Pennine Bridleway Double - Ouch!

A few days after I finished the ride and am still grinning to myself about finishing it. Why? I didn't break the record, far from it, I was several hours slower. I didn't have great weather, in fact I had many hours of rain. I didn't have the perfect ride, I suffered punctures, a mechanical problem and had a couple of kit issues. I am smiling because I kept on going, pushing myself towards the finish, taking the opportunities where they presented themselves (and there were plenty) to enjoy the varied and stunning terrain and views of the Pennines and the Peak District, and I kept going all the way to the finish of the challenge that I set myself, not stopping once until I had reached my goal. I had done it, I had completed the Pennine Bridleway Double, a continuous ride north up the southern section of the Pennine Bridleway, around the Mary Townley Loop, and then back down the Pennine Bridleway to Middleton Top......

Here's how my ride went:

The North Face Kalymnos Climbing Festival

Being lucky enough to be supported by The North Face doesn't just mean I have some great cycling gear and a waterproof for every occasion. Much more importantly; I am privileged enough to get to see some amazingly talented athletes and passionate individuals who do both incredible and inspiring things. The latest showcase for this, and for the climbers who are part of The North Face family, is The North Face Kalymnos Climbing Festival. It looks like a whole bunch of fun, I only wish my other commitments meant I could go myself. I'll just have to settle for gazing at this lovely little trailer that the team put together, add it to the to-do-list and dream that constant dream of "maybe next year":

24hrs Of Exposure 2012 - Not The Start To The Season I "Knee"-ded

In the same event last year, I set out to secure a steady ride to set my season off in the right direction. This year I had slightly grander plans after what I hoped had been a really good winter for me where I have remained free of injury or illness and kept the miles ticking over regularly. Starting with the 2nd seed board and with Santa Cruz & The North Face stablemate Josh Ibbett alongside me on the start line billed as 4th seed, and with several of the usual suspects opting for the 12hr event, I was hoping for a strong ride to launch this year with a bang. 

24hrs Of Exposure 2012 - I had a lot of fun while it lasted
Pic: Joolze Dymond

Unfortunately, my knee let me down. It's off to Active Physio Clinics for me to get myself up and running again. No permanent damage done thankfully, and after a bit of moaning about a sore knee and a touch of physiotherapy magic (and tape!) I'll be back on the bike in no time. Just a whole bunch of frustration, disappointment and a feeling of having let down sponsors, friends and family who have been amazingly supportive to me over the winter to deal with. I guess there's always next year..... And now, onto the next race :-)

Having fun in Newcastleton on the new bike
Pic: Joolze Dymond

Here's how my whole weekend went:

2012 Race Bike #1 - Santa Cruz Tallboy "The General Levi"

Everyone that knows me, knows I don't just love riding my bike, I particularly love riding my XXL Orange Santa Cruz Tallboy, nicknamed the "General Lee" by my friends. So, when it was inevitably time to move over to the 2012 bike and it was no longer available in orange, the new bike was always going to have a lot to live up to. It was with this in mind that the new bike (another XXL Tallboy - accept no substitute!) was, very carefully, built up by me.

2012 Race Bike #2 - Santa Cruz Highball

I've been riding my Santa Cruz Highball for a while now and I'm consistently delighted with how a bike that's so out and out fast is also so capable on the technical too. For 2012 I've spruced the bike up a little to save a teeny bit of weight, but mainly to try and wring the last little ounce of speed out if the bike. 


All the changes happen up front; namely controls & forks:

Reynolds Wheels - Welcome Aboard

Shiny new Reynolds 29er Wheels

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that, for 2012, I will be supported by Reynolds, well established makers of super fast, stiff carbon wheels. I'll be riding their new 29er XC carbon disc wheelset throughout the year. 


The wheels have just arrived and came supplied with a full array of adaptors for front and rear hub standards, as well as some snazzy looking quick release skewers for "normal" frames & forks. Even betrer than this, they have a tubeless style rim form and in the same bag was a roll of tubeless rim tape and two, extra long (for the deep rims) tubeless valves. Top marks for attention to detail. Thank you Reynolds :-)

Winter Reminded Me: It's Not Spring Yet

A bit nasty out

Down South, in sunny Brighton, you could have been forgiven for believing Spring had come early for the last week or so, last weekend there was a definite feeling of "spring is in the air", with bright blue skies and an abundance of shorts and a dearth of jackets out on the trails. That is, until today. With just a few days of winter remaining, the season reared its head and reminded me that it was definitely not spring yet.


It was a great day to be out. I had the trails all to myself and the thick mist made for a very peaceful, isolated feeling; much needed after a hectic week. Still, there's only so much fun to be had riding 100km through muddy trails in the wind and rain. Scrub that, who am I kidding, I had a great day! In fact I've pencilled in the same tomorrow, but heading out in another direction.

Fantastic swoopy trails dropping through the trees, extra exciting when covered in a layer of greasy mud
and with every corner or drop scattered with wet roots. It's not all SDW around here!

Prototype Switchable Dynamo Hub From Shutter Precision

A shiny new hub turned up this week, a prototype, 32H, disc, dynamo hub from the guys at Shutter Precision. This is no ordinary hub, it's a switchable dynamo. The hub has a large flange on the connector side that clutches the dynamo in or out. When disengaged, the hub acts just like a normal hub, only providing any resistance when the clutch is re-engaged. The hub is based on the 7 Series range PD-7 model, but has been sent to me with a special, not yet available, 32H drilling so I can use my preferred rims, rather than the currently available 36H version. Aren't I a lucky boy? :-)

Prototype SP PD-7 switchable dynamo hub, with clutching dynamo mechanism. Nice tyre name too! ;-)

Misty March Morning

Where did the Downs go?!

On some mornings getting up early to ride before work every day is a chore, not very often though and certainly not today. 


I was treated to one of the best misty mornings in the dips I'd ever seen, rolling from perfect sun filled blue skis to dense moisture filled air that left my kit wet and gave visibility of only a few metres every time I rolled into and out of any significant dip along the Downs ridge. Simply stunning, even if I did get more than a little damp and chilly in the thick of the mist! I was too busy having a nice time to take too many shots, but I did manage to grab a couple to look back on to remind myself just how spectacular the effect was.

What an amazing sight as a reward for getting up and out on the bike early. It was a bit cold in the bottom of that though!

It was a fantastic morning, but riding the last couple of miles at the bottom of that 
saw me get quite cold & wet by the time I got to work, brrrr!

Spring Is In The Air

Smiles & sunshine all
round, all day

What a fabulous day! I had originally planned a bit of a shakedown ride for my new USE finishing kit and then a late morning trip on the North Downs (a rare excursion for me), but with a positively balmy weather forecast I rolled both of these together and rode up to the Peaslake in the heart of the North Downs Surrey Hills, where I was to meet my riding buddies for the day (I was joined on the North Downs by Stilettos on Wheels organiser, Irene Lachner & SITS winner "Competitive Grace") and jump in the car on the way back. It was such a lovely day I poo-pooed that idea and rode back home again. 90miles done, 7:30 ride time, 6500calories burned (although I did my very best to replace them at lunch!). Smiles all round :-)


Here are a few moments from the day I managed capture for posterity: