Dampened trail but not spirits...

Just Leo and I tonight... not sure what happened to Tony (think he was feeling a little ill) and Jon was stuck on his way back from York, but still it was good to get out despite the weather and Leo and I had good chat.

Was the first time Leo was out on the bike since Edale and although he's no lard arse I think he'd be the first to admit he was struggling for bike fitness. Riding my hardtail made it look easy for me though so I'll keep my mouth shut.

Charity Lane was great fun. I took the bull by the horns this week and was conciously thinking body shape... using the forks rather than riding the back of the bike and what a difference. Much more in control I had a lot of fun...

Less so for Leo who had a big spill on the steep section where he just lost it in a chain reaction kind of way... After dusting himself off it was his pride hurt more than anything else but good job he was padded up! Pushing on despite the weather we headed down the singletrack that was actually quite dry.

See you all in a fortnight as I'm on a course next week.
Leo is riding Edale this weekend if anyone is interested - hit him up via Facebook!

Macclesfield Forest 16/4/09

Macclesfield 9/4/09

I know it's late but Wideopen has been all consuming recently!! Well Jon and I headed out to Macclesfield Forest last week for the first weeknight ride of 2009.

Boy did it feel good to be back in the groove - and even with threatening skies we headed for the forest with anticipation of what the weather had done to the trails.

After admiring the Sam Dale air take off again we made good time and after a short breather Jon and I attacked Charity Lane. I'd forgotten how short the Chameleon was and felt I was struggling a little - good fun but more hanging on then really attacking. Since it had been dry we headed onto the singletrack for a blast down back to the cars in under an hour.

Macclesfield Forest 9/4/09

Lee Quarry.....with new sections!

Had a quick Lee Quarry trip over the weekend.
Had a change of route after the first climb and took a gentle trip over the moors the looped back into the Quarry.
Found two new sections, one just after the first trials area: - A few steep drops into high berms then a choice a fast berm or section of three drop offs both link up and climb back to the original red section, this leads onto a few berms and a fast drop onto two good size table tops and a double.
Black route is unchanged and then the second alerted section: - on the final descent just before the corner where we had to photo session, the original straight trail has gone and replaced with two large tabletops a double and a few small gaps!
All in all a good improvement which would have been better with both brakes working!
Who wants a trip??????

Is this work?

Spent the afternoon messing around in Macc Forest with Cy Turner from Cotic today. Cy was over for a quick photoshoot for Wideopen. Obviously I can't share photos for the mag here, but thanks to Dunc I've some great shots of me for once! Take a gander...

Macclesfield 23/3/2009

Back on the bounce...

Macclesfield 12/03/2009

Jon and I headed out to Macc forest both aboard the full bouncers for the 1st time this year. Apart from a slightly seized headset (that's freed up ok - but will need changing this year - probably after Scotland) all was well. Took a few snaps, scoped out where the Nike 6.0 advert (in the March issue of Dirt) is shot (oh my god - there is absolutely no landing area, Sam Dale is insane!) and had a blast. Singletrack was MUDDY rather than slippy with a few big trees down too...

Other news

• Photoshoot with Cy from Cotic for Wideopen on the 23rd, can't wait :)

• MacBook should be with us tomorrow if UPS pull out the stops!

Splash the cash

Not on a bike mind this time... but a new laptop.
A MacBook white should be winging it's way to me in the next few days - I can't wait :)

No Fuss - Wee Triathlon

On Saturday I was up in Fort William to take part in my first triathlon. Organised by the same guys that do 10 Under the Ben, Endurance DH etc, the Wee Triathlon is a sprint distance race that I entred thinking it would be a good pre season event to get me into shape for the student champs in 2 weeks time.

The race consisted of a 400m swim, a 10mile XC bike ride and a 3 mile run. Swimming isn't my strong point so a pretty average preformance meant I had to beast the bike section to make up some places. I arrived at the transition area to see only a handful of bikes left by those alreaady out on the run so I knew if I could hold my position I'd be doing okay. The 3 mile run seamed to be the longest 3 miles I've ever ran. I didn't overtake anyone, but then I wasn't overtake either so finished 6th overall with a time of 1:25.07, some 8 mins down on the winner.

It's something I'd deffinately do again, but only after a bit more pool time I think. Stu Thompson from MtbCut.tv was there so expect to see a video on the site soon I'd image.

On Sunday I made my way down to Glentress for a couple of hours messing around in the freeride park on the Holeshot. It's been built back up into a single speed, 24" wheeled play bike. It weighs a ton as all the parts are bombproof, and the Z1 BAMs are a little undersprung for the big hits, but it's a really fun bike to throw around the place.

I also met some guys filming for a college documentary. Adam if you're reading this e-mail me when you get your film together!

Next race is the student champs at the UK bike park on the 20/21st, where I'll be taking part in both the DH and the XC sport race.

Scotland - May 8/9/10th 2009

Scotland Weekender... it's that time of year again when plans of a trip north of the border are made and dreams of mile after mile of mountainbike only singletrack fill your thoughts...

Probably just nailing Glentress and Innerleithen, having done Kirroughtree and Ae last year.

9 of us this time round - should be a good one :)
If your name isn't down yet, get in touch with me soon!

Staircase to heaven, or should that be Ladder to hell?

Leo and I headed out for a long awaited blast about Edale - it's been over 2 years since I was last there and we'd been talking about sorting one out for a while. So with good weather forecast and a test bike still in the garage to rag, we headed for Edale today.

Only Leo and I mind - not sure where the rest of the regulars were? They missed a real treat.

The first road section and climb up Jacob's Ladder was like something out of 999 SOS - Leo and I couldn't believe what had happened to the sun we drove over in! Once at the top the descent the other side was ok, but just a little too rocky for a hardtail to really beans it. Once this smoothed out the Genesis was in her element again.

After getting lost trying to cut off the Hayfield corner we managed to find a bridleway and were cooking on gas again. The across and down section of bridleway was awesome - quick fast like a racing track with enough ruts, rocks and mud to keep it interesting. Unfortunately this had been churned up by 4x4s recently - and we realised how recently when we caught them on a climb. We pushed past but once things leveled out they soon overtook us again.

Heading across Rushop Edge towards Chapel Gate we were in the elements again but the thrill of the final descent down the broken road of Chapel Gate kept us going... but who did we find but the 4x4 lads doing a snails pace. Really ruined the flow of the steep section for me, after waiting 5+ mins for them to clear 200m it took me just 30 seconds to get to the bottom.

Back to the cars in under 4 hours Leo and I were both pooped but had really enjoyed doing something other than Macclesfield forest or a Welsh trail centre. Recommended. We'll visit Castleton I think later in the year.

Lee Quarry photos... (better late than never)

Well it's been a fortnight I know I'm sorry guys - here are the full set of photos from Lee Quarry... few held back for Wideopen usage :)

Lee Quarry (Dunc's photos) 25/01/2009

Lee Quarry 25/01/2009

Next up is Edale/Castleton area on the 22nd. Hardtails all round, if anyone wants to lend the Genesis let me know :)