It’s been a wild and mega time recently, I’ve seen the official end of the 2024 race season, and a bunch of other projects coming to fruition, so I thought it’s time for an update…
The National BMX series came to an end in Birmingham, struggling with a bit of a respiratory issue since the Cumbernauld round which turned out to be this 100 day cough which I’m glad is behind me now, but despite this I returned to making the A Final on both days, if you had told me at the beginning of the year I would have made 9 out of the 10 main events I would have bit your hand off, yet as Is racing I was so gutted in Manchester when I missed out the only A final of the year but considering how unwell I was that weekend, in reflection it was still an unbelievable result.
The goal at the beginning of the year was try and get into that top 14 spot nationally to give me the opportunity to qualify for the World Champs in Copenhagen in 2024, finishing a solid 8th means I’m a very good qualifying position now.
As for other riders on the team Jake Hart performed unbelievably finishing 8th overall in a year where he juggled school as well as riding, also completing his GSCE’s and getting marks good enough for his engineering apprenticeship.
Missy Large also got a National Series personal best finishing 6th on the Cruiser.
As for the Mountain Bike performances we were next level, Jake Hart took the youth national 4X title and Lily McCoy took the National title for 13-16 Girls.
I finished the season on the podium, I managed a 3rd place at twisted oaks, after high hopes taking the National win at the round before in Falmouth.
I’ve been learning all year on bike choices and set up as I took on a discipline which was new to me, moving on the Schwalbe Magic Mary up from and Nobby Nic on the rear made a huge difference, and despite fierce racing my 3rd place left me just a few points short of leap frogging Jon & Maz to move onto the 3rd or 2nd step for the overall, this said it was an epic season and lots was learned and its apparent I should be racing in a faster category the question do I go Masters or Elite next season. Check out the Twisted Oaks blog here…
Off the track it’s been uber busy commentating, presenting and content creating, I took a lead role at the Malvern’s Classic this year, presenting and interviewing for their social media, and commentating on the Lake Ride and Pump track comps. Check out the Malvern’s Blog here.
I was asked to judge and commentate at the Midlands Regions Trophy ceremony and BMX Fun ride day, judging best tricks and whip offs as well a presenting the trophies and awards for the season.
We had an impromptu photoshoot and recorded the Malvern Classic episode of Scott Beaumont’s 96 Podcast, check it out here…
I spent a day with Grant Wildman at Schwalbe tyres as filming started on a video I’ve been wanting to make, digging into tyre science, compounds, and tread patterns, check the blog for that here.
Also, while there we recorded the season round up episode of the 96 Podcast.
And finally, I was invited along to Burlish Bike Park for their Jam, it was pleasure to grab some footage and take some pics, click here to hear more...
So, what’s coming up next?
Well, the circus never stops, I’ve plenty of content planned to include some cool videos about riding glasses, Melon Optics Jesters will be reviewed and I’m going to dig into what you need to be looking for when choosing riding optics.
I’m about to do my first Gravity Enduro race since 2018, and using the Ebb means it will be the first race I’ve ever done on an E-bike, so I’ll be filming this and documenting my progress.
I’ve also had an idea mentioned in just the last few days which may include a current British world cup DH rider, but I’ll say no more for now….
Loads more in the pipeline too so watch this space.
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