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.
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