Glad to not be at work today but rather in Cambridge hanging out with Emma’s Mum & partner, Snoopy the dog and Emma of course. Sunday was a bit of a write off as I seemed to lose all energy and then spent most of the day sleeping. Anyway, lots of good food and a walk with the dog so all good. A few photos below and also a quick video of Emma throwing the ball for snoopy. He’s mental for that ball, it’s like crack to him.
Popped out briefly yesterday for a walk around the park rather than sit in front of the computer and edit photos. Nice to get some fresh air at last. We went for a bit of a stroll then relaxed at the cafe in the middle of Peckham Rye Park for a bit. Glorious sunshine and we just sat there watching the world go by with our coffee. So nice having the sun on my back and occasionally taking a photo. Also great to use my camera for pleasure rather than business.
I’ve been meaning to write a few words about this for a while now but other things have been preventing me, work, work and more work really.
Graham, Matt and I recently went away for a few days to reacquaint ourselves with our bicycles and each other. The idea being that we would ride some “dusty trails” as the subject of Graham’s email. I was pretty sceptical seeing as the summer had been fairly poor, however a plan was formed. Early start on the Thursday for a ride at Cannock Chase, then head over to do Llangelda on the Friday and finishing with a natural trail over at Long Mynd on the Sat with a drive back to London that evening to spend Sunday with our respective partners.
Our first port of call, Cannock Chase, was surprisingly good. I’ve heard it mentioned many times over the years on the various internet forums I used to frequent. It’s a firm favourite of many people living in the middle bit of the country apparently. It turns out that choosing a week day to ride there was a very smart decision as it was still busy even on a Thursday. We were all pretty impressed with what they’d managed to achieve there with two small hills and a lot of effort in terms of trail building. You never felt you were climbing then descending like Whites at Afan but it flowed a lot more. Just one constant trail which felt great. There were parts which were like an enormous BMX track mixed in with the tress. And surprise, surprise it was dusty! I was having so much fun that forgot to take any pictures of us riding. Still here’s Matt & Graham posing on a rest stop.
We ended up staying in a very reasonable little bunkhouse which was a short walk over the fields to a fairly lively little town. Here’s Matt & Graham on their way through the fields. This photo could have been perfect if they’d just held hands for a brief moment.
We also met a few friends on the way who came running towards us when we approached their little enclosure. A good night in the pub as well as a feed in the local curry house and back through the fields for a good sleep.
Next day we hit up Coed Llandegla for a trip around the Black Run which always satisfies. Again, amazingly dry and flowing. Hardly a soul about on the trails even though the car park was busy. I think we’d all warmed up from the day before and things were a bit faster. Some serious grins at the bottom of some of the runs. Again, I as having so much fun I didn’t take my camera out but Graham did get this shot of me on the berm at the start of the first fun bit. Proper lean on it and all!
At the end of the trail there is a small skills and drops area as well as a fun little pump track. Here’s Matt showing how it’s done. Looks easy from the video but it’s hard work not pedalling and just pumping through it, especially when you’ve just ridden 25k off road.
Rather than spend another night at the curry house we had an improvised BBQ and fire outside the bunkhouse. Being the aspiring middle class tossers we are we managed to find an array of posh BBQ treats rather than basic burgers. Just look at that feast.
We also had an additional guest join us for the evening, Jenga, the campsite dog. And what a sweetie. She wasn’t after the food but just a stick or two to be thrown and all of us were happy to oblige. Back into town again to the same pub which was even livelier on the Friday. We also went past a round bowls pitch being used which I’ve never seen before. They play across the pitch which all looked very odd but plenty of people getting involved.
Next day was a natural trail from an old issue of MBR which Matt had researched. I’ve long been a fan of the trail centre since I’ve had access to a car and longer travel suspension forks. You’re almost always guaranteed a decent ride whatever the weather and there’s often a cafe at the end. However it was great to make a return to some of the natural stuff. I definitely regretted the removal of my inner ring on the front. Fine for trail centres but a bit grindy for the open moorland around Long Mynd we were riding. Lots of exposed and fairly barren landscape with a few fairly decent climbs.
Once we’d got all the climbing out of the way we managed to lose the trail slightly around an airfield at the top. Fortunately a friendly local rider got us back on track and we were treated to a spectacular tight single track descent. Narrow as hell and rocky, root and very twisty. Also with a drop to one side and a few section where the trail was washed out we were all pretty pleased with the end result. The climbing was forgotten at this point. A bit of a slog back to the car along a road (we may have missed the last bit) then back to London.
What a weekend! Thanks to Matt & Graham for organising.
Nice to have our friends Nat & Cath in London for a few days and their amazing children Caitlin, Elsa and now Joe too. Spent some time in Peckham Park in the sunshine with them all relaxing. Amazing how smart kids are. Fascinating to watch and engage with.
Which is a good thing. She’s got a great eye for seeing amazing things to take pictures of (some are quite bizarre) and has now started uploading to Flickr also. Go and have a good look (and chuckle) at the pictures of toilets, people dancing at bus stops and shoes on pavements – amongst other things.
A few weekends ago Emma and I headed down to a very picturesque Manor House near Chichester after work on the Friday. We were welcomed by Kate, the owner, and also her dog Monty. We also met Lou who was staying there for a few weeks from France as part of the WWOOF‘ing that Kate runs at the house. The idea is that you can sign up and go and work anywhere in the world and receive bed and board in exchange for 6 or so hours work a day on an organic farm.
I was there to shoot a few photos of the stables in the morning, which are currently being renovated. We were treated to organic apple juice (made from their own apples), salmon and eggs (from the chickens on site), lots of coffee and a couple of hours of chatting and relaxing. Amazing to get out of London for a day and relax. Incredible just how quiet it is outside of London. As well as Monty, Kate had two lovely collies staying with her. I was also able to feed the chickens which was great – see the below video.
One of the nicest things about staying at a place like this is seeing the little family mementos and history around you. It’s incredible. These tractors really stood out to me, along with the little trike in front.
After staying far too long and getting far too relaxed we then headed over to Alresford to meet some friends, have some lunch, relax some more and take another dog – Gus – for a walk around the nearby watercress farms. Could definitely get used to this lifestyle. One day perhaps.
After a fairly epic week in terms of work, both Architecture & Photography, I went over to the pre-opening of Franks Campari bar to meet Chris and a few of his friends. I’ve never seen South London so busy with art students and what is commonly known as hipsters I guess. After such a busy week I didn’t stay long but I think I’ll head back a few times this summer to get some more shots of the art and installations and also hopefully to enjoy a few drinks with friends.
And a quick video of the crowds.
And whilst the view really is amazing we really are spoilt by the view from our bedroom window.
…is something that I’ve strangely neglected as of late (apart from commuting). The chance to take a trip to Wales with Jenx, Matt and Jim was something I was keen not to miss, as much for the riding as the shits and giggles that usually follows. We went to the usual spot of Afan for a trip round Syline on the Sat. As usual it started of sunny but ended up wet and muddy as hell. Some funny moments of Matt riding through hub deep mud and also endo-ing into it certainly kept the smiles coming. The lack of views was a shame but thats what happens when you ride in Wales.
After getting cleaned and dry we headed up to a tiny little village near Brechfa and a superb little bunk house with a pub attached. Great fun and almost everyone in the bar was speaking Welsh. Good food and lots of Guinness followed. An early night was needed. Waking up to a room of wet kit, skinky feet and farts was less pleasant but it’s all part of the experience. After a leisurely start it was off to Brechfa for a quick route around the Raven I think. I was far too tired for it after Skyline the day before. Would be nice to go back with a bit more energy and after a less hectic week at work.
Glad to be back in the saddle though. Thanks Graham for organising and thanks for Matt and Jim for the additional shits and giggles.
Team shot
Bike tree
Can’t see the view unfortunately
Mist
Resting freeriders
Yesterday we (Emma, Jane and I) drove out to Peaslake in Surrey to go for a walk around and just get out of London for a few hours. Normally a place I’d go for mountainbiking but interesting to go there walking. Had a wander around from the car park near some of the trails I normally ride, up past Barry Knows Best and then over to the Holmbury Hill viewpoint. Bit too hot for the ladies and one too many hills. Still it was good to get out. The trails looked amazing and there were plenty of riders around. Think I’ll head out there next weekend with the bikes.
A few pics from Instagram app on the iPhone as well as the proper camera.
That’s the sound of our new car. Amazing! Doesn’t leak, has air conditioning, these things that put the windows up and down automatically, a little bleeper on the key and you can even talk to each other without shouting. Crazy. Hoping to use it for some biking trips soon as well as seeing our respective folks in Bath & Cambridge.
Awaiting a formal naming.
