Fat Bike Friday

 

I had a long week of work. Three days in Germany with delays on flights both ways. While my colleagues in Bremen are very friendly and accommodating I was itching to ride. The weather forecast in Bristol was for heavy snow. With typical British skepticism, I thought I'd believe it when I see it. 

Seven am Friday, up. Out of bed, peek out of the curtains. 3" of fresh snow on our road. I was supposed to be doing half a day at work then heading to the London Bike Show but made the executive decision. I'm staying here. I called my boss. "It's dangerous to come in, so I'm not". He admitted he wasn't either. Done. The On-One Fatty got fettled then I headed out for a ride in the snow- avoiding all roads. It doesn't snow often in the UK, so you have to make the most of it when it does. Brilliant fun. Wrap up and do it.

Big red box

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Video killed the radio star

I'm wanting to try out doing some videos. It's not easy to do it yourself. My good friend Dr j0n makes solo riding photos and videos look good, and I'd like to do the same. I made a video a while back about my XC bike- a Planet X Dirty Harry. It was a good learning experience.



Today I made a video about drilling Fat bike rims.



I played with many free editing programs but ended up using Windows Live Movie Maker. The editing certainly gets easier the more you use it. I certainly need practice...

Nichecore Hunter

I really wanted one of these since I saw pictures of Eric Zo on his when he won the messenger worlds cargo bike race. Zo designed it, apparently. Rick Hunter built three. I just bought Rick's- the NAHBS show bike (um, PNS Syndrome there). I didn't have a 20" wheel fixed gear travel cargo bike, so I couldn't say no. It actually rides really well. To the extent I'll probably take the front rack off and commute on it. 45mm road tyres rock.

More adventures to come

A few months ago, a good friend, Nick Wallis took his own life. I have a few of his ashes to take on more adventures.

I'll remember him for some great rides. But also for the excitement on his face as he tried to explain storyline to This Is Spinal Tap to a bemused, Ned Overend.

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Drizzle

The eternal stench of damp Shaggy

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Sometimes you eat the bar

Last weekend was the Exposure European 12 and 25 hour championships. Mel and I made the long trip up to Newcastleton and dragged Phil the Horse for heckling and spannering duties. I've not got many traditional races planned for the year so was keen to put in a strong performance. The Dirty Harry was dialled and I was feeling pretty good. The first few laps went well. The singletrack was fun and I was moving at a good but sustainable pace. However things slowly took a turn for the worse. I started getting bad hamstring pain. I soldiers on and attempted to adjust my position to relive it but it kept getting worse. I ended up pulling the plug after 6 hours in 3rd place. Very disappointing as I tend to start slowly an get faster.

I had a long session with Sabrine, the physio. Lots of talk about previous injuries etc. She unlocked a small muscle in my pec/armpit which seems to have been effecting my posture for some time (probably years). Dropped the left of my pelvis and swung my shoulder back. It removed most of the hamstring pain immediately. Now I have a very sore shoulder and back! She's given me lots to think about posture wise to try and stop it reoccurring. All very odd.

So unsuccessful race but hopefully its got me sorted for the long run.