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Date:
3rd/4th June 2006
See the dialled bikes rough ride photo album for all 70+ photos
It's
been a tough week for me. I spent Monday to Friday in Brittany which involved
two 5 and a half hour ferry rides and 650 miles of driving. So after arriving
back home at 11-30pm on Friday night I wasn't really prepared when Cas turned
up on Saturday at 9-30 am It was over an hour into the journey, somewhere along the M40 when I realised that I didn't have my sleeping bag or a pillow. Not good for a planned night under canvas. However, Rob was leaving later and came to the rescue, dropping into my house to collect the goods after a couple of frantic phonecalls. So Saturday night was spent drinking beer and eating Cas's pasta and then with Huey fixing Gary and Cas's bikes. Gary with brake issues and Cas with some phantom shifting problems of his own imagination (we all rode his bike and it shifted seamlessly but when he got on it it clunked and whirred and rattled). So to Sunday morning and a welcome earlier start at 10 a.m. from the local school yard. I had got there first and positioned myself right at the front of the gate. Well, when you ride a dialled bike you expect some privileges! So as the race set off, we were right at the front for at least the first 200 yards. The first climb kicks in straightaway and the racers fly off ahead whilst everyone else grinds their way up Hergest Ridge. This was the last time I saw Cas on the route but all the other riders in our group were there or thereabouts. Unfortunately, some riders in other groups appeared to have forgotten to pack deodorant and it was a bit too ripe on a hot day (they fuckin stunk). After a pause/rest for some photos the route follows a slightly different route, avoiding the very top of Hergest Ridge and snaking off to the left hand side. This leads us onto a long, long road section and whilst there are some complaints from other riders, I am just happy to get some easy miles in at the start of the ride. We eventually head off road and the route becomes familiar again. This being the third time of riding means it is somewhat daunting as you know what is just around the corner (usually a big climb) or after that, what the next section holds (another big climb!). We had been warned that reaching the decision point for the long route/short route after 12-30pm meant you weren't going to make it so it was with some releif that I arrived there at 12pm to see Phillipe, Kirk, Huey and Sue. Cas had already gone and the other followed him on the long route. I waited for Rob who turned up 5 minutes later and my heart and lungs felt good and I had my positive hat on even if my legs weren't too good and we opted for the long route too. A nice fast descent on a steep ridge almost caught me out as my eyes filled up with tears and I went far too close to the edge for comfort before getting back on line. From here, it really is just a long, long slog in the wilderness. Rob and I rode together for the rest of the race but I found my legs were like jelly even though I was still able to keep going. The moors got really bleak but the weather was fantastic all day and I never needed to add or remove any layers, riding in shirt sleeves which is unusual for me as I usually feel the cold. Climb followed climb, followed another climb as we trudged on. At the lunch stop we saw Huey and Sue again but they pushed on ahead shortly after and it was only when we got to the penultimate water station that I realised we had broken the back of the route but the last 12 miles seemed endless. For the last 20 miles we were on first name terms with the Roy the 'broom', sweeping up the back of the field on his motorbike. It was a personal challenge to put in a bit more effort when you heard his bike somewhere behind you on the moors to try to keep ahead of him. Another water stop and then a long climb up Offa's Dyke path before some lovely singletrack led directly to, you guessed it, another climb before the final descent. The
finish was a welcome sight even if there was a lack of atmosphere and we gulped
down the free meal before heading back to the campsite for a shower, dismantle
the tent and then heading back home arriving back at 11-30pm. Yes, it was tough
getting up for work this morning but I survived to tell the tale and bring you
the report and photos. Next year? Well, we shall see... Single
speeding
Date:
11th June 2006
It's a corking day as I ride up to Epsom Downs and stretch out on 'Dead Man's Bench' to await the arrival of Huey, Sue and Gary
After a short delay we set off and are aiming for a jaunt around the Big 8. However, a detour near the top of Ebbisham Lane sees us gettiong lost in that large swathe of woods near Walton Heath Golf Course.
After going round in circles, fighting our way through huge stinging nettles and retracing our steps a number of times we eventually get back on track but we have lost 45 minutes and cut short the ride as Gary and I need to get back home for various family duties.
Still, the final descent was great and there were some lovely dry trails that kicked up dust as we flew along them and at least we discovered some new trails.
READ MORE: Single
speeding
Date:
18th June 2006
My legs are aching after waterskiing on the Saturday but I am looking forward to today's ride around the Surrey Hill as we head out from Holmbury YHA with Graham, first and last seen on the MBR killer loop and Paul who I have agreed to show around the local trails.
We have no sooner completed the first climb up to the top of Holmbury Hill and come back down via Park Life when on a further bit of twisty songletrack a log flicks up off my tyres, into my chain and rips my rear mech off - Bollocks! That is the fifth rear mech this year alone.
So after singlespeeding the bike once again, I head for home while Graham shows Paul the rest of the trails. A shame as I was just getting into it, really building up a nice sweat.
So anyway, this put me in a right mood when I got home and I made a few decisions that I have been avoiding. I bought a second hand BMX for Sam which I had discussed with Andy at the Rough Ride and picked this up on Monday night after work. Oh, and I also agreed to buy the Specialized SX from Nick to be collected on Thursday...
READ MORE: Single
speeding
Date:
25th June 2006
An early start this week and a new group of riders although Paul is back again after my brief ride with him last week. I am riding the Specialized SX that I bought during the week. A bit overbiked for these trails but when you've bought a new bike you're gonna ride it aren't you!
Tim has a 3 hills loop in mind and we set off towards Ranmore Common and follow a good part of the MBR killer loop that we have been riding recently. We skirt around Westcott and back towards Leith Hill taking in Regurgitator and Summer Lightning along the way.
The trails are bone dry and four inches of sand in some places but the riding is really sweet and the weather great.
After a pause at Leith Hill Tower and down the stee roll-in nearby we head back over to Holmbury Hill. I need to get back home and combined with my tiring legs I turn and head for home down Telegrah Road with Jason and Richard2 whilst the other 3 head off towards Barry Knows Best and Pitch Hill.
The SX is riding nicely. A bit heavy on the climbs and I haven't really tuned the suspension yet but great fun and very fast on the descents which is the reason for the purchase as I am heading off to Morzine in three weeks time. It feels like a lot of bike beneath you - very stable, keeping a straight line through the fast rocky descents although it was a bit more hard work on the twisting singletrack trails.
A great ride that is made even better by the fact that all the bike requires afterwards is a light dusting and some chainlube.
READ MORE: Single
speeding
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