Today's Ride

[mk one]

Decided to head a bit further today, haven't been down some of the trails for years, and a couple only going the other way. It made a nice change and included a lot of varied tracks which are always beautiful this time of year, whether on foot or bike. Quite a few bikes out today and everyone seemed in a pleasant mood.

Great ride and lovely weather, as long as you kept moving.

 

[reindeer]

Souvenir de la route: From the corner of my eye I saw something swirl through the air, first it hit my shirt than fell on my shorts

 

[BerthaPog]

Obligatory “Graffiti Bridge” shot from yesterdays Gates ride.

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

Hold the front page! I am going to ride a mountain bike! For the first time since 2019 or possibly 2018 I can't even remember.
I decided to ride whatever the pedals were fixed to:

That'll be this one then. Some air for tyres and forks and then Cannock next stop. Be interesting to see what they're up to getting ready for the Commonwealths up there.

I expect it to hurt. I'll report back later.

 

[slackboy]

Trip over salter fell today . Ride of two halves, sunny to begin with and a lovely lunch in wray. Last 1 1/2 hours were torrential rain and side winds. Not my favourite combo

 

[slackboy]

I decided to ride whatever the pedals were fixed to:

If you ever want to sell that bontrager, I'd take it off you

 

[Joe_Rides]

Trip over salter fell today . Ride of two halves, sunny to begin with and a lovely lunch in wray. Last 1 1/2 were torrential rain and side winds. Not my favourite combo

Always fancied it, not ridden it. Heard it was 'one of the best gravel routes in the North'?

Next year maybe.

 

[slackboy]

Heard it was 'one of the best gravel routes in the North'?

It's pretty good, double track all the way and about 10 miles of moorland wilderness. It's not technical by any stretch of the imagination and it's not possible to do any off road loop so you end up with quite a lot of road work in the second half.

 

[Joe_Rides]

Yes, I've been over Cross o greet (road) with full camping gear a few years back; hard work!

 

[Iwasgoodonce]

I survived! We parked opposite the Tackaroo (still free) and I rode down to join the Red Follow the Dog route. Wife and son headed off for a walk whilst I was straight into a downhill single track. It was all a lot harder than I remember. Forearms and fingers were hurting in no time and I realised why I mainly stay on the road these days! I did relax into it slightly and started picking a line a bit better.
Leaving the bike shop behind, I became aware of a knock at the back. Like a buckled wheel feeling? Rim appeared ok but the tyre wasn't. Bit of a bulge starting on the sidewall. Too far in to turn around now. I let a bit of air out and went easy on the downhills and harder on the ups! Probably what I would have done anyway! There was a lengthy diversion after the bike shop as that is where they are getting ready for the Commonwealths. I got the impression the TV will be based around Birches Valley? The concensus was a fair part of the course will be the old Blue route now renamed Perry's? There must be some technical parts? Suppose single track through the trees won't be TV friendly?
Might end up like a race I did BiTD that the Raleigh team turned up to with tri bars on their bikes.
Apart from the tyre and the front brake quick release quick releasing from time to time, I enjoyed it. I will not leave it so long before the next ride. Need some new tyres first though.