Woohoo, Scotland awaits. I booked accommodation this morning in Peebles again. Rough itinerary....
DAY 1, 21st Sep - leave Macclesfield early doors and get up to Dumfries for Mabie/Ae. Ride in afternoon. Onto Peebles in the evening.
DAY 2, 22nd Sep - ride Glentress red route in the morning. Spend the afternoon on the freeride park.
DAY 3, 23rd Sep - have a lie in and then ride Innerleithen all day.
DAY 4, 24th Sep - head for home leaving early, and stop off at the other forest Mabie/Ae. Get home mid evening - shattered but smiling!
James H and myself are definites, with space for Leo and Ste L if they want it? Let me know asap (email or blog) and I'll update the booking for the B&B. The B&B is based in Peebles and is an old favourite, not sure if you can be based in Edinburgh for this trip Ste, or even if you are up there by then (dont want you missing freshers week!). We could pick you up somewhere (?!) if required!
Anyway, can't wait, we're bringing 4 bikes between the 2 of us, so woohoo! Let me know...
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Results news from Tom
Had some news from Tom - sounds like he's had a bit of bad luck with the bike but good results! Flying the Fearingout flag abroad!!
James,
I've managed to get on the computer at work cos theres no one about.
Its been pretty hectic for me this last month or so. I went to morzine for 2 weeks then went to the Maxxis cup where my bike got stolen. From then I have been borrowing waynes bike. I raced in spain at a spanish national last week where I got 2nd with a crash in both race runs.
At the midlands this weekend i got 4th, just 1.1 secs of the winner and I went off the track and got stuck behind a tree. Pretty disappointing really.
Next week I go to Austria for the world cup on another borrowed bike.
Speak again when possible...
Tom
James,
I've managed to get on the computer at work cos theres no one about.
Its been pretty hectic for me this last month or so. I went to morzine for 2 weeks then went to the Maxxis cup where my bike got stolen. From then I have been borrowing waynes bike. I raced in spain at a spanish national last week where I got 2nd with a crash in both race runs.
At the midlands this weekend i got 4th, just 1.1 secs of the winner and I went off the track and got stuck behind a tree. Pretty disappointing really.
Next week I go to Austria for the world cup on another borrowed bike.
Speak again when possible...
Tom
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Patience of a Saint?
I've succumbed!! A brand new set of Shimano Saint (22.32.bash) cranks are on there way to me along with new chain, cassette and gear cables.
The Chameleon will be proper pimp for the freeride park at Glentress in September! Rock on!
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Who would work for a living?
I love being on holiday. I've been out on a bike pretty much every day this week. Started the week of with a little BMX down at my local skate park. I've not been down there for a while so was slightly shocked to see half of it has been sprayed flourescent pink! Its brings some colour to the concrete curves so I'd recomend buying a can and painting your local park ;)
Spent most of Wednesday at Ae just sessioning the final decent on the XC route. It's a mix of big tables, berms, drops, norht shore and some nasty doubles. I'd recomend going to Ae just to ride that section if you dont feel like riding the whole route as its a great place to learn to jump. A friend of mine who hadnt jumped much was clearing the biggest tabletop at the end of the day.
Thursday was spent down at the now name "secret squirrel" jumps with the jackrabbitt guys (http://jackrabbitt.co.uk/). We spent some time digging and the rest riding the dirt jumps and the drop that I built a few weeks ago. I was a great day just chilling and riding with some good trails with good riders.
There's a few photos in my photobucket album so have a look if you fancy. CLICK HERE
Anyway thats all for now........
Spent most of Wednesday at Ae just sessioning the final decent on the XC route. It's a mix of big tables, berms, drops, norht shore and some nasty doubles. I'd recomend going to Ae just to ride that section if you dont feel like riding the whole route as its a great place to learn to jump. A friend of mine who hadnt jumped much was clearing the biggest tabletop at the end of the day.
Thursday was spent down at the now name "secret squirrel" jumps with the jackrabbitt guys (http://jackrabbitt.co.uk/). We spent some time digging and the rest riding the dirt jumps and the drop that I built a few weeks ago. I was a great day just chilling and riding with some good trails with good riders.
There's a few photos in my photobucket album so have a look if you fancy. CLICK HERE
Anyway thats all for now........
Friday, August 25, 2006
Forest Jaunt
Thursday evening and I found myself motoring up towards the forest with the electric blue Kona a passenger in my Imperial Blue chariot. Passing by the Railway Inn en route I spotted Hamez carrying out roadside first aid on his bike. Pulled over and got out to help, but his stead was a sick puppy and Hamez had to abort mission, heading back prematurely. I, on the other hand, headed on up to the Smithy and met Phil - mwahaha.
Weather was gourmet... The Pickford and the Woolrich enjoyed a pleasant climb up to the top of Charity Lane, with only brief stoppage and no pushing whatsoever. The lane was a good blast too, although due to the recent rain it did throw up a load of mud. On to the decorative stone lane (not sure what it's really called but hey!) and the spot of rain it seemed had actually helped to firm it up. I felt more confident on it this time round and not only stayed off the brakes, but cranked it too and gave it some lean into the corner. Continuing on to standing stone carpark, myself and Phil both reinstated on the next section. Did it notably faster than on previous rides - momentum is key on this one I think!
So there we have it, the usual Macc Forest ride. Same old route, but I never get bored of it!
Weather was gourmet... The Pickford and the Woolrich enjoyed a pleasant climb up to the top of Charity Lane, with only brief stoppage and no pushing whatsoever. The lane was a good blast too, although due to the recent rain it did throw up a load of mud. On to the decorative stone lane (not sure what it's really called but hey!) and the spot of rain it seemed had actually helped to firm it up. I felt more confident on it this time round and not only stayed off the brakes, but cranked it too and gave it some lean into the corner. Continuing on to standing stone carpark, myself and Phil both reinstated on the next section. Did it notably faster than on previous rides - momentum is key on this one I think!
So there we have it, the usual Macc Forest ride. Same old route, but I never get bored of it!
Monday, August 21, 2006
Slightly better luck this time...
My second trip to Gwydyr had me hoping - praying - that it was going to be better than last time. A buckled wheel was bad enough, but it turned out I buckled my back in the process. Not nice.
It started well this time, if a little bit wet, but that lasted about 5 minutes. Chain snapped before even reaching the fire road, so off we trudged back to the car for some emergency repairs. That done we steamed up the hill (literally steaming by the end) and down the first few descents. Great fun - enjoyed the flowing corners and little jumps, and don't have Glentress to compare it to yet. My turn to film saw Scott bombing it past me with no-one else in sight. Then comes James down the track (on bike) with arm held high like a too-clever school child. The middle section up until the last two descents was a bit draining, and with nackered up gears meaning when climbing I had a choice of Granny ring or something more suitable for the flat it lasted longer than ideal. Still, the last two sections were great fun, even with blood oozing from scraping shins down a pedal, and the legs held out until we made it back to the car.
Oh, and I ripped my shorts too.
It started well this time, if a little bit wet, but that lasted about 5 minutes. Chain snapped before even reaching the fire road, so off we trudged back to the car for some emergency repairs. That done we steamed up the hill (literally steaming by the end) and down the first few descents. Great fun - enjoyed the flowing corners and little jumps, and don't have Glentress to compare it to yet. My turn to film saw Scott bombing it past me with no-one else in sight. Then comes James down the track (on bike) with arm held high like a too-clever school child. The middle section up until the last two descents was a bit draining, and with nackered up gears meaning when climbing I had a choice of Granny ring or something more suitable for the flat it lasted longer than ideal. Still, the last two sections were great fun, even with blood oozing from scraping shins down a pedal, and the legs held out until we made it back to the car.
Oh, and I ripped my shorts too.
Some scars never heal...
OWWWWWWWWWWW
I had a shit ride at Gwydwr. I just kept thinking (up until I wiped out) 'this isn't as good as GT/Innerleithen'. Probably serves me right then when Gwydwr bit back and I overcooked a mild right hander at speed behind the boy Warnock and went to ground. Destroyed my shorts, ripped my t-shirt and even with pads managed to open up the old scar tissue on my right hand elbow - game over for me so I limped back to the carpark.
Gutted that I didn't have fun bring on the Scotland trip in a few weeks :) (hopefully my arm will be better by then - I'm out all this week lads :(
I had a shit ride at Gwydwr. I just kept thinking (up until I wiped out) 'this isn't as good as GT/Innerleithen'. Probably serves me right then when Gwydwr bit back and I overcooked a mild right hander at speed behind the boy Warnock and went to ground. Destroyed my shorts, ripped my t-shirt and even with pads managed to open up the old scar tissue on my right hand elbow - game over for me so I limped back to the carpark.
Gutted that I didn't have fun bring on the Scotland trip in a few weeks :) (hopefully my arm will be better by then - I'm out all this week lads :(
Gwydyr wetness
Yesterday saw a small troop of 5 escape to the rain forest of Gwydyr! Fucking soaked, but hey, I loved every minute! First outing in the stinky on our "home" route and it rocked. I was slower than a snail climbing, but hey, the stinky and i performed beautifully :) The bike flowed so well on descents and it really "stuck" in the wet, great grip all day.
The sections were different to memory (which is getting a bit useless with old age!), however there were a few favourites in there like the dragon's tail (gnarly as ever!) and the final 2 descents to the car park. A few nice jumps have been added and it is weathering well, but could do with that little bit extra (to be a bit more like GT really!). Still, the sore arms, legs and hands were familiar at the end!
No crashes or bike incidents for me, though there were 3 crashes (1 of note), a puncture and a snapped chain and a bent rear mech. Proper wet through, but as we kept the banter and (slow) moving pace, we were warm enough!
And then in the car waiting at the end of the ride.......warm dry clothes.....braw!
The sections were different to memory (which is getting a bit useless with old age!), however there were a few favourites in there like the dragon's tail (gnarly as ever!) and the final 2 descents to the car park. A few nice jumps have been added and it is weathering well, but could do with that little bit extra (to be a bit more like GT really!). Still, the sore arms, legs and hands were familiar at the end!
No crashes or bike incidents for me, though there were 3 crashes (1 of note), a puncture and a snapped chain and a bent rear mech. Proper wet through, but as we kept the banter and (slow) moving pace, we were warm enough!
And then in the car waiting at the end of the ride.......warm dry clothes.....braw!
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
7th at Caersws
Tom finished 7th for SantaCruz Electric (co-sponsored by us!) at Round 4 of the NPS DH at Caersws at the weekend...
Final Downhill Results
1. BEAUMONT Marc MBUK Santa Cruz 2:07.547
2. ATHERTON Dan 2:08.046
3. DONOGHUE Neil MBUK Santa Cruz 2:11.584
4. SIMMONDS Matt 2:11.976
5. BERTRAM Lee 2:12.111
6. REID Ben 2:13.395
7. DEACON Tom 2:14.079
8. LONGDEN Will MBUK Santa Cruz 2:14.135
9. SMITH Robert 2:14.538
10. SMITH David 2:16.128
Final Downhill Results
1. BEAUMONT Marc MBUK Santa Cruz 2:07.547
2. ATHERTON Dan 2:08.046
3. DONOGHUE Neil MBUK Santa Cruz 2:11.584
4. SIMMONDS Matt 2:11.976
5. BERTRAM Lee 2:12.111
6. REID Ben 2:13.395
7. DEACON Tom 2:14.079
8. LONGDEN Will MBUK Santa Cruz 2:14.135
9. SMITH Robert 2:14.538
10. SMITH David 2:16.128
Astound yourself...
You don't 'really' want anything until you're giving everything you have to get it.
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