I have finally sorted out my bike for next year. The medium Scott Scale fits like a glove, climbs like a dream and encourages risk taking on slippery, rooty single track. I had had a bike before with the same length top tube and that climbed well and was comfortable too but it had a…
Tag: South Downs Way
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…
Suffering on a Whyte 29C
I suffered today. No complaints, just not much fun. I’d had a good road ride on Friday and always planned to ride in the dirt today. The forecast was for rain at ten and it duly delivered, bang on time. I was actually looking forward to the rain as I have an Endura MTR Emergency…
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…
Whyte 29 Team review – endless summer!
I don’t know where to begin. The weather is incredible – we are still riding in short sleeve jerseys! Next year marks 30 years since I have been mountain biking and I have never seen some of the trails in such good condition. And 29ers are quicker. We are into October and autumn has only…
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…
South Down’s Way here we come!
Are we ready for the South Down’s Way? Maybe. Am I ready? No. No, but I would never be. There is always something else that I could do. Bike, kit and body are on a diet. The tyres have been changed to Maxxis Crossmark Exceptions which has saved (on paper) 235g, pedals and shoes have…
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…
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