A Dob in the Park for Beth
By TMX Archives on 11th Jun 08
FOLLOWING on from my recent first' trial with Lancs County MC writes BETH HOGGARTH - and which comprised my first Blog' I was given the surprise opportunity to undertake a morning's training with former World Junior and European Champion, James Dabill. Well of course, I jumped at the chance. And so on Thursday last, JD and myself set off to Dob Park, Ilkley, along with my trusty 200 Beta.
A fine sunny day greeted us, along with Dibs himself and Youth B contender, 13 year-old Danielle Whitham who was out for a sly bit of practise. After a nervous introduction we set off around the woodland with the aim of improving my riding skills. To start with Dibs laid a section out downhill, around a slippery corner, followed by a twisting climb through some rocky outcrops. Armed with a few pointers on what I needed to concentrate on, I was off. Despite a shaky start, partially due to the copious amount of eyes all watching my novice riding skills, it didn't go too badly! By my third or fourth time round I had started to settle-in and was focused on what I was told.
On we went to the next challenge and my jaw dropped. A 50 metre climb up a steep rocky gully was next on the list. Talk about being thrown in at the deep end! However, within no time at all I had made my first attempt, be it a messy one! A few words from the master himself, telling me to feel where the bike was, and to be more confident standing on the pegs, and it was round two. This time I attacked the climb and felt more in control of the bike. Each time I cleaned further up the hazard.
As my confidence grew, I became eager to attempt whatever was thrown at me. By the end of the session, hazards that at first eluded me even began to make me frustrated, and as a result I wouldn't leave the section until I had got over or through whatever was stopping me, even if that did take me several attempts!
In all a great experience, where I must give thanks to Dibs and the crew for pushing me into challenging sections, yet in a safe
environment. The outcome of which was a day where I felt my riding ability, and
confidence, took a big leap in the right direction.
James gives Beth some tips on how to tackle the sections.