6 Weeks till 'Dave': Round 2, Saturday 18th August

Feeling sad that your favourite 4 wheeled mode of transport isn't being represented at the Olympic Games?  Try the World Alternative Games Instead.
http://www.worldalternativegames.co.uk/events/mountain-boarding/

or as it's better known to the Mountainboarding Community:

ATBA Downhill Round 2, Saturday 18th August 2012!

Just over 6 weeks to go until Round 2 of the ATBA Downhill Series at Esgair Dafydd or 'Dave' is round once again.  Very similar to last years event, and like Round 1 earlier this year up in Whinlatter, Lake District, we can expect to see high speed straights, technical cornering and incredibly close action as riders from across the UK compete to get down this tried-and-tested 1.4 mile, 9-cornered track in the fastest time.

Using the synchronised-watch system of clocking the riders in and out of the start and finish gates, riders get the opportunity to complete the course as many times as their stamina will allow with their fastest time being the one that counts.  Take advantage of the on-site uplift to maximise your riding without compromising on the climbing and make the most of the empty track which will be closed to other vehicles on race day.

All of this can be yours for £10 if you are an annual ATBA members or £20 for Day Members i.e those without ATBA membership who want to join in the fun.  Or get your membership now and save money all over the place!

Located near Llanwrtyd Wells, on the A483 in between Buith Wells and Llandovery, Post code: LD5 4TE, this track is pretty remote for everyone so camping may appeal to those travelling a bit further.  I'll add in some camping details here as and when they emerge.

Want to join in the discussion prior to the event?  The official ATBA Page has all the info and the official Facebook Page has all the discussion.

For those that haven't ridden a downhill event before or want to know a little more about the intricacies of riding 'Dave', read on!

"What are you looking forward to at this years event?"

In all honesty, it's basically a dusty track miles from anywhere.  Why do some of last years riders want to do it all again?

Jay rides noSno and since last years event has upgraded to hydraulic brakes for improved speed control.  He say that he is looking forward to bettering his time from last year on this challenging track, whilst making the most of the uplift and enjoying the friendly competition between riders.

Brennig is an innovator in mountainboarding development and creativity and constantly works on updates to his 'nompa' (Trampa/noSno mashup).  You can read all about his adventures at the 'Where the party is' blog and he simply says that he is looking forward to "actually getting out and riding" and adds that "it's an awesome track".

Chris, author of the 'Freeride NW' blog has switched his Comp 26 from last year to a noSno and hopes to improve on previous times by straight-lining the long section before 'Rogers Corner' (Corner '2' on map) without fear of speed wobble.  He too looks forward to catching up with loads of riders.

"What advice or Dave tips would you give to someone who hasn't ridden a downhill event or Dave before?"

It's a long way to go just to crash out on the first corner so we asked a few of last years riders to provide some hints and tips for the first timers.  So without giving away all of Dave's secrets (we don't want everyone to beat us!), here are some of the responses.

Jay says:

"pad up (of course), bring food and drink, have fun, and have some more fun"

Worth restating to take all of the supplies that you think you may need - food, water, spare equipment.  It's a long way from nowhere if you suddenly get the munchies or a flat tyre!  But above all, have fun - we look forward to catching up with as many of you as possible on the day!

Brennig says:

"Riding Brake-less? Practise your sliding and scrubbing, take it slow at first, you have all day to get a good time and you only need one. Pump up your tyres a little bit more every run and try lots of different lines. If you're going to crash the bushes are your friends.

Riding with a brake? Bomb those straights and don't brake too often, after Rogers corner (corner '2' on map above) try not to use it at all. And don't forget to enjoy yourself."

Its a good point to make that whilst many people will be riding with brakes, many others ride without and the fastest times of last year were all done brake-less.  It was an eye-opener last year to be overtaken on one of the practice runs by Steve Morris who was riding brake-less but who had far better cornering technique.  At Dave, equipment may assist, but good riding technique is essential for a good time.

Chris B says:

"Practice your cornering (especially heel sides)(Chris rides goofy). Other than speed tucking (which is beyond me anyway) it seems the biggest thing that affects your time is your ability to take corners at speed. Dave has about 9 of them; alternating heel side and toe sides.


There isn't much difference in time between brakes/brake-less at a high level, but for intermediates, brake boarders seem to have an easier time of things.


Don't try and blitz it early on; if you come off and injure yourself on a practice run or your 1st run its no fun."

Speed tucking?  Roger S writes a little about it here, giving plenty of food for thought and also some related interesting articles on Competition Strategy and Cornering.  Point to note that even if you're not going for a full Brazilian speed tuck, that you will be holding a mountainboarding stance for approximately 3.5  to 6 minutes depending on track times.  Multiply this time by 4 or even 5 times for the number of runs on the day and it soon becomes obvious why the day can be tiring.  Spending a few minutes every day holding a pose may reap rewards on the day, or at the very least mean that your legs aren't like jelly after the first couple of runs.

And Chris' point about not injuring yourself on the first run?  It's happened at the last two events now to riders on the first practice run on the first corner so it's definitely worth a mention.

Anything Else???

Some great responses above.  All that I would add is to try and get a good nights sleep the night before.  It can be a long day and is tiring, even with all of the vehicle up-lifts.

Dave has been described by many as 'the top where you try and limit the speed, followed by the rest where you try and maintain the speed'.  This is because of the long, reasonably steep straights leading to the first tight couple of corners.  However, brake too much at this point and it is difficult to regain speed on the lower, shallower half of the course.  In particular, try to maintain speed on the last corner as it is a relatively long straight to the finish - easier said than done with reasonably large rocks on the apex of the corner!

Finally, for those that just want to sit back and watch some videos, a couple for you:  The official 2011 promotional reel, followed by Travis' on board competition run.

Court Farm, Round 2 - A tale of two tracks

Friday, dry, fast, deadly,
Saturday, wet, slippery, slidey.

New starting position from previous years, starting further right (as you look up the hill) and incorporating a far longer, shallower route to berm #2:

A lovely corner (for regular riders anyway):

Leading to the finish line, but not before you pick up plenty of speed before hitting a couple of new rollers:

Good weekend all round, the official results can be found here.  

Some great photos, video and a write-up by Project Doc here and here, with some further photos from Patrick Goddard's facebook page here. Woodie Wright has released some excellent footage here.  Paul Crilly has put some photos here.  Simon Lawrence has some photos here.
I'll update this page as and when more media is released.

P.s. I now know why the Ironsides Court Farm colour scheme is orange, it's the colour you and all your components will turn when riding there in the wet!  Spent most of Monday wiping things down and clearing muck out.  Wish I'd taken some photos now, the clay was sticking like concrete!

Equipment wise, the weekend took it's toll.  My Hillbilly gloves have torn in a way that neither wrist splint will stay in place.  Not bad though for two-and-a-half year old gloves mind.  My Hillbilly protection shorts have a big hole in from where my shorts have worn through.  Perhaps some leather in the right places will do the job...  Hopefully the missus will give me hand to do a repair job, especially now that the Hillbilly shorts are £50 due to import directly from the states.  Apart from that, a complete strip down seemed to show everything else in pretty good nick.

As for me, fortunately I've a few days in the office to recover from a bashed knee picked up Saturday morning during practice. Next on the calender is Round 3 at Haredown on the 31st July/1st August, but this in on the south coast, and a bit too far, so Round 4, Hales Superbole on the 28th/29th August it is then.  We're supposed to be at a wedding on the 28th so best start making my excuses now then....