icklemare

As one of the biggest MTB websites, this does belong on the front page, you didn't HAVE to watch it... but for all of the those that remember we weren't all born with MTB Legend Skills, the rest of us have got to learn to ride somewhere :) Thetford is as fun as you make it. We're not all blessed with the Welsh hills on our doorsteps, but there are some damn good race series here, and the riding on both sides of the forest is a lot of fun

If you can't find the fun in doing gate starts in cold, slick mud, then I don't think your doing it quite right ;) 4X rules!!! ...as does the desire to have a go at CX..

Nice write up. Tho have realised that this will be only the 2nd 4x race I've entered... And look how the first one ended!! Bring it on :D

I ride week in week out (when not injured) with a group of about 20 guys at our club social ride, there are usually 2-3 women tops. I enjoy riding with the guys, it pushes my riding in ways that I don't get to do with the hand full of other women I know that bike, but that doesn't take anything away from the fact that some of the best days riding are with just a girl mate, head to head for the whole day and with some helpful criticism from local guys at a track! We did a couple of Ladies only rides last year which we are about to start up again, and it was really great to see how many of the guys OH/wives joined us who had never been out on a bike before/within the last decade, and absolutely loved it. Muddy, soaked, knackered and chatting away like they do it every week! I think if biking is something you are bought up doing, then you already have your wits about you just to carry on, I picked up a bike 18mths ago and have barely put it down since, and I know its one of the best feelings to beat the guys when you've worked so hard for it, but that doesn't come overnight. It is really daunting at times being out with a group of guys no matter what the numbers, because there is always that bit more competition and at times you do get left behind, but that will happen in every sport. I think the thing to be focusing on is to continue to make the sport accessible for women, encourage people to ride to a level they are confident with, and then learn to push that. You guys all do the macho thing when you've nailed a section you've not managed before, but guess what, so do we!