27th June 2010 - Sunday

We had planned to ride “Tour of Pen-Y-Gent” but had to cancel at the last moment as Dean’s wife wasn’t too well, so he needed to be close to home. No matter a local ride would be just as good.
We met at Bobs Smithy, up Scout Road to Walker Fold, through the wood and went straight on up the climb from the gate. From there across to the start of Coalpits Rood and up to the mast. Like the last few weeks the trails are superbly dry and dusty, no grip, but no mud either. Form the top of Winter Hill we decided of the shoulder descent to Belmont Road. Then Great Hill, unbelievably dry able to ride every inch of it, very bumpy on the slabs through. Took the bridletrack down to just above Brinscall and cut off left through a wood, fantastic single track down to above White Coppice.
Met lots of riders today at all points along the route.
Route home followed the reservoirs down to the castle in Lever Park and then the usual way home, all together 33 miles, and on the hottest day of the year.
Riders today, Richard, Phil and Dean.
HERE is the Sportstracker route
Only one photo today, Phil and Dean at the top of Great Hill, did a video but will take a little time to edit, will post it later

Trying out close up pictures, the bug is a Cardinal Beetle

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from richard's posterous

When I want to make up some miles, but not with too much effort I do the air port run. Its off road all the way to Manchester Airport. Full circuit around the perimeter on the Aviation Bike Trail. Well that’s exactly what I did today, perfect weather for it.
Its 54 miles in all, but not much climbing, the route follows Cycleway 55 to Monton, then Bridgewater Canal past the Trafford Centre/ Down to Stretford, running the gauntlet of the super aggressive Canada Geese. Then Sale Water Park, Chorlton Water Park, Wythenshawe Park, Painswick Park and then the airport.
The Aviation Viewing Park is now free fro bikes, so had my breakfast there. Had a look in the Trident and photographed the Nimrod before setting out back home. A nice 54 miles in the sunshine and super dry and dusty trails.

Coniston and Walna Scar

Planned a trip into the Lakes and chose Walna Scar to Seathwaite and then back via Torver. We parked at the Ferry Slip in Coniston. The first hill out of Coniston was a big shock, must be the steepest hill in the world! The route up to Walna Scar is very rocky and very steep, one and a half hours later of pushing, carrying and a few metres of riding we got to the top. The downhill to Seathwaite seemed to take about 3 minutes, very rocky, misty and steep. Short stop at the pub for a coffee and then another push/ride to the top of the pass at The Caw and Brock Barrow. Across to Broughton Moor Wood. From there the rain started, “light” rain, Down the tarmac to Torver and then along the side of the lake to Coniston, didn’t bother with waterproofs, so absolutely soaked through.

Photos show Dave just at the top of Walna Scar Road, and then Phil and Dave at the bottom on the other side.

23 miles in a lot of hours!

Nailed It

Early morning ride up to Walker Fold, then straight ahead on the very rocky climb, (don't know the name of it) only one dab on the way up, across to the mast road and down a cheeky path to the stream crossing which none of us has ever managed to ride down and up. First time went quicker than on the video and a lot more elegantly, no problem, maybe with the winter the line has changed, second attempt for the video not as flowing, but still did it.

After that up the road a bit, then Two Lads, almost blown over by the wind and down the kennels gully to Georges Lane. Too windy for the Pike, fell off the little side trail between the Pike path and the Tower, cut knee. Didn't fall off going down the Ice Cream Run thought, although overtaken by another rider, almost caught him up by the Top Barn, but then went another route. Back home along Middlebrook Valley Trail and home by 10.30 am. 24 miles.

HERE is the video

Southport

Got up at 04.40, ready for a 05.30 departure, which is the earliest time its possible to leave without having to use lights. Took Route 55 from Little Hulton to Monton, across Barton Bridge, down the Bridgewater Canal to Stetford to join the Transpennie Trail bear Chester Road. Very cold first thing, ground frost but got warmer later. From there the Trail follows the River Mersey to Liverpool. I passed Liverpool Airport, no planes today - ash cloud. Past the Jaguar Works, along the Liverpool Loop Line and finally to Southport.

The trails are excellent at the moment, dry and dusty, no puddles anywhere. The whole route although long is very flat so I made really good time, 7 1/2 hours total riding, just two short stops, at Widnes Bridge and then 10 miles from Southport. When I got there the tide was even in! Chips and tea to celebrate in TRIO fashion.

Took the train back to Walkden, which was the earliest train, then another 4 miles up the 55 to home, all together 88 miles, 140 Kms.

Spring

Decided at the last minute as everyone else in the house would be out on Saturday to ride to the airport and back. I have the route more or less perfect now, almost all of it off road, or at least on the section through Northenden on very quiet roads.

The weather was absolutely superb, must have been 20 degrees.

Its a long ride but its fairly flat, in fact its very flat especially along the Bridgewater Canal.

The geese are ganging together and in the next few weeks will become aggressive as they protect their eggs and chicks,... have to find another route then for a bit!

The photos I took are HERE.