Was super stoked to get an invite to ride in the dirt comp at Festival Bike 2009 in Santarem Portugal on the 29th of October. 24seven hooked up the flights and I was on the way with Blake and Ray Samson (DMR) and Adam Williams (Curtis) who were also riding in the comp.   We got to the airport at 5am on the Thursday and left the tarmac about 7:15 and landed in Lisbon at 10:15, thank you BA that was a nice flight apart from the food - they should have McDonalds on the plane you know. The weather was amazing it was good not to have to wear a coat and mittens so we collected our bags and more importantly our bikes. Then went and met the big dog. Pedro whisked us off to a freeride park so we could quench our riding thirst, it was pretty sweet I was getting some huge super seaters down and some insane dump 3's, lots of Northshore bits to play on too which was fun. We were fairly cream crackered as mid afternoon came round so we headed to the hotel for some munch and some well deserved chillin'. Pretty sweet that I had a room to myself so the infamous 1st day pranks couldn’t be pulled on me (like getting wrapped up in a bed sheet and left in the lift) + I had a TV, coffee making facilities etc so it was all good.   Friday we all kicked it at a sweet concrete skatepark getting some smooth flowing runs and big airs out of the concrete.  We got hated on by some skateboarders but its all good - we had the last laugh cos' the big wheels shut the park down with our UK skill!   Friday afternoon after some tasty food we got to go check the dirt jumps we'd be riding in the comp. There was a big metal roll in and then little bit of space you could put in a couple of pedals in to get some more speed up straight into a smooth big double big landing nice for 3's and then the 2nd had a steep take off and steep landing.  The 3rd was much the same but slightly steeper. Good practice session but really tired now so after many jokes we headed back to the hotel for food and sleep - we had an early start and all wanted to be on top form for Saturdays comp.   Before I knew it I was at breakfast eating down some toasted cheese and ham sandwiches and drinking some real delicious tropical juice. It was about 20 mins to the festival location and we had to be there early to help set up - not all play you know! We put up banners and made sure the dirt was in good order, it was an indoor set up so the dirt cracked really easily and I can’t even guess how much water we used to keep the dirt together.   There were 25 people in qualifying and I made sure I got 2 sick runs in to get a place in the final massive dump 3's on the first set, tuck no hand the second and super stretch no foot can on the 3rd. There was a pretty massive crowd at this point too all cheering the UK boys on.   Sweet I made it through even though there were some pretty sweet runs from everyone else. We got 3 runs in the final and your best 2 counted, my best run was a stretch superman seat grab, made sure I pushed seat forward so the bike was vertical in the air (maximum style points) landed smooth and eyed up the 2nd set, boosted high it for a clean tailwhip to pedals and then hit the 3rd set and knew I had to push some big style out so I varied my 360 with a turndown. I've not landed many of these clean but it all worked out really well. Once Bake, Ray, Adam and everyone else had finished their runs prize giving was underway. I got 2nd place ...so stoked with that and got 300 euros and a sweet trophy to add to my collection including my 2nd place in the Elite King of dirt series 2009.   Then the carnage really started - it was time to celebrate an all UK podium Blake 1st, me 2nd Adam Williams 3rd. I could tell you exactly what happened but what goes on tour stays on tour! We ended up getting in at 7:30am…that’s all I can tell you.   I have to say a massive thank you to 24Seven who sorted my flights and who have supported me in 2009, thank you guys. Thanks to EZO for their support and clothing I need some more though I seem to have ripped holes in all of my t's! Thank you to Pedro for being an amazing host/tour guide/taxi man and general cool dude and thanks to all the fans that turned up to watch us shred the dirt in Portugal.   2009 has been such a sick year and 2010 looks like its going to be even better, my fingers are aching now so I'm gonna have a little rest, fix that puncture and head the the skatepark for some winter training! Check out a video of the event here   See you all soon.   Daryl Drown