double whammy!!
it's been an awesome couple of weeks!!! loads of training in the gym, biking, physio and time with patsy and zippy.
on sunday 16th i was back on the bike for the first time since my knee op. it was an open day run by enduro kent on a few hundred acres of land between tonbridge and tunbridge wells. the organisers had set up a pretty fast 4 or so mile course across open fields, through woodland, over a few bogs, sandy tracks and a big jump or two! there were probably 80 or so bikes, so relatively quiet compared to a hare and hounds event. patsy and zippy had already started riding by the time i got there; although i had been up since 0600, packing up the cottage, loading the bike and driving 2 hours, meant i wasn't riding until about 1100. however, i still managed 3 hours plus lunch with zippy and pats which was great. meanwhile, poor chobe was stuck in the back of the pick-up, apart from a couple of short walks in between riding! fortunately the weather was overcast and relatively cool, so that was not an issue.
it was great to be able to concentrate on riding without the pressure of riding in an event; picking different lines, trying different techniques and having fun jumping, pre-loading, playing with the front and rear breaks, standing on the pegs, sitting and stretching the leg out..... even though it was not a race, i couldn't help trying to catch the bike in front and then passing, very satisfying ; ) i was wearing a new pair of boots, sidi crossfire (i think?!) which were a big improvement on my 6 year old arais, i had more flexibility and better feel. quite a effort getting them though as they had been left at the fedex depot in gloucester and if i wanted them for sunday i had to pick them up myself as fedex don't deliver on saturdays. but it proved a fruitful journey, as not only did i retrieve a great pair of boots, i also found an off-road course a few miles up the road from the cottage, just off the 419 in nettleton.
anyway, i was pretty knackered by the end of the day, a few blisters on the hands and aching limbs, but my knee had past the test, i was back in business!!
carried away with the momentum of a great day, i was in the gym on monday pm and on tuesday pats called to see whether i was free to race the following sunday! as i have said before, i need to ride a lot and this was another great opportunity to ride and spend some more time with patsy and zippy. so sooner had i recovered from the last event, i was heading down to jago's to pick him and his bike up for another hare and hounds race.
sunday 23rd may was another early start on. the wagon was fully laden with 2 bikes, 2 bikers and far too much kit - fortunately for us and for chobe, she was being looked after by jen. at about 0800 we set off back to kent for a 2 x 2hr hare and hounds on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year!
jago looking like a pro!
the event was held at the same location as the previous event, but only about 60% of the course was the same and it was in the opposite direction.....time to work the left leg on the fast left hand turns!! on arrival we went over to say hi to patsy, zippy and vince - who was riding his first h&h event - before registering and scrutineering. we were all sent off in batches of 4 rather than a mass start which i have become used to. plus we had to use transponders on our wrist to to start the clock and at the end of each lap we had to swipe the transponder against the receiver before starting the next lap, simples ; + it was very dry and therefore very dusty, so much so you could barely see the track in front of you at times......good desert training in the green pastures of kent?!
zippy showing us how it's done...
although i now knew a lot of the course, the first lap is always interesting as you don't quite know what is around the next corner. there was a little confusion as some riders had gone through the tape - probably because of the dust - which in my case i had to circle back to avoid 'cheating'. getting into my stride a lad in front of me fell and i tried to go round him....big mistake, ended up in a ditch with the bike on top of me.....familiar?? no harm done, but a little bit of cursing, i was back up and off - i did check that the lad was ok, but wasn't going to hang around, i had dakar vets to try an catch or should i say avoid being lapped!! the first 2 hours flew by, but another rule at this event meant that points earned for each lap were then deducted for each minute you overran the 2 hour limit and you are not allowed to pull out of the race until you complete the lap. however, i just wanted to ride for as long as possible, hence i was the last one in.....still don't know the score. sweating like a badger i lay next to the pick up in the shade, drinking as much water and trying to eat some fruit in the hour break before setting out for the second 2 hours!
pats cruising!
the hour went by quickly and after refueling etc it was time to head back out. knowing the course well now i was in a good rhythm, passing bikes regularly i was feeling great until about lap 5 when i noticed zippy behind me.....i lost the front wheel in the boggy section and fell forward into a press up position but was back on the bike in no time but now behind zippy - not that he needed me to fall to get past!! however, 1 minute later i was in a deep ditch that took 30 minutes to get out of!!! i was sooo hot and struggling to move the bike. loads of riders asked if i was ok, but only number 100 offered to help! he helped me get the bike facing in the right direction before i encouraged him to get back into the race. i also needed to work this out. the reason for the fall was a result of clutch lever jamming open, so just as i was trying to slow the bike down going round a hairpin, the bike shot off in a straight line! i was knackered and it took me the remainder of the lap to regain my composure and ride one more lap before the race was over.
taking the opportunity to stretch?!
exhausted, but euphoric, we all lay in the shade of the desert rose van drinking water and recounting the stories of the day.....well actually we spent most of our time cleaning and packing up, but i think for about 5 mins we actually stopped to enjoy the moment!!
check out this you tube video of the course courtesy of one of the riders:
the drive home after a great days riding is such a satisfying feeling. everything covered in mud and dust, body ravaged, mind calm.....
you can read more and see more photos of this event at Chiltern Hill Enduro Club
coming up....
we're planning a trip to the sandy tracks of dunkirk and it's been suggested we enter the irish enduro championship round 2 , mount leinster, bunclody co.wexford. june 27th - doherty, you up for this??
on sunday 16th i was back on the bike for the first time since my knee op. it was an open day run by enduro kent on a few hundred acres of land between tonbridge and tunbridge wells. the organisers had set up a pretty fast 4 or so mile course across open fields, through woodland, over a few bogs, sandy tracks and a big jump or two! there were probably 80 or so bikes, so relatively quiet compared to a hare and hounds event. patsy and zippy had already started riding by the time i got there; although i had been up since 0600, packing up the cottage, loading the bike and driving 2 hours, meant i wasn't riding until about 1100. however, i still managed 3 hours plus lunch with zippy and pats which was great. meanwhile, poor chobe was stuck in the back of the pick-up, apart from a couple of short walks in between riding! fortunately the weather was overcast and relatively cool, so that was not an issue.
it was great to be able to concentrate on riding without the pressure of riding in an event; picking different lines, trying different techniques and having fun jumping, pre-loading, playing with the front and rear breaks, standing on the pegs, sitting and stretching the leg out..... even though it was not a race, i couldn't help trying to catch the bike in front and then passing, very satisfying ; ) i was wearing a new pair of boots, sidi crossfire (i think?!) which were a big improvement on my 6 year old arais, i had more flexibility and better feel. quite a effort getting them though as they had been left at the fedex depot in gloucester and if i wanted them for sunday i had to pick them up myself as fedex don't deliver on saturdays. but it proved a fruitful journey, as not only did i retrieve a great pair of boots, i also found an off-road course a few miles up the road from the cottage, just off the 419 in nettleton.
anyway, i was pretty knackered by the end of the day, a few blisters on the hands and aching limbs, but my knee had past the test, i was back in business!!
carried away with the momentum of a great day, i was in the gym on monday pm and on tuesday pats called to see whether i was free to race the following sunday! as i have said before, i need to ride a lot and this was another great opportunity to ride and spend some more time with patsy and zippy. so sooner had i recovered from the last event, i was heading down to jago's to pick him and his bike up for another hare and hounds race.
sunday 23rd may was another early start on. the wagon was fully laden with 2 bikes, 2 bikers and far too much kit - fortunately for us and for chobe, she was being looked after by jen. at about 0800 we set off back to kent for a 2 x 2hr hare and hounds on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year!
jago looking like a pro!
the event was held at the same location as the previous event, but only about 60% of the course was the same and it was in the opposite direction.....time to work the left leg on the fast left hand turns!! on arrival we went over to say hi to patsy, zippy and vince - who was riding his first h&h event - before registering and scrutineering. we were all sent off in batches of 4 rather than a mass start which i have become used to. plus we had to use transponders on our wrist to to start the clock and at the end of each lap we had to swipe the transponder against the receiver before starting the next lap, simples ; + it was very dry and therefore very dusty, so much so you could barely see the track in front of you at times......good desert training in the green pastures of kent?!
zippy showing us how it's done...
although i now knew a lot of the course, the first lap is always interesting as you don't quite know what is around the next corner. there was a little confusion as some riders had gone through the tape - probably because of the dust - which in my case i had to circle back to avoid 'cheating'. getting into my stride a lad in front of me fell and i tried to go round him....big mistake, ended up in a ditch with the bike on top of me.....familiar?? no harm done, but a little bit of cursing, i was back up and off - i did check that the lad was ok, but wasn't going to hang around, i had dakar vets to try an catch or should i say avoid being lapped!! the first 2 hours flew by, but another rule at this event meant that points earned for each lap were then deducted for each minute you overran the 2 hour limit and you are not allowed to pull out of the race until you complete the lap. however, i just wanted to ride for as long as possible, hence i was the last one in.....still don't know the score. sweating like a badger i lay next to the pick up in the shade, drinking as much water and trying to eat some fruit in the hour break before setting out for the second 2 hours!
pats cruising!
the hour went by quickly and after refueling etc it was time to head back out. knowing the course well now i was in a good rhythm, passing bikes regularly i was feeling great until about lap 5 when i noticed zippy behind me.....i lost the front wheel in the boggy section and fell forward into a press up position but was back on the bike in no time but now behind zippy - not that he needed me to fall to get past!! however, 1 minute later i was in a deep ditch that took 30 minutes to get out of!!! i was sooo hot and struggling to move the bike. loads of riders asked if i was ok, but only number 100 offered to help! he helped me get the bike facing in the right direction before i encouraged him to get back into the race. i also needed to work this out. the reason for the fall was a result of clutch lever jamming open, so just as i was trying to slow the bike down going round a hairpin, the bike shot off in a straight line! i was knackered and it took me the remainder of the lap to regain my composure and ride one more lap before the race was over.
taking the opportunity to stretch?!
exhausted, but euphoric, we all lay in the shade of the desert rose van drinking water and recounting the stories of the day.....well actually we spent most of our time cleaning and packing up, but i think for about 5 mins we actually stopped to enjoy the moment!!
check out this you tube video of the course courtesy of one of the riders:
the drive home after a great days riding is such a satisfying feeling. everything covered in mud and dust, body ravaged, mind calm.....
you can read more and see more photos of this event at Chiltern Hill Enduro Club
coming up....
we're planning a trip to the sandy tracks of dunkirk and it's been suggested we enter the irish enduro championship round 2 , mount leinster, bunclody co.wexford. june 27th - doherty, you up for this??
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