So, tomorrow I find myself on my tod at Helvellyn with a break in the weather on the cards. Never having ridden there before are there any particular sections to avoid or would be better in the wet?
Still worth a go? Any other local riding that will be more enjoyable on the wet and is less likely to end with me spannering myself?
If you are doing Keppel cove up, sticks down then I think you would be fine. Dollywaggon in the wet could be spicy, but even that might not be too bad, it's rock so doesn't get boggy, just watch out for wheel sized drainage channels.
Ta, it was chucking it down and blowing some this morning so I opted for the slightly more sensible scramble up Swirral and Striding Edge.
Ooh, sounds fun!
Yes, would rather be walking than biking if weather is crap. Other way around when weather is good.
Let you know riding it Wednesday.
Good luck Marin.. weather's looking better from the middle of the week.
Kudos to the group I saw heading up part the YHA in the lashing rain this morning.. I went on a boat trip to see some waterfalls..
Don't get it why people go Mountain biking in the lashing rain, can't just wait for a better day ?
Fair enough if the weather forecasts were saying it was going to be dry and it caught everyone out, but they were all predicting heavy rain today, so not a suprise.
It was a mistake I used to make because I wanted to ride with other people as much as I could and was restricted to their times/dates, but now I've seen better sense and would much rather ride solo on a decent day than ride with a group in the lashing rain.
No such thing as bad weather, just bad preparation and kit.
The thing is, there's something quite enjoyable about being out in good company and bad weather.
The other thing is time is limited, so sometimes the trip goes ahead whatever the weather
Ta frog stomp I hope it’s better. Doing Borrowdale Bash and Skiddaw loop as well. Not all on the same day. Another trip has been cancelled so few spare days. Lovely part of the world in any weather.
The thing is, there’s something quite enjoyable about being out in good company and bad weather.
Not when your standing around waiting for them for ages because they're walking up climbs, then asking for a breather stop when they finally get to the top, then waiting for them on descents if there is anything even remotely technical on it. Then frequent stops while they take ages reinstalling that saddle bag that has slipped off, or while they re-position their rear mud guard, or spend ages taking a jacket off then putting it back on, then tying their shoe laces. Or stopping to do static leg stretches in the middle of a climb that they've walked most of. Then waiting for ages because they've got a puncture, or their chain has snapped, or they decide to change their brake pads mid ride, then the pads fall off then spend another half an hour looking for them. Standing there, covered in mud and water, in the miserable rain, cold and fog. Or stopping at every junction for no reason other than to have a long chat about bike components. I've had it all.
Awesome rant !
Best for a while 🙂
I agree - better to ride on your own - or with a small number of people who never do any of that!
Also can I add to the rant moaning of all types - especially in regard to your route choice. **** off and ride somewhere else then 🙂
That was a good rant, and I do feel your pain.
Although that would mean bad company, rather than good company. Good company would be people that you enjoy spending time with, that faffing would quickly lead to them being bad company
Yes I agree
<span style="display: inline !important; float: none; background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-family: 'Open Sans'; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 22.4px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Also can I add to the rant moaning of all types – especially in regard to your route choice. **** off and ride somewhere else then</span>
I've had the moaning type too many times when I've been leading a route they've never done before:
"That descent was too techy, we were all after a fast flowy one",
"this route is all uphill with no down",
"we've gone all that way and we're only here?! was there not a more direct path?"
Worst of all: "this ride is taking too long" said by persons who are causing all the delays!