Pedal Slip

A journey of mountain biking.

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2P8Bp0sbvY)

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Vlog part 2 - MTB in Spain

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5 tips for better MTB photos (via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXt0rXwAEko)

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8qO0xWB6Xo)

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvOsO8-NXCQ)

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5ZPhq9HmhI)

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Always wear a lid.

If you’re living in the UK, you’ll have noticed that much of Yorkshire is underwater at the minute. Fortunately, we’re a couple of villages away from the flooding and have been mostly unaffected. Our thoughts are with those who have had to leave the area, or have had their property damaged, but we thought the best way to be grateful for being so lucky and avoiding it all was to make the most of being dry.

So, a few of us got out on the bikes today. We met at a local spot, did a couple of short runs and the last of our group arrived. We then set off on a route I’d never done before. It was wet. It was muddy. It was slippery. It was barely rideable.

It was fun.

A couple of us are regular riders, and you could’ve spotted us from a mile off with our wicking jerseys, hydration packs, decent gloves (etc.). The rest of the crew were virtually first-time riders - (in sweat pants and trainers). Of course, they also turned up without helmets.

I always carry around a spare ‘Halfords special’ (£15 cheap helmet) in the back of the car that makes you look more amateur even than sweat pants. However, something is better than nothing, right? So, with a chuckle over the styling, I offered it up to anyone without a lid.

The guys refused the helmet all the same.

A little while into the ride it got really, really muddy. I’m talking so much mud on the tyres that I had to keep stopping to scrape some off to make the weight of the bike more manageable.

Shortly after this, we hit a road and, with slippy tires, set off at pace.

What happened next was over in an instant.

One of the lads without a lid snapped his chain, went head over heels, smashed into the road and rolled over. It was clear by the look on his face that he was hurt. I know because this particular guy is my brother.

Luckily, no serious damage was done. An anti-septic wipe later and a bit of a walk (due to the snapped chain - we forgot spare links!) he was fine. 

What was funny, though... what all the guys without helmets said before they got in their cars to leave after the ride.

Them: “I’m definitely getting a helmet for next time.”

Me: “Yeah, definitely. Fox Flux have a decent review and I think they’re in the sale at the moment.”

Them: “No! I’m getting a full-face!”

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Shifted.

A bit of downhill and freeride mountain biking for a Sunday morning. Worth a watch.

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I love sunny days on the trail.

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A good breed.

Having been on the trails more than a handful of times now, I’ve spotted something whilst being out and about. Bikers are a good breed.

Often, I’ll stop and catch my breath at the top of a climb and give my tired legs a little rest before they’re forced to hang on for the decent. My fitness isn't up to par yet.

Sat at the top, breathing heavy and sipping water, is the perfect opportunity or others to whizz past as I admire their stamina. I can honestly say, the first time this happened I felt daft - I’d bought, what I considered, an expensive bike, I thought I was fairly fit and ready... and then several older chaps pedalled past. Smiling. I’m in my early twenties. Being passed by some grey haired riders made me realise how fit they must be.

Whilst I sat, feeling slightly embarrassed and envious, they smiled, greeted me and checked I was ok. I was. Just tired.

This is something that I now no longer get embarrassed about - I’m new to the sport. I’ve only had my bike nearing two months now, and I’ve had a multitude of different colds in that time. There are bound to be those who ride religiously every weekend who are fitter than me. And good on them!

What is wonderful is that every time someone passes me (or, as I ride more, I pass them) they’re always happy to say hi, nod an acknowledgement, or check that other riders are ok. I have yet to encounter a single rider who has completely blanked me.

Yesterday was a prime example. I headed back out on the killer 21 mile red route I’d blogged about previously (and felt much better since, this time, I took enough food). About 7 miles in I hit a decent climb. At the top, I stopped to catch my breath, drink and ditch the thermal base layer I was wearing. There were two other blokes who’d passed me only moments before also taking a break. They were likely old enough to have fathered me (sorry guys!), but they were as friendly as any of the other riders I’ve encountered. They were hilarious - throwing banter backwards and forwards between each other - but also wanted to talk to me. To see where I’d come from, to ask me about my bike, to suggest pedal upgrades, GoPro mounts and see if I was ok.

Eventually I passed them and took another break in a few more miles. Inevitably, they caught up and the same friendly banter ensued. It was like they knew me, and I knew them.

And this isn’t the only time this has happened. What seems to be the case, is that bikers are a friendly, humorous, but kind bunch of people. And it’s great to be part of something like that.

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A hard lesson to learn.

On Sunday, I decided to make the most of the weather and get a second ride in of the week. For someone like me this is quite a big deal - I very rarely have enough time to squeeze in a long ride once a week, never mind two.

Making the most of my forest pass, I headed out to Dalby to tackle the red route. I’d completed the first 13km of it the week before, with my brother. It seemed manageable and not too technical so I was totally up for tackling the whole 21km trail.

The 21km trail actually turned out to be 21 miles.

33km.

Expecting to tackle 10km less, I made the decision to set out with plenty of water, but no food. I figured I’d get through the 21km in around the 2:45 - 3:00 hour mark and therefore wouldn’t need to take any fuel with me: I should be back by lunchtime.

As you’ve probably guessed, after around 25km I needed some energy. My legs were burning on every climb and, whilst I was still hydrated plenty, I just didn’t have the energy to keep climbing on the bike. 

Around the 30km mark I started to feel dizzy and light-headed. I needed to pee, because of all the water I’d taken, but standing up was exhausting.

By 33km, with one last climb before hitting the big down to the carpark, I took the exit track out of the red trail and back to the flat before slowly peddling back to the car, feeling shaky and thoroughly worn out.

The red route beat me.

Although, what really beat me was a poor preparation and checking before setting out. For someone who is looking to tackle some enduro races in due course, this was a steep learning curve. 

I sit here, two days later, with legs still sore and tight with DOMS with a new-found respect for the self-sufficiency of enduro mountain bikers and a promise to myself to always take out fuel.

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Had a little fun at a local quarry, and the small wooded area behind it, last night. Took some small shots on my phone and played around with editing them this morning.