I am a lifelong mountain biker who rarely lacks motivation. I had always ridden bikes off road like most kids but in 1976 I bought a “scrambler” for 70 pence. This was a bike which was dedicated to off road use. In 1977 I added a homemade suspension fork. I used the front suspension unitsContinue reading “Why I’m writing this….”
A short but worthwhile ride.
With so much work going on to restore our cottage it remains difficult to get out on the bike. I had hoped to ride over the weekend for longer, exploring the promising terrain of Montcoffer Woods. Unfortunately it took me until yesterday (Wednesday) to get out and then only for a shorter trip. The windContinue reading “A short but worthwhile ride.”
Frustration.
Isn’t it frustrating when you can’t get out for a ride? I hadn’t ridden in 17 days but today I managed a short spin. Working on the cottage and a short return trip to England have been all consuming. When I stopped to take a picture I managed to stop the app. Strava, so IContinue reading “Frustration.”
More exploration of Montcoffer Woods.
I did my longest ride since my heart surgery, today. I wanted to go to Montcoffer Woods again but this time to use my Boardman FS Pro, without electrical assistance. The woodland caps a hill, rising to around 300 feet. The lowest point on the ride is along the coast from Whitehills, where I live,Continue reading “More exploration of Montcoffer Woods.”
Exploring my new area.
Having moved nearly 400 miles northwards to the north coast of Aberdeenshire in Scotland, I have a whole new area to explore. I rode my Boardman mountain bike a few days ago and was rather disappointed with the coastal trail to the West of our village. The ground was strewn with rocks washed up fromContinue reading “Exploring my new area.”
Flower of the Week, 21st July 2025.
If you’ve read my flower and plant based post previously you might wish to have a look at my new site. I’ve decided to leave mountainbiker.online purely for cycling articles but I’m now also writing about the restoration of our new home and garden. We have moved from Lancashire to a 175 year old formerContinue reading “Flower of the Week, 21st July 2025.”
My new mountain biking home.
After well over 30 years of mountain biking in Lancashire, in the North of England, we’ve moved our home nearly 400 miles northwards to Aberdeenshire in Scotland. 12 months ago we had no idea that this would have ever happen but here we are. The motivations for moving were mainly that our only son hadContinue reading “My new mountain biking home.”
My new site.
We are moving our home some 400 miles northwards to the coast of Aberdeenshire. I want to write about the restoration of our 175 year old former fisherman’s cottage and garden so I have begun a new site to avoid confusion with my mountain biking activities. It is available on http://www.scottishcottageandgarden.co.uk There is an awfulContinue reading “My new site.”
Progress in my performance.
I am trying to improve my riding performance after my heart valve was repaired in March. I had naively expected to be just a little down on fitness but instead I found that I was very weak initially. I have continued to improve and can now do something akin to a mountain bike ride. TodayContinue reading “Progress in my performance.”
A real mountain bike ride.
Today was my first real ride since I had my heart surgery. I rode to an old favourite, the country park at Birkacre. I’m building my activity level and fitness gradually so I left home with a plan. I took the route to Eaves Green with the least possible climbing and this was followed byContinue reading “A real mountain bike ride.”
Flower of the Week, 23rd May 2025.
Soon will be the last time we see this. We’re moving almost 400 miles north, hoping life closer to our son will be sweeter.
Mountainbiker 