Hard Cheddar

It seemed like a good plan, one week before National One SWBMX, hold a regional at Cheddar.

We all load up Saturday night for the first camping trip of the year. Me, Beth, Megan and Ian Wherry. Beth, Ian and Megan doing their first regional and riding their first major track. Beth and Megan are seven so Cheddar is huge.

We get there at dusk, time enough to walk the track. Its an impressive sight for those not accustomed to this standard of track. Cheddars black topping gives it a more imposing and professional look.

Next day and a massive turn out for prenational practice. All the usual SW suspects plus, the Whytes down from Peckham, showing some lovely new Dialled frames, Alans team turns up in force and others from MK and further afield.

Racing was fast, very fast. I would love to give you a run down of all the results but my day didnt end as I planned it. All I can remember is Ashley Davies mental first straights and CJ Butler destroying the biggest (in many ways) class of the day 30-39 cruiser.

Now I loved the first straight. Pick up, pedal, manual, pedal, pick up, pump. Perfect for me. Then straight two, if you have any speed you have to jump. Really asking are you man or mouse (wheres the cheese!!!!). All morning I wimped, in the afternoon I tried a little harder, which is why Im not at Cheddar this weekend.

Leading a moto into straight two, triple then double then....

Day Two

Day Three

Day Four

Day Five

My bar end hit my inner thigh two inches below my twernt. The doctor is saying reassuring things like DVT and tellng me I have done a DIY verucus vein operation and any dizzyness is due to loss of blood into my thigh. Colleagues are winsing and saying Im too old. I reckon I dont ride enough!

So I hope the National has gone well, Ive some bars to replace and a wheel to mend!

Simon