.....here is a tale of the trees in a wood......

Does riding your bike have to have a purpose or a meaning ? I read in a magazine once that Big Maggy only rides if a ride serves a training purpose of some kind. It may have been taken out of context and he's also a pro so cycling is his nine to five and we all get bored of that from time to time. I always seem to read about people doing taper rides or recovery rides, do we have to give a label to a ride ? If the weather is really bad I just don't ride but if it's too rough for the road there is always the mountain bike. I've said before I don't like gym's or static trainers but I know people who use them to help them with their overall fitness.The more I ride the fitter I'm getting so every ride could be classed as a training ride. I got too wrapped up in stats last year and took a step back, I wasn't enjoying the ride and that's the most important thing to me. I ride my bike to enjoy the freedom, the surroundings, the company and the sense of achievement if I do a big ride or get up that hill. So go and ride your bike and enjoy it !

Today I went for a quick blast with No1 son, no GPS, no Camelbaks(other water carrying bags are available) no strava just me him the bikes and the snow :)

....an endless road of breathtaking sights.....

I managed to drag my mate Bonus out of hibernation today to go for a blast on the mountain bikes. He suggested we do a reverse of a route I tried last week, so we did, sort of. The way out means a flattish spin along the cycle path to Carhampton and Bonus seemed to be pushing it a bit as we sped along. He seemed quite eager to get to the first hill of the day and then it dawned on me why when I stopped to de-layer. The menace of Strava, not many sad geeks must use it who ride up this hill because I currently stand as the king of the mountain. Up we went, it's a climb of two parts, a long slog followed by a steeper more technical bit with mud and rocks. I did think Bonus was going for it in one go but he did stop for a quick breather before we tackled the steep bit.

Bonus went for it on the steep bit leaving me in his wake to puff up and meet him at the top, I wasn't that far behind. Along Withycombe Hill then down and back up and a gentle ride along the edge of Black Hill offering great views down the coast.

After a quick breather we decided to go exploring the myriad of tracks in the forest rather than coast back down the boring fireroads, still wide forest tracks but a bit rockier and rougher. We had to check the map a couple of times but we managed to get where we wanted to, well near enough. A quick blast along the crunchy track for old times sake and then back home. Bonus was struggling a bit, he's been laid low with the flu for a couple of weeks, that and his Strava beating exploits seemed to be taking their toll so I had to nurse him towards home. It's not quite the same as draughting on a road bike but I was there more for moral encouragement ;)

Here's the Strava bit....

Nice to get out with company but I'm still the King.....for now ;)

...so let me go far....

I was a bit down this morning, speaking to my dad last night set my mind racing which led to little sleep. He's fine, a stubborn old boy who'll no doubt go on a lot longer. He's sorting things out before the inevitable, it's not something I like to think about after losing my mum two years ago but I guess it's something I'll have to deal with. He always makes light of it, preparing for his bonfire as he likes to call it, he always tells me not to worry but I guess I'm the worrying type. He also tells me to get out and enjoy myself, so I did.

I've had a bit of an urge to ride new routes lately especially on the mountain bike, explore the fantastic surroundings of where I live even more. The aim for today was to head for Dunkery Beacon, I know where it is but how to get there off road was a different matter. I scanned the map and headed off, up the hill and over the ridge and down to Wootton Courtenay, some of the woodland was a bit more ancient today.

Old....

Young....

Once off the tarmac the tracks were a bit more interesting today, green lanes I think they like to call them but muddy and rocky was the theme today. As I got closer to Dunkery the cloud started to shroud my surroundings and the track I was on turned into a great big field. I had ridden this way on the Explorer once but I still had the overwhelming feeling of being lost, but I didn't cry. I couldn't ride across the field it was that wet and just sunk but I finally found the edge and signs, signs are great.

Up I went into the murk, and up and a bit more, the visibility wasn't very far but I finally made it to the road that goes over Dunkery, nearly at the top of it, I wasn't expecting to be quite here. Instead of riding up and down the same track I went down the road and up the track to the beacon. A rocky ascent and it felt farther than it looks when I've seen it on a good day but I got up it.

view from the beacon...

Downhill now for about two miles, a technical rocky descent which needs full concentration, glad my bike as ample clearance for precious bits ! I've ridden this bit on my full suspension bike but never on a hardtail bike so line choice was important. Once heading down the hill the cloud lifted though which made the views a bit better :)

A view....

technical....

Just a last hill to negotiate before heading down to home, there are easier ways to get back but where's the fun in that ? It's been titled "killer hill" on strava, just over a mile at an average gradient of 9%, see I said it was fun. Still couldn't quite make it in one go, the legs were willing but my back needed a quick break. After that, straight back down to home, great ride.

Here's the Strava bit....

said it was muddy.....

.....hey mister, where you headed?..........

So it's the new year, will I make resolutions, join a gym, go on the wagon or just plod on as usual ? I think I've mentioned before what I think of gym's and the amount I drink is minimal especially compared to others (you know who you are). Resolution, Noun : A firm decision to do or not to do something.

I was feeling a little bunged up and did offer to take the missus out for a coffee but she positively encouraged me to go out on my bike, slightly worrying ? I thought I'd try a route I'd been thinking about doing for sometime it's in a cycling guide book I have and I also took a map, quite the explorer. Out to the forests and along the fire roads for the first couple of miles. The surface was a little grippy and to be honest a bit boring slogging upwards but it was quiet heading through the forests and the views over the hedge were fantastic as always.

Dunkery looming.....

I didn't see a soul spinning along, the odd squirrel and a buzzard and it was quite eerie looking through the trees, I was expecting to see a hobbit at any moment whilst I rode along on my precious. I had to stop a couple of times just to check the route but I managed to stay on track but at least it broke up the monotony of the fireroads. 

I can see work from here...

just been up there....

Once at the edge of the forest it was downhill for a bit which skirted around Black Hill and then down and back up to Withycombe Hill. Back on familiar ground now and in the hills above Dunster and a very wet descent down to Dunster. 

Dunkery again...

a hobbit might of made it.....

A thoroughly good ride overall, good to sweat out the festive indulgences and find new trails to add to the personal book of rides. Here's the Strava bit....

....and how could I explain the pleasure in the pain....

Last ride of the year probably, and what a year for me when it comes to cycling. After starting the year with a poorly shoulder and dented mojo I've steadily rebuilt my confidence and slowly built up my fitness. After getting somewhat carried away with worrying about my stats and other people passing me I finally got a grip and started enjoying my cycling even more. On the road bike I did the Exmoor Beauty which turned out to be a bit beastly but at least I found out I can turn a steady pace into a headwind. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the rider who complimented me on that after sitting behind me for about three miles! I did a couple of charity rides and a sportive out on the Somerset Levels where flat is harder than you think, you have to keep pedalling ! My last big ride of the year was the Exmoor Beast which although was hard work I enjoyed thoroughly even with the wind and rain. I've really started enjoying my mountain biking even more which I think is down to my improving fitness, anyone for the Exmoor Explorer next year ?  Most of all I've come into contact with some great people through the blog and by joining the local cycling club and even had the pleasure to ride out with a couple of them.

I took the mountain bike for a spin today, it turned a bit gloomy as I set off but as I slogged my way up the hill the sun came out. A well worn route today, very wet and muddy but the sun shining through the trees made for a lovely ride.

Look! a castle....

Here's the Strava bit for today's ride....

My stats for the year, give or take a few miles...

1839 miles.....
179,629ft of elevation gain.....
The chance to ride with friends....not enough

....open the sky and let her come down....

Well it rained and rained some more, I waited and pondered and waited some more, but it still rained. I got changed, still rain, waited a bit more, right that's it I'm off out rain or well rain and as if by magic the rain stopped once I'd set off. I was just going to do a quick lap around the hills nearby but with the wet stuff easing I went a bit further.

Nice and clean...

First climb of the day was Park Lane, not the posh street in the smoke but the rocky, wet muddy climb up to the woods of Dunster. Felt good again on the mountain bike and rode all of it which is a rare feat for me as I usually run out of skill on the steep rocky bits near the top.

Took a route I hadn't done for a while through the forest, the descents made even more fun sliding down the muddy bits. Up past the Bear and then down to Dunster, the water running under the bridge was the colour of mud and flowing quite fast.

As I was making quite good time I thought I'd try a climb I hadn't done in years to Grabbist Hill. Last time I went this way was with No1 son when he was a nipper and I had to push two bikes up the hill. Only one to push today though as it basically turned into a steep rocky river, now I remember why I don't go this way :)

Once on top it was along the ridge and the last descent of the day, a track Bonus named Readers Wives for reasons to be explained by parents. It's a great bit of singletrack, little used, under the trees, one of my favourite bits to ride rain or shine.

A great ride out again on the mountain bike the weather just adds to the fun. Here's the Strava bit....

Who chose a white bike....

.......bedshaped on legs of stone.....

I've really enjoyed riding my mountain bike recently, off the beaten track enjoying the peace and tranquillity. Today though with the weather being milder I thought I'd take the road bike for a spin to keep my hand in so to speak. I did feel decidedly tired, night shifts, seven years and they still knock me for six but it pays the bills and funds my rock and roll lifestyle ;)

I headed off up to Wheddon Cross, it felt like a struggle, heavy legs, back ache and wheezy lungs, but it was sunny and the roads were quiet. A stop at the shelter, time to ponder which way next and to get my breath back and chat to a young lad on a very shiny Trek who was out enjoying the pleasant conditions. As I was feeling crap I decided to head up the hill to the Brendons instead of the easy option of heading straight back down the hill. The aches seemed to go as I finally warmed up and it was a nice ride along the top of the hills towards Raleighs Cross. I rode down the road I rode up with the club last time out, even more muddier than last time, I think I'll save this descent for the summer. Even the back road to Williton was covered in mud, think the farmers have been out doing farming type stuff in the fields. A nice flat spin through to Doniford and onto Watchet and a breather at the marina, it's posh 'round here you know.

Last leg and up the hill out of the town and onto Blue Anchor and the last hill of the day out of there, a quick blast down the cycle path and back home. Overall not a bad ride, hills were a struggle a bit more than usual but at least I can get out there.

Here's the Strava bit......