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Month or two ago. He got https://www.blazingbikes.co.uk/index.php/trek-session-9-xo1-2023-team-white.html much to my sadness
Blimey, you could get an eBike for that!
Almost!
Practice run 1.
Sunday morning
https://flic.kr/p/2p6oJ6Q
After practice run 3 he was ready for race run. The day had gone OK, the bike was working, he was fed and watered, but as always "everyone is faster than me" echoed out.
Run 1 it was muddy, messy and yukky. He came down in P22/55 and had what was mostly clean run and OK...
2mins 29.8
Drew came down in a 2.24.8
After that the rain REALLY started and didn't let up all day...
But he got sent up and back down... Run 2 he stuck in a
2.25.2
Drew put in a 2.27
Drew ended up 20th and the lad went 23rd overall. Pretty happy with that and happy to find more speed in worse conditions
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53227227395_d098e91781_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53227227395_d098e91781_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2p6vsia ]IMG-20231001-WA0004[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
We then had the trauma of getting packed up in the rain, sorting everything and eventually driving home
Kit is trashed, bike is trashed, i'm trashed.
It's all in the joy of racing 😉
Sounds like you both had a good weekend and that's what it's all about 👍🇮🇹
So that is essentially speaking 2023 racing over for me and the lad. It's been an absolutely bizarre year and thinking back at some of the highlights and low-times has been pretty interesting for me. Yesterday as a low-time we had a bit of a meltdown for the lad. He never/rarely shows any emotions, but yesterday we had a full on breakdown, he had a crash in practice and just fell apart. It was tough to take, but he bounced back quickly and got himself together.
But the highlights massively outweigh that. From the National DH at Fort William though being the top highlight for the year. Seeing him hitting the motorway jumps, well that was absolutely astounding.
Next years plans are already in place and along with the mighty Session we will once again be ploughing our way through a season of DH racing. It'll be tough/messy/fun/crazy... but hey, that's where we are and where we're setting out on the journey again.
The real hard work now starts for him and we've had in the last 72 hours some very deep conversations with him (and other people) about what the future holds, what the future will/may bring and most importantly what the next 4-5 months will need to push him on further. He's now closer than he's every been to the fast lads, he's stronger, fitter and faster... but still, of course, he's a chunk away from the best. So that's the top, the task and the goals for 2024.
We've made some good decisions this year, we've made some bad ones too... we've made some mistakes and we've had some adventures.. Long may it continue 🙂
Well done for giving it a go. I enjoy reading the updates on here each weekend
Hooray.
Keep it going. 🙂
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53231126413_acd6eafd5a_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53231126413_acd6eafd5a_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2p6RrkB ]image0[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53231201589_ca19f06cd5_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53231201589_ca19f06cd5_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2p6RPFK ]image1[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
about what the future holds, what the future will/may bring and most importantly what the next 4-5 months will need to push him on further. He’s now closer than he’s every been to the fast lads, he’s stronger, fitter and faster… but still, of course, he’s a chunk away from the best. So that’s the top, the task and the goals for 2024.
sarcasm
You work remotely don't you? 5 months in rotorua?
/sarcasm
especially now the race calendar is empty, don't forget to have fun on the bike. I know we've spent 30 pages of this thread saying he needs to push himself and ride the courses he struggles on rather than targeting ones he does well at like 417... but now is the time to do things he enjoys.
A lot of winter is already planned out by Katy/him/us.
It's a tricky line to decide on where and what etc for sure
This does bring about a question though of When/Where/How ?
Now that it's winter we still have a task in criteria of "ride tricky stuff"..
It's slightly more in depth than that as far as plans go of course, but still a trailcenter or 2 per month is one of the targets, not FoD, 417, but your Antur/Dyfi/BPW etc...
Some of these can be replaced with Barrys, Hopton etc..
The problem we have is who to ride with. I can't ride Blacks at Dyfi... i just simply cannot do them. Even if i could get down them, it's not exactly helping the boy having me getting down 5 minute slower than him. Same with BPW, i can't ride the trails he needs and I can't ride them at his pace either.
So we really need to find 'other' riders to play with. Katy is awesome and does everything she can, but has to earn a living too. Drew isn't always about so he can't play... So how do we find other riders ? We can't just rock up at Dyfi and hope someone is there..
I've lobbed a few Inst messages to parents/mates we know from racing, but other than that, i'm struggling for ideas. There's only 1 of his riding mates locally who can get down this sort of stuff, the rest are not really up for it...
Is he on tiktok? Yes I know old people like us think it’s the devils work but that’s where he’ll meet other riders.
my eldest is a year younger than your lad and we’re lucky to live in a village where all the boys ride and are all pretty decent so he has friends to ride with but everything is organised on TikTok, there’s huge message groups on there of friends/ acquaintances who just let the others know where/ when they’re riding and then people just turn up. If I take him and a couple of mates to fod for example there will always be at least 3 or 4 others that turn up, often loads more. Same when we’ve been to Dyfi or anywhere else. Also if we do something last minute, because there’s so many kids chatting, there’s always someone he knows wherever we go.
my sons good and has no hesitation doing pro lines but there’s a lot of lads way better than him so that sounds what James needs. He’s possibly missed out on this because of all the racing he’s doing? These groups don’t seem to race that much but seem to just mess around riding bikes all weekend.
I’ve no idea how TikTok works but all these lads seem to have mtb in their usernames somewhere, tell him to interact with a few of them posting clips of their riding and he’ll soon get invited along.
instagram is how my 2 boys found riding groups and like squealer says lots of kids in these groups don’t race but spend the days digging and sending things as big as they can, luckily I live in Calderdale and with all the digging and new steep tech lines going on it’s giving them lots of choice plus riding with some really talented riders - think the new name for a lot of the riding is actually death tech due to the steepness of the lines it’s gone a bit nuts in certain parts of Calderdale
No criticism intended as I enjoy this sprawling racing saga but have you considered moving?
From what I recall you’re not a million miles away from where I grew up, and it’s a truly woeful place to live for mountain biking. It’s ok(ish) if you like pottering along the Ridgeway but for actual serious riding it’s dire. Even places like FoD/ Rogate (good though they are) won’t cut it long term at the level he’s riding at and aspires to be.
Further along the M4 into Wales would give you a lot more options, BPW, Barry Sidings etc and likely a lot more people to ride with at his level (and much better, which is what he clearly needs).
There are a lot of good riders around Cwmcarn / Risca - although the ones really caning the off piste are on e-bikes as the climb back up is properly brutal if you do it more than 3 times in a ride.
There’s a Cwmcarn Facebook page you could try?
I don’t mind showing you around but wouldn’t be pushing his speed on obvs
No criticism intended as I enjoy this sprawling racing saga but have you considered moving?
Not till he finishes school in summer next year. But yes we'll potentially move then.
Even places like FoD/ Rogate (good though they are) won’t cut it long term at the level he’s riding at and aspires to be.
I think quite a few people who are/were fairly well known as being decent World Cup racers may dispute that point, including the current World Champion…..
I think quite a few people who are/were fairly well known as being decent World Cup racers may dispute that point, including the current World Champion….
Granted but it's still a pretty valid point. People who get good are generally able to ride in the right places more often i'd say, not always, not 100%, but it's pretty common. The boy has missed out a bit, but not massively in this context, it's just meant more driving for me really. But he still gets to these places, sadly just not quite as often as would be nice. But personally i think places like FoD whilst they don't always give the flat out speed or insane fear tech, are absolutely brilliant for learning stuff and have a massive variation of terrain to help the riders hone their skills. However his coach is an ex-world champ and WC Racer of course and does very much want him riding in harder places, so that when he gets to a track his first 3/4 of a day isn't him going "woooah that's big".... it's more that it's normal to him. So he can then concentrate on getting up to speed quicker.
I'll be the first to admit that me and him would both love to move... but there's not just us two to consider in this. Along with that there's of course the expense of it.. and lastly there's the "what happens in 2 years when he goes off to college/uni/work." The odds are very much against him 'making it' to anything other than an also-ran who gets 0 TV time. But we know this, we've accepted this and his goal in life in a racing context isn't really "be world champ" but more "get to a Junior WCDH event and attempt to qualify"... But the reality is, even that is bloody tough and he's not there yet in terms of speed. So is the right answer for me to just accept the compexities of the world, the distance, the time, the driving and keep the house we all love... Maybe, possibly, i don't really know.
I don't think we can be accused of not putting in 100% effort here, i wouldn't like to have regrets.... So... maybe.
Welcome back 🙂
I think you already know the answer to this. Its not a pop or dig at you in anyway.
Unless he is a natural at it - then having a talent for it, they need to eat sleep breathe it to the detriment of everything else.
Having other friends - parents - who have supported their children into sporting prowess (motorsport and showjumping) - they went ALL in 100% to ensure they lived it - if this meant sacrifices had to be made elsewhere. They did it.
There was a risk it wouldnt pan out as expected (it didnt in the motorsport one), but when it does (The showjumper is on the cusp of international selection) its fantastic
Granted but it’s still a pretty valid point. People who get good are generally able to ride in the right places more often i’d say, not always, not 100%, but it’s pretty common.
I don’t disagree with that at all, you only have to look at the likes of Jackson Goldstone & Finn Iles to see that being a product of the environment you grow up in (Whistler, in that case) can brew a winning formula.
But for every one of those, there is a Kerr, Fairclough, etc who grew up only riding a DH bike at races or the odd uplift day, and spending all their time on DJ bikes, or trail bikes, razzing around the Surrey Hills.
And maybe more relevant in age, Jordan Williams only a few years ago, spent most of his time riding at Okeford Hill in Dorset, or Triscombe…
Well i must admit today has a little bit of a tinge of sadness with it.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53254992230_3808136d66_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53254992230_3808136d66_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2p8XKPd ]IMG_20231013_073614[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
Due to sizing and the boy testing it last week when getting out of van, i decided the Fury was gone... So i threw it on Pinkbike yesterday afternoon and this morning it's sold. Long discussion with the buyer and he should be sending me a deposit shortly.
I'm slightly sad because it was the bike the boy did his first Nationals on, the bike he raced Fort William on and was honestly a brilliant bike for him. But the reality is, it wasn't going to get used again and even if the Session were to break, it's likely he'd not want to ride the Fury anyway due to sizing and being so used to the Trek now.
It's done him proud and it's a superb thing.
However this does add £2000+ into the race fund again which can only be a good things and brings openings in options for an extra week or two in Morzine next year potentially which again, would be pretty damn epic. Even if we just add on 4-5 days that would only be a superb thing.
Still waiting for his new DMR Sect to arrive, the wheels of the MTB industry do work and turn slowly i have to say. But it'll be ace to have a few more options in terms of skills and riding over winter.
Off to Pontypool tomorrow to his the Gnarly (sic) stuff and have some fun with his mates, should be 4 of them playing so will be as much about laughs and playing as it will be about seriousness.
Appreciate you look after your bikes and have new parts on it very regularly, but £2k for the fury coming into winter, that is some impressive selling, especially given some of the other downhill bikes on PB at the moment at lower prices.
Yeah, I think it was right time, right bike. Although the spec was good and the history fairly well documented etc. I felt as it was mullet and came with nice spare bits, the money was about right for it.
Still waiting on the new DJ bike which is a little frustrating as we really want it for half term week if possible.
I'm now sitting outside the gym waiting to collect him, he's deffo putting in the winter efforts.
Well that escalated....
"my bike is making a clunk noise"
Teeniest tinyest bit of play could be felt... but, as we know, it has to be 100% so the stripdown began.
We then found this
3803 LLB-W
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53265871271_9c4a133c23_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53265871271_9c4a133c23_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2p9VvLT ]IMG-20231017-WA0002[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
Seized and stuck.... sadly, it's insanely expensive at £20 a pop !!! needs 2 obviously....
Then put it all back-together and still the same play lol.
Maybe it was the shock bushings, so removed the shock and replaced both bushings... Nah, not that either.
It seems it the main rocker pivot then.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53265872011_9a13868620_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53265872011_9a13868620_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2p9VvZD ]IMG-20231017-WA0004[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
You can feel a little bit of play once you remove the covers. But that's a VERY weird setup. The spacer/shaft in the middle has a flange on it, which is bigger than the bearing, so to get it out you have to use a bit of 'gentle persuasion' on it, but as you're doing that, you're pushing out one of the bearings...
Getting new bearings in there, well that's entertaining as when you try and press in bearing 2, it won't go because as you push it in, you're pushing out the other side. So ended up cutting down a spacer for both sides, which means you can then press it in. It's not a lovely solution and i need to get some spacers that are exact/correct for the job.. but i'll work on that.
For now, the job is done and i'm a lot poorer in the bank balance with the bearings being £20 a pop !!!
NBD....
After a long-ongoing debate with sponsor we've ordered this.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53267546458_118eb1a881_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53267546458_118eb1a881_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2pa56Kq ]dmrCYAN[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
One of the aims/goals for winter is for the boy to work on skills in terms of jumping, pumping, cornering, tabling (look it up :P) , basically skills/technique training over winter. So with that in mind, things like the local pump track, skate park, then places like Adrenaline Alley (indoor skate/jump park) will give us the chance to get both a good bit of a workout as well as working on the skills side of things when the trails are a mud-slop-mess.
https://youtu.be/r8hD28dBQfk?si=a9caHo1j4IGa9Ca0
Where’s that pump track - looks pretty cool / particularly long?
And what bike are you buying to use there……must be room for another bike in the stable?
That's in Reading, 2 mins from my office, so i'll go into work a couple of times next week and he can spend an hour or two down there. Don't know on length etc yet, it's 2 mins, but 2 mins 'past' the office, so not been that way in years. I come in from the other side.
I think we'll be hitting your way as you've got loads of tracks there... but we're also talking about a place in Cardiff called Ramp World and Adrenaline Alley for some trips out.
LOL i think you assume i'm a sodding multi millionaire. Admittedly there's budget if i need it from the sale of the GT, but that's in the 2024 race budget so not really up for a DJ bike for me.. plus.. i'm rubbish.
I will though jump on his a few times while he's resting between sessions etc. You never know, i may even like it.
You should pickup a secondhand calibre Astronut or something like that - there’s one for sale in Brighton on Facebook for £275 at the moment - pocket change for a man of your means 😜
If you come to Bristol to use a pump track let me know and I’ll see if I could join. My favourite one so far is at stockwood - it has a fairly tight pump bowl but also a load of big tarmac jumps snaking their way down the hill next to it. Hartcliffe looks good but an exceedingly rough area. There’s a BMX track that’s meant to be good at Stoke Bishop - Ian PV has said that’s decent but I’ve not made it there yet.
That Cardiff place is indoors I think - meant to be decent.
Looks sweet @colournoise
I'm not sure yet when we'll get there, but we will do. Still got quite a lot going on, Bringewood this weekend for Pearce day, then a couple of days off and Dyfi. I'm then hoping for a dry spell so we can do a bit of Afan as well as some park stuff for him.
Cheers, looks really good. There's quite a few nearby that I wasn't aware of so I need to start visiting them all.
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[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53269313686_91e29fb559_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53269313686_91e29fb559_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2paea5S ]IMG-20231019-WA0002[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53269782470_f5d36c3273_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53269782470_f5d36c3273_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2pagyrm ]IMG-20231019-WA0004[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53269602393_a3e65074f1_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53269602393_a3e65074f1_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2pafCUz ]IMG-20231019-WA0001[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
How to turn a horrific job into an absolutely effortless job.
I'm not sure exactly where this piece of alu came from but it's the absolutely perfect diameter for the job. So trimmed 2 lengths
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53269744906_a53e5e8fca_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53269744906_a53e5e8fca_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2pagngG ]IMG_20231019_152317[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53269744901_b2ca633c93_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53269744901_b2ca633c93_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2pagngB ]IMG_20231019_151134[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53270029858_03beaf83af_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53270029858_03beaf83af_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2pahPYE ]IMG_20231019_151123[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
Presses both sides in at the same time, really smoothly and nice..
The bearings in there were the cheaper Blue Seal type rather than the Enduro bearings which have now gone in there. But they'll get stripped and re-packed and kept as spares for now. I'm sure Trek make a tool for this job, but i can't see how it'll be any better at the job than my home-made version.
Looks nice. Are you taking the front brake off.
Can't wait for a photo of you flipping it 😉
I have absolutely no idea what we're doing with this, I'm not even sure it's a bicycle! Tried it outside earlier and it's a bit, well, interesting. It ain't a bike for 50+ year olds who've never tried it 😜😜😜😜
Abigale has left her Dartmoor here for me to use whist she is travelling. Its not moved since she left 🤣🤣🤣
She's ended up buying another DJ bike whilst out in NZ as she was missing hers and got a bit fed up with borrowing one.
Sneak to the pump track while he’s at school/playing Minecraft/watching porn/trading Pokémon cards or whatever teenagers do nowadays. Your skills and anaerobic fitness will thank you. Also it’s fun. Then treat yourself to one as well.
and I second the bit about front brakes. Dead handy (although the only reason my bike has one is because I can’t be arsed to remove the push on grip to take it off
We're heading to Adrenaline alley tomorrow for a play, I'm not sure I'm up for that just yet, but we'll hit pump track Monday if weather allows and I'll try it then.
But as I say, I'm soooooo out of my comfort zone on it 🤣🤣🤣
That looks like it’s been ridden into a wall head on! What a strange shape!
Well DMR have been making bikes a lot longer than me, as it's brand new, I'll assume it's supposed to be this shape 🤣🤣
Oh Bristol, how I miss being spoilt for pump track choice, they seem to pop up everywhere in that city 😃
Little Stoke is a really good one as well. And the community cafe does nice cakes.
The boy took a while to get to grips with the bike, after the first hour I thought he was going to head home, but then he found his happy place and started getting to grips with it
The place was rammed, scooters, bikes, just loads of them!
https://youtube.com/shorts/I7v_YiHJ_eI?si=IzyJxqyLuFG66WZX
https://youtu.be/u8KhK-A-c1E?si=zmhtTMcvZ3apRsWo
We stayed 4 hours then headed to the pub. I didn't try it!
With modern MTBs getting longer, it's definitely more of a shock to the system switching to a jump bike than it used to be. It always takes me a while to settle into a much shorter, smaller bike.
My old Cotic BFe 26" had small wheels and 420mm reach so wasn't massively bigger than my jump bike. My new hardtail has 29" wheels and 510mm reach.
You should have pushed him off and shown him how it was done
Faceplants?
He seemed happy again today over at FoD, was awesome as there was about 8 of them in a group terrorising the trails.
I hit Dowie's and Shuttcastle with another parent then back for a beer before a bit of Twisted Sister
https://youtube.com/shorts/1kkUzGawrF8?si=Zsw1KAMWhzKyz_2l
https://youtube.com/shorts/0LVXyPdS99w?si=bCKCd95-S0yeXwVI
https://youtube.com/shorts/qCbZpeZC8rc?si=3bsl8MTM6BXXnSGQ
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/0LVXyPdS99w
Fury collected and paid in full.
I expect we'll be seeing it again at 100% race in Dec.
Hard day of riding at Swinley today for him, he was top to bottom the new trails by babymaker about 20 times and racing his mates on every trail.
4 tough days back to back for him. I think he needs a day off before Dyfi later this week.
Pleased to see he’s getting on with the jump bike, looked awkward as hell at the skatepark but looks very natural on the pump track. Love to see it.
Full loop manuals next?
Yeah I think skate park was not only his first time on a DJ but his first on this type of riding. (He did foam pit once before)
So it was understandable that he was cautious, it's just really different.
Pump track, yeah within minutes he started looking like himself a bit. Then he's hitting the doubles, then an hour later he's hitting that triple and all the doubles.
I still think the indoor stuff will be alien for a few times, but he's working on it. He seems to have enjoyed both and you can see in his riding this week he's enjoying all aspects of it. That was the primary goal for winter, to enjoy it. Of course to learn, work hard and practice, but enjoyment was the top thing.
Thank you for the comments, it's really appreciated
The boy survived the day at Dyfi. Had a minor wheel issue which is one we've had before where the spacer on the cassette that turns it from 10 speed to a 7 speed DH is able to move about a bit and sounds somewhat clunky. Last time we had it i took the cassette off and put back on, all was fine again. He had multiple spare wheels in the van, so just threw another wheel in and out he went.
Chatting to my LBS at Rotec i need to just chuck on a 1mm spacer on there. I'll get that done tomorrow when he gets home with the bike.
Other than that, he seems to have had a top day at Dyfi..
On to Windhill on Sunday for a mates day with a massive bunch of daft sods. 🙂
ARGGHHHH a very mixed emotion day today for us.
It was a Windhill race, organised by root1 who own/run the 3 places, Rogate, Tidworth and Windhill. We've only been to Windhill once and that was last weekend. We'd heard stories of the super fast locals so expectations were fairly low in terms of results.
Morning brought a very busy practice and loads of kids out, the course looked ace and in my world fairly tech, not too bad in his world. First run or two i could see he was easing himself in as he didn't know which gaps he could hit, whether the high line or low line was best etc, so he was getting dropped by a few seconds by Drew.
Race 1 we were watching mid-way down, you don't get to see much as usual, but he looked good and smooth, so we wandered down to the bottom to see where he'd got
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53311612639_dab9c27803_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53311612639_dab9c27803_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2pdXX6a ]IMG_20231105_130713[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
He'd only gone and stuck it in 1st place on run1.. Impressed. Drew had put in 3rd. Both felt they had more to give.
Run 2 was 2 hours later and again we walked down... I was met by him looking slightly less happy. 2nd currently, a kid who must have crashed on run 1 had gone slightly quicker. He then dropped 2 more places as the kid who was 2nd moved up to first and someone else split them too. So 4th place in the end for him (we think anyway, as usual the timing screen was somewhat unusual lol)
But all in all, we were arguably thinking something closer to 10th would be about right, so 4th is awesome as far as results go and we're really happy.
The Privateer didn't miss a beat as always, just did it's job. We did debate whether the Trek would have been better, but he thinks the 141 was about right (but maybe a 161 lol). Having a beer now and relaxing after getting home and cleaning the bike and kit and then stripping out the forks and shock as they're both being collected tomorrow for a service from TFTuned.
4 weeks now until the final race of the year... bring it on 🙂
Yeah official results up... 4th place.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53312187002_de3ac0ee2a_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53312187002_de3ac0ee2a_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2pe1TPY ]IMG-20231106-WA0002[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
As always, it's SO SO tight at the top... Cracking little race though and he really enjoyed it.
Not sure the GoPro footage shows the speed the kids go.
But it's what we have due to some rather poor camera work from me 😭
Sent the forks and shock off for a service at TFTuned, as always, their service was superb, quick turn-around, great comms and they're back and ready for the weekends fun. Always impressed by their professionalism.
Quickly fitted into the bike and ready to ride.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53320171451_1e7db41174_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53320171451_1e7db41174_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2peHPjT ]IMG_20231109_123024[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
Being daft in the local woods yesterday on the Privateer with mates.
Just debating whether to risk Antur Stiniog in a couple of weeks.
Woo hoo. We have 2024 dates.
National DH series
13-14 April Rheola
25-26 may fort William
22-23 June Antur Stiniog
3-4 Aug Glencoe
14-15 sept rhyd-y-felin
20-21 July rhyd-y-felin national champs
Muddy day at Bucknell for us yesterday. Spanner and cleaning duties only for me.
He had lots of fun with Katy and Drew
https://youtube.com/shorts/5ku65gQY_YU?si=K8W8g58BMiUpmzZw
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Czy2RgYNxFO/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
I thought the shittty weather was for indoor riding at the skatepark?
Yeah at times it is, but there's still outdoor coaching/fun rides, picking apart technique and working on stuff, along with spend time with mates and getting mucky. The Pearce days are massively important as they're an integral part of racing, so more track knowledge can only ever be a good thing.
We've both been hitting pump tracks of an afternoon straight after school in last few weeks.
He then went out at 11-5 today on the Privateer messing about with the boys.
I'm never going to knock him for riding. But at the moment it's deffo less pressured and intense than at other times of the year.
Hopefully we've got enough for the start of 2024 🙂
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352877929_228ddf8b29_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53352877929_228ddf8b29_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2phBrPF ]IMG_20231124_100438[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/152318156@N08/ ]Steve Weeks[/url], on Flickr
It looks like we may have a bit of sleet or snow this weekend. But not enough to cancel the race anyway. The boy has 75 to race against up to now this weekend, which i think is the biggest race field he's faced potentially. Considering the size of the venue, it's a massive field. We've devised a few plans to put in place to try and keep him somewhat warm before his runs, but i have little doubt he's still going to be a bit chilly this weekend.
But hopefully it'll be a fairly non-pressured day for him with some laughs and a lot of messing with his riding mates. He's obviously quite a regular in FoD these days and with that comes a massive pile of riding mates, so there'll be 8-10 at least of them all arsing about on bikes on both Sat and Sun.
Another weekend of epicness with the boy.
FoD race so Saturday was spent with race practice and he was feeling good, back home for 7pm for food and a couple of hours rest before a 5am start to get to FoD for ra e. Parking can be tough so getting there handy can play a factor.
The bike was good but it was icy, frosty, frozen and cold. He was first off in practice as we wanted to try and get 3 runs in. All went well, no major issues.
Race run he was off 69 out of 75 in his class, not a problem whatever order really. He came over the line with 6th place. Awesome. Made all the better by his teammate being in P1.
Cold, wet, cold, wet, muddy, wet, new kit, new new kit, more kit. Off out for run 2, I was at the top on hand warmer carrying , jacket, wooly hat and jersey. He improved by 1.2s but still came in with a 6th place. Drew came in with P3, awesome.
Really tired now after coming home to wash bikes, kit, more bikes, more kit. It'll all need washing again tomorrow I bet too
I love these updates; despite having never met either of you, for some reason I feel really invested in his progress. You've both been a contributing factor in me buying a DH bike again, and although I don't plan to race, I'm thoroughly enjoying uplift days again so thank you!
wow, that means a hell of a lot honestly. Not looking for anyone to reply to this bit, but i do sometimes feel people are thinking "FFS man, give it a rest" as was pointed out (and liked) a few times. But it's about bikes and hopefully for some is good interesting reading.
There's so much more depth i could go into on this of the ins and outs of sponsorship, teams, bikes, riding, racing, dreams, goals and targets. But honestly i don't think i can get many of these things out of my head without seeming very self-absorbed and a complete muppet. But they are real to me (and him) and a massive part of our life.
Seeing his recent progress is absolutely brilliant. Sure, he's not at the pointy end yet in the big races, but he's getting closer, faster, better and seeing him turn up at a race like yesterday and on the way he was saying "Top 15 would be OK, top 10 would be great"... However me sitting next to him "top 6 mate.... " .. Now even 6 months ago, that was a complete work of fiction but i have massive belief in what he can do, even if he's not quite as convinced. But 6 months back he'd have gone in with "top half" as his target. So we're starting to see progress in his riding but also his mindset.
Next year is a fairly important one as some of the results next year in his 2nd year of youth can decide quite a lot as to what he can do as a junior in terms of events. But that's by-the-by and all in mine and his heads at the moment. We'll just keep sticking in the practice, the training, all the gym work that i don't go into on here, the other random stuff.
I do wonder if sometimes people think i'm doing what a lot of parents we've all seen do and end up trying to live their dreams through their kids... But i'm REALLY hoping that's not the case and i'm more just facilitating what he wants from the world at the moment and every time i think "i think he'll want a weekend off", he's there, chomping at the bit "oooooh can we go to....." so i'm hopefully not being the pushy parent with him, just, well, helping him along really.
But i massively appreciate the comment mate.. Thank YOU !
I dont think it comes across at all as you trying to live your dream through your son, you dont come across as a pushy parent like you might see on the touchline of a football pitch. You give the impression that you're quite realistic with goals and expectations.
Well, for anyone not interested in what you have to say, it's very easy for them not to click on the thread... mind you, this is stw... 😉
Personally I find it great. I'm always interested in the "behind the scenes" aspects of racing, so getting a first hand view of this as your son develops is fantastic.
As for your "pushy parent" fears- that's certainly not how it comes across to me. It sounds like he's having a great time, and you regularly point out that if he didn't want to ride then you wouldn't go.
Anyway, wish him congratulations from an internet random!
You give the impression that you’re quite realistic with goals and expectations.
Oh i don't know about that LOL... my mind does work overtime at times, but quite how we'd manage some of these thought in the reality of time and money, i can't even begin to imagine.. but it doesn't stop me (and i hope, HIM) dreaming along.
There's the massive stumbling block not only of talent in his ages, but also numbers along with talent. There seems to be more in the 13-16 age group than in ANY of the other classes. Not only are they all fast, but they're all exceptionally skilled and talented.
https://www.pinkbike.com/u/commencal-bikes-skis/blog/kids-are-coming-finley-davies.html
For example was the kid in 4th in his class yesterday, a fully sponsored Commencal Rider. There's riders who are fully supported and go on training camps with Specilized youth team, there's Madison Saracen factory riders in their cat... It's just insane, the talent is ridiculous in the younger classes and the fast kids get noticed and get 'rides'. 2 of the lads he knows and races have just been given GTs and a lot of support from GT.
It sort of used to be the case that if you were fairly handy and just stuck at it, you'd get to the big leagues purely because so many drop out as they get to 16, 17, 18, so the fields were shrinking and you'd get it just by hanging in there. But i'm not sure we're going to see quite as much of that. Although i think expense may kick in for many.
I put something in another thread about "how much you spend in a year".. I think this year we're up around the best part of £15,000-20,000 (although that does include his Trek) and that's with a LOT of help from Katy and sponsors. I don't know how many people (and indeed ourselves) can sustain that. People keep suggesting i use a go-fund-me type setup for it, but i'm not comfortable with that, despite the fact i think he'd raise a few quid. This is our dream and our job to fund it IMO.
We're coming now very much to the end of 2023 and there's only 1 event left we can do, Stile Cop next weekend. But jeeeeeez the forecast isn't filling me with inspiration, wet until the day, on the day, after the day, just sodding wet. But British Cycling don't give 'points' in Dec anyway so there's no other reason to go and race than "because it's there".. .We'll see 😀
I thought I'd add a point to the above. I've never met you, don't know anything about you or would know you or your son if you passed me in the street. But, I regularly read this thread and am invested in hearing about how racing is going.
I'm a relatively new Father of two boys (2 and 6 months), and I'm trying to figure out (among many, many things) what sort of parent I'll be in this context. I truly hope my boys will share my passion for cycling, adventure etc, but realize they might not. So for me it's really interesting to read about your approach as a parent, how you justify spending the money and time and how you try to guide your son when things go right and especially when they go wrong. Parent to parent, it is very useful to read about your perspective.
I don't post on here very often but thought that might be useful to add.
TLDL: Keep writing, because people will read it for various different reasons. Those that don't, won't.