I like to set myself some mountain bike riding targets at this time for the coming year. This year I had 2 aims, one of which I met when I rode to the top of Great Hill and back in under 22 minutes and 19 seconds. Strava had me at exactly that time, to theContinue reading “Targets for next year.”
An exciting way to waste my time.
After my last ride I wrote that too short a ride is a waste of time. This was in reference to a challenge that has been placed in my path by another user of the app. Strava. It is not just a cycling app., mapping your rides through GPS and comparing your performance on segmentsContinue reading “An exciting way to waste my time.”
Too short a ride is a waste of time.
I try to get out on my mountain bike at least twice a week and preferably three times. This will always need me to wash my riding gear. This doesn’t involve going down to the river and beating it against a rock. It’s more like putting it in the machine and pressing start but myContinue reading “Too short a ride is a waste of time.”
What should I get for Christmas?
When my wife asks me what I’d like for Christmas I usually just ask for a bit of leeway. This year could be different. Today I diced with a road rider on tarmac on my mountain bike for over 11 minutes and came out victorious. I analysed my performance later on the app. Strava andContinue reading “What should I get for Christmas?”
A road ride in the sunshine.
After many wet days I didn’t think I’d enjoy an extremely muddy off road ride so I chose a road ride, today, instead. Fortunately the temperature was an easily tolerable 6 celcius and the sun has shone all morning. I was eager to get out after 5 days without a ride and thought it wouldContinue reading “A road ride in the sunshine.”
The importance of planning a ride.
I always like to have a plan for every ride. I’m often flexible once I’m underway as I was on my last ride 3 days ago. I started with the idea to ride 3 laps of a circuit which I’d learned about from the app. Strava. Two other riders had competed to be the fastestContinue reading “The importance of planning a ride.”
Entering a virtual race.
Many cyclists use exercise bikes for virtual racing but I spied an opportunity for a race using the app. Strava. A local cyclist has set up a Strava segment called “Birkacre race route?”. It starts and finishes at the high point of a circuit of 2.47miles, drops gently on a rough rocky track before itContinue reading “Entering a virtual race.”
Recovering from injury.
During my last ride, on Tuesday, I fell off the Trek 29″ wheeled mountain bike trying to negotiate a very sharp corner. I landed on my knees from a height of several feet and by the evening my right knee was swollen. It was uncomfortable to walk and I had a scuff mark from underContinue reading “Recovering from injury.”
I found the limit of 29″ wheels!
My plan for today’s ride was to use a road route to the village of Rivington where I’d ride 2 very different downhill sections in the terraced gardens. This would also give a valuable training element with 2 tough climbs to reach the top of each descent. The weather was very still with occasional, hazyContinue reading “I found the limit of 29″ wheels!”
Riding Rivington Pike.
After 2 rides of good training value I thought that I’d take it a little easier today on a longer trail ride with no targets. My purpose today was simply to enjoy the trail and get out in the environment on a pleasant enough day. The weather was very still and quite misty as IContinue reading “Riding Rivington Pike.”
