Ae7 Bikes

Ae7 Bikes team rider takes 1st prize at Innerleithen.

2010-06-14T21:50:00.004+01:00

Race report from Calum "Cub" McCubbing ...

The Ae7 lads bounced up to Inners for the SDA round 3 race.

Fridays weather was grand and looked great for the weekend once again. This time as we were so close to home we opted for a nights sleep in our own beds and travelled back and fourth on Saturday and Sunday morning.

Another one of these great hot summer days meant on Saturday the bottom half of the track was dry, however the top section was greasy and everyone was running dry tyres. I had a awful practice crashing on my second run and snapping the arch of my boxxer front shocks. Luckily Ae7 Bikes team mechanic Steve stayed back late for the journey back to Ae and is sorting it out as I'm writing this ...

Ok, Sunday now and the forks are back on. Typical race day weather, the opposite of the day before! The track was beginning to get more slippery but the bottom stayed dry and although I only had two practice runs, there weren't many race line choices so I wasn't affected too much.

The race started and Lewis suffered a snapped on the start line but still managed 45th position in Seniors.

Joe had a good weekend taking 15th place in the Youth race.

I had a great run and got another top 10 finish however Frazer supplied the Ae7 team with the top step on the podium getting his first win in Juvenile.

We've got high hopes for more podium places over the rest of the season.

Me and Lewis are heading down for some Welsh action next and hopefully Lewis will have no chain problems.

Official results:

Frazer McCubbing: 1st place (Juveniles)
Joe Paterson: 15th place (Youths)
Cub McCubbing: 10th place (Seniors)
Lewis Cochran: 45th place (Seniors)

The Blog is Back!

2010-06-14T21:46:00.002+01:00

Apologies for the lack of blog entries of late ... however, we're back, we've freshened up and there's going to be a bit more action on the blog front from now on ... Ae7 Bikes is now the new name for Ae Bike Shop and there is going to be some BIG changes coming soon on all fronts.

Watch this space and "Enjoy the ride!"

american classic - downhill 26 disc

2009-12-08T18:30:00.003Z

Now, everything I look at or read about I say to myself "take it with pinch of salt" because everyone's bumming up their own product yes? So as with my Boxxers 2010 review I've had the product and tested it properly in the real world.

OVERVIEW

Good looking straight out of the box. Nice design and colours that could go with any frame colour. The decals and paint don't scratch easy either which is take big bonus. Laced with 32 of American Classics's own spokes and one red one too to locate the valve even easier! Also quite a unique attribute on a set of wheels.

Techno Techno Techno

The hub is the most incredible feature of American classic mtb wheels. as far as I can understand its made up of the hub body and inside this there is a small sort of axle that has two slits in the centre of it. This axle and its slits take side load off of the bearings, this = extended bearing life by decreasing rate of wear. Now the bearings are just soooooooooo suuuuper smooth the first time I felt them I got a little bit too excited and kept telling people to feel them! I have honestly never felt such smooth rotation in my LIFE. That's only the stainless steel ones! There's a ceramic upgrade! Cleverly used to create this almost frictionless movement is marine grease. Simply beautiful stuff. Last but not least the hub flanges are extra big (still pretty though) so to create a stiffer build with short spokes and the rear hub is designed so as there is very nearly almost equal spacing from end of hub to flange to create a more triangular wheel build and central, meaning spokes are at more equal Angles on either side of the wheel instead of one side having almost vertical spokes and the other horizontal. The freehub is a quiet runner and its body even has 3 steel inserts to stop the cassette damaging it!

xxx NIPPLES xxx

Now I wish I fully understood these and I'll try my best. Basically aluminium nipples are known for breaking but are considerably lighter than brass, 6 times in fact. So once again American Classic have designed their own little bit of genius keeping the light aluminium but sorting the problem. The threads in the head of the nipple are loaded with compression where the body of the nipple is not loaded in tension thus there is no load stress where the head and body meet dissipating fatigue unlike other aluminium nipples.

Rolling Out On 26"s

American classic design, nice and wide to accommodate the big bertha tires and to allow it to seat nicley giving you a nice comfortable ride as well as tyre stability and confidence. Strong as horses with looks to make you double take double take.

Pheeeeeeeew boring bit done but vital as to why these wheels are so exceptional.

Four months of abuse, including 3 races, one being the legendary bike breaker, Fort Bill. Swapping from pro2's built on mavic ex721's to these was noticeable straight away. Freehub Pick Up Equal. Rolling Resistance miles better on the American classics. I was hitting jumps at Caersws pedalling then I swapped to these and I free wheeled into them and cleared them with ease!! The look and relative unknown factor of these wheels really catches peoples eyes too. Toughness...I'm still in awe. I raced Fort William, still drunk for the first race run on the Sunday, hitting every rock going and there's a hell of a rocks up there! My back wheel didn't even buckle, the spokes barely lost tension, tiny little chips in the paint, nothing major though still more than happy with looks. 2 or 3 tiny flat spots in comparison to my old wheels which I had to rebuild after every trip to Fort William just stands testament to the strength of American Classics's Downhill 26 Disc.

I LOVE these wheels! Mark MY words there going to be big!! American Classic have thought of everything!! Check them oot for yourself:

www.amclassic.com

Did i mention... £350... For the pair!!!!

10/10

GET THEM NOW - Ae Bike Shop and Cafe

Handy Dandy links

2009-11-24T17:46:00.002Z

My reason why iv been a lazy blogger is because my button left of 'S' no longer works and it makes everything very frustrating to type! So i have decided to put up a Handy Dandy list of race websites that you my have never used. Some are purely information others purely photos and some are both!!! I will write something proper when my problem is fixed...soooooorrrrrrrrrryyyyy :D

www.ianlinton.com
www.npsdh.com
www.sda-races.com
www.borderline-events.co.uk

NWD 10 - Dust and Bones

2009-10-14T10:23:00.002+01:00

Mentalists or skill? I think there all just a bit lairy.You decide! Even of your not into something like this it would still be a good buy just for the oooooooo bet that hurt factor

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/New-World-Disorder-10-Pre-Order-2009.html

SORRY CLASSES NOW FULLY BOOKED!!!!!

2009-09-29T11:36:00.002+01:00

SORRY WINTER MAINTENANCE CLASSES NOW FULLY BOOKED!!!!!

All places were snapped up in record time, Contact us to find out next class dates.

Ae Bike Shop on 01387 860541

Innerleithen SDA Round 5

2009-09-21T14:46:00.001+01:00

Here we are, the last race of the year for many including ourselves, fasten your helmets!

The track used was all of 'The Gold Run' as far as I could tell. One of the best ways to pick your way down the hill for its fast technical tight sections coupled with some of the big baddest roots in town and a hint of madness thrown in thanks to alot of lines to choose from. Quite flat till you reach the final section (also used in the National Champs in July) which is just perfectly steep and loose with plenty of corners to try and rail round if you can stay on.

Innerleithen is a loved place amongst all riders and is always a great venue to end the year on. Come race time it was business as usual and heres how the final play of the dice went for the Ae Bike Shop and Solway Insulation Services team.

Frazer McCubbing in Juvenile 9/21 3.51.304
Callum McCubbing in Junior 17/52 3.21.397
Lewis Cochran in Senior 33/97 3.28.567
Myself, Ryan Chambers in Senior 8/97 3.14.27

SDA OVERALL SERIES RESULT

Callum McCubbing in Junior 10/60
Lewis Cochran in Senior 28/63 (3 out of 4 races)
Myself, Ryan Chambers in Senior 4/63

I think for all of us the best ride of the day was from Frazer, 12 years old, at his second ever race showed exceptional pace, a great race attitude and a lot of promise for whats to come.

The line has been crossed for the final time this year. Everyone of us taking away something from it. Maybe what we need to improve on or were we want to be this time next year. NO matter what has happened throughout the year at the races whether crashes have happened, the timing has went down or any other technical difficulties, at the end of the day thats racing and the one thing you have to believe even if you don't want to, the clock never lies.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us out this year and shown there support especially our sponsors; The Ae Bike Shop and Cafe for keeping the bikes in tip top condition and putting up with the broken parts; Solway Insulation Services for transport, support and food at the races; and Uplift Scotland for the free uplifts so we could improve our training tenfold! oh and congratulations to Tally and Wendy on their baby girl. There is no doubt in my mind we would have achieved what we have without your help!

Thank you to all the race organisers and spectators who turn up to cheer, makes it all the more worth while.

I don't know when the next post shall be but until then all the best and keep it lit ya fairies!

Pinned or Binned

Kill The BILL-Fort William duuuuuuuuuuuh!

2009-09-14T10:40:00.003+01:00

On the first weekend of September the Ae Massive rocked up to the lovely sunshine of Fort Bill. Did i say sunshine sorry i meant torrential rain! This was just a one off event not involving any series so was a good way to have a relax before the last SDA which is the 19th/20th September at Innerleithen. It's always a good one with a big turn out so come watch the amateurs give it their all in the quest to define ourselves from the others.

Back to the Bill. I'm sure by now you are More than fed up of me writing a report on Fort Bill so me being the nice guy I am found a video for you.

http://freecaster.tv/mtb/1009341/kill-the-bill-2009?page=4

And if you open your peepers real wide round the 4 minute mark you will see Cub making his way down the wood sections and MoffatSubZero I now have proof! thats right PROOF! I pedal 4.30 blink and you will miss it! Hope everyone takes my advice and come and watch the last SDA even if just on the Sunday when everyone on it!

Results for all those interested - Cub In Junior - 11/34 05.55.2
Myself In Senior 9/72 05.49.5
Lewis In Senior 32/72 06.19.7

Pinned or Binned!

Downhill World Championship - Canberra

2009-09-07T11:14:00.004+01:00

To me there is only one thing to say about this. Long Live Steve Peat! Finally after over 16years of trying and being so close, unlucky, whatever the case he finally done it. Your 2009 UCI Elite Male Downhill World Champion is STEVE PEAT aka Sheffield STEEL!

Killin SDA Round 4 - Cancelled

2009-08-24T15:25:00.001+01:00

Sadly due to a number of factors the fourth round of Scotlands Downhill Series has been cancelled. It was the right call to make and not as harsh as some have been saying as they did allow practice to go ahead on the Saturday.

The track would've been a sub 2 minute. Placed on a field with a few big boulders and natural obstacles taped in to spice it up it was looking like a fun track overall although some bits showed signs of being rushed. Time is always ticking however and for the time they spent on creating the course it was built to the best it could've been.

So all thats left now is the SDA round 5 at Innerleithen which is sure to be a good un. On another not the team will be heading up to Fort William for Borderline Events 'Kill the Bill'. Same format as an SDA but its just a one off so no pressure. A great place to see what downhill is all about and to spectate so get yourself up for a weekend away and if you see us gives a shout!!

Pinned or Binned!

Caersws NPS Round 4

2009-08-19T12:40:00.001+01:00

So ends the 3 weeks off of racing for myself and its back to Wales for round 4 of the NPS at Caersws. The hill seems small to look at but they make very good use of it. There’s a handful of ways from top to bottom but with half the hill having been harvested, a lot of the tracks lay in ruin. A short uplift to the top of the hill around 5-10 minutes long thanks to tractor and trailer was more than efficient all weekend. The weather was a mix up all weekend but didn’t provide any major problems apart from the field at the bottom that was like black ice in the wet!

The track was a short one with the big guns going sub 1.45 easy. From the start you pedal off the line and that’s about as much as you will for the whole track. Hit the first jump or go around the side-equally as fast thanks to the wind-down into a left catch berm, down again into a left catch, stick it high through the stumps then any line you please, wild as my hair, till the 180 corner, tight as Cubs arse (if possible! only dogs hear the squeak when this guy walks). Try and keep it high till you come to a short steep chute into a left, right.

After this you twisted your way through trees, treated to a few little jumps, berms and roots before you hit a right hander and down a chute to the final stretch before the finish field. Jump after jump, drop down to the left, right berm, jump, drop left, right berm the speed here was crazy but fun as hell to take you down to the finish. One big tabletop, one big double and one big step down to bring you into the field loose as Lewis’ boxers, you just couldn’t keep them up I mean the bike. Two big kickers to sprint to finish.

It was just myself representing the Ae Bike Shop/Solway Insulation Services team and here’s how I got on.

Myself in senior 2.05.211 36/38

Yip, I crashed. On such a short track it was do or die and I bit the bullet! Anyways, can’t wait for next weekend, brand new track for everyone so should be wide open!

Thanks for reading,

Pinned or Binned!

AMERICAN CLASSIC Wheels NOW In Stock!

2009-08-18T17:57:00.006+01:00

AMERICAN CLASSIC Wheels
NOW In Stock!

These Wheels need to be seen and felt to be believed! Super smooth flowing hubs, that are like nothing else you have tried. Come on down to the Shop and have a look. You WILL be impressed.

Road and Mountain Bike wheels are available, Downhill specific versions are really trick and will be seen more and more on the circuit this year. Light, Strong and smooth. What else do you need in a wheelset?

"American Classic has been making high-quality bicycle components for many years. Bill Shook, the man behind AC, believes that MTB riding is faster and more enjoyable with lightweight and durable equipment. One of Bill's goals a few years ago was to create a lighter wheelset that was still strong enough for competitive cross-country racing."

2009 UCI World Championships

2009-08-04T12:14:00.002+01:00

September 5th, Canberra, Australia. Racers competing for the country, for the honor of holding the title Downhill World Champion for one year. The race everyone wants to win, the title everyone wants to have and the race where everyone pushes past the limit.

A perfect example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY0huKQ94_0

The course isn't as steep as most World Cup tracks so the peddlers amongst them should shine through! *Cough* Peaty *Cough* However the Worlds is an exceptional event were no one should really be counted out. Rennie last year came second at Canberra and hes a big guy. As for Sam Hill well would you ever really say for definite he wont pull something amazing out the wheel bag? Also remember that Fabien Barrel, the Jedi master of Worlds, is on the come back from an injury winning Maribor and placing 2nd at Bromont.

At the Worlds there is no such thing as a safe bet. If you look at the top ten finishers at each round of the World Cup so far consider them to be contenders. Catch it live on www.freecaster.tv on the 5th of September.

Too Sexy

2009-07-31T02:08:00.006+01:00

The new range of Lezyne products are flying off the shelves at the Ae Bike Shop so come in and check it out. The Multi Tools, Mini Track Pumps, and shock pumps are tools you can NOT do without! They work as good as they look.

World Cup Standings

2009-07-28T12:16:00.003+01:00

After round 6 of the UCI World Cup things are really starting to heat up with only two rounds left to fight for.

HILL Samuel 1039
PEAT Steve 1035
MINNAAR Greg 973
ATHERTON Gee 931
HANNAH Michael 821

After Hills impressive win on board his specialized at round 6, going 3 seconds quicker than peaty he leads by a meer 4 points! With 500 more points up for grabs its going to be tight coming into schladming for the big finale!

With round 7 this weekend will Hill keep his momentum or will an other rise to the top spot and take the points lead back? Or with the world champs just over a month away will it start to play on the minds of some and cause them to lose focus on the series? Either way the last races of the year are all going to be ones to watch because no one is going to be holding back!

2010 Boxxer Team Review

2009-07-25T09:50:00.004+01:00

I have now had my 2010 RockSHOX Boxxer teams for just over two months. They have helped me steer down 4 Races so far, One I even took the top spot!

I got mine from TF tuned. Before you even get them TF sort them out for your style of riding and your weight/height. Also they re size the bushes so they don't go on you as fast and they give you a free first service which is worth £90!

After two months of riding and talking to others about their Teams this is what I have discovered. Buying straight from the shop in each case people have said no fork oil or not enough had been dropped in the bottom of the lowers. As for springs a light, medium and heavy one come with the forks as well as two crowns so you can choose from a flatter crown or one with more of a rise. In my forks the spring started to rattle around in the leg so that's when I used my first service. If this happens to yours in most cases what you need is a preload spacer.

Everyone however loves them. The adjustability is incredible! Low and high speed compression, ending and starting stroke rebound. You even get a bottom out hardener and all this is external! They are miles ahead of the rest of the field. Set up right the feeling is so plush, even with the 35mm uppers keeping it firm and stronger than previous boxxers. They feel like how a fork should and the amount of confidence they give you is something else!

All forks have their problems and you cant stop that. Try and preserve them for as long as possible and always clean round the seals! Watch you don't leave your bike sitting where it could slip and the uppers get scratch (speaking from personal experience!)

Look after them and they will look after you!

Details - • Travel - 200mm (7.7/8”)
• Weight* - 2980g (6.57 lbs)
• Damping - Mission Control DH
• Damping Adjust - External beginning stroke rebound, ending stroke rebound, high speed compression, low speed compression.
• Spring - Coil • Spring Adjust - Internal pre-load and DropStop
• Steerer Tube - Aluminium 1.1/8”
• Lowers - Magnesium, Maxle DH 20mm, post disc mount
• Crown - Forged, 6061 T-6 aluminium, direct mount stem compatible
• Upper Tubes - 35mm 7000 series honed straight wall aluminium with low friction anodize
• Lowers - Magnesium, Maxle Lite DH 20mm axle, post disc mount
• Axle - Maxle Lite DH
• Colours - White
• Recommended Max Rotor Size - 210mm

*Weight based on 265mm steerer with Maxle DH and short upper crown

You might be hard pressed finding someone with them in stock though!

Best pic ever?

2009-07-23T19:28:00.000+01:00

You decide! We think its a great shot of the Ae Massive in action, but we are biased ;-)

National Downhill Championships, Innerleithen

2009-07-23T10:23:00.000+01:00

Once again for this race senior,expert and elite are all put in together.

I think personally it was the best track I have raced at inners! From the top it took you down to the road gap and into the tunnel where its on the pedal till you get to the luge, one of the funnest sections at inners.

Cross the fire road and drop down into the gold run more or less but with a new finish that was nice and steep! with plenty of corners to negotiate and lose rocks to try their best to take you down. Finally a muddy off camber long chute then sprint to the finish.

We only had one clean race run between the 3 of us at that came from Lewis so definitely a round of applause because he seems to be the one who can stay on the most! Cub lost it on the steep section and his bike ran away from him which meant he had to go get his bike then push up to were it broke the tape! I caught my back wheel on a log when I was on a tight turn and went right over the bars into a tree. So cub and I were totally gutted!

Here's how the Ae Bike Shop and Solway Insulation Services Team got on.

Cub in Junior with a crash 3.50.648 41/42
Lewis in senior/expert/elite 3.26.988 86/96
Myself in senior/expert/elite 3.17.774 72/96

If it was just a senior category on its own Lewis would have came 21st and I would have came 10th.

Now we have a three week break and when we come back we will be as fresh as ever, faster than ever and no longer falling on our arses!

Pinned or Binned

Scottish Downhill Championships, Glencoe

2009-07-17T09:54:00.000+01:00

First off let me explain what this is. It isn't part of the Scottish series. It is a separate race and its only happens once a year. If you win you are Scottish Champion of your category for one year. One exception is made in the categories however. Senior, Expert and Elite all race in one category.

From the top of the hill you had an easy start that everyone loves just some nice flat out, wide track with a couple of berms, jumps and rough as badgers rock gardens! Take down the next straight on the pedals all the way and then turn down left to face your rival.

From here in its steep and nothing but! The main features here where the 3 rocky chutes in concession which were so fun but you didn't want to get to carried away because your landed pad was either a big wooden fence or a big rock. Next are some really tight rock corners with a few long sweeping corners which became more holy than my church socks.

After this you were onto the last stint which nicely flattened out and treated you with some quick berms, rocks and the grassy straight before the river crossing to the finish.

Saturday gave us spectacular weather and everyone was holding out that it would stay that way but despite this it pissed down! Turning the middle part of the course into a huge dirt bog, the grassy bit at the bottom more greasy than a frying pan and choppy than the North Sea! and everyones spirits down.

Despite this we are here to do one thing and thats race! Heres how the Ae Bike Shop/ Solway Insulation Services Team got on.

Lewis (Crashed) in Senior/Expert/Elite 60/74 4.29.290
Myself (Crashed) in Senior/Expert/Elite 42/74 3.52.703
Cub (Crashed) in Junior 13/35 3.34.257

So we all done reasonable considering we done a lot of crashing! some more than others, it still hurts to sit down.

Anyways onto out next race this weekend 18/19th July at Innerleithen for the National Championships!

Pinned or Binned!

Fort William NPS Round 3

2009-06-30T11:45:00.000+01:00

Once again Lewis, Cub and myself were on our way up to the Bill! This time though for the National series. Lewis after having some bad luck and not getting entered into Dunkeld was racing after having a month off with his last race also being Fort Bill. Cub had his fingers crossed hoping that he wouldn't puncture in his race run after Dunkeld and I was full of confidence ready to get going again after taking first in senior.

The course taped out was the one which was used in the World Cup at the start of the month. Off the start its pretty easy going, couple of berms few jumps and two big lengths of board walk. After the second one you came to the real start. Rock after rock, berm after berm and all at such a ridiculous speed! The consequence of grabbing your brakes and slowing down was everything would get even more rough and you get the worst arm pump ever. You literally have to peel your hands off the bars at the bottom! So only one plan of action...floor it!

Cross the deer fence and ping out of the left hander and start to head toward the woods (only after you have endured another fair share of rock gardens). These woods had so much line choice it was impossible to decide which way was noticeable the fastest so il just describe the way I took. Up high at the start drop down the right hander, take off the north shore bridge in between two trees then stick the bike into a rut to really fling it around to the second part of the woods. Stick it out to the left till you come to the end of the right hander-rut then pull it over and take the high line all the way to the road.

From here on it was the usual lower section through the flat but extremely fast wood section then of the north shore kicker onto the motorway. Motorway to end.

I'm sure even MoffatSubZero would even be proud of us this weekend! I'm sure I pedaled nearly all the way down more than what you could manage!

Anyways, for the Ae Bike Shop/Solway Insulation Services team the weekend ended like this.

In junior Callum 'Cub' McCubbing 23/49 - 5.35.102
In senior Lewis Cochrane 23/42 - 5.46.746
In senior Ryan Chambers 5/42 - 5.26.295

A great weekend all round! As always I think Fort Bill makes an unbelievable event or maybe its just because we all just love the place.

Next on the calender is one of the biggest weekends for the amateur racer with both the Scottish Champs at Glencoe on the 11/12 July and National Champs at Innerleithen the weekend after. Either one of these events is always a big one and made bigger by all those who turn up. Its always a great atmosphere and I hope everyone who can, will go to them.

Until next time, keep her slammed!

World Cup Series So Far

2009-06-25T14:05:00.000+01:00

MINNAAR Greg 914
PEAT Steve 835
HILL Samuel 789
ATHERTON Gee 776
HANNAH Michael 723
LEOV Justin 551
FAIRCLOUGH Brendan 482
BLENKINSOP Samuel 476
SMITH Steve 411
NEETHLING Andrew 398

5 out of 8 rounds complete. Santa Cruz Syndicate taking four wins, 2 for Greg and 2 for Peaty. The latest wins goes to Fabien Barrel a man who isn't even in the top ten! Although as everyone knows he is an exceptional rider. The astounding Sam Hill still looking for a win?? and Sam Blenkinsop aka Blinky breaking the world record for the biggest stem shag in the world http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/3593155/ seriously check it out! A total of 750 points maximum still left to take, its going to be an interesting fight for the last 3 of the season between the top 5. Even though sick mick may be 191 points behind the leader let me give you something to think about. Steve Peat punctured in his race run at Maribor round 5. As well as that Gee Atherton crashed, so just remember...what if?

The last three rounds are to be held at Mount-Saint-Anne - 26/07/09 Bromont - 02/08/09 and Schladming - 20/09/09. Sam Hill has won at each of these venues.

Dunkeld SDA Round 3

2009-06-24T13:54:00.000+01:00

The SDA have used Dunkeld now for more than 5years. Despite this though it still makes, year after year, a great race. Some might complain but the majority still love coming here and racing whatever course is taped.

The start (for all but juveniles they started at the first road) was the usual steep rocky section which you can carry a lot more speed on than what you would expect because despite it being worn and rocky and steep there is in fact a nice flow throughout it all.

After the first road the track flattens out but all the roots and rocks you could want await. After coming around the rooty left hander and missing the boulder at the end you could either take it up high and drop into a rut or go around the outside and gain alot more speed and if you want put a pedal in. Go high on some roots to set you up for the almost sandy right hander then go out wide and bring it in tight to miss the roots and get up onto the boulder on the 180 left hander. Next you've got two small rocky chutes one after another lines galore here but your rewarded after this with a wide open flat straight to get all your speed for the final part of the middle section which was just one long rock garden with some mammoth roots thrown in there to keep you on your toes. Get through this clean and cross the road and your onto the final section.

Navigate your way through some rocks onto a rooty right hander, drop off a boulder onto a straight then came my favorite part. Pretty much a berm boulder that swung you out left onto some roots and rocks then a right hander, down a small chute drift out the back to get you around the next flat left over some rocks then onto the biggest boulder of the day that you had to turn on then drop to either side of a tree stump. After this there was a nice little straight then you drop down left into another rocky straight then a couple more corners with more rocks and line choice than you could shake a stick at. Jump the final boulder or simply roll of it then sprint to the finish.

With Lewis missing this weekend due to internet problems when trying to enter, racing for the Ae Bike shop and Cafe/ Solway Insulation Services team was Myself, Callum and his youngest brother Frazer.

In Senior Ryan Chambers 1/80 - 2.24.412
In Junior Callum McCubbing 17/46 - 2.52.171 (with a puncture)
In Juvenile Frazer McCubbing 6/15 - 1.57.844

Think everyone was happy with the results especially Fraser as it was his first ever race, Callum because he still got top twenty even with a puncture! and myself because after three years waiting i finally got a win! It was an excellent weekend and i hope the run of good form follows us into Fort William this weekend for the third round of the National series.

Keep 'er pinned!

Llangollen NPS Round 2

2009-06-15T12:23:00.001+01:00

After reading all the rumours about this place I thought surely it cant be as mental as they say, but as men are always in an arguement with a women, I was wrong.

From the top you got a nice flat straight into a right putting you into a false sense of securtiy for what you came to next! The steepest set of corners you could imagine. Take the next steep chute to catch corner to chute (a rumour was Adam Bryton hucked it all!) and hit the next corners that take you into a straight section into a left then right and onto the first briddleway.

Drop down to your left for the short middle section and the surface changes as it becomes slightly less steep with lose rocks. Come through the next switch backs and a small straight and onto the briddle way to the bottom section.

As with the majority of the course this section was just full of steep corners and a couple of chutes and straights. Come down to the roughest chute and hit the catch that takes you onto a really quick off camber section. Now comes the proper fun part. Really long corners, super lose surface, absoulte pinned! and to end on the perfect note you get out the last corner, out oo the trees and into the feild with a flat out straight and a hip jump then sprint to the finish.

I have to say I learned alot from this race. That attacking a course isnt always the best way to race it or at least knowing when to put on the anchors and let off. I can ride steep stuff with a hell of alot more confidence and as always with each race comes more experience anyways.

It was only myself racing down in Wales for the Ae Bike Shop and Solway Insulation Services team and heres how I done:

Ryan Chambers in Senior - 3:41:459 31/52

Fact is it is my worst result of the year, but it was a hell of a race and probably the one iv learned most from so to me it was a great results especially since I decided to fight with a tree in my race run!

Hing it oot!

Steve Peat

2009-05-26T20:48:00.000+01:00

If you like your downhill racing then you must know this name! Its like the Heinz of the baked beans world! To quote Rob Warner from Le Brasse WC this man has done more for world downhill than Asama binlaeden has done for terrorism! haha As good as 36 years old well into the teens of racing a full world cup circuit every year! this season has taken off for him! 3rd in South Africa, 1st in France and 1st in Andorra! and on the side? well hes taking his 8th consecutive win in the Lisbon Downtown race in Portugal.

He has took 3world cup series titles and now its looking like a fourth. Coming into his home WC race hot off 3wins in a row. Things are looking the best they have since 2006 when he took his last overall.

He is now the most successful downhill racers ever in terms of most world cup wins with a tally of 17! The only thing to eluded him so far is the world champs. A one off race, one run down the hill, one title for the rainbows! Its his year watch out for him in Australia at the world champs cause hes gonna do it!

Keep it pinned (Steve Peat)

Fort William SDA Round 2

2009-05-21T00:10:00.000+01:00

What a weekend. Starts on Friday night with Lewis Cub and Myself driving up in the pissing rain. Boredom hits and we crack out the air band! I'm on drums, cubs got lead guitar and lewis was meant to be vocals but well he feel asleep!

Saturday came and it was time for practice. Weather wet. But its Fort William which means its always gonna be awesome! The track basically consisted of the 2007 worlds course till you got to the woods where straight line was cut through to bring you on the next left berm into the lower flat woods. Instead of the big jump onto the motorway it was the rock garden line.

Practice went well for everyone apart from we all managed to break our bikes somehow but thats the way it goes. However we got our brand new race tops!

By the time Sunday came the weather decided to be nice and stay dry enough although the mud was still deep in the woods which made for some fun moments like when i flipped the bars and landed on my head and all i can hear is Lewis taking the piss.

We all put in at least one solid race run (being the SDA you get two race runs) and ended the weekend happy with our trip up to Fort Bill, we all love the place and love racing there just something about it thats always makes it a good event. Even when you get to the finish and your arms are killing you all you can do is grin like a pig in...

Probably our favorite or if not a close second. From begin to end its nothing but pinned.

Ae Bike Shop and Solway Insulation Services results:

The young one Cub finished 23/53 - 05.56.367
The Grandfather time Lewis 19/96 - 05.54.629
And me in the middle Ryan 23/96 - 05.55.936

Not too bad for a group of hillbillys! another great race with great results. roll on Llandgollen!

Bring a spare pair of tighty whities its gonna be vertical!

keep it pinned ladies and gents

Mega Avalanche 'ENDURO' at Ae!!!

2009-05-08T12:18:00.000+01:00

This weekend the 9th and 10th of May the Mega avalanche circus is rolling on up into the Forest of Ae! With 119 riders already signed up to take on the challenge its gonna be a biggie! With more enduro junkies than you can shake a stick at and more Lycra than you ever thought possible this isn't one to miss.

Entering or spectating here's the criticals:

Friday May 8th
4 - 7 pm Riders sign on - Forestry Commission Office

Saturday May 9th 8.30 am - 3 pm Riders sign on - Forestry Commission Office
8.30 am - 4 pm Free trainings on the special stages.
3 pm Prologue from #1 to #150
Prologue is not compulsory. Rider who are not attending will get the slowest time + 5 minutes.

Sunday May 10th
8.30 am Start
n°1 then 30 seconds later n°2 and so on

The special stages are dominantly downhill all the way although there will be short climbs and flats with in these so not to give too much of an advantage to the downhillers amongst the group.

A handy link to give you more information http://www.avalanchecup.com/enduro-avalanche-ae-forest-uk-programme.html

Thanks for reading

World Cup Dates

2009-05-02T10:00:00.000+01:00

World Cup XC R1 / DH R1 / 4X R1 - 11-12 April Pietermaritzburg, South Africa www.mtbworldcupsa.co.za
World Cup XC R2 - 25-26 April Offenburg, Germany www.worldcup-offenburg.de
World Cup XC R3 / 4X R2 - 2-3 May Houffalize, Belgium www.houffalize.be
World Cup DH R2 - 9-10 May La Bresse, France
World Cup DH R3 / 4X R3 - 16-17 May Vallnord, Andorra www.vallnordbikeparkworldcup.com
World Cup XC R4 - 23-24 May Madrid, Spain www.lastlap.com
World Cup DH R4 / 4X R4 - 6 -7 June Fort William, Scotland www.fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk
World Cup DH R5 / 4X R5 - 20-21 June Maribor, Slovenia www.pohorje.org
World Cup XC R5 / DH R6 / 4X R6 - 25-26 July Mont-Saint-Anne, Canada www.gestev.com
World Cup XC R6 / DH R7 / 4X R7 - 1-2 August Bromont, Canada www.mondialduvelo.com
World Cup XC R7 - 12-13 September Champery, Switzerland www.bikepark.ch
World Cup XC R8 / DH R8 / 4X R8 - 19-20 September Schladming, Austria www.mountainbike-weltcup.at

Racing SDA 2?

2009-04-30T18:54:00.000+01:00

If your thinking about taking your steed down anoch moor up at fort bill for the second round of the SDA then do what a lot of people seem to be doing and get up the open weekend which is the second one in May and put some man hours in to get the results even better!

Ae NPS Round One

2009-04-30T18:49:00.000+01:00

Only one week after the first Scottish round we were back on track for practice at the first round of this years national series at Ae Forest. Everything was looking well until about 5 oclock Saturday when it started absolutely peeing down! matters only made worse by the wet and hail stones on Sunday morning too!But this is why downhill and mountain biking in general is a proper sport cause it doesn't get called off till the bus is spinning in 1st gear back down the hill.

So the course. It started with the new top section (the line to the left) a flat out straight into a steep right so the course turned back onto itself and joined up with the old one just before the top woods. Through this you either ploughed through the straight line or snaked the three corners between the tight trees!then get round the next right either with help from the berm or cutting the roots. Hit the small rock garden then drop, switch back, double, berm, table, bus stop, switch back drop to road. Alot of your speed for here come from getting the small rock garden fast and smooth.

Absolute pin it across the road then if your a real rider you drop into the rock garden then get ready for the really fast woods, the trick for it is don't touch the brakes. Come out these and hit the switch backs then double or single log drop into a right berm to straight at the bottom.

Finally just about home free and what do you hit the new off camber sections with the first rapid left where alot of people just binned it! high or low as long as you stayed on you were going good. Take the next few rut corners full speed then sprint till the finish.

The results for Ae Bike Shop and Solway Insulation Services

Myself Ryan Chambers Senior Category - 2.28.980 4/58
My Friend Lewis Cochran Senior Also - 2.41.500 31/58
Our Friend Callum McCubbing Junior - 2.35.218 15/45

The second race was a great success cant wait for the next round of the SDA at fort bill in may! Hope everyone enjoyed the weekend at Ae and will be back again! Cheers for reading.

Hold 'er open!

Pitfichie SDA Round One

2009-04-30T18:42:00.001+01:00

The first race of the Scottish Series is over and as a weekend on a whole it was a great success. Sure by the time the second race run had come the social enjoyment of the push up had worn off, even the fittest were tired after being in the sun for half an hour pushing their bike up a hill.

So the track. It started on an open hill with a line cut through the heather. Pedal for about twenty seconds+ with a few corners in there till you got to the slab, lunch this half way down then rail the next long right then back on the pedals till you get to the woods where you meet the boulder step down. Hit this and take the ruff straight line after or cut it to the left and take the line to the left with a right hander. Your line was absolutely crucial for the step down or cut line because this is where all your speed was generated for the next straight, corner, rock section, corner. Get through this clean then you had a nice section to get ready for the lower half.

Come out a left hand berm and get your front wheel over a beast of a boulder, if you could get this quick you were quick! Next straight down a rock section were most people just pointed the front wheel to wards the exit then into another left hander. After this you were faced with four flat rock gardens on the trot and if you got out of line in one then you were absolutely cookered! hardest place of the whole track to carry speed.

Finally the last small sections of flat pedally straights with some jumps into berms thrown in to give you amazing exit speed if you were off the brakes then a open right hander to the finishing jump and your done.

How did the Ae Bike Shop/Solway Insulation Services team get on?

In senior myself Ryan Chambers finished 17/81 Time- 2:47:276
My fellow senior Lewis Cochran finished 35/81 Time- 2:52:311
In junior Callum McCubbing finished 14/52 Time- 2:46:357

Not a bad start to the series, we all enjoyed it and it leaves us plenty room to improve which iv got no doubt we will.

Keep it pinned.

SDA Round One - Pitfichie

2009-04-17T12:30:00.001+01:00

If your like me then this weekend you will be heading up to pitfichie for the first 2009 round of the Scottish Downhill series. Also if your like me your definitely going to be thinking I'm pushing my bike up a fire road all weekend in Aberdeen for fun and that's when people start to look at you funny. Its not as bad as it sounds though because really its quite clever. It will be an easy start to the year, nice course, easy atmosphere and hopefully the Field Salmon Saturday night now that's the real race right there!

It also will make the other races seem luxurious when you get in the bus to the top or a gondola at Nevis and if you like the breeze-eeee open ride to the top the chairlift at Glencoe.

The weekend after pitfichie which will be the 25/26th is the first national of the year at Ae Forest so if your not one of me who's heading five hours up the road tonight to go sleep in a tent then push my bike up hills most of the weekend then get to Ae if your entered, practice the new slippy bottom section (just off the SDA route from last year after the double log drop) and show the competition how its done! Also heard the Ae Bike Shop and Cafe is having a BBQ Saturday night should be mega!

Easter Friday at Ae

2009-04-04T16:10:00.000+01:00

This Friday coming-the 10th of April-in the forest of Ae there is going to be a cycling treasure hunt that is guaranteed to be a fun day for all! From 1pm-3pm after meeting at the Ae Bike Shop and Cafe set out on your bike into the forest or hire one from the Ae Bike Shop but call ahead first so you avoid disappointment (01387 860 541) :) I know if any dads are reading this they will be thinking yeah fun for all sure...well they serve beer at the cafe so even for the dads it will be a fun dayout in the forest! It will be a really fun day with a big turn out so hopefully ti will be enjoyed by everyone. Hope to see you all there.

National Points Series

2009-03-25T23:41:00.000Z

The first round of the NPS will be in Ae Forest on the 25th and 26th of April! Expecting a big crowd and loads of support for the Ae Bike Shop/Solway Insulation Services Team. Plenty of notice so free that weekend up and come have a great time and watch some of the UK's fastest riders BLITZ the Ae course :D

The Trails at Ae

2009-03-22T11:31:00.000Z

Lets start with the beginners. For the families ideal for those with younger children is the green 'Ae Valley' route. With little gradient change and a great way to see the sights of the forest anyone can enjoy this if all they want is a nice relaxed day out in the forest and after if the rides built up an appetite then the trail centre is back where you started there to fill your needs.

'Larch View' blue route is the next step up. 4.5km longer than the 9km green it makes for a longer cycle climbing up one side of the valley and descending down the other on fast fire road and joining back up with the greens single track to lead you along beside the river and twist through some tall spacey trees. Is it the most challenging blue? no, but to be fair that really doesn't matter because any blue shouldn't be too challenging. Some mistake blue as a bridge to starting to try red routes when if you look at most reds you would say to yourself how does the blue prepare you for this. However if you look at the Ae map close enough and are willing to put in a little more millage you will be able to make yourself a nice little route from the red and blue, keeping you safe with your comfort zone of the blue but showing you what a red really is like and improving your skills a little more each time you ride it. If blue routes are were your happy though then understandably you wont find it as exciting as some others but it will still be a nice ride and anyways if your finding blues to easy get yourself on a red!

'The Ae Line' a 24km route of continuous change in gradient, ground surface and scenery. The climbs are grueling but after one you feel like a god! and the descents to be honest they wouldn't be out of place on a downhill course...that would be why I took my downhill bike to go and do them then! If you want to ride a red that you can really get into and feel like your miles away from anywhere and there isn't a million trail novices with all the gear and no idea like you get at other trail centres then this is your place. It challenges you straight from the first twisty steep climb right till when your coming over the final jump and railing the north shore berm at the very end. Unfortunately the red has been plagued by loggers and much of the trail has diversions, however these should all be gone in the next month or two (I will try and get specific dates) but that is the ruff estimated from the forestry so fingers crossed! Also if your up for a challenge try beating the red record when its fully open again the time to beat 1hour 31minutes! In a sentence 'The Ae Line' is the most creative red I have ridden for its differing surfaces and views; the amazing downhills which flow even better the faster you hit them; to the fact every time I reach the end I'm grinning from ear to ear ready for another lap (after a cake form the cafe that is) :D

'The Shredder' is the essence of the word flow. If your wanting big berms that you pin into not even having to think of brakes this is it! If your wanting table tops, doubles, kickers and rollers this is it! If your wanting off camber rocky sections that are still stupidly quick this is
it! Oh yeah and I forgot to mention the big ass road gap! spoiled for choice really! Plus when you get to the finish its only 20seconds away from the final section of the 'Ae Line'. What more could you want, I have to say its one of the funnest runs iv ever done just for the speed of it and how flowy it is.

Last of all the Downhill route. The route has been used both for national and Scottish events holding up too 300 riders and even more spectators. New lines are regularly getting built in and keeping the hill as popular as ever! When I think of all the races I have been to and competed in the last 3 years I realise Ae has a bit of it all. Steep rocky chutes, big berms, rooty sections, rocky sections, off cambers, technical tight through the trees, huge jumps like the coffin, step down and either of the Field drops both 20foot+. If you love your downhill with heaps of variation whilst still being able too pin every part of it then say no more come see for yourself! It isn't even to bad of a push up and if you check out www.upliftscotland.com you can get yourself booked on a bus to the top of the hill with your bike ten times in a day for £32. Also we are looking for someone to set a time challenge on it anyone brave enough?

Have a think, out of all of the seven stanes what other centre has everyone of these and to such a high quality. What about in the whole of the UK? few and far between. Ae offers everything you could want to ride and the Ae Bike Shop and Cafe trail centre is a huge example of how a trail centre should be run. Great Mechanic, Great Advice, Great Food, Great Trails... An Amazing Time.

The DH Zone

2009-03-08T22:12:00.000Z

Ryan Chambers, Ae Team Rider, trainee bike mechanic and DH demon is on hand to keep the Ae Bike Shop blog fresh with the latest news from the world of mountain biking, gear reviews, racing updates, trail news from Ae Forest and beyond. Stay tuned for regular updates if you want to be in the know.