Another sub 2 hour z2 ride in the warm and windy weather this afternoon, didn't get as far as the proper hills but great to be out once I pushed myself out of the door, not feeling quite so battered tonight.
Riding with the dog this morning.
Does it get much better?
Checking out my new commute route today
Looks good in the dry
Beer at home to celebrate
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Some nice new roads today on the way over to Inverness. Nice coffee stop at Aberlour. Cracking day for it.
Legs tired now so feet up and it’s beer o clock.
I set out to grab a few VeloViewer squares, but also to ascertain the rideability of a short section between two "dead end" tracks in an out-of-the-way part of Ardverickie estate. The day started badly. I'd ridden away from the van only to remembers that I'd left my phone behind. I backtracked, grabbed the phone and set off again. Little more than 15 minutes in, I also realised I'd not packed much in the way of snacks. I knew there was plenty in the van, but I couldn't be arsed going back yet again.
Up the hill, on a path much improved since I last rode it and past s a couple of lovely swimming pools until the hard track ended and I was at the start of the grassy/peaty section. Not very rideable, I was content to push uphill until it ended and I was now faced with the trackless bit.
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I reckoned about 2km to where the OS map showed the track, so followed the river bank. not in any hurry and just enjoying the weather and the feeling of solitude. After that 2km I reckoned I should have come across the other dead end and set about trying to find it. The peat hags were horrendous, the only saving grace being that we've had a decent spell of dry weather so none of then were too soft. Eventually, I spied the "track". It had obviously been a very well-made stalkers path at one time but it was now broken up into very short sections, interspersed with more peat hags. I tried to ride a few bits but I was actually slower than just walking as I was having to dismount too often.
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By now I was beginning to think more seriously about my timing. Progress was glacially slow and I knew I had at least 5km to where the track definitely improved. And all I had was one cereal bar and half a bag of Jelly Babies.
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I stopped at an old set of ruins just for a break and to compose myself. While not exactly heading for disaster (I did have spare clothing with me), I was feeling a bit anxious and, frankly, pissed off.
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Setting off after a wee break (and a wee break) it took me a couple of minutes to rediscover the broken track. Then I came round a corner and noticed that the track seemed have a good stretch, I remounted the bike and that good bit went on, and on, and on. Suddenly, I was on some of the sweetest Highland singletrack I can ever remember. It was just awesome. With my sudden ability to actually ride the damn bike and the fun I was having, the 5km shot by far too quickly.
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Now I had another choice. I'd plotted a route over some more "forgotten" tracks but it was just a lot easier, quicker and more familiar to scoot down to Loch Pattack.
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Passing the famous ponies, I finally had that cereal bar I'd been saving. I knew that the last section, along Lochan na h-Earba was always a struggle, it being a funnel for the wind. When I got there, I found I was careering along it at a fair lick. As it happened, this must be the only time I've had a tailwind. The final descent back to the van is another fast one so I was back in double-quick time.
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In summary, I think I've forgotten what it's like to truly adventure, Like most folk I'm guilty of sticking to known tracks , so I've forgotten that things can go a bit pear-shaped but that's no need to panic. Keeping a steady head will (mostly) see you right in the end!
After playing with the “retro bike” on Friday I took the “proper” MTB out for a ride in the sun on the Glenfiddich estate today. Forecast forecast next week is a bit grim up here, so got to make the most of the sun while it’s here.
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Forecast forecast next week is a bit grim up here, so got to make the most of the sun while it’s here.
Amen to that. Gotta see how much I can squeeze into Sunday and Monday!!!
My legs felt a bit heavy after Thursdays ride at Ballater but I still managed 4000ft of up at Pitfichie. It would be rude not to when the trails are so dry.
No rims were destroyed on this ride 😀
Afternoon Ride Pic including an SFB tribute section.
There was then a period of Gin and chilling. A good day.
Started off as a very short spin to loosen off my grumpy back, turned into a spirited 70km gravel yomp over the Braes of Doune and Glen Artney via the Bracklin Falls. Lots of excellent new tracks, bike behaving impeccably as always despite a newly acquired Redshift stem leading to "robust" treatment of the front wheel...
Amazing pictures. I need to finish a frame build then heading out.
Just sat here in the car In Machico, Madeira waiting for the boys to arrive. We haven't been out since earlier this week when one of my friends had a HUGE off over a rock step-down on the Quattre Estrada EWS route. It was dry then but it's been tanking it down all night and those who have ridden Madeira before will know that it's utterly lethal in the wet. Oh joy!
A local trip round Tod / Hebeden Bridge
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Great weekend for riding.
And yet again, I stumbled across another load of dumped weed today. This is a very regular occurrence on my trails now.
I stumbled across another load of dumped weed today.
"Stumbled across" isn't a good enough excuse... 😉
With a "non interval" / free weekend I had a lovely day in the sun on the MTB for a couple of hours yesterday. Decide to ride with a sub plot of leaving the brakes alone to practise carry speed and got a few PR's on the dusty Singletrack:
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And then, after having my second Covid Jab and feeling a bit ropey this morning, 4hrs a chilly today 120k with the club on the road bike, first time out this year on the "summer" bike. Forgot to take the obligatory cafe stop photo, but did take a sparkly frame shot yesterday when getting the bike ready blowing the dust off:
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The early overcast melted away into a perfect blue sky and another beautiful day in the Woburn woods:
[img] https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez078VWXMAMzWlf?format=jpg&name=large [/img]
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it also turns out, i have accidentally colour co-ordinated my new car and my old bike:
[img] https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ez078VWXMAILp3Q?format=jpg&name=large [/img]
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Scolty hill Banchory. Cracking day for it trails are very dry.
3 x days, 3 bikes 🙂
Thursday Night around Rivvy
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Friday afternoon around Yorkshire
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and 100K around the South Lakes yesterday
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All of which had great weather and stunning views, lets hope it stay like this for a while
Not a cloud in the sky on the southern edge of Exmoor
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Yellow trail
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Local wildlife made an appearance
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took 2/3s of kids to whitelee windfarm for a little pootle. Sophie complained it was to smooth lol
Eebs for us today in the local woods.
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Clicky to watch Mrsstu final get through the rock garden.
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Cracking dusty local ride, perfected by two pints at the rising sun, in the warm sunshine 🌞 🍻 glorious
http://imgur.com/gallery/PmnQhau
Went for a bivy last night up above Hetton. This morning did a circuit round to Malham and then back home. Lovely in the sun and out of the wind but by heck that wind were cold!
Full(ish) report and more shots here - https://bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=18922#p258570
Busy week getting some miles in the Dales. Legs are toast now, and tan lines are back.
Chapeau to Mrs Stu for clearing the rock garden. A look of concentration or grim determination was observed.
Today I had my first non-rollers-in-the-garage ride without child & weeride seat in probably just over a year. First time exploring the off-road since moving to Daventry almost 2 years ago. It's nothing special and all very tame but had loads of fun just popping off roots etc on all the short singletrack bits. One of them rides that reminds you why you started riding bikes in the first place.
If anyone's local and wants to meet for a ride/has some better routes to share let me know 🙂 definitely want to get back into mtb properly, beats slogging it out on the road bike.
Okeford bike park today, Holed a new DHF Exo+ front tyre in the rock garden on Devils Dyke that wouldn’t seal, but had chucked a spare DHF DH casing in the car so fitted that, pretty sure I’ve got a fracture in my right hand and after fitting that and a full day of runs, it’s pretty sore again now.
Stunning pictures again everyone.
I really enjoy these threads.
Great photos all. Loving seeing everyone out enjoying the sun and dust.
We got away with the van (whoop!) to Hawkshead for the weekend. Weather was amazing. Played around on the hardtails on the bridleways of Claife Heights, taking another step on the long COVID rehab journey. Legs really not used to long technical descents - quads were on fire! @p20 then carried on round Grizedale (and had to pedal 2 miles back with a bust seat-post!) whilst I enjoyed the sun.
Seriously love that Sherpa more and more.
Some awesome pictures again everyone, aren't bikes just the best?
Had some post covid jab lethargy on Saturday but back to almost normal yesterday so a gentle loop of the local was had.
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(NB - Not me jumping!)
No bikes. Good surf though.
This weekend was a) my eldests birthday weekend and b) try to learn how to ride on flats weekend.
Only managed an hour or so on the local playing fields attempting, with mixed success, rear wheel lifts, bunnyhops and manuals and then on the Sunday a couple of hours on the local trails attempting to put my new found meager skills to use. Shins and calves are ungouged thankfully.
Lowthers
Saturday - over to see Dad and do some jobs for him, then tandem ride in the afternoon
Sunday - local spin on the MTB then maiden voyage along the canal in the newly purchased canoe
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I suffered the masses and went round Cannock Chase yesterday afternoon.
Parked pretty much as far up the overflow car park as I’ve ever done and joined a fair few on the trails.
Haven’t done bits of the Monkey for 18+ months due to unfortunately loosing my mojo (and COVID of course) and although it was good to get out again, the braking bumps on a few sections are terrible on a hard tail.
Did a lot of the ride off the marked trails, which was great as there are virtually no other people about.
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Rode up the hill to check snow levels..
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Some folk were still skiing the upper levels.
Went for a lunchtime spin. Saw a lot of yellow 🙂
First motorbike ride of the year, over to the west coast
Sunday morning up the Sidlaws
