Whitwick / Coalville / NW Leicestershire Riders

I will be out tomorrow.

Danny – hope to see you back out again soon.

Hi Chaps

Out I’m afraid, hand is still swollen and too weak to offer sufficient support to compensate for my hideous lack of skill.

Have a great ride and all the best Danny.

Saddly I’m out – just been out for a spin down beacon and killed my rear wheel – so unless I can source one in the next 2 hours I guess I will have to wait till next week!

So who’s going to be there who knows where they are going?

I believe Rascal knows his stuff around that way.

I’ll be there – I know the area pretty well…as does Fatbob by now 😉

Decent ride again tonight.
Not mega-mileage but me, Fatbob, Jez, Andrew and Fran did a turn through Swithland Woods up the Bradgate Park obelisk and the good decent towards Newtown Linford, being spied on by deer. S Woods was revisited with a bit of a play around – lots drier than a fortnight ago. A swift pint of Landlord at the Curzon rounded the night off nicely – posh tart put in a brief appearance.
Andrew – get your lights sorted 💡 2 fails on 2 rides is not a good return on your new lights!
Danny – sorry to see you weren’t out tonight -hope that doesn’t mean the news is too bad.
Scandal – dare I ask how you fudged your digit?
Whitwick 7pm next Weds – usual meeting place.
The more the merrier – time to see the return of some old NWLRC faces 😀

Was a god run last night even without lights. Still struggling with my fitness levels.
Rascal, I’ve been testing my light this evening, they are still alight after 2 hours. I may take them out Sunday evening to see how they go, seeing as the vendor is not replying to my emails (no phone no.). Go figure eh!

Right peeps, quick roll call for Wednesday evening.

I’ll be there at 7pm raring to go. Rag n Mop (Man Within Compass).

Peaks trip on Saturday is still on if anyone is up for it. I thought we’d have a crack at the Edale-Hollins-Rushup-Roych-Coldwell-Middlemoor-Jacobs Classic loop. Bigger climbs and a bit more of an outing than last time. Will probably try to start in Hayfield to be fresher for the Ladder, but can discuss on Wednesday.

Sorry to resurrect this at short notice, but the last week or so has been ‘challenging’.

Hello Danny, glad to hear you can make it out this week.

I will be there on Wednesday and am still up for a trip to the Peaks on Saturday.

I may make it out on wednesday – but still waiting on a rear tyre from germany as it turned out it wasn’t just my wheel/rim I damaged last week (bead split from sidewall)

Much as I’d like to keep my run of consecutive appearances up, work seems to be getting busy meaning (unpaid) extra hours over the next few weeks – annoying as it is I’m gonna have to suck it up as not happened since I’ve been at this new place yet….having said that I’m going to try my damnedest to be there

Right then,

Quite sure to be out tomorrow night and 99% sure I will be with you on Saturday in the Peaks Danny (managed to put in a late holiday request with she who must be obeyed)

Who is currently in for the peaks ride then?

Have a good ride out tonight chaps, I’ll see you next week. I would have liked to do the Peaks Saturday, but I’m sure I don’t quite the legs for it (give me a couple of weeks)..

A good ride tonight chaps.

Bob, Scandal, Jez and I managed 12.8miles at what I would call a fair lick. I started to feel it towards the end, but it’s all exercise.

We started off in the woods dancing down some dusty (yes, that is right) singletrack and only hitting the briefest of mud patches. We nipped down the quarry descent where a momentary loss of concentration nearly resulted in our first proper ‘off’ of the year, but he kept it upright.

Then off through Penny Hayes wood and up and down Bardon a couple of times before nipping over Warren Hills and back around the quarry and down the same descent before coming around the hill and into the woods above the pub for a last hurrah. Quick pint (of coke for me) turned into two for scandal and Jez. A first ever re-raise at the pub!

Well done to everyone on a really good evening ride. Minus four points to me for soft drink, plus four for Jez and scandal for doubling up on the ales.

If there are any late takers for a peaks ride on Saturday post up here and I’ll let you know the details.

I’m in. Meet at Trowell services at 8.30am???

Yes, that’s the plan.

Might need to dig out the warm clothes as it looks like it could be a bit draughty and wet. No major worries on the route, only a couple of boggy bits at Kinderlow and Rushup. Otherwise will be fine.

Hey ho, it’ll mean less walkers, so very cloud has a silver lining. See you there and then.

Good stuff Jez,

As Danny said, it was a good ride on Wednesday night, I will certainly be keeping my eye on the game a bit better on Saturday 🙂

Hope it’s not to breezy tomorrow, I don’t want to mess my hair up if I can help it.

Yay, no posts since yesterday, so I can indulge my verbal diarrhoea with a write up of today’s Peak District ride featuring Jez, Bob, Scandal and I.

We rode the classic Edale and Jacobs Ladder loop, the only slight amendment being the first climb onto Middle Moor and descent to the reservoir.

After a stiff initial climb to Middle Moor we hit the first descent of the day, which passed off without incident and was very enjoyable. My gears started to play up on the next climb, but miraculously sorted themselves out. Then followed my nemesis climb towards Kinderlow End. In a sign of things to come Bob smashed it with Scandal also doing excellently. Jez and I took a it longer, but he was a good deal quicker than me.

In a formula one style pit stop Jez swapped brake pads and we soldiered on in momentary horizontal hail until we hit the climb to Edale Cross. After one of the nicest tickings off I’ve ever had for (accidentally) not using the proper bridleway from a Peak Ranger guy we carried on. He was a good old boy out and about and pitched his advice really well, it actually made me want to ride the correct route next time!

Bob now took things to the next level as he got as far up the climb as I’ve seen anyone go. He also nailed a bit further on that I can’t recall ever seeing anyone clean. Now for the ladder. What a brilliant descent, no other way to describe it. Great fun had by all, Jez having one mishap close to the gate. I didn’t actually see it as I was too busy starting to fix a pinch flat that my over-enthusiastic riding had caused. Next we carried on to the lower section which now has some quite nasty bits where the loose rocks combine with a comparatively shallow gradient to make things a bit tasty. A minor off from scandal followed by a more substantial one from Jez within spitting distance of the gate saw us down. Arms were well and truly pumped up.

A warp speed dash to the cafe at Edale followed. We sat down in the sun to enjoy a welcome repast, but were coerced indoors by some drizzle. After about five minutes I said “the top of that hill was visible two minutes ago”. Then rain and hail started. Fresh clothing was donned and we off again to Hollins Cross. Then the snow started. At least we were with the wind. Until the turn at Hollins. Bob smashed that climb and the one up the grassy gullies to Mam Tor. Scandal gave it a good crack as well. Jez and I raised our eyebrows at each other. A quick blast down to the road and it was time for Rushup Edge into a biting wind. Good efforts all round this time.

A nice run down the gully was only interrupted by the only slightly obstructive walkers of the day. Still good all the same. Off to the Pennine Bridleway next and, glory be, some sympathetic trail maintenance on the way into Roych Clough. A nice descent and one where I got airborne with ‘baggy knees’ to land a bit sideways but intentionally, and felt good about it. I’m easily satisfied. At the bottom Bob generously dished out the energy snacks. These looked curiously like haemorrhoids, but tasted a whole lot better. The extra energy came in handy for me as I was able to lift my head whilst pushing up the climb to see Bob leaving a vapour trail as he dominated the next climb, again.

As we regrouped I was made to regret my badly chosen words on the drive up (“I can’t see how this good weather is going to change”). Frankly painful hail and sleet now lacerated any exposed skin. The mini descent from South Head was an experience. It’s not easy to ride quick rocky trails with your eyes closed and head tilted down.

We copped some good natured abuse from a walker as she described us as ‘nesh’. Mind you, we were cowering behind a stone wall. I might have even have adopted a foetal position if I’d been on my own. The next bit of descent was, if anything, more painful than the last. Soaked through and with numb hands we made our way to the top of the next descent where the sun chose to mock us by appearing for about thirty seconds. A nice razz down Coldwell Clough saw us arrive numb-handed at the top of the last hurrah down into Hayfield. This is always an underrated bit of track and it was as good as usual, with the only issue that it ensured we were totally shit up by the end.

A swift pint next to a roaring coal fire in the George Hotel sealed the deal. A great ride, made more memorable by some slightly intimidating weather.

Scandal and I managed a quick stop at the real ale corner in Chesterfield on the way home just to top things off.

I only have one request for when we next go to the Peaks. If Bob could please get a picture of some gorgeous woman like Gemma Atkinson and stick it to his back I might at least get to look at something nice on the climbs when it feels like my lungs are being pan-seared.

Woodhouse Eaves on Wednesday night people. Be there.

Disclaimer: No bikes or animals were harmed in the making of the above post.

As for riders, I’ll let you know tomorrow.

Blimey, sounds like quite an adventure. Think I’ll have to get a little fitter before joining you on your evening jaunts 🙂

You don’t need to worry too much about being unfit mrbelowski, I’m always bringing up the rear. It’s always a good laugh though.
Danny, I’m jealous as hell. Sounds like you had a good one. I’m off out to get some miles in my legs. I’m coming to get you! See you Wednesday.

Again, no need to worry about fitness. Yesterday was fun and interesting in equal measure, but would not have been one jot less enjoyable with more rest stops.

It was a bit of ‘experience’ in one way, but they are all well-used and well-known trails, nothing that’s likely to involve mountain rescue. Big, rocky and tough going, but not scary in a ‘wilderness’ sense.

Thoroughly enjoyed yesterday even getting machine-gunned by sidewards hail. Think we all did pretty well considering the changing weather.

Bet the smoke trails left from Rob are still clearing as we speak.

Anyway I would prefer Lucy Pinder to Jemma Atkinson.

C u all Wednesday.

A great day out and a nice write up Danny.

The good thing about our changeable British weather is that no two rides are ever the same, that’s not to say I have anything against wall to wall sunshine!

See you all on Wednesday

Cheers Bob, I might have had a couple of said real ales on top of a knackering day out when I wrote that post, so writers’ block was never going to be a problem!

I’ve had to invest in a mech hanger alignment tool, though. I got the bike out today having just hosed it in the dark last night, and the bastard hanger is bent again. I’m slightly concerned that the cataclysmic mechanical in November has now structurally weakened it, but not much I can do about that unless I get a new dropout brazed on. At least the proper tool will mean I get it straight until the next time. Only 30 odd quid?!

I’ve got it acceptably straight now, so Wednesday won’t be a problem, but if I get the chance to zero it in properly before then I will do.

See you Wednesday evening 7pm Woodhouse Eaves village car park.

Excellent (character building) ride on Saturday, cheers to Danny for sorting another good away day.

I have managed to sort out the malfunctioning gears with the recommended deep clean and GT85 blast on the cables.

Should be in attendance on Wednesday, although the legs still felt a tad fatigued on the stairs at work this morning 😀

In total I spent an entire day out riding on Saturday and good 2.5 hours fettling/cleaning the bike on Sunday, needless to say the Mrs loved the peace and quiet.

Oh and to anyone wanting to attend on the week night meetup, do not worry about the pace, we are very accommodating, please join us this Wednesday in the Woodhouse Eves village car park for a 7pm ride 😉

So then, Wednesday night roll call.

Woodhouse Eves 7pm

All welcome

Wayne? Muddyfool time for a reappearance?

I’m in!

Gears sorted (I hope), rear pads changed (dark peak grit did the usual job) and raring to go.

See you at the Woodhouse Eaves village car park 7pm.

The clocks go forward at the weekend, so we’ll be starting in the light from next week 🙂

I’m not going to make it tomorrow eve. My other half has car trouble, tried to get it sorted tonight but ran out of time.

I will be out tonight.

See you there.

Much as I would love to make it out tonight I’m reluctantly going to have to say no.
Got back from South Wales very late last night/early this morning after visiting my mum in hospital.
Haven’t seen the wife properly since last Fri (half hour last night doesn’t really count) so having a lazy day/evening with some nice home cooked food! I know that sounds boring but I need to stay in (though I do fancy coming out!). If I’m around next Weds I’m deffo in for that one. Have a good ride – you barstewards 😉

I’d quite like to come out and play but it’ll depend on how naughty my kids are. Will check with the boss later

I’m only just leaving work chaps. If I’m not there don’t wait. Have a cracker

I’ll be out and about later, but won’t make the start of the ride – if you see a fat man bimbling around on a fat bike, that’s me 🙂

Scandal, we ‘called it’ at about five past seven, as no one had seen your post. Hope you didn’t have a wasted journey.

A fun ride in surprisingly slippery conditions. All that lovely dust has regressed back into slop, but fun nevertheless. The ride also featured a welcome return to form on the mechanicals front. I managed a puncture and an increasingly erratic drivetrain and Matt G also managed to get some hideous noises out of his gears.

We did a bit of a loop out to Swithy woods, a bit of a play in the woods featuring some nice sideways action in places. We then did some stuff around the park that cannot be mentioned before a quick blast down another hill that cannot be mentioned, but now features a foot deep drainage ditch right at the bottom. I just managed to slow down enough to pop sideways into it.

We also achieved a notable fail in not going for a pint, but no one had really dressed correctly for the ride so we were all freezing by the end. I’ve since managed a second helping of home cooked turkey Balti with two cans of Guinness, so all was not lost.

The answer to the mechanicals? Enter Bob’s fully rigid singlespeed. It would definitely prolong the life of my drivetrain as I wouldn’t be able to ride it up anything!

Hopefully see you next week, but I might struggle. The meet will be 7pm Man Within Compass Whitwick. Hopefully I’ll see you there.

Mrbelowski, we didn’t see you I think, but feel free to be there ^^^^^^^^ next week.

Let’s get the numbers back up as the clocks go forward and we can at least start the ride in the light again!

I might come along next week since uni breaks up on friday and it’ll be interesting to see some new people! Where do you all meet?

I AM going to make it, we’ve had builders here for the last fortnight so I can’t get into the garage to sort a mechanical, and leaving the MTB outside hasn’t helped (dark-side roadie is in the kitchen, treasonous I know)

I was out and about a little later, I did wonder if the folks climbing the Broombriggs side of the Beacon were you guys, probably not.

I was impossibly slippy in Swithy woods – even my fatty was squirming around all over the shop.

I’ll try and make next week’s adventure – I’d like to try some of these hills that can’t be named 🙂