Monday, December 20, 2004
6 lads and a Newbie
Been pretty busy the last few weeks and haven't had time to update the Blog. Anyhow, last weekend was a pretty enjoyable blast with 6 of us out for a scream around the local woods. It was fairly sticky mud but OK considering the time of year.
It was great to welcome Julian out with his new Kona, his first time out in 'proper' woods with real mud, rocks and roots. The fact that he went over the handlebars twice should not take away from the fact that he did really well. He is a little like my buddy Ed who is naturally fit and seems not to need to warm up, have any previous experience or indeed worry about turning up in jeans and a sweatshirt to have a good time. Julian did a pretty good job of keeping upright and generally keeping up with the group. Of course we had to wait at each intersection of trees but not as long as I thought we would. On the final drag up the hill to home he was no more than 90 seconds back which is great going. Nice one Ju!
I break up for the pagan festival of Christmas (http://de.essortment.com/christmaspagan_rece.htm) this weekend and am looking forward to a stack of riding over the week and a bit of free time.
Later..
It was great to welcome Julian out with his new Kona, his first time out in 'proper' woods with real mud, rocks and roots. The fact that he went over the handlebars twice should not take away from the fact that he did really well. He is a little like my buddy Ed who is naturally fit and seems not to need to warm up, have any previous experience or indeed worry about turning up in jeans and a sweatshirt to have a good time. Julian did a pretty good job of keeping upright and generally keeping up with the group. Of course we had to wait at each intersection of trees but not as long as I thought we would. On the final drag up the hill to home he was no more than 90 seconds back which is great going. Nice one Ju!
I break up for the pagan festival of Christmas (http://de.essortment.com/christmaspagan_rece.htm) this weekend and am looking forward to a stack of riding over the week and a bit of free time.
Later..
Friday, December 03, 2004
Eventful few weeks
When ever I ride with others I always get really boring and suggest that they carry a spare inner tube and tool kit for those on trail emergencies. Last weekend I head off into the woods alone and 45 minutes out - Hisss - front puncture. Not only had I forgotten an inner tube, I was also short a tire iron and when I tried to pump up the old tube to see if it would last the distance my pump had a perished seal! Great, long walk home.
Today just got back from a tough few hours doing the Twrch trail at Cwm Carn in South Wales. The initial climb was a killer today with the steep parts strewn with very slippery rocks and roots. Even though it was only about 3degrees I found myself in my T-Shirt within 1/2 hour. The climb took almost an hour, over 15 minutes more than normal. However the awesome downhill sections made it all worthwhile with my suspension working overtime and lots of airtime.
They are working on the lower section turning it into a full downhill course and although not finished it was fabulous, loads of jumps and berms and flowing corners. When the mud is sorted out it will be a superb if trecherous stretch.
Can't wait to go back.
Today just got back from a tough few hours doing the Twrch trail at Cwm Carn in South Wales. The initial climb was a killer today with the steep parts strewn with very slippery rocks and roots. Even though it was only about 3degrees I found myself in my T-Shirt within 1/2 hour. The climb took almost an hour, over 15 minutes more than normal. However the awesome downhill sections made it all worthwhile with my suspension working overtime and lots of airtime.
They are working on the lower section turning it into a full downhill course and although not finished it was fabulous, loads of jumps and berms and flowing corners. When the mud is sorted out it will be a superb if trecherous stretch.
Can't wait to go back.
