Popped to Whinlatter and then Ae forest on Monday/Tuesday, didn't take the Voodoo, took the Canyon. Each time we've been we've never been able to do Omega man at Ae as it's always been closed. Finally been able to do it , there were other parts closed though. No pics of Whinlatter North and South as it was raining but here's Ae....(wind farm much bigger now)

Fabulous cross country ride to work yesterday in the one day September heat wave.

 

I saw a peak of 32 degrees on my display.

 

 

The road ride home at around quarter to one was still shorts and T shirt temperature although I wore a thin long sleeved high viz jacket and shorts rather than a T shirt.

 

At home I realized that my mileage has crept over 12,500, now standing at 12,520.

 

With luck the good weather will stay so I can enjoy another three cross country rides to work before five days off that start on Friday.

Got out for a wee ride today as currently in the process of building the foundations for a bigger bike shed...how to enjoy your second week off !!!

Tomorrow is off to Llandegla for a play about.

GH,

Beautiful weather indeed so making the most of it.

Then it's all down hill from the 22nd as back to work.

Looks like you had a nice ride though.

A bigger bike shed sounds like a good idea. You are getting some very nice weather while you are away from work.

 

I might have to revise my statement about a one day September heat wave as it has been just as hot today, I saw 31 degrees on my display, and so warm for my late ride home that I really did wear shorts and a T shirt.

 

Hopefully the same again tomorrow.

Had a lovely time at Llandegla today moody weather and not as warm as where you are GH...

Followed by a lovely bacon butty and latte.

Came home and detail cleaned the bikes, bolt check, chains and wheels off all clean ans sparkly as the canyons wont get out for a couple of weeks. The voodoo however will be getting a run out over the weekend and then work too.

Here's today, red route only but totally enjoyed.

On the Voodoo Bizango E yesterday 35 miles and it was a lovely day.

I concocted a ride around the Peak District that meets 7 reservoirs on the route, just under 40 miles, with around 4000ft of climb it took me around 4 hours on my Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro. I start off on the A57 which is the main road from Sheffield to Manchester and pass Rivelin Reservoir, continue on to Ladybower reservoir which looked at a low level. I passed around the back of Win Hill to link to Lockerbrook Farm and dropped down to Derwent and Howden reservoirs. As I left the Ladybower Reservoir behind, after a cheeky 99 ice cream, I took the exit next to the Yorkshire Bridge Inn and climbed up towards Stannage Pole and then dropped down the hill to be able to see the Redmires reservoirs, The upper, middle and lower Redmires reservoirs and then back home. I tried filming it on my GoPro but forgot to empty the memory card from the last ride So you can see half of the ride here on youtube if you wish.

Edited September 22, 20205 yr by Philip Copley

What a day today! Summerfeeling

 

What a day yesterday!!

 

Got out for a wee ride today as currently in the process of building the foundations for a bigger bike shed...how to enjoy your second week off !!!

Tomorrow is off to Llandegla for a play about.

GH,

Beautiful weather indeed so making the most of it.

Then it's all down hill from the 22nd as back to work.

Looks like you had a nice ride though.

Building bike sheds is almost as much fun as riding the bikes that will fit inside them!

I managed to get out yesterday afternoon for a tour de Peak District, Sheffield - Ladybower - Thornhill - Edale - Up Mam Tor - Sparrowpit - Peak Forest - Foolow - Eyam - Grindleford - Ringinglow Roundhouse - Home. 50 miles and just under 5000ft of climb. phew!!!

 

I concocted a ride around the Peak District that meets 7 reservoirs on the route, just under 40 miles, with around 4000ft of climb it took me around 4 hours on my Cube Reaction Hybrid Pro. I start off on the A57 which is the main road from Sheffield to Manchester and pass Rivelin Reservoir, continue on to Ladybower reservoir which looked at a low level. I passed around the back of Win Hill to link to Lockerbrook Farm and dropped down to Derwent and Howden reservoirs. As I left the Ladybower Reservoir behind, after a cheeky 99 ice cream, I took the exit next to the Yorkshire Bridge Inn and climbed up towards Stannage Pole and then dropped down the hill to be able to see the Redmires reservoirs, The upper, middle and lower Redmires reservoirs and then back home. I tried filming it on my GoPro but forgot to empty the memory card from the last ride So you can see half of the ride here on youtube if you wish.

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All on one battery?

All on one battery?

Nope, on two, I have a spare from my previous bike, a cube acid hybrid one. I'll be proud when I can do it on one. Just working my way towards getting fitter. But enjoying going out and going further than I would do normally.

I managed to get out yesterday afternoon for a tour de Peak District, Sheffield - Ladybower - Thornhill - Edale - Up Mam Tor - Sparrowpit - Peak Forest - Foolow - Eyam - Grindleford - Ringinglow Roundhouse - Home. 50 miles and just under 5000ft of climb. phew!!!

 

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Video of ride, finally finished uploading, be warned, quite raw, long vid, time stamped now to make navigation easier -

Leisure Ride exploring Puttenham Common and traversing the Hog's Back, returning to Godalming along the River Wey

View from North Downs Path at Puttenham common towards The Hog's Back

 

 

 

 

Load of Old Bull from across The River Wey

View up the River

Keeping an eye on the ladies

 

The Hog's Back is not something you want to be crossing on a bike or on foot as it is a two way dual carriageway, so I probably will not be repeating this ride. The countryside on either side was stunning. Parts of the climb up The Hog's back were only just possible with my slightly higher than ideal gearing though we made it without stopping in my bottom 36 t, 42 Chain ring, that would have been better with at least 4 less teeth, high assist and plenty of effort on my part.

 

Another anomaly was the route I took was a bridle path up and then a connecting opposite side of the road footpath down with stile to get over. The other route I did not take was a footpath up and an opposite connecting Bridle path down. In theory you could ride probably only a hundred yards or so along the Hog's back to go from the climbing Bridle Path to the descending Bridle path but not on a 60mph dual carriage way.

 

Another point of concern was a sound like a ratchet being turned and it seemed to be coming from the motor or newly fitted rear wheel.

 

When I got home I put a different rear wheel in and the noise was still apparent. Fortunately when swapping the back wheels back again and then spinning the wheel with the bike inverted I found a plastic mud guard fowling the tyre and after a bit of adjustment all was quiet again.

 

It really sounded like the motor. It was a relief to find a much cheaper culprit for the noise.

Edited October 19, 20205 yr by georgehenry

A more normal Autumnal cross country ride to work and road ride home but with a sting in the tail.

The lovely lake I skirt around.

Autumnal colours

Avenue of trees

Crooksbury

 

I managed to throw out my gear indexing getting something caught in the rear mech. This was my first ride on my Winter route and a piece of woodland that I did not know was private has been completely blocked off. It is a shame as it included some of the best single track sections. I found a way round but it is not as thrilling as the original route. I spoke to some lady dog walkers and apparently it was bulldozed and blocked off after lock down. It belongs to a large house you cannot see from the common or tracks but the house changed hands and the new owner decided he wanted to stop access. I think the tracks across it have been used for many tens of years and the lady dog walkers told me that there was some sort of legal action to protest taking place, but it looked like the lovely track I used had been completely destroyed. "Get off my land". So I did a few miles more than usual getting around the obstacle completing 16 off road miles getting to work.

 

I had set off with only 90% charge to my battery as usually when I get to work I have a shift of work to do and plenty of time for my battery to charge, however today was a meeting with a manager that happened as soon as I arrived and I was told afterwards I could go home.

 

So I set off for my 10 mile road ride home with 53% of battery left. I was also restricted by my indexing playing up. Interestingly I made pretty good time and had about 27% left for a steep but short climb very close to home. As I was so close to home I used middle assist and saw my battery percentage fall quicker than I have ever seen before under load going from 27% to 11% in less than quarter of a mile. As the slope reduced near the top I went back to eco at 11% remaining and the display stayed at this level until I got home.

 

My battery is 5 and a half years old now and this was the first time I had seen it appear to collapse under heavy load. Usually I would have set of on my journey home with a full battery and been none the wiser.

 

So the battery seems to work very well still down to about 30% remaining and then the performance can collapse if put under heavy load.

 

I had done 26 miles in total.

Edited October 21, 20205 yr by georgehenry

Rear Hanger

 

When checked at home after my indexing went out on my ride to work described above I had bent the rear hanger again! Fortunately it could be carefully bent back to get everything properly aligned again, so a pretty easy fix. I have been told that some rear hangers have a bit of pliability and can be bent back and some just break. Luckily mine can be bent. I do now carry a spar, though I would really not want to be changing on the trail.

Godalming to The Devils Punchbowl and back via Thursley Common

Bent tree adjacent to forked pond

View over The Devils Punchbowl

Single track traverse with view

 

A quick 18 mile ride, setting off from my house in Godalming at just after 2:30pm, getting to The Punchbowl at 3:00pm with approximately 771 ft of climbing, and then a quick downhill return to be back home at 4:30PM.

 

I used 44% of my 400Wh battery, eco and off all the way with the exception of the steep hill at the end to get me home where I treated myself to standard.

 

With my battery now 5 and a half years old and 400Wh and not having ridden cross country to the punch bowl before I kept a careful eye on my battery level as it is pretty much climbing all the way there.

 

When I got home and had 56% of my battery left I could probably have ridden a bit more in the punch bowl and still got home with no problems. Still there is always next time.

 

I am on my 4th rear wheel, having had a bit of a disaster with the last one, and have taken a leaf out of soundwaves book and with my new rear wheel have gone tubeless with a 2.35 (the largest that would still give mud clearance) larger volume heavy duty gravity mud tyre that I can run at lower pressures and provide some give for my new wheel and my back. Although I worried about rolling resistance it is not as bad as I thought it would be, and after all I do have a motor!

Edited October 23, 20205 yr by georgehenry

Rain, hail, wind autumn is here....on the voodoo with new wheels and tyres, plus gubbins so no need for a backpack

Very Autumnal / Wet Dom T.

 

I have not been commuting for 4 weeks and start again on Friday with a potential 6, 12 mile cross country to work rides and 10 mile road rides home. I think if I do them all it will be quite a wet and muddy 6 days and I will be bushed at the end of it.

 

I will be using my more sandy slightly more hilly winter route to work although there is still some muddy bits. Then 10 miles home on the road. It will be interesting to see how my new 2.35 rear mud tyre copes with the road work I do.

 

My son and I did an epic mostly off road route to Gibbet Hill at the top of The Devils Punch bowl on Monday with 771 ft of climbing. My son road my old rear hub bike and we took a spar battery for it as both batteries are well past their best. In fairness to the Oxygen rear hub bike it made it, with the odd get off and walk beside it moment. We changed the batteries over at Gibbet Hill. This was far from the normal riding on the road it normally does, 26 miles in total.

 

Great fun and an amazing view from Gibbet Hill. My son had taken his 10x50 binoculars and a tripod that we use to look at Jupiter and her moons amongst other things and using the tripod we had a great view of London with The Shard and Walkie Talkie building visible as well as the dome of St Pauls approaching 50 miles away.

 

I have to say it is much easier to conserve battery on The Haibike than the old rear hub bike.

I'm still riding to work, but not on both nights. I ride there the first night, leave the bike caged or goes in the back of hubbies van (he's a Charge Nurse and we work opposite shifts as he only does 12 hour days). I then drive home the next day as it gives me longer in bed, drive back work my second shift and then ride home the next morning. Works out well as I'm not too kn@ckered and still get the enjoyment of riding to work.

Not as far as you though.

My shift pattern is 2 nights on, 1 sleep day and 2 days off as a minimum (I have bipolar and reasonable adjustments to help me manage..it works as well as it can). I'm also far to darned old and kn@ckered too !!! , heading towards my 57 th , 25 yrs plus, gruelling 12.5 hour shifts, usually without a break and unpaid over time, takes it's toll on a body :D:D. Biking is my saviour can't deny.

Went to Hopton Woods not to far from us, it has a mountain bike red trail and some downhills.

We got a mile into it and hubby had a huge mechanical. Chain suck and then killed his front chain ring, it was a very steep uphill walk back to the car park, but still we had a nice day.

Hoping to get out on Friday this week, but not quite sure where we will go....Cannock chase, back to Hopton or possibly the Forest of Dean. We are on annual leave and trying to fit some mountain biking in before lots of lockdown happens. We will be moving into tier 2 soon we think and the other areas we like may be higher soon too. No Llandegla as Wales is totally locked down. Time to get local maps out and see if we can find some unknown territory.

Great to get out with your son I would think as sometimes it's nice to have the company.

Bikes winterised, got me lights and wet gear at the ready and warmer clothing.

Acoustic Set

 

Well the Haibike is out of action waiting for a new rear mech to arrive through the post, and I wanted to ride off road.

 

I have been off work for 6 days and return tomorrow for 5 days of late shifts. This would normally mean using the Haibike to enjoy a lovely cross country route but unless the new rear mech arrives pronto I will be using my £100 second hand rear hub ebike to ride on the road to work and back, weather permitting as there is some rain forecast for tomorrow.

 

So with the sun shining today I dug my acoustic KTM hard tail out of the garage. adjusted the air in the front fork, slotted a front tyre in, pumped them both up to 30psi and was ready for the off.

 

I do not think I have ridden a non assisted mountain bike for getting on for year. First thing I noticed straight away was tensing up for the effort required to lift an ebike into the back of my estate car and launching the KTM into the air. I had forgotten how light it was.

 

The KTM is a 10 speed with three chain rings at the front, so plenty of gears to choose from.

 

It has a 19 inch frame and feels a bit small for me, certainly very compact, but as you ride it you begin to enjoy its agility and ease with which you can change direction.

 

First climb from Chinthurst Hill car park to Blackheath War Memorial

View from the war memorial through the trees to St Marth's Church. You may need to enlarge the picture and then press the plus button to make it out.

 

I chose a short but rather ambitious route, the highlight of which is a very technical and steep climb from Lockner Farm in Chilworth via the Downs Link Path and North Downs Way to St Martha's Church.

 

A flat section before the fun begins!

 

To be honest I did not fancy my chances of getting to the top without having to stop. Now 59 with a dodgy left knee and quite a few extra pounds, nuff said.

 

View from the top

 

Fortunately the route was being kind to me with better grip than I expected and luck overcoming the more difficult obstacles. Anyway much to my own amazement and a bit of pacing myself where it was possible in a nice low bottom gear and then charging the bits where momentum is key I did make it without stopping. I felt quite chuffed with myself. There will come I time, maybe not so far in my future when this climb will be beyond me, but not today.

 

View of the entrance to the Church Yard and St Martha's

 

Something that could have really spoit the fun on my descent was my front tyre going soft. I was pretty sure it was the presta valve rather than a puncture. I was carrying a mini bike floor pump that I had bought off ebay for less than a tenner and it worked brilliantly. Much better than a mini pump, and I could get back on my way fast and enjoy the fast descent. A short but spectacular ride witha very steep climb.

 

Last view before the descent back to the valley floor and the car park.

 

I wonder how many ebike riders use their non ebike bikes still? I loved the lightness and agility.

Edited November 11, 20205 yr by georgehenry

I've only got the 2 ebikes now so no chance of using a non ebike.

I'll get some photos of my ride today up at some point.

I have ridden my son's bike before now and surprised myself too....all this getting out more frequently and riding in eco does pay off and I was fitter than I ever though I was.

Sometimes a bit of road work to get to nicer places.

Got me a painful left had, wrist and arm from a patient who was violent, so bit more road work than normal.

The Voodoo does me proud.

I must admit Dom T that I was lacking a little confidence before tackling this ride having ridden a bit less than normal due to mechanical and electrical issues with both the bikes I now ride to work and back and also having allowed myself to get a bit heavier than ideal.

 

However I must have a pretty reasonable base level of fitness from my commuter riding to have managed to successfully tackle the steep gradients and technical tracks that I did so perhaps things are not as bad as I thought.

 

I was really surprised I managed this route without too much difficulty.

 

Adding to my trepidation was the fact that I also have a left knee that is being investigated by the NHS, which is taking a bit longer than normal understandably with the Covid situation.

 

Initially I saw a private Osteopath/Sports and Injury specialist who I know and trust and who has treated me well over the years and he told me he thought it likely that I had a meniscus tear but that his diagnosis would need to be confirmed with an MRI scan.

 

The Osteopath had suffered the same issues and is a keen tennis player. He went the private route very successfully and I could have been recommended by him and taken the same route. I do not have private medical insurance so would have needed to pay myself.

 

I had some concerns about going private and at this point engaged with my GP practice. I guess I could still take the private route whenever I want, and maybe a private practice practitioner should be very experienced in the type of surgery he offers.

 

So far through the NHS I have had an Xray with follow up telephone appointment and then an MRI scan am now due a follow up telephone appointment following the MRI scan.

 

Cycling actually tends to improve my symptoms probably because cycling is not load bearing and as my knee is bent during the exercise I do not seem to aggravate the injury but the exercise strengthen the muscles and ligaments that support my knee .

 

Bizarrely I skied last year with very little issues. My Osteopath told me that skiing should be OK as your leg is slightly bent all the times and he was absolutely right.

 

Load bearing activities like Walking long distances or running if I were foolish enough to do it tend to get a reaction and make symptoms worse and cause me to go lame. I have at times in the past enjoyed tennis but could not imagine being able to do that with my knee as it is.

 

The trouble is that corrective knee surgery seems to have a much lower success rate than other types of surgery and you can end up worse than you were to start with, so I am in a bit of a dilemma as to what to do.

 

It will be interesting to hear the results of my MRI scan in my telephone hospital appointment coming up in a week or two.