After the great success of The Legends DH Race earlier in the year, where some of the UK’s original top Elite racers got together; another weekend was quickly planned.
Within two weeks of the Legends race, Stu Hughes ( a great friend of UK Editor Jim Buchanan) got on the case, organising a get-together for the racers of all categories from back in the day. Within another two weeks the UK’s best uplifted bike park was fully booked by riders keen to be involved, lots of whom couldn’t make The Legends Race or didn’t get the invite. It ended up being two days of fun uplifted riding, with a night of drink and merriment sandwiched in the middle. The event was a real success and Jim took his camera along to capture the fun.
Stu Hughes, top 5 UK DH rider back in the day, also 2004 mini-bike world champ and Vets winner of his only ever national enduro race, still rips at 40! First order of the day, big breakfast as Stu talks to Jonny Cheetham, arguably the UK racers favourite character, a proper cool guy. Breakfast of champions!Small mementos can mean a lot.Darren Tap (Tappy) he made the big trip over from Ireland, he was Mr Bling from the 90’s and still owned one of these original Intenses, he ended up renting a Trek Fuel EX, his first go of a modern full susser; he couldn’t believe how good it was!As the big boss man Steve Peat was present, we got him a little surprise from his old mates, Dave Hemming signs away.This was a heart-felt message to all the riders’ true hero.
Trying to follow Peaty down any trail is like a lesson in corner speed, his wife Adele crashed and they had to go home early and miss the night out, much to Steve’s amusement, not!Martin Ashton was a welcome sight on the Saturday, Mojo brought along his Nicolai custom electric rig.Stephan Gleed, he always was known as another Mr Bling and that Yeti was a full-on dream bike!Weather was pretty shitty at some points, but riders didn’t care!No riding up for any of us, as Hiplok Ben loads up for another run.BPW opened late on Saturday especially for the Old Skool friends, thanks to Rowan Sorrell, an ex 90’s racer himself.It was just smiles all round, a fantastic weekend.I was just in my element, back with these guys again.Far left, Titley, probably the longest racing MTB racer in the UK, still a top elite competitor at enduro after racing every single season in different disciplines for 26 years!Ladies present, this lot snuck off into town and fully regretted the hangover on Sunday!Far right is Alex Trimnell, once himself a great racer, now owner of the very successful Muc Off.Partner in crime as trials ace with Martin Ashton back in the day is Martin Hawyes, so happy to be back riding with his mate.In the middle is Jim Brown, a character like a gangster off Snatch, top geezer and one of the riders off the first ever Dirt Magazine team.Jonny sups a beer with fellow ex-junior DH star Gareth Hopkins, Gareth now starting to get enduro results. Aiden Bishop (Factory Cannonade Enduro) between them.Yum!These guys can’t wait for another reunion.Far right is Alan Blood, he was the UK’s first ever World DH Champion, he won the world Masters champs way back when.Good friend of the UK Enduro Mag crew, Coynie.Peaty’s only Factory GT team-mate Pete Crump, back at the hotel, probably having a hair dilemma!!
Words and photos: Jim Buchanan
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