The blossom of our Amelanchier Canadensis is an ephemeral beauty. It’s at its peak now but in less than a week is likely to be gone. Fortunately the shrub has a graceful, arching form and produces a spectacular, brightly coloured display in autumn.
Off Road Again.
After some discomfort in my right knee I rode along the canal bank for my last ride. Today I was back off road properly with a ride most of the way up Great Hill, followed by my favourite descent of all through Brinscall Woods. If you’ve read my writing previously you may think that IContinue reading “Off Road Again.”
Knee problems.
I was putting a shoe on when my right knee just “twanged”. I had a sharp pain at the front, below the kneecap to the left. I had the same thing during a gentle dog walk a couple of weeks ago which soon recovered so I took Ibuprofen for 24 hours this time and theContinue reading “Knee problems.”
Flower of the Week, 5th April.
Things are changing so quickly after what has felt like a long winter. The soil, brown a short time ago, is covering with greenery. Primroses have revealed themselves by one of our ponds. One of my favourites is in bloom, the snakeshead frattilery. Not only are the flowers shaped like a snake’s head but theContinue reading “Flower of the Week, 5th April.”
Changing my plan during the ride.
Yesterday I set off to ride Brinscall Woods for its fantastic downhill sections, which I intended to ride at least twice. Early in the ride, though, whilst skirting the bottom of Healey Nab I realised that the ground was still very wet in places. Apparently we’ve had one of the wettest ever Marches and despiteContinue reading “Changing my plan during the ride.”
Flower of the Week, 1st April.
We have 4 magnolias in our garden and the first to flower this year is Magnolia Stellata. I can only hope that we don’t get any frost or strong winds to taint its beauty. Can you spot our dog, Freddie, in either of the pictures?
A Road Ride of Value.
If I’m going to be serious about my mountain biking this year I need to improve my fitness. To help me I now have 3 challenges which will help to focus my training. 2 of the challenges are longer distances with lots of climbing whilst the third is a 15 minute affair, which will needContinue reading “A Road Ride of Value.”
Bikes and Boats (and Illness).
I never seem to be ill but this week I found that I had a stomach problem. From last Sunday afternoon, after my last mountain bike ride, I simply wasn’t digesting my food. I had an uncomfortable feeling and was cold. I improved slowly during the week and for the last couple of days haveContinue reading “Bikes and Boats (and Illness).”
A good training ride.
Last time out I had intended to ride 5 laps of the trails on our local hill, Healey Nab, but I suffered from a breakage on the bike which I’ve ridden for most of the winter. I ‘d only managed a single lap of the trail so decided to make amends and ride 5 lapsContinue reading “A good training ride.”
Flower of the Week, 19th March.
Daffodils are now in bloom in North West England. Although it’s now meteorological spring there isn’t much else in the way of colour so far. Patience is important at this time of year.
Mountainbiker 