Heheh – Alright Jase – nope, the fixie is in the shed. I have fitted it with a freewheel though – getting up the hills round here is okay, but getting down was doing my knees no good at all!
Happy new year to all the wheelists! – another lovely bike(not jealous lol) – now all it needs to finish it off are some flashing blue LED valve caps to add a touch of bling……….
The Dyfi is vast, and as with all other working forests the trails change without notice. I’d recommend taking a decent (and recent) OS map, a compass, the trail printout, and then figure out the overall schema of the area in your head.
Or, just tap me up for a guide! Some of the best stuff isn’t shown on any map, and only the locals will show you ;o)
Put a smile on my face. Sometimes I wish I had your job and not having to sit in the office. Getting bored of IT slowly. Will hopefully ride my not so interesting commute in the morning. Talk soon.
Well said mate – can’t argue with any of that – It was a fantastic day no matter the ending !! And the ending could have been a lot worse in many ways! I will be down again soon…. Perhaps first I might just invest in a better helmet and maybe a couple of gumshields…
A great summary of the ride and of the attitude of the riders involved.
I have to agree with your comment regarding Anthony’s music choice. I kept trying to get away from it but it kept catching me up and at the end I was that knackered it managed to thankfully dissappear in front out of earshot! Oh well, each to his own!! :-)
Got to say a huge thanks to all of those involved in the organising for the event – I really appreciate it and the flapjacks were delicious although I couldn’t sleep much because I think I had a sugar overload!! Thanks for the event and I look forward to next years. In the meantime – time to get trained up ready for the Winter Warm Up!!
After swapping out the wheels (for my standard Hope/Mavic hoops) I finally got to take the bike for a spin around the Marin trail yesterday. I’d forgotten that I’d forgotten how to ride a hardtail, but after a few k’s it all began to come back. I was out with my lovely lady so took it fairly easy except for one section: Endor. Conclusion: this bike is properly quick! Looking forward to getting it onto some more familiar trails so I can see just how.
Ha! Added incentive to ride faster to get away from the music :P yes I have bad musical taste and yes I don’t care ;)
In truth I would have stopped it when around others, but it was in my back pack and I didn’t want to stop to faff about with it.
I had a great time! Thanks for not kicking me off the course early. I knew I could make it all the way around but fair play it was one of the toughest events I’ve done for quite some time, and then It was a few more km’s to ride back up the road to the bunk house!
As for the jumping, its just plain rude not to when presented with little kickers :D
Thanks to all the marshalls and other oganisers, I look forward to the next one!
Whilst planning my next mtb adventure , I decided to put the obligatory words into google “coast to coast , Scotland , bike” . After a few pages of organised trips , I came across your story and proceeded to read . I’m not much of a spirited reader , but after a few lines I was captivated and the tears were running down my face with laughing . I know the feeling well to have this image of a beautiful sunlit mtb track heading off into the glorious scenery , only to be dashed by the reality of freezing rain , peat bogs and trails that dont go where you thought they would . Recently I had an experience on an epic day trip that made me want to track down Mr Bartholomew ( of ordnance survey fame ) , with map in hand , and remove the need for him to ever use toilet paper again . Many thanks for sharing your story , and I’m sure those memories will last a lifetime . As you rightly said , there would be little memory of a piss-up in years to come . All the best . Bruce.
Thanks Steve , excellent couple of days riding , I learnt a lot about how to handle my bike , simple advice and tips that once they are pointed out are blatantly obvious and make it so much more enjoyable . Having you guide us up and down routes that were , not only suitable for our abilities , but routes we would probably not have even found , was a time saver and great fun .
Ah so I see you’ve dropped the fixie then must be something about being over 40 :0)
Heheh – Alright Jase – nope, the fixie is in the shed. I have fitted it with a freewheel though – getting up the hills round here is okay, but getting down was doing my knees no good at all!
Happy new year to all the wheelists! – another lovely bike(not jealous lol) – now all it needs to finish it off are some flashing blue LED valve caps to add a touch of bling……….
both of these look excellent
what are my chances of getting lost ?!
High!
The Dyfi is vast, and as with all other working forests the trails change without notice. I’d recommend taking a decent (and recent) OS map, a compass, the trail printout, and then figure out the overall schema of the area in your head.
Or, just tap me up for a guide! Some of the best stuff isn’t shown on any map, and only the locals will show you ;o)
Nice!
And you arrived at work with the biggest grin imaginable, or was that a grimace at the smell from the open drains!
Put a smile on my face. Sometimes I wish I had your job and not having to sit in the office. Getting bored of IT slowly. Will hopefully ride my not so interesting commute in the morning. Talk soon.
Great – That’s so very true. It also helps that we live in such an amazing place :-)
Looks a beauty of a route. Getting me inspired to sort out my route to Coed y Brenin :-)
Nice. Would of liked to have seen the smile on his face.
Lovely post, thankyou
cool post!
Well said mate – can’t argue with any of that – It was a fantastic day no matter the ending !! And the ending could have been a lot worse in many ways! I will be down again soon…. Perhaps first I might just invest in a better helmet and maybe a couple of gumshields…
Rich – sounds like you took it well buddy! I hope you heal up soon!
Ouch thats a great post Wheelism and an advert for the right kit … full face helmet like they use in BMX wouldn’t go amiss
Great write up, reminds me a lot of when I used to work for the Harbours in Aberdyfi, and September couldnt come soon enough!
A great summary of the ride and of the attitude of the riders involved.
I have to agree with your comment regarding Anthony’s music choice. I kept trying to get away from it but it kept catching me up and at the end I was that knackered it managed to thankfully dissappear in front out of earshot! Oh well, each to his own!! :-)
Got to say a huge thanks to all of those involved in the organising for the event – I really appreciate it and the flapjacks were delicious although I couldn’t sleep much because I think I had a sugar overload!! Thanks for the event and I look forward to next years. In the meantime – time to get trained up ready for the Winter Warm Up!!
Nice. Very Nice. Can I’ve a go?
After swapping out the wheels (for my standard Hope/Mavic hoops) I finally got to take the bike for a spin around the Marin trail yesterday. I’d forgotten that I’d forgotten how to ride a hardtail, but after a few k’s it all began to come back. I was out with my lovely lady so took it fairly easy except for one section: Endor. Conclusion: this bike is properly quick! Looking forward to getting it onto some more familiar trails so I can see just how.
Ha! Added incentive to ride faster to get away from the music :P yes I have bad musical taste and yes I don’t care ;)
In truth I would have stopped it when around others, but it was in my back pack and I didn’t want to stop to faff about with it.
I had a great time! Thanks for not kicking me off the course early. I knew I could make it all the way around but fair play it was one of the toughest events I’ve done for quite some time, and then It was a few more km’s to ride back up the road to the bunk house!
As for the jumping, its just plain rude not to when presented with little kickers :D
Thanks to all the marshalls and other oganisers, I look forward to the next one!
SOLD!!
Whilst planning my next mtb adventure , I decided to put the obligatory words into google “coast to coast , Scotland , bike” . After a few pages of organised trips , I came across your story and proceeded to read . I’m not much of a spirited reader , but after a few lines I was captivated and the tears were running down my face with laughing . I know the feeling well to have this image of a beautiful sunlit mtb track heading off into the glorious scenery , only to be dashed by the reality of freezing rain , peat bogs and trails that dont go where you thought they would . Recently I had an experience on an epic day trip that made me want to track down Mr Bartholomew ( of ordnance survey fame ) , with map in hand , and remove the need for him to ever use toilet paper again . Many thanks for sharing your story , and I’m sure those memories will last a lifetime . As you rightly said , there would be little memory of a piss-up in years to come . All the best . Bruce.
Thanks Steve , excellent couple of days riding , I learnt a lot about how to handle my bike , simple advice and tips that once they are pointed out are blatantly obvious and make it so much more enjoyable . Having you guide us up and down routes that were , not only suitable for our abilities , but routes we would probably not have even found , was a time saver and great fun .
Great guiding this wend Steve – enjoyed it immensely – will be sure to be back for more next year! Cheers Nick O (Sir Fallalot) SHABI
Hi there just wondering if you have any workshops coming up in 2022 bike maintenance.
Regards Mark Smith
Well done Stevie! You’ve stayed so positive throughout and I’m so pleased to see you back on the bike!