SDA Round 4 – Ae Forest

Ae Forest is one of the only tracks which I have never ridden in the dry and the weather forecast looked set for another wet and windy weekend. Arriving on Friday afternoon to a dry and calm venue was surprising and the track was mainly dry. We learned from previous races here and avoided the field, parking instead in the hardcore car park at the end. Rain came on Friday night and the track was wet but not too muddy on Saturday practice.

From the start at the trig point the track went down the main line to the right and round the off camber section which had been taped off tighter than usual, only allowing for a few line choices. Down a few new sections which proved to be the muddiest parts of the track and you were down to the stream crossing. Over a double and a fast hardcore section leads down to the road going over drops and roots. Off a drop and over the road crossing which was a sprint to keep momentum up.

Here you go round the rock drop and down a small rock garden into the woods section. This section was dark and required concentration to stay on the right line and to keep speed up. Out of the dense woods leads over a section of roots and some tight switchbacks, down another drop and a sprint down a smoother hardcore section to the infamous step down. Here you turn left and go down the step down and into the two huge berms, pedalling out of them to make up time. Over a double and round to the left leads over some roots and through the gate, down the elevator drop and through the finish line.

After more rain on Saturday night the track was holding up well and eventually after a few practice runs it was time to race. This weekend the order of categories was unusual with the juniors going just before the expert category. This gave me more time to get ready after practice. In run 1 I had a good run and I got all of my lines right. I came through the finish line with a time of 2:29.187 which gave me 3rd in juniors. This was a big confidence boost and I knew I could go faster by pushing my fitness. In run 2 I was determined to do better and I pinned the top section and was ready for the fast bottom section. Just before the road my front wheel caught the loose stuff and I went under the tape. As racing rules state I had to go back onto the track where I came off and this lost a lot of time. I still crossed the line in 2:37.648 which eventually gave me 8th place in Junior and 29th overall.

With Steve getting a 2nd place in Vets and John a 4th in Masters the team gathered a brilliant set of results and are looking forward to the next race. Good luck to Steve in the World Masters next week.