The weather in Northern England can change rapidly. It’s often like 4 seasons in one day! Our town of Chorley in Lancashire is actually said to be the second cloudiest place in Britain, probably due to our local hill, Healey Nab, trapping the cloud over the town as it spills in from the coast. ThisContinue reading “What a treat!”
Working too hard?
I’ve been laying paving edges and slabs for a couple of weeks and it’s been hard work. I’ve really felt the effects in the muscles, especially in my back and around the hips. What better, then, than to ride my mountain bike to give the muscles a stretch? I didn’t want a mammoth ride withContinue reading “Working too hard?”
It must be spring!
After a few weeks with very little rain the mountain bike trails have dried up considerably. Today we even had a very acceptable temperature of 11 Celcius and some gentle sunshine. Unfortunately, after laying paving edges and slabs over the last week I was feeling a little fatigued so a big ride was out ofContinue reading “It must be spring!”
A trail ride and a challenge.
After several days of surprisingly physical work in the garden it was time to ride my mountain bike. I even contemplated riding one of my classic bikes from the glorious days when full suspension was being rapidly developed. The ground has dried up considerably after many days without rain but it seemed more convenient toContinue reading “A trail ride and a challenge.”
Flower of the Week, 11th February.
We’re seeing the first signs of our garden awakening after the winter. Snowdrops above and a helibore below. Another sign of awakening is that we’re starting some hard landscaping. It’s been surprisingly hard on the leg muscles but I’m trying not to let it interfere with my mountain biking.
How much action do I need?
I could have ridden my mountain bike over the last few days. especially since the skies have remained resolutely clear and blue. An effect of the good weather has been to tempt my wife and I into the garden instead. We have some hard landscaping to do in the form of installing around 50 pavingContinue reading “How much action do I need?”
A very encouraging ride.
Today I decided to do a trail ride with no particular targets. In order to ensure that the ride had good training value I intended to ride it in a “fartlek” style, where I would ride continuously but increase my effort on some sections of the ride. The hope is that by not stopping toContinue reading “A very encouraging ride.”
Should I rise to a challenge?
A few years ago I discovered, through the app. Strava, a local mountain bike circuit. Only 3 riders have ever attempted it but joyfully, on my first serious attempt, I captured the King of the Mountains title for the fastest lap so far. I exchanged the title with “The Otter”, who reduced the time eventuallyContinue reading “Should I rise to a challenge?”
Trail riding with plenty of climbing.
Climbing is an excellent way to build fitness for mountain biking. Today I decided to ride to the hills around Rivington to get some ascent done. It’s a 4 mile road ride first, leading to a continuous 750 feet climb to Rivington Pike. The gradient varies and in places needed my lowest gear ratio andContinue reading “Trail riding with plenty of climbing.”
Time to train.
I noticed on the app. Strava that I’d only ridden my mountain bike 4 times so far in January so yesterday, the 24th, I knew it was time to train. I like to maintain my fitness year round but this winter has brought us some snow and ice which has impacted on my riding. TheContinue reading “Time to train.”
