Never mind they didn't kick me as I squeezed my way past. By this point I was getting good at guessing which bits of ice were crunchy and which bits were deadly. There was a lot of it about!From here it was new, once in the woods at Tockholes I sucessfully navigated out by a new route and then crossed the A675 and started heading up Great Hill. This was great practice as I had never been up here. So I took compass bearings even though it being a clear day I could see where I was going and tried using the contours on the map to work out exactly where I was. I really struggle with this as I just can't imagine things in 3-D, but its getting better. I had guessed from the map this would be a push/carry but I actually think that in the summer some of it would be rideable. There was a lot of frozen snow about which actually covered some of the boggy stuff up so you could walk on it. The last bit being the steepest meant Rig got carried, sometimes bikes are lazy!
Then it was down a big track towards Brinscall, before heading towards White Coppice. Here I went a slightly different way than I had planned, I was following my route card, but when I checked on the map I had taken a different path. No problems though I was able to work out where I was.After that I was basically at Rivington so came back one of my usual ways. Failed to clear the school climb for the first time in ages, only because I managed to pull my foot out of my left cleat! Something else I need to sort, tighten my cleats! Coming back through Smithills I was riding across some ice but feeling confident, I had done a lot of ice riding already today, as I could see the end of it when I went flying. After a little bit of lying on the floor hurting the intial pain calmed down and I shuffled to the end of the ice dragging my bike. Back on and fortunately no more ice. Nothing seems too sore now, it hurt a lot when I went down though!
27.97miles @ 7.6mph
920m climbed
I'm jealous all I've done is cough my way through daytime TV. Great pic of you carrying the rig.
ReplyDeleteSounds a good day out, not sure what exact path you took up Great Hill but it needs a good few dry days to become part rideable and probably better the other way, it just seems to stay wet (though this summer was very wet so possibly not a good reference point). Last kick up is a killer though! Did you follow the big track all the way to the end?
ReplyDeleteYes followed big track as I had planned it came to a road. Went straight up from the abbey village road, I wasn't expecting it to be rideable - but I've got used to pushing since the snow - but wanted a chance to practice some navigation. Route I took is here if you fancy a nosey.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jumbly I was pleased with how it turned out, usually when I try and take a picture of me when I'm out on my own I miss me!
I tend to run the middle of the three footpaths up/down Great Hill as that is my preference (tried the others a few times too). I was hoping you had taken the more direct route down to White Coppice from Great Hill, I think it would be an ace bike descent but I've been caught out before thinking a good running track would be just as much fun on a bike. Should get up there myself but am always wary of weekends and walkers. I always seemed to end up on a different path to the one I intended around White Coppice the first few times. It helps you get to know them better!
ReplyDeleteyou're really disciplined- i can never make myself practice bearings and the like if i can clearly see. hope you're not too bruised
ReplyDeleteJulbags I'll try it for you at some point, but today I choose that one in my plan as it was a wide track and I was expecting there still to be ice!
ReplyDeletekateNot really I have an assessment tomorrow and I never really navigate as I so often ride where I know, so I had to practice.
My hip is a little sore so I think that might bruise!
what are you being assessed in?
ReplyDeleteI'm very scared I will fail so I'm leaving talking/blogging about it till after the event.
ReplyDeleteI can tell you all about it on sunday, I am assuming you will be there?
i'll have to wait for the blog version as i'll be at work :(
ReplyDeleteoh, and also, good luck with your secret mission ;)
ReplyDeleteI love reading about your adventures! Hope the hip isn't too sore. Good luck with the secret!
ReplyDeleteI always managed to get lost while mountain biking. And I always had my cleats very loose so I could unclip easily as I was paranoid of loosing momentum half way up a steep hill and crash.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a good ride.