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Specialized
A quick (but heart felt) thank you to Carole Armstrong at Specialized for sending us a the posters and huge banner! There are a number of Specialized riders in the club so its always nice to get support from one of our favorite manufacturers.
Harpers Hill
Today was games day, so I decided (that's the best bit about being the teacher, I get to decide!) that it would be a good idea for us to continue working on our fitness. Unfortunately, many of the cycling group were off ill so it was down to Johannes and I to brave the weather and do a few miles. We started off setting a good pace until after a few miles we hit a major head wind that seemed to be battling us for ever, nipping off the main road we headed off cross country. After a break and time to admire the view we carried on to the Harpers Hill bridleway. Over the years man and nature have ravaged the bridleway so that today its pretty much impassable on anything but a full downhill rig. So we rode it anyway. Its an amazing section of downhill. Rocky and fast with a series of drops every few feet. I should be getting my new Commencal DH bike this week. Once I have got used to the new bike, Harpers Hill is going to be one of the first places that I visit!! Just to get a flavour of the spot, here are a couple of photos of Johannes:   And a short VIDEO
No Comment??!!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our vistors for dropping by (respect due to Dirt magazine!). With so many of you visiting our website, we thought it would be good if you could leave comments. So in this new sharing caring age, feel free to drop us a line and tell us what you think of the show so far!!
Shake, Rattle and Roll
The photos below are of me (Jenny) getting to grips with a Dartmour Bridleway. It was a good run with a few drops, rocky bits and a couple of dodgy stone bridges that you could get your wheels stuck in!   If you like the photos then feel free to download the VIDEO
Dartmoor
  What a difference 24 hours makes. The sunshine of Friday was replaced by overcast skies as Jenny and I loaded up the truck for a journey onto Dartmoor. There is a very good bridleway between Venford resevoir and Combestone tor that we discovered last Sunday whilst out walking. Its downhill all the way with rocks, drops and granite flagstone bridges. At times very technical and at others just very fast! At the bottom you can sit down and chill at a old stone hut circle.
Fab Feb Friday!
Today has been a bit unusual. On any normal term time Friday I spend the morning teaching then I'll potter into town, have lunch then cycle home again. But this Friday has been different. This Friday school was canceled. Unfortunately the school has been ravaged by 'flu and with staff and students dropping like flies there was no alternative than to close the school Friday and Monday. Having recovered from my bout of illness I was left with two days of value added weekend. Kind of like buy 2 get 2 free. After a morning of wondering where to go and what to do on such a warm and sunny day I decided to just get out and ride. For this particular mission I chose to take my specialized Hardrock XC (rigid). Its the cheapest bike that we own and some might say the least glamorous compared to our Cannondales and Gary Fisher. However its a lot lighter and with slick tires, a lot quicker (on road) too! Off I went, taking the back roads to Buckfastleigh I settled into a training pace. Three quarters around my usual loop I glanced at my watch to realise that I was well ahead of schedule and was going to savage my winter best. Then it happened. I got to the highest part of the route and was taken aback by the view. It was amazing, with a clear sky and low sun everything looked perfect. I got of my bike and just sat and stared at my surroundings absorbing the vista and taking a few photos. I finally got back to Hood Manor half an hour later than planned. I might not have broken any records but I sure did have a lot of fun on a February Friday!  
Dirt Mountain Bike Magazine
I'd just like to take a moment to thank Mark at 4130 Publishing, publishers of Dirt Magazine, for posting a news item about Gravity Downhill. You can read it here: http://www.dirtmag.co.uk/
Mongoose Classic
If, like me, you grew up in the 1970's or early 80's you will appreciate the 2006 Mongoose BMX replica: Chrome-Moly Frame & Competition Fork Double Clamp Stem Block Tread Tires Original-Style Graphics Kit Carton & Owners Manual Cover Replicate Originals Individually Numbered, Limited to 500 pc Worldwide 
Pictures of the riding at ashprington on saturday
Here are some pictures of the riding on saturday at ashprington: 1st picture is Andrew riding a bit of downhill 2nd Johannes riding the berm 3rd Johannes (finally) jumping the gap 4th Reuben riding the berm 5th Johannes again riding a bit of downhill     
Leysin 2000 - Downhill Championship
Saturday Club Meet
On Saturday afternoon we had our first proper club outing. Jenny and I cycled from Hood Manor into Totnes to meet Reuben and Johannes at the local dirt jumps. Jenny and I arrived at about 12.30 and spent some time getting used to the jumps and downhill sections. It was Jenny's first time dirt jumping so she took her time getting a feel for the jumps. After a while we met up with Reuben and Johannes and spent the next few hours trying different jumps, downhill sections and generally trying to focus on technique. There were challenges for all of us. Jenny and I were both a bit spooked by a small drop and we both really had to work on nailing it! Johannes had been working on a jump and after a few difficult and sometimes wobbly attempts managed to nail it in spectacular style. Watch the video HERE
15 April 06 , Haldon Forest Park Opening Festival
Haldon Forest Park is situated on the outskirts of Exeter in Devon. It sits on a flint ridge to the South of the city and dominates the skyline for miles around. With over 3500 acres of woodland and the newly built trail infrastructure it provides over 20 miles of safe, off-road access for walkers, cyclist and riders. Family Cycling Trail This will be the least challenging route and it will follow, where possible, a line around the contours on the top of the ridge from the Gateway, across into Tower Wood and along to the Bird of Prey viewpoint on a track running alongside the all-ability walking trail. From there the route takes you down onto a lower forest road before making its way back to the Gateway. Adventure Cycling Trail A second loop will take you on a more rugged surface from the Gateway down into the forest a little before heading along the side of the ridge to a crossing point on the road that leads down to Chudleigh. You then have the option to return to the Gateway on a separate track or cross into the new clear fell area known as Spicers Wood and do a further loop of that area. Of course both of these trails can be joined together to make one large route. Freer Ride - Mountain Bike Area Haldon Forest is ideal territory for single-track bike trails and the Forestry commision want to help develop this into something special. They are not aiming to create the sort of championship courses you find in the forests of Wales or Scotland but they can build something that is both challenging and enjoyable for most people. In order to minimise the impact of this activity on other users of the forest (and vice-versa) they are dedicating an area of the ridge especially for mountain bike trails. This will be in Freer's Wood which is an area already well known by local riders. They plan to work with these local enthusiasts to build robust trails that should last for years and can be regularly maintained in a safe state.
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