Practice at Eden

Went to Eden yesterday for a practice session with Gareth. We rode the old course and I started to practice the Ski Jump which went pretty well. We also spent some time on switchbacks and line choice. My hand is holding up well with the riding although Gareth has taken over on the injury list with his hand not 100% yet. I hope to maintain my practice sessions as I would like to do as many races next year as I can.

Here I am just behind Devin, in the 1st heat qualifier to take 2nd place. The course was really fast with flat switchbacks. I progressed to the semi-finals but was bumped to 3rd place with only the top two progressing to the finals. It was really good to be back on the bike though. 

Finally I'm getting back into my riding. I have just finished the Delheim Downhill, which was an "Old School" Quad style eliminator. It felt really good to be back on the bike and had loads of fun. 

Here we go! My very first Lake Jump. It was so cool, the ramp really boosted you and you could get some big air. It was a really good feeling to be able to trick the jump and have a soft landing. 

Here I am getting ready for my trip to Ceres - Eselfontein. They have a lake jump event that I'm keen to have a go at. 

Raceday! Everyone seemed pretty amped to get going, but logistical problems delayed the start of the race, once underway though it was full speed ahead with riders bombing the course. Gareth took two really nasty falls off the road gap and called it a day, so no racing for him. Quite a few would-be contenders from yesterday also decided to opt out of the race run. Looking at the scetchy conditions and injury toll this didn't seem like too bad an idea.

Went to Eden to check out the practice for the Provincials. The course is technical with a huge road gap that claimed more than a few riders. Most of the course is off camber over thick sand and/or slippery roots and rocks. I definately need to get some more practice in in and get used to riding again before I try anything of this scale.

Street Ride

Went for a street ride around Sea Point with Gareth last night. It felt really good to be back on the bike again. My hand is at about 80% and I can at least hold onto the handlebars. Busy practicing manuals and bunnyhop to manuals, not as easy as it looks, will keep on practicing though.

Here is some action from Gum Trails, I can't wait to get back out there. My hand is at about 60% so I'm getting there. 

Aspiring to a Downhill Rig

I am hoping in the foreseeable future to acquire a proper Gravity Sled for participating in Downhill events. I would like to enter in as much events as possible next season. I have narrowed my wish list down to 4 machines and now just need to save up enough capital to make it a reality. My GT Ruckus Flowta will for the time being still be doing full time duty as my do-it-all bike.

And of course my firm favourite the all new GT DHi 2007 Downhill rig. Having 2 GT's in my quiver already (Ruckus Flowta and DJ) along with my wife (GT Avalanche 1.0) and my 3 boys (GT Compe) I am biased towards this machine. 

Going back to my BMX roots the Mongoose brand stands out and backed by Eric Carter, you can't really go wrong. 

Recently on my list is the new Cannondale Judge, inspired by the 2000AD Judge Dredd series (a chilhood favourite of mine).

This has been a long time favourite of mine the Santa Cruz V10. A pure race machine always on the world podiums. 

Gareth at The Farm getting huge air! 

Making progress with my hand and shoulder, but am SOOOO frustrated at not getting on my bike to start practicing my jumping. Hmmmm guess I'll just have to take it easy and heal up properly. 

Saw the Physio

Just finished at the physio, she is pleased with the progress I am making. The swelling in my hand has virtualy disappeared leaving only bruising. I am able to lift magazines and keys with the hand, still can't grip the handlebars though. My shoulder is more mobile but still painful. Just feeling very frustrated at not being able to ride my bike yet.

Recovery update

Starting to feel much better today, the swelling in my hand has started to subside at last. My shoulder is still a bit sore though. I see the orthopedic surgeon in two weeks time and hopefully I'll have some good news.

Scaphoid (wrist bone) Fracture
Description The scaphoid is one of the small bones in the wrist (carpal bones), and the one that is most likely to break. The scaphoid is located on the thumb side of the wrist, in the area where the wrist bends (see Figure 1).When you hold your thumb in a "hitch hiking" position, the scaphoid is at the base of the depression made by your thumb tendons. Pain or tenderness in this area can be a sign that the scaphoid is injured

 

Had a splint put on today, not going to be riding for a while. 

Roastie closeup. 

A nice roastie! 

My swollen hand, really painful! 

Late afternoon at Gum Trails 

Cased a jump at Gum Trails

Went riding at Gum Trails yesterday, met up with Brad and continued practicing my Tabletop. Was making good progress and am finally clearing the jump. I have learnt that speed isn’t as important as technique and by pumping the face of the jump I carry my distance better as well as giving me a bit more room to maneuver. Anyways our session was coming to an end and we decided to hit the rollers before leaving. There is a small double after the rollers which I reckon I would clear easily, the run-up is dodgy though as you have to navigate a small drop-in to a right handed berm followed by six rollers immediately into a left hand berm over a large roller and you are then immediately presented with the double. I have being eyeing out the double for some time now and felt confident that I could do it. On my run-up I didn’t carry enough speed and my back wheel slammed into the peak of the landing pitching me forward and viola my first proper face plant. I stuffed my hand and shoulder up pretty bad and had a slight concussion (thanks to Bell helmets for saving my skull). Had X-Rays today which proved clear, thank goodness and am off to the Physio in a few minutes for my shoulder.

Paarl Downhill Course

Went to Paarl today. Gareth and Brad were there. Took a couple of runs down the course and spent some time on "The Playground". There is just so much to do at Paarl and I'm sure it will get my skill level up.

Big Air!

Down at Gum Trails

My first dirt jump

Red Bull Urban Assault

My first tabletop

Jumping the Table at The Farm