You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
TLDR: I've found my love for bikes again 🙂
Despite all the crap going on in the world this year, lockdown has had a positive impact on my physical and mental wellbeing.
I used to be a member of a MTB club and enjoyed getting out 2 or 3 times a week, but over the last 10 years or so the increasing demands of work and home life commitments meant I lost my fitness and my mojo. I tried a few times to get back out and bought a few upgrades in the hope that it would make me want to get out more but I would get mad at myself for being unfit and crap and it would ruin my ride and put me off going out again.
Fast forward to this year and I've been forced to work at home since April. Sitting in a room by myself all day was getting to me, so I made the decision to try and get outdoors and get fitter. I started off doing some weights in the garage and a few gravel rides. I discovered a few cheeky trails in my local woods which were a bit harsh on the gravel bike so I took the decision to sell my old MTBs and bought a new Scandal when they were on offer.
I'm seriously impressed with the comparatively LLS geometry and its an absolute blast to ride. I've found that even a quick 30-40 minutes of a lunch time make a big difference to my mood and I'm feeling much better for it.
I'm lucky that I have great views, bridleways and singletrack on my doorstep but its taken Covid to make me realise what I was missing!
Anyhoo, sorry for the ramble, just thought I would share some positivity! Here's a few pics from my lunchbreak bimble today:
[url= https://i.ibb.co/swNBkMr/20201007-124453.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/swNBkMr/20201007-124453.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/T4TgjbW/20201007-124435.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/T4TgjbW/20201007-124435.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/5hXjhzW/20201007-124430.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/5hXjhzW/20201007-124430.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/Y78W7qw/20201007-124427.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/Y78W7qw/20201007-124427.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/Tv0S3wR/20201007-131002.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/Tv0S3wR/20201007-131002.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/x1FQM22/20201007-131054.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/x1FQM22/20201007-131054.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
All looks good 🙂
Excellent work - the return of mojo is for sure something to rejoice! superb!
Awesome to hear. Life can get in the way sometimes but it’s great you’ve got your mojo back.
And I’ve got the Scandal on my list the next time the frame is on offer.
Excellent stuff op and I too discovered some hidden gems near me both for riding and walking.
where were those pics taken matey? Looks lovely there.
Well done glad you are enjoying your riding again. Keep mixing it up with the gravel bike if you can to stop it getting to same ish locally although I understand you have good riding.maybe plan some outings too if you can.if not just enjoy your lunch time blasts.
Riding bikes is ace.
Good work that man!
The high I get whilst on my bike or when I finally return home, wet, muddy and knackered is like nothing else I have experienced. Puts me in an instant good mood.
Thank **** for mountain bikes!
Same here, since June I've really got back into my cycling, according to Strava I was last this active back in 2015, rediscovered loads of my old local trails and made some fresh local loops from new stuff I've found. It's been great for my mental wellbeing and I also ordered a Scandal on offer which has been great 🙂
Background of a couple photos look like my local!
I’ve found a pile of motivation to get out and build more trails. Met a rider up the woods yesterday that told me the trails have never been so good! Put a smile on my face!
Thanks all, I'm determined to keep going through winter so I will be mixing it up with a few gravel and quiet lane rides.
For those that were asking where the photos were taken, I was just outside Standish woods near Stroud. You can see the river Severn in the background if you look closely...
I’m Dursley based so that’s why it’s so familiar! I’m weirdly enjoying the wet more at the minute. Once I’m out the door it’s all good, hardest part is actually leaving the house!