5,4,3,2,1!

The Black Forest, Germany is the flow capital!

High speeds chasing the overall winner. Photo by Lars Veenstra

Recently I was lucky enough to get asked to help out with a "Blast" / "Ride with the locals" event in the very bottom left hand corner of Germany.  Close enough to France that at times your phone picks up a French network and close enough to Switzerland that it only took 3 1/2 hours drive through from Chamonix (same as going to Finale). For many people attending this weekend it was more like eight hours drive, the Netherlands is a long way away!

Weiss (wheat) beer was drunk as people arrived on Thursday night, and for the rest of the weekend as a matter of fact... When in Germany...

We awoke on Friday morning to rain.  Jarno the organiser was in no rush to get started but soon after the rider briefing he had me, Lars (photo/video's) and local guide Andreas in the shuttle van driven by his Super-Dad Peter.  The riders would follow an hour later in 2 shuttle loads. It was drying up now and at the top of the first special stage we had a great view over into the Swiss Alps.

My role was to start the riders on each of the 3 daily timed downhill special stage sections. Riders were set off at one minute intervals with a 5 second countdown to start.  Some riders were just out for fun, but there was a bit of competition between some who had met at other Blast events. 

Riders watching on as I start people off straight into a tight switchback

Between the lunch stop rider's still had many kilometres of trail to cover.  There were some serious "undulating" sections that earned Jarno and German guide Andreas a reputation for picking the worst climbs in the Forest.  However the descents each day were so good everyone always forget, or was that the beer & sunshine combination every afternoon?  The trails out in the Black Forest were nothing like the Alpine trails I usually ride.  Gently angled blacon trails that hug the hillside with blind corners egging you on to pick-up more speed until you reach one tight corner. It keeps you on your toes, and keeps your fingers hovering over the brakes. There is the odd rock or root, but mostly smooth and flowy. Oh the flow! FUN!

Classic forest trail

My highlight for the weekend came on stage 2 of day 2.  Lead rider Michiel Rotgans broke his chain 10metres into the start and was allowed a re-start after fixing it.  I had packed my time-keepers clipboard away, gave the 5,4,3,2,1 countdown and then clipped-in to chase after Michiel. We sprinted and zoomed down and around the hillside.  More sprinting out of tighter corners.  I lost him on a rock hop, then caught back up as he tired slightly from pedalling so fast. We were "hauling ass" into the final few corners to where Jarno was waiting to stop the clock.  Stage win!  I enjoyed having to try keep up with him, whilst he said he could feel me behind pushing him on faster and faster. Maybe I could make an Enduro racer... See if Ali can get me a timed run at this years Trans Savoie.

We ate well every night in the small Hotel, and had plentiful breakfasts to keep us fueled up during the long, hot days.  Luckily there was plenty of bottled water on offer at the lunch stops set-up by Jarno's Super-Dad!

For the final day we were treated to one long special stage.  The top two riders where speperated by only 8 seconds.  Rumour had it the leader Michiel didn't sleep well due to nerves.  The Trans-Provence Videographer was surely used to this pressure, but he had to beat his friend and car-sharer 'The Mad Proffessor'!  All whilst Pepe the Spanish local battled behind in third place.  The stage start was great as everyone watched each other set-off.

Michiel won overall and was awarded prizes back at the hotel on Sunday lunctime.  Everyone ate a final filling meal, packed up their bikes and said their goodbyes. All with huge smiles FLOWING!