First lap on the new bike

It can be proven: 5kg less bike weight +1 set of front suspension - 1 month without a lap of the dam = 3 minutes faster

There's no way I could describe this as a smooth lap, I was wobbling and clipping out all over the shop like the amateur I am. At least that means there's room for improvement without having to get fitter

The track certainly doesn't seem in bad condition, dry most of the way around and no nasty bits. I couldn't see much evidence of it being dumbed down but it did seem a lot smoother around the back descent section (of course that may be related to the forks). Looks like a lot of people have been out there already today judging by the tracks (and by the peleton of KOM jerseys coming back from the dam that came streaming past my house this morning)