Talked into going out at short notice by another forum member this avo.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52082959764_ca1c1b20eb_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52082959764_ca1c1b20eb_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nmoMoU ]Pony Trig[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
Another Golfie blast this morning with a forum member who's been up for a couple of days pre EWS.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52083338072_49fd386bf2_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52083338072_49fd386bf2_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nmqHRs ]Different bike same place.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52084615994_8c17eb092c_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52084615994_8c17eb092c_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nmxgJA ]Mark.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
Working out the Italy office this week and next, quick ride after work tonight to get my bearings.




Dales feeling hot this afternoon

Oldschool XC ride this morning.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/52094837732/in/dateposted/
Going well until I got half way round.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/52095892153/in/photostream/
Glorious morning over The Golfie.
Then went for lunch and Wyn Masters came and sat at our table.
Really nice guy. Doing some pretty big training rides pre EWS. 2000 meters on his race bike then another 800 on his Ebike yesterday.😮
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/52098791629/in/dateposted/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/52098763449/in/photostream/
Quick spin after work.



Bah, can't post the photo.
Imagine a scenic lookout with a sign showing a labelled diagram of weathered volcanic plugs laid out before you, except there is no view, just mist.
That is my entire week.
Excursion to bag a couple of North Dales summits I've not ridden before. Some great riding and plenty of suffering too.


Girlfriend upping her matchy-matchy colour co-ordination game...

Couldn’t find this thread earlier in the weeks. I was at Grizedale Forest on Tuesday. Great lap.
https://flic.kr/p/2nqqNFP
Been showing some old mates from back in the Midlands round for a few days.
Yair on Monday.
Golfie/Glenbena/Inners/Golfie on Tuesday.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52129642258_3cd43093f9_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52129642258_3cd43093f9_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nqw3tu ]Ebike ****ers.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
GT today.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52134551130_10bbbe0130_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52134551130_10bbbe0130_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nqXcHd ]Walking Path[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
Back in the Italy office this week, and more after work rides on my new forks, it’s no harder to pedal up, but coming back down is in a different league.





Chilling yesterday evening

Its been a two ride day for me today.
Eebers in the morning with some mates.
Then a few runs on the local trails this avo on trail bikes trying to get Mrsstu's suspension dialled in on her new bike.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52148688984_074ed6e162_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52148688984_074ed6e162_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nscEpj ]Eebers[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52149168949_bff4644a19_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52149168949_bff4644a19_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nsf85z ]A two ride day today.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
110km on the roads this morning, group of 8 reduced to 5 after 3 had to go back to work early!
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52149476325_350faa24a3_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52149476325_350faa24a3_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nsgGsa ]Wednesday Group Ride[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/brf/ ]Ben Freeman[/url], on Flickr
Having ruined myself on Sunday by doing my first full distance triathlon, I decided a "recovery" ride on the SS was the best plan Monday ...
... followed by some (rather tired) local tech yesterday ...
Weather is so good, its compulsory to get out, despite my 54 year old body really needing a rest ...
Different and smaller mountain today after work, less interesting downhill but nice views, followed by Beer & Ice Cream then the final 5 miles back to the hotel, quick shower then more beer and a protein recharge.




Hour local this evening, rediscovered a trail I'd not ridden for ages and had forgotten how good it is.
Tagged on to a Stanton shop ride last night … and a loaner Switch9er Ti.
Great bunch of blokes, fun ride, amazing bike.
Out over the Purbecks last night and again tonight.






Late morning Golfie ride with Mrsstu today.
Seems she's getting on well with her new bike.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52165209658_5316385520_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52165209658_5316385520_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2ntEkqw ]RSC Golfie[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52165201746_59f218014f_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52165201746_59f218014f_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2ntEi57 ]View of The Tweed.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
Evening loop up and over Wardlaw Hill to test the fix (speed sensor) on the GF's bike. This is just what I got the eeb for - exploring onto the tops on the feintest of quad track that would have involved well over an hour hike over heather and boggy ground.

This thread is great! Theres some cracking images! Isn't this time of year bloody brilliant? 😀
I woke up early this morning and it was gloriously sunny so I took the hardtail for a quick ten mile loop down the valley. It was perfect! Lovely views out over a hazy Manchester from Holcombe Hill
40 miler around the local moors, hunting for cool breezes. Need a lie down now.

First full day in Torbole on Lake Garda. Tried to book a guide but no one seems to be doing it so decided on an early morning shuttle up to the top to do 601 trail from top to bottom which we were told is probably the most technical trail in the area.
Shuttle dropped us off and we had a 400m vertical climb for 2 miles. At the top we had a 2000m drop over 9 miles which was as technical as anything I've done before. The rocks, boulders and drops never let up. Had to walk in a couple of places. The last mile we did in a thunderstorm.
Finished shattered but elated. Probably bit of more than I could chew.
Quick spin out up the local hill this morning.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52183981423_7e53331a9a_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52183981423_7e53331a9a_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nvjxBD ]Three Bros Two Bikes[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
Last couple of days have seen us out above above Torbole. Temps are still in mid thirties with very little cloud
We took it easy yesterday with a 850 ascent 10 mile climb up some old tracks. Spent some time relaxing and swimming in a lake and then had a blast back down some easy singletrack
Today we had a shuttle up into the hills. First trail was called Hammer
978m descent over 4.5 miles followed by a 1300m ascent back up a road for 9 miles to get to the start of the second trail called Anaconda with a 1150 drop over 5 miles.
Both trails were first class with a mixture of everything. Steep, rocky and rooty. The climb between was hard in the heat
One more over the Purbecks tonight, to finish the month of with 320 miles and 45,000ft of self propelled elevation, all on the Geometron.






"It's like Golfie but with thorns, lots of thorns..."
What a way to spend your 17th birthday morning - Basque country single-track....
^ that castle!
@tracey - 601 is a great trail. Exhausting at some point. The last bit down those massive steps/boliders must have been crazy in heavy rain.
It was. I was glad when we popped out at the end.
We were recommended Velolake for the shuttles and trail knowledge by Gordon at the uplift in Inners
He was spot on with the recomendation.
The guys know the trails well and have some of them on Komoot.
If we were to go back we would use them again.
Travelled to Aosta today. Weather permitting it will be Pila in the morning
Melting hot today - not helped by a lie in.
Seems Picos' routes go directly up and fall line down - and ignore schweeeeeet single-track that miners and farmers have created over the years.
Anyhow, worth the sweat for the view.
Looks like you're having fun Matt.
Mrsstus day off today so headed out for 1700 meters of Golfie fun.
Some trails were a slippy or grippy lottery from one corner to the next. Just couldn't tell until you were on it.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52197763098_13dbfb94cd_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52197763098_13dbfb94cd_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nwxbqJ ]Wolf End[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
We finished off in Pila yesterday and are now in Samoens for some lift assisted riding. Tried to book a shuttle to get to some stuff up the other side but can't get anyone interested for 2 people. Trail map looks good but it's easy to get carried Way and end up way down the valley.
GF needed a little nap on this stage of the Southern Upland Way

Fourth ride in a row for me today.
Local loop.
Bit warm for my liking but great not having to clean the bike.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52199047607_82815ab4d0_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52199047607_82815ab4d0_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nwDLgr ]2022-07-07_01-14-28[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52200545470_e751c5d337_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52200545470_e751c5d337_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nwMrwE ]2022-07-07_01-15-08[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
5th in a row for me last night and a lap of Portland, day off tonight with Parents Evening.




First day of riding in Samoens. Just over 3500m of descent. Did a big ride up above the lifts this morning followed by some of the regular stuff this afternoon. Finished off with a dip in the lake followed by a beer.
A few days into my Scotland trip, rode more local trails which resulted in a massive pedal strike, bent threads in the crank arm, and my face having an argument with the ground...
Day off on Monday, took a drive up to Aviemore, and ordered a new crank! 😩
Yesterday I hiked Ben Vrackie.
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/nr933v8j/strava8684601957959149237.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/nr933v8j/strava8684601957959149237.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
Today was 50km and 1200m of Perthshire gravel, sideways rain at the start then sunny at the end.
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/s2QFkZRz/strava4999186267726104690.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/s2QFkZRz/strava4999186267726104690.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
https://flic.kr/p/2nxSHCy
https://flic.kr/p/2nxZhxg
https://flic.kr/p/2nxSJoX
https://flic.kr/p/2nxXYNK
https://flic.kr/p/2ny1kMr
Nice commute on Tuesday. Took a singletrack I’ve not ridden for ages and reminded me how good the views of the Glasshouse Mountains are.
Shame it pissed down all the way home.
Was warm out there this morning.
Though it did rain on me twice for a couple of minutes which was rather nice.
Oldschool XC loop up onto the SUW then down the old drove road into Yarrowford, through Bowhill and along the river home.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52226663266_f2382b72ca_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52226663266_f2382b72ca_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nz6iru ]SUW[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52227148845_cd49b1e3bf_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52227148845_cd49b1e3bf_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nz8MMx ]Next climb in the distance.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52225661862_50cff51d4c_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52225661862_50cff51d4c_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nz1aKU ]Turn off for Drovers Road[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52226668641_a1d76a8067_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52226668641_a1d76a8067_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nz6k3a ]On the edge.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
A nice refreshing force 4-5 and 25 degrees over the Purbecks tonight.




Wish I could keep the Geometron train going, not yet...
Evening ride up Schiehallion for me today, what an utterly brilliant descent! Granted, I be walked a few bits, being up there with only one other person on the mountain and having lost my mojo a bit the last 2 weeks on the typical steep Scottish trails, but otherwise I rode most of it, and for mere mortals (or soft southerners who don't get this sort of riding locally), it's 100% ridable (from the first cairn). This evening's ride is exactly what I needed, bloody brilliant!
https://flic.kr/p/2nzq9Xr
https://flic.kr/p/2nzp5je
https://flic.kr/p/2nzp4Sh
https://flic.kr/p/2nznHBZ
https://flic.kr/p/2nzhwYD
I'll be back to conquer it all at some point, shouldn't take too much to ride it all.
Finishing off the trip with a day at Comrie Croft tomorrow which should be great fun.
Last day of school today, so early finish and chance to actually get out on the club midweek ride for once.
But... Stupidly rose to a WhatsApp 26er challenge this week and just grabbed my old, seldom used BFe and threw some air in the tyres. Shame I didn't check the sealant... Ride cut short.
Limped home (3km on the rim 'cos I was too stubborn and stupid to walk) and grabbed another bike to at least get out for a short solo spin to get the bad taste out of my mouth.
Inadvertently took (what I think is) a storming landscape in the process.
@aide.
Good job.
Give us a shout next time you're heading out local and I'll head on over.
Golfie rip today with Mrsstu.
Managed to coax her into giving Nae Spleens a go again after being pretty scared of it after her last attempt.
Then her first time down Hangover and she loved it.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52230260957_870f28239f_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52230260957_870f28239f_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nzpJUD ]Wolf switchbacks[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52231535279_167b5c1042_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52231535279_167b5c1042_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nzwgHH ]Wolf switchbacks 2[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52231261826_fc3e9146fe_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52231261826_fc3e9146fe_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nzuSr1 ]Nae Spleens.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
Last day of my Scottish 2 weeks, a full, dry, dusty day at Comrie Croft - brilliant stuff.
https://flic.kr/p/2nzwna1
https://flic.kr/p/2nzwoVH
https://flic.kr/p/2nzxM1i
https://flic.kr/p/2nzxLWL
Had planned to get up to The Peak for a scoot round Ladybower and down Cavedale today but couldn't drag my arse out of bed soon enough, so had to settle for a shorter trip up to The Pines for a pedalfest.
Unseasonal epic wetness has returned, so back to running my favourite tracks…
Tracks turned torrents. Rivers flooding where we normally ride.
Looks like the videos don't load...
Out testing a ticket to the moon pro hammock for ukgravelco.com
https://flic.kr/p/2nyXB8m
As no one else has posted anything yet this week I'd best stick these up.
Ride over Gypsy Glen with Mrsstu this morning.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52243235090_1aed757546_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52243235090_1aed757546_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nAyeEA ]Gypsy Glen[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52242747523_a33a198dff_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52242747523_a33a198dff_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nAvJJg ]Moody sky[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
Mmm. Not sure whether Monday counts as 'midweek', but a quick local loop on the SS BigWig from last night. Have just put some Forekasters on for something a bit faster rolling; seemed to work as got an unexpected KOM! 👑😁
Replenishing the dust I washed off at the weekend.




First off, this is one of my favourite ever riding selfies.
But... It comes from a ride where I think I've broken my toe. With 'Ard Rock at the weekend I planned a nice easy Wednesday club ride - no risk taking, just get out and spin the pedals for a bit. Left the group to ride home solo and rode past the start of an old segment that isn't ridden much. Knowing it would be riding hard and quick, I thought 'what the hell?' and decided to have a blast. Half way down, leant into a fast right hander and flat out crushed my toes between the pedal and a hidden stump. A few hours later and I'm icing my suspected broken toe...
Toes are meant to be purple and swollen, and have stuff 'clicking' inside them when you flex them right?
Hopefully it wont get worse and I can splint it in the morning and carry with preparations for the weekends riding...
Posted in the rail strike thread
But yesterday did a 145km round trip from my parents into London
National Cycle network from Luton via harpenden, st Alban's, was actually quite pleasant
Return I cycled Whitechapel to Watford via the A5 , then along the canal to berkhampstead up over to Ashridge, then down from Ivinghoe beacon, & over Dunstable downs
Went on the hardtail with tyres pumped up to ridiculously hard - had to stop on the canal towpath and let air out as I was getting rattled all over the place & aching feet
It's very brown out there at the moment!
But did get some delicious giant BlackBerries at points
https://flic.kr/p/2nASuAY
https://flic.kr/p/2nAM1h3
Time off work corresponding with school hols means a ride with Jnr in Epping forest today:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kryton1957/52247854550/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kryton1957/52247854600/in/dateposted-public/
Followed by a pub dinner (no, the Peroni isn't his):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kryton1957/52247643059/in/dateposted-public/
...and off to Swinley tomorrow.
This was his first time clipped in, and he did extremely well falling in a bush only once in 2 hours of singletrack
Dunkeld Thursday for us.
https://flic.kr/p/2nAWpfT
https://flic.kr/p/2nAXm5x
Just squeezing one last one in before the weekend... Jnr on Swinley's North shore 😀
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kryton1957/52248539657/in/dateposted-public/





My hardtail is in for a bit of TLC so took the big bike out for an XC loop in the evening heat. Good to get out, but it was a bit of a slog!
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/RZccWcLh/Sun.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/RZccWcLh/Sun.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/rpVfG8jS/Moon.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/rpVfG8jS/Moon.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
A couple from Saalbach yesterday.
Broke my Trek Rail so I dig the old Capra out of retirement.


On a roll at the moment.
Seven rides in seven days.
So dry and hot in the woods today it smelt like riding in Spain.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52275647442_c7510827cb_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52275647442_c7510827cb_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2nDqmJf ]Smells like Spain.[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/stu-b/ ]StuartBrettle[/url], on Flickr
FoD is bonkers dusty. Just managed to finish a great ride without needing the lights. We did need a cold beer tho!
@colp - impressively large 🙂
Holy dustbowl batman!
Ride into Corrour for lunch. Low morning cloud burnt off leaving a dry, sunny day
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/zvJ4Jft0/PXL-20220811-090718009.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/zvJ4Jft0/PXL-20220811-090718009.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
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[url= https://i.postimg.cc/J4YSLMb5/PXL-20220811-120745851.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/J4YSLMb5/PXL-20220811-120745851.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.postimg.cc/FRb25SZY/PXL-20220811-124336660.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.postimg.cc/FRb25SZY/PXL-20220811-124336660.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
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Too hot for backpacks and kneepads. Digger is brilliant for exploring/getting lost/riding cheeky footpaths/etc. Turned GPS off and just rode until I was tired. Had a lovely sit by the river as well 🙂
It was blooming hot tho. Ice in water bottles didn't last long!
A very dusty Puddletown last night, then a very hot and brown 100Km on the Geometron today.









Humid one last night, Local spin out/play in the woods/beer garden pintage.

Night ride yesterday was hot
Very dusty and crunchy under the wheel
Nearly got taken out by a badger and someone was having a mini rave in the car park when I finished about 11
Hardtail from home. Nice air temps and ground conditions tonight, the rain seems to have super charged the nettles and gorse though.


We did a route from Lost Lanes Wales around Bishop's Castle on Tuesday. It was short steep but beautiful in many places and the drizzle was very welcome after the hot weekend



The Kerry Ridgeway bit was great on the gravel/hybrid bikes.
Thought we'd best ride some of the 'they don't go for me after the rain' trails in the Yat last night. Brilliant ride, perfect conditions and not a bad place to have a pint afterwards 🙂

































