The team is made up of a highly competitive bunch of people. Friendly rivalry gets most of us up to the top of hills in double quick time and the decsent order is usually a bit hit and miss!

Racing

Despite our competitiveness, only two of the team has done any racing. Kate took part in Mountain Mayhem in 2003 as part of an all women team. In the same year she also competed in a triathlon finishing a respectable 4th place in the women's event. Kate's training and physique earned her the title of "Hardcore Kate".... not quite sure that is a good name for a girl! :)

John has competed in the What MTB slackers team at the 2005 Bristol Bike Fest. The team came in a respectable 11th in the "non-pro" category.

Qualifications

John passed his SMBLA trail leader course which now means he can ride a map and read a bike or something like that.

John also has first aid qualifications from the British Association of Ski Patrollers (BASP) and St. John's Ambulance (fortunately he doesn't have the uniform to match!)

Rachel E is an anethetist so in the event of an accident we all hope it is not involving her.

Glenn has a natural ability for remembering trails. He can also operate a theodolite which is useful for spotting good downhills however slight they may be. ;-)

Other Activities

Kate, Chris and Glenn completed all the MBR Killer Loops for a competition in the magazine. Photos were taken and sent in as requested as specified in the rules. Other members of the team ably supported them on some rides. What did the win.....? Nothing other than "Killer Loop Hero" T-shirts. Not quite the bikes and holidays they had planned how to share! (Full report)

This is a fiercely contested title within the team. The brother and sister duo of John and Kate have mastered the cuts requiring stitches injury, whilst several others compete for the biggest bruise caused by heavy impact

Kate's tally of shoulder cut from crash barrier requiring stitches and face plant requiring lip glueing edge the cut title from John's matching split hip scars.

The bruising champion could be any one of us!

Rachel E claims the prize of best crash and best injury by a long shot. Whilst perfectly executing an over the bars dismount in Spain, Rachel managed to spear herself into a rock. Landing perfectly on her chin and right arm she managed to break her jaw in two places and her arm, not to mention a nasty cut to her chin. Trips to the Bubion doctor, Motril hospital and finally Granada hospital resulted in jaw and arm surgery leaving some spectacular scars (now fading) and a clear winner for the best injury. Rachel was excused from riding for the remainder of the week too. ;-)