After a few days of showery rain I rode Healey Nab today. It’s our nearest significant hill and rises to 680 feet above sea level. From our side the climb starts on pasture where sheep, and occasionally cows, sometimes graze. There are two steeper parts which provide excitement riding down. Today I took it fairyContinue reading “Strava. Creating a segment.”
Trophies.
Some people have lots of trophies in their houses from things they’ve competed in or won at school. Ours is not such a house. My son has won trophies in the Scouts, for instance, but had to hand them back after having it for a year. I’ve never bothered saving things like the medals youContinue reading “Trophies.”
I can’t stop riding my new favourite trail!
I have fitted a new 11 speed cassette to my Boardman FS Pro mountain bike. That means that this year it’s had a new mech. and the 3 components of the transmission, chain, chainring and now cassette. This must have cost me over £200 in total but should last a couple of years, though IContinue reading “I can’t stop riding my new favourite trail!”
Bike and body maintenance.
I recently changed the chainring of my Boardman FS Pro mountain bike. I’d been losing the chain occasionally so thought it was time. The 3 components of the drive train, chain, chainring and cassette of, in this case 11 gears, all wear together so often if you change one part the chain slips and youContinue reading “Bike and body maintenance.”
Finding Valhalla.
To a viking warrior heaven was Valhalla, a paradise of drinking, eating and fighting. In my personal Valhalla I’d drop the fighting and replace it with mountain biking! The north of England had a long history of Viking invasion, starting with raids as far back as 793 AD. Vikings were not just raiders and thievesContinue reading “Finding Valhalla.”
Back to the woods.
The weather continues to be glorious. I heard that we are getting less high clouds because of a lack of vapour trails from aircraft. As I look out now I can’t see any in a clear blue sky. Water vapour is maybe the only greenhouse gas, which is why we stay warm on a cloudyContinue reading “Back to the woods.”
Another ride of discovery.
I had a decision to make before I set off today. I’ve been losing the chain from my Boardman’s chain ring because, I presume, it’s worn to the point of needing replacement. In an ideal world you’d replace the chain ring, chain and 11 speed cassette all together but I’ve had a bit of misfortuneContinue reading “Another ride of discovery.”
An exploration.
I hadn’t expected to ride today but my wife, Ali, asked if I was going out on the bike so naturally I said that I was! All I needed then was a plan. I never like to leave home and plan a route as I go along. I loved my last ride to Brinscall WoodsContinue reading “An exploration.”
Back to training.
My last few rides have been trail rides where I’ve had an objective to reach and return from, rather than a structured training ride. I don’t want to allow my improved fitness to diminish so today I decided on a ride with a structured training element. I’d ride to Brinscall Woods and do 10 lapsContinue reading “Back to training.”
A sunny day for a few laps of Healey Nab.
A month ago I was doubtful as to whether I’d ever be able to write the title of this post. After almost 30 years of riding my nearest hill the larch trees have succumbed to a fungal disease and all 2,500 have had to be cut down. This has destroyed much of the man madeContinue reading “A sunny day for a few laps of Healey Nab.”
Mountainbiker 