The reason why.

I  started this blog initially intending it to be about fixing and riding bikes, however I found myself writing more and more about what was happening out there in professional Mountain Bike racing, mostly Downhill with some 4X and with recent developments I got a bit mired in the politics of it all. At the same time I’ve been out riding a bit and have had some cracking days on the bike reminding me why I ride and why I enjoy watching these competitions.

When I moved from Glencoe in the West Highlands to Bristol, quite a dramatic change of scenery, From being surrounded by rearing mountains in the middle of nowhere to rolling hills covered by Tarmac and buildings. It was so easy to head out and get straight into some great trails up there, with Glencoe Ski resort on my doorstep and Nevis Range and Laggan just up the road there was no shortage of purpose built trails, so coming to Bristol I had concerns about how easy it would be to get out.

Fortunately with the newly developed trails in Ashton Court, a new Pump Track at Brunel way and soon to be opening trails in Leigh Woods there’s no shortage of biking within a ten minute ride of my front door. The other day I rode into Leigh Woods for the first time to have a look at the trails being built there, and I got myself utterly lost. I loved it. There’s a certain joy of setting off on your bike with no real idea of where you’re going and just following the most fun looking trail. Admittedly this landed me in a few bogs and ended up riding down a seriously steep slippy hillside to appear underneath the Clifton suspension bridge covered in mud, grinning from ear to ear and wondering how I was meant to get back up to meet my friends at Ashton Court.

The other weekend I rode up to watch part of the Ritchey Oktoberfest to see how the course and enjoy the atmosphere, I have every intention of competing next year so took the opportunity to see it this year, especially with Steve Peat, Martyn Ashton, Sam Pilgrim and Blake Samson taking part. When I got there I rode straight into the middle of these guys filming a how to piece, something about cornering maybe I should have paid more attention.

I stood and watched the race for a bit, then went to try and get some pictures, passing Peaty practising some tricks at the side of track and getting the usual friendly hello from him. I’ve been crew at the last 4 years World Cup Rounds in Fort William and love how down to earth the riders are and how easy it is to chat to them. Also it’s great to see these guys turning up and supporting a local event, I know this is quite a popular event but to see some of the best riders in the world racing on the courses you ride every week is pretty cool, especially as Oli Beckinsale the only actual XC racer in the group was just stood on the side lines because of his injury.

Trail designer Phil Saxena

 As the racing ended I decided to hit the trails, I tried to hit the start of a trail at my usual speed, unfortunately with a Vito Sport in my normal line I was forced to hit the corner at a different angle, riding over a branch that had been used to mark the course, one minute I was on my bike the next minute I was on the floor bleeding. I got back on my bike and rolled home. What annoyed me about this crash was the fact my elbow pads were on my bag and my knee pads were at home, had I been wearing them I’d have been fine. Lesson learned, got ’em, wear ‘em.

Despite the crash I had a cracking day out seeing world class and amateur riders mixing and enjoying mountain biking together. That’s why we do it; because no matter how good (or bad) you are how old or how fit or how many times you roll home bleeding or walking a mangled bike, you get out there and do it again because it’s fun because it’s freedom  and because of the great people who do it too.