tonight's ride had purely one purpose, to photograph some bluebells, they are not difficult to find at the moment and the pungent perfume they give off is intoxicating. I used a handy tree stump for height and get a better view of the flowers, a few shots and i was done. the bluebells are late this year because of the long winter but they certainly have made an impact.
ride 58
10 miles
total 1009
Tuesday, 21 May 2013
Bluebell cruzin'
how Gnar is your canal?
It's been a while since i rode the whole length of the canal down to the river Severn, perhaps over 12 months, but as it had been reasonably dry an attempt was begun. I took the HT with rigid forks, the first 10 miles was a breeze, smooth downhill towpath made for easy going, then once past Hanbury things deteriorated, tall exposed roots, deep holes and wheel trapping ruts all ganged up to make things very uncomfortable, my armchair ride turned into an out of the saddle brace for impact assume the attack position mission for about 5 miles. Not the best for a sore back. gradually things improved until the towpath becomes a Sustrans cycle route and eventually becomes tarmac'd. my original plan was to visit "cafe afloat" a cafe on a narrow boat moored at Diglis basin. However it was shut and a bit of smart phone googling revealed it didn't open until.....one week from today! it must close over the winter months. So plan B was a pot of tea and an enormous chocolate brownie at The Diglis Hotel, Fortified i began the return leg, this time on the Droitwich canal which would have been great apart from just before the town the canal was blocked due to works. I walked a footpath then joined the road and followed my nose back to somewhere i recognised. On the way back i had to pit stop for water as it turned out to be a warm day and i only had one bottle and i sat in the sun contemplating a great ride
ride 57
43 miles
total 999
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Food fest & BBQ ride
with slightly improved weather and an appointment with hot coals and meat arranged i set off on a circular route to take in Alcester food festival on the way. Using back roads has many advantages, light traffic, great views you can actually appreciate without fear of being mown down by speeding vehicles and generally shelter from and head/cross winds. The disadvantage is that farm roads mean farm vehicles, i got stuck behind the above for about 2.5 miles, not good for average speed but I'd not have it any other way,a few minutes of gentle pedalling later and i was at the food festival. It was a complete nightmare, virtually impossible to wheel a bicycle through the throngs of people milling around, it got to the point that I gave up and walked behind all the stalls just to escape. i resumed the journey via very picturesque Warwickshire countryside, then back into Worcestershire , popping into Blackminster bikes for a nose about, or so I thought, Black minster bike shop About Bikes is gone, closed down, empty, such a shame but a reflection of todays commerce situation. So, disappointed and a little sad I made it to the BBQ where a beer was waiting for me.
ride 56
36 miles
total 956
winter's back
the recent balmy temperatures are a distant memory and tonight's a in single figures, and it's raining, and I'm fed up with not riding, so I just got the bike out and got on with it, using my frustration to fuel a hilly route, deliberately in a harder gear than normal. Trying to simulate hill sprints for an up coming race, so whilst not far it was quite an intense ride.
ride 55
15 miles
total 920
Wednesday, 8 May 2013
last dry evening ride?
after a stunning four days of riding in the sunshine and dry conditions the forecast was for showers and more showers so it was a now or never ride, last chance to ride in the dust! Ian and I were the only two who could make it tonight and we made full use of the woods, drop offs were sessioned for a while until my back wheel started to make some pinging noises, Bono was dispatched in what must be one of the fastest times, Bus stop was grippy for the first time ever and the ridge and roots was completed with what could almost be called panache. double drop was amazingly fast and done without touching the brakes before the ride ended with a well deserved pint. i hope it's not R.I.P. dry trails as happened this time last year.
ride 54
13 miles
total 905
Monday, 6 May 2013
The two milestones ride
"C" has a 60 mile sportive coming up but she'd never ridden that far, the furthest being 45 miles, so today as training we planned a 45 mile route with option for more if she was feeling good. Because she's not experienced riding distance it's hard for her to understand the need to pace your effort so you have some strength left to last the full distance. The only way to learn this is to do it, so today was the day. The weather couldn't have been better, dry, warm and sunny with light winds. I planned a figure of 8 route in case of mechanicals or injury we wouldn't be far from the start point and potential rescue. the roads were busy, but with slow moving or stationary cars, it's amazing how, just because the sun is out on a bank holiday, people get their car out and think "lets drive somewhere popular", there were over 5 miles of stationary traffic heading into Stratford Upon Avon, the bike was the mode of transport to have today. "C" did really well and even though she had a sore knee towards the end she flew past 50 miles with ease and decided to push on and try to get over 62 miles which would mean the golden 100K. She was still going strong as she passed the 100k mark and She'll complete the Sportive with ease. so, her first half century and her first 100K, she was brilliant!
ride 53
63 miles
total 892
sunshine and smiles, dust and rock drops
the weather continues to be great, so there was never a better time to visit the wyre.After The Spaniard suggested it earlier in the week it was fingers crossed that the good conditions would last. Dan, The Spaniard, Craig and I absolutely rocked the trails today, there was about 1% mud in the whole forest so every trail was running super fast, even causing two wheel drifts at times on fast dusty corners. where horses had churned up the mud and those ruts had dried and baked hard it was very rough going, I didn't envy Dan on his hardtail on those sections. There's a rock drop on one of the trails that I have always avoided riding, it's about a 10ft almost vertical drop with an over hanging lip. I've seen others ride it (even up it in the Puppy's case!) but it's always scared me.... until today! The Spaniard and i took one quick look and then dropped in, learnt well back and cleared it without a problem, cue a round of high 5's! Apart from a near OTB incident jumping a tree stump on "Jedi" we all stayed on the bikes. on "American sandwich" and some lemon crumble at the cafe preceded the round route back to the car via more trails including a usually very muddy trails that is almost always to be avoided, but not today!, this meant today's right in a break with the norm ended in a descent! the GPS indicated over 5000ft of ascent and my legs were beginning to feel it by the end but what a great day, one to remember
ride 52
16 miles
total 829
Friday, 3 May 2013
the photo shoot ride
a couple of months ago I read an article in Singletrack magazine about some trails in the Surrey hills and I thought it sounded good but the NWAlps is better. So i sent an email to the editor inviting them down for a ride and today Benji Haworth travelled down form Manchester to see what all the fuss is about.
Luckily the trails were super dry, dryer than I've seen them since the April "drought" of last year, sadly no bluebells yet but conditions were perfect to show off the local trails. Starting with "from the door" the photo taking began, now i know how the other guys feel when i get my camera out, it certainly ruins the flow and must make for a pretty dull ride for Benji who, every time there's a good bit has to stop, unpack his camera, set up and ask the rider to ride specific bits so it's all a bit patchy for him. We pedalled for 19 miles and it took just under 6 hours (including cake and pub stop) so you can tell how many times we stopped and took shots, but it was really enjoyable and I was able to pick Benji's brain about cameras and life as a free lancer. I hope he enjoyed it too even though he's used to much higher, more epic and adventurous rides than little old semi Urban North Worcestershire. It'll be interesting to see what the pictures turn out like, he did climb a few trees to get good angles! Let's hope that the magazine decides to run the feature. Cheers Benji!
ride 50
19 miles
total 809
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
a quick spin after work
nearing perfection really, quiet roads, climbs hard but rewarding, evening sunshine, good company, beer (Weatheroak ales Icknield pale ale) and chilli peanuts. A little warmer for longer and it'd be 10/10
ride 49
13 miles
total 790
Monday, 29 April 2013
the poo ride
poorly parents, mercy trip to walk the dog, plenty of poo bags, dog conveniently did it's business by the poo bin
going by bike made the best of it
ride 41
12 miles
total 690
April 217
commute 297
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