probably not going to ....

...post for a little while. Some family things. Happy adventuring everyone. See ya'll soon.

still smiling

Squeezed an 8m run in between work and overtime yesterday. This was the first run in a very long time that I've actually enjoyed. There was no pressure to run a certain time or ascent. Just run from home to meet Jane at Bestwood then a steady pace though ancient woodland and old spoil heaps.

We're off on holiday again later this week. I'm quickly running out of annual leave but I'll worry about that when it happens! We're planning to walk (there may be some jogging) the Highland High Way. With the West Highland Way being our bad weather/blister plan B.

Whilst I happily come up with the big ideas for adventure, Jane is all about the detail. She's been planner extraordinaire behind this excursion and has been researching routes and kit lists for months. I'm eternally grateful for her patients and thoroughness. She's even got a spreadsheet detailing the calorie to weight ratio of our chosen food. So, Chris, you'd better watch out, I'll never lose at calorie top trumps again!!

5/12 century a month challenge (metric)

...the bivvy one.

Normally working weekends turns me into an unbearable nightmare to live with but despite working Sunday, today and even popping back this evening for a few hours of over-time the smile has not left my face. The reason for for my unusually good mood is pure and simple bike induced euphoria. Two whole doorstep slices of riding with a juice bivvy filling. A homemade adventure.

We (Chris and Simon) left my house late Friday morning with heavy bags and a lot of miles ahead. The plotted routed was to follow little snippets of local singletrack combined with Sustrans Route 6 to Sheffield. From here we'd take the Ringinglow road out of town and onto the moors. A freewheel down to Ladybower and we'd be in the pub to meet Amy for 6. A quick drink then up to Derwent Edge to find a suitable spot to bed down for the night. Sounds easy put like that.

A few heavy showers, some 'extreme downhill', a puncture, coffee stop, some route finding, too many chips and a hill of a thousand false summits meant we were a little behind schedule. But it didn't matter we had everything we needed and for once there would be no rushing back from a ride.

On arrival at the pub we found a very full and a slightly merry Amy. She too had had her share of weather and trails to get there. It was dark by the time we started the climb up to Whinstone Lee Tor. With over 100km in our legs the going was tough but as if by magic the serotonin switch was flicked and I haven't stopped smiling since.

Slowly picking our way up the hillside, unable to tell if a line was good or bad until too late. That's the joy of night riding in unknown terrain. We finally reached the crossroads of bridleway and footpath. The shimmering reservoir below, a sign of how high we'd climbed. It was now time to dabble into the murky world of cheeky trails. A bit more up and we'd soon be able to check into the best room in the house, a room with a view and on-suit facilities. The Wheel Stones on Derwent Edge.

Then the fun really began. With it still being dry it was easy enough to unpack, layer up and cook-well add water to dehydrated food stuffs. The moon hung bright and low and we had plenty of rock to shelter from the breeze. As we got out the compulsory hip flasks to toast our success Trio produced her tipple of choice, a (GLASS) bottle of bubble! This was to be added to the list of reasons why her bag was twice as heavy as mine. Pillow, giant mattress, 1pt of milk and spare pants. It all adds up.

Hyper sensitive to the elements, I lay in my bivvy waiting for sleep to come. Hoping it wouldn't get any colder as I was wearing everything. I had no need to worry though, the warm, fuzzy smug feeling was enough to keep hypothermia at bay. That and the whiskey.

We were woken by warming sun and despite only being a 30 min ride from civilization there was a real sense of feral wilderness in our camp. Simon's breakfast of hobnobs and whiskey only added to the effect. A supper grippy gritstone descent led us straight back to the pub, which happened to re-open at 7.30am. 481ft and not a pedal revolution needed, every morning should begin this way!

Too soon it was time to head home. Amy back across the Peak and us back to Nottingham. Unfortunately Simon had to cut the ride short due to a knee injury-when will he learn! I was half tempted to get the train back with him, until I saw our path down Burbage.

The rest of the journey seemed timeless as we pedaled almost Zen like. Quiet lanes and bridleways interspersed with wine gum and chip stops. Sun dappled woods and carpets of bluebells. Chris and I took turns to battle the wind and for a long time progress seemed slow, just circling around Chesterfield. Then all of a sudden we were back on familiar Nottinghamshire trails and the miles just disappeared. Home in time for tea and a real appreciation of clean pants!

So that's my story of Mays bona fide (metric) century. Can't wait for the next one.

Day 1: 117km, 1882m ascent
Day 2: 85km, 1013m ascent

if you go down to the woods today

you'll be sure to have a big surprise. As there were to gown ups having a little tea party, all in the name of science though! Yesterday's ride was short but with real purpose, to test chris' homemade extremely lightweight alcohol stove. As luck would have it Jane has baked over the weekend so we were able to enjoy fairy cakes with our hot drinks. Thankfully no one saw us!

Results were very impressive. It was only marginally slower than then gas stove and a little messier but certainly an option.

similar again

but more expensive. ebay has a lot to answer for. carbon fork, chain tug thingy and seat clamp have been crossed of the list. i'd better put in for some more over time.

as yesterday

but with less running and a more successful fettle.

thank's so much for the help chris (i didn't really hit your daughter over the head with the swingball, she's lying)

today

run, work, bashed bike with allen keys and assorted spanners, swear, bed.
will repeat tomorrow.

april in numbers

...should have run yesterday, didn't.....stats are well down...

0 bgr legs reccie'd
0 job applications completed
1 unsuccessful interview, not as cringe worthy as the last though
1 breakdown in TK Max
986 miles driven. I don't drive for work! The miles were for family, friends and fells
93.5 miles ran
29187ft of uphill-ness
199.35 miles biked, 15319ft of uphill pedaling
1 'controversial' metric century
1 new frame brought
3 lindt bunnies eaten
1000's of excuses...
1 impending announcement

cake of the month-Hilary's scones