We've had plenty of rain in the last week and at this time of year the ground takes a long time to dry up. It was inevitable that my ride yesterday would be on soaking wet surfaces which limits my riding options. Healey Nab, my nearest hill, seemed like the best bet. The man made … Continue reading Another muddy ride.
I had a plan for today's ride but I just hadn't expected the ground to be so muddy. We have not had much rain this week, as far as I recall, but last night at bedtime we did get a short, heavy shower. This morning the weather was good with a mixture of sunshine and … Continue reading How did all the mud get here?
I was accepted by the Royal Navy to train as an officer in 1985. I would have gone on to fly helicopters but unfortunately my medical history intervened. I’d had a brief illness in my teens and it was decided that I was too much of a risk to invest a massive amount of money … Continue reading Remembrance.
After a very rainy week we also got strong winds today. I decided that my only option was to ignore the weather and ride to a high and remote moor! I'd ride to the ruined and deserted farms set above Brinscall, back through the woods and over Healey Nab. I set off with the wind … Continue reading Wild weather.
After the driest spring on record in England we’ve had a very wet period. The temperatures have dropped from nearly 30 Celsius a couple of weeks ago to only 13 Celcius (55 Fahrenheit) for this morning’s ride. It is also windy now but the good news is that this will help to dry the soaking … Continue reading Changing trails.
After May being the sunniest month ever in England, June was not so good. 2 days into July and things haven't improved. At least I've got mountain biking to cheer me up! I have to take weather conditions into account to plan a ride. Even if it had been sunny earlier today the ground is … Continue reading High and dry.
Today started with drizzle. You wouldn’t really call it rain, it was more like mist but it did dampen the ground. I’d walked the dog early on, before it started, but it didn’t look like it would wet me so off I went for a mountain bike ride. After my last ride on my 2004 … Continue reading First wet ride in over two months!
Many full time workers would hesitate to describe Monday as the best day of the week. When I worked full time I worked for myself which is a different to working for a big business. I had to turn up at my restaurant on a Monday, usually working 6 days a week. Saturday was the … Continue reading The best day of the week.
My last 2 rides have been quite intense. 5 days ago I rode 5 continuous, high speed laps of Healey Nab which took me 57 minutes and 48 seconds. 3 days ago I rode 30 minutes up the canal bank, which may seem easy in itself, but I then made sure I got back in … Continue reading An easier ride.
We've had a period of heavy, summer rain and the trails were bound to be drenched. I left an empty bucket out last night and by this morning it had over an inch of rain in it so I realised that for my first ride in a week the only choice was Healey Nab. The … Continue reading The only choice.
