Actually it’s only the front fork which is homemade but the bike has been transformed. I’d rather think of this fork as hand engineered or some similar epithet, it then sounds much safer and like something you’d actually want to ride. I confess I was slightly nervous before my ride and contemplated as I walkedContinue reading “Riding a homemade bike!”
What a treat!
After several days of rainy weather we now have a fabulous treat of 4 or 5 days of dry, sunny weather. We had friends round last night, ate too much, possibly drank too much and stayed up late. I felt OK this morning, though, so was looking forwards to a ride. Our son had visitedContinue reading “What a treat!”
Suspension of Disbelief.
Suspension of disbelief is when you throw away logic and accept something surreal for the sake of enjoyment. Many might not believe it’s possible to build a part for a mountain bike which is as complex as a suspension fork. Some might fear it’s safety or think that it just can’t work. Maybe you thinkContinue reading “Suspension of Disbelief.”
I’m liking the dry weather.
In the north of England you have to be ready for all weathers, often just in one day but this week has been dry and the trails have dried up well. This is unlikely to continue until the weekend and in the woodland there are still plenty of puddles and patches of mud. Having saidContinue reading “I’m liking the dry weather.”
Happy birthday mountain bikers!
On 21st October 1976 a bunch of riders in Marin County CA raced against the clock down the Pine Mountain fire road towards Fairfax. The route had been christened “Repack” because all the braking evaporated the grease from their coaster brakes, which then had to be repacked. This day is regarded as day one ofContinue reading “Happy birthday mountain bikers!”
Busy trails at Rivington.
A sunny Sunday at this time of year was bound to see a lot of people enjoying a bit of relaxation. I left home mid morning and rode the 4 miles to Rivington. After that I had a big area of off road riding to explore and today chose a loop of just over 4Continue reading “Busy trails at Rivington.”
A little ride and a new project.
Today I took the Boardman to ride 3 laps of Healey Nab. It was sunny when I set off but rather chilly. We must have been close to a frost early this morning and the leaves have started to fall. We haven’t had a cold snap to kick the autumn off but I just thinkContinue reading “A little ride and a new project.”
Wet weather trail riding.
It didn’t rain today but trail conditions are very wet. It’s just, for me, a question of accepting that fact then thinking of a ride that will still be enjoyable. Too many rocks and roots could be dangerous and too much mud is unlikely to be much fun, so today I decided to ride aContinue reading “Wet weather trail riding.”
Creating a monster……
…..or, more precisely, a Beast. Stick with it, all will become clear. I thought that today was stupidly wet for an off road ride, though I admit this doesn’t usually deter me. My wife had told me after breakfast that she expected the certain demise of the washing machine if I went off road today,Continue reading “Creating a monster……”
Back after a mad weekend.
When ten middle aged men go away for a weekend, staying in wooden huts, riding ancient scooters only suited to a short trip into town and tackle the steepest passes in Europe, something’s bound to go wrong. It’s perhaps surprising that only one scooter returned in a truck and only one rider found himself grazedContinue reading “Back after a mad weekend.”
Mountainbiker 