Hamsterley 121
The Hamsterley 121 was a race that I had been looking forward to for a while. It is a fun, relaxed event that is held in September near the end of a busy race season. It comprises of an XC race on the Saturday and a DH race on the Sunday. The only catch is that you have to use the same bike for both days. You were only allowed to change tyres and pedals so bike choice was very important. For me the choice was easy: my Orange 5 is the perfect do it all bike.
Saturday morning arrived and it was time to put on the Lycra. I got a good start off the line and even managed to throw in a quick wheelie before the first corner.
Posted by James Shirley on September 30, 2011 at 5:29 pm | Race Reports
Hope Endurance Downhill
It had been a few years since I last entered the 6 hour downhill event. A last minute change of plan saw me head to Fort William to compete instead of down to the British Championships in Wales which I was disappointed not to be able to go to.
I was looking forward to the pain I was going to be putting myself through though and seeing a lot of good riders fight it out over the hours descending one of the longest race tracks in the world. It’s rated as the best on the downhill world race circuit due to its speed and bike breaking reputation. (more…)
Posted by Chris Hutchens on July 26, 2011 at 9:11 pm | Race Reports
Euro Adventures
I set off from the croft with my friend Emma Holgate whose father lived up the hill in Inverroy. There was only enough space in the van for one bike each so I took my Orange Five which is the perfect all round cycling machine. In my bag I had a helmet, passport, phone, wallet and enough Bawbags to see me through the next two and a half weeks. We trucked down to Dover and just managed to catch our ferry to Dunkirk.
Posted by James Shirley on July 21, 2011 at 12:20 pm | Race Reports
SDA Fort William and 10 Under the Ben
Following my puncture and subsequent disappointment at the Ae Forest Enduro, I was keen to smash out some good results in my next couple races. The first of which was the 2nd round of the Scottish Downhill Series in Fort William. I arrived to find my good friend Pete Scullion who had some sweet IXS goodies for me. My favourite of the lot was an all in one waterproof rain suit which was ideal for the wet and windy conditions.
Posted by James Shirley on July 21, 2011 at 12:14 pm | Race Reports
Aberfoyle SXC and Macavalanche
It is time once more for another quick round up of the life of James…
I have recently been feeling the pressures of 4th year mechanical engineering. Yes, most of the time university is a bit of a doss about but the last wee while has been flat out for me. Dissertation, oral exams, regular exams and course works all squeezed into the sunniest spell of weather I have ever seen! With all this extra work, I have been missing out on valuable training time so last weekend I decided to do a cross country race to see how I would compare…
Posted by James Shirley on July 21, 2011 at 12:00 pm | Race Reports