Downhill Mountain Biking With the Rough Riderz - By: Martyn Ashton

“I first got into downhill mountain biking whilst living in Tenerife, about 6 months before a motorbike crash left me paraplegic and permanently on wheels. I have always been a bit of an adrenaline junkie though, so one year after my accident I traveled to Colorado to try 4 wheeled downhill (Fourcross) for the first time!
As the sport didn’t even exist in this country at that point, I returned home and started Rough Riderz in December 2004. Our aim is to “spread the word” nationwide and create an all inclusive culture so that able-bodied and disabled riders, on 2 or 4 wheels, can meet and ride together on an equal basis. We also hope to enter 4 wheeled bikes into some of the regular events and competitions enjoyed by other UK riders.
Membership of the club has grown to over 150 people and having raised enough money to buy a spare bike and safety gear we started a “Taster Day” programme this summer. These days allow other club members to try the sport before they run the risk of bankrupting themselves trying to buy their own bike. Fourcross bikes are currently only built in Canada and the US, costing around £6500 to buy, which makes them very expensive to import. Ideally we need someone to develop a UK bike with the same high end specs as the current models available.
The Taster Days, held at Whinlatter Forest in Cumbria, have proved very popular. Our riders are guaranteed a minimum of 6 runs, with my LWB Vito van being put to good use as our uplift service. It’s the perfect vehicle for the job, enough room to carry 2 bikes, easy access from 2 side loading doors and plenty of “umph” for climbing forest roads. We have also adapted the rear with a 3 point seatbelt system, so riders can stay in their bikes en route to the top! We would love to see more clubs for downhill mountain biking springing up so we can all compete together at different venues around the country.
Two other favourite trails are The Shredder and Omega Man at Ae Forest, near Dumfries. The venue has loads of TTFs, so its great fun drifting the bikes around berms and getting air off the jumps, but it’s a real challenge, so we are always close to crashing too! That’s downhilling though, eh?
We are also able to ride at Laggan Wolftrax, Glentress and Innerleithen and a few weeks ago were invited to test the World Cup DH track at Fort William! This really was extreeeeeeme, definitely not for the faint-hearted! After some minor tweaks next spring, we can ride the whole course when it re-opens next season. I’ve also been back to Tenerife (with my bike) twice to ride the volcano with some of my old amigos and it feels so good to still be able to scare myself a bit!”

About the Author

Martyn Ashton is the Team Manager of Team Ashton Diamondback , which he created to provide support for talented bike riders. This team is a special bunch of riders who represent the versatility of downhill mountain biking through their diverse styles and talents.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Martyn-Ashton/126350

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