Very cool start to the day...

...as I nipped home to get a bit of lunch and found a package in the front room.  Actually the package was hidden behind the sofa as my 16-month old lad had found it first, but that's not the point.

I'd won a T-shirt, beanie and comic from entering a competition through Remolition to win prizes courtesy of Scartissue Gear.  Supprised me as I never win anything!  All very cool and high quality merchandise.  Point being, if you want some clobber to accompany your shredding, then Scartissue Gear is certainly worth a look!

ATBA International Series 2011 - 11 days to go!

So, less than two weeks to go until the 2011 ATBA International Series kicks off.  Just in case you weren't aware, or if you were still trying to make up your mind, here's a bunch of links to hopefully help

Date: 21st (Boarder X), 22nd (Freestyle)  May 2011

Where?
http://www.halesuperbole.co.uk/
Harthill, Tattenhall
Chester, Cheshire
CH3 9LQ
Approximately 1.5 hours from Derby


What will it be like?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUDt8oeLS38&feature=feedlik
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XYJkQ1wHGg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBSjs2X0F2U

How much will it cost?
http://www.atbauk.org/
http://www.atbauk.org/downloads/ATBA-UKInternationalSeriesEntry2011.pdf
..........For non-members, £20 per discipline except Novices (£10).  Half price for ATBA members or Free! if first event.


I just want to watch!
http://www.atbauk.org/downloads/round1ticket.jpg
..........Free spectator ticket


I want more information? Email:
eastmidlands@atbauk.org
..........to bug the East Midland ATBA-Rep for more info.


I want to save money! How do I join?
http://www.atbauk.org/membership.html
...........ATBA Membership (£25 a year, benefits listed in link)

ABS Brake Repair

After breaking the brake hose a couple of weeks back up in Allestree Park, the hunt was on to either get new parts and repair, or find someone else to do the honours for me.  But what was the bit that was broken, and where to get new parts from?

Pretty soon, I had a pretty good idea of what was required though it was looking likely that buying a kit and bits to refill the hydraulic fluid and bleed was going to be reasonably costly.

However, things we looking good in that I had received a response from Nick, the man behind Alpine Brakes who did have the relevant parts in stock and would be happy to give my system a once over if I were to post it out to him.  This was great news and meant that in a worst case scenario, I knew something could be sorted.

But another option presented itself.  A suggestion was made on the Surfing Dirt forums that I should try one of the local bike shops and see if they did repairs.  I got in the car and went on the hunt.

Shop 1 gave me a straight 'no', but pointed me in the direction of another bike shop a mile down the road.  Fair enough.

Shop 2 initially looked good, but then changed their mind.  I asked if they they'd have a look anyway to give me an indication of part numbers.  They said 'no' and suggested I contacted Magura direct (the brake is essentially a Magura brake with custom bracket to attach to front axle).  I couldn't be arsed with this, especially if it still meant that I'd have to do the bulk of the work.  Shop 3 was suggested on the other side of town.

Shop 3 looked promising.  I was sent to the rear carpark to the service department who were happy to take a look; make enquiries on my behalf; and assuming they could get the right part, refill and bleed for me.

Three working days later, and success!  I have picked up the brake, and apart from reattaching to the front axle (five minute job), is ready to go.  All for £18 (£8 parts and £10 fluid and fitting).

And that is why we recommend using Samways, Ashbourne Road, Derby for all your hydraulic brake repair requirements.

Allestree Park - Not a Write Up!!!!

Not a write-up, because I'm sure others are doing a similar thing, plus I'd be biassed, plus I disappeared at 5pm so can't report on the shenanigans taking place later on.  Plus I forgot to take any actual photos, so not in the best position to do the day justice really!

But really good session, even despite me breaking my face, then my brake during the warm-up riding; Scott breaking his top-hanger on the tree-stump jump, Andy doing exactly the same, only an hour after telling me how he'd never broken a single item of kit ever, and then Simon getting a stick in the forehead, despite wearing a full face!

We tackled a lot that Allestree had to offer as well as kick back and have a really good catch-up with a few old faces.  It was great just to see people tackling stuff for the first time that I was so familiar with.  With the good weather on top of things, you couldn't ask for more.  Some sick riding all through with everyone giving it all - all very impressive!

So, a big thanks then really to everyone that turned up, listed below in the order I met them!

Organisers Mark and Jenna,
Chris and Fillipo, all the way from Preston and Peterborough,
Scott, representing the 'Dirt Doesn't Melt' blog.
Simon and Lisa all the way from Plymouth representing PUATB,
Dan, Roger, Smilie in the Remolition fun bus
Surfing Dirt mod Jasper and mate Jay,
Good mate and soon to be married, Phill,
Andy all the way from Newcastle.
And local lad Jeff (Geoff?) who came with his Scrub Quasar to see what we were all up to.

Apologies if I forgot anyone but there were just so many!  Further media has been promised by various news outlets so I'll link them to here soon.

Cheers all, hope to see you on the slopes again soon!x

Edit: Media

http://dirtdoesntmelt.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/videos-from-the-weekend/

http://www.puatb.pixeldistort.co.uk/

http://www.remolition.com/features/field-reports/303-allestree-april-11-photo-diary.html

Day out to Hales Superbole!

An unexpected turn of events lead me to Hales Superbole last Friday.  No complaints there as it got me out and about to what is probably my nearest centre, but one that I have spent far too few times there.  Was also worthwhile due to the shear amount of work done there since my last visit in 2009 - changes to the BX; a new bike BX, enhanced jib park, new jumps and north shores...... the list goes on.  Needless to say, the Hales folk have been very, very busy.

My other reason for getting down there was to check out the BX ahead of this years comps, starting at Hales on the 21st/22nd of May, to see if I could actually get myself down it (after last years less than successful crack at Court Farm).

[Mountain Board BX  - left, Mountain Bike BX - right]

[bit more of the bike BX]

[bit more of the bike BX, lower down]

I should have taken more photos really; the ones above don't really do justice to just how much has been going on.

However, all a very successfully day, making it from the top of the BX to the bottom in one go cleanly, if not fastly.  Bring on Round 1 - all I need is a few of the Masters to fall over and I won't come last.  Admittedly not the best tactic ever, but I'll be happy with that :-D

Also, very worthwhile riding the bike BX - the top section of which anyway.  I couldn't quite make it to the third berm without the use of pedals, but the bit I could do was loads of fun.  Nice and quick between features to keep you on your toes.

Also, being Friday, I was the only rider there.  Not the best for socialising, though fantastic to get lots and lots of riding in - just what I needed to sleep soundly Friday night.

So, yeah, if you get the opportunity, go to Hales - there's too much there to do in just one visit!

Allestree Park - this Saturday (9th April)

An event that was planned a long, long time ago, seems to have suddenly come around - Allestree Park this Saturday!

In case you haven't seen the Facebook events page, the plan is to be there 12ish onwards. I will/can be there earlier either in case anyone wants an early session, and also to clear the main tracks. Early starters - let me know!

If the weather is bad/tracks are running slow/people want a change of scenery, then the back-up plan is Hemlock stone. Maps to both places are on the FB link above.

The site is a big old wood on top of a hill with a golf course below. The golf course is public ground so is rideable as long as we stay off the greens and don't take the piss. However, my gut feeling is that most people will be in the woods.

The woods runs are typically couple of hundred metres in length, but vary hugely depending on which features you want to hit. Quite a few lines are well defined, but there's plenty of variation and alternate bits.

Think I've covered everything. My understanding is that the Plymouth Uni crew are up all weekend, so don't worry about us all buggering off too early if you have a longish journey! ;-D

Brother Rob should be down to shoot some footage. No cable cam, but should be HD!

Right, videos....


Derby 10-10 from Simon Neck on Vimeo.



Other videos that may or may not work depending on FB settings:

http://www.facebook.com/video/video....85322&comments

http://www.facebook.com/video/video....subj=692625321

http://www.facebook.com/video/video....subj=692625321

So... hope to see you there. Any more questions, please shout!

Mountainboard inspired game