Racing is not until Sunday for me - first race of the season here and set to be a wet Enduro on some tracks where that should be a bonus... but Friday morning was a good time to get out and try out the adjustments to my rear shock at the rocky end of my favourite trail centre.
And apparently my photos are too big to upload, even though they’re not.
... i'm not really a good judge of this stuff, but no complaints.
Didn't see another soul on the trails. Did find a limbo pole on one track.
2 weeks in a row blessed by glorious sunshine on the Friday morning coffee ride. Bitterly cold though. Fairly certain the weather is just trolling us at the moment.
Local gravel loop with mrs Ampthill on her new e-bike. Great fun and preparation for an upcoming, short, supported tour.
Sheffield will be absolutely tropical if that ice cold wind ever stops blowing.
And this is the giant dog shit that I stepped in.
im cheating - my photos are from yesterday. But I have to work today, while my colleagues in France were all off yesterday. So I rode the legs off myself yesterday and pretended it was an early start to the weekend.
I’d almost forgotten just how beautiful Cavehill is.
Another track I like watching change through the seasons. Fading into autumn....
Winter...
And today! Looks sunny but still bloody cold in the wind.
A cool day at Revolution Bike Park, I love a chilled Friday 😀
The weather wasn’t quite what I expected from the forecast; bizarrely dry and lovely, but windier than expected, so a lot of the bigger jumps were a no go, still got to test the new bike on lots of decent gaps, almost had a hilarious crash on that first step down of the rather splendid new Red DH jump line. It’s mega chilled and slow, I was a bit keen, so bounced down the trail a touch after going really deep, on the cusp of an OTB, whilst giggling in slight (amused) panic as I readied for ejection 🤣 😆
I do love Revs, great place!
Another local ride today around Rivington area. 22 miles loop from home
I’m running well behind with pictures,
last week was Sutton Bank/Kilburn Monday, Golfie Tuesday, Isle of Skye Wednesday, Outter Hebrides Thursday, and Friday could not decide on Torridon or Ft Bill so started at 5am and did both, home for 1.5 days and then left for San Remo, now in Finale for the weekend and heading home Tuesday if all goes ok Monday.
Last week was 1600 miles driving, 100 miles and 24,000ft of riding and only a bit of rain.
Another track I like watching change through the seasons. Fading into autumn....
Every time I see you photograph this lovely section of woodland, I always think it's a climb up to Stanton Moor, then remember you aren't in Derbyshire. Matlock locals will know where I mean
Raceday at last. A lot of pushing up a nasty fireroad, but worth it for seven runs.
Reeksy2 had a blast at his first proper race. He’s knackered but keen for the next one. Placed in the top third.
Reeksy1 did his own thing and smashed me with his times.
I missed out by two seconds on beating a mate… but have compared my times to last year and made 5-7 second improvements on 3 minute stages so can’t complain.
I guess there will be horrific photos of me being sent to me from the official photographer in the next day or two which will highlight that I’m an old biffer! 
A bit dull for photos in the Yat. Couple from @trusty. On a recently added trail. That chute is WAY steeper than it looks and quite high consequence if you fall left or right. Honest 🙂 Another near 1200m climbing day. Getting a few in early as there's a mad plan for a massive 2000m climbing day that'll span about 70km. I'm not telling my legs about it yet.
Heavy rain forecasted. Started drizzling as we arrived at the pub. Still another 10km home from there, but by then I didn't care as I was wet from the inside as well 🙂
I notice the forum software decided two of my images weren't worth posting^^. Shall try again. That slab is the "alternate" entry to the trail. It's horrible especially the drop off the end you can't see. I saw it and it had "splattered collarbone" written all over it. The non pro entry was a whole lot less committed 🙂
Excellent day Saturday riding around the Surrey Hills, but unfortunately no pictures.
Nice evening for a quick spin tonight to loosen the legs.
First time at the Golfie for me this weekend!
Rode down everything we attempted, albeit with a few dabs and tripod moments. Certainly challenged my riding, it's the length of the runs and the sustained steepness that took me the first half day to mentally adjust. Excellent though!
2 full 35km 1400m days, and then a shorter 2 run ride at Inners Sunday morning.
Another brisk ‘post kids’ 
bedtime’ ride, one of those where you don’t feel like you’re going that fast but I must have been in the zone - managed to get into the top 4 on a local Strava descent. Lovely evening for it.
Raced Boltby. Mid-pack finish despite riding blind with no Saturday practice due to home stuff going on and thinking that heading over Saturday afternoon for a few beers with mates and then sleeping in the boot of the car as the van is off the road would be a good idea. Sleeping in the boot of a car is not a good idea.
As always though, superb, superb trails and we were lucky to get out and back early before the rain and hailstorms hit.
Need to get my van fixed before a half term roadtrip next week with mini DBW#0000002 to FOD and BPW and the weather is looking like its going to be high 20s and sunny (grey, overcast and slinging it down here at the minute).
Belated pic from Saturday morning's spin
Got home this afternoon, awesome 2nd day in Finale Sunday, 4 runs and 12,000ft of epic trails, 12 hour day to finish work in San Remo Monday, flew home from Nice this morning.
