Beginners course 28.1.11

Unlike Karl last Sunday, Sekar had travelled a long way for his course (from near London) and had only been offroad once before so we really were starting right at the beginning. It wasn't long before he was at the top of a climb bigger than any in Essex - having ridden all the way up. Next was to practice the downhill techniques. Getting used to the body position and being out of the saddle took a little getting used to but by the afternoon we had got that and moved on and up to bigger stuff with confidence building rapidly. Having completed the final descent cleanly and in style I reckon there is little within 50 miles of his home that will cause Sekar any trouble now.

Beginner course 23.1.11

Karl came from just the other side of Burnley so was familiar with some of the local trails. He came because he claimed he was the one in the group that always fell off and got left behind. Well after the progress he made today that should be a thing of the past. His determination to improve and put the skills he'd learnt into practice meant that by the end of the day we did the intermediate descent back to the car park.

2011

Happy New Year. OK so the end of 2010 was a bit too white, but I look forward to meeting up with the riders whos courses had to be postponed in December on rescheduled dates in the coming months. Riding has certainly still been possible but the "extreme" weather opened up a few other obvious activities locally as well. What could make for a better day than a mountain bike ride to the local waterfall for a play on the ice?