2010 journal is here
2009 journal is here
2007 journal is here

Yes, yes I know that It's been an age since I updated this page, but I do have a job, wife, 2 kids and prefer to get out and ride as well, which we have been doing contrary to belief!

September the 26 th – 29 th
The Lakes and Peak district
Riders: Dave, Mike, Iain, Mark and Graeme Friday: Plus Matt and Alex.

Friday

Half past four we find ourselves outside of Dave's house putting the bikes on the back of his car, surely we must be mad, but at least it's not raining! We're in good spirits, the journey was good, and even the extortionate breakfast in the motorway services didn't dampen our excitement as we drew into the car park at Grisedale forest visitor centre.

After a walk up to the visitor Centre, a cup of tea and a look in the bike shop, we set off on the North Face Trail. We've heard mixed reports of this trail so it's good to find out for ourselves what it's like. It's a bit surprising that the actual initial climb is nothing like what we thought it would be like, and is quite a nice steady climb on single track to get your legs and mind working to what could be ahead. Once at the top, we take a diversion to extend the ride that takes you over towards Coniston water, not sure if this was a mistake as it was a bit boggy and wet feet were unavoidable, however, as the weather was good, the views and the run down back onto the way marked trail were pretty good it seemed worth it. After another short Firebreak ride we head off on another diversion, this time down through a very rutted root riddled bridleway, good stuff that keeps you on your toes, and then once out of the woods it's a fast track decent to the road, the payback however is a sharp climb back up to the trail which is a push/carry job.

Back onto the marked trail, most of which is kept at the same gradient so no climbs, it's not the most exciting and apart from the occasional boardwalk sections is a case of pedal as hard as you can to keep the momentum going. The final decent, which is not as long as some other trails we have been on is quick, and technical enough to keep most riders entertained, there are no nasty surprises and you can pedal pretty much as hard as you can without any issues. Overall, on a warm sunny day, it's a no hassle ride, and a good introduction to the Lake district, realistically you can't go wrong.

Saturday:

It's been noted that a Curry with copious amounts of Alcohol is not the best evening meal to consume before a MBR magazine killer loop! However, With a good night's rest, a perfect English breakfast (debatable killer loop food again), we were up for the challenge!

The High street is not where you'll find McDonalds, Woolworths or WHSmith, but an old Roman Road that runs down the North East side of the Lake District, and to get up there we had a climb of about 600 metres in a distance of two and a half kilometres, this was at the start of the ride so we didn't mind shoving our bikes over our shoulders and starting the long yomp up the Hill. Although there was a bit of mist and low cloud, by the time we reached the summit this was starting to dissipate so things were just getting better and better.

The portion of the High Street that we did is best described as rolling, it would be a steady climb up then a few hundred metres of downhill the other side, it had been dry so the ground was firm, there were some nice testing downhill's with ruts and drop-offs so it was exciting enough, but this was going to change after reaching Loadpot Hill, this was going to be the best descent of the day, about 3km of point and shoot downhill with little rutted sections and the odd little jump and drop off to raise the game, lots of smiles and a few shaking legs from the effort of having to stand and throw the bike around all the way down, great fun.

According to MBR the bridleway that winds its way down the side of Ullswater is one of the most technical in the UK, and it's reasonably long at what must be 5km, it's what I would call a Marmite trail, you're either going to love it or hate it! There is no real elevation gain or loss, but what you do get is rocks, lots of them, short steep rocky descents followed by very short technical climbs and rock beds to hammer over and around, this will test every bit of your skill, fitness and confidence, but at the end, if you've got it spot on, you're going to want to do it again.

Ambling down towards Patterdale and what seems to be the end of the ride, if you follow the actual route in MBR, you get to a point where you have to swing left through a gate. This is where you are faced with a decision, are you going to climb the formidable path that a goat would have trouble traversing, never mind men with mountain bikes on their backs, or take the road back to the car park.. 3 of us decided that up was the only way, and we have to admit that it's the most physically demanding part of the route. The payback is the steepest track back down we've ever ridden, but slopes out towards the end to give you a fast descent back to ground level.

Sunday:

The plan for Sunday was for another killer loop, the infamous Helvellyn. But after all the carrying and climbing we did the day before, we were offered an alternative to drive down to Macclesfield and Meet up with Matt, another MTB addict and crack a Macc forest/Peak District ride. Optimistically, this was the best choice, especially as the route was a known one so no map reading was necessary.

This was totally different riding to what we had experienced in the Lakes, and actually a lot scarier, most of the uphill sections were done on road, but there were four downhill's that definitely got the adrenaline flowing, two were of a loose rock formation, you had to make sure that your front wheel didn't drift out or you would be off. One was a full on blast down a grassy track that kept you on your toes and the other being a very technical descent down a steep ravine that tested your skill and nerve to the limit.

And what better way to finish the ride with a pub lunch in the sun and a proper pint on Bitter.

Photos here

And yes, we will be going back!

August 2008

Once everyone was back from thier summer holidays, we managed a good turnout on the 17th, six riders in all and a really good local ride that was pretty dry, a good intro back into the fantastic MTB world to wet the appetite for more.

After eighteen months of riding on my Mount Vision the performance of my forks (Fox F100 RL), were definately starting to reduce, to the point of almost starting to turn into rigid versions, so off to MOJO for a service, 80 quid well spent I thought! Got them back today after splashing out £200! The reason being that I needed new stantions... so beware Fox Forx owners, follow the maintanence schedule here (select service intervals on the left), otherwise you could end up with the same bill (and a very unhappy wife).

Sunday 17th August

Now everyone was back from summer holidays, six riders in all set off from Dave's place just after eight, Sam was our guide for today and took us round some inspiring new single track, starting through Rotherfield then up onto the Eridge Warren woods, the trails were as dry as they were going to get and although you're never going to get super fast ones around here this is perfect for keeping up some much needed techical skills.

The Warren is just that, full of little trails that go in every direction, you really have to get in there and do some exploring to find the real gems, it's a place we will be using more and more as it's the most convenient and varied area to ride from Crowborough.

July 2008

A couple of local runs and a ride on the South Downs saw a fairly uneventful month...

June 2008

Mick and Dave hit Afan.. bloody weather, managed to crack the Wall and the Pennhyd trail, but forget about Whites level or the skyline trail, the wind, rain and cloud base dropped and bo**ocks to that, we're not on the SBS selection course so head home early. Would be good if we could actually get to Wales and see the hills for once!!

May 2008

Two weeks to go until the 100km enduro on the Isle of Wight. Mike and I have been putting in the mileage, trying to crack a few 60km local rides, and while riding along a, well what can only be describe as a farm road, I clip the edge of the road and my front wheel whips away from me. I manage to gouge a whole in my elbow and gain a couple of stitches.. not good, especially when the doctor has forbidden me to ride for at least two weeks.. check out the hole!

So two weeks later mike and I head of to the sunny climate (or so we are hoping), of the Isle of Wight, after an easy journey to Southampton we meet up with the other three lunatics who have decided to join us, it's the Duck, Matt and !!!!, and things are not looking as serious as we thought as the three of them climb out of the car with a bottle of wife beater each..

Tent up, some bigger than others.. pasta devoured ready for the next day and then of to the beer tent for a few pints, the idea of a serious race is now rapidly diminishing!

It's been ages since I've slept in a tent, and boy, how loud is the rain on that canvas, bloody birds need shooting and does the guy in the tent next door have to shout!

Crack sparrow fart and mike and I have a healthy energy loaded breakfast in preparation for the battle ahead, Duck and the guys crack on with the bacon sarnies. we roll up to the start line for 0930, touch in as they say and ride off..

Bloody walkers have moved one of the markers so within the first 5k we're lost, after much attempts at map reading we finally reach checkpoint one, not the best start, crack on we do though, and not a bad pace passing the odd group of riders. At this point my front mech cable gets trashed, sh*t, not looking forward to the next 90k stuck in the middle ring!

Things were going pretty well, apart from the wind that was a bit of a struggle now and again to ride into, overall 3 punctures so pretty average there.
Around about the 75k mark, the distance was beginning to take it's toll, especially as we'd all ran out of water a good 10k back, they had moved the water point a bit further on and we were gagging, the other three lads were also suffering as expecting to come across the odd corner shop had not packed any food, it didn't help that the feed/water station was situated across from a pup, the 3 guys decided to wrap on it for the day and consume some nutrition and a swift pint.

Mike and I cracked on, finishing in just over 9 hours, not the fastest time in the world, but for our first 100km Enduro, we didn't think it was too bad.

Febuary to April

Normal riding on local trails, which have included Ashurst Wood, Eridge Wood and the South and North Downs, with the wet weather it's been more a case of carry on regardless rather than eat my dust!

Mike and myself have been putting in the extra hours for our 100km enduro for the Isle of Wight,

New year, renewed enthusiasm.. not likely. It's not like we haven't been out, between all of us someone has been out every week over the last month or so.

From local rides, seeking new territory in the Eridge area, to Leith Hill, it's just with the winter slop, it takes it out of you and your bike, it's amazing how much is grinded away, chainrings, brake pads and the like.

But never mind, the nights are starting to gradually get that little bit lighter, and some of us have even entered enduro events so over the next month or so we should be getting back out there.

Although for some reason some people have turned to the dark side of road cycling.. what the hell that is about I'll never know!

Just a gentle 30.5 miler!!! We set off from Dave's at just after 8 joined by a new rider Guy (who was a lot fitter than a number of us!) The weather looked very threatening and there was a fair wind gusting. It was generally agreed that given the recent rain we'd use the day for getting miles under the belts. So off we went, down London Road and through Gillridge Farm. Turning left at the bottom we entered Eridge Woods via a new route across the railway line. Dave being a lazy git wanted to raise the barriers rather than lift the bikes over. This gave both him and Alvar the chance to play at railwaymen!

Into Eridge Woods where we rode through some lovely single track which had been discovered a few weeks earlier. The Woods were, it has to be said suprisingly dry.

Then it was off to the railway line for a dash to Forest Row. Mike and Mike both left us at this point. After a reasonably painless ride to Forest Row we decided on Tescos. As luck would have it we met the Java lady and were able to give her a piece of our minds. We stood amongst the Gas cylinders and had ourselves coffeee and treats. Alvar provided us with a display of trick riding and also demonstrated how a traffic cone can be used as a loud speaker!

Mr Anderson insisted we ride back via Bramble Tye manor so it was back onto the bikes and off! The little technical uphill proved to be impassable due to mud but we did sneak down the closed footpath on Canziron Lane. Back onto the railway line now we sprinted along to Withyham and up through Buckhurst. It was here in driving wind that Paul punctured, only to find that the new  tube went down in fractions of a second. Somewhat cooled we set off for the final stint. Time was running short so Mardens Hill was the only answer arriving home just after 12.30 having completed 30.5 miles and a vertical climb of 712 meters and no rain reported! Stealth

The trails around Crowborough, although pretty extensive, can sometimes get a bit repetitive, especialy when staying off Ashdown forest or trying to avoid the gloop that's still hanging about.

So, with two people it's minimal effort to get the bikes on the back of a car and head up to Westcott for a nice loop around Leith Hill. Although setting off from the car it's never a good start to find you have a flat on the front, but after a team effort and the quickest tube change I've seen we were on our way.

That first hill is a killer, and by the end you do feel like you've left a lung half way up. This loop is turning into a real classic, good technical climbs, fast flowing downhill sections and twisty edge of the seat rooty, jumpy single track sections to keep the adrenaline pumping.

Here's the route, but your better off heading round with someone who knows the area to get to the best trails. A good 18 miles with 700m of climbing that get's the best out of you and the bike.

Only two riders were up for it this weekend, eveyone else seemed to be down with either a cold/flu or otherwise engaged.
Dave was making his excuses before we left his house. Dressed in light clothes due to the sun it became apparant by the bottom of Gillridge that it was rather chilly out there. Toes and fingers were chilly. From there we hung a left and crossed the railway line mooching along the edge of Eridge Woods before hitting the road into Groombridge. A quick blat down the railway line into Buckhurst and along the Mill Road which was suprisingly dry and rather crispy from the frost. Up Woodcutters and home. A very easy 16 miles under the belt covered in just two hours. A quick coffee and some of Bethan's home made cake and that was the end.