It has been far too long since I posted on here and worryingly it was 1st April when I actually last rode a bike. I had to log in to Strava to look that up and then it took me 10 goes to remember the right email and password combination. That was a rubbish, horrible, totally forgettable ride too.

I am currently contemplating whether I need the bikes I have. This is causing much mental anguish as every one (in the cycling world at least) knows that the number of bikes needed in n+1 where n is the current number of bikes. It’s not like the number of bikes is being threatened by the other part of Rule 12, that this equation may also be re-written as s-1, where s is the number of bikes owned that would result in separation from your partner.

So it may be that one thing might save me. It being the rules. A life spent with bikes until the advent of children (which seems to have thrown a tangental spanner in the spokes of the spinning wheel of cycling enthusiasm) means that upon reading them I can relate to every single one. I’ve even had to check quick release alignment since reacquainting myself to ensure I am in compliance.

My detachment and drift away from that group of people that formed a community of cycling friends has been heightened by the mystical and unannounced halt to the paper edition of Singletrack that used to come through the post. Nick Wallis’ demise didn’t do anything to cheer me up either. So I’m left wondering if anyone actually cares about the rules or will give me grief if I flaunt them.

Yet I just need to think back to my last ride and the looks from other riders looking significantly more chiseled than I to know that one look is enough to recognise if you have the rules in check or have missed a vital component and look stupid. Yes the rules are known, even if they’re not spoken.

My good friend Cheri Mills recently made the podium in the Afan round of the UK Gravity Enduro series last weekend. What a top result amongst some well known names!

Elite Women
1st No. 151: Moseley, Tracy - Sponsor: T mo racing/trek. Time 05:05.3
2nd No. 152: Gaskell, Helen – Sponsor: None. Time: 05:28.6
3rd No. 157: Mills, Cheri – Sponsor: Twelve50 Bikes. Time: 05:40.9

Cheri has an impressive Palmares including Welsh National Cross Country Champion and Winner of the Isle of Man End to End. Coming from a background in Triathlon and with an interest in other cross over sports such as motorbike trail riding she will definietly be one to watch. She’s sponsored by twelve50 bikes based in Frodsham, Cheshire.

Took the Ti Crown Jewel out for its first ride this weekend. I didn’t have any shoes, but ordered some Mavic Avenge Maxis that arrived last week so no more excuses! Put some paint protection on to protect against cable rub and then scooted out. I love the detail on this bike, Independent Fabrication have gifted it with some really nice touches.

After the initial shock of riding a road bike again after such a long spell off a bike with 23mm rubber, two things became apparent. It rides well and fits very nicely. I might shift the saddle back a little, but I’d like to get some more mileage in on it first. No sore shoulders from the ride which is a good sign.

The shakedown fulfilled it’s purpose. Loose headset, bars not clamped tightly enough in the stem and a slightly sticky free hub. The latter is no so easy to fix, but only manifests at standstill when trying to back pedal. It’s the side effect of buying a second hand wheel set and having had the same problem on a pair of Crossmax, I’m not relishing trying to banish it.

Well the biking come back didn’t last. I haven’t turned a pedal this year and it’s mid-February now. Still, walking between 15 and 25 miles a week to and from work and with a special occasion coming up a weekend in the Lakes seemed like a logical choice. The weather was glorious and ascending Skiddaw brought the winter snow you’d expect from the time of year as a stark contrast to the beautiful low light cast by the sunshine. Feeling inspired to get outdoors more now. Further photos on Flickr.

Same ride as last week today. Nice to do it in daylight and not to get rained on. Felt loads better once I warmed up and ended up 20 minutes quicker around the same loop and felt much more focused. Only got off and pushed the Singlespeed twice which was a massive step forward even if just psychologically.

One bit was unridable with my 2:1 gear. The secong bit was just lack of legs. Really impressed with the Strava iPhone app, especially now I have the dame ride twice and can start to see where I was slower and faster. Even put the Heart Rate monitor on today, but tried not to look too much, but having had a look at the log now home I was ‘in the zone’ for 2 hours out of a 2 hour 45 minute ride.