quick write up from me
as per usual i decided to make the fuel cost a bit more sensible, so a 3 day trip for me went via bristol to Argos cycles to pick up some newly painted rock shox lowers, then off to LLandegla (spelt right?) for some trail centre fun although i was cutting it fine for the closed gates at 6pm! great ride there on my ST4, berm and singletrack heaven! then on to Coed Y Brenin on saturday with my patriot66, trails were great as usual but having not ridden a trail centre on a weekend for a long time i quickly realised it was numpty central for the bike world! listening to people in the cafe after the ride talking about their exploits on the blue trail being "mental" and "awesome but very technical" is really quite sad and very surprisingly i saw 2 people (separately) without helmets both of which i remarked "wow, cool helmet" sarcastically, for those that don't know these trails are pretty rocky and can ride quite fast, an over the bar situation could easily end in a brain on the trail moment :roll:
i got to the hotel on saturday night, and by 7pm i had a migraine headache, i went to bed, couldn't even focus on the tv, luckily by the morning it had all but gone so having not had dinner the night before i really got my monies worth out the breakfast included at the hotel!! jumped in the van and headed to Long Mynd, as i am driving down the M54 i see a car with a bike on the roof in the driveside mirror, he goes past, rocky mountain on the roof, captain cosmic has his foot to the floor!!
get to the car park, as usual there are the handshakes, the familiar faces, some unexpected and some people i'd not seen before (sorry if i didn't get your names or get to chat) all good though.
on to the ride, i was glad of the initial 1/2 mile or so road spin to get the legs going, i was on the new bike, the Demon, was trying to chat, but also trying to feel the new bike, it's first ride, did the gears work ok? the brakes? is the square rear end gonna give me back ache? so many things going through my head. we hit the first proper climb, i'm in first gear, was the duo chainset the wrong choice? no, got up it (except for the bit where almost everyone got off) in a 30 to 34 ratio, my easiest option, spent the next mile or so in that gear as it was a constant grass climb for a while. i was quite happy though as i wasn't at the back which is unusual for me on these rides but then i have been riding quite a bit recently, but perhaps the new bike is helping?
it was, those hubs, wow, they roll so well, i noticed that on some sections i was not starting pedalling until after other people and also was rolling up to them on downhills, it's surprising as it's actually very noticeable!
the fast downhill was a joy, to see howe the bike really handled and it was great, glad i swapped the tyres for this ride though! loose slightly rocky with enough bumps to pop the odd jump on
pub, i had ordered the roast beef, i wasn't man enough to finish it but what i did get through was awesome!
back on the bikes and that first climb did not appeal but i felt quite good going up it until i swallowed a fly for dessert!! :shock: then came that great end to the ride down a fantastic singletrack section between the hills, it felt like i hardly peddled in that whole section
we hit the road for the return to the carpark, initially i though i'd don't feel too bad but then the guv put my efforts to shame hitting TT mode leading the pack in! i couldn't hold on so eased up.
verdict on the trail: defo up for a return
verdict on the bike: just need to trim the bar width down, other than that, it was perfect, and it was nice to finally get it dirty!
thanks to Rob, Ed, Lee and anyonelse i have missed, spence for the beer and everybody for the usual chat
here's a few pics i got
