I guess I should start by introducing myself and my intentions for this so-called blog! I am a student coming to the end of her first year at dental school. My interest in mountain biking has really grown from attending BUCs a week ago. After marshalling there, I suddenly feel I'm Manon Carpenter...watch out world.
Basicalllyyyyy, the idea behind this blog is to document my attempt at becoming good enough to compete at BUCs downhill event in less than a year. By writing about it, I'm hoping it will become an extra incentive. N.B. when I say 'good enough' I mean to a standard where I'm not effing and jeffing the entire course. (Or screaming I can't do it and begging for food - highly likely scenario).
Have I had previous experience mountain biking? Well, if you count one failed attempt on a cold, damp November weekend where I moaned continuously and hid from my long suffering boyfriend behind several trees..not really. This looks positive doesn't it?
You're probably wondering after all this moaning, why even bother you utter squid? The weekend I went to BUCs was one of the best weekends I have ever had. Being on a dental course where the calibre of people is competitive and money-orientated, it was brilliant to be around genuine, chilled out people. All the girls stick together and are truly supportive of one another. The banter is great and the whole weekend everyone was so welcoming.
I realise that after not riding a bike for a year and riding a moped for four years means I'm not used to the positioning of bicycles which have you leaning forward over the handlebars (eek). I don't think I would be so terrible with lots of practise and getting used to a different position. It surely can't take that long to be a gnarly brother can it?
So, to end this introductory piece I will be writing weekly on my progress; what things I have learnt, training plans and my backpacking extravaganza in late August from Bordeaux to Marseille on two wheels.
Here's to a new life as a rootin' tootin' cyclist. Pip pip toodly dooo
