The following morning after having spent the evening in the hospital, I ripped off the sh*t they had wrapped my hand in, popped some painkillers and taped my fingers ready to ride.

There’s always this annoying yet most often right little voice in the back of my head telling me I needed to stay fit and healthy for racing, but that sense of achieving something that previously knocked you down and the feeling you get by overcoming your fears, always outweighs the little subconscious made-up fear in the first place. Besides, riding bikes is way to fun to sit out on. (No, we don’t ever learn…)

I can’t quite explain how rad it was to shred with the girls. It was inspiring to see Mandog and Vero try new things, get out of their comfort zones too. We all spurred each other on and gave each other tips.

The boys (Kaos, Kade and Moonhead) were pushing limits and getting rowdy as always but it was comforting to have female company there.

Everyone was encouraging each other, strangers on the first day became friends by the last, and riders were getting stoked on each others riding. The atmosphere was heart warming, to say the least. Priceless.

I remember I looked over my shoulder to see a young girl in the trials area kicking ass, and all the boys cheering her on. I took a second to take it all in. Funny how something as simple as two wheels could bring together so many different people and joy to us all.

There were times I got paranoid about not ‘training’, but at the end of the day if you’re happy and riding your bike, that’s the best training you’re gunna get, and a week later I’m still buzzing off the trip. You just can’t beat it. Do what makes you happy- it’s the best kind of therapy. Mine is two wheels