Photos finally uploaded
Before I even got to QE Park, there was drama :roll:
There was a time trial going on, on the main road towards Chichester. I spotted a stranded rider with an 11s busted chain, so I gave him a lift back to the HQ, as I knew it would be on the way, and it's a long walk in shoe plates.
WP_20170827_08_52_12_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Bike and rider dumped, I sped off, well as much as you can in a 1.4 Golf! Got to the park with 1/2hr to spare, so was a bit more relaxed then.
Met up with organiser Tim, who'd brought along friend Mike, and with Splatter Paint - another Mike! - and Fagin. Spent a few minutes checking out one another rigs,
IMG_1377 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
QE Park by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Then we were off!
Stopping to take in the view, I got some snaps of the bikes. Starting with Fagin's Max tubed Explosif,
IMG_1379 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Splatter Paint's ridiculously cheap Saracen E-Stay
IMG_1385 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Our leader's massively tubed 'Dale full sus,
IMG_1378 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
And Mike's Orange, some modern job that I failed to get a photo of so early in the ride, oops! :facepalm:
I was on my Fisher LoCaliBer hardtail.
IMG_1395 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Lovely views, and a perfect day for a ride,
IMG_1381 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Along the South Downs Way for a bit, before looping back towards the park - via the blue run, FANTASTIC! - for lunch. Just in time I think, as some of the riders were starting to eat brambles! :shock:
IMG_1386 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Back for lunch,
WP_20170827_15_38_25_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Had some BIG cake for you, Godders!
WP_20170827_13_29_32_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Before something proper,
WP_20170827_13_45_32_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on Flickr
I felt like having some proper lunch for once! Paid the price though, as my bike's back wheel couldn't take the strain, and I heard a crack as I was riding out of a hairpin on a lovely climb ( taking the red run this time). I stopped to hear what the rubbing was all about, and noticed I'd pulled an alloy spoke nipple apart! :facepalm:
WP_20170827_14_47_11_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Thankfully, I always carry a spoke wrench with me, so managed to de-adjust the wheel to stop the rubbing and carry on.
Glad I did, as we had some really good trails still ahead of us!, Just had to be a bit careful, so as not to completely trash the wheel!
WP_20170827_14_55_17_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on Flickr
After a lot of up, it was time to go down again
Loved this section!
WP_20170827_14_55_32_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Then a bit more up, along some twisty singletrack,
IMG_1389 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1391 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Fagin happily re-united with his sunnies!
IMG_1393 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1394 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1397 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1398 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
Then for the final twisty rooty descent, it was awesome! With a steepish bit to finish us off!
The ride was over too soon for me, this was the best ride I'd been on since the Surrey Hills ones we used to do! Loved it, good company, nice bikes, great weather, and a fantastic set of trails!
And now, a wheel with proper spoke nipples in it! :facepalm:
Thanks a lot for organising, Tim!
Look forward to the next time!
Mike
Before I even got to QE Park, there was drama :roll:
There was a time trial going on, on the main road towards Chichester. I spotted a stranded rider with an 11s busted chain, so I gave him a lift back to the HQ, as I knew it would be on the way, and it's a long walk in shoe plates.
WP_20170827_08_52_12_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on FlickrBike and rider dumped, I sped off, well as much as you can in a 1.4 Golf! Got to the park with 1/2hr to spare, so was a bit more relaxed then.
Met up with organiser Tim, who'd brought along friend Mike, and with Splatter Paint - another Mike! - and Fagin. Spent a few minutes checking out one another rigs,
IMG_1377 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
QE Park by Michael Murray, on FlickrThen we were off!
Stopping to take in the view, I got some snaps of the bikes. Starting with Fagin's Max tubed Explosif,
IMG_1379 by Michael Murray, on FlickrSplatter Paint's ridiculously cheap Saracen E-Stay
IMG_1385 by Michael Murray, on FlickrOur leader's massively tubed 'Dale full sus,
IMG_1378 by Michael Murray, on FlickrAnd Mike's Orange, some modern job that I failed to get a photo of so early in the ride, oops! :facepalm:
I was on my Fisher LoCaliBer hardtail.
IMG_1395 by Michael Murray, on FlickrLovely views, and a perfect day for a ride,
IMG_1381 by Michael Murray, on FlickrAlong the South Downs Way for a bit, before looping back towards the park - via the blue run, FANTASTIC! - for lunch. Just in time I think, as some of the riders were starting to eat brambles! :shock:
IMG_1386 by Michael Murray, on FlickrBack for lunch,
WP_20170827_15_38_25_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on FlickrHad some BIG cake for you, Godders!
WP_20170827_13_29_32_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on FlickrBefore something proper,
WP_20170827_13_45_32_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on FlickrI felt like having some proper lunch for once! Paid the price though, as my bike's back wheel couldn't take the strain, and I heard a crack as I was riding out of a hairpin on a lovely climb ( taking the red run this time). I stopped to hear what the rubbing was all about, and noticed I'd pulled an alloy spoke nipple apart! :facepalm:
WP_20170827_14_47_11_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on FlickrThankfully, I always carry a spoke wrench with me, so managed to de-adjust the wheel to stop the rubbing and carry on.
Glad I did, as we had some really good trails still ahead of us!, Just had to be a bit careful, so as not to completely trash the wheel!
WP_20170827_14_55_17_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on FlickrAfter a lot of up, it was time to go down again
Loved this section!
WP_20170827_14_55_32_Pro[1] by Michael Murray, on FlickrThen a bit more up, along some twisty singletrack,
IMG_1389 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1391 by Michael Murray, on FlickrFagin happily re-united with his sunnies!
IMG_1393 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1394 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1397 by Michael Murray, on Flickr
IMG_1398 by Michael Murray, on FlickrThen for the final twisty rooty descent, it was awesome! With a steepish bit to finish us off!
The ride was over too soon for me, this was the best ride I'd been on since the Surrey Hills ones we used to do! Loved it, good company, nice bikes, great weather, and a fantastic set of trails!
And now, a wheel with proper spoke nipples in it! :facepalm:
Thanks a lot for organising, Tim!
Look forward to the next time!Mike
