It seems like just yesterday that I was sitting in the van at the Oostmalle season finale in Belgium with the sleet/snow hitting the windscreen. My motivation was kept high as were saying goodbye to legend of ‘cross Daphny van den Brand; with all riders sporting Daphny style plaits as a parting gesture. Now six months on and the smooth tyres and effective braking have been ditched for that sweet feeling of riding off road on the world’s fastest bike. (There is no scientific research behind this statement so I cannot be held liable for its validity at any point).

As ever I have started the season back in the mighty US of A, which from now on I will call ‘home’. This year we have created a somewhat stable base in the Chabot Compound in a little town near Burlington, Vermont. When I say compound, it’s not like the kind you see on that TV program where the people are preparing for the apocalypse. There are no underground shelters with canned food to feed 700 people for 10 years and there are no anti-radiation suits; it’s simply a very lovely house in the woods on the side of a hill. It’s also the home of ‘Meatball’. Read More→