In England we tend to ride all year round. I’m sure plenty of riders only go out when it’s dry but if you’re dedicated you’ll find you have little choice but to ride in wet, cold and muddy conditions. Years ago I soon found that you need to be a lot more selective about whereContinue reading “All year round riding.”
Should I be doing this?
Today I rode a natural trail from home to Rivington Pike but realised at one point that I was taking a big risk. I wondered afterwards if I should be giving safety more thought and stop riding some of the things which were routine for me 20 years ago. I started today’s ride on aContinue reading “Should I be doing this?”
Great Hill in the sunshine.
England can experience all four seasons in one day. Today, though, it’s been summer. Warm, dry and sunny. We haven’t had a period of good weather since June in Lancashire and I’ve started to hope that it lasts long enough to dry the trails so I can have a go at a sub 11 minuteContinue reading “Great Hill in the sunshine.”
Home is where the heart is.
I like being at home. I enjoy going away but miss home. I miss my garden and walking my dog, Freddie, in our local woods. I went to North Yorkshire for a weeks holiday then spent only 4 days at home before visiting our son in Sussex. I managed a mountain bike ride in Yorkshire,Continue reading “Home is where the heart is.”
Back to nature.
My last ride, 6 days ago, was 34.5 miles in length and the focus was the 21 miles of purpose built trail at Dalby forest. I enjoyed the ride but felt that the exciting sections were few and far between. Today I thought I needed another longer ride after 6 days. We’re also going awayContinue reading “Back to nature.”
Dalby Forest, ridden and reviewed.
I’ve been away on holiday for the last week in North Yorkshire and naturally I took my bike. I chose the Boardman FS Pro with the intention of riding the full Dalby Forest red graded trail. I’d read plenty of reviews of the trail with popular sources such as Moredirt giving it 4 out ofContinue reading “Dalby Forest, ridden and reviewed.”
Places from my childhood.
The rain has continued so today I thought it would be good to do a ride with more tarmac and less dirt. I haven’t ridden to Hunter’s Hill very often on my mountain bike but it was a place I rode as a child and youth. I lived then in Parbold, a village about 12Continue reading “Places from my childhood.”
The only choice.
We’ve had a period of heavy, summer rain and the trails were bound to be drenched. I left an empty bucket out last night and by this morning it had over an inch of rain in it so I realised that for my first ride in a week the only choice was Healey Nab. TheContinue reading “The only choice.”
Recovery from a mad weekend.
At my age (57, if you must know) maybe I should have calm weekends with a little mountain bike riding. One of my other passions, however, is scootering. I have a 30 year old Vespa scooter and plenty of people around my age like to party at weekends like we’re still 19. It’s impossible toContinue reading “Recovery from a mad weekend.”
Facing my demons.
Today I decided to face a demon of my own creation. It’s a technical climb with a very steep final part and I set it as a target for the year in January. I chose to ride my Whyte JW4, which is 15 years old, because it has the lowest gear. I used to rideContinue reading “Facing my demons.”
Mountainbiker 