Bluegrass Enduro Round 2 Glencoe Mountain

There are some events on the Mountain biking calendar that really get the senses tingling with excitement and suspense.  The annual Glencoe Mountain mass start race known as the MacAvalanche is most definitely one of them, and for 2014 the Blue Grass Enduro Series had partnered with No Fuss to add a crazy twist to the event.  



This was the 2nd year that Blue Grass had crossed the Channel and took a round of their Enduro Series to the North West of Scotland. The series has decided to break from the typical Enduro format and run their rounds 'blind' over one day, with participant’s racing with no practice...a serious game changer.

If you enjoy challenging yourself to the max then this event is for you. Riding blind down a mountain side over snow, rock and heather is probably the most exhilarating and exhausting thing I’ve ever done, however the uplift up to the start of the stages, meant that lots of energy could be preserved for the timed bits.  The weather was in typical Glencoe fashion, changing from warm sunshine to cloud and rain in the blink of an eye.  

There were 3 timed stages including the mass start. The first stage started off left of the Cliff Hanger chair and blasted down toward the dreaded climb up Creag Dubh, followed by a tiring traverse towards the Red Run down to the bottom of the resort.  I don't know what I found the most exhausting; trying to work out where I was going, picking a line through pieces of blue tape, marsh, snow and spikey rocks, or the climb up the Creag Dubh hill side (I don't think anyone managed to make it up with a bike between their legs) or perhaps holding on for dear life down the Red Run, which seemed to have the remnants of scree from the epic ski season scattered down its rocky routes.  At the end of this run my arms were bulging with arm pump and I was bubbling up inside my full face helmet.  Still, better than pushing the bike down from a puncture like many folk.

As I came to the top of the Access chair for stage 2 I could see some fellow racers riding down what is named 'home run' on the ski map, and wow did it look muddy.  This stage involved a bit of snow riding, and  from my previous attempt  in stage 1, I wasn't feeling too confident. Earlier I had span around and slid feet first down the hill, whilst my full face filled up with snow, blocking my nostrils.  I witnessed the most amazing over the bars moment from some guy who I had been chatting to earlier - he had been convinced to take part in his first Enduro race by his mate and had already ripped his clothes from a tumble.

When I set off, I was immediately happy with the terrain, which consisted of grassy mounds and boggy ditches which could easily be cleared with a bit of commitment and speed. It was fairly fast riding and I tried to pedal as much as I could.  As I approached the snow I slowed down slightly and just tried to let the bike go, it’s crazy when you hit that stuff, like riding into a field of thick porridge. As soon as you hit it, you lose your speed but you also have no control.  It is extremely unpredictable. I managed to remain upright and get my tripod stability on the go and after a slight battle with some mud I was down the Red Run for round 2...and it wasn't any easier on the arms.

Another bike wash, some refuelling and catching up with my ski and biking buddies, this event was just getting better and better.  I had some great chat with Claudia Clement and her husband in the cafe who have just started to get into Enduro racing.  Claudia is coming back from an  injury and was tackling the stages fairly well. Originating from Brazil and living in France they were both curious of the ride-ability of the Scottish mountains.  Claudia stated "If you can ride here you can ride anywhere” and they asked if the trails were typical terrain for Scotland, looking back to the Fort Bill and Inners Enduro it was hard to answer. But pondering on my own territory of Kinlochleven I could see that yes the North West is notorious for its loose rocky trails, after all it’s in the mountains.

I also caught up with the hard tail riders who were sharing some great stories of their adventures, one boy had hit the mud on stage 2 and lost his bike and his shoe.  The marshal responded with the help of a saint and ordered him to fetch his bike while he found his shoe, proceeding to hunt elbow deep in the mud for the strange man’s shoe in order to get him back into the race.  Now that's top notch marshalling!

Back up for the mass start and I was getting nervous, the weather was changing slightly and the push up to the snow  was tough. I had a whimsical moment in front of the whole crowd of bikers and had to ask a young lad, to help me carry my bike into a start position. Well it’s heavy! 

The start-up lines were sorted out and the ladies were offered the 2nd line, there was also an announcement of additional bits being included to the Red Run. Once we were off  I opted for running with my bike over the 200M stretch of snow, which seemed to work out pretty well.

With a direct line,  Joe Barnes was first off the snow.

Practicing a running mount proved useful for this race. All was going well until I hit the snow that sent me flying in Stage 1 and all would have been fine if I hadn't freaked out, just goes to show that difficult parts can be all in your head. I had my notorious seat dropper issue and had to ride a large section of the descent with it stuck in full extension.  Heading up to the climb I managed to gain some time back and took over some riders.  One guy behind me was retching toward the top of the hill, adding some quality sound effects to the racing.  I had a good ride down the Red Run, hitting the muddy diversion cleanly whilst a marshal was frantically warning people about a deep ditch which someone was fork deep in. I picked my way around a confused and hesitant biker and managed to get past another 2 riders. Coming up to the finish I was so tired I could barely clip back in, and ended up flailing, feet off the pedals at one point riding some crazy corners side saddle which was really scary - but I saved it to the finish.

I was more than delighted to come 3rd at such a tough race. Hannah and Joe Barnes proved that they are a sibling master team at Glencoe.. and I had the most ridiculous Podium pose ever!

Full results can be found here.

Bluegrass Enduro Tour 2014 round #02 - Glencoe - Scotland from Bluegrass on Vimeo.

Coe Cup - Freeride World Tour Qualifier - Rescheduled

Some days I wake up and the thought of snowboarding just doesn't excite me. Mostly on these days it’s raining or I am damaged in some way or another.  This day was one of them, it was blowing a houllie outside and I could hear the slosh of water as cars drove by.  After I turned my alarm off for the third time I eventually dragged myself out of bed, ready to ride some gnarly line down a 49-degree slope in the mist and rain.   I considered 'dingying' the event - but that’s not cool, and knowing that my hyped up mates were ready to 'give er' I had to give this a shot.  After all the Coe Cup is great craic and a bit of sliding could be just what I need to start my day.

A musician once mentioned to me  "you can only focus on one thing in life to excel at" and on this day it was proven true.  He's an extremely famous musician, so maybe that alone should have confirmed this statement.  Since the start of the Scottish Enduro Series in February and after a small knee injury my commitment to the Ski season had been almost non-existent and I couldn't even remember the last time I had been snowboarding - perhaps the last postponed Coe Cup?? 


None the less, I got my shit together and hauled my sorry little ass up a mountain. I headed straight over to the competition face for a practice run and the first thing I encountered as I peered over the edge of the Flypaper was a crevasse that a mini cooper could quite easily fit into, with room for the family too.  It was nothing short of terrifying.  After a run of 'spot the crevasse' and some catching up with the lassies for some girly banter, I spectated fellow competitors hitting some fantastic lines with double rock drops and witnessed some mega sketchy crevasse jumping, verifying to myself this was a day for others, not me, to be riding crazy shit.  I was craving an eloquent and relaxed slide on the Main Basin, in order to become reacquainted with my snowboarding legs, but I had to dig deep and swallow my fear.  Time was ticking, and with the weather due to change in the afternoon so I dug deep and set off for a another practice run.

A small Crevasse on Rannoch Glades

The weather was very fickle, turning over from zero viz to bluebird faster than the fleeting Onesie trend in suburban Essex.  It was potluck if you had some runs in sunshine or the cloud, and the majority of competitors lingered in the haze until glimpses of blue sky appeared.
 

On my next practice run I decided to go over to Baileys gully.  It was the steepest I had ever seen it, which left me a bit on edge.  To  my right, I spotted a huge crevasse more than 10 feet wide and God knows how deep, and straight below me was another of the gaping chasms waiting to swallow me up.  Warning a fellow boarder who was making what I thought was an unintentional B-line for the monsters mouth, I shouted "There's a huge Crevasse there eh!' and gesticulated to the danger zone,  "YEAH COOL!" he enthusiastically acknowledged and then proceeded to jump round, straight toward the massive thing and ollied right over it  - "THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A WARNING!" I shouted back.  At this point I felt way out of my depth.  I was so distracted by the prospect of plummeting into one of these icy pits, I could barely get a turn in, but I did manage to pop over a few of them, after all that was the only way to get down.

With my competition run came the sun and I started to feel lucky.  I decided to do the same line again, as it was crazy steep, and the whole crevasse factor could gain some extra points before it flattened to a natural booter I had spied, with potential for some spinny action to impress the jusdges at the bottom.  I dropped in again spotting the crevasses but I left it too late to traverse back into Baileys and completely missed my line!  I spent the next part of my run trying to work out how to get back onto Baileys or find things to hit that didn't send me into oblivion, and by that time my run was almost over.   Doh!!!!!

Unfortunately I didn't get another run as the weather closed in and I was so annoyed with myself for not committing to dropping higher onto Baileys that I sulked in the cafe for a bit and then headed home.  At least I got to grips with conquering my fears of crevasses.
 

Sporting a goggle tan will only get you noticed.

I snapped out of it pretty quickly when I discovered my friend Katie had won the ladies skiing competition!  Later I found out that I had made 3rd place for the snowboarding girls.

It was a challenging but fun day and I was really pleased to find out that out of the 6 ladies who made it onto the podium, half of them were over 35 and mothers, proving that the older ladies with responsibilities are still up there!  I know the other mothers through the Glencoe Ski Club Junior training, and we meet fairly regularly on the hill while our children ski in the club together, on occasion helping each other with our kids. 

Ailsa Clark, last years winner and fellow mother, came 3rd in the women's skiing.

In reflection I considered the importance for me as a single parent to remain involved in local sport clubs for the social and  physical benefits.  Glencoe Ski Club has given me an opportunity to  engage with other skiing parents, as well as my daughter to meet with her wee pals.  The social opportunities and avenues of support that arise from these groups meetings allow for unique and specific friendships for both parents and children. This is definitely something the Glencoe Ski Club Training has provided, making the club training specific for children to develop their skills and allowing the parents to meet and ski with each other.



A week later I went back up the mountain with Katie determined to take on the Flypaper for the last day of the season, and watched Katie attack Baileys with ease and flow - that girl can ski!  Later whilst on the T-bar I asked her if she thought the Coe Cup competition had brought on her skiing? She thoughtfully replied that in prep for the comp her participation in more physical exercise such as cycling and fitness classes had really improved her agility and strength, helping her to turn on the steeper terrain, along with her fitness so she could ski harder and for longer. 

There are definitely no more excuses for me then...

End of Season Selfie with Katie

Scottish Enduro Series Round 2 - Innerleithen

Just about anyone who mountain bikes, whether it be in Scotland or from further afield, will no doubt have a delicate soft spot for Innerleithen trail centre.  A soft spot not dissimilar to that of an 80's child's recognition for Bill Murrays voice in the new Garfield cartoons…

So I was more than delighted to take myself and the grand see saw of the Patriot to round 2 of the Scottish Enduro Series, and the destination I once labeled ‘Innersanity’. Using a new Car park and creating an event village with all sorts of delights, it was great to see the Innerleithen Mountain Bike Racing crew back on form for another season, and with their new partners No Fuss Events had the ambience of a reunion party with all your mates back together again.

My Enduro companion and her cousin. 

Sun baked mud tan 

After a prompt and damp registration catching up with biking buddies, chatting tyre choice, chain devices and speculation on our forthcoming adventures we picked up our POC goody bags and start times for race day.  The Inners round included a total distance of 26KM, 5 timed stages and about 1000m of ascent. This was going to be an epic weekend.  As its now officially spring I left my tights and 3/4 length under shorts at home and bared the white pins to the Scottish Borders.  Just as well I had my fab Dare2B waterproof, as the rain turned on and off, and the mud was gloopy in places.

Practice was awesome with an instant sense of relief that I had opted for a clipped in approach. Knowing how the Inners crew love to add a fire road ascent in between some technical and demanding descents - I had my guns loaded.  On the long climb up to stage one I witnessed 3 guys cycle up a muddy, boggy ditch that a number of people struggled to even scale with the help of other friendly race entrees.  This reminded me early doors that the Scottish Enduro Series riding is a hugely technical ordeal, with a wealth of super talented individuals competing.  I had the worst crash of the weekend when I head butted a tree at the bottom of the steep entry shoot on stage 3. Later on in the day aafter competing stage 5 I knew that this would be the stage the  would separate the men from the boys. The girls from the ladies. The bikers from riders.

A damp but fast flowing Stage 1
Photo courtesy of Ian Linton

On race day the climb up to stage 1 came with a strong wind and the drizzly rain that sticks to flesh and fabric, and soaks to the bone. It was great to venture into parts of Innerleithen that I rarely ride.  I noticed so many trails that I had forgotten about and made a little mental note to reacquaint myself with these hidden gems. Stage 1 went really well, and knowing I would be at a disadvantage due to my bikes portly figure I got on the pedals the whole way down. 








Thankfully very little climbing was in store to the start of stage 2.  I really enjoyed this stage in practice and on entry pedalled hard, but was taken by suprise how little I could see upon entered the deep forest with my goggles on.  I tried to keep my seat high to help pedalling efficiency but my old school Gravity Seat Dropper only provides two seat heights - high or low, and somewhere in between would of suited better.  The secret to this stage was to keep the flow. It was windy, slippy and rooty, and a lot of dynamic body movements were required.  Early on I started to tire and I could hear my breathing becoming louder and louder.  Noticing the fire road ahead the bike slipped sideways and I fell off the trail and had to drag the 40lb beast back onto the track.

Putting in some banter with the photographer on stage 2
Photo courtesy of Ian Linton

Unfortunately this stage yielded three more tumbles. First after my goggles steamed up due to my full Darth Vader on steroids impression.  I later stopped to take them off which was promptly followed by a smack in the face by a pine branch…my timing is impeccable. And most annoyingly on an uphill stretch my hand slipped right off the handle bar when I tried to change gear and the bike shot out off from underneath me.



I finished the stage feeling delighted that I had made it, with all the dramatic overload of an East Enders omnibus.  Bloody hell...

I headed up to stage 3, still scared about the entry shoot that nearly wrote me off racing in practice. Sitting at the dibbing station repeating to myself "don't look at the tree" subconsciously (more likely aloud with an audience of fellow bikers) I thought it best to head. I managed to complete the stage without adding to the fall count but had to run up a steep climb. There's only so much abuse the knees can take of powering a tank up mud. Smiles all round though!

Back up the hill to stage 4.  I tried to de mist and keep my goggles in working order for the machine gun splattering of mud to the face in the Tunnel and Luge. Setting off with fingers off the brakes I came in hard up to a right hand turn, and my bike slipped out to the very loud external scream of ‘BAD CRASH!’, then straight into a bar hump that ended up in a sideways limbo under the race tape.





A bit stunned with this latest crash, and feeling a wobble in my front wheel from a loosened front Maxel, my normally fastest sections took a beating on the clock.  It was still great fun, even though my calamitous finale was the exiting at the wrong part of the forest, culminating in climbing down the bank, then a run with the bike whilst doing a gymkhana vault on manoeuvre. How dramatic!




The climb back up the hill to stage 5 was long and I was beginning to feel like I'd be slogging a 40lb Orange Patriot about for 2 days.  Ah yes, I had.  The saviour of the fuel tent and the usual banter of well-known faces perked me up. Funnily enough the shoot into stage 5 did not conjure up the same feelings of fear as the previous, but this was the shoot I slipped out on.

I was loving this stage, it was riding so much better than the day before, I even caught up with my handsome Mr Buwert, and as soon as I seen him, boom I fell.

Similar to stage 2 this was all about maintaining swift flow and momentum. Just as I could see daylight spilling into the forest and  sense the fire road, I was upside down again, with my bike all tangled up about me, the handle bars were wrapped in the seat dropper cable, which was now out with my command.

Making up for lost time on stage 5 at Caddon Bank
Photo courtesy of Ian Linton

I rode the rest of the muddy mentalness with a high seat - adapting the tripod look of the Mega Avalanche. On the fire road I regained control over my seat height but found this was a false sense of security in Caddon Bank when again it failed.  Bollocks. I was so tired on this run to the finish, but battled through and was delighted to have completed another Enduro.

Next up is Laggan and I’m  cleaning up my act and halving my fall count. Might even try to buy a lighter bike that has a Reverb too. Does anyone have any good bike suggestions of a bike for a midget?

Another great turn out for the girls, with a very high standard of female riders. I came in 8th, with my fastest time on stage 1.  Clean runs would have catapulted me up the results I reckon, it’s not the crash count that loses time I’ve realised, it’s the time it takes to manoeuver a bike that ways as much as me back onto the track! There was some great results at the end of the day.  Fellow Wheelers member Fiona Beattie came in joint 2nd with Lesley Ingram, and Jess Stone smashing it with a 3 minute lead.  Another great result for my mate Nicola who has proven her confidence is coming on miles. It looks like everyone is training for this Enduro craze!

Full results can be found here.

The Coe Cup - UK's Freeride World Tour Qualifer

Anyone who has engaged in or overheard a conversation regarding the 2013/14 Scottish ski season may have got wind of descriptions like "dumping" "caked" "buried" "stacked" "too much snow" "filled in" and or "amazing conditions".  Is it true that Scotland is having a season of "too much snow?"

Photo courtesy to Glencoe Mountain

Whilst driving back from Edinburgh the week leading up to the Coe Cup.  I observed that the normally rocky and gnarly East side of Glencoe Mountain seemed rounder and less extreme than I had previously remembered.  A round bowl like feature with a few scattered black spots had replaced the 15+ foot size rocks that normally protrude from various places.  Where have all the rocks gone? I at this point was hoping for the usual conditions of +10 and rain, followed by a Western warm wind that acts like a hair dryer after the warm shower.  This may just let the rocks awake from hibernation.  Who am I kidding, at 49 degrees the competition face of the Fly paper and Baileys Gully are terrifying enough without any rocks.  



Lots of snow may be the talk of the season, but little attention has been publicly mentioned about the incessant and persistent low cloud that has sat on the Western hills for what seems like since November.  I have actually adapted a theory that a new generation of bat like skiers have developed in the young children who rip around the hill as if ZERO vis is only a slight hindrance of not being able to recognise your mates on the T-bar.

And this is exactly what the weather had brought to us for the 15th and 16th March, Coe Cup day. Moreover, the "too much snow season" has also brought with it, a strong and consistent air current that "impedes walking".

Low Vis at the top of the mountain

As usual, Glencoe Mountain and the excited Coe Cup competitors enjoy a challenge. This year being the most popular, the event was sold out and with a field of 7 other Female Snowboarders and 13 female Skiers, boasting an impressive 60% increase in female competitors from the previous year. Proving that including the event in the Scottish Freeride Series maybe paying off, along with bringing in some International skiers as a Freeride World Tour Qualifier.

The standard of female riding is generally becoming really high, more and more girls with solid stances who hit big booters and pull off sweet tricks are coming out of the woodwork. Even though this is my third year participating in this event I had some tough competition.   

So after a crowded and energetic competition briefing and some safety talks, we had the all clear to head up the Access chair to rendezvous at the Spring run to checkout our prospective line choices.


Heading up the access chair I start to realise "I am totally in the mood for snowboarding today!" and I’m going to have fun no matter what, as my Canadian friends would say "Just give er!"

However as we queued for the Poma button tow we were informed that the lift status was pretty bleak.  Another hindrance from the "too much snow" season, the lifts are being buried in the snow on an all most daily occurrence, much to the despair of hill maintenance crews around Scotland.  Still there was sliding to be had and all the competitors started to session the blue beginners slope.  Myself and Mr Buwert, challenging ourselves to find patches of grass to ollie over, 180's and riding switch, until enough was enough and like all the other competitors we decided to start hiking up the hill.






At this point I find my good ski buddy and extremist of all extreme parents, Muzzz Small, she had good foresight to attach her skis to her rucksack, and was all smiles. I also found Classy Lass Lesley, who runs the Ski and Boardroom shop next to the base cafe. Both lassies bubbling with banter and Coe Style.  On our hike, we meet many fellow Coe Cuper’s in a similar way of walking like Frodo and Sam’s journey to Mordor, but they were in a slightly more perilous and dooming environment than our misty and windy conditions.  It wasn’t long before we found a common ground and met up with the majority of competitors. 



And as soon as we arrive, there is banter and chit chat bouncing all over the place, within minutes some skier guys invite me to participate in a mass start race, and I quickly move around spreading the word.  

We are directed down to the judging arena, and in a spontaneous but effective way we decide to slide down one by one or in small groups, each one of us, showing off some of our cool moves; from flowing techy carves, to Ollieing (if thats what its called on ski's) a large spread of rocks or pulling of 360's. And with the tricks came the applause of the crowd. We were a great bunch of snow loving Scottish partying skiers and boarders.  A unique feeling of pride sits with me knowing that only Scotland could have so much fun during a postponed competition in the mist, while mother nature blows a houllie. 

So at the confirmation of the competition being postponed to a later date on the 26th April, due to the Sh*t F**K conditions" the mass start race was on, and after a few photos and some media PR. We were off, and from the start point to the top of the access chair, I did not turn once.  I actually adapted the lowest stance I've ever had on my board and hoped for the best, and the only person I could see who I was never going to catch in supreme tuck for speed mode was Muzzz Small, who did indeed make it to the Access Chair first! Well-done lass! 

A great way to end the day. photo by Peter MacKenzie

So that was that, but no it wasn’t.  As I sat at the base cafe with a beer in hand chatting with the “weedgies”, (the name given to Glaswegian Glencoe regulars) who were sporting a bottle of Mescal and giving some West side humour.  A group of Skiers and boarders made their way down the Creag Dubh shoot, a really steep shoot with a crevasse at the top. It was fine viewing - i tell ya. That would of definitely added some Freeride edge to the day –“I’m going do that tomorrow” I said.  Manana, Manana eh!

So until the 26^th April the Coe Cup still belongs to last years winner and local Freeride hero Dave Biggin, I reckon he still has it in him to win it for a third year.

Please let the sun come out and snow cease for the time being

Skiers in the mist

Scottish Enduro Series Round 1 - Fort William February 2014

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.  

At the finish line, I was greeted by a number of muddy and overwhelmed fellow racers including Mr Buwert who was sporting a new look with 90% of his face coated in thick mud. I equated instantaneously that he had experienced a Face Plant!

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.  

Ladies Podium

On the bike in slop

Full results can be found Here

Cycling in the city with a child.

During the summer, I embarked on a small adventure to take Ski Pea cycling in a small part of Edinburgh.  Leaving from South Side toward our favourite kebab shop The Palmyra - awesome food at great value.

http://www.cycle-route.com/routes/Edinburgh_City-Routes-12.html

The journey included the synonymous 'Edinburgh cycle path': a dedicated passage for cyclists incorporating a mixture of various colours: red, green and blue these fluctuate between shared use of buses and taxi's and  numerous other vehicles that stop, park, unload and fleet in and out of the designated area.

None the less, we must work with our resources and the city does embrace a good cycle network.

Here are my top 5 tips and general observations from this experience:

1.  Position: - Pretty much the filler to the sandwich when it comes to cycling in a city but even more so when a small person is with you. In order to keep them safe from overtaking traffic and to avoid any crazy last minute movements I positioned Ski Pea about 2 foot away from the kerb and sat adjacent to her,  so covering the same tyre tread as a car.

2.  Talking:-  Almost running a live commentary of what is going on in the peripheral vision, e.g. "A taxi is coming behind us on our right and its going to overtake us, a bus is pulling over on our left and we are going to move out to the right, I am just going to look over my shoulder and check it is okay and when I say so we will move out"  This helps to keep the child aware and focus on your voice adding an element of control so they know what  to expect and what they should do.

3. Gears: - A nice  easy gear - so children can sustain a constant speed and its easy to stop and start.  An easy gear also ensures that they can't go too fast or too slow. Also changing gear to begin with may add unnecessary problems.

4. Looking: -  Be super observant - checking your child is positioned correctly and that you are aware of what is coming from front and behind, look around regularly in order to prepare for what is to come.

5. Listening: -  Make sure that your child is ready to listen.  I had a chat with Ski Pea prior to setting off on the busy road regarding the dangers of the road and the consequences.  I told her she had to listen to everything I said and do exactly what I told her to do.

Overall, all went very smoothly,  and we had a great Falafel wrap. I was really impressed with how courteous and patient the traffic were, especially the buses, who gave us lots of room and slowed right down.

John Franklin covers cycling with Children in his  book Cyclecraft, which is very helpful for more advice and tips on helping children to be safe road users whilst cycling.

http://www.cyclecraft.co.uk/