Hit the North Preview ride

A chance to preride the course for next months Hit the North race meant I was riding again tonight. A slower commute on the way in due to a silly low gear meant I could ride my singlespeed round the course. The start time meant I could ride there straight from work with no stress.

After the ride I spun back to radcliffe with Chris before heading home.

27miles in total. Hopefully I will start to get fit again.

Chasing Chris

An early finish due to working at a school in Bolton made me organise a ride. I just had time to nip home, check my email, switch bikes, fill a camelbak up and head over to Cookson Cycles. The plan was to head up onto Scout Moor, over Holcombe Moor and then loop back via the outskirts of Bolton. On the way over I was thinking that I really should have changed the gear on my bike (Still 32x20 from 24solo) as I spun out at a silly low speed on any tarmac sections. Leaving the shop I still wasn't sure, Chris was taking it easy and I was spinning like a loon. Once we were off-road it wasn't as bad and I appreciated being able to turn the gear over. Before I knew it we were on Rooley Moor Road and I was doing my best to keep up with Chris, he is one of these people who stay just the right distance ahead of you that you can't give up! I found myself working harder than I had in a long time, but its good for me isn't it?

At the top of Scout Moor we headed onto the Cragg Quarry trails. They are great but you do really have to work on them. Lots of times I just made the short sharp uphills. But they reward you with lots of fun berms and track to pump.

Cutting off we headed down to Edenfield. Chris told me stories of 50mph speeds being reached on this section. No chance of that happening with me! Then we started climbing again, up and up and more up. Onto Holcombe Moor and to the trig point at Bull Hill. I can't believe I haven't been up there before, the views are stunning! I put an extra layer on here as it was windy, next climb and it had to come straight off!

Across the firing range and I showed Chris some of the trails around Entwistle before a cheeky ride through Jumbles. Through Longsight Park and down to the Bury Road. It was starting to get dark at this point. So Chris headed off to Whitefield and I spun back to my house.

43.7 miles with 1290m of ascent. Not bad for an evenings ride after work. Hopefully to be repeated if Chris can cope with waiting for me.

A weekend of bikes and beer

Saturday I was working at a fashion show in the arndale. I wasn't modelling but signing people up for free cycle training. Which was harder than I anticipated, everyone just tells you they can ride a bike, men especially look at you as if they are insulted. I was told that I had to dress smart or fashionable.....I needed some ideas. In came minx to the rescue! Saturday morning I was waiting for the postie, who arrived with loads of time. A fab outfit was contained inside and I had instructions to wear it over 3/4-length bike tights.

The day was fun, a bicycle powered sound-system and smoothie making being my favourite. The fashion show was interesting. A couple of the outfits I could imagine riding in - skinny jeans being a good look - but some just weren't practical. I did however get some compliments and equires to where I got my little biking skirt. I have to say I would have never worn one before but it was so comfy and I really liked it!

Since Ali was off playing in the peaks on her bike I met up with Odile for a couple of drinks and then dinner. We ended up dancing to 80's music in New York, New York before heading home at 11pm. My outfit worked perfectly for heading out in Manchester.

Sunday was another lovely sunny day. I was an assistant leader on a ride in South Manchester and leaving later than planned, meant when Ali realised she had forgotten her phone I had to let her go home on her own. Pushing hard I think I got a really good average for me. Just before the ride started Ali turned up, she had decided to still do the ride. Afterwards we headed off to a local pub with Patrick, it had a tv outside and I managed to grab some seats. Turned out it was a really friendly pub and although the football didn't deliever we had a great afternoon. Then it was out for an early anniversary dinner for me and Ali. I should have thought about what I was wearing though as all my spare layers were clashing!

A fantastic weekend, lots of bikes, smiles and fun.

Bike Fabulous

Today was Bike Friday, as it is bike week there was cake and coffee on offer when you arrived at Exchange Square. Obviously not one to turn down free food I had to join in. They asked you to dress smart, fashionable or different so I made an effort and put a skirt on! Leaving later than I needed to I missed them at the start in Prestwich but caught up near the end. Somehow I ended up in charge of giving out the vouchers, dangerous. Loads left over so they came back to work. Problem is I ate way to many!

Bike Fabulous have a fashion show on tomorrow and the arndale centre which should be interesting. Although I am working and not modelling I think my outfit might be sorted thanks to minx!

Does it count as hill reps?

Since I worked on sunday I had to take a day off this week. It turns out Jenn was out riding on Wednesday so I checked and yes it was fine to go out and play! I did think of cycling to where we were meeting but then commonsense took over. Not only was I riding with someone faster than me I was tired after a late night. The ride was to get photos for a route guide in a magazine (yes I will sign autographs!)


We met at 9am at the base of Rooley Moor Road and set on up the climb. Part way up and Russell (the photographer) spotted a photo opportunity. So me and Jenn got to ride up and down numerous times. This was repeated on various parts of the climb. Back to the cars without even reaching the top of the climb but with a fair few miles in my legs the decision was made to get some food.

Over to Todmorden for a lovely hot chocolate and cheese on toast, before heading up more hills. Then it was time for more hill reps. Oh and more hill reps and more hill reps. But you can't complain when the weather is perfect and the trails lovely! Well there were some complaints from Russell when the sun went behind the clouds! Oh and a few shouts of "quickly go now, faster faster".

The last shoot of the day was a tiny stream crossing, my first attempt I screamed, second I pulled a face, third I just rode it. Go me! All that was left was to roll back to the cars, my garmin claimed 32miles with 1075m of climbing.

So does it count as hill reps even though they were short?

What sized wheels?

Last night Ali and I went riding over Oldham way with Rich and Shona*. I rode straight from work, Ali drove over and we were all ready to go at about the same time. Rich kindly provided bikes for us to both ride. I started off on a Gary Fisher Superfly (I am in love), Ali on a Trek 69er and Rich on a Surly Pugsley. During the course of the ride we swapped bikes a couple of times. I couldn't believe how well the Pugsley climbed for such a heavy bike. Going downhill it rolled over everything!

Back for pizza and lots of chat, before we knew it time had flown away and we had to leave. Home, shower, bed. I was tired and happy.

*Shona was on a 650c bike just to add to the different sized wheels

Bikes the language of everyone

Yesterday was the start of bike week which meant a busy day for my work. I was at Trafford doing skills at their bike festival, which went really well and once I saw a five-year old riding over the seesaw I had to do it without screaming! Ali even "worked" for us, helping us set up in Trafford and then riding a Brompton in a parade in Manchester. It was a tiring day but we decided to head out for a curry. Joined by Phil, Odile and Pauline we had a great time. Heading home we got to the train station and there was a 25minute wait. Ali decided we should ride home. Heading through Cheetham Hill and I punctured. Stopping at a bus stop we set about fixing it. I was trying to get the tyre back on and picked up a tyre lever for the last bit when a guy waiting for a bus took over. He obviously knew what he was doing and had that extra strength I was missing. He even offered to pump it up. He didn't speak a word of English and I did wonder what was happening when he started but it shows bikes are the language of everyone!

A perfect evenings ride

I remembered yesterday morning on the way to work that I was leading a ride that evening. So I quickly organised with Ali to have tea ready when I got home. Getting home later than I used to it felt like a rush and I had to drive out to Belmont, Ali joined me and I brought trekster to confuse everyone who is used to see me singlespeeding! Only two others joined us but the dry dusty trails and the amazing views made for a fantastic ride. Ali managed to take a tumble on the ice-cream run and battered her right arm. A quick drink in the pub and heading home before it was completely dar, how summer evenings should be spent!

Gisburn Dirty Dozen

This race was on my list to do this year but I never got round to entering. As it got closer it seemed a good idea not to enter. I started a new job, completed 24solo and then the Welsh Ride Thing. I was tired and my body was not happy. A complete rest was needed. I kept having two days off commuting but it wasn't enough. So last week I bought a weekly train ticket, borrowed a brompton from work and had a rest week. Well nearly, there were two track sessions organised through work had to be ridden, but two hours of track riding, a couple of miles (mainly downhill) on a brompton and one 10mile mtb ride to reece a route was a rest. Thursday I felt great, the aches and pains gone so Ali agreed that if I felt that good in the morning I could enter. The organisers were great letting me enter the day before so I was all set.

Friday evening was spent packing - Ali kindly went shopping for me - and making up energy drinks. I was going to this race on my own as Ali was off to a BBQ. A lot of faffing and I realised Rigger still had a puncture from 24solo (he needed a wash as well). That fixed it was off to bed, the race started at 7:30am so I had an early start.

Saturday dawned and Ali was up before me, making me porridge and putting the bikes on the car. I set off before 5:30am and it already looked like an amazing day. Getting there I unpacked my kit and trekster, leaving it all at the Cookson Cycles Gazebo just as Chris(from Cooksons) arrived to cook his bacon. Off to the Car Park I rode back up via registration. All too soon it was race time, I put my food and drinks in the Gazebo set up for soloists, racked my bike and headed down.

The race started with a run, not my forte. But I managed to keep Chris in sight and there were still plenty of bikes when I got up there so I wasn't last! Out on the course and I decided I had made the wrong decision on bikes and singlespeed (especially as I hadn't changed the gear since 24solo) was not the way to go. Everyone was pedalling off down the fireroads and I was spun out. But once I hit the singletrack I was loving it. In fact it probably helped my legs by stopping me using too much energy too early. Back through the pits, one bottle off, one on and out again. I really liked the course. Well except for the raised wooden bit, but that was a mental block. The techy descent we had been warned about was lovely.

After four laps I was told I was the only female soloist so had won. It would have been easy to stop so I set myself a target of 100miles. I worked out this would either be 13 or 14 laps (maths not being my strong point). Chris passed me at the start of my 5th lap, he was in 3rd and flying up the hills. At 7 laps I was going well so thought I would probably manage 14. So I kept pushing, by this point I was having to walk some of the last hill as well as one little rocky bit in the middle of the course. But even with the tiredness and aches and pains I felt good and was having fun. Every picture I have found of me so far I am smiling, I am sure there will be some of me grimacing somewhere as I remember a photographer on the climb.

Lap 13 was finished after 11hours, time for one more shouted the timer so I was back out. A few fast boys passed me but then I seemed to be on my own and getting slower and slower. That was in fact my slowest lap at an hour.

All that was left was to get everything back to the car, bikes on the roof - not fun as my back was hurting - and go to the presentation at the pub. I missed the free food (must pack up quicker next time) but I did win some prizes.

According to my garmin I completed 108miles which I was pleased with. 11th overall in the solo's which I am very pleased with.

Definetly one to do next year, thanks to all the organisers, marhalls and other competitors.

Borrowing a bike for my commute

I'm getting the train to work this week as I'm being "sensible" and resting my legs. But it can be a bit annoying if I get an early train to Bolton and have to wait ages for the train up to my house. Today there was also a track session with work, it would be a bit of a walk from the velodrome to the station. So I borrowed a bike from work. It's ideal for the job and pink, I was a very happy trio. I rode over to Victoria from the velodrome and got the direct train home, I would have been a lot later without the brompton!