Dave, Wayne, me and Michael went to Lee Quarry on Saturday, each armed with a ‘fun’ bike. By ‘fun bike’ I mean a ‘not necessarily designed for getting from there to there in the fastest and most clinically-efficient manner possible in order to inflict as much pain and suffering on everyone else…bike’.

I took my new Ragley Piglet and due to me not having time to ride it before going to Lee Quarry (it was that new) I spent the first 30 minutes or so riding a bit…stop…tighten that bit up….ride a bit….stop….nip that bolt up a bit….’sorry lads, something’s come loose’…allen keys out again…

It was great though and such a welcome change from the stresses of racing. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE racing bikes and everything that goes with it but an afternoon playing out on bikes with mates is an all-too-rare treat.

In 2 or 3 hours we rode a total of around 3 or 3 miles, had a laugh, played on the pump track, marvelled at how heavy a bike can be and still be pedalled up a (short) hill and ate some sweets whilst the sun shone and the dust kicked up from our tyres.

Then we went to Manchester for a curry.

ACE.