Well today was the 2nd of my three days of riding. Woke up early and left on time (a first for this family). It had rained overnight and there were shower as we drove to the Purbeck’s but there was no sign of the strong gusty winds that had been forecast. We arrived at the Banks Arms Studland just after 8:40am.

Primera (the LBS running the event) had set up shop under a large Marquee next to the pub (was to be very handy later in the day). Sun, Marin, Whyte, Cannondale and Specailized were represented with around 28 bikes in total to test ride. Once the formalities of signing disclaimer and fitting pedals was done we were ready for the off, this is where my problems started.

I had chosen to test a Whyte 120XT, this is a full carbon frame, 120mm travel, full suspension bike. This was to be my first ride on a full suspension bike.

With two lads from the shop acting as guide and chaperone for us (there was easily in excess of £15000 worth of bikes we were riding) and 6 riders we set off at a brisk pace determined to put these bikes through their paces, unfortunately unless it is downhill and the wind behind me I am not a fast rider. In short within the first 2 miles my legs had expired and I was well off the back of the pack although they did wait for me at each gate. I was given the option to take a slightly easier route over a hill which I took so me and one of the shop lads headed off one way and the rest went the other way. Well the hill was not steep just long and drawn out with much of it covered in sandy soil and I have to say that I walked the bike for a fair bit of it. Eventually we reached the top and rejoined the rest of riders, I tried to apologise for my slowness (I felt like an unfit pratt) but everybody waved it off so I shut up.

We were soon heading off down hill, now I have never ridden on the Purbecks so knew nothing of what the track held for me. So it was with blind faith in the bike that I was throwing myself down this narrow single trail at speed as though I knew every twist, turn and root on the trail. It goes without saying something was going to happen, fortunately it was only minor, I clipped one of the ruts which threw the handle bars into a gorse bush and I managed to whack the middle finger on my left hand on the bush. Think I must have bruised it because it don’t have hurt. Finally as I got to the bottom of the hill I had a muddy puddle to negotiate, as I went through the mud it pulled the front wheel to the left and as the bike veered to the left I lost my balance and parted company with the bike, now I really felt like a prat. I remounted and we our way back to the pub.

When I got back to the pub I realised that I had not thought about the bike as I was riding, it dawned on me that I had missed the saddle hammering my butt over the bumpy stuff. I realised that I knew very little about the bikes capabilities and yet I was happy to throw it down the narrow single track not knowing what was in front of me and I did not know if or how the bike would handle it. When I was riding some of the more technical bits it coped very well. I think the fact that it handled everything that I threw (literally) at it, seem to show that it is a very capable bike.

I had intended to have another couple of rides on some of the other bikes but due to the results of my first ride I decided that this would not be a good idea. I felt pretty peeved of with this but I knew I had not really tested the bike on my first ride as I had spent most of my time trying to keep up, another ride would of only been the same. I think had I done the route on my bike I would not of been any faster but I would of ridden more of it.

By now the weather had closed in and the forecast wind and rained had made an appearance, so I decided it was the ideal time to leave. As I said my goodbyes Alex (Primera boss) offered me the chance to take a bike on a days test which hopefully I will do later in the year.

Below are a few pictures before we left and the Marquee that was being used.

Primera new shop at the Banks Arms

Some of the bikes available to test

Not only bikes on test

Me getting familiar with my steed

Group shot just before the off