The things you see when you open your eyes

That there (I'm pretty sure) is the skeleton of a narrow boat, it's just off the side of a trail on my commute that I've ridden lots of times before. The bare trees and lack of undergrowth with all the cold weather and the daylight commuting (i'll forgive myself for not noticing in the deep dark winter) means this has been there for the spotting for several weeks now. Still took me ages to see it. I didn't even know there used to be a canal down that side of the trail (trail is to the right of pic). I also spotted this as I was climbing back onto the trail

Brickwork behind the grill, concrete roof, and I thought the trail was just a bit of geography, turns out it's just a bit of dirt on top of some of our industrial transport heritage. Well I never.

Get Knotted

After fridays slog I was thinking about hitting a trail centre on monday, hmm maybe not eh? Asked around for snow free routes on stw and Grum offered to show us round Farleton, okay then. Si picked me up and we met Grum and Johnnie near Holme, Grum had forgotten his biking shoes, oops, whilst getting ready a load of swearing form Johnnies car suggested he had somehow managed to forget his shoes aswell, oh dear, trainers on top of spds today then, good job they both had platform jobbies. Was a nice clear day cold wind but nice when you were out of it. Climbing up onto holme park fell the trail was completely free of snow, dry and dusty! eh? Dust? How? Getting to the top we could see cracking views of the lakes all covered in snow, lovely. Across the road and onto a lovely bit of singletrack, a few rock obstacles some twists through woods, bit of traversing and onto a lovely bit of downhill towards Hutton roof, both Grum and Johnnie managed to keep their feet on their pedals and me and Si were taking it easy getting used to riding unfamiliar trails. A quick road climb got us back to Holme park fell, bit of riding around the limestone pavement towards the knott got us to the top of the downhill track. Track was fast and fun, a scalextrix style twisty rutted line on the top section, then it opened out a bit, a few rock steps, twisted and turned it's way down to the woods where there were multiple lines with some jumps and drops thrown in. Grum showed us the big drops at the bottom, the smaller was getting on for 4 feet onto a nice little transition, I backed up for a run in, was a bit out of breath from pedalling back up the trail then when I looked back and saw the other 3 watching and grum with his fone out filming my heart rate shot up, got even more out of breath and started off feeling very nervous indeed. Managed the drop ok with a comedy buzz from the tyre hitting the (today redundant) mudguard at full travel. Whipped off the mudguard and went back for another go, nailed it again even smoother, cool. Then we had a look at the big one, 6 footer with an OK but not quite as easy run in and out, nooooo maybe another time, if this was my local patch and I was regularly hitting the 4foot smoothly and calmly I reckon I'd have a crack at the big one, there's some nice progression here, varying drops with easy run in/out just right for learning on unlike the stepdowns at lee quarry. We rode straight back up for another go, it really was a lovely day, climbing up a looooong steep climb, sun on our backs, views to die for, ace. Another run down a little smoother this time and hit the drop again, whoosh. After that we called it a day as the others wanted to get back, fast ride down to the cars, I flipped the bike upside down and looked for my multi tool to undo the bolt up front wheel....when I remembered I'd not had the multi tool out yet today...which meant, yep the front wheel wasn't bolted in! Eeek! I'd fit the axle by hand then completely forgotten to do up the pinch bolts, so just 5mm of hand tight threaded axle holding my front wheel on! Argh! Like waking with a bad hangover trying to remember the embarrassing things you did last night after getting completely mullered, the flashbacks of the ride came back to me, that steep downhill to hutton roof, the downhill track, the drop, several times! I started to feel a little queasy. I shall try very hard to never ever do that again. A full on sugar rush from a slab of cake and a coke in the car on the way home sorted me out. Cheers to grum for the guiding, only a tiddler but that was the first spring ride!

Drifty - the wrong sort of snow

Friday, all the freeze dried commuting and Tuesday's trip up holcombe moor lulled me into a false sense of security. Lakes ride planned on Monday so figured I'd get the hemlock out and check it still works ok, crud guard won't be needing that! Late start off we go, spin up to barrow bridge trails looking good, steep climb turn the corner at the top and oh....

Hmm 6foot drift and a couple of smaller ones behind it, damn. Clamber over those and got pedalling again through the golf course, on to the cobbles and "what the ****?"

Hmm, it seems the snow really did hit hard in very localised drifts. On we go, up the steep tarmac of Edge lane round the corner at the top and another drift, and more on burnt edge, and more, and more. Pedal push, pedal push, pedal push, yawn. Onto the moors where it got all muddy, should have figured, a degree or two warmer than it has been and the snow is starting to melt, damn. The road looked ok and everything rivi side of it seemed fairly snow free. Upto to two lads and had a decent run down there, hemlock just soaking up the bumps tho predictably the gulley at the bottom was full of snow. Onto wildeswood and I was getting abit disheartened, more snow, lots more mud I was getting absolutely covered in it, I'm ok with it not being T shirt and shorts weather but I was expecting decent trails, grrrr. Onto the ginnel down the backs of the houses, ok to start then more drifts

Yes that is a 4' fence just peaking out of the top of the snow, I was pushing my bike along waving at the people in their houses over the tops of the fence, cursing under my breath. Along to the bottom of school climb, had a look up the trail, it seemed wet but snow free, ok then. Set off climbing round the slight bend and drift ahoy, about a dozen of them ranging in size but all unrideable usually about 20 feet apart, grumble grumble, swear swear. More drifts at the site of the old house and another at the start of ICR, but I persevered, had to use the chicken run in places as the main trail was full of snow. Back up through the gardens which was mercifully rideable, up to the pike and down the drops ok, firm trails and no snow, this is a bit more like it. Did the rooty wildeswood trail which was wet but ok then took the tarmac up to the mast, grimly determined to suffer the full horror of the current conditions. As I was riding passed the mast the sun was setting, proper red, looked good, rubbish pic tho

I was going to stay and watch but the sun soon dissappeared behind clouds and the temp was plummeting. San Marino actually turned out to be pretty good, not much snow firm dry grippy trail, kinda saved the ride but bugger me was it cold! I was worried I'd plough straight into the fence at the bottom unable to pull the brakes with my frigid fingers. Pedalled down the road trying to get some life back into my hands but wasn't happening, climbed scout road but with my hands still numb I didn't fancy the quarry so dropped into smithills and went home to clean my filthy bike, first spring ride my arse!

On the plus side first ride out on the wheel that I built stayed true, gotta be happy with that.

Rollin rollin rollin

Still trying to figure out if I can afford a trip to Spain with the local guys I met up with last week, more commonly known as The Rollers. Si is still crocked form his fall last week and Johnnie had stuff to do so figured I'd try a nightride with the rollers. Met near Tottington and 7 or 8 of us headed up to peel tower via the cobbled climb. It was freezing, couple of chain issues on the climb but a bit of twiddling at the top sorted that and off we went across the moors and into unknown territory. I tried to find this trail after lowey had mentioned it a couple of summers back and failed miserably but with the guys leading we went across the tops, traversed a while, dropped down towards the army training ground, a tough climb back up then on up to pilgrims cross. The ground was mostly frozen but a few of us managed to break through the crust, my back wheel ended up wedged hub deep into the ground, took a bit of effort to free it. Carried on climbing to Bull hill as the gradient levelled off I realised my mech had frozen solid, oh dear. We started the descent and ran into trouble, no snow on the other side and only a smattering on this side but in all the wrong places, namely filling in the sunken trail. Much thrutching, dabbing and pushing ensued. Finally got onto beetle hill where the snow disappeared and we sped up, weeeeeeeee, lovely little down this. Stopped for a comfort break at the bottom and figured I'd relieve myself over my rear mech, wahey working gears again! Pedalled over to peel tower again did the steppy descent then down through the woods, started with a fast open field then got silly steep (wished I had some grip on my rear tyre) and dropped through some woods, another ace bit of trail got us down to holcombe brook, a diversion to the footballers for a pint and some crisps and back to the cars for a very quick pack up change and off home. A nice little run out with some good new trails and a bunch of amiable enthusiastic riders, shall have to tag along on some more of their rides.

Death defying flats, silly commutes easy nights.

Riding in on monday rode over a couple of flat stones and had sudden deflation, turns out the "stones" were some sort of panel, possibly asbestos. Mmmm nice, front wheel had kicked it up it had cut into the rear tyre then a piece broken off in the tyre. Stripped tyre and couldn't find the offending piece, hmm, look at the tube and there's a whopping great chunk inside the tube, this shrapnel has torn a big hole in the tyre and tube, cut through the inner side of the tube and gouged the tape and rim. Cobblers! New tube patch up tyre with ducktape and headed into work where the STW hive mind assured me it probably wasn't asbestos, if it was it's only 10% and even then in the outdoors I'm probably fine. Phew, i think.

My dental saga continued, another trip to Leigh and they only had an 11:00 appointment so I rode into work (13miles), rode to the dentist (14) rode back to work (14) rode home (13) then nipped out for a nightride with Si. Strong coffee before I set off and then I was riding very steadily, up barrow, onto winter hill, a redbull at the top (caffeine is brilliant for tired legs) fun ride down 2 lads then all the way down wildes (not done that in ages) where Si was right behind me all the way. On school climb Si set off while I faffed, he was 10ft or so ahead and that's where he stayed, the usual short burst to catch up was never going to happen, legs were running on fumes, but I managed the climb ok. ICR and Si started ahead, I kept behind him until the tarmac drop then it got rocky and he disappeared, speedy! Upto the pike where the wind was howling, my normally toasty windproof was suffering at the seams with a bit of chill making it through. The drop off the top was a bit slithery, at one point I realised I'd travelled about 6ft with the bars turned right but the bike slowly curving left and I was still upright, calm and in control(ish), I love maxxis minions. We were tired and cold so headed down georges lane and the tarmac to the golf course, ripped down there stopped at the bottom to adjust my saddle, "erm where's Si?". Waterbar, corner, gravel and loss of concentration meant it had gone all squirrelly and he consequently hit the deck, ouchy. Winded and sore he made it down and rolled back to his car. I rode home dead tired, huge bowl of curry with a nan and a slab of cider fruit cake to finish, top flight refuelage.

The Alternative

Weekend I'd planned a biggy, rested on friday booked use of the car as I wanted to head to the lakes, duff weather and yet another morning bereft of mojo meant that plan got cut. Eventually headed out at lunchtime on the blinglespeed, forks felt a bit wooden but figured I just wasn't used to sus. Headed up barrow bridge wasn't gasping for breath like I thought I might, still not SS fit but getting there, up onto winter hill and I met some of the guys I met at switchbacks, had a chat, they told me there were a couple of places left on their riding holiday in spain later in the year, interesting.... Couldn't be arsed with rivi so went on up the hill to do san marino, mountain rescue and loads of cars up there, dunno if they were doing training exercises, expected someone to tell me off but everyone was packing up and heading off. San marino was a bit pants, proper muddy with boggy bits, pitiful run down, rolled the drop off for the first time in ages the run in and out were both a mess. Got to the bottom caked in mud, headed over to witton weavers, an easy roll along to the car park at slipper lowe and a decent ride down the wet trail into tockholes plantation, climbed to the cafe where i ran into Lowey, long time no see, another chat stop and he told me about a summer solstice ride that was planned, sounds fun. The climb up the lions den got me, a step a third of the way up, slightly disappointed but was suffering a bit anyway. SKipped riding to the tower did the descent down sunnyside and dropped into darwen, usual trail round whitehall and along the birdleway through cadshaw. Got to The Duck checked the time, could I be arsed going up to peel tower? Hmmm, see that right turn you've just gone passed, that was easy street, now for 30mins of climbing to the body farm. As it turned out it was only 15minutes but it was hard work, stood up cranking the pedals for 95% of it, but not as bad as I expected. View was looking moody and ominous.



The ride around was fun, not too muddy, got to the bottom of the climb to the tower, wow forgot how steep this was I've only ridden it SS once right at the start of a ride, I started cranking away. I dunno what came over me but my body just decided "I'm having this!" Not a technical climb a fair bit of grip just silly steep, my thighs started burning pretty quick then my lungs, then my arms, I was a bit of a wreck by the time I hit the top but kept going a looped back around to do the steppy descent, fun, got to the bottom of the steep climb again no way was I going back up to do other descent, rolled down to the moor track and back to the bodyfarm, tucked in for the long descent down to entwistle, honking up the road climb I realised my forks were barely moving, hmmm, could get them moving if I properly bounced on the bars but otherwise pretty solid, looks like they need some fettling, oh dear. Pretty soon I was back at The Duck, climbed up to green arms rd and descended via turton tower. Usual mix of road and trails got me home pretty feeling pretty hammered, lots of pizza tea and cake to recover. Actually woke up sunday with sore legs, while only a little running can ruin my legs I can't remember the last time cycling did 'em in, like I said still not SS fit. Not a bad afternoon and a couple of invites for more riding, nice.

FTGS

Yesterday I was sat at work wondering about the night ride, Si's still recovering from illness, Johnny was incommunicado, hmm if Johnny is a no show I'll try going over to Darwen tower, bit of change and a decent distance. Got home CBA, dunno what's up with me, three weeks since a nightride now. I'd like to think that if I wasn't commuting I'd be raring to go riding at night and weekend. Dunno tho. Anyway Johnny called at the last minute and I was forced to go out and boy was I glad I did. I dragged the rocky mountain out of hibernation, might be riding it at weekend and wanted to check it was still rideable. Fat Tyres, Gears and (drum roll) Suspension! 3rd September was the last time I had a bit of squish twixt arse and trail, 6 months! Had to keep checking the bolts on the back end hadn't worked loose as it seems to be wagging a bit, nope that's just the back wheel moving up and over rocks instead of pinging your jacksie skyward, a revelation it was. Quick timed it upto winter hill, down 2 lads, dry, nice and grippy but wow those drops at the end are getting big.

Running late I shifted along georges lane and down ICR, I'd almost forgotten what it looked like it's been so long. I started off just infront of a couple of other bikers, finished a fair way ahead :-) then chatted with them while I waited for Johnny. They were from salford but rivi regulars (certainly more regular than us of late) Johnny showed up so we headed up the hill at a leisurely pace, Johnny is post lurgy so not riding too well. We stopped at the ruins of the old house for a sit down, rest and a catch up then dropped down ICR again. It's changed again, less rubbly in places, more dicey in others. We split at the bottom I climbed to the pike, proper cold, even my new boots were just about keeping my feet warm, shoulda put proper socks on instead of cotton ones I'd had on at work. Off the drops and along georges lane, was going to ride straight home but decided to do the rooty singletrack through wildes, Woo and indeed Hoo, loadsa fun. Finished off dropping down to barrow bridge, great little run out, bike was riding ok apart from gear indexing. Suspension just makes everything easier doesn't it?