Category: Words

Big ride out this weekend with friends from various Ride The Alps trips in France and Switzerland. I’ve been riding in the Peak District since coming to Manchester in 1997 and like to think I know it well. Neil’s lived in the Stockport area all his life and knows it even better from his years motorbike trail riding and mountain biking.

In two days riding we both were shown new trails by our hosts Fi and John riding out of their base in Buxton on the first day and from Hope today. Amazing riding, great company and biking mojo and desire rekindled. It’s been a while but that was the first time in ages I have really enjoyed being on the bike.

Some pics from the two days – weather was fantastic.

Cold and windy enough yesterday on the commute in to give me earache for the first time this year. The unseasonable warm weather has given way to some generic cold wintery weather. Low temperatures, rain/sleet and the kind of head winds that make your legs feel like they are very out of shape.

I broke out the winter biking clothing today, time to start thinking about the riding ahead as the nights draw in further and the need for lights on the commute returns. Officially British Summer Time ends at 2am on Sunday 30 October (unofficially it ended some time in August).

In other news, after a lot of looking and bidding I managed to get a brand new (but preowned) Co Pilot Limo for less than half price after having a bit of patience on eBay. Just need to get some good weather again and I will get it fitted and the family out on the bikes. Good times ahead.

Rode out on the Singlespeed today for the first proper ride in months. It was the first real test for the SLX cranks and XTR trail pedals, both of which performed without any issues. Nice to be able to stomp on the pedals and not have something wibberly wobbly moving about. The route was the Bridge run, taking me just short of Marple. There’s been a fair bit of trail sanitisation in Reddish Vale which has taken away one of the good technical climbs (until it washes out again), but in general the wet summer has led to a lot of overgrown and lush trails. Plenty of Singletrack to enjoy.

Found a way to join up two sections that I hadn’t done before which means I can now skirt around a set of steps that previously had to be climbed up with the bike on the shoulder. There were quite a few walkers out and about and a stray horse. I stopped off at the Jodhpur Cafe to report it, but it was nothing to do with their stables. Too many horses in two small fields with not enough food, there was no way it was going back in with out the temptation of food. Overcast all ride until I was riding through the park 5 minutes from home, then the sun came out. Typical.

Much as I like walking around the countryside, I would always rather be out on a bike. So with Marc getting to an age where he can get in a child set on the back of a bike, I’ve been on the look out for a suitable bike to fit a rack to. A bit of patience delivered a mid 1990s Specialized Rockhopper on eBay which was mine for £80. Now I just need to find a Co Pilot Limo…

The bike is immaculate and has probably seen a combination of very little use and good care and maintenance. With a new pair of grips and some cable ends it’s good to go for many more miles. No heavy old suspension forks to go wrong either, sometimes a rigid bike is just what was called for.

Today has been declared ‘We Love MCR’ day by the ‘I Love MCR‘ campaign, which was launched by a partnership of local organisations in the wake of the recent disturbances in the city.

As a gesture of support for the campaign and along with many other local employers, the University will be allowing staff to leave work at 4pm this afternoon so that they can show their support and go out and enjoy all that Manchester has to offer. Subject to suitable arrangements being put in place to maintain essential services…

Activities are planned across the city centre, but most will take place between 4pm and 6pm in Exchange Square. There will be a stage set up for speeches and performances, stalls selling food and drink, places to sit back and enjoy the atmosphere and some mass participation activities. Current weather status: miserable, grey and overcast with rain imminent. Feel the love.

In other news I have started tentatively looking for a second hand hardtail with rack mounts suitable for fitting a child seat. Might have to start looking a bit harder now, I think Marc needs introducing to the wonderful world of bikes.

Chainrings have teeth! I’m not sure how this happened, but some things mark you as an office working commuter.

We’re selling our van. It’s a medium wheel base 2006 Renualt Master with a semi high roof. We bought it a year ago for going to and from France and since then have spent quite a bit on parts including two new rear tyres (Michelin Agilis), new near side wing mirror, rear discs and pads and all the engine bay fuel pipes replaced. It was serviced in April 2011, is taxed to September 2011 and MOT’d until mid April 2012.

It’s in rather fabulous condition in Albi Blue paint with no major scratches or dents. It’s 2.5l turbo diesel engine is on 97,500 miles now and we bought it at 91,000. Full Service history with Renault for major services, including the timing/cambelt being done at 72,000. ABS, central locking, CD player, ply lining, anchor points and half a dozen ratchet straps included. Good spare wheel in the back.

We spent two and half months looking for this van so we know there’s some proper rubbish out there, this one, as my mate Neil might say, is mint. We are the second owners, prior to that it was owned by a Glossop based firm.

£4200 ono.

Not much to report really. This week has been terrible for any riding as I was on a training course for three days and driving and then had to walk in for various meetings yesterday, so today is the only day I’ve been on the bike since Friday last week. Clearly this isn’t good enough and one of the reasons has been the broken nature of both the Singlespeed and Remedy.

On all the bikes other than the Cross bike the pedals need replacing. I have had enough of Crank Bros pedals and so I am undertaking a programme of reSPuDification. I ordered new cranks and pedals for the Singlespeed yesterday so at least that will be back in action soon!