Evening ride

Bayf and I managed an evening ride this week. It had chucked it down all day, and Bayf took some persuading... And I'm on the Trek today, as I've already taking the Enduro to Scotland in anticipation of a 7-Stanes week.

Anyway he turned up at 5:30, forgetting his shoes, so had to ride sans-SPD.

We rode from home across the Bugle Horn bridleway to Little Kimble, then straight up onto Pulpit Hill (definitely felt that), and down the otherside to the back of 'Chequers'. Across the Ridgeway and then home via Butlers Cross and the bridleway.

It was very dark, even down to not been able to see the roots in the trees, and they were well slippery.

Only item of note was my chain getting stuck between my outer and middle cogs on the chainset, and finding out the reason was that 3 out of the 4 bolts had fallen off! I guess this what comes of paying the Trek no attention (as Duncan's been riding it), with that and the creaky BB and stiff forks I think I need to give it a full stripdown and service. Hey Duncan when you buying a bike?

Once showered and changed it was into town for a couple of beers (when did The Grapes shut?), a curry and St James's, for a drink ;-)

Muc-Off Part 2 29th July

It had been two weeks since our North Wales trip, so a leisurely Sunday ride around South Oxfordshire was put in the diary. We decided to make it an early start, however Garry cancelled due to his ankle injury, but we were joined by Alex from Stone. We decided to do the same loop (well similar) near to Christmas Common that Bruce and I did a few weeks ago. I was expecting the trail to have dried out slightly, but how wrong was I, it was very gloopy in the forest sections and we all struggled with grip in places. We rode for two and a half hours and must have covered close to 20 miles. Alex took some good photos and will hopefully join us on future ride outs. The weather stayed fine but all three of us were covered from head to foot in mud and as for the bikes.......time

for some Muc-Off !

And then there were 3.........again !

I decided to join Garry and Bruce on their leisurely tour of the vale on Saturday. We headed off out the back of Fairford Leys and onto the land surrounding Waddesdon and Stone. The going was sticky and muddy to say the least. All in all we did about 20 miles and it eased Bruce back into it, but 2 months out of the saddle and the fitness is bound to suffer. One comedy moment; Bruce fell off on to a flower pot outside a tea room in Westcott and he put his bionic wrist down first and it didn't break which is a big plus. Shame we didn't have a camera.

Bruce and I will be heading off for a tour of the South Chilterns on Sunday the 1st July to build both our fitness levels before we head off to Coed y Brenin in mid July. Can't wait.