mountain bike jaunt off into Delamere Forest again today. Got off to a great start with my OH cycling into my rear wheel when I stopped on a bridlepath because the 3 horses in front had stopped - one of the riders had a stirrup problem and I knew we were turning off right 150m in front, so had just sat behind them (I know they horses, they are in the stables & fields that my landlady owns). How he managed to hit a 2 inch target square on is byond me
but at least he didn't complain I had stopped! Then off down the steep steps with 2 90 degree bends in them, and onto the muddy blackberry alley shortcut to Delamere Forest - the horse riders chose to go straight on when they learnt we were going off right...
After a quick stop at the cafe (no cakes, sorry - I can't eat them and it was way too early in the ride for cake) it was then a case of what routes can we choose without finding too many other people - lots of runners out today. So our ride route has lots of wiggles in it, some back tracking - there is only so many trees I am prepared to carry my bike over (think 30-50cm thick trunks - too much for my mtb skills to deal with)... One descent had me stopping at the top - one of those where the h*** is the ground ones, +50% gradient for a 10m vertical drop and tangled tree routes - first time I had been there and I wanted to 'consider' my options first
I did ride down it and dealt with the mud, the bridge (not too narrow), more mud, fallen tree and sharp right turn at the bottom of the hill. Was quite please - getting my confidence back slowly... Then more mud, narrow (6" wide 6 foot long) wooden bridge, one of those nasty drop 50cm dips with a climb of 75cm and solid mud... managed that as well! so happy days.
Asthma held up OK just leaving me very breathless for the first hour
of the 90 min ride...
Even managed a QOM on a strava segment I didn't know existed on a totally new route to me!
http://www.strava.com/activities/96797399
Then off home, to find the Irish Wolf Hound we are dog sitting howling (he has worked out his owners, our landlady & partner are away and is pining for them) so we called out to him and got his attention and took him off on a short run whilst we cycled.... can't take him too far or too fast when we cycle because of his size (it causes strain on his heart and he is already 6 years old - they usually only live to 8-9 years old and die due to heart failure!)... then back home to wash off the bikes and rest.
