British University Mountain bike champs (BUCs)

Rheola – 24^th March 2012

Controversy to what a lot of people may think, I actually attend University and a normal week is 6 days, starting in the library from 9 till 6 at night, not leaving much time for bikes or training. The weeks in the run up to BUCs had been stressful, deadlines and presentations were loaming and there was no easing off... I couldn’t wait to get out the library and go race Mountain bikes with a clear head and have a weekend away.

I set off Thursday morning early with Chris Henderson for the 7 hour drive; we took a stop off in Stoke for a quite lunch with Burgtecs DC before trucking on to Rheola. A quick track walk and we headed off to our hostel to be reunited with the rest of the “H-Dub shred club.” We were greeted by the owner who kindly told us “don’t leave food around as we have mice,” what an introduction. Tired after a long day we grabbed an early night.

No9 did well at the weekend for me...

 We awoke to bright sunshine on Friday morning and the whole club (12 of us) headed up for a run, as first riders to the top, we all did a train. After that I took practise more serious and got the Santa Cruz set up pretty well and found some nice lines to keep her running fast. I’d forgotten how fast the top section was and it took a few runs to get up to speed but after that; I loved it. 4 solid runs and some sectioning done we headed back to the hostel for some food and a good old rest.

Saturday morning; race day, I headed up early to get a couple of runs. Everything was going well until I came into the bottom section pretty fast... as I dropped the step down my tyre rolled off the rim and tangled up in the forks ejecting me from the bike. Luckily my Leatt brace and POC helmet saved the old noggin, but was slightly concussed and feeling pretty bruised and beat up. Big thanks to Joel Chidley and the marshall for their help off the track, I got back to the van and was debating whether to race or not...

A little power nap and I decided to head up for qualifying, I took it steady and treated it as a practise run; surprisingly I went into 4^th not too far off a podium position.

Rejuvenated after qualifying I headed up for my race run, wanting to have a lot of fun... That’s exactly what I had; I’ve never enjoyed a race run more. The crowd were awesome and the atmosphere the whole way down just urged you to let off the brakes. I dropped into the finish and went into the “hot seat” with 3 riders remaining. Jack and Emyr put in storming runs so I was stoked to finish behind them and finally grab a bronze medal at BUCs for Heriot Watt!!! You WATT you WATT.....

Finally a podium at BUCs

Well to sum it up; it really brought back the love for racing. I can’t wait for the next... This week I’ve been back in the library and things should be quietening down after this week, can’t wait to get out on my bike this weekend. Stoked!!!