Cannock Chase, great riding, great company, no broken bones!

I've been excited about today for the whole week! We gathered at 6am at McDonald's for a quick breakfast and banter initiation session. Our group was the C&D clubmates who've enjoyed cyclocross this season, plus KCC Cyclones U14 Josh and my marvelous neighbour Gareth. It was then just over an hours drive up to Cannock Chase. 

If you're wondering about today's ride name 'stay on the brown,' was my advice to young Josh Brown when he missed the trail! Perhaps the closest we came to a mishap all day in what can only be described as a brilliant days riding around the trails at Cannock Chase.

Before we start I have to mention Chris B's fantastic specialized classic dual suspension mountain bike. His mean green machine did him proud today. I'm not sure about those tiny wheels though 😉

The excitement was palpable as we got our kit together in the car park. I was considering riding flat pedals without clips but after a test ride on Friday I switched back to new SPD's. Much rejuvenation has gone on with my trusty Focus 29r, with new pedals, chain, wheel and cassette. The tubeless on the new wheel has been a bit fiddly but it's definitely sorted now. It's not the quite the best bit of kit for the job being a hardtail , as full suspension helps at Cannock. I really don't think arguing for a full suss bike will go down well with the Queen of Cakes, especially as I don't need it...unlike a cyclocross bike!

http://www.themonkeytrail.co.uk/

We took on the Follow the Dog and the Monkey Trail giving a lovely 13 mile loop of hard climbing, technical bits and best of all fast flowing downhill sections. My only disappointment was that part of Follow the Dog was closed meaning I didn't get the chance of facing my demons on the boardwalk I fell off just a few weeks ago. My ribs still ache from that but I am much better and riding without pain is definitely a much better experience!

I'm editing the video now and hoping it shows what a great time we had. Ashley and Josh set the early pace but us oldies came back into it. As ever the highlight of the day was Lower Cliff. We looped back for a second run. It's just too much fun! We saw a nasty crash at the bottom of Lower Cliff. Thankfully the rider was okay with just some cuts and bruises. It was a good reminder that this is great fun but you have to ride within your limits.

On my limits I did manage to banish some of my demons on the rock sections known as Tom, Dick and Harry. It wasn't pretty or particularly quick but I did finally ride down the bits I've avoided before. 

The plan is to make these away days a regular thing. Realistically once a month somewhere like Cannock Chase is really doable. I like that idea. I also can't wait until my SuperSam can follow Josh's lead and get some serious trails under his belt! It's also open to all, I'm sure many more of my cycling friends would love to have days like these. Right now though I'm shattered. Gareth and I have never been round so quickly. So a massive thanks again to our company today, you were great!

I hope you enjoy the videos...Happy Pedaling! 

Cyclocross Season Over Too Soon!

Team C&D Cycles CC Cyclocross

I can't believe it's over because I am now thoroughly addicted to this awesome sport. It started with me taking SuperSam along and now it's very much our thing. Sam couldn't ride this week but rang me yesterday afternoon from his friend's house to ask how I got on, what was the course like, where did his fellow Cyclones finish etc. I think that say's it all doesn't it!

It's been a crazy week for my bike and body! On Sunday I bought new pedals, really nice ones actually and a great price from Chris at C&D Cycles. I came home and tested them and promptly snapped my chain and had another nasty fall. All I did was ride it up and down my road once!!!

poorly knee

boo boo on finger!

Seriously not my ribs again!!!

On Monday I took Franz into Andy and he fitted a new chain, again at a very reasonable price! I rode my bike back to the car and everything seemed fine. Andy's very wise words of caution were to test the bike before the race on Saturday! So on Friday I got my bike out...the pedals went round, the cogs went round and, the wheels stayed still! REALLY? Straight back to C&D Cycles and into Andy and Chris. I had videoed the problem to give them a heads up but when I got there the problem had gone! WTF? So then it was decision time. We debated the pros and cons of leaving it or changing the wheel and we concluded that a new wheel was the only sensible solution. Again the best bike shop in the world did me a great price and the £125 I ended up spending on Franz this week was very good value considering I've had: new pedals, new chain, new wheel and a new cassette. All the work carried out promptly at my convenience! I have got to redo my tubeless on the new wheel but it would've been taking the mickey to expect Andy to do that. Anyway I can make a video later which I'll enjoy, so that's all good too! As for the bumps and bruises I don't think anything is holding me back it's just the ribs I hurt at Cannock that are still very painful. Some people live and learn...I chuck myself around a slippery Cyclocross course!

This week's race was hosted by Welland Valley CC at Misterton Hall near Lutterworth. It was a quick drive down the A14 and up one junction on the M1. KCC Cyclones were once again well represented with kids in all age categories and Mark Evans team of fellow coaches and volunteers doing a great job. The course itself was, I think, the best of the whole season so a massive congratulatiosn to Welland Valley. The other person to mention is head Commissaire for the day, James Simons-Boswell. 

Prior to the race there was a minutes silence for Charlie Craig, the talented young rider who tragically died last week. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-38718487 If you look at the GB riders in the World Championships you'll see they're all wearing black armbands too. As a parent I can't think of anything worse that could ever happen to you and even though I have never met them my thoughts were with Charlie's family.

I need to make it clear I'm enjoying myself in this picture. If you look through the whole of Keith Perry's Gallery all you see is pain faces! Again it was tremendous fun, just pretty tough in places. link -m thanks again for wonderful pics Keith

With that in mind it's a massive congratulations to Ashley for remembering to smile at the camera. Our C&D Cycles CC teenager, who thanked everyone but me yesterday for helping him achieve his first place, wins the cheesy grin of the day award. Ash is frankly still a bully. Racing against us old men isn't fair at all. Never mind Ash it's wrestling season now. You remember Ash that revenge is a pie best served cold and I think you know which of us is the expert on pies! Seriously though massive congratulations and I'm looking forward to supporting you again next year.

Andy Brown had a magnificent race to finish in 4th place. MTB's had the edge over CX bikes in places but it was the reverse elsewhere. As you'll see in a minute! 

I think this is a great pic of Chris. Again he's enjoying this! Chris rode to a good 11th place. He was also my driver for the day so a big thanks to Chris and his magnificent van.

Man down! That was a tricky corner and it caught out a CX bike rider who I now know is called Wayne. It's being insinuated that many riders take a tumble in my vicinity. I can assure you all that my tubby presence in this picture has nothing to do with Wayne falling off.

See I was nowhere near him! I did ask if he was okay and this did gain me a place for definite as I rumbled in 14th on the day. 

People keep being kind and say I don't look fat in these pictures. Well I do because I am. However I am doing something about that. At Christmas I topped the scales at 15st (95.2 kg) but due to MyFitnessPal I'm already down to 14st5lbs (92kg). Just keep slimming, just keep slimming...

A final shout out to our C&D Cycles CC friend Claire Moore who is now a key member of the Welland Valley team. Claire was on refreshments today. It was great to catch up and that tea was just the thing for our hydration schedule...who needs gatorade?

Enough about us weekend warriors. If you haven't caught up with the Cyclocross World Championships you really should! Team GB are having  a great time in the juniors with a 1,2,3 in the junior men and a bronze in the U23 women. I watched friend of C&D Cycles CC Marianne Vos finish 2nd in an epic battle with Sanne Cant.

Disgracefully this isn't available to watch on UK television despite the fact you can watch the Dynarod third division north football and other mediocre roundball contests most days. Today it's the elite men's race and I'm looking forward to a showdown of the Van's (der Poel and Aert,) to name just two of these super human's!

Here's some links if you want to watch online!

https://www.youtube.com/user/ucichannel

http://www.cyclingfans.com/cyclocross/live

Okay lots to do today so I best get on it, including that tubeless tyre!

Happy Pedaling

Good week away leads to Cyclocross fun at MK Bowl

I have to confess that I was totally sulking last week in Corby at the Rockingham Wheelers Cyclocross event. My sore ribs and the likely tongue lashing I'd receive if I banged myself up again meant I'd taken the unfoolish decision not to ride. Chris Barratt had told me how good the course was looking and as soon as I saw it I was gutted. It was still the right decision but I hated it! The silver lining was that I got to take some good pictures and encourage others, not least my very own SuperSam.

Just look at his face on that technical slope. My boy is loving it, loving it, loving it! His remit this season is to have fun!

What followed for me was a most enjoyable and unusual week. I am very fortunate to be on an IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies,) Leadership Course at Reading University which last week meant being away for four days. Mrs Lindsley, the Queen of Cakes, is on a similar course (IAPT Parent Training,) and we were together for three of those days. The upside was some quality time together, really top quality training and some lovely meals out. The downside is that sitting in training rooms has never been kind on my back and my post Christmas diet got completely wrecked. The cooked breakfast for three mornings, combined with amazing dinners at the Hand Made Burger Company, Las Iguanas and The Queens Head have reversed my recent trend and my Sunday weigh in shows a pound put on this week! Only a pound you say? Well I had hoped that running every morning would neutralise the lard fest!

Running??? Yes forgive me Eddy Merckx I have sinned! It was quite nice actually. My three colleagues on the leadership course all run. One asked, can you run Richard? Cheeky mare. Not quite as cheeky as the slight from Steve Duke which still hurts. I confided in him how hard I find it to lose weight and he suggested a BEGGINERS walking and running club. Yes Steve I'm not letting that go because it really did sting!!! Anyway on the first morning we set off and it quickly became clear that my cycling fitness does translate to running fitness. 

That first run was a bit of an eye opener. I was just hoping to keep up but it turned out I was more than quick enough for our group. We got a bit lost around campus but I was really pleased with my first run in a long time.

On Day two some of us were determined to complete a 5K and we were joined by yet another colleague expanding the IAPT running club. Our additional member said that a lap of the Campus perimeter was almost exactly 3 miles so I guessed that was perfect for a 5K. So off we set and it was a really great run. It was also a bit further at 6.5K. This was me finding my limits. I was tired after this run and I could really feel it in my legs. The stairs at University gave me those amusing twinges that you'll love if you're like me but I understand that it's not for everyone!


On Day 3 it seems I'd broken the rest of the running club and went out on my own. Once again it appears I'm the foolish one. My first mile took 12 minutes!!! I can almost walk a mile at that speed! Everything was super tight. I was sure I'd stretched well, I also warmed up and did all my pilates and stuff that keeps my back healthy(ish). However my calves were like rocks. It did ease after that first mile so perhaps I needed more warm up. Perhaps one of my more experienced runner friends could give me some advice (Not you Steve I think I'll ask Gemma or Matthew!) It was a lovely run in the end around the frozen lake (-4 out but it was only -3 real feel so still very much shorts weather!) I eventually also found another member of the IAPT running club so it was nice to keep up the social side. 

So am I a runner now? Well the Queen of Cakes asked if I was going to give up cycling and run from now on? Hell no!!! I do think it's a good form of fitness though. Even the mighty Jens Voight runs now and for very good reasons. A half hour run is a lot more bang for your fitness buck than the same time on a bike. Also when you're away from home, running is easier because you need a lot less kit. Maybe a couple of runs a week will compliment my exercise routine and help with weight loss. Also whilst it's still dark mornings with a bit of frost around it kind of makes sense.

There was absolutely no way I was missing out on this weeks Cyclocross race. I woke on Saturday in absolute agony as the week of Reading University chairs tore into my back. It's not just that though. I'm supposed to lie on my left hand side to protect the area that gets sore and due to my ribs that's just not possible. Drugs, stretches and muscle rub sorted me out and by the time I was putting bikes on the car I was feeling much looser! A last minute addition in Sam's friend meant that I couldn't put bikes in the car but luckily I have a great neighbour in Gareth and he lent me his bike carrier. 

Anyone whose ever driven with a rear mounted cycle carrier knows how nerve wracking that can be. You constantly watch the bikes in the rear view mirror and any odd noise leads to the fear that a bike falling off your car disaster is imminent. No such problems can be reported with Gareth's carrier. It was solid as a rock and as a consequence I think I would recommend a Saris Bones wholeheartedly. Even better Gareth has roof bars and wants to sell it...I think you have a deal neighbour! I still think your best bike transport options when you can't ride to a destination are as follows: inside a vehicle; on roof bars and finally rear carrier. However the inside of my car is getting wrecked by muddy bikes so a carrier works!

My primary focus at Cyclocross will always be Sam. I love it, I really love it but nothing gives me as much pleasure as seeing my children progress. Sam has been hesitant and lacked confidence at times. It's a technical sport and falls are common place, you can't blame him for being nervous. He's overcoming that though. Practice and the encouragement of the Cyclones coaches is really paying off. I am thankful for all the words of suppot yesterday but would like to single out James Simons-Boswell who took the time to particularly point out Sam's progress. James and I have quite a history. I was playing in the rugby match at the Henley 7's (Fat Blokes amateur tournament not the professional thing, we weren't quite that good!) which resulted in him being airlifted to Reading Hospital (oh that's interesting...Reading!) He also was part of a team who helped me through my first 100 mile Sportive. I like to remember these things and when someone with that sort of history and subsequent amazing progress as a cyclist, says something to me, it really resonates. Back to SuperSam. He managed things yesterday on a bike that he wasn't able to do a few months ago. It's down to hard work and reminds me of my favourite quote from legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice:

"Do today what others won't so tomorrow you can do what others can't!"

Sam's teammates in the cyclones also had a good day. I have the privilege of writing about them for the Facebook page, this goes to the KCC website and then the Evening Telegraph reports on it from there. So I won't go through all of that again. All I will say is that I'm proud to be part of the Cyclones and contributing to the local cycling scene.

To my bit and yesterday's race really did reinforce the old adage of the 6P's. Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance. I hadn't riden my 29r since Cannock Chase on New Years Eve Eve. At Cannock I broke an SPD pedal so that I could only clip in on one side. The solution to this should have been to buy new pedals. Those SPD's came off my Dad's old Road bike and I'd had my money's worth and then some! The Heath Robinson solution I came up with was to remove the mechanism from the side that was broken. I tested it on the road to see how it worked and that's fine...however it's a different matter all together in the mud of a cyclocross race. More Tomfoolery from the sockwomble! I've also been having trouble with my seat stem in that it slips despite being super tight! You'll see from the pictures that my riding position is ridiculous as the seat slipped down again!!! No excuses though, I don't think those factors would have gained me many places.

Mrs Lindsley is a kind lady and refuses to see the Tellytubby on a bike that I can see! It's still all about my weight for me. I'm 14st7lbs this morning. I think my ideal riding weight is 13st and these pics have made me even more determined to get back on MyFitnessPal. I'm not back in Reading for 7 weeks so I'm hoping to be a good ten pounds lighter by then. I'd like to think I won my weight category yesterday 😉

I mentioned that this sport is hazardous right? Well this photo captures the bravery of the kids on the ride. This sort of fall happened several times in front of me yesterday and just before I finished a kid slammed into the tarmac. You'll notice that the images I'm using are copyright of Keith Perry. He's the official photographer and allows his great pictures to be used because it promotes the league. If you go to the link for this album you can see the sequence of the kid getting back up and riding on. Premier League footballers take note, these kids are warriors!

CentralCXLeague/photos/

This is me heading for the finish after 30 minutes slogging it out in the saddle. MyFitnessPal has taken my data and determined that I completed 33 minutes of light leisure cycling! This was much harder than any of the running I did last week, they really do need a cyclocross setting!!! Anyway of more importance in this picture is young Josh Brown. I momentarily tried to join him in the sprint to the line. It became quickly apparent that I was once again engaging in a foolishly futile endeavour. Great race face Josh!

I'm always telling people to smile when they ride. So here I'm practicing what I preach. It's not forced I flipping love it. In the picture below you'll see my closest rival on the day. Whilst I'll never keep up with the whippets there's always someone to test yourself against. I first became aware of him when I completely cut him up on a hill. He tried to ride it and I tried to run it. I took his line and then he had to run it too! I think I apologised like a thousand times ad gave way to him on every hill for the next lap. In the end I got away from him, possibly because of that hill but you know that's racing I think. Afterwards he sought me out to shake my hand and explained he perhaps should have shouted but didn't have the breath to do so. I still feel a bit bad.

It's not all about me though. My C&D Cycles CC clubmates Ashley, Andy Brown and Chris also had good races.

Ashley managed to get second place. However he's so young it's actually bullying for him to even be in our race. Ashley is capable and ready to step up into his age category and I would really encourage him to do that. Yes they're scary quick in the junior men but come on Ash unless you test yourself you'll never know. That would also get him away from us as we're all in the Vet 40-49 category!

Next was Andy Brown in 8th. He's a cheat too on account of being so skinny. Andy may always beat me on a bike but one thing I know for sure is that I'm always warmer than he is! They thought I was mad in shorts. Well I was quickly warm. The skinny lads just suffered.

Then comes Chris in 11th. That's also a great effort. He looks knackered for a good reason. CX is hard! Proper hard. I was trying to keep up with him on the first lap but no chance! Maybe next week eh! I'm nearly as proud of team C&D as I am of the cyclones. It would be nice if some more club-mates got off Zwift and had a go at this fantastic sport!

Okay this feels like the longest blog I've ever written. So a few closing comments and then I better walk Harvey followed by getting to the shop for some new pedals and some grip paste!!!

After our race we watched Cyclones head coach Mark Evans in the Vet 40-49 race. They go for 45 minutes as opposed to the 30 we do in novices and the racing is very impressive. Not coming last in that category will be quite a challenge! It's also interesting to see how the experienced riders do it. Many have spare bikes in the pits and swap them regularly. They dive off a bike snatch the spare from the pit crew and ride on. Then the crew tends to power wash the bike ready to swap it back in a few laps time. Also interesting was seeing someone swap to a single speed bike. There's a theory in CX that single speeds work better because of their reliability and no rear mech to get fouled with mud.

I didn't see Mark finish because Sam and his friend were getting cold. So we headed off for a well deserved KFC. Not long after that Sam and his friend were out for the count in the car. I stopped to take this photo safely and legally!

Back at Lindsley Home Sweet Home it was time to clean the bikes. I used a hose and not a jet wash just in case anyone is worried about that sort of thing. I also had to clean my winter bike down because I hadn't used it since Christmas Eve. Embarrassingly it was still decorated and covered in road grime. However they're all clean and lubed now.

Okay then! That's it. I can't wait for Misterton Hall next week!

Happy Pedaling

Thanks 2016...2017 here we come!

I can't blog about a ride today because I'm a bashed up buffoon who needs a few days rest to mend my sore ribs! So I'm just going to review the year and set some goals for 2017. I also want to look at some other notable cycling achievements.

Let's kick of with what in my opinion is the biggest achievement of all. Kajsa Tylen's year in the saddle earning herself a Guinness World Record in the process of riding over 50 000kms by the 9th of December and finishing today with a short celebration ride. You can read more on her website here: http://www.ayearinthesaddle.com/ 

With so much great cycling this year it would be easy to forget someone or something. If it was down to me to hand out awards Peter Sagan is simply the best. I also enjoyed the Cavendish road revival followed by the sensational return to the track, especially his partnership with Wiggo. Lizzie Armistead winning the Women's Tour in Kettering was a bit special. The Olympics and then Paralympics was fabulous on the track and frightening on the road. Too many names to mention from Rio but it's good to remember that 2016 was not all celebrity deaths and bizarre politics. It was also good to see friend of C&D Cycles CC, Marianne Vos going well and then making a comeback at my new favourite sport cyclocross. On the mudbashing the battle of the vans (Van der Poel and Van Aert,) was more than a bit special! 

Then of course there's the controversy with Team SKY and the TUE's. The team that doesn't cheat now appear to define this as getting away with as much as possible! Perhaps the defining image of cycling in 2016...Chris Froome the running man (also cheating but shhhhhhh!)

For my cycling friends at C&D, KCC and further afield it was another good year. I'd like a bit of reader participation at this point and ask that anyone who reads the blog leaves a comment on their favourite ride of 2016. I'm struggling to pick mine as there's a few to choose from. My favourite cycling thing is easy to pick...it's watching the progress of SuperSam. This is also a good place to thank Mark Evans and all the coaches and volunteers at Kettering CC Cyclones. You have created something to be very proud of!

One of my cycling friends from further afield set some impressive New Years Resolutions for 2015. His plan was to ride more often, drink more beer and stay single. I'm fairly sure Nigel achieved all three and then repeated in 2016 so kudos to him for that.

This brings me to my cycling goals for 2017. This year was relatively light for me as I only managed 2883 miles. For the last few years it's been over 4000 so target 1 will be to get back to that sort of distance. Another goal will be to do some more cycling in Australia. We're having a week in Noosa Heads which has fantastic MTB trails and bike hire available happy days! http://www.bikeon.com.au/where-to-ride-in-noosa/noosa-mountain-biking/ In the New Year we have three cyclocross races in a row. If it works for SuperSam I'm hoping to do the novice races in all three and then for the 2017/18 season I'm going to move up to my age group. This year I want to do a time trial. I also want to complete a Strava climbing challenge because I haven't managed that yet. It might require some Everesting but if that's what it takes! Finally I'm going to ride as much as possible with my friends. I had a break from C&D Cycles CC this year, I won't make the same mistake  again (except whilst I'm Australia!)

All that's left to do is to thank everyone for a wonderful year of cycling. Big thanks to all at C&DCCC. You're a great bunch and you make cycling even more awesome. Thanks also to Chris and Andy for keeping us on the road. Thanks to everyone at KCC Cyclones and to any cycling friends not attached to clubs. Finally as massive thanks to Mrs Lindsley, the Queen of Cakes, Not only does she keep us fueled with baked products I'd never be able to do as much without her support.

Pride comes before a fall...Cannock Chase with Fireman Pat

Okay when I suggested that some people were foolish the other day I really should have made sure everyone understood who I believe is the biggest fool of them all. It's me! Today the power of my mind literally chucked me off a raised platform and has left with ribs bruised marginally less than my ego! Let's make sure the message is fully understood, I feel sore and silly! However I need to clarify something else, Cannock is still the most magnificent place for an off road ride.

My ride companion for the day was my good friend and neighbour Gareth who I've nicknamed Fireman Pat due to him being both our Postie and part of the local retained Fire Service. We started out early with the first stop being McDonald's for breakfast and coffee (yes that will be a surprise to some!) It was a bit of a frosty foggy drive but we made it to Cannock Chase bang on 8. The car park ticket machine stole Gareth's money but no matter the ranger sorted us a ticket without quibble. We met up with Gareth;s mates but as most of their group was still a long way away decided to set off on our own. I was grateful for that on two counts; firstly they looked a bit too pro for a Roady like me who was at Cannock for the second time after a good few years break and secondly I was about to embarrass myself in splendid style!

My abiding memories from the last visit involve a positive experience at the shop and a spike of fear as I rode the boards for the first time. Let's do the positive first. I parked my Orange P7 outside the shop last time and then a member of staff scurried in to get the manager. He came out and looked like all his Christmases had come true. "Is that your P7 he said? Oh wow look at the geometry..." I hadn't got a clue, I'd bought if a friend of my wife for £270 and that was possibly the first time I'd used it properly. I've sold that lovely bike now because it was too small and didn't have suspension of any sort, I do miss it though.

Onto the negative. Quite soon into the 'Chase the Dog Trail,' you are thrown onto the boardwalk above a boggy area. I hated it last time and that memory had lingered. Today it was also frosty so I doubly psyched myself out. I'm always telling SuperSam that when you're scared you'll get hurt and this really did prove the point. I nervously tried to trickle over the boards and rather predictably lost balance and toppled off. I landed ribs first on my handlebars and pain shot through my body. My first feeling was stupidity my second was embarrassment and my third was worry. I wasn't worried about me, I was horrified that I may just have ruined Gareth's day if I couldn't continue. I gathered myself and Gareth suggested walking to the boards. I put the bike back on, got up with it and was once again paralysed by fear. I wobbled there for a moment and then began to slide. I jumped off the other side and one of my shoes disappeared into the bog. Thank goodness for seal skin socks! Gareth did exactly what I would have done and exactly what I needed. He laughed! I pushed myself out, gathered myself again and just cracked on with it. I won't lie, my confidence was shot and the next twenty minutes was tentative to say the least!

I've stolen the picture of the boardwalk from another blogger who also admits to the demons this completely rideable feature conjures. The truth is I could have avoided all the pain if I'd just treated it like rollers looked forward and gone for it. I've added the link to this persons blog, I hope that makes it okay with them!

Link - http://firecat-a-go-go.co.uk/2009/04/

I think I started to recover a bit by the time we went down Devil's Staircase. It's a beautifully technical descent and I started to remember stuff like getting my weight over the back wheel. We hit the bottom and got through the V barriers.

From there it was over the road to the Monkey Trail. Lots of hard climbing to come but also massive rewards.

As we progressed around Cannock I found my proper off road feet. I started to really enjoy myself and the technical bits became less threatening. I still didn't like the rock section with Tom, Dick and Harry. I need to go back and beat that because I'm sure I can. Bit by bit though I was getting more into it.

The day was getting better too. We started in frost and fog and then everything began to clear. 

This is the view out over Lower Cliff. The best bit of downhill and well worth the tough climb to get to it. I thought I'd set possibly the slowest ever time down it but then saw on my Strava that it was a PR so I guess at worst it was the second slowest ever descent!

This pic is to show off the stunning bike that is Gareth's Santa Cruz full suspension. My hardtail 29er did okay around the trails but this really is the sort of kit you need!

One last pic as Gareth descends away. I have some videos to show off the rest of his superb day out. I'm home now and the dogs have been walked even though I'm super sore. I got home to discover I' forgotten what day it was and the recycling didn't go out! That's a trip to the tip for me then. But what of our companions back up the trail? Well they finally made it to the car park by 9.10, late even by my standards, then they struggled round the trails arriving back at he car park at 3:30pm! We stopped for a coffee and ate lunch before setting off home and got back by 2pm! I'm glad we didn't wait!!!

I want to thank Gareth for today, You were superb company mate and I truly hope not to fall off on the easy bit next time! I hope the videos do the day justice.

Happy Pedaling

Clocking up the winter miles...

I'm a lucky man...a really lucky man...because this week I've already been out on my bike with two of my best mates! That's the positive message I'd like everyone to take from this blog, because I'm sorry to say I'm really going to be negative at times today.

My first post Christmas ride made me very happy because it was one I shared with the very special human being that is my youngest son SuperSam. As most parents know, you tend to lose kids a bit at his age. You've gone from being the strongest, cleverest, fix anything ist man in the Universe and suddenly your hero plummets towards zero. Every now and again though you have a day when you're the hero again. Boxing Day was my day!

So we pitched up at Wakerley to what has to be the most quintessentially English behaviour ever. There was lots of family groups doing that bewildered wandering that only the English can achieve and to top everything there was also a group with a barbecue on the go having a game of cricket! We're mad...in a most magnificent way!

Sam and I hit the trails. If you haven't been to Wakerley Great Wood it's like a mini Cannock Chase. There's nothing like the downhills of lower cliff but there is still plenty to keep offroaders happy. Sam let me take the lead on each section too, which is great because it means he's confident enough to tackle it on his own. I managed a few Strava PR's as a result!

You can see from the pics that it was a lovely day in the woods. Reports from people who did a road ride on Boxing Day suggest that there was a bitter wind away from the trees! I love this place. It's well built, well maintained and frankly a bargain to use! The only problem is the odd stray walker who doesn't understand the difference between a path and a bike route! Sam had a great ride too. He has set himself the target of working on skills and returning regularly to see if he's getting quicker! You've got to love that kid!

I was hoping to ride on the 27th with C&D Cycles CC but looking out of my window on the morning I saw an abundance of frost. Having fallen twice on ice and broken my bike both times I had no intention of setting out on a road bike. Club mates however took no such precaution and rode their bikes. I'm sorry guys, I know it's your choice but I think you're foolish. How can it ever be worth risking life, limb or expensive bike? I might sound a bit judgmental at this point but I can honestly speak from experience. I was lucky enough a few years back to only lose two 105 rear mech's and hangers in quick succession. Both times my desperation to ride overwhelmed my common sense. I'll say it again...there will always be another day to ride!

So to today. Steve contacted me the night before and suggested we head for the Brampton Valley Way and some off road riding. This seemed like the sensible way to get a cycling fix!

It became quite apparent soon into our ride that the roads were really not safe for road bikes. We set out with the intention of avoiding tarmac as much as possible! Not long into the ride I experienced the first mechanical of the day as my rear mech cable detached itself from the shifter. A quick bit of fiddling and we'd solved the problem...or so it seemed!

Just out of Orton we found a bridlepath we couldn't resist exploring. This was a bit of mistake as he going was so heavy that Steve described it as 'worse than Rocky Hill.' He considered engaging his Granny Ring, I embraced the full spin of my very lowest gear! I say mistake but actually this type of suffering was exactly what we were looking for.

Thankfully we made it onto firmer ground and a more manly gear was engaged. We were playing it by ear though and much as we understood our general direction, frankly we had no clue exactly where we were!

That lack of orientation subsided as we saw the house that was formerly Faxton Church near Lamport. I told Steve the story of the cows chasing me out of the field we were in and then we entered the safety of the woods beyond the reach of livestock.

The next picture alludes to the change of weather we were about to encounter. It had until this stage been a bright and sunny but freezing cold day. We were about to enter the fog!

The next picture really sums it up. The ground was firm but frosty. The air was getting cold and clingy!

Closing on Lamport we found this hillock that grabbed my attention. I have no idea what this structure is and will do some research but it looked like early fortification. I wanted to ride down it but the look of the ditch at the bottom persuaded me that it might not end well.Also Steve pointed out I'd either break my bike or do myself a mischief!

Then we found Frank's Hobbit house!

From there we made our way to the A508 where with lights on we cautiously rode to Hanging Houghton. From the world's poshest village we span down an icy hill to the Brampton Valley Way, BRAIN FREEZE! Going down the hill was the coldest thing I've ever done, every bit of me was frozen and I had a splitting headache. The Brampton Valley Way itself was quite pleasant due to the mud being frozen. Steve then checked his Garmin which said the temperature was -6C!

This next picture proves the point. It's not the fog, my camera lens had frosted over! So it was with some relief that we climbed Merry Tom Lane because uphill warms you up! Unfortunately my gears had stopped working again! When we arrived at Brixworth Country Park I discovered that the cable had now detached at the derailleur end! I managed to fix that but lost my bottom two cogs and was not in the mood for more fiddling to get them back. This bike has been so trouble free that it almost owes me the odd mechanical!  

Steve and I headed into the cafe where the magnificent chap bought me a pot of tea. We also discovered 'Arry the Aphid, Steve's new best mate. He stayed with us for a fair few miles! Because not even tea had warmed us sufficiently we had a look around Pitsford Cycles. Dear Chris and Andy...no money was spent!

Those cobwebs tell a tale. We set off round Pitsford reservoir with freezing extremities which were not improving anytime soon! We said good morning to as many people as possible and it has to also be said that joggers are far more sensible than cyclists as none were seen! At the causeway car park we'd had enough and just wanted to get home. The ride back to Brixworth was dicey as visibility was low and we were happy to have decent lights. However as we hit the top of the hill the world began to change. Soon after that you would not believe it was the same day as we emerged into bright winter sunshine.

We went to Scaldwell, then Old and up mill lane where the above picture was taken. We looked across those crazy bridle paths that had provided a test earlier and laughed at how silly we are! Then my third problem of the day...my front tyre started losing air. It's been a bit leaky since I went tubeless I was just unsure if the sealant had expired or of it just didn't like the cold!

By Harrington, where we could clearly smell the Warner Edwards gin still in full swing, I decided to put more air in. Its was only a few miles home which was lucky because the top up didn't work! I limped home with a very soft front tyre. Steve headed back to Kettering with his Festive 500 quest still on target! Despite the problems and the cold it was still a great ride in great company. Also being out on big tyres and avoiding roads was clearly the safest approach...maybe some maintenance would have helped!

Back at home I had a really good tinker with gear cables and I got my rear mech absolutely trimmed! I'm quite proud of that because I've always been been pretty useless at fine fettling. The tyre though was having none of it.

With only a couple of days before our trip to Cannock Chase I needed to take action so I hot footed it to C&D Cycles. I purchased some Scwalbe sealant (which is actually Stans,) and I got a camelbak drinks system because I'm fed up of drinking from a crap covered bottle. Amazingly with my club discount my LBS came in cheaper than the big internet providers. Kudos to Andy and Chris for such outstanding service!

I'm really looking forward to my trip to Cannock Chase on Friday. I'll get pics and hopefully some video too!

Happy Pedaling