I have just got back from racing Enduro National Champs down in Minehead in Somerset, organised by Southern Enduro where I was competing in the veterans category for the first time at the ripe old age of 41! It was also my first race in about 2 years with COVID and a new baby.
All was going well until Sunday afternoon when I dropped into Stage 6, a short and punchy stage of loamy, rooty tech. Trucking on to get a high line over some roots I pushed the front wheel wide where it grabbed hard, throwing me over the bars, face first into the base of a tree. Luckily I was wearing my TLD Stage full-face helmet that saved me from any bad injuries.
I walked away battered and bruised and with a swollen jaw, but feel very lucky it wasn’t a lot worse.
My Vitus Sommet 29 race bike was unscathed except for a bent brake lever and a bent front Maxle, which is a first for me!
Massive high-5 to the marshal who was first on scene and to my good mate Joe Finney who stopped in his race run to check I was ok and look after me.
Check out Stage 5 here:
Southern Enduro Races:
Troy Lee Designs Stage MiPs helmet like the one that saved my face!
https://tidd.ly/3i3dUk8
Filmed on GoPro Hero 7 Black:
https://amzn.to/3x7uWlk
Get REALLY Strong So Crashing Hurts a Bit Less! (Maybe haha)
Stay Strong
Ben
#mtb #enduromtb #mountainbiking
