Raceday?!?

After a long ride on my ti bike on friday, I rode to the shop to get my motorbike, I went to Drammen to watch the dh race. Unfortunately I stood in the wrong line for the loo and was given a start number! I quickly rode the track twice before qualifying with a time of 4 57. I've just done my first run with a time of 4 42! It's really hot here, probably about 28 degrees in the shade. One more run to do, and I'm gonna pin it! Thanks to all the shouts of encouragement!

Downhiller at heart?

Drammen is good, in fact it rocks! But today I wasn't 'feeling it' and was riding like I wasn't paying attention. I was going fast, but was lacking the passion. My trail ride from Thursday was still fresh in my mind... I asked C if he thought I'd lost my dh mojo. And then suddenly all the stars aligned and a did one perfect run. The type where speed ceases to exist, and the bike just becomes an extension of your self... Then it was gone, and I was back to normal. Oh hum.

Fantasy.

It turned out to be one of those epic rides. I am now home, showered and going out for pizza. Life is good.

Fine width.

I was a bit worried about the width to start off, but now I'm sure. There bars are the dog's dinner!

Today's ride.

I've certainly been putting in the hours at work recently. So my boss decided that we'd all go out on a st ride. Yes I work alone, and am my own boss, but it's the thought that counts. I'm riding from my house to the golf shop for an ice cream. St all the way, and back. Looking forward to my next stop!

New bars.

So I've finally been able to get out and ride having fitted new, wide bars last week. They were a whopping 777mm wide, but I've cut them down to 740, about the same as on my dh bike. Wierd to start with. Felt too wide. And it affects your steering radius. But the extra control is brilliant! Up hills, technical bits, slow riding. And of course fast bits. All better than good!

View this!

Today's ride has given me this fantastic view. Nuff said.

Scratch.

The brush/shin war is ever ongoing.

Bengt

This is the guy responsible for the trail.

Last tuesday (12th)

Yo Here's some more pics from last tuesday's dh training. Bengt's homegrown trail is really good. He's put in some difficult rocks, drops and jumps just to make it more challenging and more like a race situation.

Finally

An actuall picture of me. On a bike. And going hell for leather! Can I hoon it? Yes I can!

Drammen

Well it rained, hard and lots, but we still went. Apparently that psyched the weather and it turned sunny for us. The new trails are excellent! Big windy ns or natural dh. Focus is the word! I didn't get any pics as I was too busy tuning bikes between runs, and too busy having a right laugh to stop and take some when riding. Can't wait to go back next time!

Full ride.

Saturday afternoon, packing the car up for a weekend of riding and making people happy. Delivering a dh bike in Drammen and an enduro bike in Oslo, before doing some runs at Frognerseteren, kipping at a mate's and going to Drammen for the opening of the slope there. I brought along my big dh race bike (you'll see it soon enough) and shop Team rider Johan brought his freeride mini dh bike. Good tunes, good company, good riding, and an impromptu race with a chav on the motorway, (even with wings a 305 is no match for the Connect!)

Work then play.

After a good day at the shop, then delivering two bikes to Oslo, Johan El Freerido and I went up to Frognerseteren to do some runs. It has rained and it all seems pretty flat now, but it's still good to hoon.

Out again.

The plan is to do friday's ride the other way around. Y'see when I was out last time I kept thinking this would be better the other way. It seemed I was going up all the good downs. So here I am. I'm at the rock now. Chilling out for a bit. No time pressure today. It's quite windy, but still 20 degrees, and sunny. I'm wearing my new Marmite top and 5ten shoes. Life is fine right now.

Hot

So hot in fact that when I stopped at the rock I removed my tee! Yes I know! That is hot. I apologise for any eroticness that this might incur, and for any sensibilities that might be tarnished. T'was a great ride. I parked at the hotel and will now, about 2 hours of technical trail later, be shortly dining with my lovely wife.