Another CX ride this afternoon, Cheshire – Manchester via the Peak District. Mainly on road with a bit of Hardcore Pennine Bridleway Lantern Pike Action in the middle. Not a particulary long ride, about 45 miles, but I must admit to feeling pretty weak. This was probably on account of my food intake before the ride consisting of cereal for breakfast, a toasted teacake for dinner then a crappy burger (I know, A BURGER) which was all that they had at the village fete we went to this afternoon. I had to eat something. it was the burger or the dog. At least they had that American plastic mustard stuff to take the taste of pigs’ bollocks away. 

Luckily I had a gel with me on the ride but it just goes to show what a difference the right (or wrong) food can make.

As for the fete, it was good watching the trained dogs, watching my nephew run in a potato and spoon race (well? Have you seen the price of eggs these days?) and then getting soaked in the rain at the raffle. Won nowt. I had my eye on the Zig and Zag cuddly toys that were sellotaped to a bottle of Rioja as well.

If you know someone who doesn’t own a bike, but you think they should, send them to Rich. Bike hire (good ones too), skills training and guiding in the lovely Peak District.

Good luck with the venture Rich (and all the best with the constant maintenance schedule!)

http://www.peakcyclehire.com/news.php

Contrary to the BBC forecast, the weather today was brilliant. Warm and sunny. Yes. WARM AND SUNNY. Maybe the BBC are just taking the piss. They’ve said it’s going to rain tomorrow now. Bet it doesn’t.

Another impressively large group of mountain bikers assembled in the car park up the road and off we went to do a lap of the course. It dries out so quickly that there was hardly any mud anywhere and the normally super-sketchy-in-the-wet downhill section through the campsite woods was rideable (at speed) and lined with bluebells and wild garlic. Heaven.

One of our number crashed in the bombhole and cracked her helmet. We’ve decided on a perfect alternative route around it now, good job too as the potential for carnage on the day is a worry.

Michael came out with me on the ride. I was really pleased about that as he’s not ridden for a while and we should just ride together more often. So we will. I’ve got him a new frame. It’s a bit of a brute.