Back Riding

After a weekend spent talking bikes it was time to start riding them again, Monday was a non starter due to having incredibly sore achilles tendons, so sore that I was struggling to walk, a weekend of standing up all day and drinking heavily at nigh will do that, some stretching sorted that out and I was ready for an early start on Tuesday.

Amazing light, but still cold, arm warmers would have been a good idea in hindsight !





Only 6 miles on the way to work but it restored something inside.

Heading back out in the sunshine after work, I just wanted to keep going, spring has arrived for sure.





Another 25 dusty miles knocked off, okay it was only the trans penine trail but so what, my legs were finally moving.

Today I got up early and headed off, superb light, combined with arm warmers and a gillet, took the slightly longer route along the canal, the sun really stirring things up now, 8 miles.



and again, after work, another 18 miles in sunshine, gotta make the most of this weather window ;-)

Hopefully 3 rides tomorrow, work, back and Delamere night ride.

March 18th - brief catch up

So, I finally got to a Delamere night ride with Nick, Tim, Ian and Rob, we span around for just over an hour, it was bloody warm, and suddenly we were there amongst them, frogs and toads, hundreds if not thousands of them, its obviously that time of year again :-)



Did a few commutes, nothing longer than about 10 miles each way, my neck was still sore and prone to jarring, also of note was a couple of cold chilly mornings, this winter has been a bit of a let down with regard to snow after the last two years, my Mukluk will only see sand this year I reckon.



I took a few days off work to ride, but best laid plans and all that..., I did manage to get to Delamere for one afternoon, decided to ride the Hospital Trail as I'd heard that it was being cut up in preparation for a new venture, 80 log cabins are goin to be built in this part of the wood, its a real shame as this is a truly great little trail but I guess things change...



I did finally manage to get a ride with Dave and Sharon, 1st this year I think ?, or at least a long while, too long....

We were riding at Gisburn Forest, specifically looking at the trails with a view towards the race that Dave is promoting later in the year, I think it'll be perfect, about 8 miles per lap, 3 laps, should take the fast boys and girls about 2 hours, nothing too technical until you hit warp speed ;-).



Just one ride of any note last week, along one from work to home, still not feeling quite right, I think a visit to the docs is on the cards :-(.

But, we did get a great social ride in yesterday, just 14 miles in the white peak, lots of laughs, a few stops for tea and cake, great fun all in all.



And then today, another 24 miles on local trails, trails that on Friday were starting to turn to dust but were once again a quagmire, still good for the soul though :-)

Wednesday 29th Feb 2012

Rode to work.

Rode home from work.

Sore neck, the off road bumps didn't help.

Rebuilt the boys Fat Karate Monkey with 9 gears.

10 miles in total.

238 total for Feb.

362 short of my target, oh well....

Tuesday 28th Feb

Didn't ride at all in the last week, I had a stff neck for most of last week, I did actually set of for a ride on Saturday but turned around immediatley, it was just too painful.

Bob's funeral today, I was dreading it, but it turned out to be fine, a very positive occasion all in all.


I have approx 30 hours left in which to ride 372 miles, I dont think I'm going to make it !

Back to the bike tomorrow.

228

21st Feb 2012

9 miles

228

19th Feb 2012

I lost my way somewhat

An old friend died, a friends brother died, these things bother me, probably more than they should.

Anyway, the result was that I didnt ride at all during the week, and I was rthinking about bailing on a weekend with two other old friends, soon got a grip of that though, another minor issue conspired but this was put to bed and off I went.

Great to catch up, we did manage a short ride of all of 6 miles, it didnt matter, it was fun, we had a laugh and we had a dog with us, a chocolate lab called Toby, it really is only a matter of time now before we get a dog.

Headed home early this morning, no traffic issues at all, and a cold sunny afternoon meant I couldn't resist, another 30 miles on the cross bike at a snails pace.

36 for the weekend.

219

12th Feb 2012

Representin the cake !

Could'nt face the mud today so the Croix de Fer was brought up from the cellar, flash and flare fitted and off I set into the greyness, actually a lot foggier than I was expecting, and colder as well, pretty soon my vision was deformed due to the moisture o my glasses, this did not bode well, a freshly dead badger at the side of the road seemed like some sort of omen, glad I had fitted the flash and flare, the room that cars were giving me was noticeable.




The roads were mostly just wet, occasional ice but nowt to worry on.



The biggets concern was that every farmer in Cheshire has decided to cut their hedges, bizzarely this time I got away with no punctures, however I decided not to risk this bridleway ;-)



The last dirt trail before home.

45 miles today, longest ride of the year so far.

3 Buzzards stoically sat in trees, 1 Heron gliding gracefully at shoulder height about 50 yards to my right, 1 dead badger, 1 dead squirrel.

183.