Well, I didn't put much hope into doing anything this weekend, with the near death experience on Thursday, the massive amount of money for the new transmission in the van, and the fact that I'm on weekend standby for work, but, it seems, life isn't all bad!



There's a massive bike show going on in Birmingham called the National Bike Show (www.nationalbikeshow.com) that's showcasing the latest and greatest in bike tech! It's HUGE! Not only can you check out the newest bike gear, clothing, and components, you can hang out and watch the SICKEST of comps!



Check out my friends from Identiti Bikes, Tom Dowie and Pat Campbell-Jenner and Tom Gethen from Flow Bicycles go head to head in the dirt jump comp! WHAT! You have no idea what they'll pull out!



I've been invited to compete in the 4X Pro Snap comp. 4X racers go head to head to see who's the fastest out of the gate for 500.00 Pounds and braggin' rights! Confirmed so far is the Mighty Mighty Dave Garland from Standec Racing and the Legendary Paddy Baker from Dialled Bikes and many many more I'm sure!



Tons of media coverage from MBUK Magazine, Dirt, Cycling weekly, DIGBMXMAGAZINE, Mountain Bike Magazine, Extreme Network, channel iTV4,  Blue Torch and so many more!



Thanks for your support!



Bob to the Burnes

It's funny what you'll think about when you're looking into the eyes of a child.

I tried to remain calm and collected. I told them I was OK and I was just letting the doctors give me more medicine.



Respiratory distress: Check.



The blood pressure machine was sounding off like a pin ball machine. It couldn't read a blood pressure even though the sleeve was on and secure. I started to fade out, but I forced my brain to stay together. I had to hold it together.



Hypotension: Check.



I couldn't fall unconscious in front of the three children in the waiting room, but I was quickly losing the battle. I couldn't leave Kim and the boys here in England. I had promises to keep in California. Not today. Not like this. I've got races to ride.



Fainting: Not yet, but very much on the verge. The doctors know this. They brought the crash cart in and start prepping an area on my arm for an IV.



I forced the muscles in my face to smile despite the overwhelming feeling I had to throw up and pass out. The EMT helping the nurses and doctors was getting flustered. I touched her hand and told her to take a breath. It'll be fine. She jokes, "Can't be too bad. You've still got a sense of humor." The doctors suspect I know better and they start lining up shots and medication in my lap and on the table next to me. One doctor sticks three shots in my arm and says something I can't hear. I'm fading.



Urticaria: Check…but not on the outside. In my mouth, the doctors suspect in my lungs as well. I'm choking.



"He's going to pass out." One doctor says, but I won't. I can't. So I don't.



Flushed Appearance: Check.



Angioedema: Check.



Tears: Negative. I don't want to scare the kids. I hold back everything.



Vomiting: Negative, but I don't throw up for anybody or anything. Take a hike vomit.



Whoa. The world went black for just a second. The first shot of epinephrine takes effect. My heart starts to beat. My blood pressure finally registers.



Anxiety, itching, and abdominal pain: Check.



I will not die in a hospital room in England. I will not go out like this. Not today. I will not leave Kim and the boys. I cannot leave Kim and the boys. There's so much to do. Promises…I've made promises. I'm very tired.



I can see one doctor getting the crash cart ready. They've got tape on my neck, arms, and an IV ready now. There's a little blonde hair girl in the waiting room who can see me. She's staring at me and looks scared. I wave to her and she smiles a bit, but I still think she's nervous. Her dad holds her close, but doesn't make her look away.



The doctors draw the curtain. More doctors arrive.



The second shot of epinephrine hits me. My heart leaps out of my chest and I'm coming around. I don't feel as faint, but I know have this overwhelming sensation that I need to go for a run. I'm feeling a little better and that cactus somebody snuck in my mouth and lungs is removed. I can breathe now.



People start relaxing.



I can't.



My blood pressure reads 210/110 and my heart rate is slamming along at 198 beats per minute. Apparently, I've ditched the jog and decided to sprint for a mile.



The move the curtain and doctors start double checking my mouth, my shot mark, heart rate. I'm like a new toy in a room fool of toddlers; lots of grabbing, moving me this way and that, words I don't understand, but I'm completely aware now. In fact, I'm more than aware. If I sit still I swear I can hear everybody in the room breathing. I mentally am aware of my own body and how it's reacting now and I'm not anxious anymore. The itchy subsides and my face doesn't feel hot anymore.



The emergency is over. The help me into the waiting area with the other patients. I'm very aware and awake now, but they say it'll pass and I'll be back to normal in the hour.



Three hours I'd be back. The doctors are less in a hurry this time. My reaction is more mild this time, but they still load me full of meds again. I'm sore. I've got needle marks all over my right tri-cep.



My blood pressure dropped again. 110 is the top number. I could see it, but another shot of epinephrine sends it raging over 170.



In 30 minutes I was back again, just in time to have Kim and Tyler join me as the doctor is training me on how to use the epi-pen just in case this happens again today.



I'll go out in a hopeless gun fight, in a hail of bullets, defending myself and fellow people from hell-bent bank-robbers. I'll get taken out by a ninja in some dark corner of the world while working to extinguish terrorist in their own home. I'll even accept being taken down by a chunk of melting cheese on a Poppa John Pizza, but I will not submit to a vile of grass pollen in England.

It's moments like these that make me so appreciative of my family, the fact that I can even ride a bike, and how lucky I am to have sponsors, a family, and friends who support my dreams.

If someone where to ask what sets me apart from my fellow racers it's got to be that. I'm thankful. I'm just happy to be around and be given the humble opportunity to race a bike, like I was a kid again, pedaling and smiling, happy to be here in the moment.



I go back next Thursday for some more. Grass pollen, I'll see you next Thursday. You'll recognize me right away. I'll be the one holding your arse. I'll be sure to hand it back to you the next we meet, fool.

It's a brandnew track and I haven't heard a single word about it's design, the dirt, or the venue area. The Edge is an outdoor park in England located near Wales, about two hours west of where I live.

Rumor has it, it'll be a track to rival the best of 4X tracks in the UK, inlcuding the likes of Ft. William and Chicksands, but only time will see.  

Since the track isn't available to practice on, I've been practicing in my parking lot; sprinting on my Yeti, getting my shifting dialled; what's a gear feel like when it's wrapped out and getting used to the feeling of the Saint shifter.

 I'm continuing the MTB Strength Training System program and I'm feeling stronger and more limber than I have in years.

I've about a month and 1/2 before Round Two of the SX series and Round Three of the NPS. I plan on using this time wisely.

The van should be fixed in the next two weeks and though it will most likely cost us just about everything we have (money wise-thanks to the British pound being worth two US Dollars, everything cost me twice as much as it would in the States!), my wife's smart budgeting has left me with enough in my alotted cash to get some much needed bike maintenance things like grease, oils, and a pair of new Intense Tires (The new DH EX-DC Lite!). It's good to have somebody with her mind for money on your side.

Hopefully, in the next two weeks, I'll be able to post some new pics ot England's latest 4X track.

Thank you for your support!

Bob Burnes

I was on my way to the nationals at Chicksands today. Family in tow, van filled, plenty of happy times ahead when something not so cool happened.

We were co-cruisin' the highway at about 70 mph when the tach rev'd up to about 5,000 rpms. Weird. I took my foot off the gas then re-applied some gas just to see the tach rev up and down the rpm range, but the van moved no faster.

All of a sudden, the van kicked down to second gear and hung there, drastically dropping our speed.

In England there are almost no shoulders on the roads. They have what they call, "Layby's," and we happened to be about 100 yards from one and it happened to be about 1 mile from a store that I'd need to go to get a phone number for road side assistance.

Just as I pulled into the layby, the tranny quit all together. Couldn't go forward, couldn't go backward.

I pulled my bike out of the back of the van and rode to the near by store, leaving my wife, my 7 year old son, and my 11 month old son at the van. It was sunny, just warm enough, and my wife, being the planner she is, packed tons of food and water for us, so they were warm, safe, and good on food and drink.

As for me...well, riding along a highway in England is an experience when you're on a bike. I hauled the 1 mile to the store, got a phone number to a tow agency, had to become a member of said tow agency, rode back to the van, entertained two very active kids for three hours, flagged down tow guy, then we finally arrived back home at about 2:30pm. And all that tow cost me, for the 22 miles back home, was 400 bucks...and that was cheap with the membership. Other tow agencies wanted about 600. bucks for the 20 minute trip.

I've been training a long time to for this race. I've put in some serious hours, blood, sweat, and some tears to dial my bike, my body, and my mind to win this one...only to be 19 miles short, blow a transmission, and be out 400 bucks.

Some days are worth a do-over, man. I'm very disappointed I didn't make it to the race, but the important thing is my family is safe and back home.

May 19th is the next Super-Cross race and the 20th is the next Nationals at a track that has yet to be built. I'll get this transmission fixed up right, and I'll be at that one for sure.

Thanks for your support!

Bob