BUCS 2011 - Moelfre

BUCS 2011 - Moelfre Student Championships from Rob Rickman on Vimeo.

I was on camera duty for this years BUCS. It was a great weekend and really nice to be back out in the welsh hills. The weather was a mixed affair but that didnt dampen the mood and there was plenty of excitement both on and off the track. Swansea was well represented, we had 5 riders posting more than respectable times. It is fair to say that thanks to the shear genius of the vibe trolley swansea was also responsible for bringing the party. The XC on the sunday was fantastic, a straight up straight down track, the down being down one of the DH tracks the up being up the uplift track. Bike skills were required along with brutal fitness. The steep showdown section provided endless entertainment as rider after rider were sliding out or getting flicked over the bars. There is a strange beauty about that unavoidable moment when the front end digs in which when combined with an epically high saddle and an extended stem forces the rider into a slow but perfect arc over the bars, the bike following thanks to the carefully engineered clipless pedals. All of us who practice the statistically safer sport of DH had a great time cheering on the XC riders and providing helpful advice and support whilst sitting in the sunshine nursing a hangover. All this action has been crammed into the video above for all the non students out there who want to know what they are missing. Once again BUCS wins the prize for the best atmosphere and all round event, thanks to all the organisers for pulling it off again this year.

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Oot n Aboot

This is why I would be hard pushed to leave Swansea. Since the weather has picked up and we have had some stunning mornings I have been taking the long route into work down the Clyne valley cycle path. It feels fantastic to be out first thing, flying down through the woods with no cars around for miles and the dappled early light creating a striking mix of colours. For now the cross tyres are still on which help take out the odd bump and allows the Rat to keep exploring when the tarmac runs out.

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Back on the road!

The big news is the cast is now off and I am back on a bike! The doctor doesn't recommend anything too agressive for a while so the BFe is still locked up and sitting in the corner looking neglected. After so long being immobile it feels great to get back out on the road bike and getting some freedom back. Today was a gentle but rather cold and blustery ride out onto the Gower. My leg feels far more natural on the bike than walking at the moment, cycling was actually far easier than I expected after so long off. The goal now is to stay intact and get fit ready for the race season.

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Protection (apparently I need it!) from Kali and TrickX

Kali have just sent down one of their new line of Piss Pots the Samra. The graphics look sharp and the fit is a noticeable improvement on my Maha from last year. The new shape feels far more fitted and super secure so big thumbs up there.

To go with the new lid TrickX have provided knee pads and ankle guards. The knee pads follow the standard slimline pad design that positions foam and a hard knee cap exactly where it is needed. They look tough and this tried and tested approach to protection will no doubt result in secure and comfy pads that will stay in place when shit hits the fan.

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Sneak peak at the BFe's new KCNC Bling

Shiny new bits just landed on the door step, first impressions are really good unfortunately first tests wont be for another few weeks yet.

Did I mention all this time off the bike has robbed me of my sanity!

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Southern Downhill Interview

I was interviewed by Rob from SouthernDownhill this weekend about life and Four Cross racing. If you need some monday morning distraction then the full interview can be found here.

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Discount BFe's

Cy has just announced an offer on Cotic's awesome BFe frame. For this month only they are down to £300. If you are after a super fun, thrash around hardtail that can take on more or less any type of riding then it is definitely worth checking out their website for more info (www.cotic.co.uk).

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