British National Mountain Bike Championships
Pippingford 18-19th July 2010
 Saturday
 I Left my house early in the morning to arrive at the course for the early practice session, I travelled to the race with Jessie Roberts. The weather came out in all its glory on the way to the race I decided that I was going to tackle the weekend with a chilled approach. This was the idea of my new coach Andy Wadsworth, I had a good amount of cake throughout the week in opposition to my diet, happier is better I thought. I got to the race at around 9 o’clock and met up with some other mates and went to sign on.

Having ridden the course previously in the Southern XC, I was confident that I was able to ride the whole course.  I went out for a slow lap and had a good scout around for the quickest lines, and practised any of the more challenging parts of the course over and over again, practise makes perfect! Though I did start to get fed up with one climb in the quarry which was muddy and slippery and I was going up it like a spider stuck in a bath! I decided to carry on riding the course and tackle it next time I came back around.  The next lap I got up it 4 times out of 20 amazing odds!!  I then left to stay at my friend’s house in Watford as I preferred the idea of a comfy bed and easy cooking facilities.

The afternoon was spent relaxing and dancing to random cheesy music! I then relaxed in the hot tub in the evening thinking of how jealous I was of all those people camping!
 

I woke up Sunday morning after having dreamt about completing the race. I was disappointed to find that I still had it to look forwards too, joy. I had my normal large bowl of porridge and then packed my things into the car and headed off around the big roundabout of the M25. Listening to Radio 1, I heard Edith Bowman talking about the ‘Sunday Morning shout out’, I though it would be a good way to pass time to text into the show saying where I was heading. I didn’t hear it being read out so I thought it was going to be a disappointment. Then I got a call from an unavailable number, and it was Radio 1 asking about what I was doing and if I would like to speak to Edith on air. After a moments hesitance I took the chance thinking it may not happen again. 10 minutes later I was talking Edith live for 4 minutes about the Mountain biking scene and I even managed to get the sponsors mentioned! 

Perhaps this was going to be the start to an awesome day.
 

I got to the course in high spirits; I even had people asking about the Radio interview. I decided to go out for another practice lap to make sure my trusty stead (Giant Anthem X SL 1) was running smoothly. I managed to get up the quarry climb every time to my glee. I got back to the car and decided to go and support Steve James in the junior race and Simon Ernest in the Masters race. Enjoying both the races I started to become more aware of the looming start time. I got my new set of Fulcrum red metal ones from the team and decided to risk using them, fingers crossed that they worked, which they did amazingly, finally wheels that can put up with my weight!
 

After warming up I arrived at the start line with the words of my coach on my mind, just to enjoy the race! Of f the start I was in the top 3 with Billy Joe Whenamann and David Fletcher, Into the first single track I dropped back to 4th after Hamish Batcholer decided to jump in front of me which caught my front wheel and caused me to put my foot down. On the first climb I choose to go at my own pace and stick near the top 5 in 7th. I then started to spin up the hills and it was so much easier for me, I felt refreshed all of the time after the climbs.

I started to reel in the riders one by one and then an extra boost to my confidence was when i got into 5th the position I was aiming for. I managed to overtake other elites that were in the senior race whom i normally compete with, with relative ease to my great surprise.  I managed to catch up with Hamish and I didn’t want him to beat me again after the Student National champs. I managed to loose him in the single track and then proceeded to catch Billy and Zeb Batcholer whom where duelling for third place. I managed to overtake them both on the grass climb to the finish line on the start of the 2nd lap. I sat up and told myself that I was going to enjoy myself no matter what. I started a duel with Zeb for nearly two laps over 3rd place. I lost Zeb halfway through the 4th lap and managed to catch up within the top 10 competitor of the senior category.  I was in a euphoric mood as I bounced around the course on the Anthem.  I had Ben Thomas within site on the start of the final lap but once he heard I was behind him by only 50m he put his foot down. I decided to maintain my position and try not too blow up as many people do at such important events. I came across the finish line one minute down on Ben and three minutes off Fletcher in first. I was amazed that I had such a good race and it was the best end to such an amazing weekend.
 

Thanks to the entire team of race organisers for the best course that I have ever ridden. The Aw team was amazing and I couldn’t have done it without the support of Aw cycles and the helpers at the race. Thanks to Giant aswell for a great bike and fulcrum for the super stiff and light wheels which made a massive difference. Now to hit some of the world cups, come back stronger next year, and win the Champs jersey. Well done to all those that raced and the rest of the AW team especially Simon Ernest for another great result.