Capital Coast Adventure 2008

Last updated: Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:31:00 GMT

Wow. Just wow.

I rode the Capital Coast Adventure this weekend. I'm still limping. Fantastic fun. As ever, the photographs I have will never do it justice because that's the way these things go -- you only stop when you're tired, or maybe you fall off, so your photos are never of the really gnarly bits, the interesting bits, the bits where you look like fat Steve McQueen.

This is the fourth time I've ridden at an organised off-road event. The first two times were at The Yamaha Off-Road Experience run by scarily nonchalant British Enduro legend Geraint Jones, his sons and proteges. Good fun, and a great intro on other people's nice shiny kit. The third time was a day spent competing in the Ryedale Rally, in 2004, on my bed-sprung Can-Am Bombardier. Hard work but good fun. My skills were low, but enjoyment was high, and at least we finished. I keep promising my friend Martin (who was present at all three of these events) that I'll write some of that up, put up some snaps.

This was the first time in four years that I'd ridden with others. I had a blast. I've been taking it easy when I'm out on my own, challenging myself with "technical" obstacles but not with any speed. I kinda let loose on Saturday. With 200 riders on the 200km course, I was fairly sure of some assistance if I came a cropper, and it showed. There were a couple of red mist moments that I was still grinning about of my achey ride to work this morning. I was really pleased to see that I was nowhere near the back of the pack, so to speak -- this wasn't a competetive event, but if you put three riders in a line, they're going to sort themselves into order eventually.

Make no mistake, I'm not claiming that I was anywhere near the front, either, and there were guys there with pillions who were leaving me to eat dust, so any bragging must be tempered. But I finally got to grips with losing traction. Specifically, with finding that balance between keeping speed on the loose stuff and keeping the front wheel at the front and rear at the rear. Bike leaned over, body upright, one heel skimming the gravel and the back wheel slipping in and out behind under control of the throttle.

I'm waiting for someone somewhere to post some photos that have me in them, because I'm dying to see just how tame I look. I remember well how disappointed I was with the photos we got back from the Ryedale, because I felt like I was pushing it then, and the photos look almost like I'm standing still. I think I've come a long way since then, and the little DR was the perfect bike for me, this time, this place. No scary power, very light weight, tyres just knobbly enough. Confidence inspiring, capable. I bet I'll still look like a n00b.

I am dying to get back out there, push on just a little bit more. Just as soon as the pain subsides.

The next CCA will apparently be in 2010, and I'll be there. Martin?