New Experiences

So tomorrow morning I'm heading of to Brisbane, Australia for my first experience at a World Championships. I've never been to Australia before and the only other long haul flight for me was to America, but instead of going for a race I went to see Mickey. Base camp for the first 10days is at Sailfish Cove on Mermaid Avenue- I'm hoping its half as relaxing as the name and after 29 hours of travelling I'll need it. The bags are packed and the bike is dismantled after it had been through a quick once over at the shop. In order to adjust to Australia time as soon as possible I'm having a late night tonight in order to sleep on the plane tomorrow.

Afterwards I have two more races to do in France which will have more of a relaxing atmosphere- sort of the equivalent to the Tour de France riders racing at other events after there three weeks of hell. Then it will be out with the waterproofs, dust of the mountain bike and learn the art of riding it again as well as the more graceful art of falling of.

Well I have a few more hours before I can go to bed so I think I'll go and triple check I have everything.

Cathkin Braes - Over & Out!

Been a while since my last post, as I've been kind of busy with a trip to the Bionicon HQ in Bavaria, and organizing Round 5 of the SXC MTB Series, which I was organising as a test event for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Bionicon was awesome, we were picked up in Munich, driven to their "factory", which was basically a big chalet at the foot of the alps - what an awesome place to work. The hospitality was only outdone by the riding - 2 hour climbs (which are easy on these bikes, despite 6" travel!) followed by amazing 20-30 minute descents back into the valley - quite different to the usual trail centre stuff, as these are just walking paths that folk ride bikes down, so pretty challenging stuff, and a but daunting as your guides don body armour and full face helmets at the top, whilst I just put on a waterproof!

The factory tour and product training was a big eye opener, nice to see products being designed for a purpose by a bike riding engineer, and not an accountant! If my German was better (or just existed), I think I'd have asked for a job!

I can honestly say that organising an event is way harder than riding one - you have to put in more hours in the long-term build up to the event, and instead of tapering off, you build up the workload as the event approaches! My body aches in new ways after walking 15 odd miles on Sunday marking out the course, clearing up the course etc, etc.

The event was a big success, with around 300 competitors and a great atmosphere - the feedback from riders and spectators alike will help massively in the development of the MTB trails, and the CG2014 race track. The cross-over bridge (pictured) was particularly pleasing, but stressful - with having to get it approved by the building inspector before we could use it, then camping overnight in the park to guard it!

I'm glad to be having a week off work to recouperate, before getting some training in for the final Rabbie Burns TT Series event next month. I've enjoyed the challenge of TTing this year, but am really missing MTB racing - the prep for Cathkin, and the vibe at the race has given me the bug again - so I'm signed up to ride Strathpuffer 2010 in a pair - should be easier with a friend to share the work with, but somehow I expect it won't be!

Below is a short video compiled by Glasgow City Council of the event. Whilst working with them has been challenging, the event couldn't have happened without their support, so a big thanks to them - particularly Allan MacLean, Tom A'Hara and Jack Devine.

Business Time of the Season

Since I last wrote I have had two average races both in France and down in London. In France it was the 3^rd round of the French grand prix series where my team had its best result of the season on home soil finishing 6^th- it was more relief than anything for before the race we were introduced to all the sponsors who sign the cheques for us to be paid.

London last weekend was part of the British grand prix series where I came 8^th which although I had hoped for more, after a terrible swim I was more than pleased with the outcome. Highlights of the race are on Channel 4 next weekend.

So now to the business end of the season- I have qualified for my first ever World Championships which are to be held in Australia in September where I will be representing Great Britain at the under23 category. I've never been `down under` but I hear the toilets flush the other way round so im fascinated already.

However before I can concentrate on Worlds next weekend is the next round of the World Championships series which is LIVE on BBC1 on Saturday. T he race is on the 2012 Olympic course and with only 7slots for the Brits just getting a start is a major thing. A top30 would be great but just racing on the course give me a great insight on what is required in 2012. So tune in…