SUNDAY SESSION

Is there any body out there...

This site has been abandoned somewhat recently. Sorry about that! The good news is that there’re some new faces in the Session and they’re going to chip in and help keep the site updated (cheers guys). I’ll try to update the “Meet the Lads” page soon so they’re all on there.

The building work at Western Park continues with the doubles and the step-down having some serious dirt aimed at them last weekend.

As well as the new faces in the Session, we’re going racing! Phil, Elf and myself have entered the 661 Mini-Downhill taking place at Chicksands on 30^th March. As far as I now the race is now full but there may be a few left if you’re quick. Even if you don’t want to race, if fancy coming down to watch the action (as well as riding the rest of Chicksands bike park) you’d be most welcome.

Check back soon and to see the new photo’s, videos and latest Sunday Session news.

Pete

Well it was my birthday on Sunday so as a treat we decided to head out for some downhill action. Deciding that it was too wet for Aston Hill we loaded up and headed out to Cannock Chase (Stile Cop) DH trails. We were greeted by torrential rain and high winds and things seemed pretty bleak from the car park. The first run reminded me how much more skill it takes to ride DH in really filthy conditions - good fun though!

Soon after Jack and Steve arrived the weather started to improve and as the trails dried out it turned into one of those glorious Autumn days that are so good you don't miss the summer. We flew down the red and black runs (making some interesting line choices...) and spent a good while playing "who can have the sketchiest run out" on the road gap at the bottom.

The rest of the day was profitably spent getting muddy and playing around on the many DH runs, jumps  and lines dotted around. I was amazed at how much there was to ride, you could probably spend the weekend there and not ride it all. It's really come on since I was last there a couple of years ago. The day ended with a fantastic last run down the black run and a long trudge back to the carpark to think about how long it would take to clean the bikes up afterwards (I've not finished yet!).

So, top day out! Big thanks to Phil, Jack and Steve - I'll get the other pictures on the site ASAP together with the footage from Chicksands last month (sorry to keep you waiting Jon & Jim).

See you next weekend?

- Pete

Phil about to make the jump to light speed!

Jack on the Red run

Steve gets stylish!

 Phil on the step down

Thought I'd update the site as it's been a while since I've done anything with it. For anyone who doesn't know I became a dad for the 3rd time a few weeks ago so I haven't had much time on my hands...

Anyway, it was great to see so many people down at Western yesterday. I'd also like to thank Phil, Jay and all the other builders for the great new stuff to ride. If you haven't seen it yet, there's a new step down, table top, berms and such on the dual track; plus a new line of jumps are taking shape next to the 8-pack. Much fun was had test flying the new step down. Hope to get some new pics on the "Stunt Crash or Pose" page pretty soon although I've had some trouble getting pictures to upload recently so it may take a while.

There's still loads of building to do but Western's really starting to look like a proper riding spot. See you on Sunday?...

Pete

French Sun?!?

OK I'm found with a lot more time on my hands due to the alps weather, it's rained for about a week and the only day there's scoorching sun where is Alex? Driving to and from the airport! So now I find myself with one sunburnt arm, so you've missed out on nothing.

The Bullit is back and kicking looks a bit pimp with a polished rear red middle and and the shiny forks, best of a bad situation. Took her out for a slip slide in the mud at chatel yesterday was scary to say the least. Foot out and drifting 

Not much on the V10 just looking a bit scuffed now after being in the van so much. But after seeing Pete's paint job I'm not so fussed and I know she can look like new again! Hope your bullit is up and rocking Pete! With banana sticker on the fork leg! Oh and I have some 5 tens on the way .

Well Jack is out here now picked him up yesterday, nice to have someone I know out and the arguments over Kona and Santa Cruz have already started.

Will be home for two weeks at the end of the month!

Hope western has had some progress and Rick has some response for all his hard work. It never goes un noticed mate.

Can't wait to see you guys, let me know if your actually reading this and give me an update!!

ELF xxxxxxxxxx 

Found this picture of Western Park on Google Earth the other day. Looks like it was taken a good while ago - when the BMX track was still there. Thought you might be interested...

Just a quick update to say cheers to everyone who went to Chicksands yesterday, hope we can get the pic's and footage together and on the site soon.

A fair bit of the Chicksands North Shore has been removed due to it rotting away but we still had a great time playing on the Dual, 4X, downhill and the remaining Shore sections. Everyone was chuffed with what they'd achieved (clearing jumps, drops, wallrides, not falling off etc). We finally left at about 6pm with barely enough energy to drag ourselves to the pub for a bit of well deserved refreshment!

See you all soon, I'll get the pics and footage on the site as soon as poss.

- Pete

Well I guess I best start making an impression on the site too! Well lets have a bit of an update. Western parks has moved on a bit the main line has been repaired and the digger with Ric's help has made and awesome start on the roll in and the first two monster berms. Digging was hard work on sunday but the rain that we've had is certainly going to help, not that this will bother phil as he has took the roll of a tree surgen!

As for other things Petes porly bullit will now be sorted in what I've heard two weeks with a new shape mainframe (one without a bend in the downtube!) and a nice shade of yellow paint! As for my bullit it should be turning it's first wheel at Aston Hill this sunday! So give us a shout if your up for that.

The Bike Show was a massive let down just shows us brits can't do anything! However the movie premiaire of "Between the tape" at walkabout pub in good old brum was sweet as all the Athertons turned up (including Rachel good job Iwas sitting down!) Mr Ben Reid and new boy to the Honda team Mr Brendan Faircloth among others. The film is all about an insight into the world championship and the world cup of 2006. Really gets you going and makes you think you can haul ass downhill again! Have a quick watch of the snip it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccSgJr6PXug 

Well with a bit of luck Pete will use his video editing skills to full use again and sort out a new video from this coming sunday! Watch this space!

Alex

I've noticed that the "Meet the Lads" page has gone a bit weird, I'll try and sort it ASAP

- Pete

Well there's a digger there today and that's obviously a good thing. It would be better if not for the stupid fu*ker who vandalised the main line on Saturday night (we have our suspicions as to who), so we'll have to spend some time sorting those out instead of building new stuff.

On a more optomistic note, a few of us were at Swithy Woods on Sunday. The trails, jumps and drops there are running great at the mo and a good time was had by all (nice crash Phil!).

BIKE SHOW Saturday!

Who's going then? Get in touch if you need a lift there may be a few spaces in cars left if you're quick. Check http://www.necgroup.co.uk/visitor/whatson/5235/ for tickets.

27th March 07

Hello all, top day out at Chicksands on Sunday, the weather was good and the trails were grippy. There should be some new pic's and footage on the website soon. We all got a bit competitive on the dual course and there was quite a bit close riding and elbow bashing going on as you'll see when we get the footage on. Phil was playing on the new hip-jump and Al was making his big bike earn it's keep on the kickers and the drops. There was plenty going on at Chicksands, the dual course has been rennovated, some more North Shore added and the new line of (big!) dirt jumps are now finished. Plenty to keep us inspired for the Western Park work.

We're thinking of adding some new pages, our ideas at the moment are for a Top Gear style "Cool Wall" and a "Show us Your Injuries / Scars" or "Rate My Scab / Scar / Injury" let us know what you think.

Also, it would be good to know who's using the website and how often, so please leave us some feedback in the Guestbook.

Cheers

Pete

23rd March

Looks like we're off to Chicksands on Sunday! We'll probably have the use of a van so anyone struggling for transport let us know. It would be good to get a big crowd of us down there on the day. Bring cameras, cam-corders, malt loaf, pies and scotch eggs.

If there's anyone who wants to go but doesn't have a way of getting in touch; leave a message in the guest book and we'll do our best to sort out a place in one of the cars and vans.

See you on Sunday...

- Pete

Monday 10th March

Sorry for not updating the site for a while now. Cheers to the guys for keeping the construction of Western Park going last weekend it's looking really good.

It would be good to get everyone on the "Meet the Lads" page but I can't really get the forms thing to work. So, if your one of the regulars, send your info (Name, Nickname, Bikes, Likes, Dislikes, Style & Special Move) to me at petebarnden@yahoo.co.uk and I'll put it on. If you've got a pic you'd like me to use e-mail that too. See you on Sunday - remember it's Mother's Day, so buy her a card or you'll not be allowed out!

- Pete

Aston Hill footage is now online! Click on the vids link in the nav bar or here to go straight to it. Sorry about the poor picture quality; the original was better. Leave your comments / abuse in the guestbook or comment on the google website.

- Pete

15/02/2007

Just a couple of quick things as its like 1:05am adn i need sleep:

Its Al's 21st Birthday on Friday so HAPPY BIRTHDAY bud, hope you have a good one!

Also I would like to thank Pete (Big Love Ginster!) for all the time and effort he has put into the website recently, I havent had the time to ride let alone update this year haha. And another big thanks to all the guys from the Session and everyone else who has put alot of effort in improving Western Park! Lets hope it is used by the masses and the trolls stay away.

- Scott 

04/02/2007

Another good day's  building work up at Western on Sunday. A great turnout meant that lots got done and more was started. The new (dirt) wall ride in particular is looking good and we've got loads of ideas yet to see the light of day. I'll get the pics from Sunday on the site ASAP, I'll also have a go at creating a seperate page for Western Park building pics. Thanks to all who came out to help on Sunday, especially Rick, Phil, Jay, Jake, Luke, Kurt and Alex. It will all be worthwhile come the summer.

Al and I had some thoughts about creating an area for spectators/BBQ in summer. So if anyone has some spare paving slabs kicking about let us know.

Also, if the lad who got the video footage of my little "dirtnap" can email it to me I'll have a go at putting that on the website too.

- Pete

14/11/2006

The new forum is up and running now! 

You can access it by clicking on the link on the left. It still needs work doing to it so some suggestions would be nice, feel free to leave them in the guest book.

I will add the photos from sundays session at Swithland Woods on Thursday and hopefully add some video footage from various other places.

Thats all folks!

08/11/2006

Hard week this week...

Came down with some sort of food poisoning from when Phil and I went eating after riding on Sunday. Have been i'll all damn week. And not only am i feeling like Sh*t I think the reasons for me having site problems was more my computer than anything else. My computer had a hissy fit at me this week and died on me. I have thankfully saved it (thank god i still have my reformat disk) but in doing so i have lost absolutly everything, pictures, music, *cough* porn *cough* the lot!!

So time to start from scratch, most updates will be once a week and the sunday sessions part of the site will be fully updated soon once i have restarted a lil special item i wanted to add. There will also be a Forum added soon and a description/pics of all the places we visit.

More soon...

Scott 

07/11/2006

We stayed local this week, and only out for the afternoon. We headed up to a place called Western Park, I will put pictures of the places we usually go soon.

Still having problems with the site too, will hopefull sort it soon.

Sunday 29/10/2006

Today we went to Chicksands, I really enjoyed it as it was my first time. There were sponsored races going on and alot of people attended. Only 4 of us had planned to go but in the end alot of our group turned up which made it an alround great day. To find out how we all got on please click on the sunday sessions link in the nav bar or use the following: http://www.freewebs.com/sundaysession/thesundaysessions.htm

Scott

Saturday 28/10/2006

Its Pete's birthday today, unsure how old he is this year and I'm sure if we don't ask he wont tell us haha. He will be going out tonight for a few drinks but I hope all their heads are feeling fine tomorrow as we are off to Chicksands in Bedfordshire. Should be fun, its my first time there, but the rest including Pete and Phil have been before so they will show me the ropes.

Scott  

After the long week of work/school/college all we want to do is forget the "norm" of daily life. So on a Sunday morning we rise up from our beds with a smile on our faces and head straight for the shed. Out come the bikes and away we go. This site is for us bikers that want to keep a record of our sessions and those who like to tag along for the ride.