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.”
A trail ride at full speed!
My last ride was good training with 5 full out laps of a circuit. Each lap took just under 10 minutes and I gradually increased the effort on each lap to try to keep the lap time consistent. I needed to increase the effort as I became more tired. Today I wondered what differences I’dContinue reading “A trail ride at full speed!”
Time to train.
It’s Monday and I haven’t ridden my mountain bike since Thursday. In the current muddy conditions I struggled to think of a ride which seemed exciting but I knew what to do. I’d do a harder training ride because I know that working hard on the bike is just about the best tool to motivateContinue reading “Time to train.”
A change of bike.
I changed the rear gear cable on the Trek EX8 29″ wheel mountain bike yesterday so thought I’d ride it today. I’d thought after my last ride, where I’d enjoyed working hard on 3 laps of the same circuit, that I’d do something similar today. I haven’t had many rides on the Trek so changedContinue reading “A change of bike.”
A much better ride in muddy conditions.
I’ve been a little worried after my last few rides that I wasn’t going to be having as much fun as I usually have mountain biking. Although I’ve generally been riding between showers, not whilst it was actually raining, the ground has been muddy. This slows me down throughout my rides and makes corners treacherous.Continue reading “A much better ride in muddy conditions.”
Another muddy ride.
We’ve had plenty of rain in the last week and at this time of year the ground takes a long time to dry up. It was inevitable that my ride yesterday would be on soaking wet surfaces which limits my riding options. Healey Nab, my nearest hill, seemed like the best bet. The man madeContinue reading “Another muddy ride.”
Mountainbiker 