The Independent Fabrication Deluxe Singlespeed turns 11 this year, the bike’s evolved over the years but the heart is still strong and it’s aged well. I had to give the Chris King rear hub a mini service this week as the ring drive was all gummed up, but it should be back on the trails again this weekend.
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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.
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.
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.
Great atmosphere, good sense of camaraderie and a chance to put an American import to it’s intended purpose.
A year ago to the day everything went into storage. That meant no mountain biking in 2014. None. Zip. Nowt. Nothing.
That sucked.
So this year that’s going to change. The bikes are back (and the trailer). I’m going to ride them like I used to.
I am a believer in the medicinal properties of Whisky. I may not drink it in any recognisable quantity, but the water of life has kept me going and nursed me back to health in the good company of honey and lemon over the years. I scored a couple of extra bottles over the Christmas break and I’m looking forwards to sharing them and savouring each dram.
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.
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…
After several years of pursuing the dream we’ve backed out of our bit of France. I’m going to miss it.
Not riding, working lots, balance needs to change. Have some riding stuff to back date and plans to turn pedals again soon. Missing the warm weather and long evenings now autumn is here.
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…
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.
Long hours in work this week, but I was determined to get out and squeezed in a cheeky 10mile loop and a fair old lick coming home exactly half an hour later. With a bit of climbing and some headwind to contend with I was quite happy with that.
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