I am trying to get serious about my training but at the end of the day riding should be about fun.
Category: South Downs Way
What motivates you? And a renewed passion for mountain biking
I have found a new passion for mountain biking and it all came about by buying a new bike.
South Down’s Way. Did it defeat us?
We failed. The target was 9 hours and we did 10, 10:02:44 to be precise. That was 36 minutes better than last year but not good enough. Instead of three weeks to think about this one I had twelve months so I should have got it right. The training went alright despite the constant tyre/tube…
Preparation is key
Preparation also leads to paranoia. Last year I more or less decided to ride the South Downs Way with three weeks notice. All I did by way of preparation was to ride flat out to the Lewes A27 crossing a few times and gave up biscuits, beer and crisps. This year I have had twelve…
Are mass rides good for cycling?
Mass cycling can be a good thing or it can raise problems. I love that fact that when a sportive goes off the mass of riders can actually “claim back” their space that is usually denied them when riding alone or in small groups. It reminds drivers and the population at large that there are…
Enjoying the weather
The Weather is always a hot topic for debate in Britain. In fact in normal weather times it is often the way that people greet each other and converse. Perhaps it is because it is ever changing that Brits tend to adopt a glass half full, pessimistic approach to its vagaries. No one says that…
Getting comfortable on my bikes
I have just fitted a Brooks B17 narrow saddle to my Ridgeback Panorama. This bike was perfect. It was set up like my road bike, it was like a full on grand tourismo, built for speed…. But it weighs 27lbs, 40lbs with panniers. So it is not a speed machine. It only felt comfortable because…
Finally ridden it, the South Down’s Way
I have finally stopped talking about it and actually done it. In 1989 I rode the original from Burriton to Eastbourne but that was only 82 mile, who’d remember that? The current route goes from Winchester and is a full 100, Britain’s longest National Trail. I was motivated to do this by Simon who had…
What do you really need to ride?
I am going to ride the South Downs Way so need to get some off road and SDW miles in. However, Saturday night I thought that I would not be able to ride. Panic! I couldn’t find my Garmin! I searched all the usual places at the shop, went home, searched there, then went back…
Who needs racing?
One of the reasons that I raced mountain and road bikes was that it was the one sure way of getting a good ride. Recently, however, I have been getting all of my fun on the Tuesday rides. These sessions allow me to do what I did in mountain bike racing and yearn to do…
questadventure.co.uk 