A bit of pain & gain in Spain

A bit of pain &A bit of pain & gain in Spain

The trip started just over three weeks ago when we set off for Spain bound to find the better weather and unbelievable practice areas.

 

The journey out to Spain was going so well all of us keen and excited to get some hours riding in the sun. 

 

This soon turned to a different mood when we hit snow driving over the Pyrenees and it ended up so bad we couldn't go up or down the mountain. There was only one choice – sleep in the van, which was lovely considering it was -8 degrees!

 

We didn't have any heaters and the van was fully loaded. In the morning, fortunately for us, we found a garage that sold snow chains and this managed to get us on the way and back on the road to the sun.

 

When we got there we went for some riding at the home town of the world-famous trials rider, Jordi and Pol Tarres. 

 

Now this is what we had come out for, unbelievable sections and better weather. 

 

We spent a lot of time with good friend and rival Pol Tarres. He showed us the scenery and sections he and Toni Bou normally try. 

 

It was great to see what the current world champion plays on and minders were definitely needed for these sections.

 

The first weekend we were there we took another trip back over the mountains and border in to France to support and help Jack Challoner who was riding an indoor. 

 

I had a different job this day and was a minder, it was my chance to see what it's like on the other end. 

 

Always being a rider I know what is useful from a minder and what I need as a rider so we both put in maximum effort and Jack pulled out some awesome rides. 

 

I soon realized the minding job at this level is not straightforward at all! It's very hard work and I even lost my voice for a few hours!

 

We managed to get out with a variety of riders and it is great to see the levels and push each other on. We even managed to get out practising with the man himself, Toni Bou, a couple of times which is mind-blowing. 

 

Pere Borrellas invited us all over to his practice ground which has been built with indoor style sections in mind. It just shows how good the practice area is when Toni Bou, Adam Raga, Pol Tarres, Pere Borrellas, Jack Challoner, Dec Bullock, and many other Italian and Spanish riders turn up here to ride.

 

The scenery where we were staying around Mont Serrat was beautiful. After riding the trials bikes we would go cycling off up in to the mountains – it is just trials training heaven!.

 

Our last day in Spain we were even asked to go in to the local school to help teach the kids some English and so they could see the trials bikes, which was a great experience.

 

Now we have landed back in the UK plans are to get some slippery practice in and get used to the English conditions again and spend a bit of time with family over Christmas.

 

Until next time let's hope the weather allows us to keep riding over here.

 

Thanks to Team Roundhouse for making the Spanish trip possible. gain in Spain

 

I AM now towards the end of a nice road trip back from Spain with fellow riders Jack Challoner and Dec Bullock. 

 

The trip started just over three weeks ago when we set off for Spain bound to find the better weather and unbelievable practice areas.

 

The journey out to Spain was going so well all of us keen and excited to get some hours riding in the sun. 

 

This soon turned to a different mood when we hit snow driving over the Pyrenees and it ended up so bad we couldn't go up or down the mountain. There was only one choice – sleep in the van, which was lovely considering it was -8 degrees!

 

We didn't have any heaters and the van was fully loaded. In the morning, fortunately for us, we found a garage that sold snow chains and this managed to get us on the way and back on the road to the sun.

 

When we got there we went for some riding at the home town of the world-famous trials rider, Jordi and Pol Tarres. 

 

Now this is what we had come out for, unbelievable sections and better weather. 

 

We spent a lot of time with good friend and rival Pol Tarres. He showed us the scenery and sections he and Toni Bou normally try. 

 

It was great to see what the current world champion plays on and minders were definitely needed for these sections.

 

The first weekend we were there we took another trip back over the mountains and border in to France to support and help Jack Challoner who was riding an indoor. 

 

I had a different job this day and was a minder, it was my chance to see what it's like on the other end. 

 

Always being a rider I know what is useful from a minder and what I need as a rider so we both put in maximum effort and Jack pulled out some awesome rides. 

 

I soon realized the minding job at this level is not straightforward at all! It's very hard work and I even lost my voice for a few hours!

 

We managed to get out with a variety of riders and it is great to see the levels and push each other on. We even managed to get out practising with the man himself, Toni Bou, a couple of times which is mind-blowing. 

 

Pere Borrellas invited us all over to his practice ground which has been built with indoor style sections in mind. It just shows how good the practice area is when Toni Bou, Adam Raga, Pol Tarres, Pere Borrellas, Jack Challoner, Dec Bullock, and many other Italian and Spanish riders turn up here to ride.

 

The scenery where we were staying around Mont Serrat was beautiful. After riding the trials bikes we would go cycling off up in to the mountains – it is just trials training heaven!.

 

Our last day in Spain we were even asked to go in to the local school to help teach the kids some English and so they could see the trials bikes, which was a great experience.

 

Now we have landed back in the UK plans are to get some slippery practice in and get used to the English conditions again and spend a bit of time with family over Christmas.

 

Until next time let's hope the weather allows us to keep riding over here.

 

Thanks to Team Roundhouse for making the Spanish trip possible.