Last Thursday ride of 2008

Ice, Ice Baby........

Five of us turned out for what seemed at first like a bit of a crazy route, the longest ride again.
If you read the previous description of this ride it says: big loose rocks and lots of walking, well this time it was 'sheet ice with a thick frost and light snow covering, lots of walking'!!
I set off 5 mins ahead of the group, (I find I go much better if I get to the top of the 1st climb ahead). I found the steep road climb to be easy, but as I turned off tarmac and on to the loose of Chapel gate I discovered just how difficult this would be.
Basically all the bits you would normally ride on (smooth flat bits) were sheet ice covered with light snow or thick frost. It was possible to get some forwards motion except where there was a steep up section or there was a any sort of camber, the rear wheel either spun or slid.
What was very good though was the Almost full moon, it meant that the front light could be saved for later, it would be a long night after all.
Walk it was then! Even on foot the walk with the bike was a stretch of the individuals nerve, finding the grippiest bit of track and then commiting all your weight and that of the bike made for a slow climb. At the top I waited to pick out the others in the darkness, it felt quite cold, but not uncomfortable the altitude making it a dry cold. Just as I started to feel a bit of a drop in temp ther others appeared.
A brief disscussion about wether we should be attempting this route in these conditions was had, the decission being made that it would be a shame to cancel at this point. My main concern was if the downhills were just as slippery then we would be doing a 10 mile plus ride at walking pace, we'd be late back, and probably cold. We decided that as we were on Chapel Gate (predominately North facing) we would be over the worst when we dropped down the otherside facing West.
Here we go then, the big rock steps offered reasonable grip as we dropped down to Roych Clough, my self and Geoff H rode without lights choosing the moonlit option. I though I was going quickly untilI looked up to see Geoff had gone out of sight - good going matey.
Just before reaching Roych I was negotiating a particulary rocky step section when Andy G passed me on the right with his light on, or at least it was as he passed me. Just as he got in front we were plunged into darkness! His light had switched itself off, (it has some sort of bad connection) unfortunately for Andy he was just at the top of a 16" or so drop off a rock, his front wheel dropped in and the back wheel... well you know the rest. A head plant with bike on top, There was a lot of groaning, and as the guys behind arrived on the scene Andy stood up and took off his helmet and back pack standing almost ridged for a couple of seconds looking very dazed and shocked. I was a bit concerned it was a bit out of character for Andy to act like this. he did seem to pick himself up and come around pretty quickly. There was talk of him returning back, but a quick think about where we were meant it was better to go on, and with the proup for safety. Jeff S had 2 lights with him so we sorted Andy out with a good light and carried on.
Up on to the edges of Mount Fammine and the descent to Coldwell Clough offered a repreive from the slippery, a grippy and fast section down to the gate and across a frozen (usually muddy) field. The sweety stop was due here but not many were on offer tonight so we cracked on.
The descent to the road in the bottom was good, also offering excellant grip and plenty of drainage ditch 'jumps'. At the bottom, now a lot lower in altitude than all the previous bits, we found a really damp penetrating cold that made you wish we were already back in the vans!
It is a very long climb now all the way to the top of Jacobs Ladder. It can best be described as: 'conditions varied'. Deep snow at first, full of boot prints but had frozen since leaving holes just gagging to get your ankles. Then as we climbed higher the snow had turned to ice again, looking like it had probably melted in the daytime sun, and then frozen over again leaving a smooth glass like surface, again covered with thick frost, it took what seemed like an eternity to get to the top of here. At the top of coures it meant we had to endure the very un-natural descent down the errosion control steps. Geoff went ahead still in moonlight mode and went really well, I followed but was passed by the now fully back to speed Andy so I switched my light on and persued them. I didn't catch them but did make it down the descent, I found the grass high up on the left of the path to be very grippy, but was a bit exposed to going over the edge where there was a relentless fall to doom if i got it wrong!
We made it then, so glad we hadn't abandoned it, we looked at our watches to find it was 22:50, no time to get to the Grouse for the compulsary Kronnenbourg. We quickly got stripped down and into the vans, heading to the Nags Head in Edale for a quick drink.
All in all an excellant finish to the year with somoene being out on every Thursday, a couple of trips to the Lakes, and the 7 Stainnes and of course the legendry Alps trip back in July.
What a year guys! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and........................
See you all on the trails in 2009!

Distance: 12 miles?
Ascent: Lots & lots
Bike ridden: NS Bikes Surge
My performance: Much better with the head start, 95%

We have been riding.....honest

Mud, mud, mud, mud, mud.......................

I havn't made it out for a full ride since the last post, but I have managed to meet the rest of the guys somewhere en-route.
It has been (as my title says) mud, mud, mud. As the rear tyre (swampthing) is almost worn out it has made the muddy climbs 'interesting' to say the least, because I've been riding the hardtail bike, there is less traction compliance, and it goes from Ok to spinning wheel in an instant.
On the other hand, because i've been relativly fresh when ive met the lads (who have been out for 2 hours already) I've been quick and composed on the down hills. The bike on the other hand has been absolutely caked in the stuff afterwards and has needed the jet wash just to get the chain to rotate.
Only one more ride left this year, on a Thursday anyway, there's our annual 'Christmas walk' next week, and we'll no doubt get out once or twice during the Christmas break. I'll post what happens here......

Merry Christmas all

A short wet trip locally Thurs 30th Oct 2008

Just 3 ventured out!

Early in the day, the usuall text messages were sent out: Thinking of a trip around Totley moss!
The wind was picking up, and there was drizzle, so i didn't really fancy the exposure of the hills to the west of Sheffield.
In the end it was all cancelled. Then a call from Jeff, said we are doing a local to Homesfield and back, we'll meet at yours 19:30.
It was a short but intense ride up through Kitchen Wood, across to Homefield, and then down Horsley Gate bridalway. This has been re-constructed recently, and made for a smooth flowing descent interupted only by a motorcycle trap, and 1 gate.
Andy had a puncture as we set off for the climb up to Cartledge lane Bridalway, so we fixed that and went up the monotenous climb on tarmac for the final descent.
Cartledge has also seen some modifications and re-surfacing in recent times, again motorcycle traps have been added which serve to puncture the flow for us. There must have been some excellant drainage work done as well the deep mud in the pedally flat section in the middle has all but disapeared.
With another tarmac climb aided by a tail wind it was back through Kitchen Wood and home for a shower. Verdict? Worth getting out, but the resultant mud caked clothes and bike were a pig to get clean!

Distance: 6 miles?

Ascent:

Bike ridden: NS Bikes Surge

My performance: Gotta get rid of them super tacky tyres!

Longest Ride! Thursday 16th Oct 2008

Big loose rocks and lots of walking!

For some reason Adam had decided that we should do the longest ride route in reverse. We normally take on this epic route on the longest day in the summer, it nearly always rains and it is typyfied by wide traks with large loose rocks scatterred everywhere. These rocks are supposed to help with erosion i think

Tonight was no exception with regard to the weather. As we approached Hope and turned toward Edale the wipers had to be switched omn on the van. Great.

After last weeks pathetic performance by myself, I had considered selling the bike and my lights, and just going in the summer months. I thought I could maybe put the money towards a sea kayak.

In the end I decided that I would do the route opposite to everyone else, and when we met, i would turn back and just do the last decent. I had Andy in the van with me though, and my plan wasn't to be! He talked me into doing the whole ride, no-one would commit to waiting for me though, I didn;t need to ask to find this out.

I decided in the end to set off as soon as I was ready and wait for the others at the top of the 1st climb (Chapel Gate) a Killer WALK! The erosion from motor bikes, off roaders walkers horse and of course mountain bikes, has left this byeway in a sorry state. It is now immpossible to ride on any of the steeper sections, and you are in a scar so deep you cannot see over the sides! I;ll get a picture up when I next go in the daylight.

So, off I went. I rode the road section and turned on to the track, the rain really started now, straight in my face. I pushed on though and was roughly half way when i looked back and saw the others coming up the road section. Just as I reached the last steep climb to the top 3 mountain bikers came the other way, one of whom had got the new HOPE lights on, he had unfortunately lost the power to it after 5 mins or so and was using a tiny little commuter light to pick his way down.

when the guys caught me I had got the rest I need and was raring to go. one of the group had gone missing though, Louise had turned back after unsuccsesfully trying to walk up the mud with the 'wrong' shoes, and couldn't see in the dark as her glasses had rain on them.

he rest of this route needs to be ridden to be understood, it is mostly car width track as I said previous, punctured with large loose stones and rocks. The desent from the sweetie stop on the NW slope of Mount Famine was amazing with big drainage ditches and loose stones it was an exiting blast after the long slog to the top.

A very long walk up to the fringes of Kinder Scout now awaited. ( Kinder is the highest 'mountain' in the Peaks). At the top the final descent to the cars unfolds as Jacobs Ladder. Most of this is now cover in natural stone, but laid by man to help protect the route of the start of the Pennine Way. It was pretty much un eventful except for the strain on the thumbs and forearms at the bottom. everyone seemed to be complaining. Probably didin't help that we had cold wet hands to deal with.

After a cruise along the valley to the cars we headed to Edale and the Nags head for refreshments. They had Monster Munch, Pepperammis, and chocalate (as well as beer) so we had quite a feast (well done to all that managed the hot peperammis).

Distance: 12 miles?

Ascent:

Bike ridden: NS Bikes Surge

My performance: Much better with the head start, 85%

Monsal Dale to Topley Pike Circle

Well, after a 2 week lay of due to work I managed to get out biking this week.

I thought i'd get out early and maybe do the 1st climb before the others, it wasn't going to be that easy though, I hadn't done this ride before!

It started in the bottom of Monsal dale right next to the River Wye, can't really get much lower than this, thats what my head was saying as we climbed up towards Cressbrook & Litton Slack. All tarmac but the quick pace of the guys upfront made for a demoralising 1st climb. As they rounded the hairpin and climbed higher in the opposite direction I could see how much of a lead they had gained already. Not good but I had to give it a try.

There was now a muddy/grassy decent into Millers Dale, and along the dissused railway line to the old station. Off the track and onto the tarmac again now, another climb upto Wormhill. It was on here I started to make mental notes regarding tyres, whilst the brand new front 'Maxxis Swampthing' was amazing under heavy braking and especially on wet grass and mud, it was making the bike feel like I was riding into a headwind. Need to try a ride without I think?

At Wormhill I found everyone waiting to go as I arrived, I didn't get a drink, but did manage to get the feeling back into my 3 outer toes on my right foot, they'd been getting less and less feeling as I climbed up the hill.

After a rough and cow slurry covered but short climb through the farmyard, it was a reasonably long descent through the farmland, this was not to be though. It was ankle deep in cow dung, mud and water! The bits that looked OK were actually just like sodden wet mounds, and when you tried to ride on them the wheels just sank in like riding on bread dough! The tryes proved to be an issue here aswell, picking up the mud and growing in size.

The next section was along the metalled road to Meadows farm, ahead of us was a descent that is slippery and steep, has long straights and tight hairpins! Now the tyres should come into their own. I usually try to get amongst the top 3 or 4 riders as we set off on a good downhill, I didn't this time though, and held back till the last 3. I set off behind a new rider whose name didn't catch (sorry). On the long straights I found I was getting baulked so thought I'd go for and inside pass on the first hairpin, it dind't work the door was closed in front. On the next straight I hung back a little to get a good clear run, George almost ran into the back of me now. Anyway I was looking to pass the rider in front on the next hairpin or just before under braking, I got a terrific pace up on the striaght and waited for the last possible moment for braking, relying on the awesome front tyre to keep me upright. Brakes on.... lean back slightly... unbalance the bike and turn in...... the surface beneath me has got to be one of the most surprising things I've experience in recent times. It was of course White Peak limestone burried in wet grass! I had to abort and go straight on, over shooting and loosing pace on the guy in front. I hung back now and just rode on to the bottom at a sensible pace.

In front now was the sting in the tail, A horrendous stone punctured grassy climb upto the A6 where we rode along to Preistcliffe and along the byeway to Brushfield and the final descent to the carpark in Monsal Dale. This descent was full of loose wet Limestone, and being on the hardtail bike meant for an uncomfortable ride. All in all, a different route for a Thursday evening, but probably I bit off more than I could chew for a return to biking.

Distance; Circa 12miles

Ascent:

Bike ridden: NS Bikes Surge hardtail

My performance: Rubbish! Wasn't ready, and mentally defeated before start!

No Biking for 2 weeks, missed the wet rides though!

Not managed to get out for a couple of Thursday's, managed to miss the wet rides though! I have fitted a lovely kitchen for a customer though.
On the kayaking front, I'm still trying to find a suitable kayak for my introduction to sea kayaking, it has to be short enough to fit on our baby car roof, or the diddy van. It will need to fit in the garage also, and then needs to be long enough and quick enough to cut it on the longer paddling trips.

Saturday morning in the park

Saturday 20th Sept

Having decided that I should try to spend more leisure time with the family we all went to the local park this morning. The sun was shining, the ground dry. Myself and Connor (3yr old) went on our bikes, Mum and Cerys 5 months walking with the pram.
Adele has been taking Connor regulary around the park on his balance bike (bike without pedals-velocipeed). She had told me he had been riding down the slopes and jumps in the woods no problem at all so we went in.
Adele was right, he was up and down the ramps and slopes no worries at all, when we were ready to leave though it all went wrong.......
Connor set off around a hole the kids had dug out, and his front wheel just went over the edge of the slope pulling him in, his speed picking up as he shot down the slope into a dip. A dip full of bits of brick, stones and broke sticks and branches! He made it through and part way up the other side. The look of horror on his face mde me feel so helpless, I couldn't do anything to help him, just look on as he rode it out. Just as I thought he'd got away with it... down he went, the bars spun and he flipped over the top landing heavily on his back.
I ran over, scooped him up, and turned around to see Adele marching towards me looking worried. He was Ok and with a grazed shin and the odd bruise, we gave him some chocolate and he was back on the bike hurtling around the park again.
On the way home we passed the ramps in the woods, "I'm not going in there anymore dad"! I'm sure we'll get back in one day, but for now we'll stick to the paths of the park.

A ride through the darkness

Thursday 18th Sept 1900hrs start

Well, having struggled with an aching back all week, I decided to go out biking after all. I was running late so met the others at Crookhill farm above the start of the Snakepass. The lads had already done an up-down-up loop at this point so I should be able to keep up knowing there was a very good downhill coming, and an escape route if my back was playin up. The route had been changed though, and we were now going down to and across the A57, straight up the other side and then straight back down again. It is my favorite descent (called Lord of the Rings), its location remains a secret though!
After a slog around the side of Ladybower reservior and then a steep climb up a logging track we were on the lower slopes of win hill ready for the last decent to the cars. My back had stood up well and I wasn't last to the top of the last climb either.
The weather was dry, the ground wet but surprisingly grippy.
6 riders plus my self made it out this week, none of whom suffered any mechanicals or crashes.

A reliable roll!???? Trashed & Battered!

On holiday in Pembrokeshire this August

On arrival there was a terrific swell, lovely sets of waves rolling in and a perfect offshore wind - got to go kayak surfing!

I got my kit together, got changed and took my Inazone 230 to the beach (see pic).

When I got to the waters edge I realised that this wasn't going to be an easy ride. Just getting out was going to be fun/difficult/immpossible (delete as you think).

After not having been in the boat for a year it seemed to be too short, after cramming myself in and sealing on the spray deck I set off. I could see there were almost relentless sets of breakers coming at me, perfect..... or so i thought - BANG the first wave broke on the bow of the boat followed by another, the YAK Coast bouyancy aid I wear has a shaped waistline that sends breaking water around my sides instead of into my face, it worked perfectly! I managed to get out to some distance for a warm up, looking back at the beach was an awesome sight! the rollers were hiding the veiw as they broke and the the wind blew the spray up high into the air! Got to surf NOW!

So, with a little nervous anticipation i set off, i looked back, waited for the wave to start to roll, paddled forwards lightly, tipped my weight fowards as the wave caught me and........slipped straight over the back! Missed it, not enough forwards motion, try again.

This time I put more effort in, more forwards strokes, lean forwards, paddle......... Yes!!!! It picked me up and fired me towards the shore at lightening speed, a new problem now though, the wind was blowing so hard that the spray was like someone was firing a saltwater jet-wash in my eyes! Reaching back behind the wave I quickly turned around to go back out and try again. This time making an adjustment to the new visor on my helmet. See pic

The new helmet visor is from a mountainbike, when i fitted it i did consider drilling some holes in it to allow water to run through it, I didn't though, which would now lead to my demise!!.......

I pulled the visor down over my eyes and set off, this time a perfect ride in, almost 50m of flat out surf straight up to the shore. I should have got out and left it at this point...I didn't.

Instead I set off out again, a smallish wave broke on my bow, and just behind it, crashing and foaming its way straight at me.... an enormouse roller what must have been 3 feet high, just starting to break, the white foaming water now only a metre or so in front I took a big breath of spray filled air and braced for impact...

The front of the boat sliced into the front of the wave, then wack! The force of the water hit me in the stomach, forcing the air from my lungs and catching the peak of the helmet visor. The power of the water should not be underestimated! I tensed all my muscles as I felt the impact wrenching back my head then..over I went, back looped! Now upside down, doing what felt like 100mph under the water, I waited before I went for the roll up, (no use trying when your being pushed along in a foaming, bubbling torrent). Here we go, paddle on the surface sweep out and up we go.... only I didn't. Thats got to be the 1st time my roll hasn't work in years! Trouble was I had no air in me either, so; I immediatly went up for another roll, I just got upright and ....Bang another big wave hit me! ( I don't know how big, I didnt see it coming). I had one more attempt at a roll but with no air or energy left I decided to get out. I unclipped my deck no problem, and with no air and a bit of panick setting in I kicked and squirmed my way backwards (not the way to get out of an up-turned kayak).I eventually surfaced and obviously took the biggest breath I could, just as another wave broke! Mouthfull again! Where's my boat?? Crash! Ah, thats where it is, its sea-side of me, another wave had picked up the boat and rammed it into the back of my head, pushing me under and sending me face first towards the shore. I managed to get behind the boat and ride it into the beach, picked up my paddle and managed to get out, I collapsed onto the sand wreching and panting, I felt like bursting into tears!

I got my self together and dragged the kayak out of the water, it was half full of gritty sand, so i decided to fill it with fresh water from the cliff waterfall that runs over onto the beach to rinse it through. When it was up on end and half filled I picked it up on my back, turned around and... stood on a green and slipperry rock, I started to fall forwards with the now very heavy boat on my back bearing down like some sort of heavy wet monster, it caught me! Bang down on my left knee right on the edge of a rock, oh dear, ouch! (or some words like that) I rolled around in pain for a few seconds, then laying on my back I opened my eyes to see.... A big group of coastal path walkers looking over! Are you OK mate etc etc......

Lessons to be learned? Its always the 'one last try' when things go wrong.

Drill some holes in that visor, or take the thing off.

Maybe when you havn't been in the water for a year you perhaps should practice on a smaller wave.

Look at the video to see me on a smaller wave later in the week (after I had forgot about my demise)

Just starting out

Hi All,
Hopefully I'll be updating this after every mountain bike ride (usually Thursdays) and keeping you posted on how my kayaking is going!
Currently I'm resting as i have strained my back fitting a washing machine.
Looking forwards to Thursday night (biking) I'll probably be walking though.

Until next time

Martyn