My bicycling roots are definitely on the road. I first went from general riding - pedalling out to country pubs, that sort of thing - to touring and then cross-country mountain biking. For almost a decade my main focus was on BMX biking, making tricks and entering compeitions. I’d been mountain biking initially when I was on my travels, but hadn ’t done much more than trundle up and down fire-roads and canal towpaths until I returned back to the UK.

The Chance to See New Places 

I liked the lack of traffic and the chance to see new places without the hindrance of a car. But I wasn’t wowed by the heavy and seemingly clumsy bikes (cheap renters, mostly) and didn’t get much of an adrenalin rush from the riding I was doing. To tell the truth, I hardly knew what real mountain biking was about. Some sort of seed was sown when I saw some the 1996 mountain bike race from the Atlanta Olympics - the first time the sport had featured on the Olympic program - but it didn’t germinate fully until a few years later.

A Biking Weekend in Sommerset 

Then I got the chance to sample a mountain biking weekend in Somerset (on England’s south-western peninsula). This was run by a great little outfit called Fast Tracks MTB. In fact, a few friends and I went along together and hired some mountain bikes, it was great riding guided by a local area expert with fabulous home cooking from one of my friends Ravi, not only was the mountain biking a revelation, but Ravi's Mauritian cooking was to die for. It is amazing what he could do with a few tins and his home made spices and sauces.

The Infamous Downhill 

Naturally I started off cautiously but with gentle encouragement I was soon launching myself down descents I’d never have thought possible. The adrenalin was pumping through my body and the excitement level was very high. To begin with I couldn’t quite face the rocky run-in, the infamous downhill ride called The Chimney. Looking back and more recently looking at Ravi's pictures, I’m sure I could manage it now. Oh well, I’ll just have to go back some time soon and try it again, especially now that I have had a lot more experience.

Many More Places to Discover 

The mountain biking bug had bit us and soon we were buying our own bikes, hardtails and discovering that although Sommerset was great, there were many more places to discover. We found that were fantastic mountain biking areas virtually on our doorstep in areas like the Lake District and the Yorshire Dales. Well from that initial discovery the rest, as they say, was history. Not only did I learn to love mountain biking, but I also believe it has rekindled my passion for the great outdoors.

Picture of the Lake District

Just looking at the picture of the lake district, I think I will get myself to Mauritius and experience mountain biking in an altogether beautiful surrounding with plenty of beautiful wildlife and nature. Yes, this is going to be my next biking experience.