The journey from small guy to teenager...

[weeksy]

I like solo riding as it hides all my embarrassing gaffes from my mates (if yesterday's epic ineptitude was anything to go by).

I think he just likes to focus on what he's concentrating on that particular day, be it line choice, braking points, speed, body position, feet, etc... So anything that detracts from that isn't helping him. My only concern with that is that you are only pushing against what you think is fast then, whereas if riding with someone fast, you can potentially push harder than that due to trying to keep up etc.

[MingtheMerciless]

I don't know about you but I get stuck on things like line choice, its like, "try a new line" ,"try a new line" running through my head as I'm approaching the bit I want too do different and then......body memory/ride memory kicks in and I ride the same bloody line I always do.

[weeksy]

I don't know about you but I get stuck on things like line choice, its like, "try a new line" ,"try a new line" running through my head as I'm approaching the bit I want too do different and then......body memory/ride memory kicks in and I ride the same bloody line I always do.

I go slow enough that i have loads of time to try

Mostly its a lack of skill though as the tough lines are harder to reach

[weeksy]

In my happy space this evening.

We had a bit of an internal debate which ended up with me buying 55mm Chainline cranks for my Fuel.
Then tonight the boy got back from riding and complaining about his bottom bracket.
So I thought i'd order the same cranks for him along with a BB

I then decided it'd be a good plan to strip his bike to bits

20260305_195028 by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

[weeksy]

Good and bad weekend for the boy really. Sat went well with him running a coaching session for the female academy at FoD for Katy. He was given more responsibility for this one than usual as she's trying to get him fully up to speed with it all. Apparently he did well and enjoyed it.

Sat night it all started unravelling though as him and Mrs Weeksy were at a Premier Inn which was ropey and crappy food (even for a Premier Inn). Then breakfast they couldn't even get a table.. So it was then off to BPW in the morning after a Greggs breakfast. I was at home (well i was out riding actually) as it was Mothers day.
He reported an issue with "bike is making weird noises" near the end of his day at Dyfi last weekend. I gave the bike a full strip and check after and it felt all good with no play. I did notice a 'clunk' when bouncing on it but thought that was my weight compared to his and bottoming it out. But apparently that was the issue.

He tried to swap for the spare Vivid shock we have but due to a small spacer issue that didn't work out... So he ended up at FoD after bailing on BPW as not only did he not have the bike, but the track he's racing on on Wed was closed in preparation for the race day. But it was also lashing with rain...

He ended up really enjoying FoD though so wasn't a complete disaster

[weeksy]

This week is arguably the biggest week of the boys life though currently.

First up, the entry process for the World Cup GB jerseys closed last night. We were informed we'd find out the results "shortly after".... How shortly, we have no clue lol. That will essentially decide a massive chunk of 2026 for him/us and where we do or don't end up this summer. It may not completely define his racing, but to a huge extent, it kinda will do.
Next part of that is his Sports Science A level/C&G qualification results, he gets those on 19th and should decide if he gets a distinction or distinction+ for his overall.
Weds is BikeParkWales with the Pro teams on Weds, putting himself and the Atherton A200 against the clock and the big boys. The bike park is closed to the public, so it's only invited riders who get to race. He wanted to practice the track at the weekend but it was closed for refurb. But again, it's the sort of day where it's not only a fun day out for him (and us) but is a real test and a chance to build relationships within the paddock.

It's going to be an interesting one.

[weeksy]

Epic from TFTuned... They're really a top top bunch down there.

Emailed them yesterday with "shock is broken, need it for Weds"..

"bring it over tomorrow, we'll sort it".

Bloody awesome as always, they're super efficient.

[crust]

Every finger crossed for team Weeks, hopefully momentous times ahead.

[weeksy]

Every finger crossed for team Weeks, hopefully momentous times ahead.

It's going to be a heck of a year anyway... it's just a question of whether it's a HECK of a year

[weeksy]

Hugely interesting day over at TFTuned. Greg quickly found that the reason of the clunk was the damper which had come loose from the shaft, So the shim stack and damper piston was hanging off. One of the main seals was destroyed, likely be heat and over-use, so we're in discussions on how we can get it serviced more often to resolve that.
There's a couple of other debates going on with changing of the shim stack to change the rebound, this is because we're sitting at -17 click (out of 19) and the rebound scale is a curve, but flattens out at the end, therefore to give more support and a better rebound the answer is to firm up the rebound shim stack a little accordingly.
So tomorrow he'll do a run or 2 on the shock that's installed now and a run or 2 on the newly rebuilt shock and see which is his preference. Then it'll be race speed runs to test his thoughts.

They be wizards and witchcraft over here in TFTuned that's for sure.

[weeksy]

It's a funny (not funny actually) world. Today we got the Email from British Cycling and the boy is Reserve for 2026.

Why's it funny... well this time last year when he got the reserve it was cause for celebration and a night out, this time there's a massive sense of disappointment with it... Which is funny because the fact it's a VERY short list of people out of quite a lot in the country who'd LOVE to be on that list, it shows we've done something right. But it's hugely tinged with a sense of disappointment that he's not primary.

I think he's as disappointed as me in honesty. But not a lot we can do other than go and beat everyone this year and get the 2nd allocation of jerseys in August. (Or get a ride from someone not attending a race before then).

[Nordboy]

It's a funny (not funny actually) world. Today we got the Email from British Cycling and the boy is Reserve for 2026.

Why's it funny... well this time last year when he got the reserve it was cause for celebration and a night out, this time there's a massive sense of disappointment with it... Which is funny because the fact it's a VERY short list of people out of quite a lot in the country who'd LOVE to be on that list, it shows we've done something right. But it's hugely tinged with a sense of disappointment that he's not primary.

I think he's as disappointed as me in honesty. But not a lot we can do other than go and beat everyone this year and get the 2nd allocation of jerseys in August. (Or get a ride from someone not attending a race before then).

That's good that he's disappointed though? It's a tough world and he'll hopefully raise his game, he knows what he's aiming for. If he wasn't disappointed then it would show that he didn't really care.

Personally, it's a great result, he's up there with the best in his group, never know what can come of the back of it? Keep working hard

[weeksy]

It's a funny (not funny actually) world. Today we got the Email from British Cycling and the boy is Reserve for 2026.

Why's it funny... well this time last year when he got the reserve it was cause for celebration and a night out, this time there's a massive sense of disappointment with it... Which is funny because the fact it's a VERY short list of people out of quite a lot in the country who'd LOVE to be on that list, it shows we've done something right. But it's hugely tinged with a sense of disappointment that he's not primary.

I think he's as disappointed as me in honesty. But not a lot we can do other than go and beat everyone this year and get the 2nd allocation of jerseys in August. (Or get a ride from someone not attending a race before then).

That's good that he's disappointed though? It's a tough world and he'll hopefully raise his game, he knows what he's aiming for. If he wasn't disappointed then it would show that he didn't really care.

Personally, it's a great result, he's up there with the best in his group, never know what can come of the back of it? Keep working hard

I hear you completely, but right now it's just a massive ARGGGHHHHHHHHHH of frustration from both of us.

With the current situation in the world and the fact race 1 is in South Korea, we COULD get that ride.... but is that a bright idea considering things.... i don't bloody know.

[Mr Moofo]

No …

[weeksy]

No …

No I know its not a good idea. But that doesn't mean its a terrible one. Its hard because some of these things kind of detract from the actual enjoyment of racing. With all the complexity, pressure etc it should the fun.
Well, until we get to places and then its fun and games again.

Virgin can do 3 direct flights first just under £3000 all in.
That's with us taking both a bike and spare wheels etc as part of our allowance as well. That's not completely insane

All of this actually requires us to get the jersey for SK of course, but as far as we know at least 2 of the allocated riders are not going. So its not exactly impossible

[weeksy]

Fun in the sunshine today at BPW.



The boy has his game face on already

[weeksy]

Just about to head out after lunch for race simulation runs

https://www.sportident.co.uk/results/Bi ... ARace2026/

[Numnut]

It's going pretty well so far!

[weeksy]

It's going pretty well so far!

Yeah he's enjoying it and riding well, its been interesting having the coach analyse his lines and riding and giving him things to think about out there. We'll see what he can put into practice this afternoon

[weeksy]

Well today was great... it was almost not quite great, but his last lap he went from a 3min 03 down to a 2min 58, he'd been stuck on an 03 for 2 laps after coming down from an 04...so to take of 5s on the last run was GREAT.
The how and the why he needs to analyse himself, but he now knows a few things he needs to concentrate on for the next few months in terms of body position, line choices and riding techniques. Days like these are so amazing with his coach as riding is stripped down and ripped apart then rebuilt, as with all kids, he's a sponge and absorbs it, then takes it onboard.

I think he ended up 14th, but that's not the important part.
Screenshot_20260318_154153_Chrome by Steve Weeks, on Flickr

He beat several lads who are FAST, like proper fast, the guy behind him Wyn Masters is a long term World Cup racer for example. As are both LAncett and Haines. They're considered excellent racers, so beating them is a top top performance.
Where we really gauge him though is against his peers. The main one here being Nick Etherton who is on a factory World Cup ride for 2026 and classed as a top GB prospect. At the big races in 2025 i'll be honest, Nick gave the boy a good shoeing ! So to be right on his tail today was excellent from the lad. Nick was for example P12 in the European Champs. He's also obviously being a factory team racer, racing WCs this season with his team.

All in all it was a top top day. The bike was perfect (even though we didn't fit the TFTuned tuned shock) and he had lots of fun out there. As well as mixing it with the Pros.

If you want to think in BSB Terms, he was up against Tommy Bridewell, Shane Byrne, Chris Walker sort of level of racers. The best of the GB Elites were there today and he was far from an embarassment