One of the best things about working in a bike shop is being able to blow off the cobwebs after work with the guys you work with. One of the best things about working in a bike shop in North Wales is that the rides after work can be properly epic. Yesterday’s “Shop Ride” was no exception – a jaunt up the local mountain, Cader Idris……
Taking a break not far into the climb.
You can see the top from here.
Mikey Ford taking it easy on the 40T.
Rhys, Joe, Swanson and Burnsy stop to take in the views. They’re not breathing heavily or anything.
Steve is only carrying because he’s got the Solo and wants the full Peaty effect.
The Winner. Tegid. I think this shot was taken as the whiskey emerged.
Not a bad view for an after-work jaunt.
The hardtailers mock the fully-sussed.
You came down here on a hardtail, you say?
We’re so riding hardtails next time.
Thanks to Tegid, Charlie, Joe, Swanson, Rhys, Steve, and Burnsy for a fun ride.
Thanks to the weather for being so kindly changeable.
I moved house recently, and a new house means a new commute.
I love maps, so planning a commute is almost as much fun as riding it. More fun if you have to ride a really bad commute (technically it’s impossible to have a really bad commute by bicycle).
There are some great tools for route planning, not least of which is BikeHike – a split-pane interface featuring Ordnance Survey/Google Maps/OpenCycleMap etc. means that finding trails and paths between places becomes easy, and information about distance/elevation is instantly to hand. Combine BikeHike with Google Earth and you’ve got instant 3D zoomable routemaps.
A few things have to be considered when planning a commute:
Distance – How far are you prepared to cycle?
Time – How long will the journey take?
Traffic – generally best avoided.
Trail condition – what kind of terrain will you ride?
So, start with BikeHike’s course creator. Choose “Follow Road (Google map)”, enter your postcode, and click on your house. Next, find the location of where you work and click on that. A blue line shows your first potential commute route.
Mark the start and the finish of your commute. Hey presto! Your first potential route.
Save it as a .gpx file if you want to download it to a device, or as a KML file if you want it in Google Earth. Saving it in both formats is best so you can do whatever with the route later.
Your first draft almost certainly needs work. Firstly press the “OSMcycle” button in BikeHike, which will identify any designated cycleways. Then press “Toggle Map Sizes” so that the OS map is largest. Look for quiet shortcuts and quiet longcuts (almost as good as shortcuts and often way better than riding a busy road alternative). Look for B-roads, backlanes, bridleways, farmtracks, cyclepaths, and even sheeptracks if you’re happy to push. Plan a new route using all the useful diversions you identify. Finally, press the “Show Elevation Data” button to display exactly how much the commute is going to hurt.
Use the OSMcycle map to identify potential cycleways. Use the enlarged OS Map to identify bridleways and B-roads.Use OS and Satellite images together to identify tracks on the ground.
Once you’re happy view it in Goodle Earth: In Google Maps, upload the KML file, switch to Earth view and you’re done. (If you’re using the new Google Maps engine you’ll need to switch back to Google Maps Classic temporarily – or permanently because Classic is better)
The whole route in 3D
Of course, as well as riding to work, you have to get home from work too, and on the way home there’s often no deadline, so it’s a great opportunity to plan a longer, more fun way home.
So, here’s mine:
Blue sky over Cader.
Y Ffordd Ddu (The Black Road)
Bryn Brith
The Mawddach Estuary (Barmouth)
Not your everyday commute.
Home is over there somewhere.
Craig y Deryn
The whole route in 3D
On the way in I’ve chosen to ride on the road, opting for the fastest route. It’s still a couple of miles longer than my old commute but the climbs aren’t as steep (bonus). On the way home I’ve opted for a slightly harder, but more scenic route climbing steadily along the north face of Cader Idris. A stunning ride home, and well worth the time it took to plan!
2014 is starting out rather damp, but thankfully my first coaching session of the year was well-timed to take advantage of one of the few brief haituses that have occurred between the near-incessant downpours.
Rob wanted to improve his confidence, especially on rocky descents and so, after some practice moving around the bike and riding smoothly, we tackled Coed y Brenin’s infamous False Teeth section (part of the MBR and Beast trails).
False Teeth contains some of the steepest drops in Coed y Brenin, including ‘The Cavity’ – a 12 foot bombhole laid with heavy rock slabs to cushion your fall should things go wrong. As with any feature you’re not sure about, it’s wise to have a look at it before you ride it, and then build up speed gradually.
Rob grins from ear to ear after clearing the False Teeth section at Coed y Brenin
Rob did really well, using early braking to control speed before the drops, and good weight shifting to maintain balance on the steep stuff.
Afterwards Rob said “I didn’t think I’d be riding anything like that by the end of today!”
All in all it was lovely day out having fun on the bikes and improving skills, made all the better by the kind weather.
Here’s looking forward to many more rain-less coaching sessions in 2014!
It felt like one of those summers we had when we were kids – it went on for ages. Glorious golden days, with long hazy evenings, stretching out into seeming eternity.
Summer. We’ll miss you!
Due to the weather pattern of recent summers I expected it to finish at any moment, so spent lots of time out on the bike squeezing in what I presumed would the last ride of the summer.
I think it finally happened yesterday; the sun was still shining but there was a definite chill in the air, and it was noticeable that the environment is beginning its seasonal fade from green.
Whilst the sun shone the bike shop was busier than ever. This was thanks in part to the Minotaur trail and the new skills area – Y Ffowndri, but mostly I suspect, thanks to the clement weather. The whole of Coed y Brenin was packed almost every day, except for those really hot, sunny days where it seemed that everyone went to the beach.
I had quite a few coaching sessions with groups, families, and individuals – taking in everything from learning to ride a bike for the first time through to preparing to race across South Africa.
Summer at Coed y Brenin – like South Africa with foxgloves.
I only coached a single session in the rain.
It feels like summer is over now though, and so I’m forced to ask myself what did the holiday season teach me?
Well, I’m not exactly sure. It was a little bit too hectic to spend much time contemplating the meaning of it all. What I remembered though is that there’s always time for another ‘last ride of the summer’.
It’s hard to believe. It’s so long ago since it last happened I’d forgotten exactly what it was.
Summer - get it whilst it's hot!
It’s summer!!! Proper flipping summer!!!! The sun is hot and everything!!!!!
And…(a big ‘And’)…it’s in Wales!!!!!!
I seriously struggle to express just how beautiful Wales is when the sun is shining, when you’ve got mates around, and when you’re out riding your bike.
In the North it’s like Western California with lush mountains, rushing rivers, roads as smooth as a jazztoking baby’s bum (and they flipping should be considering the time they spend fixing em!), and the most sublime singletrack man ever rode.
Slate, granite, dust, ferns, and foxgloves and starmac (like tarmac but with gold dust) combine to make a pretty special ride here.
And whilst the sun’s been shining I’ve been blessed enough to run a couple of coaching sessions. Almost too blessed – it was bloody hot out there!
Firstly Dan, Natty and George rolled up for some rolling down, making the most of the sun to practise their skills on the trail.
Dan, George and Natty basking in the sun (and glory)
Then Steven, Tim, Finn, and Arthur battled through the heat haze to pick up some shady riding tricks in the cool of the Coed y Brenin trees.
Steven, Tim, Finn and Arthur basking in the sun at Coed y Brenin
So, Summer’s here then. I haven’t seen the forecast. I’m not sure how long it’s gonna last. I don’t even know if it’ll end tomorrow.
What I do know is: you, like me and a few other of the lucky souls who happen to be in Wales right now, should get out on your bike and make the most of it.
It was a real pleasure to welcome Hamish back to Coed y Brenin today, after his coaching session with Wheelism last year. Hamish said he loved the trip so much last time that he thought he should bring his wife Jill to sample the delights of this little corner of heaven.
Off piste with Hamish
Armed with a Beics Brenin Specialized Camber Comp 29er, Hamish and I headed out onto some of the rockier trails in the Coed y Brenin forest before exploring further afield on some of the area’s best natural trails.
Back up on the last climb from down under.
The weather was on our side, improving throughout the ride, and we ended the day by crossing the old toll bridge over the Mawddach estuary for a couple of pints of ‘shearing juice’ in the sun at the George III hotel.
Just a lovely day out riding!
I’m already looking forward to Hamish’s return next year, but it’ll take something special to outshine today’s ride. The Dyfi then!
The snow is finally thawing, the temperatures are almost into double figures, and the daffodils are lining the roads as I ride through the Welsh countryside. It’s finally beginning to look like Spring is sprung.
I’m not the only one feeling it either; it’s been a record Easter at Coed y Brenin, and lots of folks have been taking advantage of the dry spell to come for some mountain bike coaching.
I’ve enjoyed fabulously sunny days out with the lads and ladies of RAF Valley (these are the lovely people who fly the helicopters that come to the rescue of broken mountain bikers on the Coed y Brenin trails!), and high-flying rides with the folks from RAF Honington.
With both groups I looked at basic skills and balance on the bike, and then (given their overall fitness) took them up to the highest point on the trails for some fun and technical riding down through the Adams’ Family sections.
Climbing on the Minotaur trail
Lurch!
Green shoots on Morticia
Kenny & Paul on a slow ride up Brutus
Spring is sprung. Up on the tops at Coed y Brenin!
Too fast, too furious!
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of coaching some Coed y Brenin regulars, Paul and Kenny. These fellas are riding at Coed y Brenin week-in, week out, and they know the trails as well as I do (and some of the rocks even better). They’re fast and furious on the descents and it was hard work just to keep up with them on some of the rockier singletrack (I’m riding hardtail!), but the session was focussed on balance and cornering, which they were less confident on. Slow races, track stands, and ever decreasing circles put the pair of them through their paces, exposing techniques and skills that they normally wouldn’t slow down to practice.
Kenny & Paul on a slow ride up Brutus
As you can see from the pictures the last few weeks at Coed y Brenin have been fabulous. It’s been nippy in the mornings, but the trails have been dry and dusty, and the skies have been the brightest of blues. In fact, if it wasn’t for the occasional bog-strewn ride in the Dyfi Forest I’d have made it through the last month without a wet ride!
So Spring is definitely sprung, and looking forward to the summer (which I’m hoping will follow Spring this year), I’m really pleased to have the opportunity to work alongside top-class racers Matt Page, and Anthony O’Boyle as part of Welsh Cycling’s Project 2018 Led Rides. These rides will help Youth A and B riders to improve their racing techniques ahead of the MTB XC Nationals Championships in July, and form part of the effort to produce medal-winning riders at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast, Australia.
You know how it is: you wait ages for a new bike and then three come along at once.
So far this year it’s a new hardtail, a cyclocrosser, and now a new road bike. Sweet eh?
Well, it all sounds good, but what it actually means is that I have to sell something to make room in the shed. And so, here it is…..my 2013 Specialized Tricross Sport Disc is for sale:
2013 Specialized Tricross Sport Disc 56cm
It’s 4 months old and has done just 399.7km, mostly on the road on my commute to work (with mudguards on!). It’s been well maintained and will be fully serviced prior to sale. It would suit someone about 6′-6’2″ tall.
The bike retails at £1000 and I’m looking for just £650!
I’ll be taking off the mudguards, computer and lights, but the rest is as you see it in the picture.
GISDA is a charitable company based in Caernarfon “offering vulnerable people in our society the opportunity to improve their quality of life so they aren’t disadvantaged because of poverty.”
This week they brought a group of young people to Coed y Brenin to have a go at mountain biking, and I was their coach and guide for the day.
MTBing offers many challenges, not least of which is the price of participation – bikes aren’t cheap, bike maintenance is an ongoing outgoing, and the extra kit needed (helmets, gloves, shorts and so on) all add to the cost. I dread to think how much I’ve spent over the years to facilitate my passion for the sport.
If you can afford to participate then MTBing offers countless rewards – there’s the health benefits, breathing the fresh air, getting out into the most beautiful places in our world, as well as the buzz from one of the most exciting sports on the planet.
Into the woods.
So, I think it’s a great thing that an organisation such as GISDA offers opportunities for participation in mountain biking that are most likely beyond the financial reach of the young people they support.
None of the folks from GISDA had mountain biked before – some hadn’t been on a bike for years. Yet they all seemed to have a fabulous day. I was impressed by their determination and their willingness to throw themselves whole-heartedly into the sport; when they were too knackered to pedal they just kept pushing. Extra sections were added to the itinerary to feed their appetites. They were inspiring!
It’s always been a passion of mine to get more people riding bikes – it’s the reason I got into coaching in the first place. Biking is a healthy activity with fun thrown in for free. It can also be a cost-effective way to travel. So, as well as being enjoyable, working with GISDA today made a lot of sense. That’s why in the future I’ll be looking to support GISDA in other ways too.
I had the pleasure of running a coaching session for Iago and Steffan’s 9th birthdays last week at Coed y Brenin. They and 6 of their best friends braved the weather (it didn’t turn out too bad in the end) and headed out with me onto the trails….
Steffan and Iago wield their secret-energy-weapon: a massive birthday cake!
Subjects we covered included braking (relative stopping power, effect on body position, using both brakes together), using arms and legs for suspension, pedal and body position, trail etiquette, and most importantly – looking where you’re going.
The lads all did really well, and it was great to see such a young bunch working well as a team and looking out for each other.
The Most Improved Rider of the Day went to Meichal who mastered pedal postion and using arms/legs as suspension for step-downs. Gethin deserved a special commendation for riding singlespeed and keeping up with the others all day!
We finished the day with a ride through the red-graded Dreamtime section. The lads were getting tired by now and one of them suggested it should be renamed Nightmaretime.
Very tired but still smiling - well done lads!
All in all it was a great day – there are some days where work just isn’t really work at all. This was one of them!
