Back to Birdlip
Haven’t ridden at Birdlip for years, but a nightride with Mutley fixed that. Riding down the a-maize-ing track in the dark and walking back up to earn the ride. Definitely. Then off to Wales for more new-track-madness tomorrow.
Mountainboarding.uk.com at Sports Maker Conference
Yesterday evening I attended the first SportEngland Sports Maker conference piloted by Oxfordshire Sports Partnership. The Sports Maker programme is part of SportEnglands aim of creating an Olympic legacy that sees more people taking part in sporting activities. I chatted to various people involved in and responsible for organising sports in Oxfordshire and handed out some of our new mountainboarding.uk.com business cards. Now I’ve just got to think about the next step. Training maybe…
Vee boarding
I spent the weekend at a Formula Vee race at Pembrey. It’s probably not the most obvious sport to compare to mountainboarding, after all their tracks are flat, but there are some parallels.
The Vee organising body is run by a committee of volunteers and has an annual membership fee of £30. The competitions, of which there are about 15 a year, typically see between 25 & 45 competitors. They don’t seem to have any big sponsors but instead concentrate on developing a sustainable business model. The people involved are all part of a strong community, and support each other by helping out with repairs and sharing race strategies. And they don’t get many spectators, just the few that come with the racers.
All this makes me think two things. Firstly, that there are lots of ‘minority’ sports out there just getting on with doing their thing. And secondly, that we’re doing alright by just getting on with doing our thing.
Mountainboard spares
Been sorting out all the spare parts I’ve collected over the years, including seven F3’s, various truck hangers, loads of springs and eggs, and more bolts and washers than I want to count. Let me know if you need anything.
Chilled session at the pitch and putt
After an awesome weekend of some of Scotland’s best mountainboarding we finished off with a chilled session at Perth’s BX track.
This is what Scottish mountainboarding is all about!
Spent the day in the Cairngorms at Glenshee Ski Centre riding an awesome 1.4 mile mountain track in the wind and the rain. This is what I’ve been looking for. This was worth the drive. This, is Scottish mountainboarding!
Scottish rain, Scottish mud, Scottish Mountainboarding.
Fantastic day of mountainboarding in the mud and rain with Allan, Lewis, Ewan, Dave, and Marvin. Long muddy tracks and no walking.
Glentress: Scotland’s Mountainboarding Heaven
I’ve been exploring the mountain bike tracks at Glentress and found loads of cool tracks that are rideable on a board, including built tracks, northshore drops, footpaths, and tarmac roads. And I’m sure there are loads more out there. Think I need another roadtrip to Scotland next summer.
First Scottish Sweet Spot
Found a sweet spot to camp and have my first mountainboard ride in Scotland. Nice mix of grass, rocks, trees, roots, and mud.
Hell on wheels
Mountainboarding down Helvellyn, the third highest mountain in England at 950m, was ok. Not great, but ok. Not great fun, but ok fun. I hiked up to the top, just me, my board and a hundred or so hikers. I padded up and strapped in to the usual puzzled looks and chortles about being crazy, and then I set off. The top half was a bit boring, just a mellow stony track. And the bottom half was hard work with big rocks everywhere. Most of it was rideable but there is quite a bit of walking to be done too. It was worth doing but Skiddaw is still the best mountain descent in England.