What do you get when you mix mountain bikes, youthful abandon and some well placed mud..?
You get enough adrenaline to stay young for the rest of your life!
On my way up the hill I could hardly keep my feet from slipping on the muddy surface and this was enough to make me feel as if I'd made a wasted journey. "Is there going to be anyone crazy enough to ride this trail today, surely not?" But what I forget to realise, were that these people don't think like me...and beside, these guys don't walk either, they ride! And often fly!
Even from my perspective, which was safely behind the camera, this was an exciting day. Fortunately for me, the guys taking all the risks were happy for me to be there and kept me informed of the routes they were taking and were it best I should stand. Once in position all I had to do was ready my camera on the correct settings and try to be creative about the angles I shot from.
The different tracks that have been created at Bramcote woods varied and whether you want a near death experience or not there was something for every rider. On this day, everyone there knew how to handle themselves and the acrobatic show they put on was most impressive. With everything going on around me, I thought it would be rude of me not to make an effort to join in somewhat...So, before long I found myself high in a tree taking aerial photos above one of the jumps.
The action was relentless and I have to admit that it was also quite contagious. It was a good job that I had driven up there that day, because had I gone on my bike I would be writing this post from a hospital bed with everyone of my 40-year old limbs in plaster...Besides, this stuff is certainly best left to young ones.
All afternoon, these guys were thrashing down the hill, performing stunt after amazing stunt and even if I wanted to, I don't actually think I have the fitness required to keep up with the pace. Thankfully, I know my place on this hill and all I had to concentrate on was taking photos and remembering not to embarrass myself by using words like "Gnarly" or "Rad"...Ok I might have said it once, but only to myself :)
I can honestly say that this was one of the funnest days out with my camera and these guys were as friendly as they are suicidal. I'm really looking forward to my next visit to Bramcote woods and I'll be sure to keep plugging Steemit to whoever is there next time around.
I hope you all enjoyed this post and I'll hopefully see you again soon. Until then...