Make a plan for the next few months and try and hit as many different spots as possible- 4X tracks, BMX and Pumptracks, trail centres, natural routes and big rides like those found in MBUK magazine and of course exciting DH and Freeride spots.

Try and vary the bike riding you’ll be doing as it keeps everyone on point, excited and competitive- which in turn will boost everyone’s riding. Variety is the spice, remember…

Where you can, try and go away for weekends too, rather than just for single days- you’ll get more riding in by not having to factor in travelling, and the camaraderie, high jinks and accidents will get you all together ready to hit the season running.

And whilst you’re at it, why not consider booking a trip away for the summer. The early bird deals are up and it’s a good time to book, and start honing your riding in around your trip.

Remember the ski lifts in Europe start opening in June, so if you want some big mountain action- it’s not that far away. Which makes me grin like a fool writing this- I’m going to get my summer trip planned this weekend.

See you on the slopes…

And usually the first thought that comes in to your head is the right one. The self-preserving thought- the one that makes you question what you’re doing.

Being able to trust your judgement and walk away is almost always the best thing to do.

But there are exceptions- gut feelings. Things that make you act without over analysing the scenario. Some of the best police work is carried out on instinct- that sure as hell feeling, combined with expert knowledge. And medics too have to rely on what their brain is telling them when faced with difficult situations.

When it comes to bikes though- instinct is what allows you to ride fast, to pre-empt the direction in the trail ahead of you. It’s what keeps you rubber side up.

That sinking feeling when you’ve not listened to yourself is one of the worst feelings a rider can have- other than the intense pain it’s usually associated with.

Don’t nail yourself this early in the year- if you really, really must ride recklessly- do it at the end of the season when the dark nights draw in and Britain’s monsoons turn the days grey.

A friend of mine had that feeling last night when out riding. He was tackling something he’d done several times and was pretty comfortable with- only this time that niggling voice was telling him not to. Except he did- and the price he paid?

A broken and dislocated elbow, and a broken wrist…

Which translates in to 3 months out of action, and another 3 months rehab at the other end. Meaning he’ll start his summer in September.

Think about it guys- your instinct almost always knows best. Ride safe and enjoy the trails.

Keep it rubber side down…

The thing that staggered me is the drive these guys have- failure isn’t a word that’s in their vocabulary. There is always a way, and they’re trained to find that way.

Everything they do is 100% committed, which made me feel quite inadequate.

Even when on their training site they have to either speed march, or run everywhere- and it looked like they all disliked speed marching as they were running everywhere. Running to the toilet, running from the gym to a lecture, running to get changed to go for a run…

It made me rethink my attitude to riding, and how I back off sometimes when the going gets tough. What would these guys be like on mountain bikes? Surely they’d make the ultimate mountain bikers…

Everyday when I ride to work now, I sprint every section I can- up hill, downhill or on the flat. So much so that after a week my legs constantly ache and my lungs have that satisfying- yet irritating bruised feeling. It seems to get harder every day, but it won’t take long for my body to adjust and get in to it. And I’m converted on it- at work I run up the stairs now, and if walking anywhere I walk as fast as I can without looking like a mum doing the power walk.

And it feels great.

I’ve even been doing it out riding- allowing myself time to recover here and there, particularly on longer rides, but ensuring I attack as often as possible. And it’s making a difference- friends who I was pretty even with before, I’m now making substantial gaps when out on the weekly ride with them- and it’s not because I’m fitter or stronger, it’s because I’m used to riding at a more intense level, more frequently.

Off the back of this, I’m even going to build my first training plan, and am really excited about it. You should put yourself through a little pain, more frequently too- it will make you a better, faster and strong rider.

And you’ll certainly appreciate the people that look after this country a bit more…

They will be competing in the Fetish Gravity Enduro Series as well as selected European Enduro events. Check out the launch video below and spy the cheeky Vito Sport in there too…

Continental-Orange Mountain Bikes Team Launch from Laurence Crossman-Emms on Vimeo.

But in the last couple of days I’ve hung out with a couple of riders I’ve not seen for ages- and they’ve both inspired me to try some new stuff, and I can’t wait to master it!

One of them is a pretty tall guy, and has struggled getting a bike that fits perfectly for such a long time, but has now finally given in to the battering that 29ers have been getting in the press, and is riding a one himself. And it makes us all wonder why he even bothered on a 26 before. It fits him perfectly, and he rides it like a 26 too.

I hit the trails with him the other day, and it’s like a light has gone off in his head- he’s a different rider all of a sudden. He’s riding faster, harder and is hitting lines I never thought he would- and it’s inspirational. It doesn’t make me want to go out and buy a different bike, but makes me want to attack the trails differently- which is brilliant!

My other friend turned up at the BMX track the other day, where I was getting some sprints in and was trying a few different things. My riding has come on now and there are a few ways I can hit each straight using jumping, manuals or combinations- but there’s a jump a can’t get right. I’ve been picking up in to a manual before it and sucking it up as best as I can, then pumping the back side before hitting the next jump.

But my friend asked if I could scrub, and first time hit the same jump and scrubbed it perfectly. I couldn’t believe it- it was the raddest thing I’ve seen in the flesh. I’m not talking about the amazing Martyn Ashton shows I’ve seen, or the best riders in the world at Fort William when I’ve been there. This was different- he was just my mate- and pulled a scrub, I swear, better looking than any  top dog I’ve seen.

Maybe it was just because he was my friend. I couldn’t care less- it looked rad and now he’s inspired me to go and learn the scrub. I’d not considered it before, thinking it was just for pros, but now I’m hooked on learning something new again and can’t wait to get out there.

Cheers guys- you’re my inspiration!

Here’s another pretty awesome scrub…

If you’re not sure where to start, think about sections of trail you’re not comfortable with, or areas you struggle to keep your speed. Go and take a good look at them and see what it is that hinders you, then get your saddle down a bit, and session the section over and over.

The more you ride it, the more your confidence will grow, and the more new and better lines will pop out. Without realising it, you’ll get faster and will start approaching the section of trail differently. If you struggle with motivation, have a friend video your first attempt at your usual pace. Then get on with sessioning it and video it again later on- seeing your progression will surprise you, and inspire you to perfect your lines.

The next time you’re out riding and are about to tackle the section, visualize the line before you hit it, roll straight in and nail it. It shouldn’t cause you any bother in future- but if it does you’ll know where you went wrong for next time.

Once you’ve mastered one line, try a similar section of trail with exaggerated features, and you’ll find it’s far less intimidating.

Take advantage of the kick you get from this to session more technical sections- when on a roll you can absorb information more easily.

Sessioning stuff you struggle with is a really effective way of riding, and will get you up to speed quickly. Don’t ignore the things that slow you down- tackle them head on and come out faster!

Did you notice how far people will go to win these days?

Aussie Tracy Hannah has made an incredible come back- from having 4 years off due to not being able to fund the expensive World Cup tour. We’ve heard her talked about a lot- but taking the win is a massive factor- she gave it her all. Absence made her heart grow fonder perhaps…

Our own Manon Carpenter did amazing too, having made the jump to Elite this year, and walking away with a second place. Maybe the pressure of jumping up to ride with the bigger and faster riders helped her to step up where others have failed?

The blokes were making any adjustments too that would help them out. Cut tyres, semi slick tyres and harder pressures were just some of the gambles they were taking to get extra speed on the flat, pedally middle section.

Having come from 4X, Jared Graves on Yeti was expected to do well on the pedalling sections, and even went as far as changing from the amazing new carbon race bike to an Alloy bike for the final- like many others he was using a dropper post which he couldn’t lower enough in the carbon frame. So he thought the dropper post was worth using so much that he rode an older bike…

He wasn’t the only one on dropper posts either- many riders were spotted taking advantage of them, including Brit rider Brendan Fairclough who was also using clip in pedals. This raised some eyebrows as he’s a flat pedal rider through and through.

Trek World rider Justin Leov even binned off his knee pads in favour of being able to pedal harder- perhaps pushing the limits of wanting to win a little too much for some.

It’s another two months to get excited now for the next round, so we’ll be watching all the replays online and will be studying who’s doing what. Keep us posted with the things you spot!

I used to laugh it off, thinking they were talking out their back sides, or that they maybe didn’t have a hobby themselves, so just didn’t understand what passion was…

But actually, the more I think about it I think they’re right. I’m completely addicted to mountain biking.

When I wake up in the morning the first thing I do is open the curtains and check what the weather’s doing, imagining what kind of ride to work I’ll be having on that day. Even when riding to work I’ll be thinking about my bike, and where the next ride will be and who it will be with.

When the smokers nip out for their mid morning fag breaks I’m straight on the web finding out what’s going on on all the major mountain bike websites, and will usually get tempted in to some kind of purchase that I struggle to justify. I blame Paypal making online shopping too easy…

I’m constantly thinking about how I can improve my own bike, and if I struggled somewhere on a ride- be it technically, or fitness wise I’m on to it straight away trying to make sure I don’t suffer again.

I can never spend too much time on a bike, reading about bikes, day dreaming about riding, tinkering with bikes or simply chatting about them down the pub with like minded mates.

But of course my non-biking partner couldn’t care less- she likes the fact I have something that keeps me fit and happy, and also to give her the time she needs. So when hanging around with her I try my best to not mention bikes at all, which is nearly impossible.

It makes me feel like a crack addict- I find myself literally clucking when I’m not on a bike, or able to mention them somehow.

Madness, really, but I think a lot of you are probably know where I’m coming from. Oh well, best start planning my next hit…