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An afternoon off work saw me riding in the Peak District this afternoon. A bit of rain damped everything down and everything was running sweet.
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Where have you been or where are you off this weekend? lets have ya.
Just leaving a warm bed to drive to N Wales for an attempt at welsh 3000's....
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The plan was a 90mile ride (most of which) with my NC500 group today and 30 tomorrow.
The weather forecast is making 60 both days look more appealing
I'm hoping it going to be like this again
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4190/34482194081_cebb425409_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4190/34482194081_cebb425409_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Ux5fXB ]Bluebell Day - Matt's camera[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
In the FoD. But we've had lots of rain. So maybe this weekend might be a bit more 'loamy'... find out tomorrow!
Well, that was horrific.
Gabba/Nanoflex combo were totally overmatched.
Getting long showers were expected, but the forecast promised me 10-13 degrees. Instead the first 3 hours saw 7 degrees, and riding with slower riders so not making any body heat. Arrived at the mid ride cafe stop a shivering wreck.
You know its wet when your wallet is in a ziplock bag, inside a plastic bag, inside your saddle bag, and you still hand over a soggy tenner to pay for your cake 🙁
Now i'm going to consume a weeks worth of pasta in 1 sitting and pass out in front of the TV!
Friday off work to pop my cherry with this lightish, multi surface touring and wild camping lark.
Friday was superb, up to about 5pm, then it rained and the bloody midges came out. I'm bitten to death 🙁
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4194/34249606990_f99eae6b8a.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4194/34249606990_f99eae6b8a.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/UbwbVm ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/17059060@N00/ ]eastham_david[/url], on Flickr
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[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4193/33825276323_6c09f7a09b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4193/33825276323_6c09f7a09b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Tx2ocn ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/17059060@N00/ ]eastham_david[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4194/33825293533_39c12217a5.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4194/33825293533_39c12217a5.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Tx2tj6 ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/17059060@N00/ ]eastham_david[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4165/34249573220_c98a5e1ab0.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4165/34249573220_c98a5e1ab0.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Ubw1T7 ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/17059060@N00/ ]eastham_david[/url], on Flickr
Today however was GRIM !!!
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4168/34473438702_e6680d0fc2.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4168/34473438702_e6680d0fc2.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/UwiohN ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/17059060@N00/ ]eastham_david[/url], on Flickr
but a nice breakkie helped 🙂
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4160/34635721535_facf1577e5.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4160/34635721535_facf1577e5.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/ULD8jF ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/17059060@N00/ ]eastham_david[/url], on Flickr
Local get together for some informal mates racing at mugdock park with a BBQ provided by mugdock country cycles afterwards.
Always a laugh to cycle with people much fitter and better than you to show up how much you mince on the trail 😆 I was bloody shattered after this and it was only 6.5 miles, god help me if I ever actually did a proper enduro. I had only ridden on part of one of the stages before so pretty much all of it blind which made for some interesting line choices plus I took a wrong turn and a few others followed me ha ha ha ha.
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Just had a quick thrash round the woods, enjoying the hero dirt created by last night's rain...
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Went out this morning, didn't enjoy it in the slightest. decided to sack it off after 25 mins and rolled back home.
Not even sure why, trails were nice, bike is still pretty much new just a complete lack of mojo.
Rode a trail I've not ridden since before Strava was a thing though so that was nice at least.
Bimbling around the North Downs in Kent. I love the ancient track ways around here. You really feel like your cycling in the presence of ghosts from old.
Turned back at the burial mound at Trottiscliffe and mixed it up with the cars on the road to get home.
Like swapping between centuries.
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Cheviots today:
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4183/34593372396_075fa28b55_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4183/34593372396_075fa28b55_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/UGU5p7 ]132 Cheviots 130517[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/66982909@N02/ ]D(i)rT[/url], on Flickr[/img]
Second time down into the Surrey Hills and Hurt Wood yesterday. Starting to find our way around a bit more now, still absolutely loving every minute there.
Spotted a loop in the Ladder hills that I'd not ridden before on [url= http://www.mtbtrails.info/Trail_main_page.aspx ]MTBTrails.info[/url] so decided to give it a go on Saturday. I should have realised that a forecast of low cloud meant that I'd be in it most of the time. Rookie error, but still a fun ride.
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4 hrs of almost dry Pitlochry trails yesterday doing MBLA 😀
Quick ~25-mile blast to Winchester and back, using the Hockley viaduct, getting back just as the F1 cars were completing their pre-race formation lap. No time for photos, but hope to visit again soon and have time for such things.
Last minute camp at Loughrigg Tarn and a spin around nearby!
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4192/33842780023_295f1ea598_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4192/33842780023_295f1ea598_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Tyz6ri ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/nzrich/ ]Richard Munro[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4188/34491610122_8d2aa46e08_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4188/34491610122_8d2aa46e08_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/UxUw29 ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/nzrich/ ]Richard Munro[/url], on Flickr
Didn't ride yesterday as I'd ridden every day in the peaks this week on holiday. Took the Stache out today at Woodbury but for some reason my Garmin decided to lose over half the ride there's just a straight line on the map and it looks like I went up a 300 foot cliff.
it looks like I went up a 300 foot cliff.
Sounds like an easy KOM to me. Create that segment!
Trying to shake off a calf/achilles injury in time for the Jennride next weekend so nothing for me.
Did the FOD Wild Boar ride today, only the 24 mile one as I was with a mate who doesn't really do long distance rides. Really good atmosphere, apart from a few grumpy XC heroes 😕 Had near-perfect weather for it, even the overnight rain didn't make it too bad in the woods.
A steady ride in the breeze up to Weets Top, Mastiles Lane, Arncliffe Cote then back via Kilnsey, Boss Moor and Hetton. I'd rebuilt the bike this week - it was stripped down to frame and forks then had new drivetrain and brakes - so this was a bit of a shakedown ride to get everything bedded in for the Jennride next weekend and then the HT550 the weekend after that.
One ugly mofoing Pig!
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With Abigale away at the EWS and Katie still recovering from a dislocated knee it was just the two of us riding.
Spent yesterday in the Peak, didn't see many riders throughout the day. Went local today and rode in Wharncliffe, quite a few riders out old and young.
Thought about a couple of runs in the Greno side but it was heaving so gave it a miss.
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Mostly been out on the road bike for the last week as the weather has been lovely and I've been taking the long way home from work. So today the boy was out climbing with the scouts so took the opportunity to go for a quick spin on the MTB. Lovely view from Stanage Edge. [img] 
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Had a little spin around Ilkley Moor. Ground was completely dry, fantastic ride.
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Quick ride this afternoon in the woods
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4159/33850393783_a905a2b1d9_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4159/33850393783_a905a2b1d9_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Tzf7K2 ]IMG_20170514_154953[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/104256662@N02/ ]David Scott[/url], on Flickr
[img][url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4158/34619330326_cdbf86b445_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4158/34619330326_cdbf86b445_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/UKc7MC ]IMG_20170514_154930[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/104256662@N02/ ]David Scott[/url], on Flickr[/img]
@weeksy: Did you ultimately get to Afan? And did you find a riding partner for the day?
Anyway, here are my pics from a day out to Ogmore-by-Sea:
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Been installing a 16 panel garden fence all weekend,but I managed to get out for a spin on the 'Gravel bike' earlier
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Boreraig yesterday , Golspie for tomorrow.
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Slackman, hi 5 on the bike choice! 😉
No pics but pump and jump course on whinlatter. Superb day until I went out the back door doing a wheelie and pulverized my buttocks. Might need hoisting out of bed in the morning!
6 months ago I tried to ride most of the way home and had an awful, awful time. headwinds, sand and podgy, unrideable mud made the whole thing a demoralising experience. Slog uphill: tough. Gain the top: flat is even tougher. Trail points downhill: podgy mud means you can't even pedal downhill. My bike, stalled, standing up by itself, downhill:
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35 miles took me 5 hours. I only stopped once, when I fell off.
I swore never again, but the soggy local stuff drying out, longer evenings and most importantly, the passage of time made me think it was worth another try. With gears. And bigger tyres.
Bluebell woods near Hascombe (past their best, I reckon)[img] 
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Very sunken path
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A field full of dandilions
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From the same spot as the one above from the 1st ride:
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Looking back towards Hascombe Hill, Pitch, Leith and Holmbury, just after my malt-based sports drink and nuts stop at the Dog and Pheasant:
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Sooo much more fun that the last time!
And Saturday's ride out with the local riding bunch involved some great riding, great views, and an hilarious shoe debonding incident (get home solution: zip ties, what else?)
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Slackman, hi 5 on the bike choice!No pics but pump and jump course on whinlatter. Superb day until I went out the back door doing a wheelie and pulverized my buttocks. Might need hoisting out of bed in the morning!
Cheers buddy. Paired the collection down from a Stumpjumper FSR 29 and fat bike to just the Payoff. Enjoying riding it. Been a while since i've been on a steel hardtail......was what I rode when I first got in to MTB.
Watching some of this....
Healing Vibes to Gee
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Rode Cut Gate for the first time, Hope to Langsett and back, a great day out
Bucks off road sportive, 125km. Epic as ever.
Spent Saturday with YT trying out some Jeffsy's for size at Forest of Dean, embracing the opportunity for conversation in the demo queue as I was after a specific bike, but the weather was nice and they had beer ...
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Then Sunday was up near Ambleside in the Lakes, tootling around places like Loughrigg Fell and Black Crag (apparently, I just followed the group and admired the scenery) ...
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They're not YTs you're all riding in the last pic are they?
http://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/stolen-yt-bikes-test-fleet/
😯
Left work promptly on friday to get home in time to take jr_bandito #1 out for an evening spin
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Saturday night, feeling fidgety and new all the local trails were running fast so went out at 10:30pm, got home at 1:30 am, 35km later having ridden all of the best very local trails which rarely get combined.
And last night I snuck out at sunset and did some trail-fairy work. 🙂
Stayed local yesterday. This on the moor above Heptonstall. Pretty good decent to Colden Clough from here.
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i spent the weekend riding my new bike 🙂
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Plan was BPW Saturday, Cwmcarn Sunday.
Reality was second run down at BPW, over the bars on Cole Not Dole, arms too sore to continue riding (tried but couldn't even manage Melted Welly), no riding Sunday either as arms no better, walk in centre yesterday, x-ray, suspected fractured elbow, waiting for orthapedic appointment for confirmation and prognosis...
Coal not Dole even.