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….”
A voyage of discovery?
Due to the recent rain I decided not to ride my mountain bike today. I would have got myself and the bike covered in mud just before we go away so I chose to use my pedal powered boat instead. What I’ve noticed about pedalling the boat, which is done from a feet forwards recumbentContinue reading “A voyage of discovery?”
Trying to beat the weather.
I mentioned in my last post that I was hoping for an active week this week. Next week we’re away for a holiday when I won’t do any aerobic activity so I intended to do 3 bike rides and 2 or 3 sessions in my pedal powered boat. Unfortunately, after a glorious warm and dryContinue reading “Trying to beat the weather.”
Training for our holiday.
My wife, Ali, and I are going away next week for a holiday which is likely to be a smorgasbord of cultural delights. So why should I need to train? Well this time I’m not taking a mountain bike and it’s unlikely that I’ll engage in any aerobic activities for the entire week. What IContinue reading “Training for our holiday.”
Back on the bike.
I haven’t ridden my mountain bike for 6 days which is almost unheard of, for me. I haven’t been idle in this time, though, because I’ve had 2 trips in my pedal powered boat. Using the boat is good exercise but isn’t exactly the same as riding a bike. I’m finding it less aerobic evenContinue reading “Back on the bike.”
A longer trip by boat.
I haven’t written about all my pedal powered boat trips but today was a good one. I wanted to get out early before it got too hot but it took me until after 9am to leave home. I pull the boat on wheels for 0.7 miles to reach the canal and am well practiced atContinue reading “A longer trip by boat.”
Was it all worth it?
Today I was reminded of a post I wrote in the spring entitled “Life gets in the way of mountain biking”. My wife, Ali, had asked me early in the year what I’d do in our garden if I had a blank canvas and within days we were digging up many years of work. IContinue reading “Was it all worth it?”
Messing about on bikes.
Today is hot by the standards of northern England at 26 celcius. Whilst for many around the world this may seem refreshingly cool, to us it’s rather hot to be riding a mountain bike. My plan was to ride Brinscall Woods to be out of the direct sunshine and to ride with no particular plan.Continue reading “Messing about on bikes.”
Boating with my son.
My son Dylan is home for the weekend. He’s always wanted to shoe horses and had to move 270 miles away to do so but he was half way home after a college block so came to see us. He has a kayak and was keen to try the boat. We covered a few milesContinue reading “Boating with my son.”
Cruising!
Today I took my homemade boat to the canal again, not to test it this time but just to cruise. I had a tiny crowd of onlookers as I launched and forgot to start the GPS based app. Strava straight away. In total I covered around 2 miles and the mile and a half IContinue reading “Cruising!”
Riding up Ben Nevis.
Ben Nevis is Britain’s highest mountain. OK so it’s only 4,406 feet but it’s normal to climb it from around sea level so you have to ascend the whole height to reach the summit. I’ll confess straight away that, whilst I’ve climbed it many times previously it isn’t something I’ve done recently. I’ve run toContinue reading “Riding up Ben Nevis.”
