Date : 11th September 2010
Location : Leith Hill
Runners and Riders : Bish, Dunnie, Mark2, Andy
4 of us headed out today slightly reluctantly due to the weather - slight rain!! But I was up for it, as my task for the day was to demo the Alpine!
What a lot of fun that bike was... so much so, the project has now binned the Prince Albert (stupid name for a bike anyway) and has taken up the mantel of the 'Alpine'.
We headed along to Milton Heath car park and then up to Squires farm before hitting Summer lightning for a few session rides. The Alpine performed well, and I felt like I could throw it around and still be planted on the trail.
We climbed to the top of Leith and the Alpine was a joy to ride, but very light and skittery on the front, especially during the climbing. I made it up the hill to the tower, but it was tough.
After the tea and cake at the tower (it was cold), Mark2 took the Alpine's reins for a little ride. Enjoying the experience as far as I could tell. I struggled with Mark's bike though, finding the size rather large!! We sessioned a jump off the tower for a little while before heading towards our normal jump session park, where Mark2 showed us how it should be done.
Done with our sessioning we headed off to Windy Willow and stormed along at great speed taking the jumps at the end of the trail.
Back to the tower and down personal hygiene along through the bomb holes, past deliverance and down through regurgitator. Back up to summer lightning and then along to beggars canyon. Coming down the canyon, narrowly avoiding 2 female walkers, we arrived at the farm sans Dunnie!! We headed back up worried he may have taken a tumble - but he was nowhere to be found - we headed back down to Squires farm, comfortable that he'd find his way back.
Arriving back at Cliftonville, it wasn't long before Dunnie appeared - thankfully in one piece!! Andy Blue Bear the award!!!
A great ride on a new bike - a lot of fun, and a project decision made!
A quick ride through the Surrey Hills with a group of 40 something mtbers who really should know better!
Saturday, 11 September 2010
Sunday, 5 September 2010
Andy Blue Bear's Big Boy's Welsh Adventure : Day 1
Date : 20th August 2010
Location : Cwm Carn
Riders : Bish, Dunnie, Mark2, Dave, Andy, XCTom, Jim, Simon, Richard
So the day, nay weekend, had finally arrived. Around 6 months of anticipation…. Setting off at some unearthly hour of the morning, Dunnie, myself and XCTom headed off along the M25 and M4 heading towards Cwm Carn for the first uplift at 10:00. Hot on our heals were Mark2, Dave and Bish, but far enough behind to allow us a breakfast stop, which we took without hesitation!
The weather en route was fine showing nothing of the forecast rain – and boy was the rain forecast!!! Having filled our bellies with a good old full English (except Dunnie, who had a little bacon bap!!!), we headed off initially trusting the faithful SatNav to guide us. With the first SatNav instructed exit from the M4, we ignored it… and went to the next junction. So far so good – after that things went a little ary!!! Driving through the village, we passed the turning to the Cwm Cairn trails, in a similarly “don’t believe the SatNav” type of way. After a little further down the road we decided we would trust the SatNav and turn round, trying to find a convenient turning spot – for a car with a bike rack – I was conscious of a car following us, and couldn’t shake him. I pulled over to let him pass, but he just slowed down behind us. I muttered some expletive as he pulled up alongside us real slow and wound down his window, beckoning me to do the same. I thought this was it – he was pulling a gun, he was a welsh nutter who hated mountain bikers… shit!! “Alright boys, you looking for the Cwm Carn park?”….. Helpfully he pointed us in the right direction. After a little torturous route through some back streets and out of the way houses, we fell over the entrance to the park. Meeting up with Mark2, Dave and Bish who had arrived a few minutes earlier, the heavens opened and the rain began. Getting dressed and getting prepared in the rain was not much fun!!!
Jim arrived a few minutes later, and once we were all geared up we headed down to the main car park to catch the first uplift of the day. We said goodbye to XCTom who decided to go off and do the XC trail instead of the Downhill. The trek up to the summit took around 15mins or so and the higher we climbed the more misty it became. There were about 8 others in the mini-bus, some looking much more like professional downhillers than we were, and some who were young enough to be our children…. Scary!!!!
A good thorough bike check prior to the Welsh departure had been carried out by all of us… all of us that was, except for Dave!!! Arriving at the top, he discovered a slow puncture, which necessitated a change. We weren’t too fussed, as it meant that everyone else headed off down the slope in front of us and we could take our time. With puncture fixed, we headed off down the “red” route. Feeling our way and taking things slow, we learnt the route and gained our confidence. The rain had eased a little, but the water underfoot was significant.
We all arrived at “the big drop” and a lot of um and arring took place. Dunnie, myself and Jim took the easy option and carried our bikes over. Rich and Dave took the plunge, admirably! Waiting at the bottom, for Mark2….. his flight was good, he looked in good shape, landed a little heavy, and then wobbled, losing it on the descent. His fall looked nasty and we all rushed over to offer our support, whilst going “Ooooooo”.
The last third of the course was sweet and we arrived back in the car park ready to wait for the uplift back to the top. Due to Dave’s puncture repair and our slow descent, meant we’d missed the 2nd uplift.
We had a further 4 runs down getting faster and more confident each time. Each of us taking a tumble at some point on the way down, but only suffering minor cuts and bruises, and a denting of pride!
Thoroughly wet through, we stopped for lunch in the park café, meeting XCTom who returned from his XC expedition. Sitting on plastic bags provided by the staff, to ensure the wooden chairs wooden get too muddy from our filthy backsides we took our fill of ham and eggs, which was literally ham and eggs, and chilli and lasagne!!
After lunch, Simon and Richard appeared and joined Tom for the XC route again, with the rest of us heading back to the uplift for a few more runs of the downhill course. 1 more run for Jim and he retired. Another run and Dunnie and I retired – the rain was just becoming too much – returning back to the park lodge to shower and change and get a nice cup of tea!
Mark2, Dave and Bish headed off for another run. 2 thirds of the way down, Bish got a puncture and whilst changing it, discovered he had a puncture already in his spare!!! D’Oh!! For that reason, Bish awarded himself the Andy Blue Bear Mascot – which no-one disputed!! He had to push his bike down the rest of the trail.
We washed our bikes, packed up and then headed off to Afan and our comfortable lodge. Finding an alternative route to the accommodation, given the programmed route was closed for road repair – not that that stopped Simon of course, who just drove down the closed road, scattering council workers by the wayside on his quest to follow his SatNav.
We all arrived at the lodge at about the same time – still in the rain, and unloaded the cars. Rooms found, we showered and met in the bar for a well deserved pint or two before sitting down for a respectable dinner, with Briggsie joining us and completing the gang.
More beer and a few mtb knarly vids saw the evening close.
A very wet day, but great riding and knarly fun.
Location : Cwm Carn
Riders : Bish, Dunnie, Mark2, Dave, Andy, XCTom, Jim, Simon, Richard
So the day, nay weekend, had finally arrived. Around 6 months of anticipation…. Setting off at some unearthly hour of the morning, Dunnie, myself and XCTom headed off along the M25 and M4 heading towards Cwm Carn for the first uplift at 10:00. Hot on our heals were Mark2, Dave and Bish, but far enough behind to allow us a breakfast stop, which we took without hesitation!
The weather en route was fine showing nothing of the forecast rain – and boy was the rain forecast!!! Having filled our bellies with a good old full English (except Dunnie, who had a little bacon bap!!!), we headed off initially trusting the faithful SatNav to guide us. With the first SatNav instructed exit from the M4, we ignored it… and went to the next junction. So far so good – after that things went a little ary!!! Driving through the village, we passed the turning to the Cwm Cairn trails, in a similarly “don’t believe the SatNav” type of way. After a little further down the road we decided we would trust the SatNav and turn round, trying to find a convenient turning spot – for a car with a bike rack – I was conscious of a car following us, and couldn’t shake him. I pulled over to let him pass, but he just slowed down behind us. I muttered some expletive as he pulled up alongside us real slow and wound down his window, beckoning me to do the same. I thought this was it – he was pulling a gun, he was a welsh nutter who hated mountain bikers… shit!! “Alright boys, you looking for the Cwm Carn park?”….. Helpfully he pointed us in the right direction. After a little torturous route through some back streets and out of the way houses, we fell over the entrance to the park. Meeting up with Mark2, Dave and Bish who had arrived a few minutes earlier, the heavens opened and the rain began. Getting dressed and getting prepared in the rain was not much fun!!!
Jim arrived a few minutes later, and once we were all geared up we headed down to the main car park to catch the first uplift of the day. We said goodbye to XCTom who decided to go off and do the XC trail instead of the Downhill. The trek up to the summit took around 15mins or so and the higher we climbed the more misty it became. There were about 8 others in the mini-bus, some looking much more like professional downhillers than we were, and some who were young enough to be our children…. Scary!!!!
A good thorough bike check prior to the Welsh departure had been carried out by all of us… all of us that was, except for Dave!!! Arriving at the top, he discovered a slow puncture, which necessitated a change. We weren’t too fussed, as it meant that everyone else headed off down the slope in front of us and we could take our time. With puncture fixed, we headed off down the “red” route. Feeling our way and taking things slow, we learnt the route and gained our confidence. The rain had eased a little, but the water underfoot was significant.
We all arrived at “the big drop” and a lot of um and arring took place. Dunnie, myself and Jim took the easy option and carried our bikes over. Rich and Dave took the plunge, admirably! Waiting at the bottom, for Mark2….. his flight was good, he looked in good shape, landed a little heavy, and then wobbled, losing it on the descent. His fall looked nasty and we all rushed over to offer our support, whilst going “Ooooooo”.
The last third of the course was sweet and we arrived back in the car park ready to wait for the uplift back to the top. Due to Dave’s puncture repair and our slow descent, meant we’d missed the 2nd uplift.
We had a further 4 runs down getting faster and more confident each time. Each of us taking a tumble at some point on the way down, but only suffering minor cuts and bruises, and a denting of pride!
Thoroughly wet through, we stopped for lunch in the park café, meeting XCTom who returned from his XC expedition. Sitting on plastic bags provided by the staff, to ensure the wooden chairs wooden get too muddy from our filthy backsides we took our fill of ham and eggs, which was literally ham and eggs, and chilli and lasagne!!
After lunch, Simon and Richard appeared and joined Tom for the XC route again, with the rest of us heading back to the uplift for a few more runs of the downhill course. 1 more run for Jim and he retired. Another run and Dunnie and I retired – the rain was just becoming too much – returning back to the park lodge to shower and change and get a nice cup of tea!
Mark2, Dave and Bish headed off for another run. 2 thirds of the way down, Bish got a puncture and whilst changing it, discovered he had a puncture already in his spare!!! D’Oh!! For that reason, Bish awarded himself the Andy Blue Bear Mascot – which no-one disputed!! He had to push his bike down the rest of the trail.
We washed our bikes, packed up and then headed off to Afan and our comfortable lodge. Finding an alternative route to the accommodation, given the programmed route was closed for road repair – not that that stopped Simon of course, who just drove down the closed road, scattering council workers by the wayside on his quest to follow his SatNav.
We all arrived at the lodge at about the same time – still in the rain, and unloaded the cars. Rooms found, we showered and met in the bar for a well deserved pint or two before sitting down for a respectable dinner, with Briggsie joining us and completing the gang.
More beer and a few mtb knarly vids saw the evening close.
A very wet day, but great riding and knarly fun.
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Andy Blue Bear's Big Boys Welsh Adventure : Day 1
Date : 20th August 2010
Location : Cwm Carn
Riders : Bish, Dunnie, Mark2, Dave, Andy, Jim, XC Tom, Simon, RichardG
Coming soon..........
Location : Cwm Carn
Riders : Bish, Dunnie, Mark2, Dave, Andy, Jim, XC Tom, Simon, RichardG
Coming soon..........
Just to get rid of that Jedi Post....It's been there for too long...
Like many of you, I have been logging on expectantly (and lazily), assuming that Someone Else will post an all-encompassing, witty and incisive Wales commentary, complete with pictures and vids....
But it's always the same bloody 'Return of the Jedi' blog.... So I thought I'd drop a line on last Monday's ride.
Bish and Dunnie went out on a ride last Monday. Weather was great. Ride was quite long, and quite fast. Dunnie nearly bought some honey at the Peaslake Fair, but didn't, as there was no room in his rucksack. Bish looked appreciatively at some of the hand-carved reclaimed timber fancy goods, but decided that they were a bit gay. Both rode like madmen to the Pilgrim where Dunnie got stung repeatedly by a wasp caught in his knee pad, and they both had a coupkle of well deserved pints.
The end.
Andy, hurry up with the Wales blog. And don't forget the funny bits...
But it's always the same bloody 'Return of the Jedi' blog.... So I thought I'd drop a line on last Monday's ride.
Bish and Dunnie went out on a ride last Monday. Weather was great. Ride was quite long, and quite fast. Dunnie nearly bought some honey at the Peaslake Fair, but didn't, as there was no room in his rucksack. Bish looked appreciatively at some of the hand-carved reclaimed timber fancy goods, but decided that they were a bit gay. Both rode like madmen to the Pilgrim where Dunnie got stung repeatedly by a wasp caught in his knee pad, and they both had a coupkle of well deserved pints.
The end.
Andy, hurry up with the Wales blog. And don't forget the funny bits...
Monday, 2 August 2010
Return of the Jedi
Last friday Mark2, Dave and I got up very early to hit the M25 before the morning rush and headed up to Woburn Sands, near Milton Keynes, for an MTB coaching session with Tony "Jedi" Doyle of UK Bike Skills. I've been researching MTB coaching since our session with R Kelly and had come to the conclusion that Jedi was just what we need in terms of moving on our technical capabilities.
Fortunately this turned out to be correct! Tony focuses a lot of effort on the phsycological aspects of riding, although of course the technical skills need to be present too. This included working out our individual learning styles (all visual kinetic) so that he could tailor his approach to us. I think we had an advantage in terms of understanding (if not always doing) the basics of looking, footwork and VPC's etc that we had picked up from Richard.
Tony built on this with energy management, introducing us to the push and bilateral pumping. We then moved onto a small drop to implement these techniques.
Once he was happy we had got it he took us to a tabletop to practice and then onto a linked series of berms to focus on our cornering.
We had the advantage of a lovely day at Woburn and the new technical trails there certainly pushed us.
The finale of the day was a steep track, starting with steep loamy berms, running through a "black grade" drop of about 3 feet and finishing with a 7 ft double. Tony broke it into sections for us to session and then we finished with several runs at the whole thing. We all cracked the trail and came away very stoked!
As a part of the deal Tony asks you to keep in touch by mail and to ask him any questions which arise as you try to put the skills into practice day to day. He's keen that we share and discuss our learnings with our riding group (apologies to Dunnie and Andy who got the first taste of this on saturday!).
From my own perspective it didn't contradict the RK experience (they are both CTC qualified) but built on that foundation and took it to the next level. I also feel really confident at the moment, demonstrated by the fact that I took on the double on Donnie Darko for the first time on saturday without issue.
I would absolutely recommend that any of you guys who want to move your riding on look up UK Bike Skills and get yourselves up there. There is also a blog and some photos of our day on the link.
Rich
Fortunately this turned out to be correct! Tony focuses a lot of effort on the phsycological aspects of riding, although of course the technical skills need to be present too. This included working out our individual learning styles (all visual kinetic) so that he could tailor his approach to us. I think we had an advantage in terms of understanding (if not always doing) the basics of looking, footwork and VPC's etc that we had picked up from Richard.
Tony built on this with energy management, introducing us to the push and bilateral pumping. We then moved onto a small drop to implement these techniques.
Once he was happy we had got it he took us to a tabletop to practice and then onto a linked series of berms to focus on our cornering.
We had the advantage of a lovely day at Woburn and the new technical trails there certainly pushed us.
The finale of the day was a steep track, starting with steep loamy berms, running through a "black grade" drop of about 3 feet and finishing with a 7 ft double. Tony broke it into sections for us to session and then we finished with several runs at the whole thing. We all cracked the trail and came away very stoked!
As a part of the deal Tony asks you to keep in touch by mail and to ask him any questions which arise as you try to put the skills into practice day to day. He's keen that we share and discuss our learnings with our riding group (apologies to Dunnie and Andy who got the first taste of this on saturday!).
From my own perspective it didn't contradict the RK experience (they are both CTC qualified) but built on that foundation and took it to the next level. I also feel really confident at the moment, demonstrated by the fact that I took on the double on Donnie Darko for the first time on saturday without issue.
I would absolutely recommend that any of you guys who want to move your riding on look up UK Bike Skills and get yourselves up there. There is also a blog and some photos of our day on the link.
Rich
Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Mark's Hardtail Project
The Dunnie hardtail project is also underway - current purchases:
-Bikestand
-Avid Elixir CR (£200 from Merlin, complete set & shifters)
-On One 456 in Chocolate Brown (can't see the mud so much...) - see above
-Fox Float RL 150mm travel front forks (black)
- Refurbed V12 Pedals from my Trek
- Various other bits from the Trek (bars, stem etc)
I have taken a different approach to budget - as far as Mrs Dunnie is concerned all of the strange packages arriving are 'bits for the bike' (note that I haven't said whcih bike...
Estimated completion date - just before Andy's bike!
See you on the hill
Dunnie
Thursday, 8 July 2010
Prince Albert Hardtail Project
Project Update - 8th July 2010
Business case written, presented and approved.
Financial authority granted - but with monthly budgetary constraints.
Planning phase and trial phases complete.
Procurement phase in progress.
Purchases this month :-
Business case written, presented and approved.
Financial authority granted - but with monthly budgetary constraints.
Planning phase and trial phases complete.
Procurement phase in progress.
Purchases this month :-
- Bike stand (not strictly part of the build, and therefore not classed as part of the project from a financial perspective).
- Fox Float 32 RL 150 15mmQR in black (who needs compression adjust anyway - when have we ever adjusted our compression settings??) - £399.00. New!! Bargain I say!
- Dialled Bikes Prince Albert Hardtail frame in orange.
Monday, 5 July 2010
Double Demo!
Date : 3rd July 2010
Riders : Bish, Grievous Andy
Area : Leith, Holmbury and Abinger
With the Higher Authority permission gained, I am embarking on my self build project! I have been granted a monthly budget, with governance arrangements if I need to go over that!! So with the nod given, I arranged to demo a Dialled Bikes Prince Albert Hardtail, with 140mm travel!
Bish and I met up at 0845 at cliftonville and headed down to Head for the Hills. Whilst I was picking up the Prince Albert, Bish decided to take out the Alpine and give that a go!! We headed off on our “new” bikes, out to Milton Heath, to take the road behind Westcott and up to Leith via Squires farm. Both us us were immediately struck by how squeaky our front brakes were.... which unfortunately stayed with us for the whole of the ride.
The first thing I noticed was how bouncy the rear end was – it's been a while since I've been on a hardtail! But also how light the bike was – easy to control and fun to through around! We headed straight up to the bomb holes, past deliverance and on to the tower. The climb to the tower was fast – due to the lightness of the bike, and I found it remarkably easy! We didn't stop and instead headed off to the play area on the other side of Leith. We sessioned this area a number of times, trying out the drop and the nice kicker with both bikes. I found the jumps much easier with the hardtail and the bike just seemed to glide....
After a little while, we headed off towards the quarry, disappointed that the the large rock pile had disappeared!! We rode through the quarry and bombed down through High Ashes farm. Half way along the bridle way, my chain snapped, so we needed to take a forced break to fix it. Chain repaired, we headed off to Holmbury, guiding some South African contingent back towards Leith, as we went.
We headed to the summit to look at the fantastic sunny, if a little hazy view, and then blasted down yoghurt pots, racing past a group tentatively waiting at the entrance. Yoghurt pots caned, we headed on down towards the Volunteer pub and then up over the back fields towards Abinger Roughs. A smooth squeaky brakes ride back towards Dorking.
The Alpine
So aside of the error with the fork travel setting, the ride overall was very successful, and roll on the Prince Albert purchase......
Riders : Bish, Grievous Andy
Area : Leith, Holmbury and Abinger
With the Higher Authority permission gained, I am embarking on my self build project! I have been granted a monthly budget, with governance arrangements if I need to go over that!! So with the nod given, I arranged to demo a Dialled Bikes Prince Albert Hardtail, with 140mm travel!
Bish and I met up at 0845 at cliftonville and headed down to Head for the Hills. Whilst I was picking up the Prince Albert, Bish decided to take out the Alpine and give that a go!! We headed off on our “new” bikes, out to Milton Heath, to take the road behind Westcott and up to Leith via Squires farm. Both us us were immediately struck by how squeaky our front brakes were.... which unfortunately stayed with us for the whole of the ride.
The first thing I noticed was how bouncy the rear end was – it's been a while since I've been on a hardtail! But also how light the bike was – easy to control and fun to through around! We headed straight up to the bomb holes, past deliverance and on to the tower. The climb to the tower was fast – due to the lightness of the bike, and I found it remarkably easy! We didn't stop and instead headed off to the play area on the other side of Leith. We sessioned this area a number of times, trying out the drop and the nice kicker with both bikes. I found the jumps much easier with the hardtail and the bike just seemed to glide....
After a little while, we headed off towards the quarry, disappointed that the the large rock pile had disappeared!! We rode through the quarry and bombed down through High Ashes farm. Half way along the bridle way, my chain snapped, so we needed to take a forced break to fix it. Chain repaired, we headed off to Holmbury, guiding some South African contingent back towards Leith, as we went.
We headed to the summit to look at the fantastic sunny, if a little hazy view, and then blasted down yoghurt pots, racing past a group tentatively waiting at the entrance. Yoghurt pots caned, we headed on down towards the Volunteer pub and then up over the back fields towards Abinger Roughs. A smooth squeaky brakes ride back towards Dorking.
Stopping in a field to hoist our bikes over a gate we decided to photo them for prosperity! It was only then that I realised the forks were Fox Talas and set to 100mm travel, instead of 140mm – D'Oh. Adjusting them to 140mm immediately changed the ride position (for the better!!), and I only had a mile back to the shop! Bugger!!!
The Prince Albert
The Prince Albert
The AlpineSo aside of the error with the fork travel setting, the ride overall was very successful, and roll on the Prince Albert purchase......
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