Last week Kelly I went to South Wales with Bikes for a what I think is essentially a staycation. Being a trip longer than a long weekend I think this qualifies.
The riding was, as ever, great - unfortunately, and a bit predictably, the weather was not so good.
We rode the Twrch Trail at Cwmcarn - a nice 18km (with 300m climbing) - and as a place to start was logical as it is quite close to the Severn Crossing. A nice trail - but with most of the climbing straight out of the car park it meant that after being in the car for three hours it took a while to get in to it.
http://www.mbwales.com/en/content/cms/centres/cwmcarn/cwmcarn.aspx
Then we went to Afan and rode two trails on two separate days. The first was the Penhydd Trail - 17km and 550m climbing - and then Whites Level - again 17km long and another 550m of climbing.
http://www.mbwales.com/en/content/cms/centres/afan_forest_park/afan_forest_park.aspx
At Afan the weather when we rode the Penhydd was shocking - really heavy rain for the entire ride, and this made it far more technical than it would be in the dry. No major problems other than I slipped out on a switch back section in the woods and slowly fell off the trail and into the tree line. No damage done.
We did have to wade across the stream at the end - which had become flooded - well over Kelly’s knees - mid shin for me - but it by the end it was pretty clear that we were going to drink tea for the rest of the day.
Whites Level is a good challenge - it starts with a 6km switchback climb up a goat track - which is a little technical in places - and then it is essentially a ton of singletrack down into the valley you started in. On the way up the valley (very near the top) Kelly slipped off the trail and fell about 10 - 15 ft down the side of the very steep valley side. Luckily she landed in some flowers and was completely fine………………
I was led to believe the decent was more technical - but Kelly and I absolutely bossed the decent and had a great laugh. I can not keep up with Kelly on the downhill sections - she is just too fast - it just seems to be when she is travelling slowly that we have any drama. See below.
At the very end - I would say within 1KM of the finish, in sight of the end, almost on the flat Kelly went over her handlebars rolling over a small low natural stone step (slow motion and not as bad as her earlier stunt) and I managed to rip off my front mech on a rock (Not sure how the laws of physics allowed for this).
Luckily there is a bike shop at the trail head - and they sold and fitted a new mech for me whilst we had a huge lunch in the drop off Café.
The last ride we had was on Saturday - on the way back from Wales we stopped in on my mum and dad and had a ride over Exmoor. We did a circuit of Duncary Beacon from Exford and this was about 35KM long and 450m of climbing.
So over the break we got some KM’s in:
18km
17km
17km
35km
Total - 87Km and about 1850m of off road climbing.
So getting there with the legs and lungs - and there is the chance of a good ride on Sunday this week over the North Downs to keep the training up.
Some of my colleagues who are also doing the challenge have been putting in a few miles of training - and two have dropped out due to other commitments - so there are five confirmed starters in our group.
I hope the mileage is not getting inside everyone’s head with two weekends to go.
Friday 11 September 2009
Staycation..................
Last week Kelly I went to South Wales with Bikes for a what I think is essentially a staycation. Being a trip longer than a long weekend I think this qualifies.
The riding was, as ever, great - unfortunately, and a bit predictably, the weather was not so good.
We rode the Twrch Trail at Cwmcarn - a nice 18km (with 300m climbing) - and as a place to start was logical as it is quite close to the Severn Crossing. A nice trail - but with most of the climbing straight out of the car park it meant that after being in the car for three hours it took a while to get in to it.
http://www.mbwales.com/en/content/cms/centres/cwmcarn/cwmcarn.aspx
Then we went to Afan and rode two trails on two separate days. The first was the Penhydd Trail - 17km and 550m climbing - and then Whites Level - again 17km long and another 550m of climbing.
http://www.mbwales.com/en/content/cms/centres/afan_forest_park/afan_forest_park.aspx
At Afan the weather when we rode the Penhydd was shocking - really heavy rain for the entire ride, and this made it far more technical than it would be in the dry. No major problems other than I slipped out on a switch back section in the woods and slowly fell off the trail and into the tree line. No damage done.
We did have to wade across the stream at the end - which had become flooded - well over Kelly’s knees - mid shin for me - but it by the end it was pretty clear that we were going to drink tea for the rest of the day.
Whites Level is a good challenge - it starts with a 6km switchback climb up a goat track - which is a little technical in places - and then it is essentially a ton of singletrack down into the valley you started in. On the way up the valley (very near the top) Kelly slipped off the trail and fell about 10 - 15 ft down the side of the very steep valley side. Luckily she landed in some flowers and was completely fine………………
I was led to believe the decent was more technical - but Kelly and I absolutely bossed the decent and had a great laugh. I can not keep up with Kelly on the downhill sections - she is just too fast - it just seems to be when she is travelling slowly that we have any drama. See below.
At the very end - I would say within 1KM of the finish, in sight of the end, almost on the flat Kelly went over her handlebars rolling over a small low natural stone step (slow motion and not as bad as her earlier stunt) and I managed to rip off my front mech on a rock (Not sure how the laws of physics allowed for this).
Luckily there is a bike shop at the trail head - and they sold and fitted a new mech for me whilst we had a huge lunch in the drop off Café.
The last ride we had was on Saturday - on the way back from Wales we stopped in on my mum and dad and had a ride over Exmoor. We did a circuit of Duncary Beacon from Exford and this was about 35KM long and 450m of climbing.
So over the break we got some KM’s in:
18km
17km
17km
35km
Total - 87Km and about 1850m of off road climbing.
So getting there with the legs and lungs - and there is the chance of a good ride on Sunday this week over the North Downs to keep the training up.
Some of my colleagues who are also doing the challenge have been putting in a few miles of training - and two have dropped out due to other commitments - so there are five confirmed starters in our group.
I hope the mileage is not getting inside everyone’s head with two weekends to go.
The riding was, as ever, great - unfortunately, and a bit predictably, the weather was not so good.
We rode the Twrch Trail at Cwmcarn - a nice 18km (with 300m climbing) - and as a place to start was logical as it is quite close to the Severn Crossing. A nice trail - but with most of the climbing straight out of the car park it meant that after being in the car for three hours it took a while to get in to it.
http://www.mbwales.com/en/content/cms/centres/cwmcarn/cwmcarn.aspx
Then we went to Afan and rode two trails on two separate days. The first was the Penhydd Trail - 17km and 550m climbing - and then Whites Level - again 17km long and another 550m of climbing.
http://www.mbwales.com/en/content/cms/centres/afan_forest_park/afan_forest_park.aspx
At Afan the weather when we rode the Penhydd was shocking - really heavy rain for the entire ride, and this made it far more technical than it would be in the dry. No major problems other than I slipped out on a switch back section in the woods and slowly fell off the trail and into the tree line. No damage done.
We did have to wade across the stream at the end - which had become flooded - well over Kelly’s knees - mid shin for me - but it by the end it was pretty clear that we were going to drink tea for the rest of the day.
Whites Level is a good challenge - it starts with a 6km switchback climb up a goat track - which is a little technical in places - and then it is essentially a ton of singletrack down into the valley you started in. On the way up the valley (very near the top) Kelly slipped off the trail and fell about 10 - 15 ft down the side of the very steep valley side. Luckily she landed in some flowers and was completely fine………………
I was led to believe the decent was more technical - but Kelly and I absolutely bossed the decent and had a great laugh. I can not keep up with Kelly on the downhill sections - she is just too fast - it just seems to be when she is travelling slowly that we have any drama. See below.
At the very end - I would say within 1KM of the finish, in sight of the end, almost on the flat Kelly went over her handlebars rolling over a small low natural stone step (slow motion and not as bad as her earlier stunt) and I managed to rip off my front mech on a rock (Not sure how the laws of physics allowed for this).
Luckily there is a bike shop at the trail head - and they sold and fitted a new mech for me whilst we had a huge lunch in the drop off Café.
The last ride we had was on Saturday - on the way back from Wales we stopped in on my mum and dad and had a ride over Exmoor. We did a circuit of Duncary Beacon from Exford and this was about 35KM long and 450m of climbing.
So over the break we got some KM’s in:
18km
17km
17km
35km
Total - 87Km and about 1850m of off road climbing.
So getting there with the legs and lungs - and there is the chance of a good ride on Sunday this week over the North Downs to keep the training up.
Some of my colleagues who are also doing the challenge have been putting in a few miles of training - and two have dropped out due to other commitments - so there are five confirmed starters in our group.
I hope the mileage is not getting inside everyone’s head with two weekends to go.
Monday 7 September 2009
King of the mountains (not).
Okay - slow with the updates - but quick with the progress.
I have been cycling into work three / four days a week since the last post (bar a week off last week). The weather has been okay - which is a key factor, as since I have moved house the ride to work is about 14 miles door to door.
The big change this year is that my commute route now has hills - as moving house means a flat route into work is not an option. I say hills - if you can count Surbiton Hill and Kingston Hill as hills and the long drag up the A3 as a climb. I know they are not big drags - but they make your heart pump if you are running a bit late and need to crank up the pace.
So training wise that's 28 Miles per day - times nine days - giving a cool 252 commuter miles up to the recent bank holiday.
Add to this a crafty 30 with Emile and Kelly at Peaslake on the 23rd August and I feel that things are shaping up nicely.
Then last week Kelly and I went to Afan for a 'staycation' - and hit the hills with the 5'' trail bikes for some roots and rock. A synopsis of the week would be 'Wet with crashes' - but that's another post..............
Monday 10 August 2009
Right. LDN to Brighton 2009 is on. And I am back to raise some money.
Rather like last year I thought I would motivate myself to do some training through keeping the training details and commitments in a blog. And so that anyone giving who chooses to donate to this worthy cause through my ‘Just Giving page’ can keep abreast of matters.
I hope you can hear my virtual tin rattling - I want your money.
Since I last updated the blog there has been quite a lot going on - and I have had some enforced time off the bike. Log story short - Kelly and I entered the UK Single speed Mountain Bike Championships in early June and since then I have had four weeks out with a back injury that has kept me pretty much grounded. Boo.
As the BHF ride is in mid September - and as I now feel like I can peddle again, I need to get on with the business of putting in a few miles. My initial thoughts are that unlike last year when I was pretty fit and I needed to get fitter to complete the ride - this year I am not fit and I need to get in the Zone and work up to some level of fitness first - before kicking on and upping the intensity. Again - boo.
Yesterday was step one - I managed 20 miles on a combination of tow path and road. Light gears and a latte stop (reward for getting out with a sore back).
I certainly need to target a few road miles this week to loosen everything up - and then think about heading into the woods next week.
Rather like last year I thought I would motivate myself to do some training through keeping the training details and commitments in a blog. And so that anyone giving who chooses to donate to this worthy cause through my ‘Just Giving page’ can keep abreast of matters.
I hope you can hear my virtual tin rattling - I want your money.
Since I last updated the blog there has been quite a lot going on - and I have had some enforced time off the bike. Log story short - Kelly and I entered the UK Single speed Mountain Bike Championships in early June and since then I have had four weeks out with a back injury that has kept me pretty much grounded. Boo.
As the BHF ride is in mid September - and as I now feel like I can peddle again, I need to get on with the business of putting in a few miles. My initial thoughts are that unlike last year when I was pretty fit and I needed to get fitter to complete the ride - this year I am not fit and I need to get in the Zone and work up to some level of fitness first - before kicking on and upping the intensity. Again - boo.
Yesterday was step one - I managed 20 miles on a combination of tow path and road. Light gears and a latte stop (reward for getting out with a sore back).
I certainly need to target a few road miles this week to loosen everything up - and then think about heading into the woods next week.
Tuesday 24 February 2009
If I had a hammer
Had an interesting couple of rides last week.
On the Friday night H and I did a night ride after work.
We circuitously went up to Wimbledon Common from Southwark and then rode across the common and into Richmond Park.
I got to try out my new fenix torches – and I had planned to run two in series. No chance – one was bright enough! In fact H had my set of BLT halogens – which with two 10w bulbs in series was maybe 50 – 60% less bright – or dimmer, which might be putting it more correctly.
The halogens throw a bright light with a yellow tinge – making the night warm up in front of you. The Fenix casts clear cold bright white light. No arc of light with a fuzzy edge – but a super strong beam of clarity. I was really impressed. Two torches would be for extreme conditions or technical difficulty – so I recon I will carry one as back up. The other thing I noticed was that the distance of trail you could light up and ride effectively was in the region of 15 meters. For anyone who has seriously ridden at night this is a revelation given the budget nature of the set up.
As for the ride – well once in Richmond Park we were asked to leave by Rangers in a 4x4. I was going to challenge the ranger as you can cycle at night after the main gates shut – when the Ranger kindly pointed out that the deer cull was on. Exit stage right.
Once out of the park via the Sheen Gate, we headed through Mortlake and onto the Thames Path by the Brewery. We then rode to the White Cross at Richmond where as the frost came down we had a pint in the deserted beer terrace.
I think H enjoyed his first night ride (I suspect a new torch is now on its way) – and I had to stop for chips on the way home.
On Sunday there was a bit of group ride on.
Hayden, EK, Kelly and I did a spot of time in the Surrey Hills. We met up at Guildford Station and after patching H’s camel back with a Park Tools Patch to stop him leaking across Surrey, we met EK on the SantSchmooze. This is the first time I have seen EK on a bike since his Pitch got stolen – and the Santa Cruz is nice. Very. And as H advised me in advanced it is very bling.
We went off to the Pilgrims way – then around St Martha’s hill and onto the path that grinds up to Farley. That got everyone warmed up. We then went to Peaslake via ‘Bull Corner’, ‘Tramps’, the bottom of Hurtwood Control and then the ‘Car Parks’ section.
Lots of water about – and a little mud, but a fun blast. I did have another puncture (almost none last year and now two in three rides) and we (well I) had a bit of a faff getting myself back together again.
At the tea stop we decided to ride Pitch Hill and then finish on Barry Knows Best, before turning for home. That was deemed a good plan and cracking on we climbed the lane– went past the reservoir and pushed onto the hill fort.
After customary stop to take in the view H and I got EK and Kelly to session a small drop off and roll out. The thinking here was for everyone to get their eyes in so we could push a few things later on……….
We then rode the new section of the Yoghurt Pots (nice) and Telegraph Road – okay. On the way back H, EK and I rode Lost Pickup. I love this steep off camber trail – and I felt I rode this really well given how slippy it was.
We then climbed back up to the fort and headed for BKB.
Kelly had already decided she wanted to session the steep roll off / drop near the start – a spot where she has been blocked before – so I agreed to go with her and spot it for her. I think Kelly nailed it on her second attempt (nice). EK had a couple of false starts and then got it together - and Hayden I think had one false start before dominating it. Modestly, if I say so myself, this obstacle has never been an issue for me – so I went back a bit on the trail so I could flow into it and then push on.
Whilst everyone else was having a go on the roll off, Kelly pushed on. EK followed me down – the idea being I would spot him through the last turn into the scree that leads to the road. However, Emile got a bit of a burn right before the end when he offed after a set off-camber roots meant he slipped off the trail on a high line and on to the low route via his backside (as told by Hayden). Sore in the morning I think.
We then had a second tea in Peaslake, and then pretty much re-traced our steps back to Guildford – arriving just as the rain started.
I had a great time – and working the Commencal in the woods, over roots and off the odd drop was what I needed for brain space.
I have also made a note to check the pressure in both shocks as I bottomed out a couple of times on Telegraph Road when I was pushing it. I don’t think any damage was done. However Kelly’s bike has also started the ‘bushing knock’ – which is a bit of a costly replacement part scenario. So this is perhaps more grist to her burley bike mill. I fear six inches of travel and full face protection are on the way.
I might push for a Swinley ride on Sunday - so I can cram more drops and steep stuff into a ride than usual. I feel that I want a bit more adversity to control next time I ride. Not sure why. I have just got that ‘nail it’ feeling developing in me this week.
On the Friday night H and I did a night ride after work.
We circuitously went up to Wimbledon Common from Southwark and then rode across the common and into Richmond Park.
I got to try out my new fenix torches – and I had planned to run two in series. No chance – one was bright enough! In fact H had my set of BLT halogens – which with two 10w bulbs in series was maybe 50 – 60% less bright – or dimmer, which might be putting it more correctly.
The halogens throw a bright light with a yellow tinge – making the night warm up in front of you. The Fenix casts clear cold bright white light. No arc of light with a fuzzy edge – but a super strong beam of clarity. I was really impressed. Two torches would be for extreme conditions or technical difficulty – so I recon I will carry one as back up. The other thing I noticed was that the distance of trail you could light up and ride effectively was in the region of 15 meters. For anyone who has seriously ridden at night this is a revelation given the budget nature of the set up.
As for the ride – well once in Richmond Park we were asked to leave by Rangers in a 4x4. I was going to challenge the ranger as you can cycle at night after the main gates shut – when the Ranger kindly pointed out that the deer cull was on. Exit stage right.
Once out of the park via the Sheen Gate, we headed through Mortlake and onto the Thames Path by the Brewery. We then rode to the White Cross at Richmond where as the frost came down we had a pint in the deserted beer terrace.
I think H enjoyed his first night ride (I suspect a new torch is now on its way) – and I had to stop for chips on the way home.
On Sunday there was a bit of group ride on.
Hayden, EK, Kelly and I did a spot of time in the Surrey Hills. We met up at Guildford Station and after patching H’s camel back with a Park Tools Patch to stop him leaking across Surrey, we met EK on the SantSchmooze. This is the first time I have seen EK on a bike since his Pitch got stolen – and the Santa Cruz is nice. Very. And as H advised me in advanced it is very bling.
We went off to the Pilgrims way – then around St Martha’s hill and onto the path that grinds up to Farley. That got everyone warmed up. We then went to Peaslake via ‘Bull Corner’, ‘Tramps’, the bottom of Hurtwood Control and then the ‘Car Parks’ section.
Lots of water about – and a little mud, but a fun blast. I did have another puncture (almost none last year and now two in three rides) and we (well I) had a bit of a faff getting myself back together again.
At the tea stop we decided to ride Pitch Hill and then finish on Barry Knows Best, before turning for home. That was deemed a good plan and cracking on we climbed the lane– went past the reservoir and pushed onto the hill fort.
After customary stop to take in the view H and I got EK and Kelly to session a small drop off and roll out. The thinking here was for everyone to get their eyes in so we could push a few things later on……….
We then rode the new section of the Yoghurt Pots (nice) and Telegraph Road – okay. On the way back H, EK and I rode Lost Pickup. I love this steep off camber trail – and I felt I rode this really well given how slippy it was.
We then climbed back up to the fort and headed for BKB.
Kelly had already decided she wanted to session the steep roll off / drop near the start – a spot where she has been blocked before – so I agreed to go with her and spot it for her. I think Kelly nailed it on her second attempt (nice). EK had a couple of false starts and then got it together - and Hayden I think had one false start before dominating it. Modestly, if I say so myself, this obstacle has never been an issue for me – so I went back a bit on the trail so I could flow into it and then push on.
Whilst everyone else was having a go on the roll off, Kelly pushed on. EK followed me down – the idea being I would spot him through the last turn into the scree that leads to the road. However, Emile got a bit of a burn right before the end when he offed after a set off-camber roots meant he slipped off the trail on a high line and on to the low route via his backside (as told by Hayden). Sore in the morning I think.
We then had a second tea in Peaslake, and then pretty much re-traced our steps back to Guildford – arriving just as the rain started.
I had a great time – and working the Commencal in the woods, over roots and off the odd drop was what I needed for brain space.
I have also made a note to check the pressure in both shocks as I bottomed out a couple of times on Telegraph Road when I was pushing it. I don’t think any damage was done. However Kelly’s bike has also started the ‘bushing knock’ – which is a bit of a costly replacement part scenario. So this is perhaps more grist to her burley bike mill. I fear six inches of travel and full face protection are on the way.
I might push for a Swinley ride on Sunday - so I can cram more drops and steep stuff into a ride than usual. I feel that I want a bit more adversity to control next time I ride. Not sure why. I have just got that ‘nail it’ feeling developing in me this week.
Tuesday 10 February 2009
That's not progress
I am finding it a bit hard to keep up the blog. Busy at work - and I have had far less time on the bike than I would have liked over January and early Feb.
I did manage a great ride the other week with Hayden and Kelly at Swinley - where I managed to find most of what I had been shown on the guided ride. The spot I could not find was called the cork screw. Never mind - I think I can find it if I go straight there the next time. So that will be the order of things the next time we head to the lookout.
We did ride Alpine - and I got a flat - the first of the year. My fingers froze whilst putting in a new inner tube and I needed Hayden's monster thumbs to get the 2.35 High roller back on the rim.
We did also stop to session some steep cut drops in a bit of the forest we normally ride straight past. Hayden got his flow on and Kelly dropped a few and swooped a few new obstacles. So all in we felt good. A sign of technical progress is that Kelly has mooted the idea of getting a burlier bike. Double good idea if we go to the alps for some testing........
The snow last week was a massive diversion - and I only went out with the Cross-country ski poles on the Monday night. I trekked through Bushy - well off the paths and into where the snow had fallen and was undisturbed (up to a foot deep). Very quiet. Very nice. It reminded me of Sweden.
Back to the weekend just gone - Sunday was a blow out. Kelly runs Avid J3's - and the rear pad had disintegrated (that will be the origin of last week's squeaky noises). We could not find a place that was either open or sold Avid parts - so the ride was eventually kicked into touch.
Never mind - my new Fenix halogen torches have showed up.
They are so bright that night riding is back on the menu. I need now to cobble a fixing mount together. Non standard as bike lights go - but in the garden one torch lights up the flats 30meters away in full beam. I purchased two to use in series, so I am not coming off again at speed on the rooty bit at the back of Wimbledon Common.
I just need to make sure that the lights are not so bright that they blind the joggers - this happened with the BLT halogen set that I boosted with an extra 10w bulb in the second lamp. Everyone has a right to enjoy the quiet of the night - and unhappy joggers and runners fall into that space as well.
The other thing that is of note is that the BLT set have a massive lead acid battery that requires a frame mounted pouch - whilst the P7s require two NIMH AA batteries per light and they are brighter with LEDs compared to the BLTS halogens.
I appreciate that. Very geeky - but I do. It's progress.
I did manage a great ride the other week with Hayden and Kelly at Swinley - where I managed to find most of what I had been shown on the guided ride. The spot I could not find was called the cork screw. Never mind - I think I can find it if I go straight there the next time. So that will be the order of things the next time we head to the lookout.
We did ride Alpine - and I got a flat - the first of the year. My fingers froze whilst putting in a new inner tube and I needed Hayden's monster thumbs to get the 2.35 High roller back on the rim.
We did also stop to session some steep cut drops in a bit of the forest we normally ride straight past. Hayden got his flow on and Kelly dropped a few and swooped a few new obstacles. So all in we felt good. A sign of technical progress is that Kelly has mooted the idea of getting a burlier bike. Double good idea if we go to the alps for some testing........
The snow last week was a massive diversion - and I only went out with the Cross-country ski poles on the Monday night. I trekked through Bushy - well off the paths and into where the snow had fallen and was undisturbed (up to a foot deep). Very quiet. Very nice. It reminded me of Sweden.
Back to the weekend just gone - Sunday was a blow out. Kelly runs Avid J3's - and the rear pad had disintegrated (that will be the origin of last week's squeaky noises). We could not find a place that was either open or sold Avid parts - so the ride was eventually kicked into touch.
Never mind - my new Fenix halogen torches have showed up.
They are so bright that night riding is back on the menu. I need now to cobble a fixing mount together. Non standard as bike lights go - but in the garden one torch lights up the flats 30meters away in full beam. I purchased two to use in series, so I am not coming off again at speed on the rooty bit at the back of Wimbledon Common.
I just need to make sure that the lights are not so bright that they blind the joggers - this happened with the BLT halogen set that I boosted with an extra 10w bulb in the second lamp. Everyone has a right to enjoy the quiet of the night - and unhappy joggers and runners fall into that space as well.
The other thing that is of note is that the BLT set have a massive lead acid battery that requires a frame mounted pouch - whilst the P7s require two NIMH AA batteries per light and they are brighter with LEDs compared to the BLTS halogens.
I appreciate that. Very geeky - but I do. It's progress.
Sunday 11 January 2009
Minus seven at Swinley
I had an interesting day yesterday.
I went on a group ride at Swinley Forrest that I spotted being arranged on the Singletrack Forum.
This was the equivalent of a cycling flash mob - and due to the temperature I thought nobody would turn up. Long story short about fifty people met up in the car park - and we split into five ability groups.
I backed myself and joined the fast group (only four riders) - and as three of us were on singlespeeds I thought the pace would be manageable. I did manage to keep pace but I faded a bit near the end. But being guided around the forest was a first - and although we rode some trails I knew (sometimes back to front to the way I normally ride them) I was taken to some new spots, which if I can remember how to get to them, will be fun to ride when the weather gets warmer.
There were two strange things about the ride.
Firstly - people who live in forums have aliases,so half the chat and social side of the ride was people introducing themselves twice - 'I am blah my forum name is blah blah'. Or 'do you know who blah blah is? I think his / her real name is blah'.
Secondly - my route map is made up of route names made up by the people I used to ride Swinley with (when I was at university in the early 90's in Reading) or that are named by me so I can remind Hayden or Kelly of the trail. It has often be the form of people I have ridden with to name a trail after an event or a landmark on the trail. Ergo at Swinley a trail we ride as Tom Sellick (so called because we saw a guy on a bike who looked like said actor) was introduced yesterday as Alpine and a trail everyone called Labyrinth we call something rather rude after an incident Jude and I had with an unpleasant man in a hurry. I think there was some confusion across all the groups caused by names, features and directions. But that's the fun of such an event.
The two new routes I rode were called Tank Traps and Seagull - and I also learnt a great way to get across to the corkscrew by some new sections of singletrack.
Interestingly we hardly rode any of the technical sections out near Cesar's camp - or any of the 10k circuit we normally start with.
The other thing yesterday was the weather. When we started at 10.30 it was -7 and when we came back in at 1.15 it was -4. The water in my camelback froze - all my sweat (when I got one up) froze on my buff / helmet and my fingers and toes went totally numb.
But it was fantastic. Crisp and clear. It briefly snowed a couple of times. The ground was frozen solid. Some routes were like rippled concrete - others skate park smooth. All good. Very good.
The link below is to the forum post that led me to Swinley on the coldest day in the southeast for a decade.
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/swinley-forest-forum-ride-10th-january-2009/page/11
It worked out - so I am thinking I might now search about to see if there are other opportunities to 'mobcycle' in the near future in spots I think I know. A new perspective is a good thing. It freshens things up.
I went on a group ride at Swinley Forrest that I spotted being arranged on the Singletrack Forum.
This was the equivalent of a cycling flash mob - and due to the temperature I thought nobody would turn up. Long story short about fifty people met up in the car park - and we split into five ability groups.
I backed myself and joined the fast group (only four riders) - and as three of us were on singlespeeds I thought the pace would be manageable. I did manage to keep pace but I faded a bit near the end. But being guided around the forest was a first - and although we rode some trails I knew (sometimes back to front to the way I normally ride them) I was taken to some new spots, which if I can remember how to get to them, will be fun to ride when the weather gets warmer.
There were two strange things about the ride.
Firstly - people who live in forums have aliases,so half the chat and social side of the ride was people introducing themselves twice - 'I am blah my forum name is blah blah'. Or 'do you know who blah blah is? I think his / her real name is blah'.
Secondly - my route map is made up of route names made up by the people I used to ride Swinley with (when I was at university in the early 90's in Reading) or that are named by me so I can remind Hayden or Kelly of the trail. It has often be the form of people I have ridden with to name a trail after an event or a landmark on the trail. Ergo at Swinley a trail we ride as Tom Sellick (so called because we saw a guy on a bike who looked like said actor) was introduced yesterday as Alpine and a trail everyone called Labyrinth we call something rather rude after an incident Jude and I had with an unpleasant man in a hurry. I think there was some confusion across all the groups caused by names, features and directions. But that's the fun of such an event.
The two new routes I rode were called Tank Traps and Seagull - and I also learnt a great way to get across to the corkscrew by some new sections of singletrack.
Interestingly we hardly rode any of the technical sections out near Cesar's camp - or any of the 10k circuit we normally start with.
The other thing yesterday was the weather. When we started at 10.30 it was -7 and when we came back in at 1.15 it was -4. The water in my camelback froze - all my sweat (when I got one up) froze on my buff / helmet and my fingers and toes went totally numb.
But it was fantastic. Crisp and clear. It briefly snowed a couple of times. The ground was frozen solid. Some routes were like rippled concrete - others skate park smooth. All good. Very good.
The link below is to the forum post that led me to Swinley on the coldest day in the southeast for a decade.
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/swinley-forest-forum-ride-10th-january-2009/page/11
It worked out - so I am thinking I might now search about to see if there are other opportunities to 'mobcycle' in the near future in spots I think I know. A new perspective is a good thing. It freshens things up.
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