Today's Ride

[Peachy!]

it's choc-a-block, like all the roads around Blackheath at this time of day.

For all the 19 years that I had to commute in London, (either on 2 wheels or by train) I could never understand where all those cars were trying to get to at 10 minutes to 9....

 

[al-onestare]

it's choc-a-block, like all the roads around Blackheath at this time of day.

For all the 19 years that I had to commute in London, (either on 2 wheels or by train) I could never understand where all those cars were trying to get to at 10 minutes to 9....

This was before half 7. With COVID thanks to our feckless overlords and over reliance on private transport, the roads are notably more busy at peak times and the peak times are longer, a good hour longer either side I've noticed. Even early doors, Saturday mornings are more busier than normal.

That doesn't answer your question though...

 

[al-onestare]

Re:

No pic's today but excellent ride in the dark, transitioning to dawn and early morning. Plenty of mud but nothing too deep, plenty of pebbledash A slightly chilly 7 with no change by 08:15 so had to put on a thicker jacket. The Team Explosif is caked.

 

[mk one]

Had a couple of hours to spare this morning so went up to and around the red trail at Sherwood Pines.

Lovely warm sunny day, and being in the woods most the time there was no breeze so hard for me to catch my breath sometimes. Had so stop a few times at the end of sections to recover, either my arms from holding on, my legs from pumping through the bumps or my breath from trying to keep a bit of speed up.

A few people up there this morning, all on full suss bikes so able to carry their speed through the rough sections. Managed to stay on the tail of a couple of faster riders through a couple of sections, noticed they were able to stay seated a lot of the time, where as i was stood all the way. Great fun.

There are a couple of new features, on set is on a slight downhill section, they have built 3 small stepdowns, one after the other, great now i know they are there but not so clever as it spits you out and across one of the popular walking tracks :? and also no way around them which means commitment on the way down and walking on the way up, for those that ride the track in reverse at night.

A fun little blast, only pics are of trees and not great as only took when and where i stopped.

 

[al-onestare]

Re:

Chilly out, 6 and defo felt less in spots by the river. Thankfully not much of a breeze and dry! Bit cloudy. I don't know about you but I funking love cycling.

Here's the barrier from it's exit (or entry) side. Amazing how much quieter the roads are on a Friday. I wonder where everyone has gone... :roll:

 

[reindeer]

Re:

Guess what happened next? Train nearing. Ahh, this will make a nice motif! Busy taking selfies. Train passing through under the bridge, wind blowing, bike falling over, nos (well, 13 years old) XTR derailleur scratched :twisted:
Midweek, while my regular workout since lockdown, the crankbolt came loose and I just noticed it after riding 15 km uphill when the right crankarm nearly fell off (modern stuff, don't have a torque wrench) and had to walk to the next garage and borrow an allen key. I was convinced that I must have ruined it (luckily it wasn't) :facepalm:
These moments when you could give yourself a whipping

 

[al-onestare]

Re:

Looks like there's an issue with your camera as well

Very still out there this morning so 9 degrees felt warmer after a few minutes peddling. Trails are tacky but not too muddy, bit of pebbledash. Tomorrows looks wet so early doors run is on the cards.

The colours are a changing...

 

[mk one]

Yep, colours are definitely changing, plenty of leaves already dropped too.

Quick ride after finishing a few jobs around the house this morning, dog sitting again but the sun was trying to come through the clouds and it felt quite warm. Once out in the open the wind was quite cold though but same as above, when peddaling it was pretty much perfect temp wise.

Short on time so tried to pack a bit in, couple of hills and a steady pace. For most part the tracks were hardpacked, there were a few very wet/muddy singletrack sections that i spent waiting for the front to slip out, followed by the part where the wet clung mud flicks off the tyres as you pick up speed and always manages to hit you in either the eye or your mouth.

Great fun little run

 

[Peachy!]

Glorious colours Mark...

Here's our effort, half term for my two.. so we popped over to Flamborough head, North landing and rode the coastal path to Danes Dyke.. mucked about a bit, Our Jimmy got up the courage to ride down into the Dyke! I prefer the bridge myself....Miss Peachy enjoyed the new freedom that Splatterpaints old Judys have given her Shaman... Mrs Peachy waiting at the refreshment hut with hot drinks and the car... I love it when a plan comes together.

 

[Paul R]

Cracking trio