Fancy a Challenge?

GoofyMark · 03-01-2010, 09:55 PM

Fancy a Challenge?

Well do you? I do, and so does Mutley, thats why we've decided to enter this years ATBA-UK Downhill Championship!

So it was friday night, I was settled down on the sofa, i'd had a few beers, when suddenly my phone came alive - a text message. It was from Roger (Leapb4ulook) 'Cheddar this sunday?'. I knew as soon as i saw it he wasn't enquiring about my cheese eating habits, oh no , he was asking if i wanted to go and try out the downhill course for this years downhill championship.

So after lots of text messages, and some facebook activity it was arranged. Roger as usual being very accomodating to Mutley and mines demanding family schedule, and agreeing to meet us at 7am.

I don't know what sort of mental images a 'Downhill Championship' conjures up for you, but for me its battle hardened riders, racing down ridiculously steep tracks, on Nosno's with massive wheels, at 40mph+ - but this is a very different downhill course. Essentailly it only covers about 500 metres in dense woodland, and its by no means the steepest thing i've ever ridden, but boy is it technical.

The start is a gentle slope, but has you weaving between the trees, desperately trying to control your speed in limited space, as the track steepens, it takes in a sweeping left hand turn, great for you 'regular' riders, but this weekend in very wet conditions almost impossible for us goofy riders to handle. The course crosses a track and funnels you past the 'Cheddar cheese wire' (see left of photo below) which Roger assures me will be covered in something soft by the actual event.

From here you drop into a narrow gulley, which is maybe 75-80metres long, full of obstacles, big rocks, branches etc, before giving you an exit which is just about wide enough for the board. Once out of the fast gulley, your onto part of a mountainbike track, weaving through the trees again for a short time before turning sharp left onto the 'finish straight' - basically a fast, steep track, which should make for some dramatic finishes.

Now that all sounds great, but when you bear in mind that me and Mutley have only been boarding for just over a year, well, lets just say it wasn't pretty. It was the toughest thing I have ever ridden, not just from a technical point of view, but the sheer physical exerction required to control your speed, and make turns in the trees was ridiculous, we literally had to stop at least twice to get our breath on the way down!

The weird thing is that when we got in the car to go, we both decided that entering the comp would be a good thing. Hey we will probly come last, but if competing pushes my riding to the next level i don't care, if i can make it down the course cleanly, i'll be happy.

To get a better idea of the track check out this video - shot when the track was built earlier this year.

ATBA-UK Downhill exploration from Woodie Wright on Vimeo.

I can't wait to get back to Cheddar, we are hoping to get some more lines in for the less experienced riders like myself, which is what i liked about it, like so many aspects on Mountainboarding the guys organising the event are keen to make it accessible to everyone. So if your not sure if your experienced/skilled enough for a comp why not give it a go - it can only make you a better rider.

Check out the ATBA site for event info.

pd2h · 03-02-2010, 12:03 AM

I am in for sure, sounds like an ace track, was hoping to have a chance to scope it out before hand too but will have to see!!

Mutley · 03-02-2010, 02:29 AM

Amazing write up dude. This hopefully should go some way to showing that the comp is open to ALL abilities (especially as I'm participating !) The site has multiple lines to the finish and I'm sure most of mine will take in most of the trees! Obviously I'm not going to be at the top of the pack on this one but this track provides some good personal goals I'd like to achive (like getting my finish time to under 30 mins

)

Really looking forward to this and I hope that some other newbs sign up as well to join me in the slow lane

Alan_RTH · 03-02-2010, 03:20 AM

When is it again?

The 6th degree · 03-02-2010, 04:49 AM

If I had enough time to practice I would be well up for it - it is in 3 years right?

pd2h · 03-02-2010, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan_RTH

When is it again?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ATBAUK

Downhill Championship
The all-new ATBA-UK Downhill Championship will take place on the 12th and 13th of June 2010 in Cheddar, Somerset. This exciting new discipline involves riders giving it their all to get their best time down a track that will push all their skills to the limit.

Ere yar...

Alan_RTH · 03-02-2010, 06:02 AM

Shit, do you know how many times I nearly miss stuff because I didn't read it properly?!?!?! Lots!

On another note I guess I need to learn how to freeride!!

McCarver · 03-02-2010, 06:12 AM

Nice write up Mark, sounds like a blast. Mind if I post this up on the mainpage/blog thingy? Im sure our more casual visitors wouldnt want to miss this.

GoofyMark · 03-02-2010, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McCarver

Nice write up Mark, sounds like a blast. Mind if I post this up on the mainpage/blog thingy? Im sure our more casual visitors wouldnt want to miss this.

That would be cool

McCarver · 03-02-2010, 07:06 AM

thanks, im sicking of looking at that wannabe Tom Kirkman everytime I go to the main page

BryceAZ · 03-02-2010, 07:12 AM

Very good write up! That track looks like a blast to ride too. I hope some new riders get out there and try it too.

Devin Garland · 03-02-2010, 07:24 AM

I tell people just to go to comps to meet other riders becasuse you can see the pros and the joes.

Some times its hard to think that even myself was once a rider the fell down ever few seconds on a down hill run. It was a 2 mile down hill (High Drive)and after 2 miles of what should have been pain, became, man I have to ride more.

It was a comp and the first one ever for me, been hooked ever since..

Its easy to feel like your the only one when you cruzen the trees, but some times you need a bro to have a beer with and talk about all the cool shit that just "F'ened" happened, you dig? you pack, you ride...

Remember mountainboarding is fun, but mountainboarding with a million people that all ride, makes me want to puke with joy chunks.

A window into the soul or your friends and how they express them selvs if they could be free from or taken by the pull of this world even for a millia sec.

McCarver · 03-02-2010, 07:48 AM

I know exactly what you mean, although I was completely stoked to be riding with just me and my bro who were learning my big revelation came when I made the pilgrimage out to moab in the spring of 2003. Steifvater was there, Van Dewitt, Kody Stewart, Brian Southard and Brian Bishop were there, and tons of other cool peep that I dont remember, but more people than I ever imagined riding with. I sucked at the time but had a blast, and just a month or two later I made it to Sandhill and met even more cool people all who were there for the same reason. Made all the saving, camping and hitchiking not seem like such a dumb idea afterwards, because the whole experience more than met my expectations.

Jack · 03-02-2010, 09:25 AM

where is that boarder x track right at the end of the video it looks sick!

leapb4ulook · 03-02-2010, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack

where is that boarder x track right at the end of the video it looks sick!

That's Cheddar BMX track. It belongs to the campsite we're staying at so we get free access to it all weekend. The campsite also has a concrete skatepark, wooden halfpipe, adventure playground, and a swimming pool.

Jasper · 03-02-2010, 11:40 AM

shit, it looks solid

Jockass Dave · 03-02-2010, 11:54 AM

I will definately be there!! Probably on some sort of noSno brake board but will take the Leon along too... and should be rocking one of these badboys:

Faither has ordered a brand new one, pimped with a loo, shower and tv

If this goes well I'd love to see more of the same next year- return to Dunkeld maybe?

leapb4ulook · 03-02-2010, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jockass Dave

If this goes well I'd love to see more of the same next year- return to Dunkeld maybe?

Fingers crossed

Devin Garland · 03-02-2010, 01:11 PM

I was there to don't you remember me...Check your ORB if you have one haha

This spot sounds like a dream come true, you guys getting pictures of everything if so post them........

Marvin · 03-03-2010, 01:30 AM

I'll come for the weekend if someone is heading down from up north!

03-01-2010, 09:55 PM	#1
GoofyMark Advanced Novice Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Cheltenham UK Posts: 494	Fancy a Challenge? Fancy a Challenge? Well do you? I do, and so does Mutley, thats why we've decided to enter this years ATBA-UK Downhill Championship! So it was friday night, I was settled down on the sofa, i'd had a few beers, when suddenly my phone came alive - a text message. It was from Roger (Leapb4ulook) 'Cheddar this sunday?'. I knew as soon as i saw it he wasn't enquiring about my cheese eating habits, oh no , he was asking if i wanted to go and try out the downhill course for this years downhill championship. So after lots of text messages, and some facebook activity it was arranged. Roger as usual being very accomodating to Mutley and mines demanding family schedule, and agreeing to meet us at 7am. I don't know what sort of mental images a 'Downhill Championship' conjures up for you, but for me its battle hardened riders, racing down ridiculously steep tracks, on Nosno's with massive wheels, at 40mph+ - but this is a very different downhill course. Essentailly it only covers about 500 metres in dense woodland, and its by no means the steepest thing i've ever ridden, but boy is it technical. The start is a gentle slope, but has you weaving between the trees, desperately trying to control your speed in limited space, as the track steepens, it takes in a sweeping left hand turn, great for you 'regular' riders, but this weekend in very wet conditions almost impossible for us goofy riders to handle. The course crosses a track and funnels you past the 'Cheddar cheese wire' (see left of photo below) which Roger assures me will be covered in something soft by the actual event. From here you drop into a narrow gulley, which is maybe 75-80metres long, full of obstacles, big rocks, branches etc, before giving you an exit which is just about wide enough for the board. Once out of the fast gulley, your onto part of a mountainbike track, weaving through the trees again for a short time before turning sharp left onto the 'finish straight' - basically a fast, steep track, which should make for some dramatic finishes. Now that all sounds great, but when you bear in mind that me and Mutley have only been boarding for just over a year, well, lets just say it wasn't pretty. It was the toughest thing I have ever ridden, not just from a technical point of view, but the sheer physical exerction required to control your speed, and make turns in the trees was ridiculous, we literally had to stop at least twice to get our breath on the way down! The weird thing is that when we got in the car to go, we both decided that entering the comp would be a good thing. Hey we will probly come last, but if competing pushes my riding to the next level i don't care, if i can make it down the course cleanly, i'll be happy. To get a better idea of the track check out this video - shot when the track was built earlier this year. ATBA-UK Downhill exploration from Woodie Wright on Vimeo. I can't wait to get back to Cheddar, we are hoping to get some more lines in for the less experienced riders like myself, which is what i liked about it, like so many aspects on Mountainboarding the guys organising the event are keen to make it accessible to everyone. So if your not sure if your experienced/skilled enough for a comp why not give it a go - it can only make you a better rider. Check out the ATBA site for event info. __________________ So much to ride - so little time to ride it in

03-02-2010, 12:03 AM	#2
pd2h Surfing Dirt Team Rider Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Malvern Posts: 325	I am in for sure, sounds like an ace track, was hoping to have a chance to scope it out before hand too but will have to see!! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-02-2010, 03:20 AM	#4
Alan_RTH Ride the Hill Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London, UK Posts: 725	When is it again? __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-02-2010, 06:02 AM	#7
Alan_RTH Ride the Hill Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London, UK Posts: 725	Shit, do you know how many times I nearly miss stuff because I didn't read it properly?!?!?! Lots! On another note I guess I need to learn how to freeride!! __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-02-2010, 06:12 AM	#8
McCarver 3rd Level Google Master Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Costa Rica Posts: 7,791	Nice write up Mark, sounds like a blast. Mind if I post this up on the mainpage/blog thingy? Im sure our more casual visitors wouldnt want to miss this. __________________ The Best Mountainboard Forum in the World To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-02-2010, 04:49 AM	#5
The 6th degree Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Preston, UK Posts: 773	If I had enough time to practice I would be well up for it - it is in 3 years right?

03-02-2010, 07:06 AM	#10
McCarver 3rd Level Google Master Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Costa Rica Posts: 7,791	thanks, im sicking of looking at that wannabe Tom Kirkman everytime I go to the main page __________________ The Best Mountainboard Forum in the World To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-02-2010, 07:12 AM	#11
BryceAZ I ride GI, I eat tacos Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,631	Very good write up! That track looks like a blast to ride too. I hope some new riders get out there and try it too.

03-02-2010, 07:24 AM	#12
Devin Garland Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 198	Nice I tell people just to go to comps to meet other riders becasuse you can see the pros and the joes. Some times its hard to think that even myself was once a rider the fell down ever few seconds on a down hill run. It was a 2 mile down hill (High Drive)and after 2 miles of what should have been pain, became, man I have to ride more. It was a comp and the first one ever for me, been hooked ever since.. Its easy to feel like your the only one when you cruzen the trees, but some times you need a bro to have a beer with and talk about all the cool shit that just "F'ened" happened, you dig? you pack, you ride... Remember mountainboarding is fun, but mountainboarding with a million people that all ride, makes me want to puke with joy chunks. A window into the soul or your friends and how they express them selvs if they could be free from or taken by the pull of this world even for a millia sec.

03-02-2010, 07:48 AM	#13
McCarver 3rd Level Google Master Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Costa Rica Posts: 7,791	I know exactly what you mean, although I was completely stoked to be riding with just me and my bro who were learning my big revelation came when I made the pilgrimage out to moab in the spring of 2003. Steifvater was there, Van Dewitt, Kody Stewart, Brian Southard and Brian Bishop were there, and tons of other cool peep that I dont remember, but more people than I ever imagined riding with. I sucked at the time but had a blast, and just a month or two later I made it to Sandhill and met even more cool people all who were there for the same reason. Made all the saving, camping and hitchiking not seem like such a dumb idea afterwards, because the whole experience more than met my expectations. __________________ The Best Mountainboard Forum in the World To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-02-2010, 09:25 AM	#14
Jack Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Wales, UK Posts: 239	where is that boarder x track right at the end of the video it looks sick!

03-02-2010, 11:40 AM	#16
Jasper Mod extraordinaire! Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: UK, Derbyshire, Heanor Posts: 2,681	shit, it looks solid __________________ people quote me in their signatures To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. McC made me a mod To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

03-02-2010, 11:54 AM	#17
Jockass Dave Old skooler Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 86	I will definately be there!! Probably on some sort of noSno brake board but will take the Leon along too... and should be rocking one of these badboys: Faither has ordered a brand new one, pimped with a loo, shower and tv If this goes well I'd love to see more of the same next year- return to Dunkeld maybe? __________________ Old enough to know better, been there done that...

03-02-2010, 01:11 PM	#19
Devin Garland Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Lakewood, CO Posts: 198	McCarver I was there to don't you remember me...Check your ORB if you have one haha This spot sounds like a dream come true, you guys getting pictures of everything if so post them........

03-03-2010, 01:30 AM	#20
Marvin Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Cannock chase (Epic) Posts: 245	I'll come for the weekend if someone is heading down from up north!

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