Hey guys,

Well its been quite a while since i wrote in the blog, and decided to give you a update on how im doing / recovering, and a brief overview of my season.

The season started off a little slow but still good, picking up a win and a couple of podiums at some regionals. I went to the first national without too high expectations, and surprised myself.

After a bad qualifying run, where i smashed my hand into a tree and had a sit down! i knew that the top 5 times were within my reach.

I started my race run strong and had a good top and middle section, i had to overtake a couple of people, due to my bad qualifying, but i dont think this slowed me down. In the bottom of the track, i rode well and on the 2nd from last turn got a little bit bogged down in the thick mud. Nonetheless i was happy with my run, and knew my time would be close to the top 5.

Being the 3rd rider down i sat in the hotseat, until the final 5, where i was pushed out of 5th into 6th, by just 0.013!

Coming back from the weekend, i was feeling happy and knew i can go quicker, was feeling charged for training during the season. i was out everyday that week, but on wednesday my worst nightmares almost came true. I was out dirt jumping at Woburn, and someting went wrong as i was going up the second from last jump on the big line, i dont really remember it, but i pile drived the top of my head into the landing, and hyperflexed my neck. I broke vertebrae in my thoracic region,and smashed the rest of me up pretty good! I ended up spending time in hopspital and was released, a bit stiff and sore to say the least!

I then spent about 8 weeks recovering before i could get back to day to day life. At this point id like to say a big thanks to all the people who wished me well, you really helped me recover quicker than expected, so thank you.

My first race back was pearce round 4 Bala. I wasnt riding very well, and spent most of the weekend trying to find flow, i was nervous and more tense than usual on the bike.

Race runs came, and i was happy enough with how my times placed me, first run i ended up 5th, and 2nd run gave me a 4th, so some good points towards the overall. Was happy to only be 4 seconds off the win with me riding the way i was, so i knew i hadnt lost too much!

After this race there was a gap in the season, and i decided to spend the time training in france (chatel). The two weeks i was out there i learnt, loads about riding, and was going considerably quicker with alot more confidence!

The locals hooked us up really well, so a big thanks to Nico. At the same time as i was out there, the chatel mountain style was on, I got to know alot of the guys and we had some good times, and made some good contacts. Thanks to Steve Romaniak, Ryan Sullivan, and Alex Pro, we had some good times!

On my last day riding , in the middle of the day, i was just doing a normal run down, and in the last 7 turns i washed out my bike and Slid along the ground on my knee, my knee pad failed and slipped down, and left my knee to enjoy the french slate, a load of stitches alater, and an uncomfortable journey home, brings me to today as im writting this.

Im probably going to miss national champs this weekend so hopefully i will see you all soon at the Pearce Cycles Hopton round 5! next weekend.