At Love Not Money we’re very lucky to work with some great companies who offer products that we chose to use, rather than have to. One such cool bit of kit comes from O’Neal in the form of shoes designed for use with flat pedals; the really rather awesome Stinger

Designed specifically to be used with flat pedals, the Stinger is stiffer and more durable than the Rampgae shoe, which can be used with flats but is more suited to looking stylish after the racing is done. This extra stiffness means there’s excellent power transfer, not up there with being clipped in, but effective nonetheless. They aren’t too bulky either, meaning they’re comfy off the bike.

The best feature about the shoes is there Honey Rubber sole. We have no idea why it’s called that (not bothering to read blurb) but it’s much more than the honeycomb pattern. They don’t smell like honey (we sniffed) we don’t think they taste like honey (we stopped short of the lick test) but they stick like it. The bees knees for sure. No worries about slipping pedals with the Stinger shoes, they give you the confidence to put the power down with the added boost of still being on flats.

Highly recommended.

To find out more and check where you can get your feet in some, contact the folks at Fli Distribution; 0161 304 8555

Having our own website and social media presence allows Love Not Money to  spread the word about things we consider important and worthwhile causes. We’ve chosen to support and promote The Rider Down Trust because we believe the work they do is vital and something that could benefit all cyclists.

here’s what they do, best explained by the folks at the Trust themselves;

The Rider Down Trust is a small charitable organisation founded in 2011 following an incident at a National 4X Race where Scott Shepherd had a serious crash and received traumatic brain injuries from which he will be recovering for the rest of his life.

As Scott’s family we found it very difficult to get the help we needed at the right time and place, and wanted to help others in a situation like ours, offering support and information to individuals and their families.

The Trust aims to offer support to cyclists and their families who have experienced a traumatic brain injury through the sport. The help we offer is through a number of avenues as follows;

• To promote and protect the physical and mental health of sufferers of traumatic brain injuries in the UK through the provision of financial assistance, support, education and practical advice
• To assist in the treatment and care of persons suffering from mental or physical illness sustained following traumatic brain injuries and in need of rehabilitation as a result of such illness, by the provision of facilities for work and recreation.
• The promotion of social inclusion among severely brain damaged patients who are excluded from society because they are house-bound, or who are unable to drive or easily access public transport, by the provision of:

helping to organise respite breaks to get the patient out of their regular environment and enhance their rehabilitation, and

creating opportunities for patients to access specialised cycle equipment.

• The relief of financial hardship for individuals following traumatic brain injuries to the individual and/or their immediate family by providing such persons in the form of a grant to assist;

in travel and accommodation for the persons immediate family, specifically mother, father, spouse or civil partner.

paying general expenses for the person when he or she is not earning due to the need to stay in hospital for a period of 14 days or more.

• To relieve financial hardship and sickness among persons who are caring for or nursing a person with a traumatic brain injury in any place other than an Institution or Nursing Home as defined by the National Assistance Act 1948 and Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons
  Act 1970.
• To advance the education and awareness of under 18’s in the East Midlands Region relating to personal safety whilst cycling.

We aim to do this through fundraising and raising awareness and will be working very closely with a number of organisations in order to maximise the potential of the Trust and ensure we can reach out to as many individuals as possible.

For more information
you can contact the team at info@riderdown.co.uk
or visit our website www.riderdown.co.uk

The 2012 Schwalbe British 4x Series started in the sunshine at Leamington Spa, with such stars as 2010 Elite World Champion Thomas Slavik and DH ace Manon Carpenter in action.

Love Not Money riders were competing in several classes, with the 2012 season marking our first entry into the sport.

The Leamington track is an old BMX facility so suited riders from that background. With Saturday taken up by open practice, there was plenty of time for old hands and newcomers alike to get some quality runs in on the track with the famously relaxed 4x atmosphere meaning it seemed more like a fun day on bikes rather than essential practice.

It all helped though as come Sunday the action was intense! Slavik and fellow Elites Scott Beaumont, Lewis Lacey and Nathan Parsons all made the track look deceptively easy and Charlie Green had a great battle with Manon in the Elite Women’s class, with each showing skill from their respective main disciplines (BMX  & DH)

Martin Dorn was in action in Seniors and was riding well until a crash that left him with a handlebar to the stomach blunted his attack for the day. Shay Casey was in the thick of the action in the Juvenile class but a mechanical issue meant the first moto was his lot for the day! Rooster was riding with a back injury in Masters but made it round (albeit at the back!) to complete a quiet but positive entry into 4x racing for the team.

With a fantastic atmosphere at the event the weekend was enjoyable on and off the track. The series moves on to the fast PORC track on April 29th

Rennen Design Group are supporting the Love Not Money team by supplying us with their precision made chainrings, each one expertly crafted in the USA. Rennen is a rider owned company, dedicated to producing top quality BMX race equipment.

BMX race bikes are some of the simplest cycles out there, with one brake, one gear and no suspension, but what componentry there is must be up to scratch as BMX racing is also incredibly an demanding discipline. The Redline Flight frames the Love Not Money team uses are engineered to perfection to withstand the rigours of racing and this is the attention to detail Rennen devote to their chainrings; each one CNC machined to the tightest tolerances to create strong, lightweight and durable rings that work perfectly.

Rennen’s support allows LNM riders to adjust their gearing to suit different tracks, as well as expressing their taste with differnet colours available.

For more information on Rennen and to order, please visit

www.rennendesigngroup.com

or follow Rennen on Twitter

@RennenDesign

Love Not Money – RSD Sports featured in the latest issue of Evans Cycles magazine Ride It! as well as in an edit by the cycle retailer about getting into the sport of BMX racing. Joe Davenport was the interviewee for the edit with his picture and some of team-mate Josh Nicholas’s words featured in the magazine.

Both riders are also staff members at the NCC branch of Evans Cycles (follow the store on Twitter – @EvansCycles_NCC), which stocks a comprehensive range of Redline race BMXs and O’Neal racewear, both brands are main sponsors of LNM.

Joe was in front of the camera on Sunday too, captured by photographer Steve Beattie in his 25-29 A Final, entertaining the crowds with a sweet x-up;

The third round of the BMX National Series is in the books with numbers down on the previous round but the action was as hot as the sun beating down outside.

With Cruisers kicking things off again on Saturday, followed by SX in the evening and the 20″ schedule on Sunday there was plenty to keep the Love Not Money – RSD Sports team riders occupied over the weekend.

Day one saw our boys on the big rigs all reach A Finals; Scott Dominguez racked up a 2nd in 13-14′s, Chris Potter finished 4th in 17-29, Mark Ferguson matched that with 4th in 30-34, his best ever Nationals result and Damian Mead rounded out a great day of 24″ action with 7th in 35-39. Chris also got in the mix in the Supercross racing and made it to the quarter finals, an excellent day’s work!

Sunday was a very early start as the clocks went forward, but despite the uncivilised hour the Love Not Money riders were bright eyed and bushy tailed and got stuck into the racing. Harry Ives was first up and was in mid pack in his motos but his 5th place in the semi saw him have to settle for a B Final place, where he finished 2nd.

Fin Mead was in fine form in 11′s, with wins in his first two motos. He chilled out in his 3rd and was disappointed to finish 5th… That’s some competitive streak he has… 2nd in his semi netted an A Final place and a fine 7th spot. Fin also managed to add to dad Damian’s stress levels by thinking he’d left his phone at their hotel… after much phoning of the hotel and searching, Fin remembered he’d put it in his kit bag…

Shay Casey had a day to be proud of, with a 1-1-1 through motos, 1st in his quarter and 2nd in the semi. Come final time he battled winner Euan Hunt to the line but had to settle for 2nd.

Shay battling World #4 Ross Cullen

Scott Dominguez was in the thinck of it on 20″ in 14′s and came away with 4th place for his efforts. Style for days and a big hit with the ladies.

16′s saw both Matt Saunders and Mike Njuguna in action, with both making the semi after looking good in motos (Mike with 2-2-2 and Matt with 4-4-3)  Mike made it through and went on to take 4th in the main, whilst Matt had to settle for 6th in the B.

17-24 has been the largest class of the series so far and despite an overall dip in rider numbers still attracted 37 riders for round 3. Shane Dean and Josh “Peeebz” Nicholas both made the quarters, with Peeebz pulling off berm moves in his motos that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a pro main, but neither could advance beyond that stage. Chris Potter didn’t make it out of the semi and added a 7th in the B to his weekend tally of results. Shaun Issitt took time off from his main career as official provider of SchweepStake services to the BMX Community to make it to the A Final where he was gutted to finish “only” 6th. Apparently he’s 23 but is in his 20th year of racing. Investigations haven’t been able to confirm whether he started very young or is actually a remarkably well preserved 33 year old.

Ross Gill was looking to repeat his round 2 performance of making the Main in 25-29 but was the unlucky 9th man and didn’t make the cut. Joe Davenport made it through to represent Love Not Money in the A Final and experienced some bad luck of his own unclipping whilst avoiding other riders but entertaining the crowd with a beautifully executed x-up on the 2nd straight once it was clear he couldn’t get back into contention. 7th place for Joey D on the day.

With Dave Ives forced to miss his first National race in a decade due to work committments, that wrapped it up for the LNM team in round 3. Overall the Love Not Money – RSD Sports team has moved up a place to 9th with some strong positions for several riders as we enter the oudoor part of the season; Harry lies 8th in 7′s, Fin is 7th in 11′s, Shay is an excellent 2nd in 12′s, Scott is 6th in 14′s and leads 13-14 Cruiser, Mike is 2nd in 16′s, Shaun is 6th in 17-24, Ross lies 7th and Joe 8th in 25-29, Chris is 5th in 17-29 Cruiser, Ferg is 4th in 30-34 and Damian is 8th in 35-39!

Thank you to the riders for thir effort, friends and family for the support and of course our sponsors without whom this wouldn’t be possible; RSD Sports, Redline, O’Neal, Evans Cycles, Rennen, Lizard Skins, Pedro’s and Honey Stinger.

Thanks to Rob Dean for the excellent pictures in this report (and to Tom Jeffries for the pic of Scott on Cruiser)

The National Indoor BMX Centre in Manchester hosts race action again this weekend as round 3 of the British BMX Series hits town.

World’s qualification may be done and dusted, but there are still precious points at stake for overall titles and racers are more familiar with the track after two previous rounds held there so the action should be intense.

Love Not Money are currently 10th in the team standings after some fantastic performances so far this season and riders are all looking forward to more bar to bar battling before the series heads outdoors in April.

Love Not Money’s Martin Dorn gives us a great preview of the British 4x Series;

With the first round of the British 4x Series fast approaching it’s finally time for us big wheelers to smash some elbows and go racing.

Many who frequent this site are all about the BMX so I thought as part of the new 4x team I’d give a bit of a round up of the venues we shall be racing at and bit of an insight into the UK 4x circuit.

Round 1 Leamington Spa, April 1st

So up first is the RLS4x run track in Leamington Spa. Here we have a nice steady  start to the season on a track that has been improved year on year from its humble beginnings as a local BMX track. It’s still BMX in style with a first straight that can get a little tight and tech when up to speed then with a long fast first turn that opens out into a flat out relatively short track to make for good quick race action.

Last year’s season opener at Leamington;

http://vimeo.com/petenewman/british4x-2011-rd1

 Round 2 PORC, April 29^th

Next up we travel down to Kent, to ever growing PORC (Penshurst Off Road Club) Set in the stunning Kent countryside with a big clubhouse and plenty to ride from 4x to DH to DJ. It’s a track of 2 halves with the top of the track gating nearly straight into a tight left hander then opens out right into the longest straight of any of the tracks in the series, a high speed straight with decent sized jumps which then turns and drops into a tight set of berms and jumps with a small road gap near the finish.

http://vimeo.com/petenewman/british4x-2011-rd2

I personally didn’t race here last year but I was floored by what happened once I’d heard. I won’t go into it but many of you will have heard the name Scott Shepherd and seen the Rider Down Trust representing at races and around the internet. I won’t go into the accident but I ask that you take look into the trust (http://scottshepherd-riderdown.weebly.com/the-rider-down-trust.html) as they have set up to support something that will hit home to all the cycling community.

Round 3 Redhill Extreme, June 24^th (dates may change)

Right, to one of the big weekends of the series. It’s always a popular round in the Gloucester countryside, the whole weekend here usually has a party atmosphere with a great local pub and late night walks back through the Maize maze a must.  The track is always a popular choice with its back to back tight 180 degree berms at the end of the first straight and most of the track being blindingly fast with awesomely built jumps the weekend is as much about enjoying just riding the track as it is about the racing. Although, beware! Lethal when wet! Haha.

http://vimeo.com/29343569

Round 4 and British Championships Bridgnorth, 14^th & 15^th July

Now for a welcome return for an old classic at the Edge Extreme facility near Bridgnorth. This is a fast, wide open track with big open turns where fortune favours the brave (and those who like to drift). This track hasn’t featured since 2009 but will be a welcome return with a couple of changes  and a bit of a touch up.

Helmet cam from the last 4x round at the venue.

http://vimeo.com/5084678

Rounds 5 & 6 South West Extreme, 11^th & 12^th August

Next is a big favourite of mine, the doubleheader at South West Extreme on North Devon coast, 5min drive from the beach at Westward Ho! (yes with the !). Similar to Bridgnorth in being fast and wide open but has evolved into a stunner of a track to ride and race on with big open turns again, a rock garden and a big pro line in the mix. With hot showers, a “total wipe-out” style assault course and being so close to the beach what’s not to love.

http://vimeo.com/28660202

Round 7 & Euro rd4 Afan , 15^th & 16^th September

Last but by no means least Afan at Bryn Bettws. The biggest and best track on the circuit with its rough loose surface, berms, flat out flat turns, loop round over/under a bridge, loooong rock garden and big pro line it has it all. With the Euro 4x series in town for the 4^th round it will be a weekend of big names and big racing. Being the last round a lot of big moves and close racing with final points to be made up for the overall.

http://vimeo.com/petenewman/british4x-2011-rd3

So there you have it, a quick look into what’s happening on the UK 4x circuit this year. Make sure you get down to check out a race and see the action maybe even get in on it.

For all you need to know check out http://www.british4x.com/

Here’s a link to a great feature on the Speedway Pro blog of LNM supported rider Andy Angell’s win this weekend;

Speedwayprointerview

We’ll be keeping up to date with Andy’s progress this season on his site and the excellent Speedway Pro blog, we’re as delighted as he is that it’s already started well!

Love Not Money support racers across a range of two wheeled disciplines, some use engines, some don’t, some race solo, others head to head but what matters is they’re united by the thrill of competition; the determination to succeed, to meet challenges head on and give their all to overcome them. From MX to BMX we’ve got riders dreaming big and working hard.

The newest rider we support is no stranger to hard work, he’s often in the gym training to meet the tough demands of his particular type of racing; cycle speedway.

Andy Angell is a British Individual Champion in the sport and we’re pleased to be backing him as he looks to keep performing at his best. Cycle Speedway is fast and requires fearless riders who aren’t afraid of a little contact. It has similarities with other disciplines close to our hearts at LNM with simple, single geared bikes being raced head to head, although a speedway machine has no brakes!

Andy is sponsored by NRG Fuel and Kingston Cycles

We’ll put reports on Andy’s progress on here but you can also follow him on his site;

www.andyangellracing.webs.com