Nothing sits heavier in the stomach than the first set of results from the start of a season, that you just aren't happy with. since looking at the results from Round 1 of the Scottish Enduro Series I have been in a self reflective spiral that even Yoda would struggle to add perspective to. I have to start this blog with some thoughts that have fluttered around my mind in regards to this result:
1. Its ski season and a good one at that.
2. Its Winter and mud riding has never been my strong point.
3. Training has become a special treat to make me feel less guilty for drinking copious amounts of wine and Strongbow.
4. A New relationship has taken the focus from fitness to checking out a well fit dude.
5. I still need a lighter bike and this 40lb Orange Patriot from 2004 is going no where fast in slop.
So why am I entertaining such depth in my pondering about this result? Lets have a brief recap:
Its Sunday, the race day of the 1st round of the Scottish Enduro series, an exciting new series for the most popular competition happening on two wheels in this current climate of 150mm travel, carbon frames and lightweight components that become smothered in mud.
Im feeling nervous at the prospect of competing in a torrential downpour at the UKs Outdoor Capital, and home venue for the mountain bike world cup, Nevis Range in Fort William. Luckily I have some fantastic clothing from Dare2b including waterproofs, base layers and some stylish bike tights to help keep me dry and warm.
Aware, that shortly I will be tackling Stage 2, the ominous stage of gloop, that had me cradling my inner child on practise day. I was in a state of denial that there was still hope, that somehow I would suddenly acquire the muscle memory and backbone to attack this frictionless substance.
It had as much traction as grease and a series of muddy drops that I had managed to ride the day before in practise, whilst screaming desperately for some comfort. But, it appeared that I was in a minority with the insecurities, as stage 2 was proving a popular favourite for about 75% of all the other competitors including my new fella, Mr Buwert. How could this be ? What am I missing about this filth? How do you stay up right on this stuff and why do I constantly wash out into a horizontal shape thrower? I have no answers - It could be as simple as "I was shitting my pants"! And fear = bad habits... A tool i've learned from years of Snowboard coaching.
 |
| The easier part of stage 2. |
According to my new mountain biking hero and fit dude, Mr Buwert, there are a number of ways to tackle this kind of terrain:
1. Look way ahead. I think I may have been suffering from extreme hazard fixation.
2. Stay loose - I observed a strong theme of Aaron Gwin style "legs up"allowing the bike to move freely underneath.
3. Don't pull the front brake.
4. Keep your speed and use it to spray the mud away. or something like that.
So how did I ride it? Screaming and shouting at myself, getting in the way of other competitors and sliding around on my ass and chest whilst pushing my bike for about 75% of the way. So not very well. But it turns out that in a series of bad results this happened to be my fastest stage- coming in 7th, but still over 2 minutes behind the fastest lady, Emma Guy, this is not where I like to sit on the results table.
 |
| A sloppy corner |
 |
| Trees for cleaning mud. |
But to his credit he rode with style and attempted all obstacles. Well Done Mr Buwert! And despite his epic fall that filled his facial orifices with runny earth he was still over a minute faster than me.
None the less, I like to keep myself happy with the comfort that I rode this stage in practise, I overcame my fears and seized my opportunity to get to grips with having no grip and I rode that slippy shit.
So lets not prey on the negatives of this result a number of many positives can be brought to light about this result.
* Firstly, I have definitely highlighted a massive area that I need to work on for the next round of the series at Innerleithen. which will in no doubt be the Innersanity that races hosted by the Inners team like to provide.
* I have no major injuries, not even a bruise in fact.
 |
* Catching up with all the usual enduro buddies and witnessing a fantastic field of female riders from many different parts of the UK. Is a great sign that the sport is growing and more female riders are competing! Well done girls!
* And for the love of all things bike - I got a whole weekend pedalling away on some of the gnarliest trails I have rode for some time and with some of my favourite biking folk. Some of which have offered opportunities of slop training and various invitations were handed out over the weekend of sharing trail and riding knowledge. I love the biking community.
* Last but not least, Nevis Range and the Scottish Enduro Series have done us all proud, hosting a well organised and fun event in very challenging conditions. Well done guys and i'm so glad the marshals quickly realised that my screams were not anything to do with pain.
So in a conclusion to a longwinded moan - Things ain't that bad, I had loads of fun and I am eager to hunt down that slop to inhibit its fear factor.
The winner at the end of the day was Scotland and it ability to host yet another fantastic biking event. N um pure chuffing now!
So well done to all who embraced these stages with enthusiasm. There were some truly fast times, the womens category proved some stealth competition with only 4 seconds between Emma Guy (19.56)and Tracy Brunger (20.00) it was a close race for the number 1 spot. Lesley Ingram came 3rd in a time of 20.25. As the series moves south for the next instalment
things will only become more interesting. Slop being replaced with sticky clay and also a close training ground for many loyal enduro competitors.
things will only become more interesting. Slop being replaced with sticky clay and also a close training ground for many loyal enduro competitors.
