Mud, sweat and gears...another week of wet winter riding!

The theme for today is mud and or sweat because if you ride outside at this time of year it's filthy and indoors...the more sensible option leaves you dripping. For me the outside rides are a great deal of fun and the inside ones are just necessary. I'm not going to elaborate on my training sessions on the rollers using GCN videos so that's the last time they'll be mentioned today.

My first outdoors ride of the week was at Corby capers...a CX training session run by the excellent Phil Wilk. The series of dramas that have befallen us this year has meant this is only the second time we've made it to the capers. Yet another drama threatened to ruin it for us this week but Sam and I rose above and made it...all be it a few minutes late. These sessions lead us with a dilemma. We also like Dean Barnett's muddy marvels which start again on Wednesdays in April. With Cyclones on Monday I can't see how we can do both.  Maybe we will have to alternate! Tuesday was a great session because it feels like CX conditions have finally arrived  after the season has finished. It was tough and slippy and usual the kids were showing us how to do things!

Today Andy P and I got around to trying something we have discussed for a while. For months we have been organising off road rides on Sunday with our C&D clubmates and they don't have much of an attendance. We will continue to offer these but we're also looking for more MTB friends (oooh MTB fwends!) So this morning we met up with Phil 'the beast,' Broxton and the good people of Brixworth Velo. The meeting point was Brixworth Library and as usual I sped in with moments to spare. I'd been up since 5.30 so no excuses...just loads to do. At the library there was a road group and an MTB group. I feel sorry for the roadies because the rain was lashing down and freezing cold...a nasty day to be on a bike! Introductions done Andy, Phil, Sarah, Dawn, Chris and I set off down Spratton Road to the Brampton Valley Way. It was horrible. The wind chill from that usually joyous descent was excruciating. Once on the BVW we soon warmed up and started the theme for the day...puddle splashing! At Boughton crossing we met the final group member Jim.

For me this was like coming home as we passed close to my parents house and then I could see Dad's old smallholding in Kingsthorpe village. As we entered Kings Heath I mentally waved hello to my Nan before some baling twine wound itself into my cogs. luckily it came out without any damage. The group was similar to a C&D ride with plenty of banter, Andy and I were on our best behaviour, not wishing to unleash our full selves on week 1!

We took a route through Dallington and Far Cotton, through the Impresive new Northampton University campus and up to Delapre Golf course and then through to the woods near Delapre Abbey. I've ridden here a couple of times in the Friday Night Summer Series MTB races. I had my Garmin virb and tried to take a video...look if you want but it's a sludgy mess!!!

At Delapre a few of us had a go on the technical bits but it was too wet and messy to really go for it. The same is true for Harlestone Firs which we made our way to via Mereway, Sixfields and Upton. The firs were just filthy and we stuck to the main tracks through to Northamptonshire Golf Club. On the way through we saw my good friend Martin who confidently stated it was clearing up and he'd start a round of golf after a coffee in the clubhouse...annoyingly he wasn't wrong.

By the time we arrived at Cafe Monde we were soaked through and very cold. They kindly allowed the dishevelled messes into their cafe and we warmed up on good coffee and cake. Having held back with the banter we learned a few things in that cafe - what goes on the ride stays on the ride (this time.) We also had a 'professional,' photograph taken, the one above being the best of those shots. We left quite a muddy mess behind us, so thanks again to Cafe Monde for being so cyclist friendly.

Outside Andy introduced BXV to the mean and moody inglorious bastards shot. Putting the kit back on was horrible but at least it was only a short journey to Merry Tom Lane and up to Brixworth. we said our goodbyes at the library and then I had the not so fun task of getting into the car. I had a change of clothes and a towel thankfully it was still hard work getting the wet stuff off.

Once home I got the bike on the stand and gave it a good clean. It's still there now because I want it to dry out in the sun. The cleaning confirmed something I suspected...my bottom bracket is worn. I'm not surprised. That bike has been put through atrocious conditions, for the BB to last this long is a miracle! So it will be a trip to C&D to see Andy tomorrow!

Weirdly when I got changed I was muddy under my cycling kit. That's not happened before! As predicted in the cafe, the shower was painful and then my feet, the coldest of my extremities became incredibly itchy! Last week I wished I'd put SPD cleats on my winter boots...this week I wished the same!

So what's the plan then? well I need to get back to the Saturday shop rides with C&D and I think that's likely just like last year. I think I'll be joining BXV more often on Sundays for those off road rides. It's going to be rollers in the mornings until April but Spring is coming!!! Same stuff as usual...train, diet get in shape for some Sportives and some XC MTB races.

Thanks to my new friends for a great ride today.

Happy Pedalling