1st race to be held 16th April 08 then fortnightly from there on in.

Cats.

Under 12 0-11
Youth 12-16
Juniors 16-18
Seniors 18-39
Vets 40+

Points for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th in each cat. 4, 3, 2, 1 accordingly.
Points for every 30 sec improvement below 50% of the fastest time posted on the first race.

Volunteers needed for the new 'World Class' [sic] singletrack project - volunteers are thin on the ground - you all ride the trails, so bloody well help make them!

This Sat and Sun meet outside the Cafe @ 10am.

I will be there taking names of those that come, those that don't it will be noted...

Is what you could say if you'd come on the uplift day on Saturday and you'd spent the last 15 mins on a tractor bumping your way to the top of a hill in Shropshire.
Up at 6am, the only thing awake at this point was 1 lonely cockerel, and the rest of the riders who where rendevousing at 6.15 at chez Carter. The man with a van is late by half an hour and finds it of great hilarity to not answer his phone thus sending me into a mild panic that he's been too busy getting Nutella licked off various body parts by his missus all night and has subsequently overlaid.
Eventually he arrives, the bikes are thrown into the van and we set off in pursuit of happiness.

Were running late for check point of Tamworth services at 8am by 20 mins so Raddy sees fit to lead the convoy down the M1 at a tad over the limit to make up time. Not that we were actually late, just behind schedule, id told everyone to be there in plenty of time as someones always late, but we were doing well, to the point that at the end of the M42 we took the scenic route specifically to go to a village i'd found on the map called "Bell End". Imagine my dissapointment on arriving in Bell End only to discover there wasnt a sign, not one, not even a "Bell End welcomes careful drivers", we're all assuming the residents were getting bored of fools like us crowding around the sign to have a photo taken..

Eventually we arrive at Bringewood after about 3 bathroom stops - why everyone cant go at the same time is beyond me.

Back to the day in question there were a variety of riders there, mostly on full DH bikes, but for all you club whippets who were worried about having the wrong bikes, there were two guys on Specy Enduros, a Giant Trance, a few hardtails and one kid on a £150 Dawes. So for future reference, ownership of only an XC bike is not an excuse.

The track was as muddy as a monday morning at Glastonbury and everyone was struggling to find any form of grip, a quick tyre change to a set of Maxxis Swampthings sorted that problem out for me, its pretty amazing just how much difference a mud tyre can make - while those less prepared fell off left right and center, even our very own Alex found himself flat on his back in the middle of the course like a ladybird that can't get off its back.

We managed runs into the double figures between 11 and 4, it was possibly one of the most laid back uplifts ive ever been on, mostly theyre hurried afairs with everyone barging in to get on the vehicle, but not this one, there were more spaces than there were riders which made a refreshing change.

Casualties of the day included a snapped chain, and a snapped shock bolt - thankfully on the last run of the day and not on a anything big - that certainly could have ended up with a trip to A&E.

Thanks to all those who turned up, and for those who didnt, shame on you!

Anyone fancy a week of riding cross country Alpine style? Merv is organising a week in Chatel beginning Sun 29th of June - he thinks.
Fully catered chalet in the heart of Chatel, near the lifts, what more could you want?

For more info ring Merv on 07766812636

So for the last year and a bit, ive sat in my little office on a wednesday night while the local yocals go off and cut their way with their lazer like lights through the darkness. Usually 2 hours pass by until they return, exhausted, regailing each other with tales that make them sound like they've just come back from the crusades, not a 2 hour jaunt around a dank piece of northern woodland.

So after much jibbing about the fact that im unfit and I never join them despite me taking every opportunity to rip into them saying how hard can it be, I decided last wednesday to tag along to find out just how hard it can be.

Well considering I'd class myself as only moderately fit, the answer to the question posed is - not very hard at all. I fail to see what all the huffing and puffing is all about. I did a 2hr jaunt round the trails, wearing Jeans a T-Shirt, a Hoody and a jacket, not an ounce of Lycra in sight, came back for a quick biscuit and a coffee, went out for another hour and then pedalled home. All before supper.

You want to try doing a Megavalanche, thats proper mountain biking that is.

;)