Aston Hill Blackrun Race 12/04/15

Today was an exiting day of racing on a brilliant track, the weather was great although a little windy at times and the atmosphere was amazing. It was time for the 18th Aston Hill Blackrun Race.

The Track was absolutely mint, I was expecting it to be wet after my trip over last weekend which ended up as a day sliding down Aston Hill. But completely defying all expectations it was dry,dusty, very quick and most importantly so much fun to ride.

Photo Credit: Linas Kupstys

The top section was a set of fast flowing berms with some little straights in between then coming into a technical root section which was vital to carry your speed through in order to get a good time. Coming into the middle section you were immediately greeted by a little drop into two very tight switchbacks shortly followed by a small drop into the short rock garden which is also known as 'Gnarnia'. Coming out of here there are more tight switchbacks and root drops on chalky terrain which just seems to get steeper and steeper. The bottom section was a flat out but technical root section which led up to a big drop coming into the final flat out berm and tabletop before the finish.

Photo Credit: Emily Cooper

My first run was a good run which I used to make sure I had at least one solid run secured. I had a good quick top section through the berms and roots although looking back I could have pedaled a little more between sections, coming into the middle section I was feeling quick and was taking everything at a good pace but to my dismay as I was coming out of the rock garden I was on the wrong line which cost me a couple of seconds to sort out. Despite that, the rest of my run was good other than at the last technical root section before the drop where I went too wide and could not get back onto my line costing me precious momentum as I came into the final drop and flat out corner. Besides these mistakes I had a good run putting in a solid 1:46.20 securing me 10th place from the first runs.

Photo Credit: Emily Cooper

Taking my mistakes from my first run I decided that I was going to push myself right to the edge for my second run to see if I could drop some important seconds. I started off at the top with the quickest I have ever hit that section before, steaming through the roots faster than ever. I came into the middle section absolutely pinned taking the rock garden very fast and hitting the corner after it perfectly coming into the next corners I was full throttle, as I came to the end of the middle section I made a small mistake coming off a drop but quickly corrected without loosing any speed as I came into the bottom section I felt so quick and knew i needed to stay on the bike for a good time but unfortionatly I was caugut out over the flat out roots and washed out hard, but I got up and carried on finishing with a 1:55.22 which in turn only lost me one position meaning overall I finished 11th in the junior men category.

Photo Credit: Steve Baxter

Despite a few silly mistakes and a crash, today was very successful with me finishing 11th/17 in my second downhill race and learning a tonne about how to ride my new bike quicker than ever whilst riding the track. Although my teammate Matt Hillyard was unable to attend it was a great day and he will be around at future events.

I would like to take the time to thank the team at Aston Hill for putting on such a great event and organizing everything so well. I cannot wait for the next one!

Additional thanks to my sponsors:
Identiti Bikes
Gusset Bikes
Halo Wheels
The BikeYard - Leamington Spa

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