Videos
Posted on July 15, 2008
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This was my qualifier! I’m third row, far side
This shows the terrain for the first bits of the qualifier
The Mega!
Posted on July 14, 2008
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Full update to come, but here are some of the pictures from the week…
Nearly There
Posted on July 3, 2008
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It’s only a couple of days to go until I fly out now. Training has taken a knock with a very heavy time at work and the bike still needs stripping down and servicing, but overall I think I’m ready. Lots of advice is starting to spring up on the different forums about what bike to take and the best strategy. I’m sticking with those who say big, heavy and safe with lots of travel - maybe not the most competitive but hopefully more use on the down’s
Training Day
Posted on June 2, 2008
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I’ve just come back from a great day with the guys at OnePlanet Adventure who run Coed Llandegla. I signed onto their “jumps and drops” course to get a few expert pointers ready for the big race. The weather was very poor but that didn’t stop Jim and Bob passing on some great hints and a few new techniques for coming down the hills. Thanks guys!
Fort William Downhill
Posted on May 13, 2008
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Sunday was a trip up to the international downhill track at Fort William. There was the luxury of a cable car to the top - great but expensive. Then the terror of the run down. It’s given me a big confidence boost to survive in one piece, but also shown me the gap in ability between myself and some of the regulars. It also made me realise how long the race is going to be, I could barely stand after this course and the real one is going to be 10 times longer….
AE Forest - A coincidence it’s like A&E?
Posted on May 13, 2008
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The ongoing training has taken me up to Scotland where I spent Friday trying to ride the forest trails at AE. Unfortunately a spill at the furthest pointof the trail meant my companion taking an unscheduled trip to A&E in Dumfries in order to have a hole in her leg patched back up. The sight of gushing blood and white bone had been quite sickening, but she was brave and back out on her bike by Sunday.
Ouch!
Posted on April 20, 2008
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Pushing things a little too hard at the weekend and I came a cropper, I don’t think the bruise has come out yet. A swift over the handlebars moment caused by too much enthusiasm and not enough skill caused the damage. This was under my protective leg guards, the knees of which were cracked in the impact. I was very glad I was wearing them…
Training Update
Posted on April 15, 2008
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I’ve just realised it’s less than 12 weeks to go until I leave for France, that’s really making me feel like I need to up the training. Currently I’m managing 2 offroad rides a week but I need to get a few commutes in to increase the distance as well as some more downhill for the technical side of things. It’s beginning to feel quite a daunting prospect.
Gulp!
What a day!
Posted on March 1, 2008
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Eastridge was fantastic, the course was dry for the first time and it made for some fantastic riding. Pearce Cycles did their usual fantastic job of organisation, there was rarely a long wait after each run for another lift to the top, and whilst there seemed fewer riders on the day there was a friendly atmosphere and the runs seemed a little less busy.
The riding went well, I’m getting fitter and faster and the bike was riding well. The only problem seemed to be a leaky seal on the fork leg that I’m going to have to get checked out, and a squeak that’s developing that I just can’t trace - frustrating in the extreme. I’m really hoping once I get these sorted it isn’t going to be a recurring theme on this bike.
Hospice Support
Posted on February 23, 2008
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I’ve been contacted by the Hospice to see whether they can use this event to drum up a bit more support - great idea. There’s going to be an article in the paper where this site is mentioned, if it drives in some sponsorship then that will be fantastic, albeit it will add to the pressure on the event.
Another day’s downhill training tomorrow at Eastridge, last time at Bringewood I nearly broke a collar bone so hoping this will be a little less traumatic…
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About
I started this website to record my progress as I try to compete in the Mega Avalanche in July 2008, said to be one of the worlds toughest mountain bike races. As I write this in December 2007 I have zero downhill racing experience and pretty mediocre fitness.
The reason for attempting this is to raise at least £2,500 for the Severn Hospice, a charity that provides fantastic care for those with serious illnesses in the Shropshire and Mid Wales area.
If you would like to donate then please visit my charity page, or to find out more look here.
And if you are wondering about the title of my site, it was the first words from the mouth of my best mate as I told him what I was going to attempt...
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