Another month gone and what a month! I started a full-time job, rode in my first 24 solo event and did my first multi-day bivvy! Mileage was down this month at 792miles (still loads though) but the split between off and on road and swung completely towards off-road miles. In fact I only did 332miles on the road. That is less miles than my diastorous January, the diffeence being in May I rode 439miles off-road. A lot of that was the last two weekends, but still I was impressed. No wonder I am tired now.
Running happened, as in I ran once back from cooksons, which put 7miles in the bank. But I do need to try and build a weekly run into my schedule. Nothing long but something.
Away from looking at miles, I wasn't actually thinking about them this week. I am just so pleased to do a couple of things I really want to try. The 24solo was hard but I learnt a lot and want to do another one, maybe even this summer! The Welsh Ride Thing was better than I could have imagined and I am definetly going to try and get at least one more bivvy adventure in this summer.
So what is everyone planning for June?
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Thursday, 3 June 2010
Welsh Ride Thing - Day 3
We were both awake just after four and Ali did suggest getting up but neither of us were very keen on the idea and snuggled back down in our bags for some more sleep. We had choosen a comfy spot, so comfy in fact I didn't notice that I had rolled off my mat!
At around 6:30am we did surface and I felt terrible. Ali tucked into her breakfast - with her second pint of real milk, which had managed to stay nice and cold - while I made myself eat m&m's as I couldn't face anything else. The midges were out a bit, although nothing compared to previous trips with Ali. Still she was glad to have her midge net to put on.
We got our stuff packed out, got back out of the trees and onto the road. Suprisingly we were both going well and made good time to our last off-road section of the route. As we pushed up this I felt it was similar to a bit of transwales, but not the same as I had rode the section at transwales. Once we started descending Ali recognised it as she had ridden up to take pictures. Riding it in the opposite direction had confused me! We enjoyed a great descent before we hit traffic, a load of bulls being hearded down the road. We sensibly kept our distance until they went a different way.
Back onto road and the question was now could we make 2pm, it would be close but not impossible. At Llanwrthwl we joined NCN 8 which was to be our friend for the rest of the route. Some of it was on dedicated cycle path, all tarmac though. Some on quiet roads, including one with numerous gates which felt more like a bridleway. We pushed on through Rhayader deciding against stopping for extra supplies as we were feeling good. At this point I told Ali we were 30miles from the finish and 10miles from the last checkpoint. That put a spring in Ali's pedalling but it did feel like a long ten miles before we got to Llangurig our final checkpoint.
Here there were loads of cyclists on the Welsh Ride Thing outside the post office, we were soon inside and stocking up on savoury foods - pork pies, sandwich, crisps and a banana for me. Then we settled down in the sun to eat. Next thing we know there is a cheery hello and two people from the last two transwales appear. They were out on their own wild camping adventure. A nice chat and it was time to head on back. Just over two hours and twenty miles to go.
We set off up the first steep hill and then it felt like it was climb, a bit of flat to recover, climb for the next hour or so. But with just over 3 miles to go we hit a downhill which went on and on and on. In fact all the way to Pennant. All that was left was the final climb to the farm, I think they had moved the house since saturday it seemed a long way. Back, just before 2pm, to a welcome of tea and welsh cakes and the news we had won two raffle prizes.
Another great day on the bikes and we were both glad for the easy tarmac miles.
42.7 miles ridden, 1495m climbed
An excellent weekend and one to repeat, in fact I am now thinking about our next adventure!
At around 6:30am we did surface and I felt terrible. Ali tucked into her breakfast - with her second pint of real milk, which had managed to stay nice and cold - while I made myself eat m&m's as I couldn't face anything else. The midges were out a bit, although nothing compared to previous trips with Ali. Still she was glad to have her midge net to put on.
Back onto road and the question was now could we make 2pm, it would be close but not impossible. At Llanwrthwl we joined NCN 8 which was to be our friend for the rest of the route. Some of it was on dedicated cycle path, all tarmac though. Some on quiet roads, including one with numerous gates which felt more like a bridleway. We pushed on through Rhayader deciding against stopping for extra supplies as we were feeling good. At this point I told Ali we were 30miles from the finish and 10miles from the last checkpoint. That put a spring in Ali's pedalling but it did feel like a long ten miles before we got to Llangurig our final checkpoint.
We set off up the first steep hill and then it felt like it was climb, a bit of flat to recover, climb for the next hour or so. But with just over 3 miles to go we hit a downhill which went on and on and on. In fact all the way to Pennant. All that was left was the final climb to the farm, I think they had moved the house since saturday it seemed a long way. Back, just before 2pm, to a welcome of tea and welsh cakes and the news we had won two raffle prizes.
42.7 miles ridden, 1495m climbed
An excellent weekend and one to repeat, in fact I am now thinking about our next adventure!
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
Welsh Ride Thing - Day 2
The one thing about sleeping in a bothy is once one person gets up everyone else is awake. So it was quite early that we were packing up and eating our breakfast on Sunday morning. Not that I knew the time, as my phone had died overnight! Ali enjoyed her breakfast with her fresh pint of milk - not the most light-weight of travellers!! I had my mashed up weetabix with powdered milk...
Over breakfast we were chatting to the lads who had also slept there, none of them were doing Monk's Trod, there were horror stories about waist deep bogs, we were wondering if we should change our route. But there didn't seem an obvious alternative without changing our whole route so we decided to give it a go. There was one minor alteration to our plan though, instead of going round a very lumpy road with an evil climb we decided to just push over the mountain on the bridleway as it was direct.
Once packed, it was ready to set off on the forest road - the visibility had improved and we could even see the wind turbines in the distance that we had ridden past the previous evening.
Coming out of the forest it was back to river crossings, some of them involved a little thought of how to get across.
Once we got over the hill, which we basically pushed up and down it was along the road to find the checkpoint, one false start at the wrong bridleway sign and we found the correct one and checked which direction it was pointing.
After coasting down the road it was time for Monks Trod. We set off, riding some pushing some. In fact it reminded me a bit of Great Hill. But only once did I go into a bog and only up to my ankle. There were some amazing views and once again Ali's amazing route planning meant we took the good line down.
Once we hit the main track again we had to make a decision, it was a 2km there and 2km back on an easy track to get the next checkpoint but it was an easy one to miss out. We were behind on our schedule and wanted to ensure we were back in time on monday. So the decision was made and Ali eventually agreed it was sensible even though she wanted to get all the points.
Then onto what should have been a familiar bit of track seeing as transwales had gone there both years! But somehow I failed to recognise the view.
However once I got stuck in the puddle it all came flooding back.
We carried on down the track to Strata Florida with an excited Ali recognising the lovely trail that she had walked along to take pictures at transwales. At Strata Floria we got our picture of the arch and headed on up the road to a trail I did remember! It has lots of lovely puddles to ride through, some deeper than others.
This is also where we encounted the most traffic on the route! It felt like hundreds of 4x4's (or trucks as Ali calls them) were coming along the trail in the opposite direction! To be fair to them they were all really courteous with some of them cheering us through the big puddles. Then onto the only cheeky part of the route as we ended up just above the next checkpoint with the only options to get down scrambling down a cliff or following a footpath. The cliff was vetoed and we went down the footpath. Finding a lovely cute bothy at the bottom.
Joining the seven splashes we headed off to the next checkpoint, a chapel at Soar Y Mynydd. Here we decided to miss our second checkpoint as it was another out and back, it was fine though as we would still get the eleven needed. I didn't remember this climb, apparently I had rode it in transwales 2008, or the amazing view that opened out in front of us.
Then we rode down some amazing singletrack through the Doethie Valley in what was now a gloriously sunny day.
This brought us to the most southerly checkpoint where we had to take a picture of a stunning view.
Then the climbing started again, our plan now was just to get as far as we could by 9pm and then find somewhere to sleep. If we came across a pub we would eat some hot food, otherwise it was a dinner of hot cross buns and chocolate cookies.
Into the forest and what should have been a fast and easy downhill on a forest road became an obstacle course with fallen trees to climb under, over or round.
Out of this and onto a technical downhill, I was impressed with us both riding it with all our kit, I must admit to some singing! Back onto the road and now it was time to try and make up some distance. A stop at some toilets in Abergwesyn to fill up the camelbaks and it was back on the road. Just before 9pm we both spotted a gravel track heading into some trees, in we went and found a nice clearing behind a fallen tree. This was to be our bedroom for the night. Soon in our bivvy bags, Ali was fast asleep before I had even finished eating, seems like the day had tired her out.
No tadpole incidents today.
56miles ridden 2399m climbed
Over breakfast we were chatting to the lads who had also slept there, none of them were doing Monk's Trod, there were horror stories about waist deep bogs, we were wondering if we should change our route. But there didn't seem an obvious alternative without changing our whole route so we decided to give it a go. There was one minor alteration to our plan though, instead of going round a very lumpy road with an evil climb we decided to just push over the mountain on the bridleway as it was direct.
Once packed, it was ready to set off on the forest road - the visibility had improved and we could even see the wind turbines in the distance that we had ridden past the previous evening.
Then onto what should have been a familiar bit of track seeing as transwales had gone there both years! But somehow I failed to recognise the view.
This brought us to the most southerly checkpoint where we had to take a picture of a stunning view.
Into the forest and what should have been a fast and easy downhill on a forest road became an obstacle course with fallen trees to climb under, over or round.
No tadpole incidents today.
56miles ridden 2399m climbed
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Welsh Ride Thing - Day 1
This came around a lot quicker than expected so it was lucky for me that Ali had been working hard at plotting our route. I would love to take some credit but the fact that the route worked out so well was due to her careful planning and research, my mumbles of "yes that looks fine" when she showed me the map didn't help. So friday evening I did some last minute shopping and we both packed - well I got my stuff ready to pack and finished in the morning, I was that organised!
Saturday morning we headed down, stopping off to meet some lads off singletrackworld for some pub food, not knowing if this would be our last hot meal for three days. Off to forest freeride for the start. Only we chose (or TomTom chose for us) an interesting route there which meant we were first to leave the pub but last to arrive at the start. Still, it meant less time to panic for me as it was a case of unloading the bikes and bags and then straight to the start to pick up our checkpoints sheet.
Heading off up the road, we realised that we hadn't got the classic "before" picture, but as you can see Ali was smiling at this point. As we hit our first bit of off-road we passed a group of lads discussing their route, so far we had not had one argument about navigation so were feeling good. Along an amazing singletrack descent that unfortunately had a drop to the left, Ali's favourite. To a technical rocky drop to a bridge, I started riding and scared myself but I had no option other than to continue as I couldn't get off at that point. At the bridge we were looking at the way back up, obviously a carry which I remembered from transwales, Ali suddenly remembered that this might be the checkpoint. Good job she did as I can guess who would be scrambling back down to get the answer to the question!
At this point Ali's amazing route planning came into its own, turns out there were two choices. One a nice long slog through a bog. The other on clear tracks that was a little longer but that was not actually on the landranger map of the area.
After going through a forest I recognised the track, another transwales favourite that had lots of huge puddles (well they were a little big to be called puddles more like ponds). Ali was charging through them making me feel like a wimp. Until she came unstuck:
She decided to go for a swim after hitting a boulder, I have never seen someone jump up so quickly and rescue their bike. Sensibly she didn't want to test how effective her dry bags were when submerged on the first day of a three day ride!
With no more swimming we made our way to the next checkpoint, this was a river-crossing they had to put a rope across in transwales 2008. The water was a lot lower but we still opted for the footbridge, since this was the checkpoint.
The day had been wet and windy but once in a while the sun tried to come through. But now the weather really started to roll in. Passing through Ponterwyd we decided to stop at the pub for a hot drink and some food. Two jacket potatoes and chilli later we were ready to head out. I popped to the toilets to fill my camelbak up and hear a scream. Ali has found a tadpole from her earlier swim. All the staff gathered round and one of them rescued the tadpole and put it into a watering can.
Fortunately the weather was clearing a bit which made getting back out there a little easier. We set off for the next checkpoint, knowing this was at a bothy. On the first climb after leaving the road we passed a house, the old lady waved at us and we waved back thinking nothing of it, the next thing she is outside offering us cups of tea and water refills if we needed it. A lovely show of kindness. Up a climb and into the forest we arrived at the bothy around 8ish and there were a lot of other riders making it their home for the night. Much to the suprise of the others we decided to push on through the weather to try and get to the next checkpoint, we could always bivvy in the forest if it got dark.
Another fantastic bit of route planning by Ali meant we mainly followed a fireroad that had been used for a rally car event last year, this wasn't on any of our maps and was hard to make out on google earth. Apart from one really hard push up we were able to ride up to the windmills at Cefn Croes Windfarm.
This was very eerie as you couldn't see them till you were right next to them where they loomed out of the mist. I was very glad not to be on my own up there. Once we entered the forest it was a case of one lovely bridleway descent and a couple of fireroads to the next checkpoint, another bothy. On arriving Ali exclaimed "this isn't a bothy its a house", to be fair there was a car and van parked outside. We were met by an odd bloke asking if we were looking for a bed for the night and explaining he ran the place. Fortunately we spotted some other riders and decided to stay, we were contemplating just finding a spot in the forest. There were only five riders in total here and we had a room upstairs, downstairs there was a nice fire to dry our clothes and another room with bunks, here the odd man and his friends seemed to be having a party. From the number of empty beer cans this appears to be a regular occurence and I don't think they wanted us there. Off to bed only to be kept awake by the party animals downstairs.
All in all a fab start to the weekend despite the weather. But we were considering having to change our plans as due to the weather we were a little behind in the distance covered.
31.22 miles ridden, 1429m climbed
Day 2 coming soon....
Saturday morning we headed down, stopping off to meet some lads off singletrackworld for some pub food, not knowing if this would be our last hot meal for three days. Off to forest freeride for the start. Only we chose (or TomTom chose for us) an interesting route there which meant we were first to leave the pub but last to arrive at the start. Still, it meant less time to panic for me as it was a case of unloading the bikes and bags and then straight to the start to pick up our checkpoints sheet.
With no more swimming we made our way to the next checkpoint, this was a river-crossing they had to put a rope across in transwales 2008. The water was a lot lower but we still opted for the footbridge, since this was the checkpoint.
Fortunately the weather was clearing a bit which made getting back out there a little easier. We set off for the next checkpoint, knowing this was at a bothy. On the first climb after leaving the road we passed a house, the old lady waved at us and we waved back thinking nothing of it, the next thing she is outside offering us cups of tea and water refills if we needed it. A lovely show of kindness. Up a climb and into the forest we arrived at the bothy around 8ish and there were a lot of other riders making it their home for the night. Much to the suprise of the others we decided to push on through the weather to try and get to the next checkpoint, we could always bivvy in the forest if it got dark.
All in all a fab start to the weekend despite the weather. But we were considering having to change our plans as due to the weather we were a little behind in the distance covered.
31.22 miles ridden, 1429m climbed
Day 2 coming soon....
Friday, 28 May 2010
Sometimes the timing just works
I've managed to have a really easy week this week, getting the train monday and tuesday. Cycling in but not home on wednesday, getting a lift in but cycling home thursday and finally ride in today and then train home. I had a shopping list for when I finished work today and thought I would make the 6pm train from Victoria which takes me all the way home. Only I didn't realise I would be finishing work late. Expecting to get a Bolton train I got my shopping on Deansgate and then headed to Salford Crescent - all the Bolton trains pass through here. As it happens I arrived at the same time as the Clitheroe train to mine, a quick run along the plateform, squeeze my bike on and I was home an hour after leaving the last shop!
Evening spent packing wondering what I have got myself in for, at least I have lots of food.
Evening spent packing wondering what I have got myself in for, at least I have lots of food.
Monday, 24 May 2010
24solo
It wasn't an ideal build up to this race as I started working full-time on monday, this also meant my taper didn't really happen and I rode for 8.5 hours although I did try and take it easy but the odd sprint to get to the front of the group still happened. On thursday night I changed the tyres on rigger and tried to put the rear wheel back on. It was now a quick release after Cooksons had changed the drop-outs on wednesday evening. Only it didn't work? My fault for only taking the wheel in and not the bike! I had to push hard to get it in and then when it was tight it just didn't pedal forward, yet the wheel went backwards. I really thought I was being dumb! All this meant I had to ride to work on friday, at least it was only 8miles. Ali then went to Cooksons at lunch, they dropped everything to look at it but were not 100% sure what is going on they thought that was the wrong time to play about and put the old bolts back on, leaving the quick release to be sorted after the race. Once this had been done I got a text from Ali, she had taken the afternoon off to sort everything and try and get Mel the mini's air-con fixed (this failed which made the trip up to Scotland very hot). She also said she could collect me, which saved my legs the uphill ride home. Ali being off and me being in a school meant we were on the road before 6pm and even with a long stop at tesco we arrived at the Campsite with lots of daylight. This meant stressy trio stayed hidden away. As we were driving in the velocake called out to us and we got a spot for our tent with them. I even got to register on the friday night and annoy lots of people with my talking! Once it got dark I headed to bed, not that I could sleep but at least I was resting!
It was light nice and early on saturday and I could hear movement on the campsite but I was staying curled up in my sleeping bag as long as possible. Once I got up I did my usual walking round in a daze till Ali fed me porridge for breakfast. Everyone else seemed to be in race kit but I was in my pink PJ's. Ali got my old Garmin attached to the bike with the charger in my feed bag on the top-tube (the new replacement one having crashed and died!) I had a little panic and got food bags ready and discussed with Ali what I needed her to have ready - she had been really organised and got a whiteboard to keep everything organised.
Before I knew it we were at racer briefing and then riding down to Newcastleton for the sign-on and start. It was quite exciting being called up to sign on the board like the pro-racers on tv.
The start wasn't as bad as I had expected and the road back up to the course was very rideable. I chatted my way up with Jane who eventually finished in 3rd on her lovely Superfly100. At this point it still felt like going out for a ride with some friends - well new friends. Jac was just behind us, the other female singlespeeder who we were camped with.
Lap 1 I was taking it easy but felt like I was really flowing in the descents, at this point thanks must go out to the pump track at lee quarry! Climbing up a fireroad halfway round I look down to see front quick release undone, opps wonder when that happened? I had wondered on the descent if my headset was lose, no just the wheel! Lap 2 it was getting hotter, I was being sensible and walking more hills, but still feeling like it was easy, probably going too slow. Lap 3 and I'd had enough, I couldn't believe I was battling myself to carry on. Everyone said I had the right mental attitude for this, that is my strong point in endurance stuff usually. I was walking when I could ride as 'I couldn't be bothered'. Remembering Kate's advice that if I wanted to stop do one more lap I headed out. Didn't work, I was practically walking descents on this lap I was so not in the mood! I came in and told Ali that was me done, I was stopping, my head had gone. I was going to wait till it cooled down and go to bed. She was worried about me, my head was apparently really hot and the last thing she had expected was me to be wanting to stop so early. So stop I did, she fed me fluids and got me a chicken, cheese and salsa wrap from the caterers and got me to sit in the shade. A bit before 8pm she put me on my bike and made me go out again. I was not a happy trio - did she not understand I had pulled out, loads of others had it wasn't just me? On that lap I started debating how many laps I would do (before the event I had been thinking 14 was probably the best I could aim at from the distance of the course but without riding the actual course it was hard to say). I was thinking 10 was a good number, well over the magic 100miles, but it would be another 5laps after finishing that one. Went out again and decided that I was happy with 9, 10 was the aim and 11 would be fantastic. I now had an aim! But I still was thinking of stopping in the night to sleep. Each lap it got better and 10 was seeming possible, eventually I worked out I would get 12 done if I kept lapping as I was till the end. A bottle of vimto on the 10th lap - where I kept finding myself riding with my eyes shut - some riding chatting to Jac, and I felt on fire. I think it was the magic vimto (maybe they should sponser me ;-) ) I was flying up hills on lap 11, thinking I put a good couple of laps in and I may just manage 13! A change of clothes and instructions to Ali and I was back out on the course.
More magic vimto-juice and I was feeling good but it was getting hotter and I was finding it harder again, still I was determined! Out on the last lap and knowing I needed to back before midday I thought that was easy. But the heat was slowing me down, I was beginning to worry I would be sprinting. But no I crossed the line at about 11:45am 5th in the open womens (I was first female singlespeeder but there was no category for us).
A bit of wandering round, remember to let Joolze take my after picture and I was off to get changed and watch the prize-giving. All that was left was pretend to help Ali pack up and head home.
In the end I was really pleased, yes I stopped but I have never dealt well in heat. I managed a lot longer than I would have expected. I was never in race mode really and I suspect that sub-consiously I was aware of working on monday and actually having to ride. Hopefully next time I will be able to have the day off and then my brain will let me go for it, or maybe it was one of those days that pushing doesn't happen. But my legs and stomach behaved so that was good.
I really couldn't have done it without Ali and her magic whiteboard. She was there everytime I came in, kept an eye on my food and fluid intake and most importantly got me back out on the course when I had given up!
Other imporant people were of course the boys at Cooksons, they really did everything to make sure I was ready - although I didn't need the horror stories! The velocake lot that we camped with, meant Ali had company and help when I came in demanding things! Oh and of course Grant who had a fantastic race himself and who provided the suspension forks for rigger. My hands were in pieces at the end, I can't imagine what they would have been like if I had rode rigid!
Will I do it again? Yes of course, I think I would love to do it on a nice fast geared bike as well! But that doesn't
It was light nice and early on saturday and I could hear movement on the campsite but I was staying curled up in my sleeping bag as long as possible. Once I got up I did my usual walking round in a daze till Ali fed me porridge for breakfast. Everyone else seemed to be in race kit but I was in my pink PJ's. Ali got my old Garmin attached to the bike with the charger in my feed bag on the top-tube (the new replacement one having crashed and died!) I had a little panic and got food bags ready and discussed with Ali what I needed her to have ready - she had been really organised and got a whiteboard to keep everything organised.
Lap 1 I was taking it easy but felt like I was really flowing in the descents, at this point thanks must go out to the pump track at lee quarry! Climbing up a fireroad halfway round I look down to see front quick release undone, opps wonder when that happened? I had wondered on the descent if my headset was lose, no just the wheel! Lap 2 it was getting hotter, I was being sensible and walking more hills, but still feeling like it was easy, probably going too slow. Lap 3 and I'd had enough, I couldn't believe I was battling myself to carry on. Everyone said I had the right mental attitude for this, that is my strong point in endurance stuff usually. I was walking when I could ride as 'I couldn't be bothered'. Remembering Kate's advice that if I wanted to stop do one more lap I headed out. Didn't work, I was practically walking descents on this lap I was so not in the mood! I came in and told Ali that was me done, I was stopping, my head had gone. I was going to wait till it cooled down and go to bed. She was worried about me, my head was apparently really hot and the last thing she had expected was me to be wanting to stop so early. So stop I did, she fed me fluids and got me a chicken, cheese and salsa wrap from the caterers and got me to sit in the shade. A bit before 8pm she put me on my bike and made me go out again. I was not a happy trio - did she not understand I had pulled out, loads of others had it wasn't just me? On that lap I started debating how many laps I would do (before the event I had been thinking 14 was probably the best I could aim at from the distance of the course but without riding the actual course it was hard to say). I was thinking 10 was a good number, well over the magic 100miles, but it would be another 5laps after finishing that one. Went out again and decided that I was happy with 9, 10 was the aim and 11 would be fantastic. I now had an aim! But I still was thinking of stopping in the night to sleep. Each lap it got better and 10 was seeming possible, eventually I worked out I would get 12 done if I kept lapping as I was till the end. A bottle of vimto on the 10th lap - where I kept finding myself riding with my eyes shut - some riding chatting to Jac, and I felt on fire. I think it was the magic vimto (maybe they should sponser me ;-) ) I was flying up hills on lap 11, thinking I put a good couple of laps in and I may just manage 13! A change of clothes and instructions to Ali and I was back out on the course.
A bit of wandering round, remember to let Joolze take my after picture and I was off to get changed and watch the prize-giving. All that was left was pretend to help Ali pack up and head home.
In the end I was really pleased, yes I stopped but I have never dealt well in heat. I managed a lot longer than I would have expected. I was never in race mode really and I suspect that sub-consiously I was aware of working on monday and actually having to ride. Hopefully next time I will be able to have the day off and then my brain will let me go for it, or maybe it was one of those days that pushing doesn't happen. But my legs and stomach behaved so that was good.
Other imporant people were of course the boys at Cooksons, they really did everything to make sure I was ready - although I didn't need the horror stories! The velocake lot that we camped with, meant Ali had company and help when I came in demanding things! Oh and of course Grant who had a fantastic race himself and who provided the suspension forks for rigger. My hands were in pieces at the end, I can't imagine what they would have been like if I had rode rigid!
Will I do it again? Yes of course, I think I would love to do it on a nice fast geared bike as well! But that doesn't
hard - hot - head
That was so Hard!
It was way too Hot!
My Head nearly let me down, the one thing I wasn't worried about!
More to come when my hands and brain are functioning again.
It was way too Hot!
My Head nearly let me down, the one thing I wasn't worried about!
More to come when my hands and brain are functioning again.
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
Saturday, 15 May 2010
Riding out of Manchester
Working as a freelancer some blocks you don't work with people and other blocks you see them everyday. The last block I have hardly been with any of my friends so Phil and I arranged to meet up for a ride. The plan being meet at the office, ride out into the hills, back to his, food and then home for me. It was a bit of a later start to the ride as I manage to lose loads of time and leave late for the office. But once there we headed off, weaving through the rush hour traffic out of Manchester and towards Ashton.
From there we headed through Stalybridge and out to Broadbottom. Then the real climbing started. Up monks road.
I hardly ever ride in the hills now as most of my miles are commuting so I was pleasently suprised to be pulling away from Phil slightly, he is a good hill climber. I think dragging kiwi around has helped!
At the top it was time to descend into Hayfield and stop for a pint. A text to Rich and the next thing we know we are at his house eating curry. Lovely. Leaving at twenty to eleven it was going to a late night. At 1am, 30miles later I got home and straight to bed. Tired but happy after a great evening. Adventures can happen even when they are not planned!
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