I'm stoked to share my journey through an entire race season. Each month I'll be dishing out the lowdown on my experiences with sport-specific training, giving you the scoop on gear, and sharing the wild adventures that come with competitive mountain biking.
My aim is to race the British National Cross Country Series, along with the National Champs for Cross-Country Olympic (XCO) and Cross-Country Marathon (XCM), plus throw in a few races abroad.
Speaking of which, I jet off to Lanzarote for the Club La Santa 4-stage MTB race next week for some winter sun (check back next month to see how I got on) and to start testing my long-term test bike, the Orbea Oiz.
I'm genuinely excited about what lies ahead this year, and about sharing it with you.
Where it all began
My mountain biking journey started back in 2015, as a direct response to the persistent midge attacks in the west of Scotland which rendered my climbing escapades futile.
Tired of battling the insects while belaying my mates, I decided to switch gears and delve into mountain biking.
Cutting my teeth on the trails around Lochaber in the Highlands, it didn't take long for gravity-focused routes to become my passion. A couple of transformative years in New Zealand further fuelled my love for the sport and, on returning from that enchanting country, I forged a career in the sport that had captured my heart.
I have dabbled in racing since the beginning.
A few enduros here, a couple of cross-country races there, some endurance events mixed in, and my greatest racing memory, the legendary Megavalanche in Alpe d’Huez. But injuries, travel, and the universal challenges of the pandemic have all played havoc with putting in a consistent run of races.
However, the opportunities presented by my role at MBUK, stability from not constantly traveling, and successfully managing major injuries have prompted me to embark on a full XC season.
Why XC?
Well, it relates back to my injury history and my ever-present competition with my body.
After bouncing back from two spinal surgeries, there's this immense satisfaction in pushing my limits. Endurance disciplines are where I find the sweet spot of fulfilment.
That, coupled with the psychological barriers that have developed thanks to constantly ruining myself, have led me towards the discipline of XC.
My head is messed up more than I would care to admit, so when it comes to super-gnarly tracks, I just can’t do them at race pace right now. No disrespect to the cross-country riders out there – it's no walk in the park! But, let’s face it, in terms of techy downhill gnar, XC racing is just not on the same level as enduro or DH racing… not at the British National Series, anyway.
I’m not looking for an easy discipline to be competitive at, and I definitely don't think XC racing is a breeze, far from it.
It's just that, for the time being, I want to ease off on the downhill tech and focus on honing different skills. I'm confident I'll dive back into enduro racing, and a downhill race is definitely on my radar, but not right now. Now is the time for beasting myself, shoulder to shoulder with other psyched riders!
Unlike my previous races where I winged it, I am determined to focus, train diligently, and work hard for a successful race season.
Enter coach Ash
I've wholeheartedly committed to this journey by enlisting the expertise of a coach. I figured that if I’m going to do this then I may as well do it right!
The justification for the monthly £100 expenditure came effortlessly – attributing it to my physical and mental wellbeing makes it an easy decision.
In the past, attempting to adhere to a training plan on my own proved challenging – not due to a lack of motivation, but rather a lack of confidence. I find myself feeling clueless when it comes to training, nutrition, and, perhaps most crucially, injury prevention. It's not that I lack the drive, but rather the assurance and knowledge to discern when to push through wee niggles and when to exercise caution.
Despite 37 years of life and a plethora of injuries that have necessitated a profound understanding of my body, I still grapple with knowing the optimal balance. While I am fairly in tune with my body, the uncertainty of when to push forward often makes me err on the side of caution, inadvertently hindering my progress.
So, since September 2023, I've been collaborating with Bristol-based coach Ashley de Lotz of Motion MTB Coach. Ash brings a wealth of experience as a seasoned racer, and his knowledge has proven invaluable.
This journey into structured training has been eye-opening for sure. While encountering various challenges, Ash has consistently provided unwavering support and guidance, whether addressing dietary concerns, injuries, maintaining motivation, or tailoring training routines.
Adapting my body to the regime has taken time, and we're still fine-tuning the most effective training approach for me.
Food, glorious food
One significant hurdle has been nutrition – it can be a real struggle to consume enough fuel.
While I generally maintain a balanced diet with a slight reliance on coffee (which I limit after noon) and the occasional sweet-tooth indulgence (blame it on aging!), meeting the nutritional demands of my training has proven to be the toughest aspect so far.
I can easily push myself hard on the turbo trainer, brave all weather conditions and get stuck into strength sessions, but it’s all futile if my nutrition isn't on point.
This ongoing battle has prompted a thorough examination of my eating habits. Keeping a food diary has proven incredibly enlightening, laying bare the gaps in my nutrition. The verdict? More carbs and more protein are needed!
Dream Machine
With motivation and coaching sorted, the next piece of the puzzle was snagging an XC bike for the season. Luckily, one of the perks of my job is having a long-term test bike for year-round riding and reviewing, so I reached out to Spanish bike brand Orbea.
I was pretty stoked when they confirmed that I could test the Oiz, their XC race whippet, for 2024. What they sent me is not far off my dream bike – a full Shimano XTR build, Fox suspension and a slick paint job. It's safe to say that I'm feeling incredibly fortunate and eagerly anticipating the moments when I can push this rig to its limits on the racetracks.
For now, I've opted to keep the bike in its original configuration, with the exception of the grips. I decided to switch out the ESI foam grips for Ergon GA3 winged grips. I'll be making wee adjustments throughout the season, refining my preferences and fine-tuning the bike for specific races.
Chomping at the bit
Stay tuned to get the lowdown on my thoughts about the kit, how I get on with fitting dedicated training around normal life, and where my racing journey will take me.
I’ve learned so much already, and we haven’t even begun the racing yet! It's been a bit overwhelming to wrap my head around it all, but honestly, I'm loving the learning curve so far.
I cannae wait for the racing to begin!
