I love my food! Maybe a little too much at times. My portion sizes could feed a small family. You would think eating more would give me more energy. I have found that eating right is the key. A balanced diet and foods at the right time. Being tired after eating is a key sign of 1/ the wrong type of foods 2/ Too much on the plate. A lot of these things I know but slip back into the bad habits of loading a plate. I am very lucky in the position I am in to have good food at my finger tips. I have definitely changed my eating habits the older I get. I would say I eat healthy most of the time. Dont get me wrong I still get a take away meal from time to time. I usually regret it after, unless it is a good Indian with fresh produce. Sweets, Chocolate and Crisps can slip in from time to time but I am trying hard to ditch them for good. I have ditched fizzy drinks and soo glad I have. As I sit here now I have a bowl of fresh fruit.
The flavours are amazing and to compare them with sweets, Chocolate or Crisps is just a no contest. Yet we still find ourselves craving such foods and getting nothing from them. Try as I do to completely stay away from them. I find myself falling back into the bar of chocolate and a coffee twice maybe three times a day. If I could even limit it to a bar a day. This week I have had none and so far no major craving. Maybe it is because I am back on porridge in the mornings.
Another way I take fruit is blended with water.
Breakfast... The most important meal of the day I was always taught. Yet I wasn't a breakfast person and have had to almost force myself to eat breakfast. What worked for me was to start with a glass of Orange. When I got used to that I turned to Toast, pancakes or a toasted soda. I then found myself having bread every day. I have got myself back on porridge and try to take it every morning. If not porridge I take scrambled eggs and brown bread toasted or wheaten bread toasted.
Snacks, comfort food or just addiction. As mentioned I can eat a lot in one sitting. You would think being full up would stop me eating snacks after a meal. I found myself eating straight after and between meals. No need or reason for it except addiction. Part of me getting fit again was trying to train my brain that I dont need this. I have found myself having to stop on the way to pick up a snack saying into myself "You don't need it" Training the brain is as important as fitness training if not more important. It is so easy to give in and say sure I enjoy it. Do you enjoy it? I find the more I take the less I enjoy junk food but get hooked time and time again. I done the whole of lent 46 Days when I didnt eat sweets, crisps, chocolate, fizzy drinks, take away foods etc. Completely off them not just cut down. Then comes easter and I say I deserve a bit of chocolate for lasting 46 days. Deserve it! It is like calling it a treat. It is so far from being a treat but we have been taught to believe these are treats. Back to the fruit and that is really a treat. Yes you have to wash sometimes peel and deseed it but isn't that part of it? Like opening that bar of chocolate.
Suppliments are something I have taken from time to time. Cod liver oil capsuals, Whey Protein, Creatine (When I was gym training) Do they work? Well science say they do when taken properly along with a balanced diet. Why then is running times slower now than in the past. My Father and others who ran for Ballinascreen have recorded better Marathon times than most at the peak of their performance at the same level in today's terms. I am not aware of any of them taking suppliments before, during or after training. A balanced diet and maybe extra eggs for protein. I am no where near my Dads best times. Maybe over shorter races but his best Marathon time is in the 2h 50 area. I am nowhere near that but I blame my laid back attitude in the past. He was committed and had a good group of Irish Champions around him. I am not making excuses just saying how it was. Could that change.. I think if I keep going the way I am going. Keep the positive attitude and STRUCTURE my damn training I could get close or beat his time. Is it something I am trying to do? Not at the minute, my goal is the Ultra Marathon. Not something to be taken lightly and definitely not something to be looking for a fast time. Put it this way when I finish it, I will have set a personal best so thats my long term goal for now. So back to the suppliments and I am giving them a go again. Whey Protein from www.fitrution.com a local company.
Been a long time since this glass seen a Harp
If the owner Paul's results are anything to go by then with a bit of hard work it certainly won't do any harm. I have only started taking it this week. First impressions are great for flavour and texture. I remember one I used to take and was nice on drinking but it left a seriously bad after taste. Glad to say this is super nice. To early to feel any benefit yet but I will keep you posted. Keep who posted is anyone still reading this. Is this blog for anyone other than a way for me to track my progress. If you are reading it and take anything from it then happy days thanks for sticking with it. I will admit that these are my experiences, feelings and ways to do things. They might not work for you but maybe reading this is enough for you to think I need a goal in my life. Or I would like to challenge myself somehow. Things I have done from being inspired by someone or something have shocked me at times. If I can do it anyone can do it.
Before finishing the ultra I have to break down the goals into daily and weekly targets. Eat right, STRUCTURE the training, follow the right training plan for my needs. It is a work in progress and should finish with another achievement. Positive attitude and hard work.....
Finishing a 12 hour day and driving 40 mins home. I stood looking at the trees sway and the sideways rain hit the kitchen window. Welcome to our Irish summer! We have been blessed with the recent weather dry, warm and calm. I hate to say it but maybe too warm for running at times (I am not complaining though) So when you are in the process of ramping up training and are faced with an evening like tonight what do you do?? You get the gear on and go running of course. The worst part of the weather is looking at it. I will admit the feeling of "what am I doing?" when I first step out in the rain. Less than a mile in and the rhythm takes over. The body heats up and the rain feels warm. I was running at a slower pace to up the miles. Not looking at a watch and a route that I had guessed was close to 10 miles. It turned out a mile and a bit shy of 10 but I was so comfortable I could have kept running. I think I read somewhere not to go more than you had planned even if you are feeling good. I finished comfortably with a slow jog to walk as a warm down.
I am in the process of finding a training plan and tweaking it for my conditions. In the mean time I plan to just keep running with a cross training day (Mountain biking) Also a strength and conditioning day. This will be the first training plan I have ever looked at. I ran two Marathons without training plans or structured training. I struggled and my finish time was not too hot. I NEED to get more structured to improve. I have had some great hints and tips from fellow runners and some great references for books and plans. One of which is "Relentless Forward Progress" By Bryon Powell. (Thanks to Gary Cullinan for the reference to this book). I have been listening to the audio book and the paperback arrives tomorrow. Structure in progress....
I have always been a fairly active person, with the exception of certain times of my life for one reason or another. The past few years I have become less and less active and the weight started to creep on. I needed to get myself on track again and during lent I set myself a challenge. Some form of exercise every day for the whole of lent. Lent lasted on the calendar for 46 days? I thought it was 40 days and 40 nights but I was in for the long haul. So some form of exercise every day from Ash wednesday to Easter Saturday.
14th February Weight 93kg
I set out a plan, watch what I eat and control the portion sizes. No junk foods and no eating between meals unless for healthy snack foods. I had no set fitness plan for this challenge, or a specific diet that I would stick to. I like most sports can run, bike, swim and most things in between. My garage is equipped with a punch bag, spin bike and free weights I had no excuses. I have attached a log of what I done and what I ate (See below Screenshots). I am not a structured person when it comes to training or eating so keeping this log helped me keep doing the challenge. Seing the progress on paper and filling it in every day was a way of keeping me moving. I work Monday to Saturday on average 12 hour days so my number one excuse was I didn't have time. When I started this it wasn't easy and coming home after 12 hours with a 40min drive home. I did feel tired and felt like saying I will start tomorrow. Once I was out there on the spin bike or out for a run I was loving it. I had the option of walking but ran, biked or boxed. My running improved and on St Patricks day 17th March I ran a 10k race finishing time 45mins.
I will admit it wasn't always easy to go and train but when I was doing it I really enjoyed it. I started to feel better, mentally and physically. Then you ask yourself why did I not do this sooner.
I was into the last few days of the challenge. Some aches and pains mainly from running but nothing major. On 28th March day 43 I was doing sprints and I pulled a hamstring. At the time it felt like a complete snap. I have never had an injury like this but knew I wouldn't be training the next day. Rather than make it worse I decided to completely rest. Two days complete rest with the exception of being on my feet all day in work. Three days after injury I had a long walk in the evening. Easter sunday 4 days after injury I ran a 4 mile beach run.
I was on day 47 and I had lost slightly over 10kg in weight. The leg felt ok but the challenge was finished. It is so easy to fall back into the old habits and I will admit I started to miss training days and the eating habbits fell to the bigger portions and the odd bit of junk food.
I need a goal to keep me going and signed up for a 100km 5 peak cycle challenge. A very hilly course and with very little bike time. I tend to aim high rather than building up to something and it seems to be working. The cycle went well and I completed it fairly comfortably allbeit slowly. Next was a 9 mile trail run on Divis mountain. I finished in 16th place and has really got my love for trail running back.
Run DMC 9miler 16th Place
What next as I am starting to slip again.....
On my Birthday I seen an advert for a Marathon. The Causeway Coast Marathon. A course I love and an area I spent summers of my childhood. I have done this event on two occassions. In 2010 I done the Causeway Half Marathon. The year before I had done the full Marathon distance. So would it be the Half or the Full this time. Well this event is in September and in addition to the 10k, Half and Full Marathon distances there is an Ultra Distance. 40 Miles
I told you I aim high and had considered this race before. I know my lack of scheduled training and laid back attitude might not get me through this like other events. So my goal has been set and now some hard work HAS to take place.
Portstewart to the carrick a rede rope bridge and back to portballintray. 40 miles along some of the worlds most stunning coast lines exciting times ahead.
Davagh Enduro Night Rider
Davagh Forest Trails
7th November 2015
This is the second edition of the Davagh Enduro Night Rider. Unlike last year the weather was fantastic. With the majority of the prep work done it was all down to on the day setup. Entries this year where low in the lead up to the event. A last minute surge in entries seen numbers slightly bigger than last year.
Lunch time Saturday we headed into the forest to mark out stages. Although Davagh Forest trails has way marker points. The direction we take as a race sometimes deviates from the trail centre direction. We taped off junctions and used arrows to indicate the direction. After marking the junctions next was to set up the timing system on each stage. We switched the system on and used our test card to ensure it was working. We got back to the carpark and set up the registration area. Registration was due to open at 5pm. There were many riders already at Davagh. The Northwest MTB Club had come over from Sligo. They done a training day with Rosco Lines and stayed on for the Night rider. Some had already signed up others signed up on the night. Already there was a steady flow of riders coming through the registration area. I give the marshals their instructions and sent them out into the forest to get their position. Riders started out on the climb to the top and stage 1. The stage was set, marshals in place, medics roving the forest and riders on their way to the start. I would also be roving between the stages.
The night enduro follows a similar route to the day enduro with some small changes. All trail centre based to make this event accessible to most riders. There was a good atmosphere and a dry night really helped. Trails had some puddles from the rain earlier in the day. Despite this, the trails have more grip with a bit of moisture.
Riders lit up the forest with bike lights and head lights. The flicker of the lights and rattle from bikes resembled an 80's style video game. Despite the riders coming through the forest at 30second intervals there was an eerie silence. Watching riders finish each stage with smiles always helps ease the nervs. With the event well underway I drove between stages making sure all riders and marshals were ok. Updating the medics when a stage had been closed with our sweeper riders. Our medical team have good knowledge of the area. They move between stages setting up at the most central location. As stages complete they reposition, always staying as close to the action as possible. Some of our marshals were also riding the event. When the stages closed they then completed the stage. Riding around behind the main group completing the stages.
The majority of the field had completed the stages. While waiting on the marshals to complete the course. I took a drive around and started taking in the tape and signs. As I done a complete loop I drove back towards stage 5. All riders had got through and our marshals were getting ready to go back to the main carpark. Medics stood down with no actions always makes a good event. There was a great buzz from the riders, as I got back to the cabin. Comparing times and reliving each stage through animated stories. Riders spoke about how it went right and wrong time wise for each stage. Riders were getting warmed with soup, sandwiches and sausage rolls. Others gathered at the screen comparing times. When the final marshals got back we got straight into the prize giving.
Kings and Queens of Darkness
1st Female Molly Stack
2nd Female Tricia Kelly
1st Male Sport Conor McQuillan
2nd Male Sport David Burns
3rd Male Sport Kenny Graham
1st Male Intermediate Scott Nelson
2nd Male Intermediate Bryan Conlon
3rd Male Intermediate Peter Wilson
Spirit of the Enduro
Alex Vibornijs & Dylan Harpur
Young 16 year olds mixing it with the adults and placing very highly in the overall results.
Thanks to all our Sponsors who help make the event happen. Signal Signs have been a fantastic help this year. Steelweld Fabrications for making our trophies. Blackthorn Design for the artwork and trophy design. The Shepherds Rest for the food and drink after the event. Sperrin Bakery Draperstown for the rolls and sausage rolls. Barry McGuigan for sweeper duties and the Photographs.
I also can't thank enough the team of marshals and helpers. They come up and make the event run like clock work. Joan who puts on a great spread of food for everyone at the end. S.T.E.P.S. Mental health girls who always get stuck in and help us in registration and catering. Last but not least the Competitors. I have said it before, We create the platform and the riders make the atmosphere. You are all legends.
The Redbull Foxhunt is a role reversal event. The Fox (Gee Atherton) is the hunter and the hounds (400 Mountain bikers) are the hunted. The aim for the hounds is to stay in front of the Fox until the finish line. In reality for most it is to get to the bottom in one piece. In what is one of the most crazy Mountain bike races you could ever take part in. The Rebull Foxhunt is a fast paced race with potential carnage around every corner.
The event starts on Friday with registration and evening practise sessions. On Saturday there was registration and morning practise. New for 2015 there was a DH race as the seeding run for the main event. Sunday had registration followed by morning practise and then the main Foxhunt event early afternoon.
Social media was full of Redbull Foxhunt pre hype. Everyone was buzzing with anticipation at the chance to meet and ride with two time Downhill Mountain bike world Champion Gee Atherton.
I had taken part in the Redbull Foxhunt Cavehill Belfast event in 2012. I had missed the 2013 event in Rostrevor to do a race in Catalunya. I had a fair idea of what lay ahead but numbers were up this year with a record 400 registered riders. The event sold out quickly due to the high demand.
Myself and good friend Barry McGuigan decided to pack up and drive down on Saturday night. We joined the rest of the Klunkers and got our tent up. I haven't slept in a tent for an age and it would tell, with little to no sleep.
It was hardly ideal preparation the night before a race. Thankfully the excitement of race morning cancelled out any bleary eyes. After a shower I was suited and booted ready for a fry in the Kilbroney Park Cafe.
We had to do at least 2 full runs to qualify for the main race. Everyone was issued with our Red Foxhunt hunting jerseys at registration. Shortly after 9 Barry, Brendan McAleer and I rode over to the uplift tractors.
The tractor and trailer uplifts took us only half way up. We had a bit of a push up to the starting point. There was a chill in the air but clear skies. We didn't take long to warm up. The push up path was steep so the legs, lungs and heart got a real work out. Climbing out of the tree line we had a great view back down to Rostrevor village. Well warmed up we didn't hang around too long at the top. The plan was to get the two qualifying runs in as early as possible. I took it fairly easy to get the legs and try and get a good look around at the possible passing places. There was no point thinking about a racing lines. It was more getting as many options in your head as possible. Coming down with 400 or so others there is a good chance someone will be on your first choice line. One run down we didn't hang about and headed straight back up for more. This time I rode the top section at pace but slower down the last section. Stopping at a few areas to check out some lines and possible passing points. When we got back down to the race village the place was bouncing. Redbull Tent housed the DJ who was pumping out tunes. The crowd was rocking and ready for the final uplift to start the race.
The uplifts were in full swing. Tractors, trailers and the East Coast adventure buses ran uplifts flat out to get the 400 riders up. After the uplift we began the long push up the switch backs through the trees. You could feel the excitement building. Like minded warriors tooled up heading to do battle. A sea of red lined the top of slievemartin between the flags. Tension was building as the organisers and Gee Atherton posed for photos. Cheers went up as Gee wished everyone luck. The Honcho media drone flew overhead, everyone waving their arms to show they were ready. Gee rode across to his starting point and the count down commenced. Riders pushed forward to get as close to the front line as possible. The sound of pedals clicking into place, Gopros powering on. This was it......
The hunting horn sounded with a prolonged rhythm of blasts. I got on the pedals and pushed hard. Banging bars and feeling bikes hit me from both sides. Just as we made progress someone stopped in front of us and there was a big tangle of bikes. I pushed forward hopping on one leg before getting clipped in again. I cut to the right to try get a bit of free space. The ground was rougher and the grass was deeper. I dropped into a dip and rose back up out of a slight rise. Making a slight bit of ground to those on my right. The ground then fell away towards the bridge.
There was a mine field of rocks hidden beneath the heather and grass. Hanging off the back of the bike I kept off the brakes and went for it. As I reached the bridge already there was a bottle neck. I rode across the bridge and and with a blast Gee rode past. I roared him on and then tried to get moving but bikes and bodies all tried to fit into the single track. It was moving very slow as people pushed past on either side. The movement in front was slow and we were being swamped on either side. I tried to encourage the riders in front to push on. Eventually it started moving and riders mounted the bikes and a slow pedal commenced. I got to the side of the track and started pedalling past others. I then went into a hole and almost went over the bars. Thankfully the back wheel landed again and I rejoined in behind a few riders. Pace was slow along the red trail and I tried to relax ready for the DH section. Turning off the red and onto the grass I passed a couple of riders. I got on the pedals and pushed hard. Dropping down into Stevie-D's roller coaster the pace picked up. Shouting up front at slower riders, trying to get past on the rougher sides. It was a gamble some times riders moved into the path brakes on and a quick change of direction. The dual slalom parts of the track worked great for passing. Drops, berms and kickers on this fast section of track.
The ground steepened and tightened into single track. This was the start of the idms track and probably my favourite section. We rocketed around berms in a train of riders.
As the ground flattened out a bit a rider went down in front. Others locked up and we were on the brakes trying to avoid a pile up. One man went to the side and we dived past. As the track split two riders went to the right and I took the chance and dived left. I cut across the path of the riders and got away in front. This section crosses the road and dropped into the Pulse DH track. Rolling off the fireroad crossing the trail cut through the trees. A catch berm and a small drop off before joining the main track. The next section had multiple lines with some natural sections cut through the trees and others on the trail centre DH trail. I was going well but catching people and not getting into a rhythm. Shouting up for passing points and trying to think ahead what was coming next. On a natural section two riders in front slowed up. I was coming in quick and had to drop down into a newer line. As I straightened up ready for a drop off the rider in front went down. A dab of the brakes but then I had to go for it. Hucking forward I missed the rider on the ground thankfully. Carrying the speed I caught three more riders just before a rock drop.
Looking ahead I thought about a possible passing point at the next hairpin. Most riders went straight and I cut into the right sliding down a steep bank. I rejoined the track sliding into another rider, shoulder to shoulder he went down but shouted for me to keep er lit. I got on the pedals and pushed as hard as I could through the next bit. As I crossed the fireroad I was again catching more riders. There must have been about 6 riders all heading for the hecklers rock area. One crashed over a rock. I got passed without issue. Another went straight into a tree up ahead. On the corner I had a rider on the inside and one on the outside with everyone trying to get on the same line. I had to push and go for it. It was like a slalom course in front with bikes and bodies. I took a gamble and zigzagged through the fallen riders. As the speed increased I felt a real boost dodging the riders and staying on. I pushed hard jumping the next rock and rolled a wee double. There was a small gap jump into the berm of Mega mission DH1 track. On my last practise run I caught my back wheel. There was riders behind and in front. I played it safe and rolled around and dropped into the berm.
With only a few corners to go and the finish line jump I recognised one of the riders in front was friend Darren Wright. There was also a female rider going well. As we turned onto the tarmac I got on the pedals hoping to get passed both. I went right but then Darren cut across right. I straightened up and cut back left. Darren passed the female on the right and I went by on the left pedalling hard up the finish line ramp side by side. Darren done enough to stay ahead as we jumped into the finish area together.
What a finish to an amazing race. The finish area was bouncing with music and cheering spectators. Every rider crossing the line with smiles beaming from ear to ear. There was a mass of red jerseys doubling in size as a constant stream of riders jumped through the Redbull arch.
The atmosphere was electric with stories of how it went for each rider. Reliving every bit of action for friends. They compared their runs with similar tales of carnage and big smiles. This event is total madness but in a good way. I had got down in one piece thankfully. We heard of others with broken bodies and broken bikes. Riders continued to cross the line and as the gaps got bigger some completed the course on foot. Punctures, broken chains and derailleurs just some of the mechanicals. Gee signed jerseys and met the riders for photos. The organisers got most of the riders under the finish arch for a photo.
We were all on cloud nine getting photos at the finish arch. I spoke to Colin Ross who took the win. He told me about how he had a bad start and didn't think he was going to do it. It was a super close finish with a great battle between Colin and James MacFerran.
Gee then came over and asked for a photo with me and the boys. How could we turn him down and he jumped in beside us.
The event was another amazing experience. It ran like clockwork and everyone really enjoyed it. Irish Mountain biking is booming at the minute. Events like this showcasing to the world what we have here can only be a good thing.
Thanks to Redbull for another top event. PlushMTB club who done a great job pulling the event together. Stephen Davidson for his superb trail building skills. Also Barry and all the lads for making it a weekend to remember. More of the same in 2016.
Vitus First Tracks Enduro Cup
Donard
Round 4
20th September 2015
Donard forest park in Newcastle Co. Down played host to the final round of what has been an epic Enduro Series. Donard is somewhere I rode in the past but hadn't been back in recent years. It was good to get back down riding here again. Set on the side of Slieve Donard, the park rises up the side of the steep mountain. The trails here are awesome, steep, loamy and technical. I got down early to avoid traffic. I had a nice fry in Nikkis at the entrance to the forest park (Breakfast of Athletes)
Stage 1
Sign on and chip on the wrist we rode through scrutineering. Bikes checked and up the hill to climb to the mast. At the mast we rode up to the rocky out crop and got set. We set of down the side of the mast and straight away we were into slippy conditions. I had changed the front tyre to a WTB warden and was already glad I did. Steep, off camber, roots, rocks and muck. Stage 1 is always a nervy one for me. Trying to get into it without over cooking things. Feeling the front end grip on tight corners give me a bit of confidence so I picked up the pace. Still riding very safe I made a few mistakes riding off line or too hot into corners. Thankfully no big moments just too many small errors. When the rest of the crew got down it was similar stories. We had two go OTB (Over the Bars) on the finish line drop. Best move of the day was for Brendan, mid roll diving for the line to ensure his time finished mid crash. Thankfully Brendan landed on a soft spot and lived to tell the tale. We had a long transition around the side of the hill to the quarry following fireroads as we went.
Stage 2
At the trig point on the quarry we got a good view of the start of stage 2. Jimmy had a big moment in practise here and this had people taking a good look before lining up to start. A steep start on rocky shale with a tricky section of rocks before rocketing into the forest. The surface was soft in places but with every corner covered in roots it was a case of using trees or stumps to bounce off to get around corners. I got caught out on a number of sections following the line of the trail but missing a turn. The bridge was one of these sections. I was pre-warned about it but just missed the turn until it was too late. Another new section to me climbed up into the hill with a series of dips and turns before falling back across to the finish. A very slow section for me again and any gains I might have made initially was lost along here. We had another long transition to stage 3. A big climb finishing with a long climb on foot through the trees.
Stage 3
This was a great stage starting with a tricky rocky section. Followed by tight twisty soft loamy surface. The corners had grip if you pushed hard into them. We crossed trough the wall for a flat out open section. Turning into a freshly cut trail which lead us to the first fireroad crossing. There was a drop off the road into the soft grassy section. Most were rolling this as there was a slight kink after the drop. The stage flattened out with a long section that had the legs burning. Back into the trees and the stage tightened up again. More sections that lead off the main trail and not looking ahead caught me out a fair few times on this stage again. The lower section I hadn't ridden so things came up very fast. I was loose and ragged but thankfully stayed on. A final bombhole with a corner from hell. Roots everywhere I hopped straight trying not to turn on the roots. This then ran me wide and to a stop back onto the pedals and I dived between two trees. Both bars caught but my momentum carried me through unscathed. The finish of another spectacular stage. Back up the climb and across to the mast. There was lot of climbing in a short area but something I was coping with. Fresh legs from no Saturday practise probably helped a lot.
Stage 4
Starting from the same point as stage 1 but tracking around the opposite side of the hill. I had rode some of this stage before so knew it would be a tricky one. Some very fast steep sections with the dreaded off camber rooted lines. I started this stage very fast. On the limit in places but feeling good. I got crossed up on one section and it took all flow out of my riding. Trying to get clipped in again then when getting clipped in having to clip out that side for a corner. I was just getting the pace again when the trail rose up killing all momentum and wrong gear had me ground to a halt almost. A sketchy section took us across the fireroad into a steep slippy trail. Very fast but thankfully I knew about a corner at the end of a big straight so I was well slowed for it. Another stage done and back up the climb for the last walk to stage 5. On the trek up to stage 5 the atmosphere was great. Everyone had stories of near misses or crashes. You could sense everyone was enjoying it but glad to be on the final stage.
Photo: www.industryimage.com
Stage 5
The longest stage of the day had a bit of everything. You could nearly say a perfect enduro stage if you where as Enduro as us. With a long stage I had planned to take it easy at the start. After the first few corners the trail started to flow and I was hard on the gas. A trail like this drives you on and all plans of taking it easy went out the window. Flat out along the first section through the wall and hard on the pedals for the rush down to the crossing. I jumped off the fireroad and tried to keep the pace through the next bit. It was very cut up and rutted. Catching pedals and clipping in and out like my feet thought I was in River dance. Rocky drops jumps and small gaps. If I wasn't dropping off them I was catching a back wheel. Some sections I had rode fast other days, I was very slow and making mistakes. Getting tired and the slower pace always seems to make things worse. There was another couple of moments of bad line choice before dropping back down into the finish area. Across the line to finish 26th in my class and a top 100 place overall.
Photo: www.industryimage.com
I was happy to come away with no major crashes. I had a great day on the bike and the first major race season done and dusted. It was great riding with the klunkers, meeting new friends along the way and having a laugh. The Vitus First Tracks Enduro Cup series in its first year has been Fantastic. Massive thanks to Glyn, Cato and the mighty team behind them.
All eyes look towards Rostrevor in two weeks time. Two times world Champion Gee Atherton comes across to try his luck against us ejits. He is going to need all the luck in the world.
