Satruday 11th April

A nice day today for a change, sunny and even warm! Took the route up to Winter Hill via Walker Fold, down the sharp end to Belmont Road, Rivington and a refreshment break at the Chapel Tearooms. Then on to Leadmines Clough, visted the Wellington Bomber Memorial. I then went north up the track from there towrads Belmont, the track finally turns to a path, where clearly bikes are not meant to go. Struggled back up to the Belmont Room and then usual route home. 29 miles.

Two long rides all around WinterHill, Rivington, went with a group of riders on Sunday, dicovered lots of new paths and tracks all over the hill, total milage for the weekend 50 miles.

Grizedale Forest

Visited Grizedala last Sunday, with Dean, Dave and Ian. we did the North Face Trail, excellent ride and the trails were dry and dusty. The route is very well arranged, lots of singletrack sections joined togeteh all ove the western side of the forest. Its 11 miles long and needs about 2 hours or so. The boardwalk sections are interesting.

Up The Hill

Rode to Rivington, around Lever Park, then up the alternative ICR to the Pike, back down to Georges Lane and on to Winter Hill, freezing cold and very windy on top, also misty so couldn't see anything. Down to Belmot, trail rough after the winter. Along the road to Scout Road, then down to Beaumont Bridge to re-join Middlebrook Valley Trail and then home. 25 miles 8 hours.

New Bike - 2

Today was the first ride to work on the new bike, first impressions are good... Its more comfortable and faster certainly, needs less effort, which is good. Riding position is fine and I hope for some long rides without a stiff neck!

New Bike

The Giant Trance 3 arrived yesterday, excellent service from Wiggle. Haven't ridden it yet, but seems easily as light as my old bike, which is now 11 years old, Giant ATX 970. I need a new tyre pump and I will have to try and work out the best settings for the suspension.

Otherwise have done 5 days commuting and also managed two side trips up to the Pike and around Lever Park after dark, its slowly getting lighter at night, so I just about manage before it gets completely dark.

Mileage slowly increasing, now standing 535 so far this year.

Feb - 09

Last week of Feb and managed to ride everyday this week, mileage slowly increasing, now up to 390 miles this year, havong a weekend off.