On the water this week!

A flooded coalfield

Saturday 21st March 2009

For a while now I have been gagging to get out on the water with the touring boat, and do some more extensive 'testing'.

We (my Dad and myself) decided to take a trip to Rother Valley Country Park, its only 20mins from home and is big enough for a good test paddle without getting bored.

Rother Valley opened in 1983 having cost over 4 million to convert after the coal extraction work had finished The lake is lined with a metre thickness of compacted stone and filled with clean water pumped in from the Moss Brook 2.5 km away.

Having called into the watersports centre and paid our fee of £4.20 each, we quickly got changed and moved to the waters edge. I always wonder if a specific routine of warming up should be followed prior to paddling, and I've come to the conclusion; by the time you have got the boats off the car/van, got into all the dry gear, and carried the boat to the water you warm enough!

So we got in and had a little paddle up and down. There was a gusting wind from the North which was picking up crested wavelets on the water surface.

The Venture Easky kayak seemed to gluide through them nicely with no noticable spray.

I had set the GPS unit on the deck as we set out, mainly to try and get and idea of a comfortable cruising speed that suited us both.

It seemed that we could sustain 4.1 miles /hour comfortably, so now we can plan our proposed canal trips.

We paddle to the Northern end of the lake, and found it to be crowded on the lakeside, the kids playground was busy and there were plenty of people sat around enjoying the sunshine.

I suddenly noticed a bloke on the beach, waving in what looked like my direction, I checked behind me, and again all around, but couldn't make out who he was waving at. He then shouted, and made a large circular shape with his arms definately in my direction.

I had no-idea what he was on about so I paddle over, he shouted to me, 'can you get our football from the water?'

Apart from the annoyance of having to get close to the edge to play ball by, it did make me realise how difficult it is to see a head sized shape floating in the water! In the sea Kayak Safety DVD I purchased recently, the RNLI stated: 'Anything you can do to increase your visability in the water will aid us if we have to come to rescue you', imagine trying to pick out a head from a helicopter in the middle of a vast rough sea, particulary at night.

We paddled back where we had been resting, and had a rest, the guy shouted again, this time after passing back the ball, we moved on, and went down to the other end of the lake.

Here with that northerly wind blowing freely the full length of the water, the chop was significantly bigger, so i had a little play just testing the kayaks manoverability to see how it handled. now when paddling straight at the waves, there was some spray from the bow, made worse as the wind caught it and blew it my way.

One thing I have just thought about is the paddle, this was the first time I had used it properly, and with its cranked shaft it was all new. I didn't find it to be good or bad, and seemed to be quite 'fluent' in use. It did I think, make me concious of my hand position, and will probably make my grip from left to right more even.

Another thing that I noticed (perhaps more significantly) was there was little or no water run off blowing back into my face even when heading into the wind.

I now decided to have a go at towing Dad! I have towed once before, but though it would be good to try the new tow line. I had altered the standard Palm 'river tow' by reducing the diameter of the rope, I could increase the length from 3metres to 6metres, allowing me to tow others with my 15' boat with out them being too close to me.

I towed Dad firstly in a straight line, and then around some bouys to see if I could turn correctly, it seemed fairly straight forwards, but with a following wind, Dad had to use a stern rudder every now & then to keep track. I tested the quick release on the tow belt, and put it all away, happy that I can tow on flat water anyway!

I now decided that I would have a go at some self rescues, Dad didn't have a dry suit, of any kind, so I was in on my own this time. I had already done a couple of rolls earlier on. This had been with spare paddle on the back deck, and with the deck bag in front of the cockpit. I rolled no problem, but found it to be a slow and deliberate action, I think due to the drag of the extra gear strapped onto the deck!

So....time to get wet, I rolled over and popped the deck, gently eased my self out and broke the surface, now I waited, waited for the slow creep of the cold water to work its way throughout my body. It didn't happen! Don't get me wrong here, it was cold! But the new dry trousers and the excellant Yak dry cag Ive been using for a couple of seasons now really worked well.

So, on with the self rescue, I had been concerned with my positioning of my spare paddle on the back deck for a while now, and my concern was justified! I swam around to the bow, with the boat still up-turned, and whilst kicking hard with my legs pushed the Bow up and out of the water, and then as it dropped back down, rolled it around so it landed the correct we up. This is much harder to carry out than it looks on the safety DVD!

Having got the boat empty, I swam around to the stern, and passing the cockpit checked to see how much water remained inside.... quite a lot!

Any way I grabbed the deck lines and hoisted my self on to my chest and strated to work my way along the back deck. I got stuck1 The spray deck was stuck on the spare paddle. It was then Dad reminded me to put the deck in my teeth before strating. so I had another go, I managed to get right up to the deck this time, but was very conscious of not tearing the new dry trousers on the spare paddle, (if this is going to be on my mind when doing these re-entries then maybe I'll have to move the paddle to the fore deck).

Now having got as far as the cockpit, all i needed was to get my legs in, I dropped my bum in to the seat and started to get my legs into the cockpit, it was now I remebered that I should have leaned right back to keep the centre of gravity low, in I went!

When I surfaced, the Rother valley rescue boat appeared to check all was well. I told him I was practicing, but he said he had to wait to make sure I was OK.

So with and audience I got out the paddle float. I pondered about where to keep this usefull item. After some thought, I decided to roll it up and tuck it just behend the seat back rest under the spray deck. My thoughts were; if I need it, I'll be out of the boat, so I'll be able to get to it, the drawback is if someone else needs to use it, then it means taking off my deck.

I slipped it over the paddle blade, and inflated the 2 chambers, with the paddle trapped on the back deck behind the cockpit, under my arm I hokked my left leg over it whilst facing the cockpit on the right side of the kayak. There is a moulded in channel that is supposedly for this purpose on the deck, but if I use it, and put the paddle under the deck lines to secure it, I fear that I would not get it out easily in a hurry, and in a lively sea I might end up back in in the resultant struggle.

I clambered up the paddle on to the deck and facing the stern, put first my right foot, and then the left into the cockpit whilst still leaning all my weight towards the paddle float. Now with both feet in, I just spun around so I faced forwards, and I was in! Now I needed to paddle to shore to sort my paddle float out, NOT easy, and if there was a swell of any sinificance I would be struggling.

Thoughts on the paddle float? I reckon, definately should carry it, but only use it if I cant climb back in, or there is no one to assist. Packing it away/storing it wouldnt be too bad but getting it off the paddle blade is not a fast job, needs practice!

So we got out, packed the boats onto the roof rack. When I got changed there was a small amount, ( about a cupfull )in the bottom of the dry trousers, I think this is due to the waist band, and better layering might help next time.

Dad had paddled very well in his Tsunami 120, it cruises very well, and to be honest appearto handle and turn very well, it cuts through the water well and the smile on Dads face says it all. I'm sure we will have some great days out in these boats!

Conclusions:

Well I definately need to get the boat into the sea, I want to know how it handles in a swell, in the surf, and just to know if I can keep a good pace.

My rescues need more practice, and when the waters are a bit warmer, we need to practice X rescues so we know we can both get back in.

As for the position of my spare paddle....I like it on the back deck, its out of sight, keeping the fore deck less cluttered, I spent time getting it si I could reach it and get it assembled easily whilst in the boat. so just putting it on the front will take some thought, I'll try getting back in again before I make a decision.

Were off to Angelsey for Easter, so will get some sea paddling in, weather permmitting!

A Tour of a Stately Home

Thursday 19th March 2009

For this week we had decided to meet at Bakewell, and do a trip around the hills between the market town and Chatsworth House estate.

We met up with a group of 9 making it this week.

This week I had to ride my heavy Kona Coiler full suspension bike as the hard-tail is suffering after the battering of the winter.

We set off along the dis-used railway that used to link bakewell with Matlock. As we left the old line and climbed up an undulating track I found the going good, easy peddling and good traction...the joys of rear suspension!

At the top, (and I was 1 of the 1st there) I suddenly realised why I had felt the going to be good, I have been using a 36 tooth front chainring for most of the winter, and this bike had a 32t. Much easier to climb without having to use granny gear!

The blast down the otherside was new to me, but well worth a run. A combination of mud and dry sections, apparently, a few riders back the dust was so bad it wasn't easy to see what you were heading for!

Now we headed along the A6 towards Bakewell, and back up to where we just left! a vicious climb, that had me pushing about halfway. at the top we crossed a valley and then (after the sweetie stop) A cracking blast across the Chatsworth rolling grassy hillside, full of little crests and jumps its quite exciting for something that looks so boring.

Now through Endsor village and up the long drag to Ball Cross farm above the Bakewell golf course.

I made the climb OK, I had to stop and take off a layer of clothing, but I made it up!

This last descent down to the car park is a good one, the locals have built little kickers in here and there and it didn't fail to please this time.

It was so good infact we all climbed back to the top for another go!

Excelant, ride excellant performance

How many crashes Phil??

Thursday 5th March



A few tumbles.......................



This weeks ride started at The Norfolk Arms at Ringinglow.

On arrival I got out of the van and was surprised to find how much the temperature had dropped since leaving home, according to amy & Chris's temp gauge in their van it was now 0 deg and windy!

Luckily most of the proposed ride is in the woods, or has the prevailing wind following so we got cracking.

The 1st mile (as usual) is uphill, and is a roman road popular with off roaders. Up to the cross roads after Lady Cannings plantation, and Left down to the road.

a quick ascent of the a625 to do the excelant decent along the edge of blacka woods. at the end of this track is a test we like to do called the 'drop of doom'!

This is just as described, a steep grassy bank with a defined narrow track, one that is best not ridden unless you are 1st down. It gets really slippery after 1 or 2 riders.

Geoff went 1st and took a route off to the left and around a small tree, I was next and took the direct, on track route, the front super tacky 'swampthing' tyre really worked here allowing me to hang right over the back of the saddle and brake hard without skidding at all. Made it, safe. Adam next straight down, no worries.

Cub was next, he teetered over the edge and then just seemed to accelerate until he went down on his left and straight into a tree, he was ok, but he and ther bike was now stuck fast.

Phil came down the far side and found what appeared to those watching below, the bumpiest route on there, it looked as though his front forks were getting full travel all the way down.

We pushed back to the top to find the others in the group had decided not to have a go, and were ready to carry on with the ride.

a short climb back up to the junction, and now a descent i didn't recall having ever done.

it starts steep and rocky, then as it levels out gets straighter, faster, and wetter. At one point I could hear someone behind me getting close, worried it was Phil trying to pass I dropped off to one side. It was Phil, he passed me, giggling away, and then got the back wheel stuck in a drainage ditch that has been lined with timber to keep its shape. He fell off just to my right, forwards rolled straight across my path and ended up in the trees on the left. adam came down next, and later commented on how he was concerned to see on his approach to see Phil's bike, but no Phil!

With Phil up and still laughing, I was off, and now found that it was turning into a bog, no well defined route, and as i zig zagged around the woods trying to find traction, adam caught me up and said, Phils off again!

At a junction near the bottom, we gathered and laughed about how Phil always seems to pass you, and then takes a massive tumble, we all should have helmet cameras, we'd have some excellant youve been framed footage!

We now dropped through the ford in Blackamoor, and tackled the big climb up through the trees to the sweetie stop, here we put Phils chain back together, it had broke right down at the bottom.

we then disscussed the possiblities of extending the route, but with no decision being made Phil set off up the grassy climb, so decision made, we all duly followed.

Heading just slightly off a head wind, this climb seemed easier for me then normal, at the top a quick run along the a625 again takes us back along the Roman road back to lady Cannings Plantation.

Along this track with the wind behind you can really fly, and at the top we met another group of riders going the other way. When ever we see other groups they always seem (to me) to be heading the wrong way for getting in the best decents, maybe they don't like downs and are into the pedally stuff?

Now we set off across the tops, and found 3 off roaders going off the track and making the ugly deep scars to the side of the track even deeper, if they carry one doing this, they will end up with the track closed to vehicles, and the prospect of nowhere to go, not a bad thing some might say. I just think that everyone will be tarred with the same brush eventually, and it will get everyone with wheels a bad name.

Now into The woods, and a quick flowing blast with roots and the odd rock or two, myself and Geoff were near the back of the group, and as we split into the technical track in the bottom wood, his light went off, he stopped with lots of cursing, normally unflappable he seemed to be quite angry. he set of, went off to the left into the under growth, back onto the track and shot straight into a tree! Keep it calm!

at the end we met the road, and with 150m on tarmac, we were back with our cars.

Whilst we loaded up, we were entertained with the sound of jazz from the Norfolk Arms, very nice. We didnt call in though........... The Grouse beckoned!

MUD, Glorious MUD!

A new take on an old theme

26th Febuary 2009

Just a quick word this week, got a thousand things I should be doing instead of writing here.
We (9 of us) set off from the Yorkshire Bridge pub in a heavy drizzle that had started on the run out in the van. With a gusty wind no-one wanted to go high, but thats difficult really when a) You live in the peaks b)Most of us like to go downhill, and not up!
We went up to Crookhill farm and along the ridge to the Hagg farm descent. I can't remeber doing this and feeling good about it, the climb is tarmac and steep, and the ridge is grass, windy and tonight muddy.
The descent at the end down to the Snake Pass road is a wide track but littered with rocks, the very edge is the place to go though, and seems to have developed berms on the outside that you can 'hook' into>
All made it down.
Across the Snake, and up the 'Beast', a horrible track used by off roaders that is just about immpossible to ride up, (although I belive Adam & Andy had a good try).
At the top we went back down! Theres a track running close to the other we have named L o t R! Its my all time favorite, and is a very quick off-camber root-ridden track. Part way down you have to go down the gears and brake hard to make a hairpin right. what lies in front is almost alpine, and is always wet, with large rocks, the end is fast single track that is slippery and hidden from sight.
At the bottom, I shook the 'Chezzy bears' hand - he enjoyed the race, I was just glad he didnt knock me off, he's a big lad!
Along the side of the Ladybower reservoir and up the logging track, and then a new descent through the woods. Boy was this slippery, everyone had a story to tell at the end, not least Phil who snapped his seat post off clean in the frame! Carefull of that apple corer now!
a quick trip across the dam wall and straight into the van, and - you guessed, to the Grouse. We met up with Ben here, he's off to South America for a year on Sunday, so we had to say farewell! Enjoy yourself Ben

Distance: 06 miles
Ascent: Mostly
Bike ridden: NS Bikes Surge
My performance: Not too bad 95%

A Long(ish) boat NO ICE!

Monday 23rd March

Finally after much searching I think I found the perfect touring kayak for my Dad.

When I had been looking for my self, I had come up with some possiblities that for one reason or another were not viable, this one though was due to cost, the 'Wilderness systems, Tsunami 120' is very expensive new, and I never saw a 2nd hand example anywhere in the UK.

Imagine my surprise then when I looked at Brookbank Canoe's web pages and found one there! http://www.canoesandkayaks.co.uk/



A nearly new Orange example, looking like it was in very good condition, a plan was hatched to travel the hour or so over to Stockport to veiw it, and try it out on the flat water of Sale Water park.



WOW! When I arrived in Brookbanks new facility I was stunned by the size of the place. I was like a child in a sweet shop! Wall to wall eye candy, every sort of bouyancy aid, spray deck, clothing, safety gear, paddles and Canoes/Kayaks. Once We got over this, we paid a deposit on the Tsunami, and set too trying it for size in the warmth of the shop. Well, what a comfortable and easy system for sitting, adjusting the footrests and generally getting a good fit! How annoying, I'm now thinking my Venture is a bit 'loose'.

So having adjusted things to suit dad we got it strapped onto the Punto, ever more annoyed now, the boat did not over hang the front or the rear of the car! (my 15' Venture Easky is riddiculous in comparison).

We drove the 10mins around the M60 to Sale. What a freindly and hassle free reception - thanks guys!

Its windy here though, Dad got some waterproofs on and a hat and dropped into the boat, off he went, straight upto speed, tracking dead straight in to the wind, and turned pretty much on a dime and returned with the following wind.

We had also borrowed a more suitable 'touring' paddle to try, so he swapped for this and went off again, there's only so much you can do to test a boat on flat water, but I could see the delight in Dads expression when he returned to the bankside. Jubilation, It looked like we'd be taking it home then!

I had a quick go now, but having not took a change of clothing, I had to be carefull how much 'testing' I did, I didn't plan on a swimming test!

Even more annoyed, I now felt that this Tsunami tracked aswell if not better then the Easky 15' and its forwards speed was just as good.

Turning appears to be very good, and needs very little 'edging' to get a quick responsive 'about' turn. I got tremeandous speed into the wind, and with the following wind I was flying along.

The boat has surprising 'initial' stability, very good and not at all tippy considering the fairly pronounced keel. Stability there after seemed spot on also, but that will require more experimentation in more suitable attire!



We got the boat strapped on the Punto again and set off back to Brookbank.

I had a few things I wanted to try on, a couple of Touring cags, They feel great when you get them on and all togged up hood and all, but I felt that for now, (as I want to practice rescues and rolling etc) the money would be better spent on some dry trousers. I got some Nookie Extreme, they feel great and make you feel more comfortable getting in the cold winter water voluntarily.

I got a paddle float, a waterproof phone case, and a towline. So I'm slowly adding to my inventery of kit ultimately needed for sea paddling.

Here's to some future adventures!

I'll have a long-boat with ICE please!

Saturday 14th Febuary 2009

Early on Friday morning I suddenly thought it was a lovely sunny day, snow melting and fairly warm, what a nice day for a paddle!

I sent out a text to my Dad to see if he fancied a trip to Carrsington water to test the boats, nine with the extra weight of the new safety kit and cooking gear etc that I will carry on future trips, and Dads because he hadn't been in the bigger Micro 250 we proposed he would use for trips.

He agreed, and I picked him up at 0830 to load the boats onto the new van, what a pain that is, just can't reach the height with the boat on my own!

We set off for Carsington, and on arrival saw some patches of ice! I hope they let us on now, I hadnt expected ice it was all melting everywhere else!

We went to pay the launch fee, a reasonable £5 for a day pass, and the very concerned looking lady at the desk said she would have to check with 'health and safety' first. Answer:

Come back in an hour! The sun was shining, so helping to melt, and there was a small motor boat ice breaking also, sounded good, so we went for a coffee.

Carrsington is a relatively new reservoir opened in 1992, it serves Derby, notts and leicster. It has a very comprehensive watersports centre running courses in most sports, but as usuall the power boat fanatics get the run of the water, with kayaks and canoes only allowed within site of the centre, I understand why, but with such a lovely setting and the massive surface area it would be great to get out a little farther.

When we returned to the centre after coffee the answer was a firm NO, the ice was not melting, and was actually re-freezing, and on looking up, I realised that the sun had dissapeared behind the clouds, damn!

I gave Rother Valley Country Park a call at Sheffied, and discovered that they were also frozen, so, we got into the van and as we set off.... the powerboat course that was booked for that day was just beggining, in the kayaking area they had just cleared! Now we know!

As we descended the hill towards Matlock town, I realised that we did have 2 river boats ( the shorter Micro 230 was in the back of the van) we could actually try the River Derwent at Matlock white water course. Its not my Dads favorite place, and with the melting snow, it could be out of our skill range anyway, but we could have a look.

As we reached the road junction at Cromford, Dad suddenly realised that we were now right at the start of the Cromford canal! A plan was hatched, we'd have a look, and see if we had a right to launch.

None of the signage in the car park said anything about usage, and there didnt appear to be much depth to the water. We did notice that there was a note saying for more info go to the cafe'.

We went there to find a trio of adolescents standing around behind the counter, and when I asked the young lad 'do you have any information about canoe launching on the canal' I got 'Err NO'.

A girl behind the till was more helpfull and sent us 2 miles down the road to High Peak Junction cafe, here there was a peak park employee, who when asked the previous question just looked at us as if to say 'its freezing, why would yopu want to go on there today?'

We paid a ridiculous fee, (£1.50) and went back to the Cromford Warf to launch. The canal runs right from the carpark edge and we got an amazing range of strange looks, and comments as we got ready to launch, there was ice, but only at the end.

Getting into a kayak anywhere can have its challeges, yo can: Get in on land and 'seal launch' - not recommended in a 15' boat in a canal!

You can get in on a beach and use you knuckes to 'gorrilla' into the water - no beach!

You can put the boat into the water, and then lower yourself in trying not to fall inbetween the boat and the bankside.

The Canal proved to be interesting, still water is new to me, (and Dad) and proved to be slipperry stuff! I got Dad in 1st by kneeling on the edge stone and pinning the kayak to the side whilst he lowered himself in. Easy!

Now for the tricky part, with no-one to hold the boat to the edge which was about 10" higher than the deck of the boat I had to be quick whilst Dad 'nosed' his boat up against mine. I did it, without wet feet.

Safely on the water we set off, me in front. when I glanced back Dad was spinning and struggling with the Micro 250. When we bought it on Ebay it was listed as a 240, and upon collection I noticed it to be a 250, it is noticably bigger in all directions, but more importantly, it has no keel and instead a flat planing hull. Our micro 230 has a fairly deep keel, and tracks quite well if the paddler doesn't lean back.

I pulled into a shallow gritty beach where the bank stones had dissapeared, and swapped over boats, the question now was wether Dad could handle the 15' Venture. There where to be no sharp turns here so he would be Ok, I set off in what seemed like the shortest boat in the world, and immediatley found the thing to be very 'slipperry' on the surface of the water, every paddle stroke, had me spinning from left to right on its axis.

I swapped paddles with Dad ( my new 215m touring being far too long)

this made things a little better, but what effort required just to keep moving forwards!

Dad was away, for once I struggled to keep up, instead of being out in front.
We paddled down to the end of the line, where there are some repairs being made to the canal, I did a little ice breaking with the blue 'tug' boat. It seemed a little anti social so I turned around and we had some coffee outside the cafe.

By the time we'd reached the car back at Cromford, dad had 'seen the light' and was considering a touring boat of some sort!

So it looks like the next few weeks will be spent looking for the correct boat, and a good bargain!

SNOW,SNOW and more SNOW (AGAIN)!

Thursday 12th Febuary 2009

Still no biking, this week six of the biking crew went Go-Karting (indoors)!

All of the six who went were a competetive bunch, and when we had gone through all the safety briefings, someone asked ' what would be a good lap time for a punter then?'
The reply was 22 secs is a good time 21 secs very good lap record 19.73 secs!
The gauntlet was down! Soene was going to either beat the 20 secs mark or be thrown out/injured trying.
The race consisted of 20 laps warmup/qualifying, and then a 30 lap race.
during qualification Jeff broke the throttle cable, so ended up with a less responsive spare kart, then Cub managed to dislodge the chain from the drive sprocket, the guys at the centre did a sterling job of putting it back on with a spark plug spanner and brute force! Well done lads!
We pulled up at the starting grid, and the marshal put us into our starting order, I was dissapointed, but not surprised to see I was only 5th quickest.
We were all at 22 secs or there abouts so on the pace, apparently the concrete floor of the track doesnt get warm enough to go much quicker in the winter.
When the lights went out for the race start, the front 3 went off like lightening, and I was right up the back of jeff for 4 laps, nowhere to get past, and shouting at him to 'come on'. Next thing I know, he's away.... miles ahead, and I just couldn't close the gap.
I did eventually catch up, and as I did he backed off so he could have a dice with the others as they 'lapped' him. I kept on pushing and started to catch the others, as I did a massive shunt from behind knocked me into the barrier, and then another kart hit me in the left side. A battle now ensued!

With the aggressive battle under way, the lap times got better, but the driving standards did not! The race was over 3 laps later, and we all got out rather hot inside the helmets and overalls
Looking through the results afterwards in the pub, showed that I set 4th fastest lap time in the last 4 laps of the race, (when we were battling) 21.57secs the quickest being 21.21secs. Well done to Ben, Andy and Cub for fast laps and consistency, Had the slow to respond spare kart but managed to get away from me, when asked what he did to change the pace 'I stopped braking, and just rolled into the corners'! So thats the secret. a big well done to Scott who had only been karting once before, and not with us lot.

As for me? Well I'll never master smooth cornering, all the years sliding rally cars into (and out of) corners has left me with lightening reactions but a tendancy to brake late and throw the kart sideways, leading to a loss of forwards speed, and a slow exit, usually rammed upto speed by the guy behind!
Injuries? Slightley dammaged ego, a bruise to the left ribs, and cramp in my fingers for a while afterwards.

Cheers Jeff, an excellant alternative to biking in the snow!