BUCS Downhill Mountain Biking Champs 2016
It is my final year riding for the UCSU at the BUCS Downhill Mountain bike Championships. This year it was held at the national level course of Antur Stiniog in Snowdonia. The track suited my taste as it was fast, wide open and littered with rock gardens, I finally got to ride with two other UoC students, Rory and Louie. Saturday practice was fantastic, the sun was shining and the course was bone dry. At the end of the day, out of 266 riders Rory was seeded in 20th place, I was in 40th and Louie was still yet to put down a clean run together.
The weather on Sunday was brilliant, I worked hard in the morning practice, taking a few falls in order to familiarize myself with the fastest lines through the continuous rock gardens. Unfortunately Rory came off in practice and potentially broke his elbow. I was devastated for him and Louie as they would have qualified and Rory would have been onto a remarkable top 30 finish.
Only the fastest 100 riders would qualify into the finals out of 266 riders. From timed training I knew I had the pace, so i just needed a clean smooth run, I was surprisingly nervous and felt the pressure inside me, as all my family came to spectate. After a successful run I was overwhelmed to sit in 35th place.
Onto the final championship run, I was still a little nervous and uncomfortable. However, straight out of the start gate I pedalled hard and pushed my limits, s, unfortunately it was fairly windy and limited my speed over the jumps. As I was upcoming the key rock gardens I was relaxed, focussed and was having fun. I managed to float across the rock gardens by taking daring moves to hop across and not break into them. Towards the bottom of the course I could hear the crowd getting louder and louder with chainsaws, vuvuzela’s, airhorns and cowbells. Down the rock chute I stayed comfortable and played it safe to get over the finish line. I was incredibly tired however was stunned to finish in 32nd which was the end to a perfect weekend.
Thanks to the UoC my family and @StakMountainFuel @AllMountainStyle @MountainFuel @CumbriaSU
By Will Oddy
