April Fool?

From Macclesfield Forest 1/4/2010

In the hour before we went riding today we had heavy rain, sleet and hail. I wondered if I'd made a mistake with my 'whatever the weather' punt but as it turned out by 4.30pm it was wet underfoot but dry in the sky - and pretty typical Macclesfield weather!

So first week night ride of 2010 and with excuses of beer drinking from Tony and Jon, it was left to just Kev, Chris and myself to reinstate 2010 style. I feel I must mention at this point Chris was riding with a GIRLS saddle. We did wonder if he's end up pregnant or something but actually he reckoned it turned out marginally more comfortable than his old Specialized one! Despite this he's probably getting a brown Charge Spoon - good choice. It'll look good even if you find it uncomfortable Chris!

On the plus side though, Chris was bedding in his new brakes - a bargain set of Hayes Stroker Rydes... £70 for the pair (without discs). No bite point adjustment but firm feel and bags of power in the twin pot design - a huge upgrade from the Hayes Soles (single piston) he was running (forks next Chris!).

Usual route and no surprises. A little snow on the banks up top - mad for April - otherwise Charity Lane was very smooth with all the melt water. The gulley was rough and Chris and Kev caught me up (I was a bit of a wuss) but with that reinstatement kicked in and I dropped a few cogs and pedalled like a man possessed all the way to the bottom. I was really pleased with my flow and smoothness today. Then the singletrack which was slidy and muddy before ragging down the road to the cars.

Have a good easter guys and see you next Thursday! I think Lee Quarry (for a Wideopen Trailscene article) is on the cards in April so get your diaries out after Easter so we can sort something out!

Macclesfield Forest 1/4/2010