Joe has phone in pocket panic, Supersam also in shot!
Well that intro has become ironic! I haven't got on with it at all having started this blog 6 days ago. We've been busier than the busiest of busy bees! Our oldest son had his 21st birthday yesterday and we spent the two days before that at Alton Towers, with a night in the Splash Landings Hotel. On Monday we head to Wales for a week. In between there's been that pest that is work and for good measure we've been dogsitting. Branston the chocolate lab stayed with us for 2 weeks and as soon as he left Henry (also a chocolate Lab,) and Winston the Labradoodle came to stay. Time for cycling has become limited but who cares, we're having a blast!
21? How did that happen???
There's nothing remarkable about this ride. It's my standard MTB spin around the trails in Desborough. It featured more camera shy Red Kites, startled dog walkers and feeble attempts to catch a bit of air!
Summer is nearly over Blackberries are here!
Another glorious morning on my Forme Ripley
Love those trails
On the way back to Rothwell
If you're wondering why I keep doing this same ride the answers are very simple. The trails are easy to get to and they provide enough technical challenge for me to practise my off road skills.
What's this more fishing? Yes...Sam and I now fish regularly on Friday nights and he catches way more than me!!!
On Saturday 4th of August we had a club ride which can only be described as a comedy of errors. As it was the first Saturday of the month, some of the club wanted to do the 60mile/100km Strava Gran Fondo. I didn't feel like it that day and therefore joined a much smaller group made up of a mix of people who normally do either the faster ride or the banter bunch. It didn't work!
The first error involved the route...Andy P had described the route to Justin as up Duck End and therefore he was convinced we were finishing by going into Cranford and back to K town that way but...hang on...Neil was waiting for us at Barton garage...so how was that right. At the top of Deeble road most of us went left when we should have gone right and we didn't notice the people further back going the right way. After waiting for ages we decided to go back the other way (ridiculous in hindsight as we only needed to go a mile down the road to pick the route back up...probably my idea and I will be taking a lot of blame for this shambles of a ride!) Anyway a fast and furious chase saw a couple of riders drop out and we caught up with Neil, Tony and Clive between Titchmarsh and Clopton.
At that point we should have possibly all calmed down and had a good social group ride but no...we carried on blasting off, dropping people and waiting for them (again I'm one of the people to blame here.) We managed to forget to wait at one turn down a road we don't normally go down and then lost three riders. Two of which found their way back to us! Tony made some good points about it not being a very good group ride and he was right. I felt quite guilty. Like I'd betrayed my roots. It was a humbling experience. Tony and I had a long conversation on the phone later and we definitely cleared the air.
Justin and I abandoned the route at Grafton crossroads and headed to Geddington with me trying to get some cricket coverage on my phone because I knew the Test match was about to get very interesting! Along the way I took pictures of the war memorial and the cross well...because they're there! If you're new to this blog then you might not know the rich history on our cycle routes here's some links RAF Grafton
Eleanor Cross at Geddington Link with much better pictures!
As I crossed the A6003 towards Rushton, Karma struck. I'm sure if I'd been a much nicer group rider that day then I wouldn't have hit whatever it was put a gash in my sidewall too big for the tubeless sealant to fill. I had the indignity of having to fit a tube under the flyover with van drivers taking delight at beeping me whilst I did my repair.
I'm not too worried about the tyre, as the picture above shows it was already pretty ruined. Right now I have a standard schwalbe durano with a tube on the wheel but I will replace it with another tubeless tyre. Those ones have done well really. I'd estimate those tyres have done at least 2000 miles and I do give them quite a bit of abuse! I might try another brand though because those Schwalbe Pro Ones were a pain to get seated.
Gash!
Finally I know the root cause of the route flaws! Andy P says up Duck End when he means going away from Cranford, Justin calls that down...you have to see the funny side!!!
On Monday the 6th of August something quite wonderful happened. We had a CX coaching session for kids and adults with Mark Evans. Mark has taken a few months off from coaching and it was lovely to see him back at it!
Sam going so fast he's a blur!
It was a really good session at Prologis and I know all of the people involved will benefit when the CX season gets underway.
The next day Sam was at Rockingham Speedway for some fun races organised by Welland Valley CC. It was the first of three events and thanks must go to all at Welland Valley for such a well organised and fun evening. I also think its great for the kids to use that excellent motor racing circuit to learn road skills away from traffic.
I went for another run...The week before I had experienced a sore ankle after running so I rested for a few days and gave it a test. I felt much stronger this week but the aches and niggles put me off entering the parkrun on Saturday. I just know that I'd push myself with other runners around me and that's possibly an injury risk...so I'll keep doing my runs and do another pakrun when I feel stronger!
He beat me at fishing again on the Friday!
On the Saturday afternoon I got at least three birds with one stone! I needed to test my MTB before the big ride on Sunday, I hadn't been to Wakerley Woods for ages and I got to ride again with SuperSam!
Sorry about the picture quality. I think the images do capture though that Sam was having fun. We like Wakerley, I wish it was a bit bigger with more downhill sections but for trails in Northamptonshire it's pretty good. Also it's completely free to use, so you can't knock that!
To the main event. Andy P's epic off road ride. Due to the weather we've had all Summer it was decided this was definitely a MTB type of day....then due to the weather forecast we had some drop outs meaning only four of us did this ride! For Andy, Bob, Karl and I, the sun does appear to be on our side because it rained all day in parts of Northamptonshire...we didn't get wet once!!!
As per usual I was the last to arrive at the Geddington Cross meeting point. We then headed down the chase, which was still dry despite recent rain and on to trails we'd never seen before thanks to Andy's Uncle Bob! It was dry and rutted in parts but also some areas were a bit muddy and slidey.
I was convinced today would be the day that I got a great picture of a Red Kite whilst out on the bike. As we headed to our first cafe stop at Fineshade Woods we saw load so of those massive birds but no...not one good picture. Later in the ride one swooped down in a garden next to us and then passed at head height BUT NO still no picture!
The cafe is pretty good at Fineshade. I can recommend the chocolate and peanut butter brownies!
As we headed down the trails which were bone dry just a few days earlier we encountered a lot of 'clarty,' mud conditions. Andy and I waited for n age at the end of a trail before heading back to discover Karl furiously attacking his bike with a stick. Mud had clogged him right up, but luckily he's a dab hand with a ninja stick...
Now I'm aware that when you're riding in the countryside, mud can ruin your ride. However don't panic because we've decided to market a new product to save the day! Yes, brought to you in association with GKN you can now own your own Ninja Mudstick! The one pictured below is about the size of a tyre lever but they come in any size you want. These will be a 'must have product,' for your jersey pocket, saddle bag or if you're that way inclined top tube bag!
GKN Ninja Mudstick (pat pending)
Sometimes you feel like you're doing something wrong riding ion the countryside. This bridleway went through a churchyard.
Just hanging around...
That's how the bike got there...
Some of the route got very challenging due to ploughed fields and recently harvested cereal crops. This was heavy going and I must confess at this point I was hoping for some easier rolling on the tarmac.
Towards the end of the ride all four of us were feeling those hard off-road miles in our legs...only one thing for it: pub!!! We stopped at the Old Friar in Twywell. Andy got the beers in and also some much needed chips. That lovely looking pint is 'Zesty Jester,' from the Kansas Avenue Brewery. It's a lovely light, hoppy thirst quencher. Soon after the pub we headed off in our own directions as the others left me to go down (or up,) Duck End. I trundled back to Geddington and then back through Weekly Woods and home. I was happy to go at my own pace because those twingey warning signs of impending cramp were coming. Thankfully I made it home without the dreaded leg lock!
So 65 miles and the August Gran Fondo under my belt. There are definitely easier ways to do it though. Big thanks to Andy, Karl and Bob for splendid company along the way.
We had another Monday night CX training session with Mark Evans. He put us through our paces with some dismount and mount practise. I quickly learned that my technique is pretty poor with a bouncing bike and a funny hop to get back on! At least I know now!!!!
Just for Mark C
Okay the busy business continues! Loads to do before we go to Wales tomorrow! Let the fun continue. Sam and I are planning to check out Elan Valley MTB trails.
Happy Pedalling (and all manner of other things!)
