Reflections of 2006
Joolze Dymond's Chooses Her Favourite Photos
When I was asked to select 10 or 20 of my favourite pictures from the 2006 season, I realised it wasn't going to be an easy task, with thousands of photos to choose from, each one having its own story, characters and punch line and each race, its own set of photographs that all seem to help capture that essence of the event that make people want to do them..
Anyway, having scoured my entire back catalogue of last year, which is no mean feat, I somehow managed to narrow the selection down to 61 - then with a heavy heart down to a further 46 (full gallery above). So this is just a "snapshot" of the many races I attended, where battles were fought, victories gained, by all types of riders, in all types of weather.
Picture 1: A reminder of probably the best day I have spent at Fort William. Taken at the 5th round of the DH NPS. The weather was just perfect, a low winter sun, together with the gathering storm clouds, made ideal lighting for this picture. The next day it was back to rain?
Picture 2: Taken at Dalby Forest at the SIMBA race series, which unfortunately is no more. As I drove to the race venue, there was little sign of snow - that was until I arrived at the venue itself, where piles of the stuff greeted me! It made the race very difficult, for the riders but none the less there was a healthy turn out all keen to get their hands on a slice of apple pie. I loved the challenge of capturing the action in the snow, coupled with a bright sunny day, cold but worth it! This photo just sums up the spirit on the day as the 3 youth riders desperately try to get to the finish, just seconds separate them.
Picture 3: The 3rd round of the Trek Marathon series was held in the dramatic grounds of Drumlanrig Castle, Scotland. It rained a bit making the going that much harder. This picture is of eventual winner Nick Craig (yes it is him under all the mud!) making his way round the testing course having a good old battle with Robin Seymour (just out of the picture). I love this picture, it brings a smile to my face when I see it, not only because of the contrast between Nick and his surroundings, it as almost as if he's riding through Jurassic Park, all we need now is some dinosaurs - but also the memories attached to the event. This was one where I was proposed to by a competitor (the things people do to take their minds off the pain!) and Nick at the end was so funny, even if he didn't mean to be. It's the only time I haven't managed to get a word out of him, well except for a few I can't print here!
Picture 4: Another cracking event, this time it's the National Marathon Championships held at Newnham Park, Plymouth. With 4 cold river crossings to tackle on each lap, some much deeper than others, it was a perfect place to set up camp and watch the riders tackle the water. With so many great shots from that day to choose from, I selected this, Jenny Copnall, with sheer concentration etched on her face, she eventually went on to take her first ever marathon title.
Picture 5: Taken at Sleepless in The Saddle, it just sums up the whole event. 24hr racing off road, when it rains isn't easy, especially when it's nearing the end of the race and you're very tired and your bike takes on the persona of a small unridable tank. It's not always this bad honest!
Picture 6: Again taken at Sleepless, but in complete contrast to the previous photo. As the race begins hopes are high, everyone charging around the field on the first lap without bikes, running into the crowd lined arena to start the race proper. As you can see there is somewhat of a pantomime theme in some cases?
Picture 7: Solo rider takes a break. This is from 24/12. The new enduro kid on the block. This photo for me just sums up the whole 24hr solo-racing thing. As the race goes on around him, he's taken some time out for a cuppa, probably wondering why he's doing this!
Picture 8: This for me sums up the National XC champs. The face etched in pain and effort as the rider struggles to get to the top of an almost impossible climb, in hot, dusty conditions. A great day, where all riders were champions in their own rights, they went up a hill and came down a mountain!
Picture 9: Mountain Mayhem, the calm before the storm. Hundreds of riders are out of sight running to the arena for the start of the 9th Mayhem. I just love the calmness of the commissaire, standing in the middle of a sea of bikes just waiting for their owners and the action to begin.
Picture 10: My favourite shot from the NPS at Margam Park. Looking down towards the tent village where the race started and ends. An awesome day, with loads of great action.
Picture 11: Jody Crawforth. Another personal favourite of mine, taken at the last round of the CX National Trophy Series in Derby. A low winter sun, perfectly silhouettes the rider, towards the closing stages of the race, which is Jody, desperately trying to keep in contention to take the overall points jersey. Unfortunately he lost out that day to Phil Dixon.
As I said I could give a story behind each and everyone of the photographs in this album. It's been interesting looking through my back catalogue, stirring memories of events, places and people. That's the great thing about photography it enables you to capture a moment in time, that you can recall in an instant the second you see the picture.
Many thanks to the thousands of riders who have allowed me to capture their 'moments', without your passion for the sport, it would not be worthwhile.
See you in a muddy field somewhere soon!
