I returned from my recent trip to Jersey, where wild flowers were many weeks ahead of those of my home in Lancashire, only to develop a stinking cold. It’s really hit me hard so I haven’t been able to get out on my mountain bike and have felt far too delicate to make much progressContinue reading “Flower of the Week, 20th May 2023.”
Visiting Jersey by scooter.
I’ve never been to the Channel Islands before but over the last week I’ve been on a trip there by scooter. I chose to ride what turned out to be 265 miles to the port of Poole in one go. I’d gone to the Bay Horse to meet the rest before they left on theContinue reading “Visiting Jersey by scooter.”
A pilgrimage.
On my last mountain bike ride I tried to do something which has become an annual pilgrimage. Riding to a curiously shaped hump known as the Egg Hillock. I tried to cut across a section of trackless moorland and decided that I didn’t have time to reach my objective. Yesterday I wanted to repeat theContinue reading “A pilgrimage.”
Flower of the Week, 4th May 2023.
We have around a dozen Acer Palmatum or Japanese Maples. Many are green but here is one which starts a very bright red. It turns gradually green during the summer before giving a spectacular display of autumn colours.
Lost on the Moors.
Today I decided to engage in a mountain bike ride which has become a bit of an annual pilgrimage. I ride to a distant and curiously shape hump called the Egg Hillock. It rises from a wild and desolate area of moorland and makes a very testing, longer ride. The problem with the route I’veContinue reading “Lost on the Moors.”
Great Hill in the sunshine.
I haven’t ridden my mountain bike since last weekend but I did get some good exercise launching my newly built pedal powered boat on Wednesday. Today, though, I wanted to get a good training ride in with plenty of climbing. I covered 15.14 miles with 1,521 feet of ascent. I always think that 100 feetContinue reading “Great Hill in the sunshine.”
Splash!
I launched my newly built boat for the first time today. I was worried about its performance so didn’t take my phone for photos and therefore didn’t record my progress on Strava. I’d been worried that it may be rather heavy to pull, on its inbuilt wheels, a half mile to the canal but itContinue reading “Splash!”
Close to launching my new boat.
I’ve been working on my boat again today, between dog walks, and I’m clise to finishing. I may launch tomorrow! I’m excited but there’s a certain trepidation. I’ll be higher above the water than I was in the dinghy so even with more buoyancy it may feel more “lively”. In addition the paddles which propelContinue reading “Close to launching my new boat.”
Good training.
On my last ride I felt extremely tired. I’d found a problem with a loose bottom bracket which was rubbing and making it hard to turn the pedals but didn’t know if this was the whole story. Perhaps my fitness had also fallen? Yesterday I chose to ride to our local hill, Healey Nab, toContinue reading “Good training.”
Flower of the Week, 23rd April.
Last year our cherry tree had been butchered by someone posing as a tree surgeon. It barely flowered so I didn’t feature it. This year it’s back on form.
Mountainbiker 