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1st September 2004 Richard Sam and Ben - Nonsuch Park

This cycling thing runs in the family. Now my youngest son is getting some of the action too.

I take them round to the local park. It's 5 minutes away but also happens to have the largest doubles and the most sets of doubles I have ever seen in one place.

These are too large to start on and there is no way I am trying the big stuff so we just hang around taking a few shots before heading back for home via some small roll-in's for the boys to practice on!

Sam shows the height of some of the sets of doubles

Check out the latest video of Sam (1.66mb) and Ben (2.0mb) (Hey! go easy on them , they are only 13 and 11)

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12th September 2004 Richard Gary, Leandro and others - The Rough_Stuff_Reliability event, Essex

It's off to the flatlands of Essexthis week - no white stilettos required - as Gary invites me to join him in the Rough_Stuff_Reliability event. This is similar to the Evans_trailbreaks that I have undertaken previously and a change to my normal riding so I am game for a laugh.

Despite working in the same office as Gazza I haven't been out cycling with him for a couple of years so this promises to be good. Leandro will also be there and I think we last rode together way back in 1988.

To get myself in the mood I stick an old CD by those Kings of Essex - Blur - in the player on the way to the 9-30 meet. Luckily, the M25 and A12 are clear and I arrive at Ingatestone in good time.

Leandro and a couple of mates leave it slightly closer to the mark, arriving breathlessly on their bikes with about 30 seconds left for registration.

The route comprises a nice mix of bridleways, byways and roads through some of the prettiest parts and tiniest of Essex villages. The only thing that is strange is a complete lack of hills. I was glad I spent time yesterday tuning up my front mech as I completed most of the route on the big ring.

The bridleways are fairly tame, even the heavily rutted ones and I declined to take the marshalls "you might want to get off and walk the next bit" advice. Although I still take my hat off to many of the competitors who are on rigid cyclo-cross bikes with 700cc wheels and skinny tyres.

Click for the rutted bridleway video clip (4.47mb).

We complete the 29 mile circuit in a respectable time managing to follow the map and directions without incident and I leave fairly sharpish to avoid any traffic on the way home. It's been an enjoyable ride with mates, old and new, in a different location to usual and gives me a good workout in preparation for the forthcoming trip to Coed-y-Brenin in 2 weeks time.

milling around at the registration post

19th September 2004 Richard and a bunch of sillykents - Holmbury_Hill and Leith_Hill

This week saw me in the Pitch_Hill car park at 8 o'clock waiting for a bunch of sillykents who I have offered to show around the Surrey_Hills.

They duly arrive and we set off straight up Radnor Road towards the top of Holmbury Hill. This is a brutal climb on cold legs and we take the left turn towards the shallower climbs across country to pick up some of the hidden singletrack beneath the trees.

From the top, it's back down the yoghurt_pots / parklife and then Telegraph_road before cutting across to Leith_Hill. Dave is already struggling but gamely hangs on to the back of the pack.

Our next stop is deliverance, which in fairness has been ruined through overuse. The initial lip which you really had to commit yourself on has worn away making it easier to roll into and pick an initial line. Dave goes first and makes it down before a minor slide off to the right and into the log. Steve is next and completes it safely followed by me. All this action is making Carl feel confident and he launches the Marin over the edge. He's immediately in trouble over the roots and the suspension isn't coping well with the rebound. As the rear of the bike bucks around he takes a slow motion slide to the right, the fear_showing in his wide eyed stare, before he lands heavily on his side rolling over onto the side of hs face and landing in a heap in the leaves.

The good news is that although a bit shaken he is able to continue and we move onto regurgitator and Summer_lightning. Carl manages to get lost briefly but a quick phone call hooks us up as we head back to the tower.

Steve is flying up the climbs and makes the rocky, rooty testing climb to the tower look easy. I clean it too but at a much slower rate.

After a pause for refreshment it's down to the play area where Ben manages to wipe out landing a small jump (3.61mb). Video_clip (3.61mb) - watch Ben fly, hear him cry. Unfortunately my camera work is distracted by the crash and I forget to film the pain and discomfort but you can hear the pain.

A quick visit to the quarry but all the confidence has been knocked out of the group by the two heavy crashes and we return to Holmbury_Hill via Reservoir_Dogs and Barry_Knows_Best. A great ride which will live long in the memory.

Carl looks apprehensive

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24-26th September 2004 dialled bikes bash - Coed y Brenin

Friday afternoon/evening sees us heading up to Coed in the back of Huey's van in a surreal journey which takes in the M25, a swimming pool, kid sisters and kittens (don't ask).

We arrive at the Biker's Retreat (top bike friendly place) at 10-30 and after a warm welcome from Nigel and Tiv, settle in for some beer and a cycling DVD before hitting the sack.

The next day takes us to the trail head and a large group set off on the Red Bull trail. I haven't visited here for 2 and a half years and my riding has improved vastly I really launch into the trail. Unfortunately, I am still getting used to the hardtail way of riding and my heavy 'style' leads to a series of pinch flats on the numerous rocks. Despite this, the prince albert is riding really well and the group winds it's way to the end.

6 tube changes later and I am at the cafe fixing holes in inner tubes whilst everyone else tucks into the grub. I decide to change my luck for the aftenoon and borrow the spare morning glory that Mike has bought with him. This seems to do the trick and as Elliot and I tackle the MBR trail I limit myself to two flats.

Sunday sees us heading out on the Karrimoor trail until we reach the underpass and then following the MBR trail again. Unfortunately this is delayed by a comedy of more punctures, this time for Paul who has made the schoolboy error of misaligning his brake pads, worn through his tyre and caused untold flats before we work out what has happened. This puts a bit of a damper on the ride and we turn for home with Paul using a power bar wrapper to reinforce his tyre (thanks Huey).

Here's a few of the pictures from the weekend (click to enlarge). For the whole set plus some quicktime movie clips check out the whole collection of pictures.

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