Meteorological spring is finally here, that means for those of us unfortunate enough and beholden to the standard 9-5 working day, the return of after work rides is finally nearly here.
For me, I'm kicking the first post-work-ride off this Wednesday the 4th, I'm starting the work day 10 mins early and finishing 10 mins early, shutting my laptop in the home office and getting my clobber straight on and rolling out the garage door by 5pm for a blast up my local woods. Full goblin mode. Expecting it to get too dark to see properly under the canopy by about 6.15pm and will then roll back home, lucky I've got some decent albeit limited riding just 10 mins up the road from me.
Im super excited. Yes yes I can hear some of you already "buy some lights?", "Well I've got lights so this doesn't apply to me", "I've been commuting all winter soooo"
I'd sooner spend money on component upgrades or new kit or any of my other countless hobbies than go down the slippery slope of justifying the cost of exposure lights to myself again, been there done that, sold them on, I find it absolutely miserable riding in the dark at -2 degrees in winter slop, kudos to those who muscle through it.
Anyone else planning post-work-rides this week or just me? If so where you riding? Whats your plans? Just getting miles in? Gravel blast? Trail center? Off-piste?
Looking forward to BST starting on Sunday 29th March, which will make sunset after 1900 and getting later through to around 20th June.
I'm not very good at getting out around rush hours, as the roads within 2-3 miles get pretty hostile, but it will be great to get out after dinner on pleasant spring/summer evenings.
Over 20 of us out last night for what I think is only the third Monday health ride of the year that hasn't been cancelled due to weather.
Blazing sunshine here and the forecast is promising. Now to escape work somehow...
I find it absolutely miserable riding in the dark at -2 degrees in winter slop, kudos to those who muscle through it.
In theory I agree with you, but just occasionally you get the mid-winter night ride that becomes magical. The occasional frozen ride. The magical snow rides (last seen around here in about 2012). There was a -10 degree night when ice was crystallizing on the trees in our lights as we were riding. And, of course, if you're not fit when the weather turns nice then you waste a chunk of decent weather getting fit...
Sometimes there are advantages to being old and retired, you don't have to wait until it gets dark for one thing 👍
Buy some lights...!
We've been riding all through the slop... Makes you appreciate the mildy dry weather even more this week..😂
I find it absolutely miserable riding in the dark at -2 degrees in winter slop, kudos to those who muscle through it.
In theory I agree with you, but just occasionally you get the mid-winter night ride that becomes magical. The occasional frozen ride. The magical snow rides (last seen around here in about 2012). There was a -10 degree night when ice was crystallizing on the trees in our lights as we were riding. And, of course, if you're not fit when the weather turns nice then you waste a chunk of decent weather getting fit...
Yeah that was one thing I was worried about having been historically a fair weather rider, I did keep running throughout winter this year, 6pm after work doing a 10k in -1 along the coast during gales and sideways hail has definitely a character building experience. And weekend XC rides seemed to keep the legs strong.
Sometimes there are advantages to being old and retired, you don't have to wait until it gets dark for one thing 👍
On the other hand, sitting in a deserted gazebo littered with patio furniture on your own with a pint doesn't exactly sell retirement to me.
I'll probably be waiting til later in the month/when the clocks go forward to get some "proper" after work riding done but given its light'ish til 6 now I think I might try and squeeze in a few short apres-work gravel rides from the doorstep starting from next week.
2nd day of glorious sunshine in a row here today, great to see it after what felt like 3 months of overcast gloom.
Proper spring like Tuesday afternoon at Whitelee 👌🌞
Blazing sunshine here and the forecast is promising. Now to escape work somehow...
What is the riding like around Hogwarts?
Well it was a great ride until I got too excited after bombing down a couple of trails I've avoided all winter due to slop, then absolutely decked it come down a steep chute where my front wheel washed out in mud that looked dry, landed on my shoulder with my arm across my chest and good lord my ribs are feeling it today. Caught the read mudguard with my foot as I bailed off the bike and snapped it too. Still, was great to get out.
Also shoutout to Whyte bikes, looked for a replacement online for the mudguard and couldn't find them to buy anywhere, got in touch with them and they're sending me a replacement out for free, great CS