JIMMER’S GT FORCE CARBON EXPERT £3,199.99

A big day out and an effective hangover cure for Jimmer this month

It was with a certain amount of trepidation that I found myself watching Russ and Max disappear into the distance and wondering whether my hasty decision to volunteer for this month’s Big Ride around the Mendip Hills (p124) had been a good one.

I realised that it was going to be a hard day as they left me for dust on the first climb. Max, on his 120mm-travel 29er, had developed enough power to keep up with Russ and his e-bike on the ascents. And here I was on my 160mm ‘mullet’ enduro bike, with the remnants of a three-day hangover. At least the weather was lovely!

It actually turned out to be an amazing day. Aside from the masochistic climbs that Russ

made us ride for his photos, I got it all nailed with no pushing. And I was glad I’d fitted a new chain the day before after snapping it twice on previous rides. It wasn’t an easy ride, but the trade-off was finding some super-flowy but slightly slippery trails, adorned with the type of small but well-built jumps, drops and transfers that incite a certain amount of bravado – especially when hungover! The Force was in its element and, securely in my comfort zone, I was riding well with full commitment – until I hit a tree stump with an explosion of rotten bark.

From the top of the Mendips down into Cheddar was one of the longest descents I’ve done for ages, littered with fist-sized limestone rocks polished over time to keep you agile and on your A-game. This time, I left the other two well behind as the Force’s extra suspension travel really came into its own, which was a great reward for the miles of climbing I’d been put through earlier on.

It was a big day out on a big bike, which in any other circumstances would have been totally doable. The Force may have been a little easier on me in its original 650b guise, but would it have been as much fun? Well, that’s to be decided. I do wish I hadn’t had that hangover though! www.gtbicycles.com