Racing to the Top – AS1 (T) James Woods’ story 

Downhill racing, a demanding subdiscipline of mountain biking, combines speed, technical skill, determination, and split-second decision-making. For AS1 (T) James Woods, what began as an opportunity through the RAF quickly grew into a passion for competition. 

“I’ve been riding mountain bikes for as long as I can remember. For years it was simply something I enjoyed doing — getting out on the bike, riding trails and pushing myself to go faster and further. I never really imagined that it would eventually become something I would compete in at British national level!  

Things changed around two years ago when an opportunity arose through the RAF to start racing. What began as a chance to try something different quickly became much more serious. I found myself driven to improve, pushing harder with every ride and beginning to see racing not just as a hobby, but as something I could genuinely pursue competitively.  

Downhill racing is a completely different challenge to simply riding a mountain bike. At the top of the hill, the nerves never really go away, and I don’t think it’s something that ever gets easier! You’re about to push yourself to the absolute limit, knowing that things can go wrong incredibly quickly. One mistake, one missed line or one moment of hesitation can be enough to ruin your entire run. That’s what makes it so exhilarating, but also quite scary – you’re going into the unknown, relying on everything you’ve practiced while knowing there’s no opportunity to stop and reset. You must hit your marks all the way down, from the first corner to the finish, while the track itself is constantly changing.  

Every rider ahead of you is tearing up the track, moving rocks, creating holes and changing the lines, so the course you practiced on can be completely different by the time you make your race run. You must adapt as you go, commit to your decisions and trust your instincts, all while travelling at speeds where there is very little room for error.  

It takes a huge amount of determination to put yourself through that process. A race weekend can really test the mental side of the sport. You might face a mechanical issue with only an hour before your race run, and suddenly you’re racing against time to get the bike fixed, make sure your body is properly fuelled, mentally prepared, and ready to get to the top of the hill. There’s no time to let the pressure get to you or question whether you’re ready. You have to deal with whatever is thrown at you and still perform when it matters.  

Over the last two years, that commitment has started to pay off. I recently finished second at the British National Championships, a result I’m incredibly proud of. I’m currently ranked fourth in the UK in my category, and throughout the national series I’ve consistently placed within the top 10. Seeing those results come together has made me realise just how far I’ve come in a relatively short space of time.  

Downhill racing is an expensive sport. Bikes, suspension, wheels, tyres, protective equipment, tools, repairs and travelling to races quickly add up. One mechanical issue can cost a significant amount of money, and keeping a race bike competitive requires constant maintenance. The support I’ve received through the RAF Central Fund has made a massive difference. Annual Individual Sports Grants help to cover equipment costs and without their support, progressing at this level would be much more difficult.  

The RAF gives personnel the opportunity to discover new sports and develop skills they may not have considered before. The Inter-Stations are a brilliant starting point for anyone interested in mountain biking. They provide a grassroots level of racing, with accessible tracks and a friendly environment where people can give it a go without immediately stepping into the intensity of civilian racing. It can also be a great way for riders to get noticed within the RAF mountain biking community and realise just how far they could take the sport. For me, that journey has only just started.  

Going from riding bikes for fun to standing on the podium at the British National Championships is something I wouldn’t have predicted two years ago. The results have given me the confidence to keep pushing, but more importantly, they’ve shown me what’s possible when you combine opportunity, hard work and the right support. I’m excited to see where the next few seasons can take me and I’m committed to pushing myself as far as possible to get the best results I can!” 

If James’ story has inspired you to get on two wheels, check out the RAF Cycling Association to explore the wide range of disciplines available and discover where your own journey could take you.