Does it come in threes?

Bad luck that is?

Cliff (of Mr Motivator fame - those who read Josh Bryceland's column in Dirt will know who I mean) joined Jon and I for the usual Macc Forest winter training loop. I arrived to find Jon had forgotten to re-install the small retaining nut on his Saint cranks and they'd slipped on the climb up...

Bummer end of ride for him.

Cliff and I pushed on and enjoyed a good chat up the climb. At the usual breather spot at the barn the forestry chaps had left a pile of surfacing rubble that Cliff decided to have a pop at - bad luck number 2 - after a few unsuccessful attempts he pulled it twice, second on camera. The next attempt went bad when he got cocky and ended up getting clouted in the face by his bike giving him a nice nose bleed... after stemming the flow we just shot back down the fire road (making the most of the opportunity and scoping out the possibility of a fun descent on the tracks either side of the motorway!).

Photos below in the new format. Hope to see Cliff out on the bike again soon.



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1st ride of 2008!

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First ride of 2008 and Jon and I were joined by newby (well 3 years out) Martyn for a jaunt round Macc Forest this afternoon. Making the most of the afternoon by finishing at 2pm we resorted the 2007 old favourite route taking in Charity Lane and then the forest bridleway. Nice day for it, bit cold but good fun to be back out.

Jon and I were struggling a little with fitness, still quite impressed with myself though. Martyn's Rockhopper sports a 5" dual crown fork and a huge single ring up front making climbing out of the saddle his only option - that he didn't take up very often!

Charity Lane was rough and wet - good fun going sideways it'll take a few weeks to get back to the 07 pace but beyond that - well it's going to hurt put it that way!

Looking forward to the next ride - about a fortnight's time on the Wirral :)

Version 11 a work in progress...

You may seem some odd happenings on here over the next few weeks as I test out some of the code for Version 11 - bear with me! It'll be worth the wait.

Alpine Bikes Winter Series News

Last weekend was supposed to be the first round of the Alpine Bikes Winter series held at Innerliethen in the Scottish Borders. Unfortunatly on Saturday morning one of the marshalls unexpectedly collapsed and passed away. SPS events have released a statement about the incident which can be found in full here;
SPS Statement

During this time I would ask you to spare a moment to think about the family and friends. I would also like to commend the way in which the sad news was haddled by all at the weekend, especially the organisers.

Busy busy busy for 2008....

We're only 3 weeks into the new year and I already seam to have a packed riding calendar. I've already hit the street, park and xc trails and I'll be getting my DH fix this weekend at round 1 of the Alpine bikes winter series. I've not far to travel at the races are being held at Innerliethen although I need to get my hands on some mud tyres as its been raining for weeks here in Edinburgh.
Also in the coming months are the other two rounds of the winter series plus the BUSA's in Cwm Carn. Edinburgh Uni are expecting big things this year and I'll be there to report back all the results and usuall shenanigans, so watch this space...

DVD out now!

Those that ordered there DVD should receive it before New Year!
Mastered the final copies today and bought the boxes. It's a cracker... excuse the pun!

The 'premiere' may well not be a premiere per se - but is still planned for January.

Wideopen Issue 5

Wideopen Issue 5 is out now!
Packed full of the usual high quality content with articles by both myself, Scott and Steve amongst interviews with Sam Hill and Colum Walsh!

Go check it out:
www.wideopenmag.co.uk

ISSUE 5:
Sam Hill interview / Colum Walsh lives fast / Foel Gasnach / NPS and SDA wrapup / Diamonback / Cycle2007 / Roadtrips / Dirt / Minibikes plus loads more!

This is forever - finished!

After the grand finale at Gwydwr on Sunday the filming and editing for Episode 7 is now finished! The finished result? 20 minutes, wide-screen format with all the best riding from the year.

Line up looks like:

• Penmachno - March
• Scotland weekender - April
• Macclesfield - Summer
• Penmachno - August
• Scotland weekender - September
• Gwydwr finale - December

I'll be burning copies this week (emails going out shortly). If you don't let me know by Friday then there won't be a copy for you!

2008 is shaping up to a good one and ride plans will be going in the diary 1st week in January.

Grand finale... Sunday... Done

Good ride and a good laugh, only my third proper outing away from macc forest! (fair enough scotland was a fair few days). After spanking far too much cash on the forks and wheels was ready to push the limits and loved every minute, held the full suss boys all the way, I'll thank new forks and scotland jump confidence for that.
Bring on the new year may we ride hard and fast.
question? what else to spend my hard earned cash on? as james pointed out the only thing still to upgrade on the subzero is the frame! and thats not going to happen, I smell new bike!

Grand finale... Sunday

Yeah last ride of the year, later than usual - and also last section for the DVD.
Scott's visiting and will be riding his hardtail, Matt Simmonds is coming over with a few mates on short travel bikes. Jon will be out with his spanking new All Mountain forks and new wheels (mmmm!!).

Just hope the weather isn't like it was last night! Urgghhh.