Kev's Extreme Pow-Wow!

Just a quick note to say that my long lasting photo site has now had its last new post and is being replaced by my new Flickr photo site. The reasons for this are that Flickr is cheaper for the pay service that gives you more image upload capacity and no compression in image quality. Also it’s just nicer (sorry Fotopic but it really is!).

You’ll already find my Chatel and UK Tour photos are on there and going forwards the new site will be the place to look for new photos. Even subscribe to the RSS feed if you’re that way inclined…

You should now also be able to see the latest 5 photos posted to the site on the left pane of this blog.

I got back home yesterday for the first time in a week after touring round the UK with the car and mountain bike.

Chester

First off I headed for Chester, where I caught up with my good mates Andrew and James in order to watch some League Two footy action. Things didn’t seem to be going too well as Darlington were soon 2-0, then 3-1 and finally 4-2 ahead. At this stage things didn’t look good until our new striker, Mr Blundell did a bit of classic goal hanging and prodded the ball home from a blatantly offside position. At that point I jokingly said to the guys that we only needed another goal to get a draw (not thinking we’d get it). Soon we were jumping around as the equaliser went in and somehow we came away with a point! I notice that after a week away Chester are now third in the league… If we can shore up our defence then we might do alright this year.

Lake District

(A day) after beerage in Farndon (in the Greyhound as usual – which we understand is going to change hands again) I jumped in the car and headed to see Mum and Dad in Staveley in the Lake District where they’ve got a lovely static caravan. This was really nice and a lovely way to spend a few days. I managed to spend loads of money in Wheelbase just down the road but there was no sign of the gorgeous women that Mum had described frequently being spotted in Wilf’s cafe.

On bank holiday Monday I took the Tomac out for the first time since the alps and rode over the Garburn pass to Kentmere and beyond. A great sunny ride this one, I was pretty knackered upon return to a welcome beer and dinner.

Tuesday saw an introduction to mountain biking for Dad. As expected Dad dealt well with the fatter tyres and heavier bike but was noticeably disturbed at how much easier it was for me to climb the Grizedale forest tracks until I let him loose on the Tomac. At this point I think he could see why spending lots of money on bikes is very important!!!

Scotland

On Wednesday I headed north and across the border into Scotland. The drive up there was fantastic with mountain roads a plenty. The Type R was in its element as it lapped up the passes and valley routes therein. I set up camp in Peebles and got an early night in preparation for a long day of biking on Thursday.

Although the tent was drenched overnight, my spirits remained undampened as I headed for the forest trails at Glentress. Glentress is in the Tweed valley which is one of the 7 stanes set aside for mountain biking on man-made trails along the Scottish borders. The sun came out on my short ride over there and as I blitzed round the black trail I was soon sweltering. The trails were suitably gnarly and I even experienced my first bit of riding on North Shore style raised ramps (albeit I was a bit hesitant!). The red run was completed straight after my lunch stop which, all in all, probably added up to the best day of riding on man-made trails that I can remember. This is saying a lot considering some of the wonderful downhill tracks that I rode in July in the Alps.

Friday was my last day in Scotland so I headed for Innerleithen, further down the Tweed Valley. The new XC trail there was suitably spectacular with both massive climbs and formidable descents. The only downer on this day was me clobbering my knee (having bashed the other one a few weeks ago at Afan forest) on the beastly climb back up to Minch moor. Having said that I still took to the XC downhill route and went off all of the big jumps there. I also ran into a bunch of walkers on the bike-only trail and gave them a suitably polite telling-off (for their own safety you understand!).

The drive back to the Lake District was once again wonderful although I did have a hairy moment when crossing a raised cattle grid at about 60mph (I didn’t spot that it was raised until the car hit it with a strong thud!).

Peak District

After a night back at the static caravan I headed for Neil and Lou’s in the Peak District for their annual barbeque party. Fortunately there was enough time for Nich, Neil, Lou and me to head out on the bikes for a few hours. Glorious biking was had by all and topped off with a pint on the way home.

The barbeque was excellent allowing all of us ex-Nottingham University ski club types to catch up, including Liz who’s back studying in the UK after teaching in Japan for a couple of years. Liz was telling me off for not having any compassion or empathy… which I thought was a bit harsh (albeit often fair!!!)

Hangover Sunday was a relaxed affair spent recovering and watching the dull Italian Grand Prix on TV. Faced with the prospect of going home in the afternoon sun, Burts and I decided that another bike ride couldn’t do any harm so he, Neil and myself headed back out for a short 1 hour lap of the local hills. Two and half hours later we got back, feeling much better than if we’d lounged around or wasted the afternoon sun in the car.

I drove back to Swindon as the thunderstorms started to roll in from Cornwall and felt suitably satisfied with a great week off. Shows that you don’t have to go abroad to get in a world class week of mountain biking and weather. It’s easy for me to say that though… I’m going to Moab in Utah for a week of world class biking in the sun very soon!!!