Fort William

Joel heading for one of the fierce sections. There are some big rocks, drop off and rough roll downs on the top section which you don't really see on the tv/video coverage of world cup races.

Bikes hanging on the back of the gondola by their seats which is quite a good system if you can lift your bike high enough which I can't. Thank God for 6 ft tall sons.

Joel on the fast friendly section at the top of the track.

First class on the Mallaig train

Fort William!! fun and frustration

OK - so here is what all you mtbers have been waiting for! Fort William (which is actually on Aonach Mor about 10 mins out of Fort William) is an awesome track. It has fast flowy friendly sections which are just plain fun and also some frigthening bits that require you ride a bit more fiercely. At first glance the finish looks smaller than you expect but you actually get on the track it is pretty big, as in steep and fast. We had 2 days on the main World Cup track and one day when we did the easier but longer Red Route (that happened because Joel did not have his bike and tried a hire bike which he thought was s@#$) But we did have fun fun fun while things went well.


Frustration -

On our first day we each got in 3 runs and were begining to feel good and have fun when Joel smashed his rear wheel and put a big dint and crack in it. Off to the bike shop - they just happened to have a suitable on order, should have arrived Tues but didn't turn up til Friday!! The lady in the shop sure gave the suppliers an earful when they told her it hadn't even been sent off on Wednesday and that is why Joel got a free hire bike to try. We decided to stay here an extra 2 days waiting for the rim. Today, Saturday we had a good ride but on his 5th run Joel came off half way down, skinned his knee, hurt his neck and broke the visor off his helmet. It was almost the end of chairlifts anyway, but he is a bit sore.

Fun -

While waiting for the rim we had to fill in time with sightseeing so did more than planned. Luckily there is quite a lot up here.

Where are the pics? You say. Well they will come later as this Maccas free wifi is being way too sloooow...

Fine weather - not!

Typical Scottish weather in the highlands. This is Glencoe - spectacular, even in the rain.

Furry friends

Our very friendly hosts at the B&B in Keilder are Millie and her daughters, Peggy and Midge.

Fluffy flyer

No riding for the last 3 days!!! :(

I had to take Joel to the doctor to get antibiotics because a blister on his hand (from riding at Innerliethen) got infected. You wouldn't think something so small would be such a big problem but his hand was so sore and swollen he couldn't even hold the pen to sign his name at the surgery. So there was no way he could grip the handle bars of his bike. It is on the mend now.

Yesterday we did an unplanned visit to York (instead of rding) which was very busy and very interesting. Lots of old buildings and history. We went to the Yorvik Viking Centre. York was once a Viking settlement! Could have stayed there longer.

We only went for a walk in Wharncliffe Woods yesterday and today at Keilder we did a few walks, the forest drive, and went to the castle and the Birds of Prey Centre.

Hmmmm

How dare they tell a girl she can't eat chocolate!!

I was beginning to think they'd done the same thing with mountain biking. 5 days of riding in 3 places and only on the last did I see any other girls riding downhill (There were 3 at Innerliethen) and only 2 or 3 riding xc at each place. There are a LOT more people riding mountain bikes here than in Oz so I thought I'd see more girls. But it seems, that per capita, there are fewer girls riding here in Britain than in Oz. In Australia we usually get 5 to 10% girls at events, here it looks like it might 1%. Not many - what is the secret to getting more girls riding mountain bikes?

Fish

Yes - it had to be done, after all we are in the home of fish and chips!

It was not the best I've had - that was in Devonport in NZ.

Fantastic view

Fantastic view at Innerleithen after the fog cleared.

Fear and fun

"I feel like a British soldier going to Afghanistan - totally unprepared" said one of the blokes on the bus going up to the top of the Innerleithen trails in southern Scotland. That pretty much sums up how I felt on 3 of the 4 trails there.

Tight, steep, twisty, rooty, rocky, in the trees all the way down the track, unlike anything I'd encountered in Oz.

Friendly

Bike rack in the lounge in Wales and a beaut bike shed in the back yard in Scotland.

Fun, fun, fun!!!

2 days of riding at Cwmcarn - perfect weather! Great views! 20 minute shuttle drive. Steeper, longer and faster than Forest of Dean (but not as hard or long as Glenorchy back home) Lots of fun!!!

That's me on the start ramp

Biggest castle in Wales at Caerphilly

First ride

Joel at Forest of Dean. Lovely pine forest trails, a few steep sections, lots of rots, lots of fun!! Great uplift service called Flyup Downhill. Search for them on Facebook and check out the latest ed of Dirt Magazine - apparently they published my email to them about coming to the UK. The chap running it was telling everyone about us being there!

Tintern Abbey - circa 1269

First royal visit

Knocking one of the gates of Windsor Castle - oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world. Worth visiting even with the crowds. I reckon every Englishman and his dog and kids and overseas visitors was there!

First accident

A shop manikin fell foward on to the floor in Melbourne International airport when I hit her with this lot. Embarrassing! My excuse is I was watching a small child who I did not want to run over. 30 hours later we arrived at Stansted in England.