Probably the best line to have come out of this weeks ride*
A ride from work this week with Mad Shaun.. a great lad who, despite being old enough to know better still likes to throw himself off waterfalls in a small boat in the wildest areas of the world**
His suggestion for a ride was due to our constant talking about bikes and all things trail for the last few months and also his surgeon phoning him up at the start of the week to say he was going in for a shoulder rebuild that would see him lifting nothing heavier than a espresso cup for 12 weeks.
Riding through town we played in the traffic, racing red lights and buses through Sheffield city centre before heading into the parks and then up slowly towards the Peaks.
Reaching the bottom of what can only be called a wall, Shaun changed down to granny and told me knock myself out and he'd see me at the top. What he could of added was that this was going to be the baby climb of the night...
When we finally made it up to the top of the Peaks the wind was absolutely howling.. so much so that conversation was impossible.
We turned off the lights and stood appreciating the amazing view of the cityscape. This is something that I've not yet gotten used to. Being able to stand at height and overlook hundreds of lights far below is completely removed from FOD riding where you see trees and an occasional view of more trees only if you can get to a high level.
From the windswept peak the only way was down and although not massively technical, the skittery stones kept my concentration levels high.
Back onto the road for a short time we headed into another piece of woodland for a few more swoopy little sections before dropping yet again onto road for the final blast to our finish point.
Again, we made like spitfire pilots from The Battle of Britain, swooping through traffic, ducking in an out of slow moving traffic.
5 miles of exhillirating fun, as much fun as could be had on a moutain bike whilst on the road anyway
The ride wasn't the quickest, nor the most focussed.. but hell, it was fun. It's made me question just why I've not been riding much at present and given me one hell of a desire to get out and rectify that..
* Apart from "Oi ya c*** you nearly had me off then"!
** The last time he did it was in the middle of Iceland and ended up dislocating his shoulder - something he's due to have pinned(!?)
Showing posts with label Peak District. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peak District. Show all posts
Friday, 25 November 2011
Thursday, 3 November 2011
Two Rides
Work is shite at the moment, not in a bad way, but in the way that each day could do with being about 8 hours longer. To Do's are piling up and the stuff that I consider proper work is being left to one side in order to satisfy the seemingly endless parade of auditors passing through our doors.
The cold which developed just in time for the Dusk Til Dawn race has finally disappeared and I'm feeling the need to get out and turn the pedals.
Sunday I was out with Rex and Nic, I'd stated a desire to get and do some of my favourite trails during my week back, but the normal Wednesday night right ended up in being a lap of the Enduro. I didn't really care, I was making a star appearance* to my old buddies and the banter was like a tonic to the soul. Sunday, though and I was a little more insistent, and we duly made our way out and toward Dr Johns.. we didn't make it, being sidelined at one of (in my opinion) the best pieces of singletrack in the Forest - or at least it was, until it became the subject of the tender mercies of the Forestry Commission and their team of special 'Apocalypse Now' set designers.. more of this at a later date.
Back in Sheffield and I finally set aside the concern I hold for Road Riding at night, I'd posted on Singletrack World asking for peoples opinions or experiences and the responses filled me with some confidence that yes, night riding on the road was ok and no, it didn't necessarily mean instant death at the hands of a 48 tonne truck (because if it's on the net it must right.. right?).
The first ride was lovely, the evening felt warm and I was left wondering whether I'd overdone it with layers. At high spots throughout I would come to a halt and watch fireworks pop lazily and without sound over the city below me. Consulting the map on my phone I decided to add a few extra miles in, riding out to Damflask Reservoir before heading back to the City Centre, where I had fun zipping through traffic, and racing red lights.
The second ride saw me hunching over the bars whilst high winds blasted freezing rain into my face. For some reason, as the wind picked up I found myself smiling.. I even extended the ride to include a nasty little descent (where the rain caused me to have to squint to see and the fallen leaves left the road surface greasy.. I'm certainly gaining confidence on the road bike) and an even more horrible climb where I met several soaked and miserable looking cyclists coming the other way.
I still managed to stop to take a picture of how awesome the Exposure 6 Pack is though. The picture is blurry but in my defence I was using my phone camera and was struggling against the wind at the time.
It's good to be 'back'
*If star appearances involved talentless idiots who only manage to disappoint.. think Denver Mills of Little Britain fame
The cold which developed just in time for the Dusk Til Dawn race has finally disappeared and I'm feeling the need to get out and turn the pedals.
Sunday I was out with Rex and Nic, I'd stated a desire to get and do some of my favourite trails during my week back, but the normal Wednesday night right ended up in being a lap of the Enduro. I didn't really care, I was making a star appearance* to my old buddies and the banter was like a tonic to the soul. Sunday, though and I was a little more insistent, and we duly made our way out and toward Dr Johns.. we didn't make it, being sidelined at one of (in my opinion) the best pieces of singletrack in the Forest - or at least it was, until it became the subject of the tender mercies of the Forestry Commission and their team of special 'Apocalypse Now' set designers.. more of this at a later date.
Back in Sheffield and I finally set aside the concern I hold for Road Riding at night, I'd posted on Singletrack World asking for peoples opinions or experiences and the responses filled me with some confidence that yes, night riding on the road was ok and no, it didn't necessarily mean instant death at the hands of a 48 tonne truck (because if it's on the net it must right.. right?).
The first ride was lovely, the evening felt warm and I was left wondering whether I'd overdone it with layers. At high spots throughout I would come to a halt and watch fireworks pop lazily and without sound over the city below me. Consulting the map on my phone I decided to add a few extra miles in, riding out to Damflask Reservoir before heading back to the City Centre, where I had fun zipping through traffic, and racing red lights.
The second ride saw me hunching over the bars whilst high winds blasted freezing rain into my face. For some reason, as the wind picked up I found myself smiling.. I even extended the ride to include a nasty little descent (where the rain caused me to have to squint to see and the fallen leaves left the road surface greasy.. I'm certainly gaining confidence on the road bike) and an even more horrible climb where I met several soaked and miserable looking cyclists coming the other way.
I still managed to stop to take a picture of how awesome the Exposure 6 Pack is though. The picture is blurry but in my defence I was using my phone camera and was struggling against the wind at the time.
It's good to be 'back'
*If star appearances involved talentless idiots who only manage to disappoint.. think Denver Mills of Little Britain fame
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Two forward...
And one back..
I've really got back into the swing of getting out putting the miles in over the last month or so, I'm starting to feel better for it too. My resting heart rate has dropped to around 50 and legs which had softened from a lack of decent training time are now getting me up hills with seemingly less effort and more speed. I know there is a long way still to go until I feel ready to tackle the big events that normally form the basis of my event calendar, but I'm hoping to take a leaf out of FKK's recent efforts in the 24/12 where they finished a fantastic 9th in the mens race and I'm already starting to fill my mental diary up with a wishlist of events.
Road riding is forming the majority of my biking miles at the present, and, with the stunning scenery of South Yorkshire to play in it's no real wonder, indeed, I think I'd need a clout round the back of the head with a large object if it didn't drag me out and along.
Over the past few weeks I've found myself getting out with absoloutely no idea of where I'm going, rides often teeter close to 40 miles due to my *ahem* navigational issues and such is the enjoyment I've discovered in getting out on the road and letting the miles slip soundlessly under my tyres I've even started looking into Sportive events.. something that I never thought I'd say.. it's too early to go all roadie just yet but never say never
The two back I mentioned at the start of this post is about the sniffle I've got at present, last week I felt pretty good, clocking up about 80 miles on the road and 4 hours of gym time. Getting home both CJ and Kate were suffering with colds.. I started getting the Vit C into me but I've got a feeling the damage has been done, monday saw me feeling heavy legged and by half 9 I was more than ready for bed, today I feel better, skipping my morning gym session but venturing out on blustery roads to get in 20 miles, 19 of which seemed to be into a bastard headwind, the last 8 saw heavy sideways rain stinging my arms and face but I feel better for getting out.
Lets just hope its not the last of the week eh?
I've really got back into the swing of getting out putting the miles in over the last month or so, I'm starting to feel better for it too. My resting heart rate has dropped to around 50 and legs which had softened from a lack of decent training time are now getting me up hills with seemingly less effort and more speed. I know there is a long way still to go until I feel ready to tackle the big events that normally form the basis of my event calendar, but I'm hoping to take a leaf out of FKK's recent efforts in the 24/12 where they finished a fantastic 9th in the mens race and I'm already starting to fill my mental diary up with a wishlist of events.
Road riding is forming the majority of my biking miles at the present, and, with the stunning scenery of South Yorkshire to play in it's no real wonder, indeed, I think I'd need a clout round the back of the head with a large object if it didn't drag me out and along.
Over the past few weeks I've found myself getting out with absoloutely no idea of where I'm going, rides often teeter close to 40 miles due to my *ahem* navigational issues and such is the enjoyment I've discovered in getting out on the road and letting the miles slip soundlessly under my tyres I've even started looking into Sportive events.. something that I never thought I'd say.. it's too early to go all roadie just yet but never say never
The two back I mentioned at the start of this post is about the sniffle I've got at present, last week I felt pretty good, clocking up about 80 miles on the road and 4 hours of gym time. Getting home both CJ and Kate were suffering with colds.. I started getting the Vit C into me but I've got a feeling the damage has been done, monday saw me feeling heavy legged and by half 9 I was more than ready for bed, today I feel better, skipping my morning gym session but venturing out on blustery roads to get in 20 miles, 19 of which seemed to be into a bastard headwind, the last 8 saw heavy sideways rain stinging my arms and face but I feel better for getting out.
Lets just hope its not the last of the week eh?
Thursday, 11 August 2011
The difference a week makes..
Last week, I rode twice; once in Sheffield (which I loved) and once at 'home' in the Forest of Dean (which I also loved). It struck me though, how different the riding is, oop North, the climbs go on and on, and so do the descents, in the FOD, the ups and downs seem way shorter, but what they lack in height or distance is made up for in swoops, turns and grins.
Last week I felt like I was flying, I loved it and could of ridden forever. This week, my legs have felt weary and I have to admit when the planned wednesday ride was cancelled as the lad I was meant to be riding with had decided the rain called for a trip to the local timber mill instead of a ride on his bike I was relieved. His offer of moving the ride to tonight was met with initial enthusiasm (hell, it's getting out on a bike, how horrible could it be?) which soon faded and I started flicking through my book of favourite excuses, when 'My bike was eaten by my Japanese house mate' failed to convince even me, and with his story from last week ride ringing in my ears about the awards he hands out for best (or most feeble, depending on your viewpoint) excuse for missing a ride, I resigned myself to having a tough ride with a stoical view that it would only do me good.
I'd already told my work colleagues that I was out on my bike tonight (and, once, the initial 'hilarity' of confirming that yes, I was meeting those men off the Internet again, and of course, I was looking forward to another good hard ride had faded) I actually started simultaneous clock and sky watching.
We headed out from a 'lay-by on the A57' and within 200mtrs I was sweating and cursing whilst trying to heave my bike over and around rocks, the big stuff caught my wheels and the small fist sized ones caused my rear wheel to skitter annoyingly, I briefly lifted my head to see Chris expertly picking his way steadily up the climb. He's a great tour guide and reaching the summit overlooking Ladybower Resevoir he was able to point out cracking riding throughout the 360 degree view that greeted us.
To be honest, the ride was short, a mere 4.5 miles, but take a look at this.. that's a fair amount of height gain and loss in such a short distance.
My main memory of the ride already is how I need to get my head around the unique riding opportunity riding on grit stone offers, being able to trackstand whilst facing downhill at an angle of about 45degrees for instance. I also remember just how steep that descent was and how pointing the nose of my bike downhill for 15 minutes is a very novel experience.
Here's to many more of em
Last week I felt like I was flying, I loved it and could of ridden forever. This week, my legs have felt weary and I have to admit when the planned wednesday ride was cancelled as the lad I was meant to be riding with had decided the rain called for a trip to the local timber mill instead of a ride on his bike I was relieved. His offer of moving the ride to tonight was met with initial enthusiasm (hell, it's getting out on a bike, how horrible could it be?) which soon faded and I started flicking through my book of favourite excuses, when 'My bike was eaten by my Japanese house mate' failed to convince even me, and with his story from last week ride ringing in my ears about the awards he hands out for best (or most feeble, depending on your viewpoint) excuse for missing a ride, I resigned myself to having a tough ride with a stoical view that it would only do me good.
 |
| So THAT'S what it's meant to look like |
I'd already told my work colleagues that I was out on my bike tonight (and, once, the initial 'hilarity' of confirming that yes, I was meeting those men off the Internet again, and of course, I was looking forward to another good hard ride had faded) I actually started simultaneous clock and sky watching.
We headed out from a 'lay-by on the A57' and within 200mtrs I was sweating and cursing whilst trying to heave my bike over and around rocks, the big stuff caught my wheels and the small fist sized ones caused my rear wheel to skitter annoyingly, I briefly lifted my head to see Chris expertly picking his way steadily up the climb. He's a great tour guide and reaching the summit overlooking Ladybower Resevoir he was able to point out cracking riding throughout the 360 degree view that greeted us.
 |
| Ye gods |
My main memory of the ride already is how I need to get my head around the unique riding opportunity riding on grit stone offers, being able to trackstand whilst facing downhill at an angle of about 45degrees for instance. I also remember just how steep that descent was and how pointing the nose of my bike downhill for 15 minutes is a very novel experience.
Here's to many more of em
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