SEND it! Your letters and photos, including one of the shortest trips ever to BikePark Wales, a nasty crash at Cannock, some acceptance for e-bikers and lots of summery riding shots
YOUR MAIL, PHOTOS, IDEAS AND RANTS
After a 10-week hiatus from mountain biking due to an operation on my foot, I was chomping at the bit to get back out. Finally I had my plaster removed and the consultant said I was OK to ride, providing I took it easy (yeah, right!). I couldn’t wait for Saturday to arrive, as I’d ordered myself a new hardtail – a Whyte 909 – and was going to take it for a quick spin around Cannock Chase.
My mate Dave and I set o in the usual way, with him in front, slowly disappearing into the distance, and me bringing up the rear. I didn’t care though, because I had a new toy to play with! Everything was going really well and, even though it was a bit slippery, the 2.8in tyres seemed to give me plenty of grip… or so I thought! I rounded a corner a bit quicker than I should have done, the front wheel went from under me and I went down hard.
When I finally regained consciousness, I attempted to get up, only to find that my right arm wouldn’t play ball. Two guys stopped and helped me out, because I was a bit disorientated. One picked up my poor bike and wheeled it to the cafe, while the other walked with me. I really appreciated the help and definitely owe them a pint or two. There really is a great camaraderie among mountain bikers.
It turned out I’d broken my collarbone in two places and detached it from my shoulder blade. So here I am, unable to ride yet again, for at least three months, and missing one of the best summers in a long time. Looks like I’ll be reading MBUK to satiate my thirst for trails until I’m able to ride again. I’ll be putting some body armour on my Christmas list, as I probably won’t be able to ride until then anyway.
Andy Homer, via email
That’s lousy timing, Andy, missing out on this glorious summer. It’s hard not to get carried away on your first ride back after injury though, so we hope you’re healing up quickly and ready for that next ride real soon. Padding up is definitely a good idea, and if you’re riding after Christmas look out for those extra slippery sections!
E BIKES? JUST GET OVER IT…
You’ve spent six months working hard, fitting in as many mid-week spins as you can, when some dude on an e-bike whizzes by you on a climb. Should you: (a) be livid, because he’s ripping ahead and still gets to enjoy the downhills just as much as you do, or (b) say, “Nice one mate, good to see another one of us on the trail!”? Personally, whether someone rides trail, enduro or an e-bike, I couldn’t care less. If the alternative is the poor soul ending up as a roadie, I say, “Welcome aboard!”. There’s too much snobbery against e-bikes. They serve a purpose and, in the true tradition of MTB, who gives a damn what other people think? So long as people are enjoying themselves and not a ecting others, just embrace it.
David McCudden, Dublin, Ireland
Haters gonna hate, David. In the words of Taylor Swift [really? – Ed], just shake, shake, shake, shake it o !