Monday 30 August 2010

Indy Fab


First ride went well, she rides like a dream very light, and fast, more than pleased. Maybe set up tubeless next?

Sunday 29 August 2010

Wild swimming

Fancy having a wild swim somewhere soon, although I'm not too keen on cold water!

New build

After weeks fretting about whether the frame would arrive, it did and on my birthday of all days, I was very happy :)
Unfortunately this didn't give me enough time to get it built before SSUK, but I enjoyed the last ride on the on-one in its current guise.
So today I started the build, swapping most of the parts from the on-one less a headset I purchased a while back, only encountered difficulties removing the cranks but this was down to lack of strength and Dunc saved the day.
looking forward to the virgin voyage tomorrow!

Saturday 28 August 2010

Commute home

Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/4e4d/8638/4c5a/d31f/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20100827-1708.kml
Started: 27 Aug 2010 17:08
Ride Time: 33:18
Distance: 9.23 miles
Average: 16.62 miles/h
Fastest Speed: 23.93 miles/h
Climb: 190 feet

Tuesday 24 August 2010

Malverns blast


Google Maps URL: http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/4e4d/8638/4c5a/d31f/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20100824-1731.kml
Started: 24 Aug 2010 17:31:05
Ride Time: 1:23:39
Distance: 4.97 miles
Average: 3.57 miles/h
Fastest Speed: 19.83 miles/h
Climb: 837 feet
http://www.cyclemeter.com

It seems ages since we headed out to the hills for a ride, this is such a shame as we have such a great riding destination right on the door step and so worth the effort every now and again. All was going great guns till descending from the beacon, flat tyre bugger no pump, well that's was that then.
Must return soon!

Monday 16 August 2010

Longest natural singletrack - Doethie Valley





Lynn Brianne, originally uploaded by nunuboogie.

Keen to get a second days cycling in we made arrangements to follow a fellow singlespeeder to Llyn Brianne reservoir. Unfortunately we lost our guide but managed to find the reservoir after driving round Wales for a bit. Arriving at the carpark we met up with one of the party who gave us rough directions. Simple forest cruise from Llyn Brianne, then a steep technical climb left of the cottage. Off we set not feeling very confident that we would find this magic ride. After cycling nearly half way round the reservoir and close to facing defeat we met a group of ssuk riders having a guided tour and they were happy for us to join them. Bonus!
Not long after the group found us we were making our way up the steep technical climb, then across moor land and down a rocky decent taking a sharp left through a gate. Doethie Valley (welsh for small piece of mountain bike heaven) and it sure is, a few places call for a dismount plus a very funny fall into a black muddy puddle! When you emerge at the bottom of the valley there is a steep rocky climb, and you come out on the fire road a few kilometres from the start, with a nice roll to the carpark.
Unsure why but I was expected singletrack through a wooded section, no this was natural singletrack following a valley, stunning views and great trails, epic riding at it's best!


Doethie Valley, originally uploaded by nunuboogie.


SSUK Cwm Rhaeadr




IMG_1619, originally uploaded by nunuboogie.

Singlespeed UK this year was to be held at Cwm Rhaeadr Located mid-Wales, funnily we ended up following @evilgordon through much of Wales, a fellow twitter and bike rider living in Worcester, finally we were to meet.
The course was tough, up and down which was great fun with a beer stop in-between. I ended up pushing most of the up's but so did pretty much everyone else, later found out only 2 riders managed to cycle the whole course!
Drinking and cycling is a dangerous combination as I was too find out on my second and last lap, I am now sporting a whopping bruise on my leg where the Mary bars plunged into my thigh.

Wednesday 11 August 2010

Cyclemeter commute

Google Maps URL commute to work
Started: 11 Aug 2010 07:43:52
Ride Time: 43:54
Stopped Time: 0:00
Distance: 9.23 miles
Average: 12.62 miles/h
Fastest Speed: 20.68 miles/h
Climb: 174 feet
Calories: 323

Tuesday 10 August 2010

SITS results

results page
Position 11th out of 50 mixed teams
31 laps 24:43:27
Dotty's Crew
1091 Aimee Black 1 00:54:39
1092 Dave Elliott 2 00:42:28
1089 Mark Regan 3 00:40:07
1093 Kelly Black 4 00:48:29
1090 John Walters 5 00:46:29
1091 Aimee Black 6 00:48:18
1092 Dave Elliott 7 00:40:51
1089 Mark Regan 8 00:40:09
1093 Kelly Black 9 00:49:09
1090 John Walters 10 00:46:59
1089 Mark Regan 11 00:42:21
1093 Kelly Black 12 00:53:32
1090 John Walters 13 00:52:06
1091 Aimee Black 14 00:51:52
1092 Dave Elliott 15 00:43:44
1091 Aimee Black 16 00:55:18
1092 Dave Elliott 17 00:44:30
1089 Mark Regan 18 00:43:15
1093 Kelly Black 19 01:01:11
1090 John Walters 20 00:53:59
1089 Mark Regan 21 00:44:19
1093 Kelly Black 22 00:54:02
1090 John Walters 23 00:53:14
1091 Aimee Black 24 00:50:59
1092 Dave Elliott 25 00:42:29
1089 Mark Regan 26 00:42:44
1090 John Walters 27 00:51:43
1093 Kelly Black 28 00:53:49
1092 Dave Elliott 29 00:40:22
1089 Mark Regan 30 00:41:15
1091 Aimee Black 31 00:49:05

Saturday 7 August 2010

Sleepless in the Saddle 2010

SITS



There was a lot of anticipation abouts SITS this year, mainly down to the weather forecast, having raced SITS last in 2008 when it was a mud fest any really wet weather would of made riding tough!
Luckily we were blessed with great weather and an extremely mild night too.
This was also the van first outing, "making do" with a futon mattress and duet, the small time we spent sleeping in it was very enjoyable.

Team name: Dottys Crew
Running order: Aimee, Dave, Mark, Kelly, John

Aimee kindly volunteered to start.
Aim on the start line
Go Aim, go!!!

My first lap came round quite quickly even though it wasn't till about 6 ish, off i went to the transition area to wait for Mark to finish his lap. The course was great fun, no real hard climbing but enough to keep it interesting and some lovely wooded sections that i looked forward to on every lap. Most of the route either ran through fields or wooded sections which by the end of the race were like little dust pools, imagine what would of happened to these if it had rained!
Some of the wooded sections were quite tight, and required lots of concentration +1 on the night laps.
Most riders out on the course were kind and considerate, only had issues with one salsa rider who though that everyone else on the course should make way, ggggrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
Unlike past 24hr events i managed to log every lap on the garmin and one with the iphone.

Cyclemeter route

My second lap was scheduled to start 8ish so lights were prepared and attatched to bike and helmet, first proper test of the modified lumicycle lights was impressive, but my cheap chinese helmet light wouldn't stay on, and annoyingly flashed on and off through out my lap.
During this lap i thought i had cramp in my right leg as i felt a sharp pain in my calf while attacking a climb in the woods, my thigh and calf seized and i stopped briefly to stretch but i think now i must have slightly torn a muscle as it is still very stiff and sore.


The routine during night laps changed slightly to allow other team members enough time to catch a few hours sleep one lap on one lap off, so bed after lap 3 - just after 11pm ready for my 3am knock!

Heading into the night we were in 12th position.

The dreaded knock came just after 3am, leaving me 45mins to prepare.
Night laps are great fun, lonely, spooky, the course seems so much different at night, sections you remember riding in the day completely disappear! I'm also sure I saw a lunar eclipse?



Lovely views around 5am it was very misty as my lap finished just as the sun started to rise.
Its strange stuffing your face at 3.30am and 5.30am in the morning, god I was looking forward to a bacon sandwich.....6.43am time for another lap.



My final lap finished 1pm phew!

Dottys crew were now in 11th place, keen to keep that position we decided to get in as many laps as possible and Aim said she didn't mind doing the final lap. It was a bit touch and go wether she would get out again but Mark steamed back with 2 minutes to spare.

Final lap count
Aimee - 6
Dave - 6
Mark - 7
Kelly - 6
John - 6




Wednesday 4 August 2010

SITS packing list

Camping Stuff
Stove plus spare gas
head torch and camping light
cooking equipment pans, plates ect.
water carrier
chairs plus blow up sofa
tent????
camping mat or futon mattress
sleeping bag plus liner
pillow

Bike Stuff
Bike x 2 ?? (singlespeed)
Bike lights and battery - charge up
Shimano spd shoes plus waterproof boots
helmet
camelbak
all of my cycling clothes

Clothes and other
2 x Camera and batteries - charge up
2 x MP3 player
garmin - charge up
Warm Coat
Hoody
shorts
Body warmer
jeans
tshirt
tooth brush and paste
warm Socks
wash kit and Towel
whooly Hat
Undies
Bin bag for dirty clothes
Matches
floppers and trainers

Where is my iPad?

So the case and dock has arrived, just waiting paitently now for the main man to arrive!

New van


Now this is the new van, first seen yesterday, first impressions very nice ;)
Still to have privacy glass inserted and the disabled lift removed, but should hopefully be ready for Friday. All being well then, this year we will be atending SITS in the van! yipeeee

Tuesday 3 August 2010

Gisburn Forest Ride


IMG_1587, originally uploaded by nunuboogie.

Gisburn Forest Garmin Connect - Details

Finding ourselves near Gisburn due to family commitments, an opportunity of cycling arose that was just too good to miss. So as well as packing wedding outfits into the car, bikes came along too!
The day started bright and sunny but as soon as biking time arrived the heavens opened, this wouldn't stop us enjoy the riding though, the trails were muddy and wet in places but we were lucky enough to avoid more rain during the ride.



IMG_1585, originally uploaded by nunuboogie.



IMG_1592, originally uploaded by nunuboogie.

Gisburn is a superb place to ride the trails are well marked and arduous enough to test even the best riders skills. Riding varies from rooty forest runs to rocky descents and technical climbs over slabs of rock and the hugest berms known to mankind!

About 3 miles form the finish John suffered his first pinch flat and we had a moment of "bugger, shit, shit" when he realised he had left spare inner tubes in the car but luckily deep down hidden in the camelbak we found the puncture repair kit.



IMG_1594, originally uploaded by nunuboogie.

The last section of the ride revealed some a new section, since our last visit, built next to the normal friendly boardwalk was some (black route) boardwalk from hell! I valued my teeth too much on this particular visit to attempt the 2 ft high long narrow sections of board and took the easy way round, John ducked out too saying "he wasn't going fast enough" ???? maybe next time.........



IMG_1597, originally uploaded by nunuboogie.