Ok, now in more depth....though I'll no doubt write an article for soulmusic if requested....?!
Friday was a sweet drive up. Some laughs in the new mobiles and we hit red route at Glentress straight off. I was feeling the benefit of intense prep the week before, so the legs pushed all the way to the top of spooky woods, no probs, so was performing better than I did on the GT on previous Glentress trips.
Jimbo even managed the 1st fall, woop woop! First ride on spooky woods and bam, my rear brake fails. Going hard into a berm, I pull the lever, get jack, over compensate on the front brake and fly over the handlebars in true wrestling style to be slammed into the ground. After cursing for a while, we headed onward, still pushing the limits, but i sat at the back, learning how to use front brakes only! Good skills though. Got to the hub to be greeted with less than helpful staff (cursed them too). So I bought a bleed kit and the boys did me proud as we all mucked in and pulled a blinder. The impromtu bike stand was genius in particular!
Day 2 and Innerleithen beckoned. 3 of the boys ignored advice and chose the unrewarding pain of the Black XC route (black cos you end up at the last 2 sections of DH!). The rest of us had an awesome play onthe DH route. James H and me knew of the 2 last sections, but to our delight we were directed towards further push ups, revealing 5 sections in total, with the open section proving an absolute gem. After the immense climb up, we rode each section in full, to the bottom and had a breather. Time to take in the enormity of how awesome Innerleithen is. In the dry FS may not be required, but I was loving every penny I'd spent on the Stinky. Think I've upped my limits and the bike can give me even more! All the boys were loving life though. After a chill, we hauled poor Leo up with us for an attempt number 2. Every bit of pain in pushing up is worth it. We started some filming and pics, some awesome stuff. Once at the open section we kicked in FO style. Pulling jumps, speed, the lot, i got a little carried away. Massive air at about 25-30mph, i landed then the front tyre ruptured, snakebite to the tube and I went one way, the bike the other. Big up to my new lid, pads and all. A massive bruising to my left thigh and a few others. Bike took a ding to the shifter, but who needs the indicators anyway?!!! I fixed her up, cursed the 'slight' bending to fork, and got back to it!
Further sections were filmed and we left the hillside absolutley buzzing. Chris and Stew joined us after pushing back up, with Stew joining the fall action! All in all a top day, followed by curry mission.
Day 3 and red route awaited. Unfortunately Chris's weekend was prematurely ended, we all felt a bit sick, but the lad is made of sterner stuff, he'll be back with pads next time! With team rider Steve (http://www.thesingingfeet.co.uk/fearingout/team/fearingout_team.html) joining us, we rode the red route til it wouldn't ride no more! Lots of top shots and big air. Good effort from all. And a fall from Leo! After the rest of the sections, we chilled and had a blast on the new Freeride trails. I attempted above my level, Steve showed the way. I was Chuffed to throw myself off the north shore style drop offs, somewhat balls out style, but HELL YEAH i loved it! As the energy sapped, I just made the end box jump before caning my knee on my bars, so I retired til Monday!
Last day and the original 4 from friday returned to give Innerleithen one more "seeing to"! Absolutely awesome. We pushed it hard, but I'm sure we were all a bit wary of final ride injuries! Plus, I was physically fucked from a few injuries, but adrenalin pushed all the way.
If 4 days can feel any better on a bike, then surely Whistler is the only place that is better. Weather; awesome. Banter; top. Accomodation, spot on (cheers Jan at Winkston Framhouse!). Riding; incredible. The whole experience; to be repeated as soon as possible!
I've got my usual bent wheels, forks slightly fucked, but hey, I know I can mend/replace them. You simply can't replace the feeling of riding Innerleithen with that massive grin inside you.
Check out the pics, top stuff. Ok, enough ranting.
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Excellent weekend up in Glentress and great to be back out on the bike again after a sustained period of injury, which has dogged me since the start of 2006.
The down hill track at Innerleithen is by far the best track I have ever ridden, for me it just had everything and was pitched at exactly the right level, although sometimes I did think that perhaps I would been better off with a full suspension and a full face helmet. I don’t know about killing myself on the downhill part, I thought that I was going to die of exhaustion just pushing my bike up to the top of the run, four months without exercise has really shown and my fitness levels were dire. I was pretty happy with my riding though and despite not pushing myself to be as full on as normal, I was still covering the distance at reasonable speed and getting some good air over those jumps. I loved every second of the DH course and dispite being absolutely knackered once I reached the bottom after a short break I was more than happy to push the bike to the top again for another go.
With the success of the Innerleithen ride I was eager to get out on the fabled red route at Glentress. The ride didn’t start off too well with Chris wiping out on the first section. It cause a pretty nasty cut and knocked the general moral of all of us, it’s certainly not fun seeing one of your mates mashed up and bleeding all over the place. After dispatching him off to hospital the ride continued things started to pick up again. The current level of my fitness was evident again, but this was no surprise, anyway in this game, its not how fast you get up the hills, its how fast you get down. I though the red run was ace and would have been my best course to date, if I hadn’t have been to Innerleithen the day before.
Watching Ste and the other guys on the ‘Mountain Bike UK’ event certainly made me realise that there was a long way for me to go before I was anywhere near that type of standard, but it was certainly a good incentive for me to keep raising my own bar.
The down hill track at Innerleithen is by far the best track I have ever ridden, for me it just had everything and was pitched at exactly the right level, although sometimes I did think that perhaps I would been better off with a full suspension and a full face helmet. I don’t know about killing myself on the downhill part, I thought that I was going to die of exhaustion just pushing my bike up to the top of the run, four months without exercise has really shown and my fitness levels were dire. I was pretty happy with my riding though and despite not pushing myself to be as full on as normal, I was still covering the distance at reasonable speed and getting some good air over those jumps. I loved every second of the DH course and dispite being absolutely knackered once I reached the bottom after a short break I was more than happy to push the bike to the top again for another go.
With the success of the Innerleithen ride I was eager to get out on the fabled red route at Glentress. The ride didn’t start off too well with Chris wiping out on the first section. It cause a pretty nasty cut and knocked the general moral of all of us, it’s certainly not fun seeing one of your mates mashed up and bleeding all over the place. After dispatching him off to hospital the ride continued things started to pick up again. The current level of my fitness was evident again, but this was no surprise, anyway in this game, its not how fast you get up the hills, its how fast you get down. I though the red run was ace and would have been my best course to date, if I hadn’t have been to Innerleithen the day before.
Watching Ste and the other guys on the ‘Mountain Bike UK’ event certainly made me realise that there was a long way for me to go before I was anywhere near that type of standard, but it was certainly a good incentive for me to keep raising my own bar.
All I can say is what a weekend. Fantastic weather and all round good riding conditions meant that we were each able to push our respective limits of speed, endurance and style. A good drive up late on the Friday was rounded off with much fun on the A-roads South of Peebles. With the exception of myself and Phil everyone had already done the Red route at Glentress and were recharging their batteries with a pint or two in the County Inn. Dinner for me that evening was a 'Wolfdog', a local speciality in the Peebles fish bar!
Saturday morning and my first ride of Innerleithen saw me tackling the cross country route with Chris and Stew. The bike clearly didn't want to be doing the boring route though and protested with a seized rear hub. Taking my trusty steed round to the local bike shop for repair, I had it fixed in time to meet up with the others who were eager for a second stab at the downhill. I thought why not and so joined in with the 'fitness' up-push to the top followed by muchos downhill action. Leaving the bike overnight for an expensive hub referbishment, it was time to enjoy some medium curry (rounded off with a sweat-inducing rogue chilli). Then it was on to the Keg for appreciation of the local talent.
Sunday we did the red route at Glentress and the climbs felt a lot easier this time round - clearly fitness levels are riding high then. Unfortunately Chris took a nasty knee injury and had to retire via the hospital for 6 stitches! However the rest of us continued on to complete the loop and got some brilliant photos, both on the red route and then at the competition course by the car park, where Scott and Steve our new Fearingout Team member showed off their skills. The new digital camera is certainly proving its worth, with the sport mode enabling me to get some great shots of airborne man and machine.
Sunday night and Peebles was not the place to be celebrating St Georges day. Sensing the less than savoury atmosphere in the rugby club we decided to return to our old haunt the County Inn, before retiring to our accommodation relatively early. The next morning myself and Phil decided to give a rerun of Innerleithen a miss, instead opting to start the journey South straight after breakfast. Such a brilliant weekend though, we'll have to go back again!
Saturday morning and my first ride of Innerleithen saw me tackling the cross country route with Chris and Stew. The bike clearly didn't want to be doing the boring route though and protested with a seized rear hub. Taking my trusty steed round to the local bike shop for repair, I had it fixed in time to meet up with the others who were eager for a second stab at the downhill. I thought why not and so joined in with the 'fitness' up-push to the top followed by muchos downhill action. Leaving the bike overnight for an expensive hub referbishment, it was time to enjoy some medium curry (rounded off with a sweat-inducing rogue chilli). Then it was on to the Keg for appreciation of the local talent.
Sunday we did the red route at Glentress and the climbs felt a lot easier this time round - clearly fitness levels are riding high then. Unfortunately Chris took a nasty knee injury and had to retire via the hospital for 6 stitches! However the rest of us continued on to complete the loop and got some brilliant photos, both on the red route and then at the competition course by the car park, where Scott and Steve our new Fearingout Team member showed off their skills. The new digital camera is certainly proving its worth, with the sport mode enabling me to get some great shots of airborne man and machine.
Sunday night and Peebles was not the place to be celebrating St Georges day. Sensing the less than savoury atmosphere in the rugby club we decided to return to our old haunt the County Inn, before retiring to our accommodation relatively early. The next morning myself and Phil decided to give a rerun of Innerleithen a miss, instead opting to start the journey South straight after breakfast. Such a brilliant weekend though, we'll have to go back again!
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Yesterday was a momentus day for me - picking up the new car...
Behold - the SILVER BULLET lol
Somehow it feels a little surreal driving such a piece of German solid engineering, suffice to say I am very happy!
60mpg on the motorway, effortless acceleration, pinpoint handling. I could get used to this!
I can't wait for Glentress now! TAKE ME HOME
Behold - the SILVER BULLET lol
Somehow it feels a little surreal driving such a piece of German solid engineering, suffice to say I am very happy!
60mpg on the motorway, effortless acceleration, pinpoint handling. I could get used to this!
I can't wait for Glentress now! TAKE ME HOME
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
A hardcore weekend of fitness for a few of us! I was out with Jimbo and Tez on friday doing the usual Wirral ride, a harsh fitness ride on saturday (the beast isn't a bridleway lover!) and then i did the middlewood way (all 20 return miles) on the old GT yesterday. Highlighted how light the old bike is, but also how different a FS compared to HT performs! Plus, the GT's brakes really are shit!!
I've also done a bit of repair work to the Kona's masseeeeeev rotors. The back was slightly 'dinged', but due to the diameter of the beasts, they were creating an annoying tune as the slight ding hit the pad on each rotation. A bit of brute force sorted it out! All ready to be unleashed this weekend.
I'm weather dependant still heading out this week to hone my fitness, probably just middlewood way if no one else is out, but 20 miles per session will be a good investment!
Get in touch if required!
Glentress.........bring it ON!
I've also done a bit of repair work to the Kona's masseeeeeev rotors. The back was slightly 'dinged', but due to the diameter of the beasts, they were creating an annoying tune as the slight ding hit the pad on each rotation. A bit of brute force sorted it out! All ready to be unleashed this weekend.
I'm weather dependant still heading out this week to hone my fitness, probably just middlewood way if no one else is out, but 20 miles per session will be a good investment!
Get in touch if required!
Glentress.........bring it ON!
News from Big Jim (Mr Cubbin):
Easy,
Well pretty productive weekend both on the fitness front and the car front. Ride on Friday with the big man and the little boy, across the wirral, usual haunts thurstaston etc but with the added sport of laydee watching on the sea front - very underated past time let me tell you! Then we went on a training loop on Sat out towards parkgate - I did the same on Monday morning but have broken a spoke near the hub on the rear wheel - just as well it happened before the big weekend. So we are fit and ready to climb some of those foreign hills!
On the car front, impreza was picked up on Sat, went to Gatwick and picked up the new car on Sunday (8hrs of driving - but the potty coped well - 37 to the gallon on the display!) , put potty on ebay when I got back and a guy from middlesborough came and took it away yesterday! So I thought I'd get in first with the car naming thing - as while I thouroughly enjoyed driving the 'potty' I've thought of 2 names for the new car (a 2001 Alfa Sportwagon Tspark Veloce in bright red) - either 'passion wagon' or 'Italian Stalion' - either will suit me - answers on a postcard...
J
Good stuff.
Easy,
Well pretty productive weekend both on the fitness front and the car front. Ride on Friday with the big man and the little boy, across the wirral, usual haunts thurstaston etc but with the added sport of laydee watching on the sea front - very underated past time let me tell you! Then we went on a training loop on Sat out towards parkgate - I did the same on Monday morning but have broken a spoke near the hub on the rear wheel - just as well it happened before the big weekend. So we are fit and ready to climb some of those foreign hills!
On the car front, impreza was picked up on Sat, went to Gatwick and picked up the new car on Sunday (8hrs of driving - but the potty coped well - 37 to the gallon on the display!) , put potty on ebay when I got back and a guy from middlesborough came and took it away yesterday! So I thought I'd get in first with the car naming thing - as while I thouroughly enjoyed driving the 'potty' I've thought of 2 names for the new car (a 2001 Alfa Sportwagon Tspark Veloce in bright red) - either 'passion wagon' or 'Italian Stalion' - either will suit me - answers on a postcard...
J
Good stuff.
Friday, April 14, 2006
Sneaky ride on the Wirral today, me, Jimbo and Tez. Good fun and the fitness continues. Lush sunshine, but no pics for proof! We headed to West kirby, Thurstaston, usual haunts. Some awesome steps heading down to the front at West Kirby, where we cruised the streets for eye candy :)
Methinks Tez might have been bitten by the full susser bug. How long til he takes the step?....who knows
Probably back out tomorrow, loving the sunshine.
Methinks Tez might have been bitten by the full susser bug. How long til he takes the step?....who knows
Probably back out tomorrow, loving the sunshine.
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Top ride last night. Good to see jimbo's new slender beast make its inaugural ride. I had the afternoon blues, but so glad i went for it! Having dented my healthy 6 weeks of no booze (surprise, surprise!) i was worried about the climb. No fear required, blitzed up, nearly staying with the James's the whole way (admittedly a few feet back!), only a little pushing required. So my heavy beast CAN climb (just me that can't!)! I think the weight I'm losing counteracts the weight my beast has gained over the old GT!!!!
Good blast down charity lane, i like the boxers out effect of my picture! We all loved the conditions, good times. We then tried a 'new' route down towards the reservoir, that in the dry could be fun, but as its off camber and wet and very rutted with the tree roots, the constant sideways action was un-nerving. Still, i went for it and was rewarded with a pedal to the shin right at the end. To which i cried, "it's just a bit of blood", thinking it was just a 'nick'. After showering, i can reveal its bloody agony, and a huge testimony to the size of the kona jackshit pedals, ouch!
Nevermind, scars heal, i've had a few! Bring on glentress, can't wait, we're going home as James says (literally for moi)! Email has gone out to those coming along, if you are 'guesting', get in touch, but plans are Friday Red route (glentress), Saturday Innerleithen (DH or XC depending what you want), Sunday black route (glentress), Monday Red route favourite!
I'll be out all 4 days of this weekend (locally, maybe even Gwydr), tweaking my fitness, so get in touch if anyone is around. Cheers.
Good blast down charity lane, i like the boxers out effect of my picture! We all loved the conditions, good times. We then tried a 'new' route down towards the reservoir, that in the dry could be fun, but as its off camber and wet and very rutted with the tree roots, the constant sideways action was un-nerving. Still, i went for it and was rewarded with a pedal to the shin right at the end. To which i cried, "it's just a bit of blood", thinking it was just a 'nick'. After showering, i can reveal its bloody agony, and a huge testimony to the size of the kona jackshit pedals, ouch!
Nevermind, scars heal, i've had a few! Bring on glentress, can't wait, we're going home as James says (literally for moi)! Email has gone out to those coming along, if you are 'guesting', get in touch, but plans are Friday Red route (glentress), Saturday Innerleithen (DH or XC depending what you want), Sunday black route (glentress), Monday Red route favourite!
I'll be out all 4 days of this weekend (locally, maybe even Gwydr), tweaking my fitness, so get in touch if anyone is around. Cheers.
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Well I can't wait now - its less then 2 weeks and we'll be in Glentress again!
I think we've all got small bits of bike maintenance to knock on the head - all accept Mr Cubbin who's gone and bought himself a 2005 Kona Dawg Dee-lux... good work Jimbo!
Even bigger news (literally) is I'll be travelling up in my new car - a 2002 Audi A4 Avant Quattro Sport!
I'm picking it up a week on wednesday - the worries about fitting all the stuff in are no longer an issue and with a TDI it shouldn't cost us the earth to get up there!
I think we've all got small bits of bike maintenance to knock on the head - all accept Mr Cubbin who's gone and bought himself a 2005 Kona Dawg Dee-lux... good work Jimbo!
Even bigger news (literally) is I'll be travelling up in my new car - a 2002 Audi A4 Avant Quattro Sport!
I'm picking it up a week on wednesday - the worries about fitting all the stuff in are no longer an issue and with a TDI it shouldn't cost us the earth to get up there!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)