Tag Archives: 30 Days Of Biking

In Search Of My Mojo

By 4 commentsCycling Challenges, , , , , ,

I was born in 1969.  So, apart from the less-than-3 months in which I cried, poo’d and drank my way through the 60’s, I was a child of the 1970’s.

As soon as I was old enough to get weekly “spends” (10p a week) and be allowed to walk to the nearest shop, I learned that the greatest value for money that a 5 year-old could realise was to exchange 10p for a mixed bag of 3-per-penny chews.

Three-for-a-penny chews came in two varieties:

  1. Black Jacks:  Turned your tongue black. Tasted of an unidentifiable fruit-based chemical. Were vaguely racist.
  2. Mojos:  Were fruit coloured. Tasted of chemically-enhanced fruit. Weren’t socially questionable.

So, I spent my money on Mojos. Every week.

OK in the 1970's, but where's my Mojo now?

Where do you find YOUR Mojo?

Now I’m 42, I can’t buy Mojos at three for a penny.  As far as I’m aware, I can’t buy them anywhere.  So, on ride nights and every other Saturday, I have to look for my Mojo within myself.

Sometimes I find my Mojo. Sometimes I don’t.  Sometimes other people find it for me, and sometimes other people drag me out on my bike even when I can’t find my Mojo.  At these times I’m grateful.

At other times, when I can’t find my Mojo, I sit on the sofa in my riding gear, wondering where my Mojo is.  Those aren’t the good times.

Where do you find yours?

What Mountain Biking Is About

By Rides, , , , ,

The Tale Of A Weekend Ride Resurrected

This weekend was my routine opportunity to build up a decent run to add onto the #Sep100 spreadsheet – and of course to enjoy the great outdoors.  Unfortunately circumstances conspired to make it impossible for me to get out on Saturday.

I won’t bore with you the details, but suffice to say that the following factors were involved: A fish; Some fungus; Rain; Work. Not necessarily in that order, or to scale.  I achieved a (not very impressive) total of marginally over 2 miles in a trip to the garden centre and back for essential supplies.

Hardly a long Saturday ride.

So, On Sunday…

… I was a bit antsy. We had plans for a houseful for late lunch so I thought I’d be stuck in all day.  My blessed Other Half perceived my angst, so she sent me off to play out on my bike.  I didn’t need to be asked twice. “Why don’t you have a couple of hours out on your bike while I sort this stuff out?” – “Ok, bye!” *whooosh*

I opted to try a new loop, climbing past Tandle Hills Country Park along Thornham Old Road (Thornham Lane) after a climb across to Royton.  I was really pleased with how the old legs held out, without needing a rest at all on the way up.  From the top of Thornham Lane it’s a great, grin-inducing descent to Slattocks.

From Slattocks, it’s less than mile alonf the towpath (avoiding the parallel main road) to Thornham New Road which leads back towards Royton.  I’d not ridden this lane before, and now I know why it’s not too busy:

 

Soggy Socks

Don’t Drive Up Thornham New Road!

 

At this point, I’d already ridden through three or four similar puddles but this was the deepest.  There was no option but to swallow hard, loosen up and keep pedalling. Thankfully there were no surprises lurking in the murk, so I got to the dry track unscathed and relatively dry.  My feet did get submerged as I pedalled but noting more unpleasant than that.

My Advice?

Don’t try riding the length of Thornam New Road unless it hasn’t rained for a week or more!

Having said that, I had a lovely 15 mile ride out, got lovely and muddy and cleared the cobwebs nicely.  Arriving home, refreshed and smiling, I hosed the bike (and my soggy shoes) down, went upstairs for a shower and prepared myself for my afternoon’s role as the gracious host.

You can see the route here, if you fancy a nosey.

Happy Days 🙂

#30DaysOfBiking – You Should, You Know.

By 9 commentsCycling Challenges, Rides, , ,

What’s #30DaysOfBiking Then?

To quote the 30DaysOfBiking facebook page:

“The only rule for 30 Days of Biking is that you bike every day for 30 days—around the block, 20 miles to work, whatever suits you—then share your adventures online. We believe biking enriches life, builds community, and preserves the Earth.”

 

I can’t put it any better than that.

– Enriching life?  Certainly.
– Building community?  Damn right, I’ll vouch for that.
– Preserving the Earth?  Time will tell. But it’s a hell of a lot better than burning dead dinosaurs.

What Is It For Me?

30 Days Of Biking is a real challenge.  I’ve seen it twice before and not joined in.  This September, I bit the bullet.  It’s not the easiest thing in the world to do and my (very) short rides show that it’s not really helping me increase my #Sep100 mileage.

 

30 Days Of Biking, So Far

30 Days Of Biking, So Far

 

My worst day so far was taking the bike out of the car after returning home from a trip to Dunfermline at around 10.45pm, then riding it as far the door to my shed at 10.46pm!  That was 0.03 miles done 🙂  Having said that, I did ride it around Dunfermline town centre the night before after a team meal out, before hitting the sack in a little hotel.

My best day was a lovely afternoon with my better half, riding from Crosby to Formby and back, along the Sefton Coastal Path on Merseyside.  A lovely trip, an easy path and two beautiful beaches – not to mention the rather splendid Antony Gormley “Another Place” sculptures at Crosby.

Another Idiot. Another Place.

Another Northern Monkey. Another Place.

What Is “30 Days Of Biking” For You?

This is where you tell me.

Tell me why you’re not doing it.
… or if you are…
Tell me how it’s going for you.

Thanks! 🙂

30 Days Of Biking

By 6 commentsCycling Challenges, Rides, , , , ,

A few weeks ago, Phil at TheTribe mentioned a website to me that I think you should all register on.

30 Days Of Biking

30 Days Of Biking

You’ve go to love the strapline these guys use: “We Ride Our Bikes, Every. Friggin’, Day“.

The idea is that you ride your bike every day in April.  Then you tell the guys about it.  Register here.  I’m not going to be riding every day, but I’m certainly going to keep looking at the website and I’m going to be inspired by other people’s stories.  It seems to sit ideally alongside our 100 mile month challenges and I’ll be emailing everyone on the Mar100 sheet about it.

What do you think? Are you joining in?

Tell ’em Phill sent you 🙂

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