BIKE rider and terrain flowing is part of what gives a mountain biker that fizzy grin which says it all - it's all about attitude, putting up with the good and the bad times, but most of all the people we meet. It takes all sorts . . .

Well here we are 2002 and another summer season of bikes and fun with plenty of blood sweat and tears.

It used to be 18 gears, then 21, then 24 and now 27. It used to be rigid, then hardtails, now full suspension is order of the day. But, whatever you ride it's all about having fun and me and the boys get our kicks mostly on full sussers doing stupid things (downhill mostly). Whether it be single track, duel descending, jumps or drop offs, we have a real laugh. Injuries are not very common, but if they do occur it usually involves broken ribs, snapped collar bones.

Mainly it is minor injuries and a dented pride, but crashing into a tree or such like does cause much laughter and entertainment for everyone else and then after we pick ourselves up off the ground, ribs aching, and do it all over again.

Whatever type of mountain biking you are into, it's a real blast.

If you have not been off-road on your bike and fancy a go then ring any of the local cycle shops as they all organise rides to suit all abilities.

If you want to learn a few tips why not come out with us, we meet at Westham Cycles every Thursday night between 6pm-8pm for a good gossip, some mickey taking, and then down the pub for some more race preparation. All are invited but it does help if you are slightly weird as you will find out if you come on down!

I am also part of the team which puts together the SAMS (Southern Area Mountain Bike Series). I mainly take care of course building and organising marshalling etc, (leaving all the boring paper work to my colleagues!).

The first race of this year's series took place last month at Erlestoke, near Salisbury Plain. The downhill race was attended by a liberal smattering of local riders including Fat "Ed8" (aka Edwards Speight) and a guest appearance by "The Raggedy Man" (aka Mark Cornick). The course was good and steep and everyone had a good time.

Results: Youth senior: Tubby Reynolds 15th 1 minute 54 seconds, Mark Cornick (riding for sponsors "Identit") 1st 1 minute 31 seconds; Master Veteran: Ed Speight 33rd 2 minutes 2 seconds, Arthur Westlake eighth 1 minute 59 seconds; Hardtail: Tom Moore fourth 1 minute 55 seconds, Christian Flux 13th 2 minutes 9 seconds.

The cross country race was also attended by some locals; Simon ("The Chin") Crumbleholme came 20th in the Pro-Elite race, the winner of whom was completing a 5.2 mile off road lap in 16 minutes (yipes!)

Another rider who has been missing in action for some years came sixth in the Masters race - Alison Wall - nice to see her back in the saddle again! Lastly Helen Hall was seventh in the same race. Altogether a good couple of days' racing.

To finish, a small tip from a racer's heart: "Always wear a helmet. Arms and legs will come and go but heads will always roll."

Enjoy your cycling . . .