Flying Chick

Rivington Ride January 2012

2012-01-17T04:28:00.000-08:00

Fantastic ride on Saturday at Rivington, beautiful sunshine and cold crisp winter air. 5 of us were supposed to ride but due to unforeseen circumstances only 2 of us made the ride. Pic: below: Mark F. on the descent from Rivington Pike.

Picture Right:

Flying Chick: Background is Winter Hill.

Flying Chick's Autumn Riding Nov. 2011

2011-11-24T03:21:00.000-08:00

Riding in the woods last weekend, I stopped to admire the beautiful colours around me. I hung my stumpy in a tree and took a great picture.

Pic below. Dr. Amy takes a berm with full concentration and precision. I've never seen an MTB back pack as big as that before.
Photo By Panther

Jill shows Tony B how it's done.

Flying Chick's Swan encounter

2011-10-16T00:47:00.000-07:00

Great to be out on the Kona yesterday bouncing around Healy Nab, Rivington out on my own for a change. Dry & sunny for mid October the trails were great. (pic is last year at Glentress)

I took a short cut home along a disused part of the Leeds Liverpool canal and discovered a swan hovering over another swan that appeared to be dead. On closer inspection I was alarmed to see that the poor bird had got into a fine mess and imprisoned himself under a hawthorn tree and the whole length of his neck was pinned to the ground with a thorny branch. I could see blood on his neck from his struggles. His companion was at this time hissing frantically at me and I used my bike to gently wheel a barrier in between myself and the aggressive bird and lodged my bars on a branch. I knew I had to free the swan but I'd remembered my father telling me as a child " a swan is strong enough to brake your arm if you try to hold it" at arms reach the swan was massive. Thank God, I was wearing my my downhill gear, should I have been attacked by the bird I was trying to rescue I would be protected. Wearing my thick cycling gloves I proceeded to reach in and carefully break the thorny branches, the swan pulled his neck free and I could see that one wing was still trapped as I freed that he rolled backwards and sat motionless in the grass with his head just looking from side to side. I think the poor thing was in shock as it didn't seem afraid of me. I moved away from it a few metres and watched it for 10 minutes until it got to it's feet and wobbled its way to the canal where the other swans were swimming. It made my day to have rescued such a majestic bird and no two days are ever the same when out on the bike.

OH, Lord, won't you buy me, a beach, a mountain and a bike ?

2011-09-08T06:10:00.000-07:00

"For the remote beach and mountain, there is no charge" he said.
"So what more do I need for the rest of my life?

Flying Chick The Tribe MTB club Morzine Pics.

2011-06-29T01:55:00.000-07:00

The Tribe MTB Club Holiday is to Italy this year however Morzine has been put on the back burner mainly due to the wet weather we have had to endure over the 8 years we've been riding there. The trails are dangerous to ride in the wet. Picture left, flying chick Andrea and groovy chick Carolyn with our club downhillers.

Here are some more pictures of the fun we had in Morzine over the last few years with our bike club. www.thetribembc.co.uk

Steve can't resist the pig roast.

Andrea And Sandra

Downhill gear

Phatboy Ian, Too wet and muddy to ride!!!!

Do cross country instead of Downhill much safer when the DH trails are muddy

Just a little muddy today ! So much gear.

Great View !

Sandra

Groovy Chick Girl's on their New Bikes !!!!!

2011-05-24T07:27:00.000-07:00

Groovy Chick Girl's and their new bikes

Flying Chick's ride Rivington 19 Feb 2011

2011-02-21T11:43:00.000-08:00

Fantastic ride on Saturday, but as we'd expected it was pretty muddy and wet.

I love out local area Rivington so much that I often wonder sometimes why we load our bikes in our cars and drive for hours to favourite places like Ladybower or Keswick, when we have our very own fantastic MTB trails just a few minutes ride away for most of us. I find I'm more tired from driving 4 hours round trip than I would have if I'd been doing a 5 hour bike ride. I'd rather spend more time riding than driving any day. There are so many trails especially over the West Pennine Moors around Brinscall area.

Pic Top Left: Time to clean the dirt splatters from our cycling glasses and shake the mud from our hair.

Pic bottom left: Rocky descent via the woods from the Pike Road.

Pictures by Mark Foster

Flying Chick's Ski Holiday Alberta, Canada

2011-02-08T06:54:00.000-08:00

Fairmont Bannf Springs Hotel, Alberta, Canada. Where else can you ski from late October to late May ?

Any club members interested in our Easter ski holiday, get in touch with Flying Chick.

Check it out:

www.fairmont.com/bannfsprings/

This is a fun and pampered 10 day ski holiday with a direct flight to Calgary from Manchester.

Flying Chicks Groovy Chicks Weekend Glentress & Innerleithen

2011-01-18T04:04:00.000-08:00

Panther is organising a girls only weekend at

Glentress and Innerleithen May 2011.

Confirmed dates will be posted here soon.

Picture is Panther at Rivington, Lancashire, UK.

Tracy Moseley, Top Flying Chick 2010

2010-10-05T05:28:00.000-07:00

Tracy Moseley Wins Women's Downhill MTB World Championship 2010.
After fifteen years of trying, Tracy Moseley has captured her first ever World Championship at Mont Sainte Anne.
In an exclusive pre-race interview, Tracy commented how much it would mean to win the rainbow jersey and in time honoured fashion, took the win by a huge margin.
Taking to the track with three French riders still to race, Tracy's time smashed the previous fastest of Mio Suemasa by 12.79 seconds, but with the defending World Champion Emmeline Ragot, and Sabrina Jonnier still to ride, she could only look at the ground during a tense waiting game.
But neither Sabrina Jonnier, Emmeline Ragot or Floriane Pugin could come close to Tracy as the rain continued to fall.
Sabrina Jonnier was closest, 7.50 seconds down, but in short it was a total destruction of the field by Tracy, who can now relax knowing her final career ambition is realised.
Rachel Atherton, on her return to the World Championships managed seventh after a huge over the bars crash, and now returns home for surgery on her injured shoulder.

Panther at Glentress & Innerleithen 3 - 5 Sept

2010-09-10T02:00:00.000-07:00

Panther on her new Lapierre at Glentress, Scotland.

Flying Chick at Innerleithen uplift, Scotland

2010-08-03T01:43:00.000-07:00

Flying Chick at Innerleithen uplift weekend
31th July - 1st August 2010

Great weekend at Innerleithen, Scotland, the trails remained dry and 4 of us managed to crash at least twice each. I stacked twice in the bomb hole on Caden Bank, as I went into the berm it was filled with gravel and it was just like hitting marbles. The trails have not been maintained in years and they get rougher and rockier each time we visit.

Pic left is Flying Chick, pic right is Prince Wills flying the Matador drop.

Air Maiden 2010 serious fun for Flying Chick's

2010-06-04T01:17:00.000-07:00

Air Maiden 2010
Further to the success of Air Maiden over the last two years, organiser, Lynn Aitchison is once again holding the 2010 Ladies freeride event at Glentress Freeride Park, Scotland, 26th 27th June.

The weekend will follow the same format as previous years, with coaching on Saturday, followed by a barbecue and live music.

Sunday will see the return of Air Maiden competition with once again more giveaways for winners of categories such as best trick, best crash and biggest screamer.

There are lots of places to stay in the area for all budgets and some camping will be available at the Buzzards Nest.

Places are limited to 50 so contact Lynn for an entry form at http://www.airmaiden.co.uk/

PICTURE LEFT LAST YEARS WINNER
Air Maiden 2009 Polly Harrison
TOP FLYING CHICK IS
Polly Harrision

Flying Chick's and Groovy Chick's Mountain Biking Weekend

2010-05-05T03:38:00.001-07:00

The Flying Chick's and the Groovy Chick's are back at Dolgellau, North Wales, this May.

Pictured left is Panther.

The weekend is planned for 21st - 23rd May. Contact Panther for available places.

Riding all the usual challenging trails at Coedy Brenin.

Flying Chick Rides Snow Covered Spooky Wood

2010-03-23T01:40:00.000-07:00

When we arrived at the Hydro Hotel in Peebles we would not have guessed that the middle MTB trails (red route) would still be a whiteout, icy and treacherous in places.

Hard to believe it's the middle of March and Spooky Wood is still snow covered. We met a local lad at the top of the trail and he said it's the first weekend in weeks that the trails had been rideable.

Our bikes were all over the place and I dabbed on every corner as my front wheel got stuck in the frozen ruts. I know I should know better, but it was fantastic fun and a real challenge to get down safely as some areas are too steep to walk down in the snow anyway.

As always I can't wait for my next trip there.

The Tribe MTB club are back at Innerleithern in June.

Flying Chicks Charity Sky Dive

2010-02-16T13:40:00.000-08:00

Keely's smile says it all, "Can we do it again"
Pic left is Keely and Cousin Em triumphant after their recent tandem charity sky dive.

"It was the scariest thing to get your head around" said Keely,
but once you've done it, "bring it on"
They are both hooked. It was the girls third attempt as the weather proved too foggy on the weekend they were booked to do the jump
so they had to go back on Valentine's weekend and luckily the weather was good. Great thing is they got a lot of training from the Black Knights, this gave them the confidence they needed.
Keely raised over £300 for art therapy classes for under privileged children.

With thanks to The Black Knight's Sky Diving Centre, Lancaster, North West England.

Flying Chick's Snow Fun in Lancashire, UK

2010-01-08T17:20:00.000-08:00

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow !!!

Pic above, Flying Angel, on her home made sledge, super fast, super crash.

Pic above. Flying Chick @ M61 Motorway bridge Whittle-le-Woods.

Beautiful Sunshine, and enough snow to ski, we could not resist going for a play. This is our local village where we live, it's close to Rivington where we usually go mountain biking. I had been tempted to take my bike out in the snow yesterday until I heard about the broken bones my friends have suffered over the past few days, doing just that. The bikes will stay locked away, until the freeze is over. NOTE: Groovy Tribe AMG 11, Jan 2010.

Flying Chick's Night Riding, Rivington, Lancashire, UK

2009-11-03T01:18:00.000-08:00

There is something very magical about my local area Rivington, and the surrounding forest at night .

Now the clocks have changed, it's time to explore your local area at night.

It's such a special experience riding a mountain bike in the pitch black darkness of the Chinese Gardens at the foot of Winter Hill situated in Lancashire, North West England. You'd expect to encounter deer and rabbits and other animals but we rarely ever see them, they see and hear us first and are obviously frightened off by our bright halogen lights approaching. You're more likely to encounter deer, squirrels, and foxes in the day time. In fact the only sign of life we saw on one of our night rides was a tramp with a can of beer in his hand, I said to my friend Carolyn? Did you see that tramp? Couldn't miss him she said. We feel safe riding at night because no one can tell the difference if we're a couple of ladies or a couple of mud splattered rough lads out for a ride in the darkness.

How much can you see ahead?

Well, not much is the answer to that.
The above picture is a true example of the amount you can see with my Smart twin Halogen lights
Always take a backup battery as most only last 2 hours and it's easy to forget how long you've been riding when you're enjoying yourself. My battery once died on a night ride and I could not see my hand in front of my face, I had to follow behind my friend and be guided by his helmet light and bike halogen's. Really hard to follow someone else's lights. also pays to stick to riding the area you know well because if you get lost in the darkness, you're in trouble. Never, ever, night ride alone
I smashed up my lights last year, it is a lot easier to crash your bike on a dark forest trail. I guess my Christmas present to myself this year is a new set of lights.

Big Biking Weekend 9 - 11 October 09

2009-10-01T06:34:00.001-07:00

Some pictures of the Groovy Chicks XC antics on a tipical cross country weekend.

AIR MAIDEN FREERIDE EVENT

2009-08-17T04:42:00.000-07:00

Air Maiden freeride training event is being held at Glentress Freeride park 10 - 11 October 2009

Ever wanted to try freeride but never had the chance to learn. On Saturday 10th Oct, Air Maiden 2009 will be running coaching clinics aimed at improving freeride skills from getting two wheels off the ground to nailing wallrides, table tops and drop offs.

Sunday 11 Oct, you can show off your new skills at the Air Maiden Freeride competition. Lots of prizes to be won.

The weekend event including professional coaching is just £50 includes a Saturday night barbecue. Pictured left is coach Kim Bent in action. For more information visit http://www.downhiller.co.uk/

MTB Downhill National Championships July 2009

2009-07-01T04:28:00.000-07:00

Don't miss the National Downhill and XC Championships at Innerleithen, Scotland 18th - 19th July 09.

The downhill is the number one event in the UK domestic calender and is taking place on the ledgendary downhill course at Innerleithen. With a race arena, trade stands and some of the UK's and the World's best riders including our current World Cup Champion, Tracey Moseley.

Pictured is me, Flying Chick but if the pro's were racing the same course they would jump right over the top of me. I wouldn't see them for dust.

Don't forget the Groovy Tribe MTB Club are at Innerleithen September11-13, book the uplift early for Sunday or you just might miss the bus.

Flying Chick's & Groovy Rockets at Glentress & Innerleithen

2009-06-02T03:16:00.000-07:00

May 25 Bank Holiday weekend was a fantastic success.

The Flying Chick's teamed up with the Groovy Rocket's yet again at Glentress and Innerleithen, Scotland for a fantastic biking weekend. Most of us stayed at Peebles Hydro, at £49 rate exclusively for MTB'ers it's a great bargain.

The weather was hot and trails were bone dry. We took our XC bikes as well as our DH bikes and we rode the red at Glentress on Saturday, On Sunday we rode the downhill trails at Innerleithen, The steep descents were bone dry, if you have ever ridden the Gold Run and Cresta Run you'll know that they give the word "steep" a new meaning but because they were dry I got fantastic grip with my 2.7 downhill fat tyres and rode them with confidence and pleasure, with no offs whatsoever. We usually ride these trails when they are wet and its usually like riding on glass, slipping on tree roots for most of the descents. We all had the biggest grins at the end of the day. Except for one poor lad, not in our group. He over shot the gap jump (know also as the coffin jump) and landed very badly and broke his collar bone. Our Groovy Rocket, H phoned for an ambulance and it arrived within 20 minutes. It just brings home to us just how dangerous our sport is. But we love it!! Pic is Butterfly at Glentress freeride park.

Watch out Groovy Rockets!!

2009-05-18T06:08:00.000-07:00

Watch out Groovy Rockets, pictured left is Flying Chick's son who

is already loads better than most at jumps and tricks at age 11 and three quarters.

He's a joker and say's

"Mum's got all the gear,but no idea"

Pic left: Joe taking flight in our local woods. Bike is a kids Trek with 24" wheels.

Mega Avalanche Race Alpe d Huez

2009-04-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

This would be a good one for Graham Bell and Ed Leigh for the new series of High Altitude later this year. The 3,300 m high altitude peak of Pic Blanc is the perfect location for crazy mountain bikers looking for the ultimate mountain bike downhill rush. Myself and a few other mad mountain biker friends would be up for it to. However you do have to qualify for the Mega Avalanche race along with 200 other riders per race.

We had just got to the end of our Easter Skiing holiday in Alpe d Huez, loads of snow, it was still snowing when we left, however, It would seem that the French MTBer's have an unfair advantage in preparation for the July event because in April they get to practice for this huge downhill annual event held in Alpe d Huez every July called the Mega Avalanche. We had just got to the last day of our Easter Skiing holiday there was still loads of snow and it was still snowing when we left on Saturday. We did notice a few mountain biker downhillers taking part in a similar event to the Mega Avalanche but this was held on 18 April. The Mega Avalanche (as pictured) is limited to 400 entrants. Starting at Pic Blanc, riders line up in rows of 24 with a total of 17 rows and 406 riders meaning total mayhem kicks in once the starting whistle is blown. Many riders fall at the outset, slipping and sliding their way down the first steep 400 metres of descent. Those that make it first onto the snow free fast descending single track are the ones most likely to win. So the Flying Chick's will see you there for the race in July Graham and Ed ?

Flying Chick rides the new trails at Healy Nab

2009-03-19T09:33:00.000-07:00

Trail building has been ongoings for several months at my local forest, Healy Nab, nr Rivington, North West England. The red route is almost complete.

If you're a skilled or simi skilled mountain biker I found that the red route is suited for intermediate riders as there are a few rocky areas and you'll need some skills to clear them safely, followed by a series of sharp berms. The trails are not for beginners as it really can be challenging. There are consistent tight corners and rocky sections and you need speed to clear some of the rocky sections through the trees. It's not too steep but it is twisting with fantastic alternating berms. The trail has been purpose built and there is one tree on the red route that is very hard to miss if you're traveling at speed. I once witnessed a downhiller friend hitting a tree head on at a tremendous speed while we were on the trails in Morzine. We thought he was dead until he started gasping for breath, he was lucky only to have been winded. Without his body armour, that collision with the tree would probably have been his last.

The black route at Healy Nab is far more challenging than the red and a great place to practice jumps, it's nowhere near finished yet but thumbs up to the volunteers who have given up their weekends to work on the trail building. The trails are short but if you think of them as a great place to practice skills and it's close to where a lot of the Groovy Tribe Bike club members ride making it a great playground for us. It's also good for your fitness as you have to ride your bike back up to the top again to repeat a few laps of the trails. If you're a beginner it is worth spending a day with our local qualified mountain bike instructor Mike Stafford before attempting the red and black routes. Intermediate and advanced courses are also available. You can book a day skills training course on line at http://www.mountainbikeskills.co.uk/

Above picture is Flying Chick. Photo by Mark Foster

Picture postcard of a Mountain biking holiday

2009-03-11T03:03:00.000-07:00

Hi Mum, having a great time..............

Picture location is the unforgiving Irish coast by extreme sports photographer noblett Victor Lucas. Staci Check out his amazing website http://www.victorlucas.com/

Marla Streb All round racing legend

2009-02-09T05:53:00.000-08:00

American born Marla Streb got into mountain biking later in life at age 28, her professional downhill and single speed racing lasting from 1998 to winning 1st crankworks Enduro Downhill in Whistler in 2005. She ended her professional racing career on a high by winning Single Speed World Championship in 2005 at age 40. That's a fantastic achievement when you consider her competitors were half Marla's age.

Marla has written several books, I read her first book (her autobiography) with interest and it was fascinating to get into the head and read with clear understanding the thoughts of a downhill racer and what makes her tick. Marla having grown up with 4 brothers ( as I did) having to compete with 4 lads when you were growing up made you tough. She competed in a few bike races in her 20's but she really got the MTB bug when she met a handsome , hunk mountain biker called Martin (I'm wondering was his name really Martin)on a trip to Europe who loaned her a mountain bike and he took her on the DH trails and she was elated at the experience of trying to keep up with this gorgeous bloke. Reading her book, I think he's is the guy she should have married, his dream was to be a downhill racer. (as later on Marla would be) But it never works out that way in real life as hunks and handsome are usually gits and only good to be around in the short term, so anyway she married a nice guy but not the guy who made her feel alive. I think you MTB women will be interested to learn that Marla like most of the women into dangerous sports is also a high achiever and has a graduate degree in marine biology but rather than spend her life in beautiful exotic locations around the world as a biomedical researcher there was intense fulfilment to be found in getting bruised and dirty on a high tech mountain bike, competing against girls half her age. So what is Marla up to now I hear you ask ? Marla and husband Mark had their first child in 2007 and they are expecting their second child within the next six weeks. They are now running their own MTB skills training business in the beautiful exotic location of Costa Rica. Some are women's only camps. The skills training courses are all inclusive, (except flights and transfers) Just bring your helmet and bike shoes. Check out Marla's website for full details of her training camps. www.strebmountainbikecostarica.com

Picture top left, credit to Gerald Bybee (for making our sport look sexy) is on the cover of Marla's book, The life Story of A Downhill Gravity Goddess. Pict. Bottom Right, Marla winning the world Championship in 2005.
Pic Below left. Marla on the podium US National
Downhill Champion 2004

Girls on bikes this Flying Chick is Lightning

2009-01-06T04:52:00.000-08:00

Lightning at Kirroughtree, Scotland

Show me a brave Flying Chick with MTB skills to match most blokes and you'd think of Lightning, no elbow pads, no shin guards, this chick is the queen of hardtail skills.

I can't think of a better place to practice great trail riding than Kirroughtree, one of the 7 Stanes mountain bike areas in Scotland. You'll encounter vast slabs of granite linked with hugh boulders. The Kirroughtree red and black trails are tough and unrelenting. After climbing the aptly named, Heartbreak Hill comes Black Craig and Talnortry Hill (an initial snaking climb) Then the hard works pays off as it's classic 7 Stanes downhill, dropping from a considerable height and flowing neatly through the forest and with some serious drop offs thrown in for good measure. I'm looking forward to riding the trail again with Lightning and the rest of the girls this spring. Girls on bikes lightning.

Wear the right kit for a tough sport..or else

2008-11-06T03:43:00.000-08:00

Hey Girls ! Want to stay pretty ??

There is no doubt in my mind that wearing the right protection for downhilling can not only save your smile, it can also save your life.

The cost of the right gear can sometimes put people off and a good Troy Lee Designs downhill helmet alone can set you back £200 - £300 +. However, you can get an excellent 661 full face for around £60 -£70. Flying Chick, pictured right wears a 661 motor cross helmet, for downhill only, @ £170. After you've protected your head and face be sure to invest in a full upper body protection suit. You'll wear this usually only for downhill, but most of the time even for cross country the Groovy Tribe club ladies wear knee/shin pads and elbow pads on most rides. Check out Gear bikes of Glasgow for a great range http://www.gearbikes.com/ or http://www.chainreactioncycles.co.uk/

Picture above is Toothless Mag's, who is a member of the Scottish Women's Downhill club, I'm glad to say her smile has now been fixed. You can see what else they get up to if you visit http://www.downhiller.co.uk/

Pictured above is a typical upper body protection suit, go for one with full spine armour. Picture above in crash mode is our Groovy Rocket Rick, showing us how you can lose your teeth in style. Seriously though get the right gear and stay safe on the trails. Let's be careful out there!

Our World Cup Champion Tracey Moseley

2008-10-08T05:09:00.000-07:00

Well our Top Girl rider Tracey Moseley has been busy this year taking 1st place at the Australia National Championship and also won 1st place at the New Zealand Island Cup.

It was a very successful weekend for the Kona Les Gets factory team with all the gravity riders making it onto the podium, Tracy took 2nd place after Sabrina Jonnier of France, pipped her to the post by a mere 3 seconds.

She has ended the season this year by taking 1st place at the Nationals Rounds at Innerleithen Sept 20 - 21.

Helen Gaskell took the series just ahead of Katy Curd. Our Top downhillers including top lady Rachel Atherton are all winners, only seconds between their times.

Wishing them all a great 2009 season.

Good for us it did catch on!!! What? Biking of course

2008-09-30T04:18:00.000-07:00

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is my mother's favourite old movie and I remember as a very small child, watching the bike scene staring Paul Newman, doing some fantastic bike stunts or so I thought. I had a tiny 3 wheeler bike hand me down but I wanted a big bike like the one in the film.

After the death of his son, Paul Newman devoted much of his life and his large fortune into helping others. Even now after his own death his legacy lives on through his children.

They say you take nothing to the grave, well that's not entirely true for people like Paul Newman. He took a whole lot of love to the grave, in fact he took the love of the thousands of people he's helped throughout his life time. The best scene in the film is when Butch and Sundance (played by the young, handsome Robert Redford) jump off a massive cliff into a river. Classic, you can get a colour remastered copy of the film from http://www.play.com/
Get involved in charity organisations and you can meet top celebrities at fantastic events. Dine with Robert Redford and Julia Roberts at a charity event organised by Paul Newman's children's charity, Hole in the wall camps. Event is on 8th June 2009. Info click the link below.
http://www.holeinthewallcamps.org/documents/EventInfo4309.pdf

Groovy Tribe Holiday in Vancouver. This is Butterfly at Whistler Bike Park.

2008-09-01T00:46:00.000-07:00

Just one word to say about our Butterfly. Awesome !!

Good bye Kona Bike Park, Les Gets

2008-08-21T05:24:00.000-07:00

The Shed Drop pictured below, does not exist any more, sad but true. However, there is some good news for our future trips to Morzine. Easy Jet now offer no weight limit on bikes. yes it's true, as long as it's not over 32kg, How good is that?

Well !!! what a shock, (I felt like some vandal had come along and dug up my garden) I'd been told that the Kona bike park at Les Gets, Mont Chery didn't exist anymore, it's more than true, you can't even take your bike up the chair lift. We took our bikes up the Mont Chery gondola , but to our dismay the chair lift at the top of the gondola was only available to walkers. The only track left for downhiller's is the most satisfying steep descent down the last quarter section of the Mont Chery back into Les Gets, short but sweet. I just love that down hill. Why does it seem so easy now? I guess because the ground was bone dry.

This year we stayed in a lovely chalet, with Rider's Refuge. Chalet Deffert is run by a really lovely and friendly couple, Jill and Jono. To be honest, all we want out of our biking holiday is a cosy, clean, confortable chalet with fantastic food and friendly chalet hosts. (apart from the sunny weather and fantastic riding) Jill and Jono ticked every box and we had one of the best times ever in Morzine. A great thanks to Rider's Refuge, and a bargain price to. The chalet is situated at the foot of the Plenny gondola lift. Check out their website for more information. They also run a ski chalet in Morzine. You can be sure of an endless ride holiday. http://www.ridersrefuge.co.uk/

BACK TO MORZINE THIS AUGUST 08

2008-07-30T04:05:00.000-07:00

Yes, We're back in Morzine in August for what will be my 6th summer season.

Any girls interested in an all female biking adventure look not further than http://www.flowmtb.com/ formerly mountainbikeholidays.co.uk.

A while back a group of us Groovy Chick's booked guiding with Sara, the girl who runs the business. They are agents for Santa Cruz bikes and I took my Kona Stab for my downhill days, I also hired a Nomad from Sara to try for a couple of XC days. Great Bike.

For the past 2 years Sara has been running Dirtgirls, women only biking holidays, she was lucky enough to get the services of downhill racer Emily Horridge (pictured flying at Kona Bike Park Les Gets) Sara's ladies only weeks offer you the chance to have a mixture of skills sessions and rides. This year they are running Dirt Girls from a lovely hotel in Champery with a hot tub and sun terrace. This year's coach is Masters World Champion, Petra Wiltshire. Check out Sara's website for more information. http://www.flowmtb.com/

PANTHER AT INNERLEITHEN IN JUNE

2008-07-03T01:56:00.000-07:00

Pictured is Panther flying off the rock drop at Innerleithen, Scotland recently.

Great weather and fantastic riding, picture left, riders gathering for the uplift.

OUR TRACEY'S BACK AS WORLD CUP WINNER 2008

2008-06-10T06:13:00.000-07:00

Fort William World Cup Winner of the ladies elite downhill is Tracey Moseley. Congratulations!!!!!

What an amazing finish as Tracey clears the Nissan log jump (pictured) and knocked a huge 4 seconds off her time last year.

Well done to Rachel Atherton, 3rd place.Our world class FLYING CHICK BRIT'S are back in business.

Tracey's Bike, Kona Stab.

THE FLYING CHICK'S RIDE FORT WILLIAM WORLD CUP DOWNHILL COURSE

2008-05-28T06:12:00.000-07:00

The Flying Chick's at Fort William, bank holiday weekend 23- 26 May 08.

Picture right is Panther flying off the log drop.

Three of the Chick's rode the world cup downhill track. Panther, Bombshell, Flying Chick and five Groovy Rocket's plus one incredible 10 year old Groovy Rocket, Flying Jack.

The world cup downhill track was very dry at the weekend, it hasn't rained in Fort William for 3 weeks, so it was like riding on marbles as the gravel was bone dry on the steep descents so the bikes could easily go out of control on the the gravel berms, and they did. Some of us including myself had a few offs and a few of us suffered mighty over the bars offs but unlike last year none of us ended up in hospital. While the south of the UK suffered with rain and strong winds, most of Scotland and the Highlands including Fort William, Nevis Range were enjoying beautiful blue skies and lovely sunshine.

Picture Below is the gondola uplift picture from Nevis Range website, we hook the bikes on the side of the gondola. Pic below is the magnificent view of Nevis Range and the downhill course.

Picture right is Flying Chick

Flying off the log drop.

When you jump the log drop you can't see the landing so it's very hard to judge what speed you need on the approach. Too much speed and you crash on the hill, too little and you nose dive over the bars.

Above left is Bombshell on the top section of the course.

Above is Flying Chick and Bombshell on the Slab, very slippery on this section.

Pic above is Panther flying off the rock drop finish of the downhill track.

Above is Flying Chick on approach to the log drop.

Panther racing towards the log drop on the bottom section of the course

Picture above is Bombshell. Pic: right is Flying Chick on the rock garden descent.

What a fantastic weekend. Let's hope the track gets a little bit of rain to settle the dust for the World Cup Championship next month. Good luck to our British team!!

Thanks to Dave Halton and Will James for the great pictures.

More picture of our Fort William weekend at http://gallery.mac.com/davehalton/100138

PANTHER, ROAD DROP AT CWMCARN

2008-05-14T03:34:00.000-07:00

Panther racing over the road drop at Cwmcarn, South Wales.

Panther and the Groovy Rocket's did the uplift at Cwncarn on Sunday 11 May.

No crashes on the road drop this time. You're all just getting too good!!!! Great practice for Fort William 23 - 26 May 08.

Women's Skills Week, Austria

2008-03-18T05:36:00.000-07:00

Over the Edge Biking based in Austria are running two ladies/ girls skills weeks in June & August 08. You'll be staying in a lovely luxury hotel, with heated pool, sauna & massage. The hotel is situated only five minutes from shops and bars. http://www.haus-sonnblick.at/
Over the week you'll learn bike setup, bike maintenance, how to use wheelies to get over obstacles, cornering and drop offs. £54 single £44 twin. Skills training cost including guiding and tuition is £250. Check out their website for more details http://www.overtheedgebiking.com/
Guiding and Skills tuition is a moderate grade so you won't be doing the Adidas Slopestyle, pictured left if you really don't want to.

Flights and airport transfers not included, you'll need to check with Over The Edge for prices and further details.
Anyone fancy having a go at the Adidas Slopestyle? ( Saalbach, Austria) It's the last gap jump that puts me off a bit. ee ee

February DH Weekend, Cwncarn, South Wales.

2008-02-06T05:25:00.000-08:00

Cwncarn, Nr Newport, Downhill Weekend. 1 -3 Feb. 2008
It was a good turn out with a mixed group of 12. We stayed in 3 lovely cottages situated about 15 minutes drive from Cwncarn. Really inexpensive at just £15 ish each per night.

Once again the weather proved to be in our favour, Friday was sunny, Saturday and Sunday cold, but stayed dry. We set off knowing of severe weather warnings for most of the UK, but we were glad we'd headed south as most of the north of England and Scotland had heavy snow and windy conditions with lorries blown over North of the M6, Cumbria area.

Cwncarn Downhill Course:

The road jump is a lot steeper than it looks. See picture of Groovy Rocket Jez, on Hamish's website below.

Top pic: left by Dave Halton Rest of pictures: By Hamish McMurray & partner

The downhill course is man made and can be ridded by less experienced riders, whilst offering something exciting and challenging to even the top elite riders. The course is split into two runs at the top, the red and the black which both merge about a third of the way down the hill. The red run is the easier of the two.

The whole course is rollable, however there are some really big jumps but you can easily go around them if you want to. However, if you like to fly, then you're in for a real treat.

Pictures below: Panther and Flying Chick , loading our bikes on the uplift trailer.

Uplift cost is £25 per day, you can book at http://www.cwmdown.co.uk/

More pictures of our weekend on this link below. Including Groovy Rocket Jez, 30mph crash of the weekend.

www.hamishmcmurray.com/MTBPhotos/cwmcarn020208/index.htm

SKI SUNDAY, THUMBS UP! Girls on Skis

2008-01-31T02:50:00.000-08:00

If the BBC would just give mountain biking and other sports the same coverage (in my perfect world)

Thumbs up to the new re-vamped Ski Sunday. I've been finding myself glued to my TV set (Sunday's at 7pm BBC 2) wishing I could swap jobs with Graham Bell or at least be his co-presenter. Someone at the beeb has finally made Ski Sunday something good and not just a round up of the recent happenings in racing. Also great that they are putting skiing and boarding on the same level and giving both equal amount of coverage.

Pic: Girls on Skis Left is Groovy Chick Kaz in Vancouver.

Myself and a few club members are planning a trip back out to the Alps, possibly in April.

Also Whistler mountain bike trip is planned in August.

Four club members have emigrated after visiting

Vancouver, I guess it's the most perfect place for our sports. Phatboyian is emigrating there in a few weeks. Good luck mate!! Wishing you tons of success in your new job from all of the Flying Chicks. We'll miss the laughs.

Dalby Forest, More Than Just XC.

2008-01-16T01:16:00.000-08:00

DALBY FOREST, NR PICKERING, NORTH YORKSHIRE.

We arrived at Dalby early on Saturday morning. If you get there before 8.30am there is no one sat in the little hut ready to take your money, it's a steep £7 per car so it's worth it just to park for free. (I'm not tight, I just think it's too much, It should be £3 max and I think it puts people off visiting Dalby) It was really cold and frosty when we arrived but the sunshine made up for the -1 temperature. We decided to do the red route, 23miles + and starts at the visitors centre. At the beginning it seems really easy with gentle climbs, and easy descents. However, it did get harder and I ended up eating my words. "This is easy" Yeah right!

After a few miles we came to Dixon's Hollow (pictured) where there are jumps and north shore logs to play on. Half way around the route it began to sleet, then snow, the sunshine had disappeared and we were starting to get very cold, especially on some of the more exposed areas. By the time we'd finished the red route we were absolutely freezing cold and wet, it's a long time since I'd been that cold and I couldn't feel my fingers and toes. I was glad to sit in the car to thaw out with the heater on full blast.

I'd like to go back next spring or summer. If you're planning a trip there, it's worth staying for the weekend as you can hire an inexpensive log cabin and stay in the forest with beer and a barbecue to look forward to after the ride. Now that's more like it........

Panther & Flying Chick at Innerleithen, Scotland

2007-12-03T03:17:00.000-08:00

November Weekend at Innerleithen proved to be fantastic.
Lucky with the weather or what?

Racing against time to get down the track
before darkness fell.

Saturday was dry all day and we managed to get about 8 runs in.

Pic. right, the cattle truck

uplift for our bikes.

Pictures by Dave Halton www.mtbvides.co.uk

We've been incredibly lucky with the weather on all our recent trips to Innerleithen, myself, Panther and 3 Groovy Rockets had yet another fantastic weekend there. Most of the trails were dry so Panther and I were confident to build up speed and push ourselves to go faster. We managed to get about 8 runs in on the Saturday and we didn't have to wait around more that a few minutes for the next uplift. New Innerleithen uplift arrangement is now 2 x coaches and 2 x cattle trucks. We actually used to get into the cattle trucks with our bikes in the past but health and safety put a stop to that, so now it's a luxury downhill weekend in comparison to the old method. The downhill trails at Inners are mainly graded black but you are warned in advance on some of the trails, of bomb holes and drops. If you're riding there for the first time it's always a good idea to check out the trails first before attempting the tough stuff. However, if you're a Groovy Rocket, you just do it! don't you lads? We just have so much fun there, I can't wait for the next trip.

THIS IS BUTTERFLY AT HAMSTERLEY DH COURSE

2007-11-15T01:10:00.000-08:00

This lady can fly, she's fast and she makes Hamsterley downhill course look easy.

Picture is Butterfly on the top section of the course. The top section is brutal and includes a bomb hole, sharp fast berms, large drop offs, speed jumps, followed by a set of switch backs that set you up on a short straight to hit the 30ft table top.

Land the down slope and you're into a rock garden. Well that's just for starters, it gets tougher, steeper and rockier. Finish on a set of 20ft doubles................. if you can!

HAMSTERLEY WEEKEND WITH HELEN GASKELL

2007-11-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

Women's/girls coaching weekend with Helen Gaskell at Hamsterley Forest, County Durham. (Pic: left is Helen Gaskell) 17th - 18th November 2007. Only £40 for self catering forest lodge accommodation for both Friday & Saturday nights. (it's really like a massive bunk house though and you'll be in a bunk bed, sharing a dorm with other girls). Up-lift and coaching with our world class 5th ranking, Helen Gaskell. Coaching sessions, including jumping techniques and drops, racing tips, 4x and general downhill techniques. Myself, Panther, Rockmonkey C and Dirtmonkey Y did the same course last year with Helen Gaskell and Rachel Atherton. It was great fun and we did learn a great deal and the fact that I got my very worst injury on that weekend brings home just how dangerous and crazy our sport is. However, that's why our professionals run these courses and we should all give thanks to Helen Gaskell for her time. Believe me, she's not making much out of the weekend. You also get your lunch at the hut in the forest thrown in to. Plus there is a free lift to the pub and back in the evenings. Big thanks to Helen and also to the organiser Kim Bent, who also is involved in the coaching and training on the weekend. Well done ladies!

Wow, now that's gotta hurt!

Flying Chick's injury at Hamsterley March 2006. Keep that front wheel up! or else! My leg got trapped within the frame of my bike on impact so the massive bruise goes all the way around.

The only bad injury is where I didn't have body armour on my leg. I also had impact bruises under my armour. Out of action for 3 months and several hospital visits for physiotherapy and deep heat treatment.

PEEBLES HYDRO HOTEL, SCOTLAND

2007-10-15T01:53:00.000-07:00

Special weekend deal for mountain bikers, £45 per person per night, yes it's true.
The magnificent Peebles Hydro Hotel set in the hills of Glentress, Scottish borders and part of the 7 Stanes mountain bike network. It is truly a mountain bikers heaven. From the very moment you arrive you are made very welcome, there is bike storage although bikes are safely left in cars and even on top of cars, security is excellent. From the rear of the hotel there is a cross country route that actually joins onto the green route at Glentress and leads you straight to the Buzzards Nest free ride area, it's a climb that takes around 30 40 minutes and is a great warm up after your included hearty breakfast, (the menu being far too extensive to list). Time to rest at the Buzzards Nest before starting the climb up to the black or red routes. The forest is just breathtaking at this time of year with the lovely orange, yellow and red colours of the leaves and the sunlight breaking through the trees, I knew it was going be a magical weekend. When I'm out on my bike I could be 10 years old again, normal every day life is a million miles away.

So much to look forward to after the ride, and never miss the last part of the red/black, I just love that last descent even though it means back to the Hotel 2 miles along the road, but you are rewarded beforehand at the Hub cafe with a coffee and carrot cake or whatever you fancy. Great vice, coffee and cake after the hard climbs. So back at Hydro, it's a refreshing shower and a swim in that fantastic pool. The spa is so relaxing after the bike ride and it's worth booking a sports massage in advance. I almost fell asleep in the hot tub. (mighty hot too) Big steam room and sauna as well. There's also a well equip gym. I was surprised at the inexpensive prices in the restaurant although there is a dress code (tie and jacket for men) so being mountain bikers, we much preferred to walk into town and have a few relaxing drinks and enjoy a pre-booked meal in the Prince Of India.

Advanced Mountain Bike Instruction (Picture is Flying Chick)

2007-10-01T01:38:00.000-07:00

Rivington, Lancashire, is my favourite place to practice my skills, I've been riding here for six years.

There are lots of areas where you can practice the skills you'll need for fast downhill descents. I think the hardest skill for women is getting that front wheel lifted off the ground.

There is an advanced skills course you may like to consider participating in before you consider taking up downhill. The course is at Rivington, Nr Bolton, Lancashire.

The advanced course is run by local fitness expert and qualified mountain bike instructor Mike Stafford. The aim of the course is to develop existing skills and introduced more advanced ones. You'll learn, fast drop offs at speed, steep technical descents and faster cornering techniques to name but a few. The course runs for one day and is the best instruction you'll need to help you on your way to achieving that magic buzz of a feeling, that makes you feel like you're really alive. Ray Mazey is the owner of the business and also runs beginner and intermediate courses. The intermediate course is also challenging and you'll learn a lot of technical and valuable techniques. Check out their website you'll need to contact them for the advanced dates available. One to one instruction also available. http://www.mountainbikeinstruction.co.uk/

(photo by Mark Foster) Also ask about Ladies Mountain Bike Instruction

Panther's Big Air!

2007-09-26T06:14:00.000-07:00

PANTHER'S THIRD TRIP TO MORZINE THIS YEAR......

Pictured: Panther racing down the Chatel downhill track in Morzine, France.

We all love Morzine and Les Gets and it's quick to get to. It's only a short flight from Liverpool Airport to Geneva and only an hour ish transfer.

Look out for details of our next club trip usually found on the Groovy Tribe website. www.groovytribe.co.uk

About Groovy Tribe Mountain Bike Club

2007-09-26T05:58:00.000-07:00

The Club was established in 1994 and organise mainly Sunday rides and weekends away for both male and female members.

We have approximately 100 members. We have also done activity weekends, river rafting, go-cart racing and adventure climbing.

The Groovy Chicks organise ladies/girls only xc biking days and weekends away.

The Flying Chicks team up with the Groovy Rockets for downhill weekends away, usually at Innerleithen, Scotland or South Wales.

Katy Curd, Shows off her stunts !

2007-09-26T05:40:00.000-07:00

Girl's On Bikes !

New Girl on the Block fearless and confident Katy Curd shows us how it's done World Class! Winning Silver Junior at Fort William this year is a tremendous achievement for the 17 year old. Fort William was only her second professional challenge with her new sponsors Giant.

A future world champion in the making for sure.

Happy 70th Birthday Robert Redford

2007-08-02T03:36:00.000-07:00

OK Nothing to do with MTB, Robert is still riding his horses on his ranch in Utah, but Happy 70th birthday to the most romantic man on the planet.

Happy Birthday Sweetpea!!!

www.utah.com/bike/ Mountain biking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, climbing, canyoning, extreme sports etc.

Kona Stab Delux

2007-08-01T07:56:00.000-07:00

Been pondering on whether I should join one of Tracey Moseley's downhill courses.

The last time I did a downhill ladies weekend was at Hamsterley with world cup champions, Helen Gaskell and Rachel Atherton last year, March 2006. Helen asked for a volunteer to do a four foot drop off on the top section of the DH course. I put my hand up to be the first victim. I almost made it, but in mid air I just knew the front wheel was too low and I went over the bars and made a mess of my leg. I was out of action for three months.

I guess mum's should know better.

Flying Chick mountain bike style

2007-08-01T07:09:00.000-07:00

Hi, fellow mountain bike riders. Some of my MTB friends have created a blog and I think it's a great way to share our thoughts and experiences of this fantastic sport. Especially being a woman in a mans world. I've been mountain biking for six years, I've always had a bike though. Whether you're a hardened downhiller or a cross country addict there's always an adventure around the next corner.

My first love I guess is my orange 5 full susser, I've changed the forks to Marzocchi all mountain giving me six inches of travel so I can easily do downhill and xc on the same bike. Second love is my Kona Stab (big boy) Marzocchi 888 giving me 8" travel, I can nail stuff on that bike a woman just isn't really supposed to do. I've also got a Specialised Stumpy full suss, it's light and I only use it for xc. Let's not forget my hardtail, Merlin with v brakes, well you've got to start somewhere and I still like to ride it, makes me stay out of the saddle and to pick a good line.

Anyway I'll post a few pics of our our clubs adventures soon, (Groovytribe.co.uk) includes a recent trip to Morzine and Les Gets, our clubs 5th year in the French Alps, Awesome!!

Great to be a part of the magic for all these years.