100 rides

Singletrack splendour

2010-05-16T12:26:00.000-07:00

100 of 100

3 hours of lovely trails around my favourite forest, showing a new friend around, the trails were in just about the best condition ever, dappled sunlight streaming through, dust kicking up and temperature just about perfect.

A splendid way to finish this little project, now lets see just how much good has been done next weekend, despite numerous doubts and negative thoughts I will be on the start line for the UK 24 hour solo championships, I want to finish and finish in the spirit of the event, fingers crossed.

Sunshine and lollipops

2010-05-15T11:43:00.000-07:00

Ride 99 of 100

A lazy start meant local trails, and the nemesis bike, the bike that did the damage, the bike that I love to hate....

Anyway, dusty trails, the smell of freshly cut grass, few people around, and fantastic sunshine.

Two and a half hours of single speeding, just riding along minding my own business.

Bliss.

Lost

2010-05-13T09:26:00.000-07:00

Ride 98 of 100

Over a week now since I last rode a bike, resting my borked knee, I rode into work and then home from work, my knee is sore, my head is up my ass as I caused this by not paying attention, all my plans have gone out of the window because I did something dumb.

Tomorrow I will ride into work and back and then on Saturday I will do an exploratory ride around Delamere, I will ride my bike, just not for 24 hours

Feeling poorly

2010-05-05T13:29:00.000-07:00

Ride 97 of 100

some strange malaise came over me during the day so rode straight home, the chance to align some numbers lost forever....

69er

2010-05-05T13:27:00.000-07:00

Ride 96 of 100

got the 69er from the cellar in homage to the 96th ride

was aiming to get up early and hit the river run this morning but rain stopped play and I went back to bed, then got up and went to work.

Riding home

2010-05-04T10:53:00.000-07:00

Ride 95 of 100

Home the short way, wind assisted, clean bike and annoyed that the sun is out but I need to rest my knee.

Concrete bike

2010-05-04T10:49:00.000-07:00

Ride 94 of 100

The Trek had set solid with Dyfi concrete so I rode it to work and jet washed it down, my right knee still swollen from Sunday and sore to boot :-(

The real pain is at the top of my calf muscle, feels like something deep inside is stretched out, its ok when riding but I'm wondering about a 24 hour race and what damage that will do, all recent rides have been fine but the days after have been painful.

The doubts are setting in, I'm not sacrificing another summer for one race, one race for which I am utterly underprepared.

We'll see

Dyfi Enduro

2010-05-03T07:39:00.000-07:00

Ride 93 of 100

its not a race, its a timed event.... and despite our best efforts we didn't manage DFL.

well whatever it was it was a whole heap of fun, trundling along, enjoying the scenery, enjoying the descents, realising that a good, well set up full suspension bike makes a huge difference to how well I can descend.

The company was great also, once or twice there was the threat of a sense of humour fail but it never happened, testament to a strong will :-).

Of course all of this would never happen without the will power of the folks who organise the Dyfi, much respect to those lovely people who open up their lovely trails to all comers, go out of their way to make you feel welcome and know just what it takes to make for a grand weekend.

Sea air

2010-05-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

Ride 92 of 100

20 miles along the Mawdach trail, sea breeze, cream tea, inspiration found

Things had better change

2010-04-29T11:46:00.000-07:00

Ride 91 of 100

Home, on the road, dodging the lorries, dodging the rain (not very well), keeping a sharp eye out for that inspiration that I know is lurking out there, didn't see it :-(

Uninspired

2010-04-29T11:45:00.000-07:00

Ride 90 of 100

12 minutes at 19MPH

The Wrong Wind

2010-04-28T12:24:00.000-07:00

Ride 89 of 100

Despite trying to get away early I was still late out, and to face a howling wind straight in my face, it evaporated my desire instantly, oh well I'll call this week a rest week then eh ?.

Wet Tarmac

2010-04-28T12:22:00.000-07:00

Ride 88 of 100

Road bike to work, too late to do anything other than straight there thanks to an errant teenage son.

Clean Bike

2010-04-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

Ride 87 of 100

Spent an hour cleaning the bike after work, aiming to ride for a few hours in the sunshine, didn't happen as sitting on my arse all day appears to caused my sore knee to flare up, riding home was a painful soft pedaling exercise :-(

Road Bike

2010-04-27T10:00:00.000-07:00

Ride 86 of 100

Straight to work for an early meeting, nowt to report.

Short and sweet

2010-04-25T10:15:00.001-07:00

Ride 85 of 100

Peaks again, ditto the last blog entry.

Annual Bamford weekend

2010-04-25T10:12:00.000-07:00

Ride 84 of 100

28 miles of the peak districts finest trails, in the sun, with friends and a skill compensator, and possibly the driest trails for a decade.

No more needed.

Cheeky Singletrack

2010-04-22T11:13:00.004-07:00

Ride 83 of 100

Out before the bell and round the back to pick up the cheeky singletrack, the trail is in such good condition that it begs you to go fast, so I did, as fast as I could

it was ace

even the dog shit had dried out !

A short commute

2010-04-22T11:13:00.003-07:00

Ride 82 of 100

Along the river and straight to work, sunshine warmth breaking through

The smell of soil

2010-04-22T11:09:00.000-07:00

Ride 81 of 100

Must be national plough your field day today, all the way to Delamere farmers are out and ploughing, turning over the top soil to reveal the rich dark and damp soil that seagulls love for the worms !

Sunshine but a cold wind meant a hard ride out, buff trails in the forest meant a couple of hours exploring before turning back for home to be disappointed that the expected wind on my back had died down.

Never got warm all day.

Sore legs still

2010-04-20T10:26:00.001-07:00

Ride 80 of 100

Straight back

Sore legs

2010-04-20T10:25:00.000-07:00

Ride 79 of 100

straight there

Yorkshire Hills

2010-04-18T12:50:00.000-07:00

Ride 78 of 100

Road ride, 5 person chain gang, hanging off the back, gritting my teeth, but still having a good time.

Yorkshire hills are bigger that Cheshire hills and that ain't no lie :-)

A grand day out

2010-04-17T11:13:00.000-07:00

Ride 77 of 100

Rode to Delamere

Rode at Delamere

Rode from Delamere

and I saw a rough legged buzzard

Skipping work

2010-04-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

Ride 76 of 100

Not much to do today so left early, headed back along the canal and then down the empty lanes, after an hour I realised it was warm enough for just lycra so stopped and dropped my baggies and went (almost) commando, very liberating and satisfying looking down and seeing a pair of not so fat anymore legs, although the whiteness was a bit off putting :-)

Late

2010-04-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

Ride 75 of 100

Fell back asleep

Woke up with a start

Set off riding

Then realised I have nowt to rush for, so slowed down and enjoyed CS woods.

Towpath pounding

2010-04-16T10:41:00.000-07:00

Ride 74 of 100

Home via the canal, unbelievably all of the towpath was dry, bone dry and dusty, single scullers out in force enjoying the sunlight, not many fishermen to get annoyed, lots of joggers and cyclists, a very pleasant ride.

Frozen Dew

2010-04-16T10:39:00.000-07:00

Ride 73 of 100

Early morning commute, wondering what the day will bring, it brought yet more sunshine.

Warm evening sun

2010-04-14T12:42:00.000-07:00

Ride 72 of 100

I had to go tonight, two days of resting whilst the sun shone was trying to say the least, took the long way home and then some, consciously soft peddaling, all seems okay and now dosing up on supplesse.

Cold commute

2010-04-14T12:41:00.000-07:00

Ride 71 of 100

gentle peddaling

short route

cold head

no knee pain

Ride Fail

2010-04-14T12:38:00.000-07:00

Ride 70 of 100

Tried to go with the group again, first hill and I knew my knee would fail, turn back, shower, jump in support vehicle.

heckle

Hellofthenorthumberfest

2010-04-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

Ride 69 of 100

Road ride in the some beautiful country side, little traffic, some good hills, lots of happy people :-)

Support vehicles make for a grand day out.

Friday

2010-04-14T12:35:00.000-07:00

Ride 68 of 100

12 easy miles

knee pain

Fast forward to Thursday

2010-04-14T12:34:00.000-07:00

Ride 67 of 100

Singlespeed bike, 55 miles, seat too high (by a quarter of an inch) right knee pain, feeling stupid.

Into the valley

2010-04-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

Ride 66 of 100

First big group ride of the year today, Calderdale style, so big a group that we voluntarily split so as to keep things moving, trails were wet and muddy, slippy and testing and made me realise just how rubbish I really am in these conditions. Legs were just ok, again no zip but didn't drop to the granny gear and cleaned all the climbs so something must be happening down there.

By far the best thing was seeing some old friends whilst riding some old trails, a very welcome return to both.

Blowout

2010-04-03T11:08:00.000-07:00

Ride 65 of 100

Road ride today, no zip in my legs, mystery blowout on the front whilst cranking over for a turn that focused the mind just a bit, not many random thoughts after that, lots of roadies out today, lots of nice bikes on view and in particular an old restored Bianchi being ridden by a guy in baggy shorts, chapeau !

Headwind

2010-04-02T10:08:00.000-07:00

Ride 64 of 100

Road ride to be efficient, turned out to be anything but, strong headwind, rain, muddy broken lanes.

26 miles in just under 1 hour 30 minutes.

dangerous drivers all over the place

must be a bank holiday.

No one around ?

2010-04-01T11:01:00.000-07:00

Ride 63 of 100

Rain, hail and wind

re arrange those three words to make things better

Wind, rain and hail

Hail, Rain and wind

didn't really matter as I was as wet an otters ear already, just got on with it.

20 miles in exchange for disc pads and a new drive train.

April Fool

2010-04-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

Ride 62 of 100

In the rain, again

oh its April 1st

of course

Slightly hungover

2010-03-29T10:57:00.000-07:00

Ride 61 of 100

Slow start to the day, unusually no fried breakfast to kick start the recovery process, lots of coffee did the trick though, another ride at CyB, this time with a few more folks, mash up trails, trying to link the best descents and miss the dragging climbs, more speed, more thrills, more fun than a man my age has a right too !

Stood in the forest with camera in hand my mind went back ten years to that time in Downieville when I was stood in a similar position waiting with camera in hand and I heard a bear growl, back to Wales and this time I could hear a woodpecker er pecking, kind of sums up the trail centre vibe :-)

Stag ride

2010-03-29T10:53:00.000-07:00

Ride 60 of 100

Coed Y Brenin, first time since last years fall and injuries, first off road ride proper on new full suspension bike, nemesis descent conquered, riding down hill far too fast my my skills. I'd forgotten what adrenelin tastes like until today.

Man made trail centres can be a good thing, sometimes following trail markers is fun, today was both a good thing and lots of fun.

and wet

2010-03-23T12:17:00.000-07:00

Ride 59 of 100

Wet ride home, shock pressure sorted.

Dry

2010-03-23T12:16:00.000-07:00

Ride 58 of 100

Dry ride to work trying to sort the shock pressure out.

New bike ride No 2

2010-03-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

Ride 57 of 100

Suspension tweaked (thanks Travis)

Tyres pumped up

Seat post secured

Bars tipped just right

and away we go...

oh, its raining :-(

New bike day

2010-03-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

Ride 56 of 100

Full suspension

First time in 6 years

Its strange

and good

and its gonna hurt

You're only happy when your dancing

2010-03-17T11:13:00.000-07:00

Ride 55 of 100

Retraced this morning route and added a bit on top, another lovely evening, the trails are bone dry now, even that bit under the trees that never dries out, must be the trees sucking it all up.

Rufus Wainwright in the headphones, birds singing their hearts out, grey wagtails roosting, dogs all over the bloody place.

Mr Positive

2010-03-17T11:11:00.001-07:00

Ride 54 of 100

Set off at 7, nice warm(ish) morning, slightly hung over from last nights red wine but nothing that wont shift after a few head clearing spit and snots.

Over the canal and look down to see two dudes on cross bikes and baggies pedaling to work, next a mtb'r coming towards me, through the woods and over the motorway and two more lads on mtb's pass by me.

Up the river towards hanging bridge and a girl on a mtb, WTF is going on, normally I only see dead people on this route !, over the bridge and out towards Northenden, a couple of older guys on work bikes, a guy on a fixie complete with uniform of rolled up jeans and white T shirt, big grin as he passes me.

Turn to head for work and over the next 10 miles I must pass at least another dozen folks on bikes.

Sat at work now with toasted peanut buttur filled muffins, big glas of OJ and large mug of tea, best of all I have nowt to do all day and I get to leave early to do all that again.

:-)

Evens

2010-03-16T12:28:00.000-07:00

Ride 53 of 100

Headed out into the headwind, a fast ten miles making my arse ache, then back with the wind for another 12 or so, trying to beat the darkness, a nod towards a future evening ten.

Early sunshine

2010-03-16T12:25:00.000-07:00

Ride 52 of 100

Early start to get to work for an important meeting, warm enough for summer gloves and sleeves, still got there sweating despite an easy pace.

Assos top and baggy bottoms on a cross bike, black socks for those who might take an interest in such things.

Bump

2010-03-16T12:22:00.001-07:00

Ride 51 of 100

I knew Mike was back riding

I knew sooner or later I'd bump into him

I knew it would be tonight

It was

Echolon

2010-03-15T11:12:00.001-07:00

Ride 50 of 100

30 road miles with pub stop, newbie road rider in baggies, uphill, downhill, trying to make some sense before he rides the Etape, I give him 20k's before a Frenchman puts him in a ditch :-)

Imperial century - tick

2010-03-10T12:14:00.000-08:00

Ride 49 of 100

A day off, a big ride planned and done, almost bailed out a few times but stuck with it.

Happy that its the first proper century I've ridden for at least 5 years.

More to come.

Back

2010-03-09T09:26:00.002-08:00

Ride 48 of 100

To home

utility

Out

2010-03-09T09:26:00.001-08:00

Ride 47 of 100

To Work

futility

Kingfisher, fox and a Jay

2010-03-08T13:05:00.000-08:00

Ride 46 of 100

Out of work bang on the bell, heading west into the sun.

Turned at Warrington and headed back east.

Lights on, clear skies meant darkness soon came.

3 hours worth, legs pooped now.

Pizza and tea.

Happy.

Chilly

2010-03-08T13:00:00.000-08:00

Ride 45 of 100

-7c

straight to work, no dawdling

trails in great condition, tempting to carry straight on past the gates

had stuff to do, have to wait til tonight

Change of plan

2010-03-07T13:07:00.001-08:00

Ride 44 of 100

The planned road ride turned into a mud festival, down to the sea (not the seaside, just the sea) grinding through trails made into porridge filled with weetabix, gears clicking and clacking away, surprised I didn't snap the chain, got to Spike Island and the rain came.

Looking up at the sky and wondering where the others were by now, probably having tea and crumpets by now.... stuffed a gel down, starting to finally be able to swallow these things and feel the benefit, turned around and headed back, 50 miles of notalotofpleasure done.

Squishy under tyre

2010-03-05T11:03:00.001-08:00

Ride 43 of 100

The mud has come back, although the trails are already been sucked up by the trees, retraced this morning steps through the woods but didn't hang about as I took the underpants hanging from the trees as a warning !.

All through the ride all I could think about was tonights curry and tomorrows road ride.

Frosty under tyre

2010-03-05T11:01:00.000-08:00

Ride 42 of 100

Long way to work, crunchy trails rocked, weak sun peeping over the trees, Gooseanders courting, new Singletrack jersey makes me smile all the way there.

The evening sun

2010-03-02T11:50:00.000-08:00

Ride 41 of 100

The long way home, in the fading sunlight, so pleasant to feel the warm rays on your face.

Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros on repeat

Spin, spin spin

each pedal stroke making me stronger

Cocteau Twins

2010-03-02T11:48:00.000-08:00

Ride 40 of 100

Bluebeard, couldn't get the tune out of my head all ride, foggy, sunny foggy, muddy.

Are there some signs of spring happening ?

End of the month century

2010-02-28T08:59:00.000-08:00

Ride 39 of 100

Thats 3 metric centuries for Feb done, Imperial sort for March required.

Anyway, another ugly ride, constant nagging headwind regardless of the direction I was riding, struggled to maintain 15mph average, its not getting any easier, I'm not going any faster, in fact its just getting harder and starting to knock my enthusiasm back.

On the positive side I got a real close up view of a Sparrowhawk.

A red bike

2010-02-27T09:06:00.000-08:00

Ride 38 of 100

A new bike appeared in the house last night, mudguards fitted, computer fitted, saddle position tweaked, bars tipped up ( a bit), tyres pumped up.

Cold, grey, gloomy, not a day for riding...

But

A new red bike

40 miles in shattered back lanes, cold, wet and aching, my chest is showing signs of infection (again)

I enjoyed it but have no desire to do it again.

Muddy happy daft

2010-02-25T12:33:00.000-08:00

Ride 37 of 100

embrace the mud

enjoy the trail

energize the day

exhaust the demons

and don't forget to wash your gloves :-)

Bleak

2010-02-24T10:12:00.000-08:00

Ride 36 of 100

Pedal pushing today, not much pleasure to be had, cold, rain, muddy damaged roads, new lambs, buzzards, kestrals, horses, cows, all looked as fed up as me.

A waste of a days holiday.

Mizzle

2010-02-18T11:08:00.000-08:00

Ride 35 of 100

Rain, cold, mud

Mudguards

Traffic jams

happy

Tunnels and Bridges

2010-02-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

Ride 34 of 100

I lost count of the number of tunnels and bridges I rode under today, a longish ride with a 50/50 split of off and on road, upping the saddle time now in preparation for the summers races.

Lovely sunlight in me eyes for the first half, and for once the wind on my back for the second half, 2 bananas, a cliff bar (are they getting smaller ?) and 2 litres of Nuun helped me keep my legs spinning.

Lots of small hills to struggle up in memory of Marco, I didn't do him proud but its the thought that counts.

I pod makes life easier, a bell on the bars helps in the politeness stakes, new windstopper jacket works just great in these low temperatures.

7 Jays

3 Buzzards

a flock of long tailed tits

1 litre of Rego, 1 glass of beer, 1 glass of Prosecco (in keeping with the Italian theme for the day)

Pointless

2010-02-12T10:25:00.000-08:00

Ride 32 and 33 of 100

to work and back, stunning sky this evening

Aimless

2010-02-11T11:21:00.000-08:00

Ride 31 of 100

The sun came out again this afternoon and I had to ride despite needing to rest, so I just pootled along local trails, head full of Yo La Tengo seamlessly in tune with the trail, long soft instrumentals through the woods, sharp spikey bursts for the climbs, mellow harmonies for the sun trail.

The last few miles into the sun made my legs better, stopped to watch a Sparrowhawk for a while, looked for the Kingfisher, almost rode into a dog walker hidden in the glare.

Kitchen smells of mud.

Tick

2010-02-10T10:09:00.001-08:00

Ride 30 of 100

First milestone of the year ticked off today, a metric century of off road riding.

Sun - ooh thats nice

Snow - ha ha thats funny

Wind- please stop anytime soon

Snow - hmmm

Snow - thats not funny now

Sun and snow - huh ?

more snow - weakening now, 45 miles in and a gel is required

sun - gel kicked in just as the sun came out

warm sun - last ten miles now

wind - into the wind for the last 5 miles, final kick

and relax.

Kingfisher

2010-02-09T10:23:00.001-08:00

Ride 29 of 100

The sun came out just as I was leaving work, the trails were even drier after a days worth of wind, retraced my route from the morning ride only this time I stopped for ten minutes to watch a Kingfisher fishing in the dying light. This is the first one I've seen at this stream for over two years now.

Riding the perimeter singletrack into the sun was fun, being half blinded but feeling the warmth on my face was a pleasure I've not had the pleasure of for a good while now.

It was tempting to go on further but mindful of a big ride planed for tomorrow I headed home.

One week of sobriety

2010-02-09T10:21:00.001-08:00

Ride 28 of 100

Woke up clear headed and wanting to ride, trails drying out now, sky "just" starting to lighten up, 45 mins of single speed spinning on the 69er, coffee, porridge with mamarlade to sweeten, work.

Nowt

2010-02-08T11:38:00.000-08:00

Ride 27 of 100

An hour of emptyheadedness.

wind in my face.

wet trails.

home.

Culture clash

2010-02-07T09:36:00.000-08:00

Ride 26 of 100

Heavy legs and restless sleep caused me to rethink todays metric century ride, instead I spent the morning in town visiting the book shops, enjoying an expensive coffee, however I had an urge to ride and so I ventured out this afternoon for a casual stroll on the bike.

The snow prepped Trek 69er was refitted with spuds, the tyres pumped up and lights fitted, casual clothes, no helmet, Ipod and a smile and I was off down the TPT, just slowly spinning along, actually enjoying the cold and grey.

3 hours later and I was home, not at all sweaty for once, probably only 30 miles but enough to take the sting out of yesterdays legs, bath, cup of tea, bag of crisps and done.

Mud, sweat and almost tears

2010-02-06T10:31:00.000-08:00

Ride 25 of 100

A visit to the valley today saw six of us setting off into the fog, ground conditions were wet and slippy, before we even hit the off road section I knew I'd brought the wrong bike, can you ever be on the wrong bike ?, yes when you are setting off on a mild tech ride in slither conditions and you are on a cross country race bike with steep angles and dust tyres ! whoops !

Anyway, it was no matter and didn't spoil the day, even a near miss with a wall couldn't take the smile off my face.

Stoodley Pike, Great Rock, Mooch.

All good :-)

Bikes take you places V2

2010-01-30T13:02:00.000-08:00

Ride 24 of 100

Up late today, not sure what the day would bring

It brung a ride

It made me happy

Half an imperial century, 90% off road

Sunshine

Seaside

Curlews and Buzzards

No Coffee today.

Watery light

2010-01-27T10:03:00.000-08:00

Ride 23 of 100

This mornings ride was done for pleasure, pure and simples, basically I took the scenic route to work, exploring some long forgotten back lanes prompted by Sundays rememberances. Some of the old lanes have been upgraded due to the expansion of Manchester Airport but I soon caught my bearings and had an enjoyable ride.

That is until I saw the state of the road, hedge cuttings all over the place, no attempt to clean up, inconsiderate bastard, of course despite riding in the middle of the road and trying to avoid the trimmings I soon picked up a thorn, luckily it was a very slow flat that lasted all the way to work.

Even this couldn't spoil my ride and I was actually feeling something like a cyclist again, legs spinning freely and with a small amount of souplese, must have been last nights red !

I didn't even notice that it had started raining until I heard the buzzing from the overhead power lines and even then I wasn't bothered, an hour and half after setting off I pulled into work happy with my day so far.

Ice Cream headache

2010-01-25T11:23:00.001-08:00

Ride 22 of 100

Cold tonight, bitterly cold

Faux Belgian

2010-01-24T08:57:00.000-08:00

Ride 21 of 100

Looking out of the window provided zero inspiration, cold, wet and grey, just like yesterday, difference today though is that I NEED to ride for mine and my families sanity, lots of stuff going on thats conspired to turn up the white noise in my head to eleven.

Mouth parched from last nights red wine, cup of tea and a muffin was all I could face before reluctantly heading out of the door into the drizzle, rain coat straight on and thankful for the mudguards I set off.

Uncomfortable seating posture, tight legs, cold hands already, not enjoying this, headed into the countryside to be faced by roads shattered from the frost, heaps of mud everywhere brought into the road by the snow, clouds closing in, its 1230 and I need lights.

Twenty five minutes later and I'm starting to relax, posture has found its default setting, legs are stretching a little, hands still cold, noise levels already down to seven. Head for the trail, spy the conditions from top of the bridge and note the very very muddy couple climbing the steps, smiling, not smiling enough to make me want to take that trail though. Carry on along the lanes and start to relax into my past, these are the lanes where I first started my cycling club days as a thirteen year old, I know them so well.

Feeling quite the Belgian, enjoying these conditions, allbeit a fat unfit Belgian !

Fred Minshull pops into my mind, one ride in particular where this renowned hard man of the cycling world drifted back from the bunch to offer some wind resistance to a struggling slip of a lad, not one for many words was Fred, and even I knew enough to stay out of is way when the wheels were turning. He startled me into action by telling me how he knew the wind and rain was on its way because of the way the sky looked, pointing out the dark clouds ahead, the rain falling to the north, and how we were going to have a tough few miles getting home. It was of course a rouse to take my mind off the pain and before long I was on the back. Probably the longest conversation I ever had with him but one that I remember today as I'm struggling for momentum.

This thought was enough to see me through the next two hours, Fred was also renowned for his 150 mile clubruns, he took great delight in just riding his bike for as long as possible, I used to be like that, before life caught up and changed things, in fact there was a gang of us, spending all summer riding, everywhere, because we could.

By the time I'd turned for home I was completely soaked through cold and hungry, but happy, happy that the white noise was now back at its usual level of 2, happy that I'd had a great rememberance and happy that I'd ridden a bike, just like I used to do.

However the past hadn't yet completely gone, coming up to the river crossing and I could see a bunch of old timers ahead of me, I caught them at the bridge and instantly recognised some old friends, ex time trial champions, ex road race champions, ex cyclo cross champions, all now in their late sixties and seventies.......... but still out in this rubbish weather riding their bikes, putting the miles in ready for another season of racing, planning a trip to the sun next week to get some serious miles in, talking about the old days, not with rose tinted glasses but with merciless piss taking, and happy to see me out on a bike.

A good year is needed this year

2010-01-21T11:11:00.000-08:00

Ride 20 of 100

Actually two rides, but both so short that I can only count them as one, road ride into work, legs feeling surprisingly fresh ?, then coming home I found out why, the slow invisible wind.

Its yet another start to getting some fitness back before the summer and long days in the saddle, lots of plans forming, lots of stuff to do, its gonna be a good year this year.

Losing fatness

2010-01-21T11:10:00.000-08:00

Ride 19 of 100

Riding home in the dark is fun again, the roads feel safe as they are dry, the trails are far too wet to contemplate, even went the long way as it was so nice

ouch !

too fast for my fatness.

2 whole weeks

2010-01-21T11:09:00.001-08:00

Ride 18 of 100

the snow has gone

its still cold

but I'm on a bike

and I didn't get broken

Trying to get home

2010-01-06T05:58:00.000-08:00

Ride 17 0f 100

Decided to try an exclusive off road way home as I'd had enough of car issues by the end of the day, started out just fine but after a mile or so of slogging away at the 2-1 ratio my back was breaking, got off to push and sunk to my shins in powder again, ah, thats why its so hard.

More snow falling, almost a blizzard now and I'm starting to get disorientated, decided to head for the trees to try and get some shelter, this is ridiculous, I'm less that three miles from home on the outskirts of a major suburban city and I'm getting lost !.

I see a dog walker coming towards me and my bearings are restored, minor panic over and I'm away again, looking for the shortest route home now as this isn't actually much fun, I've been outside for 45 minutes and now I'm getting cold.

Everywhere is monochrome.

8 inches of snow

2010-01-06T05:50:00.000-08:00

Ride 16 of 100

Like much of the rest of the north west the predicted snow came, a full 8 inches of it, most in living memory and very unusual for the north of cheshire, I'd fitted the flat pedals to the 69er the night before, dropped the seat an inch and taken the tyres down to 25 psi.

Riding in virgin snow is one of life's little pleasures usually, but this was just hard work, a powder day that would have been ace on skies in the hills.

Ride 400 yards, get off and push 400 yards, stop for breath and to ease my back, take photograph, laugh at the snow still coming down and then repeat, a 5 mile commute that normally takes twenty minutes took a hour and a half, not another soul around.

4 cars needed help, rear wheel drive wasn't working for them, cars pushed to the road side and abandoned, feeling smug as I rode away on to work.

a heron and two shovellers

2009-12-31T08:31:00.000-08:00

Ride 15 0f 100

First ride for over a week now, the sun was out and "most" of the sheet ice now gone, a late start meant that the sun was already warming the world, there was a brisk breeze in the air, very few people about, a few runners, the trails mostly rideable but wherever the trail was in shadow there was a menacing sheet of glassy ice. I managed to mince along the edge of most of them, only taking one tumble.

My mind was occupied by the thought that I was riding to somewhere with a purpose in mind rather than just riding for the pleasure of riding, I was meeting some friends who I hadn't seen for over a year, and we were meeting in a pub, for beer and food.

The route took in CS woods, and thankfully there was no CS action around this lovely morning, its as flat as a witches tit around here but the tight twistyness makes up for that, and wide bars add to the fun.

The pub was ace, the people were ace and now I'm home and bathed in both the literal and metaphorical sense, looking forward to tomorrow's ride.

Shortest ride ever

2009-12-20T02:33:00.000-08:00

Ride 14 of 100

heavy snowfall on top of freezing rain, it was pretty bloody obvious really

200 yards in, right turn, bang, off, right knee and elbow

700 yards in, slight incline to the left, bang, off, left knee and elbow

1 mile, dog walker, bang, down, took a while to get up, trying to conceal my laughter

1.1 mile, straight line, frozen puddle, front wheel fine, back wheel popped through the ice and slid out, right knee and hip

time to play the card, slowly pedaling home, watched in amazement as a car slid straight into the back of a parked car, couldn't, didn't dare stop

home, safe, slipped on the pavement, inside, wet, sore and laughing.

Ridiculous to the sublime

2009-12-18T09:01:00.000-08:00

Ride 13 of 100

After last nights blizzard I awoke with eager anticipation of crisp virgin snow trails, I was not dissapointed, hardly any people tracks, a few fox tracks and the clearest sky ever, deep royal blue, complete with shooting stars and planets.

An hour in and my light disturbed a starling roost, must have been a few thousand of them, enough to make me stop and stare, on and under the canal, passing by a red mondeo with the engine running and all steamed up, I instantly had a flash back to the hanging man but was pleased to see it was a couple of (very) early morning doggers !.

By now the sky was lightening up and work and a hot shower beckoned, coffee and porridge, ready for another day at the office.

Snow

2009-12-17T11:13:00.000-08:00

Ride 12 of 100.

Met check I take it all back.

Set off from work at 4.15, not hopeful of anything other than a short ride home, got to the turning point and I could see the snow rolling in over the hills, left turn and almost instantly into a white out, yes a real bona fide white out, in Cheshire, at sea level, a white out to rival any I've ever had on Ben Nevis or Snowdon.

I had to stop once I got to the river, laughing at the absurdity of this, I couldn't see where the trail was and the river wasn't.

The music had to go, I was disoriented enough already, got to the motorway bridge and decided to stop and sit it out, yes thats "sit it out" in Cheshire, at sea level, you've every right to disbelieve me but it was truly astonishing.

Got going again soon and apart from the joy of riding in virgin snow there was nothing to report.

Happy.

No Snow

2009-12-17T11:10:00.000-08:00

Ride 11 of 100

Met check you failed me once again.

I hate you.

and I hate the bivviers for going without me (despite the fact I couldn't go) and then teasing me with fabulous pictures.

The long way to work, didn't see a soul, The The on the headphones.

There before I knew it and not a single profundity to share.

Coffee

2009-12-17T11:04:00.000-08:00

Ride 10 of 100

Wet wet ride home, cold calfs and cheeks and ears, drive train grinding itself into rust, brake pads screaming at chain reaction "get some more, get some more now", an hour and thirty minutes later and home.

Park bike in kitchen, wait for entirely reasonable "how do you expect me to cook around that" comment later that night

Scrape off waterproofs, empty boots of muddy water, put helmet on top of boiler.

Wince up the stairs, start bath, get undressed (remember to bring hoover up before she gets home) get into bath and wait for chillblains in legs.

Twenty minutes later, put coffee on stove and spy unopened packet of toffee muffins.

You can guess the rest.

Bats and Dalmations

2009-12-14T11:05:00.000-08:00

Ride 9 of 100

Cold wet sleet tonight, would have been soooo easy to turn right and head and home, but I was as cold as I was going to get and was enjoying the spinning of my legs, so left turn at the lights and onto the mud.

My headlight was picking out the bats flying to my right but didn't pick out the Dalmation that came looming from the left, almost ran him over, no sign of the owner but then it was pitch black.

Fleet Foxes on repeat in my head, no thoughts of any great significance tonight, peace.

23mm tyres are fast

2009-12-12T08:21:00.001-08:00

Ride 8 of 100

Managed to pull a calf muscle walking down stairs this morning, so that put paid to any ideas of an off road ride at Macc Forest, plan B, get the Kona out and do a road ride, hour and a half and 24 miles later and the sunlight has worked its magic, no more pain in calf, head empty, ready for tonights revelleries.

Not Clear Skies

2009-12-11T10:06:00.001-08:00

Ride 7 of 100

Fog came down

Temperature dropped

Heart sank

Rode home

Clear skies

2009-12-11T10:04:00.000-08:00

Ride 6 of 100

cold cold morning commute

clear purple sky

moon in heaven

shame I'm on my way to work

Pretty Vacant

2009-12-10T09:43:00.000-08:00

Ride 5 of 100

I needed to ride, a promised ride with a good friend had to be cancelled much to mine and hers annoyance, my reputation for playing the Makin card remains intact much to my shame.

Anyway, stuff got sorted and I got out the door with enough daylight left to give me some much needed UV, the trails were heavy with drying mud, hard work to keep on top of the gear.

Didn't see a single soul for the first hour, which was odd but nice, "This is Religion" pumping away in my head, kick started a mental list of all the songs John Lydon had ever written, must have been another hour or so before I stopped for a breather and a drink, sitting back and feeling the rays on my face and then nothing (turned itself inside out).

Probably only a handful of seconds but enough to release the white noise in my ears, turned for home, happy.

Burning conscience

2009-12-10T09:38:00.000-08:00

Ride 4 of 100

Woke up at 2am with the sudden realisation that I'd dropped an almighty bollock at work, it was recoverable if I got there before 8 so reset the alarm for 6, also sent my self an email to make sure I wasn't dreaming, of course the alarm went off and after a fitfull night I immediately fell into a deep sleep coma.

Awake awake again at 7, and then rushing to get to work, went the shortest route, my legs were burning as much as my conscience and my embarrasment, no incidents, nothing of any consequence at all, got there in time, sorted it out and sat back for a whole ten minutes before I noticed my seat was a good 4 inches lower than it should have been, that'll explain the burning thighs then.

Magpies in the gloom

2009-12-09T11:03:00.000-08:00

Ride 3 of 100

Homeward commute, lots of Magpies around, couldn't for the life of me remember the rhyme, but I did remember Susan Stranks, trails drier again than this morning, we'll have a drought at this rate, nothing of note happened on this ride but why oh why is my seatpost slipping down on my custom built £3000 bike ?

Pink Skies

2009-12-09T10:55:00.000-08:00

Ride 2 of 100

Out good and early this morning, trails still wet but noticeably drying out now after the floods, cross the motorway and notice the growling is already there, another hour and it'll be at full volume, spinning along and notice my legs feel fine, maybe yesteerdays ride flushed them out ?.

Dogs and their owners start looming out of the gloom, why on earth would you walk around in the dark with a dog ? oh hang on, er, hmmm...

random thought of the ride, why is the sky pink ? actually I know why but I amused myself for the next few seconds with some fancy sexual ideas on why the sky is pink, riding on your own in the dark creates a strange isolated world where such things can exist.

Beware Greeks opening car doors

2009-12-08T10:48:00.000-08:00

Ride 1 of 100

an hour, along the river trail, wet, muddy, rainy, dark and fun, apart from almost getting car doored within the first mile, random song in my head, song from under the floorboards, home, bath, cooking and cold beer