First race of the season in a couple of weeks. I have the same bike as my friend and racing arch-rival. I've lost 5 kilos and i think i'm probably fitter than I was last season. So I decided to go for a ShockWiz session this morning, while also doing a reasonably challenging ride.
Should have guessed when I woke up 30 minutes before my alarm that it wouldn't go exactly to plan. Instead of getting up earlier and getting more time on the trail I laid in bed until 5 minutes after the alarm went off. Then faffed around and didn't get to the trails until fifteen minutes later than planned. This meant the headlamp i'd gone to the trouble of setting up the night before was useful for about 2.5 minutes and then got turned off.
Halfway through the ride on a gnarly climb the chain snapped. I removed the remaining parts of the broken link and rather optimistically (because the final link was a bit bent) fitted a quick link. That didn't work nicely at all, so I had to separate the quick link (lots of rocks around for that) remove another link and put it all back together... only I put the chain on the wrong way around so I had to remove it and put it on the right way again.
Aside from that meaning I ended up doing a shorter ride than possible it was a spectacular morning with trails in perfect condition (someone had swept the leaves on a 3km track!) and I got a Strava top 5 on a South Korean style rocksliding off piste track.
Laps for me this morning up at Kilburn.
Given that it's only an hour's drive from my house, I can't believe this is only the third time I've been!
Off to Golfie next weekend, so was good to get some practice in on some steeper stuff (even though the very steep stuff at Kilburn I still walk down! 🙄
Friday morning coffee ride. 05:30 every Friday. Not every week we get a morning like this 🤯
Up at Tewantin today for another ShockWiz session. I’ve ended up with an extra 37 psi in the back above what I’d set based on the sag indicator Pivot provide. It did feel pretty good although I didn’t get as much riding time as I would have liked. Weather of course was first class.
Half day at work yesterday so thought I’d take the new bike to Peaslake and test the blue CTS valve I’ve fitted to the formula selva forks. Had a loose plan to just ride a short 15km ride to just do a bit on winterfold and pitch but bike felt good and I felt good so carried on a did ~40km and 1000m. It was the perfect day for it.
Couldn't sleep from about 4am so got out on an early.
So glad I did. Absolutely beautiful out out, it was.
Not done a huge amount of pedalling lately so my legs are feeling the 25 miles now, but the coffee when I got back was the shiz! 😊
Draycote Water (turns out you can't cycle all the way around it because it's shut off for construction. Also turns out if you sneak past the security fences you get told off by the security guards)
A lovely day to be out down the Argyll secret coast and Kyles. Took in what is meant to be one of the steepest climbs in the UK (We've been up worse...) and enjoyed miles of the west coast road that has been treated to smoooooooth tarmac. Plus we saw 5 cars in the first 2 hours and I'm sunburnt 😎
57km and 1300m+ of climbing.
Been itching to get out for the past few days, but work and grey weather were unhelpful and not encouraging
24 mile/3700ft on the eeb with a couple of mates on a Chatsworth, Bakewell, Stanton loop. Cracking!
Strong winds and tired legs meant that was a very slow, lethargic 25km on the exercise bike. All that effort and I still get asked if the Druid is an e-bike.
I took some time to appreciate how handsome the bike is with all the rear mudguards and tool bags removed.
Just after I took this picture I had my first SPD related crash since I started clipping in.
Turning left onto Jumble Road I washed out and couldn't unclip. I went down on my hands and knees in the boulders. The palm of my hand is slowly going purple and my arm is a bit stiff.
I also broke my bank card so when I stopped for a flapjack and a drink I had to leave empty handed.
Not loads of photos, had my camera on the helmet so there should be some footage on there. Rode the gap (thanks for the route @ambrose, it was spot on). Lots of elevation, but mostly manageable climbing. Unrideable gully was walked, though looking back there are definitely a couple of rideable lines.
Much fun was had.
165km audax yesterday, Lichfield to Market Harborough and back. Pleasantly warm sunshine, cracking route and organisation, tailwind on the way back.
It appears I'm still plagued by 480p images.
Yep, yet look up the page at arpee's images. No one can seemingly tell me what the issue is
It appears I'm still plagued by 480p images.
Yep, yet look up the page at arpee's images. No one can seemingly tell me what the issue is
Arpee has hosted on postimg and linked them in.
Everyone uploading to STW looks like they're using flip phones.
This should look better...
A great day today
Morning seaside walk at Kippford
Tidied up a cheap Pashley bike I bought for my daughter to use when she goes to university
Fixed a broken Baby Gaggia coffee machine my wife bought in a charity shop for £10
Little bike ride
Pizza and wine to come later
I love a Pine forest like this - not soggy, still lots of greenery around, loamy, prime trails, it was perfect this weekend.
