Paul Eddy gave me a ring on Thursday night with regard to picking up a bike from his at the weekend. We had planned that this would be the weekend that i'd collect a bike as he no longer required the additional bike after Barcelona indoor enduro. However Paul still had to ride the Banks on it. Paul said he wasn't sure about riding at the Banks as he thought the ground would be frozen and he didn't want to risk injury prior to the potentially lucrative Las Vegas indoor. Without thinking I said "I'll ride". Little did I know about what I was getting myself into.

Myself and Lee Ed (Pauls little brother) arrived at the Banks just before dark on Saturday with just about enough time to walk the test. Lee wasn't riding as he's soft! However this meant that he could be my pit crew for the event. We stayed in Pete Ed's (Pauls dad) camper and the gas ran out half way through the night and it was sub zero outside so it wasn't the best night's sleep i'd ever had. The day dawned and I went outside to find the ground frozen hard. I knew this would favour me as it would serve to slow everybody down to my pace!

I struggled to get ready in time as i forgot about all the things i needed to do, my camel back and water containers were frozen solid so i couldn't drink and I didn't have time for breakfast. I believe Tony Harwood's wife, Sharvey, bought me a bacon butty (thankyou - Sharvey) which i quickly scoffed at 10mins before my start time. Lee was on the phone to Paul and they told me just take it easy and have a go on the test so i did. In the fastest corner of the test i nearly lost it as the whole plot went sideways at about 40mph. I went wide into some treestumps and had a very scary moment so I took it easy for the rest of the test. I finished only 2 seconds down on Daryl Bolter and just behind UK enduro newcomer Chris Birch from NZ. Lee was happy with my time and sent me on my way. Next lap i knew i could win as i had a fair bit of speed in reserve on the test. Unfortunately i didn't have the fitness or strength and really struggled to hold onto the CR after about half way round the test. I couldn't pull the clutch or the front brake properly but managed to hold on to win the test and the event by 4 seconds. I thought my heart was going to explode at the end of the test, i couldnt suck air in fast enough. All i had to do then was not lose any time on the going. After lap three i was knackered and i was only half way. On the 4th lap Pete Eddy gave me some roll-off goggles as it started to rain. I tried to head the lads on my minute but this was stupid as I burned energy that I didn't have. The 5th and 6th laps were hell as I didn't have time to eat and i was burning body fat which I don't have. I used my minute by about 15 secs at the final check. If it been a minute tighter i would have lost the event.

I was well chuffed to win especially as it was my first ride on the bike - I only picked the bike up the day before. I didn't expect to win as my fitness is at an all time low as i havn't even been running for the last month as my back has been in spasm. Also I had food poisoning during the week leading up to the event meaning that I was especially weak. It all bodes well for a good 2005 as i've shown already that the speed is still there. Wait till I get some practise under my belt - look out!!!