Blingy bling bling...

Thanks to Pete at Hotlines we've landed a few goodies for Wideopen on longterm test. After misplacing my bar end caps at Lee Quarry I mentioned it and a lovely set of titunium Straitline ones arrived - awesome. More bling then I'd ever splash out for at least I can see what all the fuss is about. Hopefully I won't have cause to test out the sparking claim!

The Ragley Blue Pig also turned up... this will be kitted out with Nuke Proof gear, Shimano SLX groupset and possibly my old AM3s so we can put it head to head with a few other bikes... eventually Jon is planning on buying it off Hotlines and using it as a third bike... though he'll need a third set of forks if he wants to keep the Orange on the trail too...

A piece of good luck...

Chris and I headed out to Charity Lane tonight - and were a little late leaving work as I'd forgotten to put the handbrake on my car in the morning, and came back to find it butten up against another car's door across the car park! Ooops! Left a note on it and just heard from the chap that he's happy there is no damage - thank my lucky stars that was a good reminder about concentrating first thing in the day!

Anyway yeah a chance to try the new wheel and forks on Charity Lane - and despite finding some play in my bottom bracket and a chain that was skipping a little GRRRR it was fast and flowing. Perhaps a little too easy now? Hardtail out again I think! Still great fun and I was knackered at the bottom from pedalling flat out. Bring on the time trial/racing!

Both of us being late headed back down the road so no idea how the singletrack has stood up to the rain of the last week...

Anyhow here's a comedy photo of Chris adjusting his pads. Happy days.

Tony's back from France...

Tony is just back from a trip to the Alps - sounds like he had an amazing time, he sent over a few 'tourist' snaps, attached below. Words from the man himself:
"It was France I went to, it was amazing! I lost count how many times I shat myself -some of it was so steep. When we stopped all you could smell was brakes!! I'll send you some photo's if you want. My cousins got an evil shot of Matt clearing a table top. I'll try and send you that!"





Sounds amazing. Planning has moved on for the Europe 2010 trip, and we're narrowed down to Chamonix or Morzine. Keep your eyes peeled for more information soon!

Wake up boo!

Driving down into the beautiful valley today from the Buxton road towards Wildboarclough in the gorgious morning sunlight and I was struck by just how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful area.

I met up with Jon at just after half eight and by 9.15 we were at the top... 30 minutes push! We'd forgotten just how long Cumberland Brook bridleway is, and just how mixed the surface and gradients are... after a quick pad and helmet up Jon and I made a first run with me tailing Jon. Wow - the combination of full face and 20mm bolt through transformed my ride, both of us were buzzing for a second run so off we pushed again. Second time not so lucky as Jon said I motored off he was pushing to stay in touch and blew out. The tubeless system couldn't seal the tear in his sidewall so I leant him a spare tube. Whilst he was repairing it I pushed up for a another run - great fun and finding some good lines and then again... pssssssttttttttt. I punctured too! I only had taken one tube so ride over for me.

Jon and I headed down to the car filming a few sections before making an early dart for home. Great fun and a good ride. Hopefully next time we'll have more luck!

Wildboarclough 22/08/09

Anyway repaired the tube, fitted my new chain, new rear tyre and removed 2 of the 3 rim stickers on each wheel. Looking good!

New toys for the boys...

Nice big parcel arrived today... but not big enough considering how much it cost! I'm sure £££ buy me less and less every year!

Rear tyre, 180mm brake upgrade and chain for the Coiler. New disc brake pads for both bikes plus some new spare tubes... over £100!

Ouch!

Something to play with tomorrow night though. Photos of the beast when she's finished... and I hope to get out on her for a quick blast down Cumberland Brook on Saturday... anyone interested?

That's good

Good day today... hot though. Tony, Jon and I took an early dart to re-ride Lee Quarry. Dry as a bone today, and where Jon and Tony found grip, I felt sketchy. A fork tweak later and it was even worse! Way to slow rebound. Sped her back up and found some pace late in the day...

Met some lads, nice little chat - they'd heard of Wideopen!

Bad news though - lost a bar end cap (my fault, not tightened up properly after the bar swap!)... will see if I can get something via Hotlines when I get my new wheels! :)

Re-run

In place of this weeks ride we're heading back to Lee Quarry on Thursday, to re-run this Saturday's failed attempt. Plan is get there for 3ish and ride until 5. Anyone else up for it?

Lee Quarry photos...

Lee Quarry 1/8/09

Slippery when wet...

A short note whilst I'm waiting for news from Tom - not the most successful trip to Lee Quarry today...

We should have given up when James turned up and found his rear wheel seized! We free'd it up but it was seized again within half a mile so he turned back. Unlucky - but the offer of my nearly new XT wheels is there mate!

Onwards and some good chat saw us meet Jon, Ross and Tony sessioning the first section.

So far so good.

The second of the singletrack descents, berms and whoops with a few big tables at the bottom, was pretty wet. We all had a run down before pushing up for second run. Out comes the camera and Tony sets the standard fairly low - and Tom roles in to one up him... he enters the first berm well, nice and fast - second one fine but slightly odd line - and then the drainage gap in the third still rocket speed and the carbon forked Scandium framed hardtail dug in under him and literally catapulted him face first into the berm. Ouch! (possibly caught on camera - more on that later).

Gashed knee, elbow, nose and lip - and a mild concussion. Ross helped him back to the car whilst the rest of us finished the loop. It was clear by the time we met up with them for lunch that Tom's ride was over - he'd even forgotten where he was temporarily... So with the day cut short I loaded my gear into Ross's car, and drove Tom back to Macclesfield A&E.

That's where we're up to... still raining - Tom's car on the drive, waiting for a call to go and pick him up. BBQ off - weather is appalling.


As for the rest of Lee Quarry, great great fun. The hardtail really ruled, and the new forks were well matched to the frame and inspired even greater confidence. I really left the full susser for dead, which is quite a feat on the rocky trails. Can't wait for next time and get a few loops in, hopefully in the sunshine!