2015 was a year that I was fortunate enough to become one of the locals at Holdshott Trails, meeting many new riders within the UK dirt jump scene. It has also been a year where I have picked up my camera a lot more and focused on trying to capture some of the action that happens in this little patch of English woodland.
With the winter's long nights and nothing decent on TV, I decided to spend my time being a bit more productive. While organising the thousands of shots I've taken throughout the year, I thought about putting together a little recap of some of my favourite shots from 2015. So here it is, a round up of my first year spending the majority of my weekends at Holdshott Trails.
I Hope you enjoy it as much as I have enjoyed looking back over the past year and putting this post together. Also a big thanks to all the riders I have met over the year for your time and patients and not complaining about repeating the same tricks when I missed the shot.
With a mulch landing, this kicker is perfect for practicing those new tricks, with minimal consequences if things don't go according to plan.
Meet Muppet, the trails dog.
When bikes are not being ridden, strength is being tested, creative lines are being thought of, or something is usually being blown up.
After not going up the trails for a few weeks, I was amazed at how different the place looked now that the leaves were out and the floor was covered in bluebells.
First attempts at a panshot, after seeing some cool shots from the 1st round of the world cup.
Hanging out down the trails at the weekends is always an interesting affair, as you never know what's going to happen or who's going to show up. Although it usually starts the same, start a fire and cook some trail food.
Taking it in turns to get the latest insta banger.
A few times I've found myself crouching in bushes waiting for riders, only to find out they are just chatting at the top of the roll in.
Or they decide to all come at once, which my camera can't cope with.
At the end of May, Holdshott played host to the first round of the FMB Bronze status DirtWars UK jump series. The
#Shottcrew had been working hard in the lead-up to the event, prepping the compline, ensuring that it flowed smooth after its winter hibernation. Unfortunately, the morning of the comp was plagued with typical English summer weather and the covers were put on and taken off a number of times, delaying the start of the competition.
Hiding out in the shack during the rain delay gave everyone a chance to catch up on what's been happening over the winter.
As soon as the forecast showed a break in the weather, the course had its final checks, the riders signed in, the spectators took to the side of the course and the action began with a few backflip trains through the course.
So glad I wasn't a judge as the level of competition was ridiculously high in both the Pro and Open categories. Local Ryan Nangle managed to keep his 'King of Holdshott' title, wining his home event for the 3rd time.
After everything was cleared up, and the crowds had gone, the
#Shottcrew grabbed their bikes again and had a chilled evening session to finish off a hectic weekend.
With the days getting to their longest, there was a lot more time to chill in between riding sessions.
Sometimes not everything goes to plan, Drandy taking a tumble in the compline.
Flats are probably the most frustrating thing in mountain biking, this was either Tristan's 3rd or 4th of an extremely frustrating day.
Reviewing the latest gopro clips, checking the camera is aimed in the correct direction.
It's always best to have a quick check of any changes to lines before riding, as these woods are a constant evolution of modifications and new lines to keep things fresh.
All the important amenities included: BBQ, benches, a trampoline + tramp bike and a shack with a dartboard, for shelter in bad weather.
Having a couple of warm up laps on the 'small line' soon has you breaking a sweat as the trail seems to endlessly weave in and out and around the whole woods.
This little dude keeps the shack area looking tidy.
A roll-top bath manual box, why not?
In case you had forgotten where you are, there are little stencilled reminders hung up across the woods.
When everyone starts to wind down at the end of a long day, Rob finishes his duties on the farm and heads up for a few runs before it gets dark.
Mixed reactions to having a lens pointed in their face.
September played host to another round of DMR Dirtwars, so the decision was made to have a jam the day before. With the compline off-limits, the day was a filled with trains and riders pushing each other to go higher, flatter and sideways.
Unfortunately, the day didn't end to well for Alfie, coming up a little short on a transfer line, but somehow escaping without a scratch.
With the weather playing ball this time around, the crowds were treated to another insane show of skill as the riders in both categories threw down their best tricks to try and get on the Podium of what would be the last trails event of the year.
Woz managing to fly through the line without a bike.
Unfortunately, it didn't all go to plan for Tom Reynolds, relying on his cat-like reflexes to bail out of this flip-tuck attempt.
With a borrowed set of forks, Alfie stomped his runs and earned himself a spot on the podium in the Pro category.
Oppo 3 drop, flip whip and a 720 were just some of the tricks that enabled Ryan to keep his 'King of Holdshott' title.
After the competition had finished, the riders still wanted to ride, so an unofficial whip off ensued with riders boosting over the biggest set in the compline.
With the competitions done for the year, work starts on a few course changes to make sure they are dialled in before next year.
A very dry and mild Autumn meant that the compline kept running until almost all the leaves had dropped.
With softer ground and slower trails, winter is the perfect time to work on new tricks that might take a few attempts.
A sneak behind the scenes of Ryan testing out his new steady cam.
Asking for a trick to be done multiple times after I've missed the shot can bring mixed reactions.
What better way is there to end a winter session than warming up in front of the fire, chatting about all that went down that day?
To finish, I Just want to say a massive thank you to Tom, Rob and the rest of the Holdshott locals for letting me come and ride at this amazing playground each weekend.
*Please note that Holdshott trails are on Private Land and can only be ridden with authorised permission. Please don't ruin this for everyone else by turning up and expecting to ride.
And if you haven't seen it yet, @rnangle's awesome edit 'This is Holdshott ii' from March last year is definitely worth checking out.
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@cagreenwood
Here's the link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWToJ737zK4ï»