You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Made it out on a breezy Wednesday morning for a circular route in the north pennines. From Nenthead I went over Wellhope moor to Carrshield, down Isaac's Tea Trail to Sinderhope, then back from Allendale town past the chimneys. After dropping down the bridleway on Dryburn Moor I took the Carrier's Way route over Mohope Moor back to Nenthead. Hard work in places, but enjoyable!
Top of Wellhope moor looking towards West Allendale:
Allendale chimneys:
The fast dreamy singletrack at the top of Mohope Moor, and not at all a route with narrow foot-deep ruts grown over with grass (Cross Fell in the background):
Two ride Thursday continued this week. Hammered myself early morning in the woods besting a fastest time over 18km loop. Then backed up with a gravel ride after work with the lad around the back of the zoo.
First day of riding in Sospel today. It was hot and a big climb to get to the start of the trails.
Last time we were here the trails had deteriorated due to COVID and lock down.
This time new signs are up. Trails have been cut back and in most places are running dry, fast and good.
We also noticed quite a bit of ongoing repair work on the upper trails.
Had a great time chasing each other down and then back for a swim and a beer
Rather moist out there today, but at least it didn't rain.
Cool light in some parts of the woods though.
Always makes me think I'm going to get beamed up.
Last ride before turning 50 tomorrow. The long summer in the Chilterns is beginning to turn to autumn. Low spots have small puddles sitting in them and corners have to be treated with a little more caution.
2nd day out in Sospel. Blue sky's and hot.
Strung a loop together from Komoot, Trailforks and the local map towards Mont Razet and Castilion.
Big climb at the start and then into some sweet single track.
Came to a junction in the trail. Trailforks said right and Komoot said left. Both finished near to each other at the bottom. Went left which was good until 2 miles from the end and it became an unridable rockfest. Pushed and carried for over a mile and it wasn't easing up. Saw a roof off to our right and down so it was off piste till we dropped into their garden and followed a track till we got back to normality
Only one of us is having pudding tonight
Early'ish finish and decent weather, so did a quick local loop above Darley Dale, Rowsley and Beeley chasing the light and getting in day 1 of the 100 days to Christmas
It wasn't a primarily a gravel ride, there's a sweet single-track descent through the woods, but this was the only place I got the camera out
Currently sat in the pub after the first proper night ride of the season. But a lovely easing into autumn. Local trails have absorbed most of the rain that has fallen on and off for the past few days, taking away that nasty dust and replacing it with mostly damp-yet-firm singletrack. Started off in the sun, gradually turned darker and full lights needed ... But on the evidence so far, autumn ain't so bad!
Well the dust has definitely gone, but the muds not arrived yet, and the duck pond levels on its way back up.
Starting to feel the darker evenings, I can see the headlights on the M6 near Tebay
After yesterday's Komoot push and carry we sacked it off for today's ride in Sospel and put one together from local maps and Trailforks.
Some big climbs that rewarded with awesome singletrack and descents. At one point EE said we were in Italy
Back to the van for pool and beers 🍻
Weather sorted it's act out so the decision between the gym when all the school kids descend or bike ride was made easy
Day 2 of 100 days. 16 miler on the ebike up the local moor
There's a wee out and back trail that starts 10 metres from my front door. It's not long, it has a few challenging sections but is only about a 7km loop with around 200 metres of climbing in total. However, it's completely sheltered from the elements as it flows along the side of the river. It's rooty, and rocky and it's my go to evening ride in the middle of winter when I NEED to ride my bike, I just have an hour to spare and it's too nice for a Zwift session in the garage.
I was dismayed then, back in February when the footpath was closed after an incident where a horse and rider ended up in the river due to a sinkhole opening up. Thankfully, neither the rider or horse were injured, but it was a fairly big operation to get the horse out of the fast flowing river with its very steep embankments and limited areas where you can actually get down to the water. In my head, the incident with the horse went along the lines of it walking along, ground gives way under one of it's feet and it stumbled, throwing the rider, stumbled again and fell down the embankment into the river.
Last night, assuming that the path would have been repaired by now, I ventured along it for the first time since winter.
The picture doesn't do it justice, but that hole is about 1.5 metres round and drops nearly 2 metres into the river! I would now like to revise the scenario in my head. I think the whole horse might have dropped through that and the lass riding it was incredibly lucky to get away uninjured. On my way back, I spotted that a new line has been trodden in giving that area a wide berth as there's only about 10 cm of topsoil on the riverside of the sinkhole. As I'm a chunky lad, I'll be taking the new line in the future. With sink holes opening up, and the last 500 metres of the trail fenced off because of a landslip it's going to be adding a whole new level of excitement to my winter night rides.
I can see the headlights on the M6 near Tebay
I'd imagine that's a stunning area to ride in the summer, but quite horrific in winter? 🤣
Just a quick spin round some back lanes this morning as I don't want to spanner myself before we go away on holiday.
I've still not been forgiven from the last time I did that.😬.
35km/800meters. Sunny but pretty windy.
Out for an hour & 20 mins on the HT at lunchtime today. Yesterday's dump of rain has certainly greased up the trails, mostly still running really well, but a few mud spots starting to establish now ...
out again for the second day of the 100 days to Christmas
I can see the headlights on the M6 near Tebay
I'd imagine that's a stunning area to ride in the summer, but quite horrific in winter? 🤣
Usually fine if you pick your days but the 23/24 winter was a challenge so we put our caravan next to a 7Stanes forest last year and will be doing the same from next week. I can't wait it really breaks up the usual winter slump.
Last day of riding in Sospel for us today.
Hit some great trails from the top and down to the town. Flowy, fast and fun.
Went out early to avoid the heat and also to get back and do some chores. All the washing now done and van swept out.
In the five days here we haven't seen a single rider on the trails or in the town.
Did have a 72 year old woman from NZ pitch her tent next to us late one night. Had a beer and a chat. She was riding the Turin to Nice Rally on a fully loaded Surly. Wild camping most of the way.
Tomorrow sees us traveling the short distance to Diano Marina for a couple of nights and a few scoops of gelato
Just back from a 3 day excursion, the idea being to cycle from my dad's house near Skipton back to my house near Durham whilst visiting some old haunts and favourite places. Day 1 (Wednesday): cycled from home to the train station in Durham and took 2 trains to Gargrave:
After leaving Gargrave took back roads and bridleways to Coniston Cold via Ingthorpe Lane and Moorber Lane. Then Bell Busk, Kirk Syke to Airton and up to Weets Top. No views for company, just the sheep (though the clouds were lifting):
From Weets across to Mastiles Lane:
Very wet in places after recent rain:
From Mastiles Lane across on the Pennine Bridleway to Langcliffe. The 3 peaks were above the cloud, but the Forest of Bowland was clear:
From Langliffe a combination of Pennine Bridleway and roads to my accommodation at the Wheatsheaf in Ingleton:
Three day excursion, day 2 (Thursday), Ingleton to Appleby. The weather on Thursday morning was better than expected (based on forecasts before I left). I set out up Twistleton Scar (Kirkby Lonsdale highlighted in the sun):
Then across Scales Moor towards Ribblehead:
The clouds even lifted on the 3 peaks for a while:
The railway was a common theme of the first 2 days:
My route took me over the Great Wold and down into Dentdale. Great views down the dale and across to the Howgills, but the weather was closing in behind:
From Dent I took the Dales High Way (bog fest) to Sedbergh and had lunch at the Dalesman. I had planned to go over the Howgills to Bowderdale, but as the clouds were now way down I took the (effing) lower level bridleway to Ravenstonedale and then over Grear Asby Scar and on to my accommodation at the Crown & Cushion in Appleby. By now the cloud base was low (Great Asby Scar):
Three day excursion, day 3 (Friday), Appleby to Durham. My route took me over past High Cup Nick, though the weather was not great (wet and blustery). Lots of run off from streams on the way up:
Then along the Pennine Way and over Maize Beck:
At Cow Green, Plan A had been to cross Maize Beck and go over Cronkley Fell but that didn't seem too safe so I took Plan B and took the road to Middleton in Teesdale. Nice rainbow above Forest in Teesdale (there must have been some sun somewhere?):
From Middleton I took the byway past Pawlaw Pike (Elephant Trees in the distance):
And Elephant Trees up close - now starting to feel like home is close:
Finally got home late afternoon after 128 miles and 12,000ish ft of climbing. Happy and will do again at some point in search of better weather!
Another day of rocks and dust tans.
Big pedal loop in the morning then shuttle runs this avo.
Bit of a last minute spontaneous ride out straight after an early finish from work.
Beautiful out there and trails doing amazingly well after Saturday's rain. 
Curly bars....... 
Not cycled for a couple of months due to work/ill health/apathy, but the sunshine and autumn colours persuaded me to finally get out on my bike.
Fitness has seriously diminished, but this didn’t dampen my enjoyment- a lovely 20 miles of the South Downs. Can’t wait to get out for another bike ride again soon 👍 
First big ride for us today from Finale up in the hills above Ranzi and then a blast back down the trails to Pietra for gelato.
Once again our local guide Mario from Trails Adventure had some hidden gems for us to have some fun on.
Extended lunch ride today - 24km on local trails.
Had a frustrating conversation with a self-entitled dog-walkist about the legality of the trail I'd stopped on to wait for him & his two dogs to amble around me on ... Apparently I'm an "old man", should "stop behaving like a kid, and grow up" for having fun on a bike in the woods! 🤷
Other than that, a lovely ride out ...
Dawn raid on a trail of dubious legality before the rangers started work.
Started at 2500 meters and finished at the beach.
Couple of uplifts for a total of 4000 meters of descent.
Temperatures ranging from 6 to 38 degrees and scorching sun to rain and fog.
Cooked.
@singlespeedstu: where u b?
A few from days 3 and 4 of the Basque MTB High Pyrenees trip. Can confirm, it is everything you ever heard about it.
Today so us starting off on the train to go and ride i the hills above Albenga and Alassio.
Mario our guide from Trails Adventure was keen to show us some of what the area offered away from the usual Finale trails
Great day out Climbs we're technical and steep. The downs were also technical and the views were stunning.
Gelato in the old town of Albenga finished of a perfect day.
The inaugural voyage of my riding bud H's Fat Bike. Lots of giggling and pointing. You can hear it coming way before you can see it. 5th ride on the new 5010 in the 10 days since it arrived. It's a fab thing to ride. Conditions helped - dust in the lights.
Definitely getting FOMO looking at @tracey, @arrpee and @singlespeedstu photos! We did the Basque tour in 2022, but not the high pyrenees version. I remember being at around 2000m and the guide pointing out the HP path...
Bloody cows and casting long shadows. Lovely evening
Posted already in the 100 days thread...but anyway.
Did a solo dawn mtb ride today. Chose some of the hectic tech descents that the young uns have built recently. Cleaned it all. Survived. Broke a spoke on a tame section of track.
ride above lanjaron yesterday
"C:\Users\mark\Pictures\spain 2025\554109557_10162612425654667_6997538416174051163_n.jpg"
MTB Commute this morning. Another autumn stunner ...
Tuesday night ride, local(ish) hill overlooking the city of Stirling:
Then, this morning's pre-work noon. Stopped to watch the sunrise 😀
20 miler at Bedgebury this morning. Perfect weather and the trails were in prime condition. Did a bit of exploring and found a couple of cheeky routes to add to my night rides. 
Rode up above Finale today. Took advantage of the uplift, first in 3 weeks of riding, up to NATO base.
Rode some great trails from there and ended up dropping down to Spotorno.
Intention was to climb back up to the Le Manie area before dropping back into Finale but a change of weather put stop to it.
Just got back to the van before the rain came.
Also above Lanjaron.
Great photos. And im jealous - which is great inspiration.
@Tracey: you guys seem to be living your best lives. Well done.
Took advantage of the sun yesterday and did a ride from Weardale over to Blanchland and back, via the tracks over Middlehope Moor to Rookhope, then up to Bolt's Law, with clear views across to Simonside and the Cheviots:
Included a stop at the bothy on the Carrier's Way:
Then back to Weardale via Broad Way to Allenheads and the byway/bridleway over Burtree Fell:
Road ride north from Valencia. Bit of a grind to get past the flat bits at the start but lovely after that
Staying close to home today but pedalled up some big old hills.
Got lost while looking for some cheeky singletrack but all the locals were tight lipped.
With the rain that we had overnight our plans were changed and instead of heading West and into the hills above Loano we headed East to where the trails dry quicker. Having a good local guide is where knowledge like this pays off.
Trails once again were rocky both up and down. 23 miles saw us finish on one of our favourite trails, Briga Destra, which spits us out not far from the sea and then a quick pedal for pizza and gelato.
No riding sadly, Monday was the perfect day for a final all-day gravel jolly I had planned along the banks of the Tay, but I was tight and sore after the previous day's CX race so bailed out and went for a walk to explore some trails I had planned to ride.
Thursday night on the hardtail
Rainmageddon. But I decided to ride anyway. It’s wonderful to have trailcentre, all-weather trails available at times like this. The wonderful Rostrevor black trail.
On a dismantled railway in Glen Dochart near Killin
Another mellow one close to home for me. Absolutely living my best life now that Junior has started reception.
I've been neglecting the Druid this year because my mates only want to ride bikeparks and uplifts but I'm loving it. I need to make an effort to use it more through the winter.
First nice/free day in a while yesterday so took the youngling out in the trailer.
Only 23 miles, but always feels like more when towing another (albeit small) human!
First ride in Sestri Levante today. One big climb on road, track and trail up to Monte Capenardo and then one 8 km blast down blue, black and red to the beach.
Set of in wooded singletrack rocky and rooty before rocks and more rocks.
I hope this is what to expect for the next few days.
I seem to quite often come on here to post just after @Tracey, and end up with my local pics contrasting with her exotic multi-week MTB trips away!
Anyway, local 1 hour 20 mins gravel spin today. Slow-paced, as I'm still not feeling quite right, and only had 2.5 hours sleep last night as had to take my Dad to hospital ... But, beautiful out, and really needed that!
Will check out the gelato.
Our trips this year are coming to an end. So far since retiring at the end of March we have managed to visit and ride everything we had planned within the 90 days in 180. Next Monday means we have to go home.
Nice stroll on the beach after the ride. No gelato tonight
Day at Friston. Trails were perfect. 1000m climbing on the ss. My legs are feeling it this evening. 
Hopped onto the block then froze and fell. Moved the block to the middle of the edge, then carried on.
Falling conkers season on the North Downs
Atmospheric conditions on the summit on last night's bike ride - Dumyat, Stirling, again... Combination of low cloud, a little bit of drizzle and stupidly powerful Exposures. Double teapot posing was strong 😎
These are from a few weeks ago when I went on a magical singlespeed mystery tour of where I was born - Runcorn in Cheshire - it's a 35 mile canals and rivers loop from home, all offroad.
This particular spot was where my mum had a hairdressing salon in the 70's that was knocked down to build an extension to the original Runcorn - Widnes bridge - I've not been down here for years but couldn't believe my eyes when I saw these murals - stunning!
Non riding day for a change as I wanted to visit Portofino so train and ferry to get there and then a hike and train to get back
Last day of riding in Sestri Levante and also the last day of riding for this trip.
Headed out South to ride some trails and although they were good it was obvious that they hadn't been ridden in a while as in places they were overgrown and in others the trail had fallen away down the hill side. Quite a bit of hike a bike.
That's the great thing about exploring. You never know whats round the corner.
As this trip comes to and end it's good to look back on what we have done since retiring at the end of March.
Three big European tours which on Monday will have used up all our 90 in 180 days
We have ridden in some amazing places with stunning scenery. Rode with some great friendly locals. Met some old friends and made some new.
Two years ago we thought Kevin's riding days were over. A year of recovery and perseverance This time last year his Consultant advised us step back and reassess the future.
One day will be our last ride. We are going to enjoy each and every one.
So far so good.
Another ride in Weardale this week (scoping potential options for mid-winter slop-compatible rides). From St John's Chapel over the byways to Scarsike Head, then up Middlehope Bank and across to Race Head (view down Weardale):
From there along Sedling Rake. You get a sense of the extent of the mine workings here from the landscape on the other side of Sedling Burn:
From there over to Allenheads on the road then down to Grove Rake mine on the track that runs down the Rookhope Burn valley:
This just goes down and down... You can see the rail tracks if you peer through:
Finally back across to Weardale and up Middlehope Bank (again) and across Carr Brow Moor on a reasonably good (i.e. not MXed) and pleasant bridleway:
Quite happy in the end as much of this should be rideable in the depths of winter.
Not so picturesque, and distinctly flat, but I had fun. A 20 mile loop with a mix of roads, cross country (aka farm tracks), and coastal urban.
Pleasant one last night. Going high next week, it's looking like an inversion forecast to me...
Is direct up loading working again?
No seems not...
