Back on the bike :-)

Back in training...well riding anyway...managed 2 proper road rides this week. Even ridden in the rain
Started putting the miles in again just to get the legs turning. Nice mountains as well to build the old leg strength up.
Can't push much big ring (53T) on the hills at the mo though seem to be getting bit of pain in the knee joint.
Maybe all that Singlespeed was bad for me....nahhh can't be that.
Big ride planned on Sunday from the house to meet up with our shop ride (http://ride-bikes.com/) was a 5 hour ride last time so should be a good test of the calf. Maybe get a quick SS ride in next week and see how it feels.

One thing to remember...

When your girlfriend decides that she would like to try SPD type pedals be careful where you take her......

Sam decided that she'd try the Candy type pedals so i took her for a lap round the Rootiest, Rockiest course i knew...Bristol Bikefest.
Fair play she did well until the crashing started then her confidence went...and it all went a bit pear shaped!
So next time its a gentle ride or maybe the Whyte's level.....

Brechfa Green/Blue Route on the Lynskey

Rode the new Brechfa route on Saturday with Sam. What a cracking route! Loads of fun, nice flowing trails and even the climbs aren't to bad!

http://www.mbwales.com/en/content/cms/bases/brechfa/brechfa.aspx

Sam's just getting into riding a bit more so it was good to take her some where with way more flow than Afan. Shes done the Penhydd trail before but preferred this. Definitely worth the extra miles

Would highly recommend it, even for me the trail was cracking fun the Green route flows well with some little pulls up hill but nothing to bad then, fast flowing rolling descents with nice berms to play on. The blue loop is an extra option and although it has a sizable climb the downhill is cracking fun, table tops, bomb holes some wood stuff and huge berm to finish (although not as big as the red and black routes!)

Also the last downhill section is awesome! Super fast, flowing and great fun.

Rode the route on the Ti 29er Lynskey with a rigid Nuke prook fork. This frame is great and as it says on the tin...built to go fast.

Brechfa is fairly rocky but didn't struggle with smashed wrists or bad back once. The natural give in the frame takes the sting out of the trail.

The frame loves to fired down flowing single track and pumped through the ups and downs.

Did ghost shift a little when i stamped down on the pedals in my usual club footed Singlespeed style.

So far so good though! Expensive mistake other wise!

Training, illness, possible team ride..how much can happen in a short time...

Been a busy ish week really, managed to ride the bike again...ok only light duties but it's all good.

Spent most of June last year injured after a stupid crash on the Whytes level meant that i couldn't move my neck and shoulders particually well for a month..

So to be back on the bike some shape was a good start to getting some miles in for Bonty 24 solo

http://www.twentyfour12.com/

but what i thought was bad Hay fever seems to have turned into full blown man flu! Not great!

Hopefully go for a trundle around the Forest of Dean Sunday with Sam so be good to keep the legs turning. Still no Singlespeed for me though.

June seems to be a bad month for me! 2 years in a row now broken or ill..

On a brighter note looks like i'll be Dragon XC race teams Enduro rider for next season, this will mean a training plan (actually training for once not just half arsed rides..) and maybe even a race bike http://www.pronghornracing.dk/products/bikes/PR6-XCRaceHL.php and other bits and bobs from other companies.

More pressure i guess but may give me the push that i need! Time will tell.

Just a quick one...XC laps

Managed a lap of the Margam XC route on Thursday night. Rode the new Fisher which felt good for 1st impressions!
Climbs well with pro-pedal flicked on and set on 3 (stiffest). Descending and singletracks it seems to fire itself along!
G2 Geomentry annoyed me on the big brother Hifi as the bike felt to big for the steering but as the Pro Caliber is a race bike the fast handling makes sense! Can't wait to have the legs back to really get it rolling :-)
The Bontrager 24 course should be perfect for the bike and will, fingers crossed, keep me entertained for the 24 hours.

Leg seemed to hold up ok, managed all the climbs at a decent pace. Do really need to sort my technique out though and learn to pedal in circles not just smashed up and down.

World Cup Cycling

Hoping to make a trip to the World Cup XC next year.
Amazing news that Dalby in Yorkshire will play host to the UK's 1st ever XC world cup!
The downhill visits yearly in Fort William but to get the XC as well is an awesome step by British Cycling! Never know maybe one year we'll get the 24 Solo world champs as well!

Randomly though with Dalby being a fair trip in an old camper van we're heading to Belgium to watch a round of the XC Worlds. Make a bit of a trip of it and stay for a few days, maybe get some riding in.
The Town of Houffalize host's it and the course runs through the heart of the town meaning massive crowds and a party atmosphere.

Check out this years race, can't wait to visit next year!

http://freecaster.tv/MTB/1007880/NISSAN-UCI-MTB-WC-09-Houffalize-XCO-Highlights

Why is it that...

Although at the moment i'm injured and can only start riding lightly next week, I still can't wait to ride the bloody Singlespeed again??
Now i've torn my g.....somthing or other muscle in my calf (never really been any good at listening or remembering stuff) and been told to rest up...due to riding the Singlespeed and pushing a little to hard on tired legs.
I've also bought one of these for Racing XC and Enduro's on (Namely Bonty 24 Solo and Transwales)



Gary Fisher Procaliber 23.3lbs..Proper pics and comments soon!...

Also have a big ride planned in my head soon, kinda Epic ride practice..which this bike would be ideal for BUT....

I'm still thinking of Soloing Bonty on the Singlespeed! I admit defeat on Transwales as it broke Matt Carr last year and he's a bit stronger than me but deep down i crave to ride the 69er! I'm sure it would be a better bike! Less mechanical worries and i suppose if i'm honest the kudos of it..
Silly Boy!! i gave up Marlobo Lights easier than Singlespeed!

It is good looking and fun though...



Maybe i'll just go for a gentle ride on it one night..