Beaten by Aston Hill.

It's very easy to think that you're a big mountain biker because you have a brand new bike, and then you head off for one of those rides that puts you firmly in place. I went to Aston Hill on a very wet day where the roots are as slippery as ice and the chalk was no better, even when the mud wasn't sliding everything out. I rode the XC loop, struggled and fought round it riding badly, and looked at the easiest downhill, which I bottled out of.

Having found a short section I could actually ride I sessioned it for a while, without committing to anything big. I eventually gave up and left the centre feeling like an awful rider with no skills and minimal fitness, and drove away a little annoyed and frustrated. Stress and the conditions clearly helped, but I am clearly no downhiller in the wet.

What was required was another ride, and I managed one a couple of days later on a route more suited to my average talents, and was able to ride better and faster with more confidence and actually feel good about my riding, even climbing hills where the still slippery Chilterns allowed. It went some way to making me happier to be on a bike again, enough to be really looking forward to getting it under me as soon as I can now I'm back in the real world.

There'll be another time for Aston Hill, definitely in the dry and hopefully with someone else to egg me on. On your own it's very easy to play safe, even more so when there are things coming soon to remain unbroken for.

Go and ride this weekend.

A