So Much Has Changed..

So the last six months have been interesting. A change in my personal circumstances has meant I haven't been able to get out on the old push iron half as much, and the chances I have had, I haven't had the time afterweards to wite about them!

So whats changed?Well, I have moved back to Burley In Wharfedale (from Hebden Bridge) and have had to rehome Bailey, the trainee trail hound. He has gone to a loving home that could give him much more than I could after certain events. Thankfully he has gone to a family I know, who have another dog that he can spend his time with, so thats a massive weight off my mind. In terms of riding, I still have the Yorkshire Dales on my doorstep, local trail centres Stainburn and Gisburn and of course I'm still only a few valleys away from Alp 'd'Hebden!

I am no longer riding the Orange Alpine 160. From 160mm of plush front and rear bounce, I have reverted back to a 140mm hardtail. More to come on the hardtail soon.. I will leave you to guess what I have gone for.. but a clue, it's Hebden Bridge made and certainly falls under the hardcore hardtail catogory.

Anyway, I wanted to keep this short and sweet, but heres an update of what to expect of the next few weeks!

My new steed!
Ingleborough ride: Night Ascent/Sunrise Descent
My local bike club!
Club visit to Llandegla
Winter Epic series - ride 1 - Ambleside loop
Winter Epic series - ride 2 - Hebden Bridge techfest!


Plenty more rides coming soon!

Thanks for reading and happy riding!

Skills & Thrills - A Skills Day With Roots Riding

As the name suggests, Saturday just gone, was spent out on the sunny, dry and fast flowing trails of the Yorkshire Dales on a Skills day with Roots Riding.

The day was split into two, with the first location being 'The Crag'. It's super steep, techy and littered with rocks, fast corners with multiple lines to choose from. The perfect location to work on skills and technique.

The walk to the top featured a good look at the way we were coming back down, with different features being pointed out to us along the way.

The format of the first half of the day, was to break up each section of the descent and work on them individually, sessioning each type of feature with plenty of guidance and advice from James, the Roots Riding coach.

We made it to the top in good time, and after taking in the scenery started descending the first section.

This first section was quick, very quick. The terrain was steep, with plenty of smaller obstacles, such as rocks and a few drops.

So after a few runs, and discussing lines, body position and bike setup, we moved down to the next section.

Section two, was mainly about cornering. Covering both corners at speed as well as tight switchbacks for us to get a bit of 'Alpine' experience which was more slow, controlled and technical.

Moving down the Crag, the trail started to flatten out. Although still rocky, there were more lines to pick, obstacles to avoid (or jump/ride over) and the skill we were focusing on here, was picking lines at speed and carrying the speed through sections.

Once we had finished with the section breakdowns, we headed back up to the top to session the full descent in one, using all the skills and points we had worked on earlier. I have to say, having spent some time with a qualified coach, my line choice, speed and confidence seemed to have improved hugely! A definite improvement to my usual 'plow straight down' technique!

After a bit of free time playing around on the Crag, we packed up the gear, and headed out to destination number two; The Ridge.

This section is, you guessed it, a ridge! It's not too high, or difficult to get too, but has natural terrain easily comparable to the big mountains of the Lake District.

The purpose of this destination was for a bit of 'All Mountain' riding. The line was similar to the Crag in terms of features. There were plenty of nice, manageable drops, rock gardens and a combination of wide fast corners and slow, more technical corners.

We didn't have a run through first, it literally was get up, and then straight back down. This was the perfect way to utilise the skills learnt earlier in the day, in a new environment (albeit similar) using the new found skills to enjoy it and really show what we had learnt.

At the end of the day, we stopped to take a few more pictures and session some sections. The perfect end to a great day!

Roots Riding offer different types of skills days, and can tailor them to suit your needs. I can't recommend James highly enough as a caring and passionate guide who will really put your requirements first, to ensure you leave with the skills you came for.

Thanks for reading!

New Addition to the family; four legged content!

The missus and I have been together a few years now, and we decided to take things to the next level… No, not with a baby, a dog! We’ve both grown up with animals and wanted one for a while and with the recent Speight of trail dog videos online, the desire for canine companionship grew, and sealed the deal!

So that was it, a pup was on the cards. Just needed to figure out what would be an ideal breed for our busy lifestyle that would also fit the bill, doubling up as a super quick, trail hound!

We had both grown up with terriers in the families so were used to smaller dogs, albeit harder to train.

After scouring the internet and watching Lilly the trail dog tearing up the North American trails on YouTube; that was it. A long legged Jack Russell was the one for us!

We found an eleven month old long legged jack cross Patterdale terrier online, which needed re-homing due to his owner’s illness. Wanting to give the little fella the best, we drove straight over that afternoon, and picked him up!

Readers, I’d like to introduce Bailey.

Providing training goes well, Bailey will be shredding up trails across Yorkshire and Cumbria very soon.

So far, a few days into his new life with us, I have taken him walking around the local trails to get him used to the terrain and the paths. I don’t think he’s a huge fan of the step sections as they are very steep, especially for such a little chap!

Much training is needed though as he isn’t the best line picker, and I think he is punching above his weight with the drop off’s he is eying up!

Time will tell. Trail hound pics to follow after basic training, hopefully a video too.

Thanks for reading!

Glentress & Innerleithen Stag Do - GIMP footage!

Just got back from Innerleithen and Glentress, for Marks stag do, and wanted to share some pictures and videos of the stag in his riding attire! Funnily enough, in Scotland he didnt get that many funny looks! ;-)

Crash Test GIMP



Zebra suit leading the pack



Thanks to Rich for the GoPro footage!

My ride: Orange Alpine 160

Whether I'm riding an all day epic in the Lake District or a quick lap at Gisburn, I use the same bike. Reliable, locally made and a whole lotta fun! It's an Orange Alpine 160.

I find the Alpine 160 is a no nonsense, big hitting adventure bike perfect for all UK riding. The 160mm all round suspension is more than enough for what I need and gives me the confidence to push my riding that little bit harder, knowing the bike can take it. Both front and rear shocks are Fox (RP23 on the back and 36 Talas up front).

The frame is super strong and really stiff, single pivot for simplicity, which is certainly a benefit to those like me, that aren't the best at maintaining things!

I run Maxxis High Roller 2.35 tyres all year round which do the job. Plenty of grip in all conditions sticking to whatever they comes into contact with.

My brakes are Hope V2's. Massively powerful and super smooth. Another locally made, extremely reliable product!

Easy to get your weight back for steep descents

Nice slack head angle

confidence inspiring, when cornering with speed

So that's it. My bike.

I still get punctures though and it doesn't help me stay dry!! :-(

A quick video: Hebden Bridge

A friend filmed some of our riding recently and has just put together a little edit. The riding isnt the greatest, but you can see the quality of the trails and hopefully it will make you want to go out and ride your bike!

Thanks Gareth for the video edit!

Moving house priority: finding places to ride!

So in December, my girlfriend got a new job in Manchester. I am working in Leeds so we needed to move from Wharfedale, to somewhere easily commutable for us both. That was her way of thinking anyway! I saw this as an opportunity to move from somewhere with great riding on my doorstep, to somewhere new with even better riding on my doorstep!

Being an avid reader of Singletrack magazine I have spent the last few years reading about the wonders of Calderdale, but never sampled its trails. I thought it was an ideal location to consider relocating.

Hebden Bridge seemed nice; a lovely, picturesque Yorkshire village with great access to the M62 both ways. So the missus viewed houses, I viewed the trails. She went to the estate agents, I went to the local bike shop - we were both happy!

I fell for Hebden Bridge and we moved here just before Christmas, and since then I have been out riding every other day, whether its covering distance on the abundance of bridleways, or just for an hour long spin in an evening getting as much descending in as possible ;-)

The riding is so unique and unlike other UK terrain that I'd ridden before. Its super steep, very technical and treacherously unforgiving if you get it wrong. Its rocky; covered in moss and slime, rooty and plentiful of mud and leafy mulch.

Did I mention the steps? You can't seem to go anywhere in Hebden Bridge without taking on a stair section.

When I first moved here, I went out with a local for a ride, and he asked me if I had ridden steps before. I naively said yes, I had. Hmm. Turns out my old local steps aren't half as 'steppy' as ones around these parts. Steep, narrow, high drops between them. Believe me, these few pictures don't do them much justice!

No lack of bridleways here!

The whole of Calderdale is littered with criss-crossing bridleways. Local riders describe Hebden Bridge as 'all about the smiles, not the miles'. The Mary Towneley loop and the Pennine bridleway are two of the largest and often link smaller sections. There is plenty of open moorland to explore often leading to singletrack descents.

High Brown Knoll 444m - not bad for 2 miles from my front door!

Moorland bridleway descents

The descents around here are amazing, just a shame most of the climbs are long and arduous!

Not sure why they are, but I like the fact that all of the trails around here have been given names by the locals. Some are fairly self explanatory, such as the Blue Pig, San Francisco and the aptly named Staircase of Death. Others not quite so obvious, like Mmmbop, Midgets Pit and Stannys Drop! I'm not going to elaborate and explain why or where these trails are, but if you ever come to Hebden Bridge, follow your trail senses and you will find them and understand.

Infamous local trail - the Blue Pig



Pecket Well bridleway





Nice little drop off, with a trusting Gareth sat below



So there you have it. This is where I live, and these are my local trails. I couldn't ask for more and It's certainly made relocating easier! My other half is happy with her commute, and I am more than happy with this, and I'm sure you can see why!

Thanks for reading!

Skiddaw - in pictures

The mighty Skiddaw, in Cumbria. I have ridden this route a few times now and it truly is huge!

Starting in Keswick, here is a link to the route card for the ride that I have followed

http://www.theedgecycleworks.com/mtbroutes/skiddaw-circuit-and-summit

Here are some pictures from the first time I rode it

View of Skiddaw from the campsite

Long winding path up past the waterfall

Nearly there...

Fast, flowy singletrack following the contour of the mountain

And climbing again, into the clouds

Its a long haul

Easier to carry

Stream crossing

Cold and cloudy - no view, but worth it!

Long, fast and loose.. the descent that is!



Gareth taking in the views




A ride worth doing again, with plenty of bridleways to extend/change the route. Hard work, but worth the final descent!

A good Route - Arncliffe

Arncliffe up and over

Approximatley 7.5 miles long – Difficult ascents so good fitness is required

Suited to Intermediate/Advanced riders

Caution when wet/poor visibility

Start point is Arncliffe Village, North Yorkshire, BD23

• Start point is Arncliffe Village, parking opposite the town hall and school. Commence north over the bridge and follow the road left.
• Take the first right up through the farm yard, sign posted bridleway to Starbottom. The trail steepens through the farm, and zig-zags the hillside.
• Soon the concrete trail breaks up and tuns to grass. Follow the clear route up over the false summit. The gradient lightens and the climb eases. The trail opens up with multiple singletrack lines to choose from, now with rocky sections can be tricky to clean in one!
• Soon reaching the top, the views over Littondale and Upper Wharfedale are spectacular, and on a clear day seem to go on forever. Follow the wall on your right straight ahead across the summit of the hill, and prepare for the descent.
• The descent starts following the wall straight over a rocky path, which soon opens up between gaps in the wall on to a long, fast and smooth grassy descent. Be careful at this point, the path does zig-zag slightly (although not sharply, the grass can be slippy when wet).
• The grassy descent comes to a sudden end with a drop. The trail is all ride-able, however taking the drop at speed can catch you out if you are going too quick and not expecting it. It can be rolled off, should you take the centre line. Or for the more advanced riders, to the right or left of the path, small 2-4ft drop off’s on to a grassy traverse can be found.

Gareth dropping off onto the grassy descent

• The trail soon becomes singletrack and very technical. From the grass, the trail bears left and thins out with no escape routes. Lesser skilled riders may want to dismount here. The drop to the right can put many riders off tackling this section, but stay focussed and take the centre line, and you should be fine. Again, caution if wet, and the rock is Yorkshire Limestone and tends to be very slippery!
• After this technical section, the trail enters the trees, following the contours down the hillside. This section is full of loose rocks, fixed boulders and rooty patches. Although it can be ridden at speeds, its a techy section to be taken seriously! Follow to the valley bottom.
• From here follow the trail across the footbridge and along the lane towards the main road in Starbottom. Turn left at the road. Saddles up high and prepare for a 2 mile road jaunt to Buckden.
• Keep left through Buckden, on to Dubbs Lane. Cross the bridge and take the 1^st left up towards Redmire Farm, Bridleway signposted Litton via Firth Fell.
• Again, the trail starts off on gravel/concrete farm track, through the farm yard, ascend the hill steadily following the trail with the woods on your left. The trail bears right and the gradient steepens, on to grass. Stick to the path here as there are boggy sections which can be difficult to navigate. The trail isn’t as definitive here, so keep your eyes peeled for wooden posts in the ground with the tops painted blue which will guide you up. They eventually lead you to a steep rocky paved staircase leading up to the top of the hill.
• From the top of Firth Fell there is a trig point at 607m. A good place for a picture and refuelling. The trig point is just off the bridleway, to the left.

Firth Fell trig point

• Back on the bridleway, the top of the Fell is flat, soon starting to descend on to Haw Fell. Initially a straight descent, with loose rocks, there is nothing too technical here. The trail steepens and some speed can be gained all the way down through the fields, now on to Ackerley Moor.
• A sharp right turn takes you through farm land, and on to a farm track, carry some speed to cross the stream at the bottom and slow down to enter the farm yard.
• Once through, continue on the bridleway to join the main road at Litton. Turn left on to the road and follow it 2.5 miles back to Arnclifffe. This road is this initial road you started on, so will enter the village over the bridge and you are back at the Town Hall/School.

Please feel free to use this route. Its a great Yorkshire Dales route that gives you a little bit of everything!

Please take note this route is following public bridleways and I accept no liability should you become injured. Always wear a helmet!

Thanks for reading

Helvellyn - October 2011

Last October the news said to expect a hot weekend, so we packed up and headed to the Lake District, with the plan to ride something BIG.

I wont bore you with the details, but here are some cool pictures from Englands third highest peak.

 

The only way is up!

 

Steep climbing

Top of the ridge, clear path now following round to the summit

 

Fast and rocky



More than just sharp rocks to worry about hitting on the way down!



Missed the walkers, but didnt avoid the rocks! Two snake bites at the same time.

950metres worth the climb

 The Orange Alpine 160 felt at home!



Group photo at the summit. Gareth (left), me and Nick (right)

Still full of energy!

The end of the descent

Epic day out, with perfect weather conditions. Sadly we didnt take any photos of the descent, as we didnt stop and break off from it! But I am sure you can imagine how much fun it was! We came down the infamous Dollywagon Pike and past Grizedale Tarn.

So after 4 hours climbing to the summit, it took around 35 minutes to get back to Glenridding car park. Swiftly followed by fish and chips and a night out in Keswick!

A great ride I highly recommend as long as your not scared of hights. One I will certainly be riding again.

Thanks for reading.