I’ve mentioned before that we are moving from England to Scotland. Today I rode 8.13 miles in England whilst last week I did 2 rides in Scotland, the second being a 6.61 mile ride to Boyne Castle. The Scottish ride, in glorious sunshine which we.ve been enjoying for around 5 weeks without interuption, was fromContinue reading “Riding in two countries.”
Building my distance.
For some reason I’d imagined that after my recent heart valve repair I would feel fit. Instead, after nearly 2 years of only the most gentle exercise, akin to walking and no more, I find myself in a place I’ve never been. At first 2 miles of canal bank and therefore flat riding was hardContinue reading “Building my distance.”
Back to Healey Nab at last.
I last rode Healey Nab on the 5th November last year. I used to ride it almost every week in the past but due to a heart valve problem, which forced me to ride an E bike, I have changed my riding out of all recogniton. In this time the Nab had deteriorated with vegetationContinue reading “Back to Healey Nab at last.”
Flower of the Week, 1st May 2025.
Due to moving house Ali and I will be doing a lot of work in the garden this year. I’ve been wondering whether to separate my gardening posts from my more usual topic of mountain biking, since they’re such different subjects but have yet to make a decision. Leaving our home of 28 years wasContinue reading “Flower of the Week, 1st May 2025.”
Mountain bike riding around our new home.
We have spent the last 2 weeks at our new house in Aberdeenshire. I say “new” house but it is around 175 years old! It’s smaller than our house in Lancashire and we will need to give up on some of our furniture. The garden is a fraction of the size and has been coveredContinue reading “Mountain bike riding around our new home.”
Back to biking after a heart operation.
I have had my mitral valve, one of the main heart valves, repaired just 18 days ago. I wasn’t given much detail about how I should treat my recovery but one thing that I have learned is that I need time. I’m told to listen to my body but my body is struggling to acceptContinue reading “Back to biking after a heart operation.”
And now for the rest of my life…….
After waiting for 20 months from the diagnosis of a heart condition, I have finally had an operation to repair it. It may seem infeasible to those living in many countries but the cost to me here in England has been zero. Absolutely nothing. The surgery I’ve had may have cost £40,000 or more butContinue reading “And now for the rest of my life…….”
Our new house and the mountain biking possibilities.
We are moving from our house in Lancashire, a house we’ve lived in for nearly 28 years. Soon our home will be a former fisherman’s cottage on the north coast of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The view from the front window is pictured above. A major motivation for the move is that our only son has settledContinue reading “Our new house and the mountain biking possibilities.”
The Biggest Possible Change….
I’m waiting for a heart valve repair, which should return me to regular mountain biking, amongst other things. I’m now told that the operation should be in January. Maybe being retired has given my wife and I too much thinking time because we have now decided to make the biggest possible change to our lives.Continue reading “The Biggest Possible Change….”
Two rides on my E bike.
Last week I rode my longest E bike ride so far. I had already covered around 6 miles locally, using the bike for utility purposes, then 18.54 miles on a road ride. I climbed 938 feet during the ride but only took the energy meter, which is mounted on the handlebars, from 4 bars toContinue reading “Two rides on my E bike.”
Mountainbiker 