Introduction for the Y'Dales Virgins.

Well today was the first time for the others to sample some Yorkshire dales MTB. Not the route we had planned as things did not go as planned, 1st Richard called in sick (poor bugger had a Migraine), 2nd Phil was not sure about doing 25 miles in the pissing rain as he was worried about fitness (that coming from the human mountain goat.)

Sooo! I had to rethink what we were to do as a way of an intro???? Clapham Tunnels and Bridges was the first thought so I stuck with it.

Raining when we set off but not to harse so off we went up what has to be the bloody hardest start to any mountain bike ride, then along the farm double track which has cut up after the snow and matey on his quad bike (feeding sheep so cant complain) so it was very, very mucky, thankfully I had attached my cruds so was cleaner than the other 3.

Got to Feizor for a fuel stop (only a third in but hey what the hek) and had a superb Bacon and Egg Barm (bap, roll) you choose.

Then onwards, oh at this point I will mention the river crossings, they were a touch deep due to lots of rain, I have video of Phil riding a bridge over one and you can see how deep and fast they were running.

Every body had a good day and absolutely loved the final down hill section, buzzing and laughing at the end.

Rob had a run in with a boulder about the size of a football, it had decided that it liked his back wheel and wanted to go with it, he was unaware of this at the time (having too much of a good time) and then Dave thought seeing as it was Easter bank holiday and the 1st anniversary of his Peak pile up he would race past me and lose the arse end big style, luckily he held it and carried on in a semi straight line, I on the other hand had had to dive off into a deep rut to the right of him and stuck for 100 ft or so until I could get out.

A damn good day had by all, its such a shame that Richard was not well as I know he would have loved to have done this one again, still all summer to do it, which Rob assured me would be a good one!

Looking forward to our next adventure as 5 and hoping for better weather.

Settle Loop.

Today was probably the most knackering ride I have done since the 46 mile BHF charity ride in the Peaks 2 years ago.

The route is fantastic for scenery and true old fashion mountain biking, like it was in the early 90's. 22 miles of hard work and big grins and thumping heart, with lots of frozen snow and ice just to mix it up a bit, and Limestone that has the same level of grip as a politician has on reality . Saw some of the tourist sites that the DALES has to offer, and suffered the

crowds that go with them. Luckily they were just fleeting meetings.

Had a coffee and Bacon barm stop in Malham before the ridiculous climb out of Malham back to Settle, mental climb that I think even a horse would have problems with (my bike did!).

Will be back to do again when things warm up!

A Great Sunday Ride.

Went to Clapham in the Yorkshire Dales today with just Myself and Richard making up the crew.

Fantastic day with a mixture of river crossings and grass climbs (damn steep) and some spectacular descending at the end on very rough, rocky and steep, but fast tracks.

Clapper bridges not that difficult but the novelty factor leading to nerves, and all the bridges had large step ups on the side we were riding from leading to nice roll offs on the other side?? (3 in total).

Will be back without a doubt in the Spring/Summer with the whole crew hopefully, and will conquer those damn bridges or river crossings, which ever takes my fancy/looks the easiest.

Weekend off the Bike

Well, went to Gisburn last weekend with Richard and Dave and did the new and extended Red route, My heavens it was tough but bloody good fun for pics see middlebrookvalleytrail blog.

Well now this weekend was completely different, spent the weekend at the In-laws and have eaten far to much and will now have to push the commute harder and faster to burn it off.

The journey over was interesting as we went via Snake Pass which still has plenty of snow on the verges and ice on the road, so there were times when things got the bottom to tighten. We went pass this amazing icicle tree by the road caused by a puddle and cars splashing it.

The great melt down.

Well its started at last, the great melt, but it does involve lots of rain (surprise, surprise).

The commute has been awful to fun so its made it far more interesting than usual.

Going to fit new free hub and Tyres to the commute today so I can leave the Steel steed at home ready for the weekends.

I have added some pictures for posterity.

Crispy,slippy crunchy.

Well almost a whole week of commuting done in the snow and ice. Roads are clearing but the paths are still dodgy but better than risking all on the road.

Collected my replacement Freehub for the commute bike today so will fit on Saturday (horray).

Now the moan! why oh why do car drivers think that if the roa is black you can drive fast on it. Witnessed a little shunt today due to total stupidity on the secound cars part, She watched the van skid but kept driving up his arse so when he stopped she could not and wham!.

Rat has woken up to find something to keep it going (work rat).

Winter 2009/10

Well its been an age since last Blog update, so whats been happening.

Tests and more tests seem to prove that I am not at this point in time DEAD, so good news there then, I am now awaiting results and call ups for further tests. Did not ride over the Cristmas break and have only managed 3 days commute since Jan 4th, so beginning to resemble a Jabba.

Talking of said commutes I did have an intresting one on tues 5th after the initial heavy snow on the trail , full of hard to pedal sections and icy deadly patches and falling trees and very misrable looking pedestrians?? why so glum? no cars is a huge bonus.

I have some pictures that I have taken on the trail and at my work (nothing else to do as nobody was going anywhere).

Will now make a concerted effort to get back into regular updates.