Christmas. What a slog. It really gets tiring eating so much food, watching so much television and not riding the bike.
But in with the new year, and a vague new years resolution to eat less, ride more - sounds kinda like last years resolution in fact. And probably the same as everyone elses here.
If you're wondering how the Pipedream is coming along, it's nearly there. All that is holding it back from its first ride is cutting the brake hoses and fitting the gear cables. Watch this space...
Have you ever done an Adventure race before? No, neither had I, until yesterday that is? Myself, editor Mike and ringer Chris both took part in the last in the series Helly Hansen race down near Petersfield, and it was great fun.
Being a cyclist, the running was a bit odd and very hard work, but the mtbing was ace. The course mainly consisted of puddles after puddles, proper English mtbing you might say. The inflatable canoes were a hoot, two canoes, two paddles and three people, work that one out!
Right now though, my legs and feet are aching like nothing I've experienced before, and suddenly my expression at the finish line of: "never again" has turned to "maybe, with a little more running training". Try an adventure race, you might just enjoy it
A while ago we tested a Pipedream Sirrus frame. Even though it was green and white - which I rather liked - I instantly fell in love with it. It's been too long since I last rode a proper classic steel hardtail, so I've decided to build one up. And you've guessed it, I've plumped for a Pipedream frame, only in a more classy red. It's a particularly nice shade of red too, quite dark and luscious.
You can see pics of the frame in its glorious nudity up top. And you'll be able to keep an eye on the build as it progresses in that gallery too.
Now, I can't wait till it's built and is ready to hit the trails.
No riding to talk of this weekend just past, but I did get out again last Friday, for another blast around Swinley forest. I'm getting to really like Swinley, because A it's easy and close to get to, and B the trails are a lot of fun. I keep getting lost though, a few arrows wouldn't go amiss, and possibly a few more landmarks too. I did find some new sections, and getting them all nicely linked up is starting to happen. And the jump gulley continues to be an area of much amusement, and a little embarrasment too...
The weekend just gone was a good one for me. It didn't involve any riding, but did involve me picking up my new car, a Passat Estate. A bit of a downgrade in capacity terms to the Mitsubishi Grandis 'beast' that I was driving, but the smaller more economical engine should save loads of money. It means I'm going to have to sort a decent bike rack though
Talking about cars on bm, that's just wrong that is. Back to bikes, and I took a trip to Swinley forest on Monday and rolled the Enduro out for a bit of a play around the lovingly twisty trails that define the area. Spent a lot of time in the jump gulley too, which was mucho aceness. Getting much better at the double at the end of the run now. I could get used to this flying through the air lark.
David Arthur
