Hi Tony, can’t help mate and sorry to veer sharply off topic – but, doin a local ride from my place Sunday morn if you’re interested, nowt right techy but will take in pump track in Tempy etc. probably out about 3 hours.
Steve.

I did a steady 31 miles on road bike saturday. Sunday was at Ladybower with the Mrs. Just walked around res’s (slippery stones). What a beautiful morning, not a breath of breeze and nice sunshine. Loads of mtb’rs about enjoying the great conditions. To make up for lack of ride I had a quick walk up steep hill from C Park (one on left after cattle grid) and a jog back down, saw a young lad with his dad riding up, the young lad very nearly cleaned it – most impressive.

My youngest lad started riding couple of years ago and we try and get out together now and again and both love wet and muddy conditions.
Trouble is he’s 32 fit as a lop and I can’t keep up with him! 😀

I went to Gisburn a couple of years ago for a weekend and forgot my spd’s. Fortunately the nice man at the Dog and partridge loaned me a pair of flat pedals which saved me a drive and a spend.

You’re not daft aiming for it. Whether you achieve it though is another matter. Sub 3 is a big step from 3.30. Good luck.
My son has entered Manchester marathon which will be his first, he’s aiming for sub 3.30 which I think he should manage, he’s a fit lad but not been running long. He did Abbey dash (10k) in 37 mins. which was a fair effort for a first one.

Make sure you get your weekly long steady runs in 😉

This thread is proving helpfull for ideas. Now added the Applecross circuit to my list 😀

Hope to start getting out more soon as intend doing a coast to coast in a day for my 60th. A few other possibles if I can build up the fitness.
Etape du dales
A sportive or 2
12 hour or even 24 hour solo (or pair/team|)
A few more bad brains rides this year (including weekend bash)
Circuit of Arran – and a few more Scottish routes
TPT or Leeds/Liverpool canal

I’ve had similar plans the last few years but injuries have got in the way, so the main aim is to avoid spills and oncoming motorbikes!

‘Susan’

Brilliant news, the tour right on my doorstep! Got to be the right decision 😉

Running like cycling is much more enjoyable when you are fit – in my experience. I don’t much enjoy running these days as I don’t (can’t due to age and body part failure) do enough. But in the old days when I was fit it was a fantastic feeling running (almost) effortlessly, especially on trails and fells.

He didn’t get lost at Kielder! Although rumour has it that after taking a dump in the woods a few miles into the race, he had a little trouble finding his bike 😀

The lump does look smaller when laid down but I think thats just due to body position. I tried a very short easy bike ride yesterday and it felt ok on bike (knee was sore where I had 3 stitches but that’s another thing), however the lump was a bit bigger afterwards. The groin is also tender, rather like a groin strain from over stretching (like from football etc).
Just not sure how to continue with recovery ie – rest, light excercise, physio etc.. Docs not that helpful so far.

PS I’m glad the impact wasn’t nearer the gentlemans bits 😯

Mine was a lot lower than that, bruising very similar though not quite as extensive, most of bruising disappearing gradually. Did not take any pics though.

I reckon the majority of people will also be there just for the challenge of finishing.
Give it a go.

Ton, think some of the bad brains lads are doing it as a club ride tomorrow night.

I think most people that finish the Kielder feel pretty beat up. I do seem to remember arms were hurting and hands and legs and arse and neck and shoulders……
I think you get the picture 😀

I managed fine on my cube reaction RX with only 100mm – a nice light hardtail saves a lot of time on the climbs and most of the descents are fire road – as far as my tired old brain remembers 😛

I ran competitively for years (stick to the bike now in me old age) and always refused to pay silly money for shoes. So long as they fit comfortably and are well made they’ll be fine. I do concede though that it’s a lot easier after years of running, you tend to know instinctively what feels right.
The most I used to pay for shoes was for my Walshies for fell running, must have gone through a dozen pairs of them over the years.

I think you should think twice about paying ‘silly money’ though, as You might kick running into touch after your race 😈 Not everybody loves it.

Which alternatives can I use in my Cube reaction RX? I’m not doing much ‘severe’ type riding this year (after injuries) and due to lack of work could do with saving a bit of dosh on pads.

It is what is is. There are allways a few grumbles about the course on here, but there’s always a big turnout. So I suppose like me, a lot appreciate the ‘physical’ challenge of the course and accept the tarmac as a good way to get the average speed up.

PS yes the wind was a bit challenging, but not sure it affected times as much as suggested above.

I got a puncture just as I got to that big grass push up, then made a bid for plonker of the day as I realised one of my spare tubes was a schreader (don’t know how that happened) and then whilst inflating my other spare I managed to break the valve on it!
Luckily for me my mobile mechanic – Big Al of Garage bikes was not too far behind, so I put my feet up while he supplied, fitted and inflated a spare for me. Cheers Fat lad xxx

Have to agree marshalls were superb and course well marked, a few more hills and it would have been perfect 😉 and wind? What wind? 😀

Late entry here – well entry on day, My son has talked me into doin it with him, just need Big Al to fettle me bike in time!

He’ll do it —- unfortunately 🙂

Big Al at GARAGE BIKES is yer man. I think I’ll be calling there tomorrow hoping he can sort my bike for Colne valley at weekend 😕

Anotherstan – for telling me never to follow him

Where would TJ have to place his helmet to save you? 😯

Oh I know it hurts sometimes, that was my point. My previous incident led to two months off the bike and made me think my more adventurous days riding were a thing of the past.
My gradual return to the saddle has meant a slow, slow return to something like fitness and with it, confidence to take on more than just easy trails. The long dry spell helped – but when the wet trails appeared, a reality check came along also.
I am now riding with a lot more caution but even so the odd little spill is inevitable – and a reminder to try and ride with a little more ‘skill’.
Hope the hand improves soon 😛

We had a good ride out Tony, 24 miles with a few puncture/ mech breaks. Did a couple of runs down DH track after bacon butty stop. Most lads did the jumps and I minced gracefully down the chicken runs 😀 weather was really kind to us too.
Chips gonna put some swampthing tyres on to slow me down so he can abuse me. My fall today was a bit embarassing, rode over a kerb at the angle, kerb was dry but tyre wet, slid nicely on the concrete and removed a bit of skin slowing down 🙄 will remember to lift my wheel next time.

I always get nervous before a race but as soon as it’s started the race head appears and I’m like a different person, total focus and effort. Only done a handfull of mtb races – and too late in life to take it too seriously, but I still get stuck in.

Done loads of running races though, road, track, xc, trail, fell. Most nervous at track races as they were shorter and much more intense, probably got a bit too nervous in them.
Don’t let a few nerves put you off, as soon as the gun goes the enjoyment starts.

Edit – just realsised I didn’t answer the orig question. First race I did was a 1/2 marathon, pretty nervous and not that fit but still enjoyed it. (got round in under an hour and a half 1.26 I think)

Sometimes – salary is not that important (I did say sometimes), there is a lot to be said for being happy in your work, lots of dosh does’nt always equal a happy life.
As long as your lifestyle is achievable from income recieved then it’s happy days 😀 I can manage quite well without a porsche. I could also manage wonderfully well on 20k a year (in my old persons home for senile mountain bikers)

Cheers, thought it was strange that I could not see PM facility.
Quite happy to expose myself publicly 😀

No worrys Tony, we’ll still have a ride and arrange another when you are free. rob I’ll post details up on BB, just turn up if you can.

Was going to start another thread for a ride on Sat but hopefully anyone interested will see it on here.

Sat 21st April Ride to Temple Newsam for a session of all the good stuff and to watch ton nailing all those jumps 😀

I will be setting off from Mickletown Community Centre, Methley LS26 9JE at 8.30 am. plenty of parking available. Will meet ton (and anyone else) at Rothwell Country park (suggest bottom of road under railway bridge just before canal) at 9.00 am approx.

If anyone fancies meeting us at Temple Newsam we should be at the little DH course around about 9.30 – 10.00 am and will spend a bit of time there.

Post up if these times don’t suit and we’ll settle on whats best for us all.
Steve.

Mondays ride in the wet put the brakes (literally) on my re-emerging confidence, some serious mincing took place 😳 still nice to be back on bike though. Got a busy weekend now as our Ben gets married Saturday, so will post up the Tempy jump fest on Monday.

Nice one Chip, I’ll wait till end of week before posting it up on here and BB, take it you’ll park at mine Chip? We could meet ton at Roth CP (or will you be driving to Tempy Tony?) Might even get anotherstan along to demonstrate the flying dismount.

Sorry Rob I’m in Peterborough 28th, nowt to stop you lads going though. I should be ok week before if anyone else up for it?
Sat 21st, I’ll post it up. I was in Tempy Friday, it’s riding really fast at the moment, still the odd slurpy bit in woods around golf course to make it interesting though 😀

Ton, Rob and Chip. I’ll post up a sat ride in a few weeks on BB and here for a nice pootle from Rothewll (we can meet you at Country park) over to Tempy and do some loops in the woods (I may miss the bit out where I broke my ribs though), jumps are optional I hope….

I’m free in the mornin, feeling awesome already…..

PS lowcogger – I love breaking sweat – but not at all keen on breaking bones, hence the mincearoonies 😀

I can’t do em! Well can do tiny ones, not bothered about doing any I’m not comfotable with, quite happy going round the side of those at Temple Newsam. I did do the first one once and nearly went over the bars (I know I’m crap) not bothered since.
Glad to here you’re out riding again Ton 🙂

We stayed at the riverside caravan park in Betws-y-coed. We were in our motorhome, excellent site with great facilities – bit pricey though.
There is a small area for tents, not sure how much the charge is for them though. I enjoyed riding form the site and doing various bits of Marin with other bits mixed in. Will have to come back another time to do Penmachno and Coed-y-brenin.

Yep, nice vid. Out of my range at mo (well any time really) but enjoyed walk up Snowdon yesterday, though I did nearly poo my pants on Crib Goch! My that was scary… Nearly bottled it at one point but manned up, fantastic views, took my camera but forgot to charge it up 😳
Did last bit of Marin this morn, done it all now (in 3 rides) will do the whole shebang in the mornin. Got to say it is quite a physical challenge, some loooong climbs. Good fun though.