bikes and things

2 hour ride yesterday with Vaughan. Only 9 miles which is pretty pathetic but still lots of ups and some really nice trails too.

A really nice story of someone rediscovering their bicycle.

Bicycle Love Story: Rediscovering the Joy of a Two-Wheeled Life « Reimagine an Urban Paradise.

Hurrrah! At last a driver in London gets their comeuppance for driving like a moron.

I’ve just bookmarked this page www.met.police.uk/roadsafelondon and will be reporting any driver that acts like a total dick whilst I’m on my bike. I wish I’d known about this before.

3 people have been killed by HGVs in London this year, which makes watching this even more terrifying.

Just got back from 3 days of incredible riding in Wales with Matt, Graham, Marc as well as their friends Matt, Malcom and Bobby. Matt and I arrived at Afan on the Sat after the usual early depart from London with the other guys meeting us there on the Sunday.

Matt & I headed out to do the Skyline trail. Some say it’s boring and not as good as the rest. If it’s thrills you’re after then it’s not the trail to do, but Matt and I both settled on getting a few more miles in our legs. So 2000m of climbing and 44k kind of fits the bill! Really enjoyed the trail although certain sections were more like riding down rocky streams than trails. The views at the top were incredible! Matt and I were at the top watching a glider below us. Brilliant, although we didn’t hang around too long as it was pretty exposed. A few shots from Matt’s Flickr below.

On Sunday the other guys arrived and we headed out on W2. Another 44k and 960m of climbing which certainly took it’s toll after the previous days riding. The trails were seriously fast and riding really well. The last descent really was a joy. Rocky as hell and my legs, arms and hands were in tatters. The weather was just amazing on Sunday.

Monday we headed down to Cwm Carn for a quick loop before getting back into the car. All of the others had never ridden the trail before so it was a good chance to show them something new. Only 17k but felt like more after the previous few days. Certainly a bit more damp under tyre but still made for another great trail. We did the freeride area twice even though it was firmly in the clouds.

Overall a superb weekend!

Obligatory group shot:

Off to Wales tomorrow morning to stay at Afan for the weekend. Doing a 3 day trip with Matt, Graham and friends. I had some spare time a few weekends ago and decided to strip down the Kobe, replace the gear cables, give it a clean etc. Turns out the bottom bracket was dead and a few other bits also needed replacing. However I hadn’t got round to fitting them until last night. Ideal, when you’re about to depart the following day. Anyway attempted to fit the new gear cable and the nut was missing! Spent a while hunting around the garden in the dark looking for it with a torch. No such luck to off to Cycle Surgery this morning for a new rear mech. £50 lighter but at least I’ll be able to ride my bike.

I’ve had some scary close shaves but nothing comes close to this.

Last night I worked late at work and had an awesome ride home with virtually empty roads. This morning I rode to work in the pouring rain but still loved it. No nodders due to the rain and nice and clear roads again. Completely soaked through but after a shower and a coffee I felt great.

This morning I went past a big BMW private hire car who had his left wing mirror tucked in. I gestured that it was in. He then started honking his horn at me! Oops. Thought I’d made him mad and carried on hoping to lose him. Turns out he wanted me to tap it down for him! Smiles all round and a bit of a laugh at the confusion.

Might be due for a make over according to this Building Design article.

The well-used track is one of the oldest in the world. It opened in 1891 and hosted the cycling events at the London Olympics of 1908 and 1948. But its covered grandstand is now so dilapidated it has become unsafe.

I went there last September time to do my track induction. It would be great to see the place brought back to life, especially as it’s a five minute ride from my house. There’s also a beautiful Victorian pavilion that is in serious danger of collapse.

Fingers crossed for a decent revamp!

Paul Mill-Elite cyclist, originally uploaded by mikekingphoto.