...............some summer days I hide away and wait for rain to come........

Sundays off are a rare treat for me so I grabbed the opportunity to get up early and hit the hills on the mtb. I didn't feel like it at first though, tired after going back on shift my and head felt clogged up with stupid thoughts, the first hill of the day felt like hard work even more than usual.

 I persevered though, the weather was cold, still and grey my kind of weather, the cloud just sits on the hills and you can get lost in the mist. Went down some new tracks and up some tracks I usually go down you get the idea, even though the legs felt like lead I still rode up them.

There's a little track someone has made out in the forest so I headed down that towards home. So quiet and peaceful in the trees not a sound even the squirrels must of been having a lie in. It was so quiet I wish I could capture the moment or portray it better, it was a good place to be........

......dead leaves and the dirty ground......

Well, it's getting dark earlier, the rain hasn't seemed to of stopped for a good couple of weeks and the roads and trails are covered in debris. I heard somewhere about it being a late Autumn so the leaves are falling off the trees later than usual that plus the wet weather equals mulch everywhere. If in doubt I always opt for the mountain bike in these conditions, grippy tyres and quiet trails away from roads always seems a good idea. I know some people lock themselves away for the winter on their turbo trainers but I've tried that, it's not my thing. It feels like torture to me, time stands still and you're on a bicycle not actually going anywhere which also makes me feel weird, perhaps I have motion issues? I'm sure it is supposed to be like torture, make you sweat and work hard for when it brightens up and you leave me behind because all I've been doing is trundling about on a heavy mtb.

It wasn't raining today though and the wind was non existent at least down at sea level as I set off upwards towards the moors. Off exploring today, rough idea where I was going but somewhere I'd not even visited before. First descent of the day summed up most of the ride, leaf and rock strewn washed down by the rainwater with the added obstacle of freshly dug rain channels to negotiate. The next ascent along Dunster Path was a challenge, very wet, very rocky lots of catching pedals and tyres slipping, anyway shin scars are a mountain bikers badge of honour but it's a good job I've got decent clearance on the frame!

After Webbers Post and nearly getting swept away crossing Cloutsham Ford which was very deep, axle height, who needs chain lube, I took the road up and past the farm. I chose this way because I wanted to visit the little church at Stoke Pero.  I'm not religious but I do like a bit of History and apparently it's the highest church in England which also means downhill time.

The trail down to the river was brilliant, steep and narrow through the trees and down to the raging river and across the bridge. A nice steady spin alongside the river through to Horner and along the road to Allerford, more up, too many tracks to choose from. I zig zagged my way up, hard work under the trees in the mulch and some poor route choices didn't help which meant the odd push until I got to the top of the hill. A welcome breather in the sunshine at the beacon then it was all downhill to home down through more zig zag paths to the harbour.

Very wet trails but at least I was out on the bike on Exmoor and that really can't get much better?

Strava bit......

........If everything could ever be this real forever........

I left the bike at home today, put on some sturdy shoes picked up the camera for a change and went for a walk through Horner Woods along the river. It was surprisingly quiet for a Sunday which made it even more peaceful, just the sound of the river running through the valley, a beautiful place that's only a ten minute drive from home.

.......I shouldn’t laugh, but I know I’m a failure in your eyes......

I started the week accruing brownie points on Tuesday, taking the girls to Exeter for some half term retail therapy. Whilst they scoured the shops I drank far too much coffee and didn't eat a great deal and wandered around the outside of the cathedral to take some pics, you had to pay to see the inside, I didn't fancy paying but I'd pay for not eating the next day.

On Wednesday my good friend Steve came over from the Mendips, he likes Exmoor and wanted to spend the day riding the trails. We started by taking in the South West Coast path and the excellent descent down Lynch Combe, a new one for Steve, then along the lanes to Bossington to take the cycle path to Porlock. We found the cycle path(?) fine if you have a mtb or cross bike, a bit muddy if you want to take your road bike along it though. We then headed up the Toll road to the first hairpin then went off road and upwards and upwards a bit more. I was struggling with the inclines whilst Steve seemingly sped up them with little effort, mainly rough forestry tracks through the evergreens. I've never ridden around this area on the mtb before so I always like new even if I was struggling to get up the hills. I finally got to the top of the hill and was rewarded with the descent off Porlock Common through the woods to Hawcombe. Our fun was curtailed for a bit by a man in a tractor chopping trees down which has ruined a great bit of trail but it is commercial woodland. Up and down the lanes to Horner hoping for coffee but the tea gardens were closed so it was bike and hike up through Eastwater, the river was really swollen so any river crossings were out of the question.

After negotiating the bridges and a stray hound we had some down for a while, along Dunster path and the red mud to Brockwell, along the lanes and a final ascent. We discussed the option of heading to the pub but decided against it and Steve disappeared up the hill and I trudged up after him. The tank was empty today again, can't explain why, don't know if I went off too quick, didn't eat enough and or it was just one of those days. What I do know is that its the furthest I've ridden on the mtb, we didn't stay low it was with bloody good company and needs doing again sometime.

I could of gone out on the mtb with some of the cycling club this morning but I'm always cautious of riding with strangers after a bad experience a few years back. I always worry about my ability to keep up and the way I've been feeling lately I thought better of it so went out alone. A usual loop, sunshine to start with and a bit of rain halfway but I managed to get some nice shots on the way round and didn't feel too bad but did take it relatively easy.

.........I can't drown my demons, they know how to swim.......

After last weeks pity party I thought the best way of expelling the demons was to get back on the bike and go and ride up and down some hills. I've done okay this year, lost six kilos from somewhere and slowly got quicker so I really should stop feeling sorry for myself. 

Like a fool I believed the weather app, sunny all day, yeah right, should of known better, good job I dressed a bit better than last week, layers!! Wet roads and a headwind on the way out but felt good I even tackled some little lumps in the big ring to try and push myself a bit. I even managed a good time up the first hill of the day. A blast down the valley road, rough and flooded in parts, if any team needs any practice for next years cobbles on the tour just ride along here, think I've still got my fillings. I was going to retrace some of last weeks ride but thought better and headed to Dulverton via Exebridge, the river was flowing well even before the weather rolls in. Shopper dodging in Dulverton, look before you cross the road please, quick breather and then up the hill to the moor.

I like this hill, I'm a bit odd like that, a steady spin up through the trees with the river flowing beside you and then onto the exposed moor. I like it up here, windswept but beautiful, I think someone once wrote  "It’s pretty even when it’s ‘orrible out there, albeit in a bleak and statuesque fashion"  A nice tailwind up Winsford Hill but the descent was a bit dodgy as said tailwind became a strong crosswind threatening to take my front wheel away, soon down though. A nice descent down to Winsford sheltered by the hedgerows now, rain in the air now but I was enjoying myself so didn't really care.

All what was left was to retrace my earlier bit back up the valley road and the descent down from Wheddon Cross, always a blast but caution needed with the wet surface and debris.

A cracking ride, felt really good and felt good about myself which is important.

Strava bit.......

Exmoor Beast 2013............or "In the darkness at the dances in the school canteen"

I'm normally only awake at 5.00am when I'm at work or getting ready to go to work but this Sunday I was eating my Weetabix and getting ready to drive to the Exmoor Beast sportive which was starting in Tiverton this year. I for one liked it when it was based in Minehead because it meant a five minute roll down to the start. At least driving over the moors gave me an idea on what condition the roads were in which was covered in debris, apparently there was a storm, I slept through it, other aspects of my life resulted in no sleep the night before.

It was very dark when I got parked up at the school in Tiverton, the last time I was hanging around a high school in the dark was back in my schooldays lurking around the school disco. We never had proms in my day mainly because I lived in a northern industrial city and we weren't the kids in America. I registered in the gym were they told me the start was delayed until 7.15 due to the gloom, checked my helmet tag and bumped into Andrew who was doing some photography for The Western Morning news. I then bumped into Chris and Jennifer who said Guy was also there as I made my way back to the car, Chris cheerily reminded me what fun it must be to drive thirty miles to ride back past my house, yeah, cheers! As I thought I had some time to kill I sat in the car and considered going back to sleep only to hear the PA calling the riders to the start and starting the briefing. So a I quickly threw on my  far too warm should have left at home jacket and made my way to the start. I shuffled into the second pen but couldn't see anyone else I knew except Guy who was in the first pen and set off before I could say hello, he was wearing shades though so I doubt he would have seen me.

So just after 7.00am I set off into the dark which was quite a novelty for me, I was glad some people had really good lights so I sat behind them. This first half of the ride was pretty new to me and I quite enjoyed the gentle climbs up around Bampton and Morebath and past Wimbleball Lake. It was warm, I was warm and overdressed for the occasion and with just one heavy shower was a bit annoyed with myself for my poor choice of cyclewear. Perhaps I should of worn a shirt, jeans and wellies like one bloke and ridden my mtb for one hundred miles, well done to you for putting us Lycra lovies to shame.

I like the descent down to Timberscombe but I knew what to expect as I normally ride up it (?) I was slightly worried by the over confidence of one rider in front of me who insisted on riding down no-handed, bloody show off. I was soon in Dunster and the first feed stop, I only had a banana and I probably should of had more and was about to get on my way when Chris and Jennifer rolled in. I thought it rude not to say hello and also bumped into one of my workmates, Carl, who was doing his first sportive although he is a seasoned cyclist. Off we went again, past my house, sort of, without first nearly becoming victim of a water bottle incident and it was my mates bottle!

We were soon at the foot of the climb up and over Dunkery. I've tried it before and failed miserably and guess what I did again. It doesn't matter what gearing or bike you have it's about your head, heart and lungs and I had none, nothing there I even felt like turning tail and going home. I limply persevered and did the hill by instalment, ride, stop, ride a bit more until I got over the thing. I didn't think anyone would wait for me as I was taking so long and quite rightly they didn't. They got over it though and was quite rightly happy and they deserve to be in a happy place once in a while :) It was very busy on Dunkery with horsey types and weekend warrior downhillers getting a lift up with a Land Rover and trailer. Note to driver of said Landy, don't beep your horn at cyclists struggling up a hill you should know better! So I carried on alone again but not after blowing up big time as I rode up from Luckwell Bridge, if I was a car they would probably say my big end had gone. The legs were turning but not a lot happening, I just told myself to get to the split point and have a breather and eat something. I nearly missed the split point I was in such a stupor, another sixty hilly miles would not be a good idea.

I stopped, ate something and got on my way, twenty odd miles to the finish, head down and just get it done. I passed the odd cyclist and many passed me all far too quick for me to jump on with. I finally managed to jump onto the back of a little group in the last few miles and got a tow to the finish. I like the finish, inside the gym, name announced and a free tankard to fill with ale and a friendly face as Carl said hello. I chucked the bike back in the car and grabbed my change of clothes and made my way back to the gym where Chris and Jennifer were enjoying their ale after a good ride around Exmoor. We sat and chatted and I got changed in lovely warm changing rooms before heading off home the way I had just ridden, at least I beat the rain if little else.

I think I might have preferred last years route but I'm probably only saying that because I could ride most of it. Last year I took over six hours for sixty two miles this year albeit a different route I did sixty six in five and a half. I should be pleased with that but I feel slightly disappointed with myself, just one of those days......

Strava bit.....

.....lights will guide you home.......

I've been meaning to go out for an evening ride for ages but I kept putting it off, it's an annoying trait of mine that I'm trying to stop, trying to live my life and not go along with someone else's. The weather was set fair, the sun was out, I'd only finished two night shifts at 6.00am and had about five hours sleep so caffeine was needed before I hit the trails. The legs felt heavy and the lungs were a bit wheezy as I headed up the hill but seeing to two lads pushing up a steep bit made me dig in and show off and try not to show I was blowing out of my derriere as I passed them. That used to be me not long back and I used to push up the same bit so I know how it feels, I've come a long way this year, I need to remind myself that sometimes. I could see the sun dropping down low as I rode along and was worried I'd left it too late to catch the sunset so went for it up the hill to the beacon, I didn't though, hope you like the pics.

The ride down the hill was brilliant, cool and still in the fading light, once under the tree line things got a bit sketchy but my cheap light helped a little bit as I made my way down. I think I startled a couple out for an evening walk as I appeared out of the undergrowth smiling like a madman, got to be done though, great fun.

.....bark at the moon......