Crocosmia originate from Southern and Eastern Africa and are also known as coppertips. We have 2 types in the garden, the orange form and the much taller Lucifer variety. Both types are sometimes seen in the countryside as escapees from gardens but I’ve been surprised to find the bright red Lucifers in remote locations onContinue reading “Flower of the Week, 3rd August.”
Training again.
My last ride involved 5 laps of a 10 minute circuit with 178 feet of ascent on each lap. It was an excellent training ride and I wanted to do something as good today. I haven’t yet succeeded in my challenge to ride a local circuit in under 14 minutes, which I set as anContinue reading “Training again.”
Riding 5 laps. The biology and the psychology.
I feel like I haven’t been putting my usual, consistent level of effort into my mountain biking, so today decided to do something about it. It may be because I’ve already achieved 2 of my 3 annual challenges that made me relax but having tried for the outstanding target I was shocked. I was wayContinue reading “Riding 5 laps. The biology and the psychology.”
Flower of the Week, 28th July.
We have several types of lily in our garden, which flower at different times in the summer. We don’t remember the name if this particular one, which spent years struggling under the shade of an oak tree. In 21 years from the acorn the oak became too big for us, spanning the entire garden. NowContinue reading “Flower of the Week, 28th July.”
When you just need to get out.
For a variety of reasons I haven’t done any exercise more strenuous than dog walking for 5 days. I stayed away on Friday night, then had a busy weekend with rainy days so I couldn’t get out on either bike or pedal powered boat. Today we were also told to expect showers before a moreContinue reading “When you just need to get out.”
Flower of the Week, 24th July.
We don’t usually have areas of the garden with colour themes but by accident a border near the house is predominantly orange. We removed some over grown geranium and have planted a rose, the Lady of Chalotte. The crocosmia are coming into flower to join the orange and red nasturtiums.
When the stars align.
Sometimes a mountain bike ride just seems perfect and this may happen for a variety of reasons. The stars simply align. Today I had just such a ride which started as an idea with very little ambition. On my last ride I tried to ride a circuit of around 14 minutes in a fastest everContinue reading “When the stars align.”
Whatever happened to the good old days?
Have you ever returned to a mountain biking trail and found things were not like they used to be? Yesterday I went to a circuit, which on the app. Strava is called Birkacre Race Route. In the bone dry conditions it was bound to ride well and I know that a couple of small obstructionsContinue reading “Whatever happened to the good old days?”
Flower of the Week, 16th July.
Nasturtiums are an annual flower but can often self seed. I collect seeds in the autumn to plant in spring. By doing this you may find that you lose the variety of colours which you originally had from cultivated plants or seeds. It’s also worth planting some seeds in pots to transfer exactly where youContinue reading “Flower of the Week, 16th July.”
Exploring the past.
On my last ride 2 days ago I set a fastest ever time on the app. Strava, gaining a King of the Mountains title. I was massively thrilled to do this especially as I’d added the particular downhill, and regaining the KOM, as one of my annual challenges. In order to prevent todays ride seemingContinue reading “Exploring the past.”
Mountainbiker 