It’s late July now and all of the frantic racing that typifies the first half of the downhill season is over. Two rounds of the SDA at Forest of Ae and Innerleithen are all that’s left of the racing, for me at least. That said should you wish to travel South of border there are still many races to partake in.
The season started well for me in Dunkeld for SDA 1. The weather was changeable which isn’t saying much but conditions underfoot were wet. The course as ever was a real challenge with the middle third being unused before in competition and with 300 riders slaying down the track it changed constantly through the weekend. A steady ‘feet up’ run would prove fruitful as I took the 3rd step of the podium.
On then to Fort William SDA 2 where the weather once again would play a part in the condition of the course this time at the opposite end of the spectrum. It was a scorcher all weekend. The track was dusty to the extreme and needed rain to bind the soil. Fitness and strength as ever played their part on the five and a half minute long course, as did the well equipped bike and strong wheel. Steady was not the name of the game so it was flat out puffing and panting for 6th place.
A new one off venue for SDA 3 was Aberfeldy, taking the place of Pitfichie where forestry operations and rider transport issues halted use. Still the new track was a big hit so to the continuing good weather. With a mixture of just about every obstacle you could ever want (or not want) Aberfeldy was fierce. Many trips to the ground on Saturday practice saw me beaten-up for the race runs, and a rock – rear mech interface moment followed by a puncture and punctuated with a crash, ended an enjoyable but frustrating round 3.
The Scottish Championships preceeded Aberfeldy and was a standalone event to crown the champions in each category. Glen Coe was the venue with chairlift access to the top. The track was steep in places with lots of loose rocks and soft peaty soil. My weekend was marred by front brake issues which were difficult to set right in the front line environment of a race weekend. In true mountain biker style Alpines’ mechanic, Matt and myself soldiered on as best we could. The track was awesome fun and I felt I was riding strong but come race time, air in the hydraulic brake lines, offered me no assistance and the ride of my life!, to take 6th in expert.
In between all the SDA races have been 3 rounds of the British NPS Series. The venues being a muddy Forest of Ae, a dry Innerleithen and Fort William. The racing at these events consists of the cream of the crop in British Downhill and are great fun to be a part of. A small crash at Forest of Ae round 1 demonstrated the level of competition at these events as I finished outside the top 20. Innerleithen was only slightly better with 15th despite good bike set up and a reasonably clean run. Round three at the Fort was 12th as I continued to reel in a top ten result.
Overall, despite some low points in the racing season so far, mechanical support combined with a great bike and consistency has taken me into the top ten British Cycling federation ranking points for the expert category, where further solid results should see me remain. Hope you’re all enjoying the summer on your bikes. Chow for now!