I love riding and racing bikes, that’s why I do it. I have raced since I was 10 years old and I have never lost the buzz. If I don’t ride my bike for a few days I get really pissed off and grumpy. I guess it’s my kind of addiction and my passion.
When it comes to racing I still always get that nervousness on race day…even now racing in the Vet class. Feeling sick, weak, doubting myself, even on the days when I know I should win or at least have a chance of getting on the podium. But once the beeps go (or the gate drops), all that goes out the window and I give it my all.
Being a bit older now it is sometimes hard for me in a DH race, especially now where I am not fit enough to go flat–out for a whole run and I’m not willing to put it all on the line as I would have done as an elite racer. You are racing yourself and have no one to chase or battle with, but it’s a great feeling when you do a section well and you get a cheer from the crowd…and when you are nearing the end of your run you can always find a bit more in the tank to push towards the finish line.
Becoming National Champion wasn’t something I thought that much about to be honest until I got to the race. My goal last year with my racing was to race at the BMX World Champs in Birmingham. I had no idea how I would do there, but I really wanted to make the final (which I did, and managed a third place). At the DH nationals obviously I wanted to do well, but I wanted my team riders to win as much as I wanted to win my class, so I guess I didn’t get too into it as much as I used to.
When it came down to race day I did start to think it would be really cool to win the title. I’d never won the DH National Champs title as an elite, I think my best was fourth in 2000 at Innerleithen, but I did win the Duel National Champs in 1999 against Peaty in the final. I did try and put my all into it. As I was a first year Vet I still tried to see how my time would do against the Masters, my old race category, but it’s sometimes hard to push yourself when you know that a steady fast run will be good enough to win.
As it turned out I went ‘very steady’ but luckily it was fast enough to take the win. I was really pleased with the title and I am proud of my red, white and blue jersey, I will treasure it forever. It’s not changed my life or earned me any extra money…I think that is for the younger guys!
