To the Beach

Had the boys out on their own bikes this morning for the first time this year. It was a bright clear day and cooler than in past weeks. I wanted to try and taking the stabilisers off the big bike but that didn’t happen. Given progress on the balance bike we’ll probably need another bike with pedals in the summer. There’s nothing plenty of time to get the eldest independent on the bike, but I was inspired seeing a three year old competing last weekend at the CX race.

To the Beach!

This afternoon took the lads out exploring. Found some boggy bridleways that were not suitable for towing on so I’ll avoid them, but in the end did find a good route with off road options most of the way to the red squirrel sanctuary in the pine woods which was a result for me (plus found loads more to explore) and the boys had a January ice cream.

Racing

Many moons ago I started mountain biking and when I watched the Cyclocross racing in Durham last year, it fired up a desire to get back to my roots. My early mountain biking had a lot in common with Cyclocross so it seemed logical to give it a crack. With my mates Cheri Mills and Neil Mottershed we signed up for the final round of the Lazer NWCCA league at Dalton near Skelmersdale. I was rubbish, but trundled round, nothing broke and I want to do it again and do better. Roll on next season.

Cross Racing

Cross Racing

Cross Racing

Great atmosphere, good sense of camaraderie and a chance to put an American import to it’s intended purpose.

Cross Racing

County Durham and Cross

Weekend in Durham, so out on the bike today heading up towards Consett and the hills. Felt a bit ropey out of the blocks but after clearing the lungs on the ride up to Sacriston, seemed to find a comfortable pace. Plenty of climbing, and a still, but chilly Sunday afternoon ride.

County Durham

Back in Durham we’ve had a weekend full of Cyclocross. Yesterday was the CXNE Round 9 & University Champs and I was back in time today for the final races of the 3rd round of the British Cycling National Trophy. Inspiring Racing…

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One Way Ticket to Marple

Time to catch up with some friends this weekend, so the family headed over in the car and I set off a couple of hour before them on the bike. One way trip cross country heading East over the hills and then dropping down into Manchester. Leaving Formby, the IF express called at Ormskirk, Parbold, Rivington, Bolton, Radcliffe, Prestbury, Manchester, Stockport and ended its journey in Marple.

62 miles 3,000ft climbing. Several spokes came loose in the rear wheel to the extent that it wouldn’t go through the brakes even with the callipers in open position without rubbing. Then on looking at my stats on Strava it turned out that the cadence magnet had fallen off my left hand crank on the previous ride…

View towards Standish

Cracking weather too, not to hot cloudy with sunny spells and only a breath of wind. I’d forgotten how bad the road surfaces in Manchester and Stockport are though. Loads of pot holes.

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White Roads

A while back my dad came up to visit and was taken along with his camper van down a white road. It was one of those experiences where the road didn’t allow you to turn back and you are committed and it was a case of just keeping going. It sounded horrendous to drive. I didn’t know the road, so having only a short amount of time but wanting to get out I thought that I’d do some exploring. Sure enough, it was pretty much an unpaved surface with gravel sections, pot holes, subsidence and broken tarmac. A bit like my old commute to work in Manchester.

white road

Still good ride. Managed to link up a nice little hour-long loop using some roads that are becoming familiar. The sun shone, it was warm, there wasn’t much traffic, but god damn it was windy riding back to Formby across the moss. Proper grind into the wind and having to resist the urge to drop down the gears. Home just in time for tea too.

road biking selfie