The final
round of The North Regionals was held at Preston Pirates newly built BMX track. So, at least it would be `new` to everyone
giving me a bit of a chance after the disasters of the Bradford races!
On the Friday
before the Races, the club had invited Radio Lancashire down to do an article
on the new track. Me and Tara had gone
down for a bit of `extra` practise and ended up being interviewed as well. I had to laugh at the reporter as she said
looking to me and another guy “and here are a few dads, would you give it a
go?” Erm, there I was stood next to my
bike and wearing my arm and knee pads.
Perhaps she thought that was normal clothing for walking the streets of
Preston? Here is a link to the interview
if you want to listen to Neil Brooks doing his bit for the club. Click here for the interview.
The race was to take place on the Sunday but with the track being so new the club had organised an Open Day on the Saturday. This must have been a big success as it was mega busy with tons of riders from the really quick ones to those borrowing the new club bikes and riding a BMX track for the first time. Hot and Hectic was all I remember! Here’s a few shots from the Open Day.
The race was to take place on the Sunday but with the track being so new the club had organised an Open Day on the Saturday. This must have been a big success as it was mega busy with tons of riders from the really quick ones to those borrowing the new club bikes and riding a BMX track for the first time. Hot and Hectic was all I remember! Here’s a few shots from the Open Day.
Sorry, couldn't get them to go together on this blogger site for some reason!
Race Day
As you may or
may not know, I was on my new bike which I was still setting up and was running
my old Haro’s wheels so it wasn’t quite the finished bike I had hoped for. But, it was still much lighter than the old
one!!
I’m still
amazed at the young kids jumping the way they do. I have yet to grow a pair and man up enough
to try.
Preston’s first straight is a killer and, in my opinion, if you can’t jump or at least manual proper then you will find yourself miles behind by the time you get to the first berm. Needless to say I can’t do either so found myself battling with the plastic knee man Mr. David Lindsay whom I seem to beginning to have a fair few battles with!!
Preston’s first straight is a killer and, in my opinion, if you can’t jump or at least manual proper then you will find yourself miles behind by the time you get to the first berm. Needless to say I can’t do either so found myself battling with the plastic knee man Mr. David Lindsay whom I seem to beginning to have a fair few battles with!!
Race 1 – Like
I said, not being able to get the first straight nailed meant I was probably in
4th or 5th coming out of the first berm with Mr. Lindsay
in front of me.
Out of the 2nd berm and over the steep double I slipped a pedal. Running Nukeproof Proton pedals as recommended by Shaun Calvert, these pedals are damn grippy but if you do lose your footing because you are riding beyond your limits ( trying too manual !! ) then its difficult to get back into the right position!!
Needless to say this wobble cost me a couple of positions but I pumped the last rhythm section and 3 of us crossed the line together.
Out of the 2nd berm and over the steep double I slipped a pedal. Running Nukeproof Proton pedals as recommended by Shaun Calvert, these pedals are damn grippy but if you do lose your footing because you are riding beyond your limits ( trying too manual !! ) then its difficult to get back into the right position!!
Needless to say this wobble cost me a couple of positions but I pumped the last rhythm section and 3 of us crossed the line together.
Race 2 – same
story as race 1 but this time just coming out of the 2nd berm my
chain came off!!
Pump, pump, pump down straight 3 and 4 and I even managed to not lose my place – no, I wasn’t last! The commentator shouted “and look at Darren Nelson pumping like his life depended on it”!! Made my family and other people laugh! This seems to be about my level as, some weeks later at coaching, Shaun commented that Tara is a good jumper, but I king of the pumpers! I do like beans!
Pump, pump, pump down straight 3 and 4 and I even managed to not lose my place – no, I wasn’t last! The commentator shouted “and look at Darren Nelson pumping like his life depended on it”!! Made my family and other people laugh! This seems to be about my level as, some weeks later at coaching, Shaun commented that Tara is a good jumper, but I king of the pumpers! I do like beans!
Race 3 – now
with my chain back on, all I wanted to do finish and have a reasonably clean
race.
Into the 1st berm I was about 5th but with the dive bomb technique I mastered at Blackpool ( against David Lindsay, ha ha ) I did it again. Diving under David I came out 3rd ( still miles behind the 2 fast guys in front ).
Along the 2nd straight David was just behind me on the inside of me, I could just see him. Mindful of the last 2 races I perhaps gave him too much room and he returned the favour by getting me on the inside of the next corner. At least I stayed on! And that was how it stayed to the line.
Into the 1st berm I was about 5th but with the dive bomb technique I mastered at Blackpool ( against David Lindsay, ha ha ) I did it again. Diving under David I came out 3rd ( still miles behind the 2 fast guys in front ).
Along the 2nd straight David was just behind me on the inside of me, I could just see him. Mindful of the last 2 races I perhaps gave him too much room and he returned the favour by getting me on the inside of the next corner. At least I stayed on! And that was how it stayed to the line.
Final – God, I’m crap at gates.
Crapper at manualling!
Awful start meant I was too far behind David to challenge him at all. Another race to him of the plastic knee brigade! I finished 4th.
Overall,
considering it was only my 3rd Regional, a good days racing. Lots of family support too which was
appreciated. Made even better by my
Brother & Sister-In-Law, Sharon & Charlie ( Shaz & Chaz! ) who
presented me with a framed picture of my little bike ride from one end of the
country to the other that I did with my mate Richard Burt back in April. 960miles in 8 days.
Thinking about it, I’m not sure what is worse, road biking or BMX-ing! Maybe I’m not so good at either ( now I sound like my daughter Tara!! ).
Thinking about it, I’m not sure what is worse, road biking or BMX-ing! Maybe I’m not so good at either ( now I sound like my daughter Tara!! ).
Now where’s
that book - Idiots Guide to Manualing and Jumping For The Over 40’s Who Should
Know Better?
Many thanks to Suzanne McHugh of BMX Widow Photography for the pics too!
Oh and here is mine and Tara's standings for 2013.
Many thanks to Suzanne McHugh of BMX Widow Photography for the pics too!
Oh and here is mine and Tara's standings for 2013.
