I am a lifelong mountain biker who rarely lacks motivation. I had always ridden bikes off road like most kids but in 1976 I bought a “scrambler” for 70 pence. This was a bike which was dedicated to off road use. In 1977 I added a homemade suspension fork. I used the front suspension unitsContinue reading “Why I’m writing this….”
Bikes and Boats (and Illness).
I never seem to be ill but this week I found that I had a stomach problem. From last Sunday afternoon, after my last mountain bike ride, I simply wasn’t digesting my food. I had an uncomfortable feeling and was cold. I improved slowly during the week and for the last couple of days haveContinue reading “Bikes and Boats (and Illness).”
A good training ride.
Last time out I had intended to ride 5 laps of the trails on our local hill, Healey Nab, but I suffered from a breakage on the bike which I’ve ridden for most of the winter. I ‘d only managed a single lap of the trail so decided to make amends and ride 5 lapsContinue reading “A good training ride.”
Flower of the Week, 19th March.
Daffodils are now in bloom in North West England. Although it’s now meteorological spring there isn’t much else in the way of colour so far. Patience is important at this time of year.
Mechanical Mayhem.
I was hoping to call this post something like “Serious Training” but the Trek Fuel EX8 mountain bike had other ideas. Each year I set myself a few riding challenges to make sure that I maintain my fitness, though now in my 60s(!) I’m maybe more keen to not let my abilities fade too quickly.Continue reading “Mechanical Mayhem.”
Getting out after the snow.
I haven’t been able to ride my mountain bike for a whole week because of the snow. Yes, I could have ridden but I’ve never found that riding on snow is as entertaining as you might imagine. My only exercise has therefore been walking our dog, Freddie, including a very tough walk the day beforeContinue reading “Getting out after the snow.”
Building my new boat.
I’d love to be out on my mountain bike today but it’s snowing so I probably won’t get out. At least I have something else to do in terms of building my new boat. I built my first boat 2 years ago and naturally, as a cyclist, wanted it to be pedal powered. The dinghyContinue reading “Building my new boat.”
Staying local.
I read a comment on Strava by someone who’s progress I follow. It pointed out that the trails in Brinscall Woods are running near perfect and, being my favourite local riding, I was tempted. It takes around 45 minutes to reach the top of the woods for your first downhill so I chose instead toContinue reading “Staying local.”
Short but sweet.
I’ve been continuing to work hard on some non mountain biking projects which has left my leg muscles feeling somewhat jaded. I’ve sold the pedal powered dinghy which I built in 2021 and have engaged on the build of an exciting new boat. The building process is very physical but I’m enjoying the process, whichContinue reading “Short but sweet.”
What a treat!
The weather in Northern England can change rapidly. It’s often like 4 seasons in one day! Our town of Chorley in Lancashire is actually said to be the second cloudiest place in Britain, probably due to our local hill, Healey Nab, trapping the cloud over the town as it spills in from the coast. ThisContinue reading “What a treat!”
Working too hard?
I’ve been laying paving edges and slabs for a couple of weeks and it’s been hard work. I’ve really felt the effects in the muscles, especially in my back and around the hips. What better, then, than to ride my mountain bike to give the muscles a stretch? I didn’t want a mammoth ride withContinue reading “Working too hard?”
It must be spring!
After a few weeks with very little rain the mountain bike trails have dried up considerably. Today we even had a very acceptable temperature of 11 Celcius and some gentle sunshine. Unfortunately, after laying paving edges and slabs over the last week I was feeling a little fatigued so a big ride was out ofContinue reading “It must be spring!”
A trail ride and a challenge.
After several days of surprisingly physical work in the garden it was time to ride my mountain bike. I even contemplated riding one of my classic bikes from the glorious days when full suspension was being rapidly developed. The ground has dried up considerably after many days without rain but it seemed more convenient toContinue reading “A trail ride and a challenge.”
Flower of the Week, 11th February.
We’re seeing the first signs of our garden awakening after the winter. Snowdrops above and a helibore below. Another sign of awakening is that we’re starting some hard landscaping. It’s been surprisingly hard on the leg muscles but I’m trying not to let it interfere with my mountain biking.
How much action do I need?
I could have ridden my mountain bike over the last few days. especially since the skies have remained resolutely clear and blue. An effect of the good weather has been to tempt my wife and I into the garden instead. We have some hard landscaping to do in the form of installing around 50 pavingContinue reading “How much action do I need?”
A very encouraging ride.
Today I decided to do a trail ride with no particular targets. In order to ensure that the ride had good training value I intended to ride it in a “fartlek” style, where I would ride continuously but increase my effort on some sections of the ride. The hope is that by not stopping toContinue reading “A very encouraging ride.”
Should I rise to a challenge?
A few years ago I discovered, through the app. Strava, a local mountain bike circuit. Only 3 riders have ever attempted it but joyfully, on my first serious attempt, I captured the King of the Mountains title for the fastest lap so far. I exchanged the title with “The Otter”, who reduced the time eventuallyContinue reading “Should I rise to a challenge?”
Trail riding with plenty of climbing.
Climbing is an excellent way to build fitness for mountain biking. Today I decided to ride to the hills around Rivington to get some ascent done. It’s a 4 mile road ride first, leading to a continuous 750 feet climb to Rivington Pike. The gradient varies and in places needed my lowest gear ratio andContinue reading “Trail riding with plenty of climbing.”
Time to train.
I noticed on the app. Strava that I’d only ridden my mountain bike 4 times so far in January so yesterday, the 24th, I knew it was time to train. I like to maintain my fitness year round but this winter has brought us some snow and ice which has impacted on my riding. TheContinue reading “Time to train.”
Nicely icy!
Today’s mountain bike ride was never going to be a big training ride, I just needed to get out after 6 days without riding. We’ve had another cold, frosty period but the smattering of snow has disappeared. The road outside our house never gets salted and was so treacherous that I turned onto the mainContinue reading “Nicely icy!”
Riding in wet weather.
We’ve had an awful lot of rain in the 6 days since my last ride. The local trails would be very wet so not only was this unlikely to provide the usual level of entertainment but could also damage the trail. I wanted some exercise but don’t enjoy riding on the road on a mountainContinue reading “Riding in wet weather.”
Mountainbiker 