucking front break, seems my hop off had trapped my hose against the foliage! anyway, the back end got all loose and off I came! No control, so rolled backed into the drop in, raging.
Got to the car and started bleeding the brakes, to no avail as my hose has stripped internally. That was the end of the riding, so I played uplift driver, muchos fun! It pissed it down not long after anyway. Andy had just changed into his gear and got soaked after one run...Jus was soggy in his "old skool" outfit of jeans, Haha, everyone was minging! Off to the pub was the only option...
Check out the rain!...
Good day and banter as ever, and apparently what was good enough for me, was good enough for Steve Parr on Saturday! Steve came off worse though, bad shoulder I hear, get well soon! Not as bad as this lad though,
WEAR BODY ARMOUR.......
A few nice pics too on www.foelgasnach.co.uk/riderspics230607.asp
Rear end refurb...
Doing some TLC and fitting the new Goodridge brake pads on the Coiler Dee-lux over the weekend I noticed some play in the rear end bushes...
I've ordered a set from Betd. Will be measuring the full set up to see if I can source cheaper locally in the future.
Hope to bring the bike back up to scratch (although in all honesty it needs a rear hub rebuild and a new headset too... maybe next month!)
I've ordered a set from Betd. Will be measuring the full set up to see if I can source cheaper locally in the future.
Hope to bring the bike back up to scratch (although in all honesty it needs a rear hub rebuild and a new headset too... maybe next month!)
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Definately faster..
Yes first post. Getting well into this riding lark after many years away.
The SubZero feeling good now after a good few sessions, and after two weeks of problems (punctures and chain incident) it was good to have a trouble free run on the usual quick route.
Top section of Charity Lane was very dry and sketchy and couldn't get any rhythm, but after the second jump and all the way to the bottom me and the beast flowed like never before.
Next time get the entire of Charity Lane nailed without causing any more damage, think twice weekly is in order.
Think I might have caught the bug!
The SubZero feeling good now after a good few sessions, and after two weeks of problems (punctures and chain incident) it was good to have a trouble free run on the usual quick route.
Top section of Charity Lane was very dry and sketchy and couldn't get any rhythm, but after the second jump and all the way to the bottom me and the beast flowed like never before.
Next time get the entire of Charity Lane nailed without causing any more damage, think twice weekly is in order.
Think I might have caught the bug!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Harder and faster?
Yeah in brief just Jon and me out tonight on hardtails in Macc.
Charity Lane was dry and FAST! Got the perfect hardtail lines nailed now - and without pedalling to get more speed in places I'm as fast as my limited pedalling and gravity could take me! Awesome buzz. Jon felt his chainless run last week had given him some confidence but for still a Charity Lane novice he was unsure in the sketchier grip of some parts (due to the sandy nature of parts of it).
Bit slower on the roots this week - not sure why - must re-instate next time.
We've GOT to get some decent footage in Macclesfield for this years video - the level of progression since the beginning of the year on our local trails has been meteoric!
Charity Lane was dry and FAST! Got the perfect hardtail lines nailed now - and without pedalling to get more speed in places I'm as fast as my limited pedalling and gravity could take me! Awesome buzz. Jon felt his chainless run last week had given him some confidence but for still a Charity Lane novice he was unsure in the sketchier grip of some parts (due to the sandy nature of parts of it).
Bit slower on the roots this week - not sure why - must re-instate next time.
We've GOT to get some decent footage in Macclesfield for this years video - the level of progression since the beginning of the year on our local trails has been meteoric!
Monday, June 18, 2007
SDA 3 Fort William
That track is something else!
Having never riden the downhill track 'til this weekend I didnt really know what to expect. Needless to say I was subjected to some of the most punishing riding of my life. The arm pump, cramp in your hands and the feeling of exhaustion as you have to pedal like mad as the track starts to flattern out near the bottom, is like nothing I've ever experienced before. (I'd recomend it to anyone though!)
The track is a really good mix of rough and smooth, fast and faster, flat out pedaling and trying to stay of the brakes and there's a handful of spectator pleasing jumps thrown in as well.
It was good to see some big names at this round of the SDA, no doubt wanting to race the track before the world champs in September. It was Steve Peat who took the win with a time of 4:59.636 just 0.045 seconds ahead of Nathan Rennie in second place, and Marc Beaumont took third step on the podium.
As for me I had a bit of a slide on my first run in the woods but then took nearly 20seconds off my time with my second run to finish 26th with a time of 6:13. I'm very pleased with this as I'm used to being down in the 40s. Pitfichie next month, but between now and then there's more entry madness for Glencoe and the Scotish Champs.
Having never riden the downhill track 'til this weekend I didnt really know what to expect. Needless to say I was subjected to some of the most punishing riding of my life. The arm pump, cramp in your hands and the feeling of exhaustion as you have to pedal like mad as the track starts to flattern out near the bottom, is like nothing I've ever experienced before. (I'd recomend it to anyone though!)
The track is a really good mix of rough and smooth, fast and faster, flat out pedaling and trying to stay of the brakes and there's a handful of spectator pleasing jumps thrown in as well.
It was good to see some big names at this round of the SDA, no doubt wanting to race the track before the world champs in September. It was Steve Peat who took the win with a time of 4:59.636 just 0.045 seconds ahead of Nathan Rennie in second place, and Marc Beaumont took third step on the podium.
As for me I had a bit of a slide on my first run in the woods but then took nearly 20seconds off my time with my second run to finish 26th with a time of 6:13. I'm very pleased with this as I'm used to being down in the 40s. Pitfichie next month, but between now and then there's more entry madness for Glencoe and the Scotish Champs.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Got the gear, plus new ideas...
Another early morning and I rose excited like a child to get to GT FR park...the met office yet again pulled a blinder and claimed rain, but it never came, so GT FR park it was (was gonna hit inners if it had rained!). The stinky was on form, and I reinstated big time!
Whips, hips, tweaks and ultimate development for me...one handers and then no handers. The top section was getting dialled all day, and I had a different trick on every table. One run had a one hander, a no hander, whip, hip and tweak all in one. Absolutley f@*#ing mint :D
Good craic as usual with random parkers. Also and met Robin again, he was throwing some nice one hander-no hander-then one hander landing, bar spins, opposite whips and all. His bike still sounds fuct tho LOL!
Just a few pics, and tbh I could have taken these in my car boot anywhere, but trust me, I'm buzzing from the FR park as usual, build more in the UK plllllllllllllllllease! nice shot of the FO gear though, lol...
Whips, hips, tweaks and ultimate development for me...one handers and then no handers. The top section was getting dialled all day, and I had a different trick on every table. One run had a one hander, a no hander, whip, hip and tweak all in one. Absolutley f@*#ing mint :D
Good craic as usual with random parkers. Also and met Robin again, he was throwing some nice one hander-no hander-then one hander landing, bar spins, opposite whips and all. His bike still sounds fuct tho LOL!
Just a few pics, and tbh I could have taken these in my car boot anywhere, but trust me, I'm buzzing from the FR park as usual, build more in the UK plllllllllllllllllease! nice shot of the FO gear though, lol...
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Empire of dirt cancelled...
EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO SERIOUS DAMAGE TO COURSE BY HEAVY RAIN
LINK HERE
Newton Abbot, 15th June, 3pm - Kye Forte and organisers of Red Bull Empire of Dirt, are incredibly disappointed to announce that the event has had to completely cancelled for 2007.
Unusually heavy rain throughout Thursday night, and most of Friday, has damaged the course so extensively, that the hard working course crew will be unable to complete repairs in time.
Naturally, everyone involved, including Kye, Red Bull, the course shapers, event crew, and of course the world class riders, who have travelled from far and wide, are very disappointed. However, spirits are high, as planning for Red Bull Empire 2008 has already begun!
Milky will be heading down to the course in the next week to get some snaps for Wideopen. Check out Issue 3 out soon.
LINK HERE
Newton Abbot, 15th June, 3pm - Kye Forte and organisers of Red Bull Empire of Dirt, are incredibly disappointed to announce that the event has had to completely cancelled for 2007.
Unusually heavy rain throughout Thursday night, and most of Friday, has damaged the course so extensively, that the hard working course crew will be unable to complete repairs in time.
Naturally, everyone involved, including Kye, Red Bull, the course shapers, event crew, and of course the world class riders, who have travelled from far and wide, are very disappointed. However, spirits are high, as planning for Red Bull Empire 2008 has already begun!
Milky will be heading down to the course in the next week to get some snaps for Wideopen. Check out Issue 3 out soon.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
What a difference a week makes...
In complete contrast to last weeks gourmet weather we had, well winter weather! Full on rain.
A good turnout (4 of us), with 3 on hardtails set the scene... and climbing was a lot easier for me on the Chameleon - spritely infact!This weeks comedy moment (contrasting to the punctures last week) goes to Jon again - this time snapping his chain on the climb up from the barn... special mention should be made though for pushing on to the top of Charity Lane and nailing it chainless on the descent - out of control? hell yes - faster then Ross!? - you bet! Ross has since been justifying this poor performance with a mixture of 'I had water/sh*t in my eyes' and 'I've only ridden it 3 times'... all good banter - progression comes at different paces, and Jon's chainless episode has probably given him a ladder up a few stages!
Down the now familar loop and the rooty singletrack was fun fun fun and sketchy as hell... endo-ing with the back end whipped out and your balls on the saddle head first towards a tree adds a new skill to the briefcase and we all made it down in one piece, albeit some taking a spill (Ross).
So ends another completely random weeks ride... what weather next week?
In other news: Chris is feeling a lot better following his car accident and subsequent eye surgery and is on the mend... expect to see him back out on the bike late July. Get well soon Chris!
Wet Wednesday
Well, how wet was yesterday?! Having scraped the pennies together to get my feckin car back, i was mobile again yesterday, so got out to meet the guys just in time for a macc forest blast. We rode what has become the usual route, but it was a different ball game this week, as it tends to be every time! Wet as fuck, and clothing choice was a 'mare! I got soaked from the inside as I had a fleece on to keep the rain off, but we were all just as wet as each other!
Anyway, despite the weather, good chat on the climbs, legs felt ok considering distinct lack of exercise lately! Charity lane awaited, and I went first, unusual on the HT! Fucking nailed the bitch! Was buzzing at the bottom, as James and I discussed how the fuck we got down there so damn quick. Keeping the weight well balanced and letting the back end just do its thing, hold on tight and keep the lines between the mahoosive rocks and its all good :D Forgot to brake at the bottom and kind of wall/verge rode the bottom bermed corner with a little speed scrubbed off mid corner entry, hilarity! No damage incurred so finding the speed on the HT now (as opposed to bomb proof everything on the stinky, just point and shoot style!).
Absolute respect to Jon, who's chained snapped about half way up the climb. With no tools, he pushed up to the top and then rode Charity lane using gravity and little brakes, kwality stuff. He was fairly whizzing past at the bottom en route to the car park again!
Onwards to the rooty descent and my wet rooty practice at Foel came to bear fruit. Zipped off down the first descent, letting the bike drop from around me, I was buzzing. On the edge most of the way down, Had a few near moments, but was buzzing come the end gate. I sat there buzzing and waiting. And waiting. Thought the guys had had an off, and then James came down the hill, foot out and all, haha! Then Ross came down admitting he'd had a "minor off". Means he was pushing it :D
We then headed back to the cars, I nearly had an off having a freeride moment off some logs in the car park. Great ride, but all the way round I'm left wondering how the feck my moto diggers get so much grip on rocks/roots/wet sloppy mud and even grass. A great buy!
Anyway, despite the weather, good chat on the climbs, legs felt ok considering distinct lack of exercise lately! Charity lane awaited, and I went first, unusual on the HT! Fucking nailed the bitch! Was buzzing at the bottom, as James and I discussed how the fuck we got down there so damn quick. Keeping the weight well balanced and letting the back end just do its thing, hold on tight and keep the lines between the mahoosive rocks and its all good :D Forgot to brake at the bottom and kind of wall/verge rode the bottom bermed corner with a little speed scrubbed off mid corner entry, hilarity! No damage incurred so finding the speed on the HT now (as opposed to bomb proof everything on the stinky, just point and shoot style!).
Absolute respect to Jon, who's chained snapped about half way up the climb. With no tools, he pushed up to the top and then rode Charity lane using gravity and little brakes, kwality stuff. He was fairly whizzing past at the bottom en route to the car park again!
Onwards to the rooty descent and my wet rooty practice at Foel came to bear fruit. Zipped off down the first descent, letting the bike drop from around me, I was buzzing. On the edge most of the way down, Had a few near moments, but was buzzing come the end gate. I sat there buzzing and waiting. And waiting. Thought the guys had had an off, and then James came down the hill, foot out and all, haha! Then Ross came down admitting he'd had a "minor off". Means he was pushing it :D
We then headed back to the cars, I nearly had an off having a freeride moment off some logs in the car park. Great ride, but all the way round I'm left wondering how the feck my moto diggers get so much grip on rocks/roots/wet sloppy mud and even grass. A great buy!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Champery
Hi guys and girls
Just got back from the 2nd round of the world cup in Champery Switzland. what a track! steep, technical, slippy and with plenty of corners to keep you on your toes and the crowds entertained.
Qualifying went ok for me, 20th with two crashes! I was hoping for a big result but it was not to be as it pissed down for the last 25 riders. I ended up 70th which I'm not happy about.
My run from the start was going well after having the top section on the pipe I was pushing too hard as I found out going over the bars on more occasions than I can count on the lower half of the track, after three or more crashes I thought lets just have fun now so I through down some one handers for the crowds which were loving it.
well I've just about recovered from the long drive home and looking forward to the 3rd round in Canada which I'll keep you posted on!
I'll try get some pics soon for all you fans.
Matt.
Just got back from the 2nd round of the world cup in Champery Switzland. what a track! steep, technical, slippy and with plenty of corners to keep you on your toes and the crowds entertained.
Qualifying went ok for me, 20th with two crashes! I was hoping for a big result but it was not to be as it pissed down for the last 25 riders. I ended up 70th which I'm not happy about.
My run from the start was going well after having the top section on the pipe I was pushing too hard as I found out going over the bars on more occasions than I can count on the lower half of the track, after three or more crashes I thought lets just have fun now so I through down some one handers for the crowds which were loving it.
well I've just about recovered from the long drive home and looking forward to the 3rd round in Canada which I'll keep you posted on!
I'll try get some pics soon for all you fans.
Matt.
Better late than never...
Results from Bridgenorth - Round 3 of the NPS4X (postponed from a few weeks earlier).
Team rider Matt Jenkins came 6th (well 2nd in B-final) (above - although not in team clobber!!!).
Full results and writeup available on British Cycling.
For a quick look at the results check out the NPS4X site!
Photo (C) and (P) British Cycling, taken by Jamie Watts.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Rooty tooty
Simply f**kin divine!
Tonight was awesome. Fantastic weather, good company, great trails.
Dry and dusty. Fast. Rough, rooty... you name it. It has me grinning from ear to ear.
After a first blast down Charity Lane (I was giving it some serious hammer - I'm feeling really confident and fast on it now, glad I didn't up the stakes last month with my Stinky urge/itch!) Jon sustained a number of punctures! 6 snake bites in the front and a pair in the rear. Good work. Its hard to describe Charity Lane to those that have never ridden it... why it holds such a draw to the Macclesfield mountainbiker. One thing I can say is it never rides the same twice, so that when we pushed back up for a second blast I took a similar but different line... faster? not much in it. Fun? hell yeah!
In complete contrast the singletrack was rooty but smooth - and unpredictably super fast! So so quick throwing your weight around and carrying speed - just wish it could last longer!
We're out at the weekend with the chaps from Monkeyspoon so keep an eye out on Sunday for photos and a report!
Monday, June 04, 2007
GT FR park
Made a flying visit home at the weekend and went to GT FR park on Sunday morning. No beer on Sat night meant I left the house before 8, and was at the top car park for before 9. Rode for 3 hours and it didnt get too busy til after 1030. The Met office deserve some props for claiming it would piss it down :D Respect to the guy I chatted to who had done the black route by 9am! My legs wouldnt even....anyway...
With no rain in sight and a nice dry and dusty under-tyre, I sessioned the top tables, the drop and wall rides, over and over. Met some good lads and had usual FR park chat. Respect to Robin on his Specialized P1 who was throwing all manner of shit off the drop and all. His headset sounds fucked tho! I was feeling great on the bike, and she performed as usual. After warming up, the tweaks were there as usual and then went into whips and trying to combo it all. Looked good (I hope). Best buzz was from doing the black route skinnies into the drop into the berm then drop, then double wall ride at light speed! Also nailed the wall ride SOOOOOOOO high, SOOOOO many times.
Was comedy seeing the XC crew going past mouths gaping wide open. Then the microcosm that is "park" riding was in full swing. Scallies/neds smoking weed and with the worst collection of DIY painted Saracens from 1980 something. Still, the DJ kids and the usual park crowd were smoking it up.
Loved every minute.
With no rain in sight and a nice dry and dusty under-tyre, I sessioned the top tables, the drop and wall rides, over and over. Met some good lads and had usual FR park chat. Respect to Robin on his Specialized P1 who was throwing all manner of shit off the drop and all. His headset sounds fucked tho! I was feeling great on the bike, and she performed as usual. After warming up, the tweaks were there as usual and then went into whips and trying to combo it all. Looked good (I hope). Best buzz was from doing the black route skinnies into the drop into the berm then drop, then double wall ride at light speed! Also nailed the wall ride SOOOOOOOO high, SOOOOO many times.
Was comedy seeing the XC crew going past mouths gaping wide open. Then the microcosm that is "park" riding was in full swing. Scallies/neds smoking weed and with the worst collection of DIY painted Saracens from 1980 something. Still, the DJ kids and the usual park crowd were smoking it up.
Loved every minute.
New product
Check out the new and improved Fearingout shop (click on the link to the right!).
We've got some new designs, and new colours on the old ones.
As always all prices include postage and stickers!
We've got some new designs, and new colours on the old ones.
As always all prices include postage and stickers!
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Still Here...
Hello peeps, due to being a bit retarded, i haven't been able to get onto blogger, but here i am again!
Little update: still riding, but have knock racing on the head, for the good of my health :s i have decided to spend this year sorting out my riding style and cornering, to get my speed back to how it was pre accident. i have sold the Revell, as it was killing my arm every ride, but have replaced it with a rather spangly Giant Trance.
Plans for the summer is mainly looking like 10 days in Morzine, making up what i missed out on last year. so if any one is about first week of july, come and say hello
Cheers
Dave
Little update: still riding, but have knock racing on the head, for the good of my health :s i have decided to spend this year sorting out my riding style and cornering, to get my speed back to how it was pre accident. i have sold the Revell, as it was killing my arm every ride, but have replaced it with a rather spangly Giant Trance.
Plans for the summer is mainly looking like 10 days in Morzine, making up what i missed out on last year. so if any one is about first week of july, come and say hello
Cheers
Dave
Friday, June 01, 2007
Fisheye
Got my film back from the Fisheye camera I took to Scotland. Some awesome photos back from that and I love the colour and the grain in them... gives them a real quality.
Click the image.
Click the image.
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