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Week 7 of "52 weeks"
by jumble
Posted: Sep 12, 2009
I'm attempting to compete in the Mega Avalanche in 2010 - It's a journey of 52 weeks till I actually get there and it's gonna be tough! Read on to hear more about my week of riding, new bike and free stuff!
Inside are the pics, video diary and loads of letters from the alphabet, which form words that will tell you about week 7 in my quest...
Inside are the pics, video diary and loads of letters from the alphabet, which form words that will tell you about week 7 in my quest...
Sunday-
Went on an early morning session to Hemlock with my mate Oli - to teach him how to ride dirt jumps. It started well for the guy as he has been practicing at BMX tracks for a few months - but when we hit the tight trails - The results weren't pretty and a lot of confidence was shattered in a few minutes of abuse from the local dug trails.
To save the day we went for a shred in the top forest on the hip jumps and DH tracks. After letting the Hardtails have some fun - I remembered the road gap that I have been eying up since I first came to Hemlock - Today was the day to hit it with all my confidence and what I have of limited ability. It wasn't the biggest air - but I nailed it smooth as a 70`s dancer in platform shoes on one of them light up dance floors!
Check the video out to see his attempts and the shred after:
Monday-
Was my first official day as full time Dad, as Julia went back to work - so today was learning how to do everything for a little person and survive the day! - I made it and even the house was looking good!
Tuesday-
Training loop day - Elijah was prepared for any weather we might encounter on our 30 mile adventure - so lunch was packed and off we went on the Kona - Had a great ride out but felt really knackered after the ride - Need to work on my recovery time in training - as today was painful after.
Wednesday-
???? - wanna say I did some hardcore riding but I didn't - Read loads of crappy kids books, went to the local park with my son and then watched some "in the night garden" with Elijah! Not the most exciting day - but great to hang out with my son more!
However, how things changed when my postman arrived mega late - but bearing loads of gifts from my sponsors - Check out the booty I received below!
Now in all honesty I don't think i deserve this gear because of my riding at the present time - I'm like a wet flannel at the minute who is lame at loose corners and hitting big jumps - it'll change but for now I'm not great! However the very few gimps on the site who kick off at me saying "you're crap, you don't deserve it" etc - I spend a lot of time editing the videos, filming it, writing these blogs and helping others get to places to ride etc - so I work hard for what I get! I have to say I get the support because of my project - not my ability!
Thursday-
It was an exciting day today - I was collecting my new / second hand bike from Stoke - and as the cool people know in the UK - Stoke city is home to a phenomenal skate park - The Plaza! So I chucked the skateboard in the boot and headed off for a midday Rendezvous with the seller at The plaza.
After a sweet session on the concrete shaped heaven, Elijah even dropped in on the flat bank sitting down! - We headed to the car park for the collection and payment of my Devinci Ollie!
And here she is - got a free D2 Troy lee helmet and a pair of new Maxxis wet screams! Sweet!
Friday-
Morley woods was the destination with the wife and kid for my first session on the Devinchi Ollie. Never been here before but thanks to some local riders through Pinkbike I was hooked up with directions to this beauty of a hill (only minutes from my house!) Was a great session on some short jumpy runs - but fantastic non the less. My new bike - love it so much!
Here is the video which summed up the day:
Saturday-
Did some training at Morley this morning before the world awoke, love riding my bike in utter silence and all you can hear is the occasional bird or twig snap. After a few hours ripping up the trails I headed home to clean myself up. Headed out for a family day to celebrate Julia surviving her first week at work! Was blooming boiling hot today!
Another great week and I can't wait to get more riding done on the Devinci!
Week 7:
Thanks to our sponsors and supporters of Project "52 weeks":
Went on an early morning session to Hemlock with my mate Oli - to teach him how to ride dirt jumps. It started well for the guy as he has been practicing at BMX tracks for a few months - but when we hit the tight trails - The results weren't pretty and a lot of confidence was shattered in a few minutes of abuse from the local dug trails.
To save the day we went for a shred in the top forest on the hip jumps and DH tracks. After letting the Hardtails have some fun - I remembered the road gap that I have been eying up since I first came to Hemlock - Today was the day to hit it with all my confidence and what I have of limited ability. It wasn't the biggest air - but I nailed it smooth as a 70`s dancer in platform shoes on one of them light up dance floors!
Monday-
Was my first official day as full time Dad, as Julia went back to work - so today was learning how to do everything for a little person and survive the day! - I made it and even the house was looking good!
Tuesday-
Training loop day - Elijah was prepared for any weather we might encounter on our 30 mile adventure - so lunch was packed and off we went on the Kona - Had a great ride out but felt really knackered after the ride - Need to work on my recovery time in training - as today was painful after.
Wednesday-
???? - wanna say I did some hardcore riding but I didn't - Read loads of crappy kids books, went to the local park with my son and then watched some "in the night garden" with Elijah! Not the most exciting day - but great to hang out with my son more!
However, how things changed when my postman arrived mega late - but bearing loads of gifts from my sponsors - Check out the booty I received below!
Now in all honesty I don't think i deserve this gear because of my riding at the present time - I'm like a wet flannel at the minute who is lame at loose corners and hitting big jumps - it'll change but for now I'm not great! However the very few gimps on the site who kick off at me saying "you're crap, you don't deserve it" etc - I spend a lot of time editing the videos, filming it, writing these blogs and helping others get to places to ride etc - so I work hard for what I get! I have to say I get the support because of my project - not my ability!
Rip N Roll Goggles Goodies
Pinkbike goodies
Thursday-
It was an exciting day today - I was collecting my new / second hand bike from Stoke - and as the cool people know in the UK - Stoke city is home to a phenomenal skate park - The Plaza! So I chucked the skateboard in the boot and headed off for a midday Rendezvous with the seller at The plaza.
18 months and dropping in already!
After a sweet session on the concrete shaped heaven, Elijah even dropped in on the flat bank sitting down! - We headed to the car park for the collection and payment of my Devinci Ollie!
And here she is - got a free D2 Troy lee helmet and a pair of new Maxxis wet screams! Sweet!
New bike at home
Friday-
Morley woods was the destination with the wife and kid for my first session on the Devinchi Ollie. Never been here before but thanks to some local riders through Pinkbike I was hooked up with directions to this beauty of a hill (only minutes from my house!) Was a great session on some short jumpy runs - but fantastic non the less. My new bike - love it so much!
Shredding the new bike
Saturday-
Did some training at Morley this morning before the world awoke, love riding my bike in utter silence and all you can hear is the occasional bird or twig snap. After a few hours ripping up the trails I headed home to clean myself up. Headed out for a family day to celebrate Julia surviving her first week at work! Was blooming boiling hot today!
Another great week and I can't wait to get more riding done on the Devinci!
Thanks to our sponsors and supporters of Project "52 weeks":
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28 Comments
- + 5
ChrisRussell500144
(Sep 12, 2009 at 11:15)
looking good jumble... you going to be using the ollie as your final avalanche bike??
nice write up matey
[Reply]
[Reply]
i think your bike has too much travel for the avalanche. And you will need some seatpost like the Joplin.
This year i rode the "Trek Bike Attack" in Lenzerheide which is also a Freeride / DH Marathon Race as the Avalanche and also Mr. Avalanche (René Wildhaber) was there (1. Place^^) and I had also too much travel on the Uphill parts.
take a look at bike-attack.ch
But: its a great project, a great idea. I wish you all the best! For you, your bike, your project and your family!
Ride on!
This year i rode the "Trek Bike Attack" in Lenzerheide which is also a Freeride / DH Marathon Race as the Avalanche and also Mr. Avalanche (René Wildhaber) was there (1. Place^^) and I had also too much travel on the Uphill parts.
take a look at bike-attack.ch
But: its a great project, a great idea. I wish you all the best! For you, your bike, your project and your family!
Ride on!
.. and again, its me 
Maybe you also want to start in lenzeheide, its in August and trust me, damn funny, super nice!
here a small vid of my friends and me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QATbbnqSGS8
Maybe you also want to start in lenzeheide, its in August and trust me, damn funny, super nice!
here a small vid of my friends and me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QATbbnqSGS8
You don't need to practice jumping for the Mega - it's all wheels on the ground. Fitness and plain ole technical DH will get you through it.
Check out my helmet cam of the Mega qualifier (me being smoked by loads of folk!) if you want to know what to expect: a href="http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/video/other.htm">Clicky linky/a> Sounds like you're not far from where I'm sat typing this in Nottingham?
Check out my helmet cam of the Mega qualifier (me being smoked by loads of folk!) if you want to know what to expect: a href="http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/video/other.htm">Clicky linky/a> Sounds like you're not far from where I'm sat typing this in Nottingham?
Thanks dude, i am trying to keep all the riding I do over the next year varied and also fun. I like dirt jumping and it refines your technique and is a great laugh with mates. I think you have to also take into account that alot of uk doenhl and trail centres have incorporated large moto style jumps into there set ups - so I think I'm honestly training well. My objectives are clear in the first blog, varied riding and having fun. Anyone who knows me also knows I am working my ass off on training Laps and also hitting as much UK downhill as possible. And mate I'm always looking for people to ride with so get in touch.
No worries on keeping it varied and fun. That's what this mtb lark is all about! I ride regularly with a large group in the Notts area all year round. Night XC rides through winter included. Quite a few of us have done the Mega and the Kielder Avalanche Enduro (you should do that too). We're a bunch of old farts but the pace is usually pretty quick so if you want a couple of hours work out round the Notts woods (followed by a pint)let me know?
Hey mate, I'm from Nottingham too. Word of advice never train at Hemlock again, it's terrible for DH, you'd be better off riding XC to train for the Mega. The closest reasonable DH is Wharncliffe (1 hour away). Other than than there's Bringewood and Hopton for improving your technical skills (2 hours away). There's plenty on uplifts going on at Moelfre too, you can get a good 20+ descents in the course of a day, so an overall descent of 20,000ft approx. (see www.Borderline-Events.co.uk for details) there's even a race on this October 10-11th that will push you a little further.
im really interested in ambergate - just waiting for some offers of being shown around there to come through!
I've not been myself for ages. Here's a few photos from a trip ages ago: http://www.mountainbikerides.co.uk/photos_section/ambergate.htm
Trouble is I have rides etc arranged for every weekend for about a month at the minute (not that that is a bad thing!). I might be able to do a Friday afternoon sometime soon? I need to test my shock as I've just had it fixed after it p*ssed all the oil out in Whistler and I usually finish work at lunch Fridays....!
Trouble is I have rides etc arranged for every weekend for about a month at the minute (not that that is a bad thing!). I might be able to do a Friday afternoon sometime soon? I need to test my shock as I've just had it fixed after it p*ssed all the oil out in Whistler and I usually finish work at lunch Fridays....!
Ambergate is a little flat and short but it does have the odd good technical section (rock garden!). I've got a secret track that's as steep as Llangollen NPS track, and a bit longer than Ambergate somewhere in on the Nottinghamshire border. There's a dig-to-ride policy we've got, as we don't really want kids/crap riders ruining it. If you keep up your training and do well in the Mega then give me a shout and I'll book you in for a dig/ride day 
serious props to you for giving this a go, like you said you might not be the best but you're having fun and thats what it's all about
giver beans and i love the comment "nailed it smooth as a 70`s dancer in platform shoes on one of them light up dance floors" that made my day
This is very interesting. Im planning on going to hit the mega avalanche in a few years or so. Good luck with the project and i hope you do well! 
My mate did it this year and here is his advice; 'Take a bike with at least 6inch travel. It needs to pedal REALLY well though as theres some badass climbs! Big ass brakes are a must also. If you can afford it take a gravity dropper saddle. I would drive out in a van and take as meny spares as you can- if you dont need them you can sell them for easy profit!!'
Hope this helps bud, all the best I'll be watchin!
Hope this helps bud, all the best I'll be watchin!
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