Wet And Wild To Mudeford Quay On A Fat Bike

With a Southerly storm blowing in I decided to take a ride down to the coast and Mudeford Quay.

A favourite place of mine, with a high tide and a strong wind, the wind whips the waves up and they break over the key and onto the car park.

Today I saw exactly that!

You can watch a very short video clip of me down on the quay and my bike blowing over!

WATCH ME HERE!

The wind was so strong and I got soaked, but due to my layers and top I did at least remain warm.

My feet were damp, but they did not get cold either.

All in all an enjoyable ride down to the coast and back.

Battling the elements is always enjoyable.

So 19.34km completed and it was a learning curve riding in extreme wind and rain.

Ride safe.

Stem Lane Loop x 4 (Loaded) On A Fat Bike

In my last post I rode the loop with no panniers, this time I added my panniers.

I must weigh them, I reckon they add another 10kgs to the overall weight of the bike.

Once again I completed 4 laps of the route and tried to keep the same sort of pace, which is my normal riding speed.

Just to put things into perspective I achieved the following:

Lite:       19.09km - 1hr 12mins - Avg 15.8km per hour

Loaded: 19.24km - 1hr 14mins - Avg 15.4km per hour

As you can see I maintained a fairly good pace even when loaded! Not sure how there was a difference in km's - I took exactly the same route.

Ride safe.

Stem Lane Loop x 4 (Lite) On A Fat Bike

I have been looking for a while for a circuit that is approx 5km in length, not a great deal of traffic and with some off road/track.

I also wanted the circuit to be fairly close to home, so that if I did have a problem in the dark then it would be within easy walking distance.

Approx 1.5km is on a rutted gravel byway full of potholes and in this weather a bit of mud as well, so it's not all tarmac and easy riding.

I first tried it with out loaded panniers, just to get a feel for it and to set a bench mark time.

There was a strong wind, which slows you down a bit, and I took it at a steady, normal riding pace.

Not a bad loop as it worked out, but I may tweek it a bit as I go.

19.09km in 1hr 12mins - with an Avg speed of 15.8km

Ride safe

Back Muscle Injury - 4.7km On A Fat Bike

I thought it might be a good idea to go for a ride to see if it helped ease my back pain.

Wrong!

So for the last few days I have been in a bit of discomfort to say the least.

On the ride I did a loop, which as a training ride was quite good, near enough 5km.

I'll definitely use the loop again in the depths of winter, as I was never that far away from home at any given point.

At the moment I am off the bike, resting my back, not that it is getting that much rest as I have just started this week a new contract driving for Royal Mail with it's run up to Christmas.

I'm working through an agency and they are paying daft money so I had to do it, I would of been very foolish not to.

Easy shifts as well, early starts this week and done by mid morning, leaving me the rest of the day to ride (if my back is up to it)!

Will see how it goes tomorrow.

Canadian War Memorial Trail Loop 51.2km On A Fat Bike

The weather was dry for the day so I set out on a route that I have roughly taken before but this time I wanted to try and find a way to cross the A35 without risking life and limb!

I left home and made my way towards Wootton Bridge and picked up the Castleman Trail and headed in the direction of Brockenhurst.

Whilst on the trail I met up with another rider, who like myself was easing himself back into riding after a long time away from the saddle.

We had a good chat as we rode and at the end of the trail he turned round to retrace his steps, he told me that this was the furthest he had ridden and looked well chuffed!

I carried on into Brockenhurst, over the railway bridge, past the Golf course and turned left at "The Rise" and headed out towards Rhinefield.

Through the tree's which looked absolutely splendid due to the changing colours of the leaves, even more so when the sun broke through the clouds.

I stopped here for a brew and looked to see where I was off to next.

Heading across the A35 and not long after took a left and back into the forest, here I followed a trail all the way up to the Canadian War Memorial as I have done on previous rides.

There are some great trails around this part of the forest.

Scooting down the other side of the forest heading South it is nearly all down hill and it takes no time at all to reach the New Forest Reptile Centre which is closed for the winter, but the car park is still open.

This is where I stopped for lunch.

I was using my Stanley Thermos once again, a brilliant piece of kit, it really does keep the food warm as long as you fill it to the brim.

From here I followed the track to just before the main road and branched off left on a trail, this eventually led me to an underpass.

It was a bit wet, and now that we have had a bit more rain, would probably say it would not be ride-able which is a shame.

This took me to Bank, where I joined the trail that took me back to Blackwater and Rhinefield.

Across the forest to Wilverley Plain, then an up hill section and home.

51.2km completed with 11 Personal Records (PR's) beaten! 

It was a good ride and very enjoyable.

Ride safe..................

Remembrance Sunday Ride 12.6km On A Fat Bike

After attending a well turned out parade in New Milton I decided that I would take a ride out on the fat bike and visit the War Memorials and take a couple of pictures.

Impossible to do with the crowds so left it an hour and then ventured out.

New Milton has a well kept Memorial and this year there were large Poppies next to the benches and Silent RBL signs.

I thought I would ride past the two main churches near by, one Catholic and the other Church of England.

Neither that I could see had any wreaths at the Church.

This does make me wonder as to why there are none - after all the very first line in the "Oath of Allegiance" that every serviceman takes is "I swear by Almighty God" 

If I am able to offer an "Oath of Allegiance" in his name then at least I expect back is a wreath on the Church door!

I did ride by the local Baptist church and displayed on their church was a large RBL banner - So it can be done!

Riding down to Barton On Sea I went to pay my respects to the Indian War Memorial.

This Memorial is in honour of the many 1000's of Indian Servicemen who convalesced at Barton during the First World War. Sadly many did not make it home.

I visited at 1430hrs and could see no wreaths, which upset me, I emailed the Town Council on my return home and within 20 mins had a reply saying that there was a ceremony at 1500hrs and that members of the Hampshire Sikh Council and many others would be in attendance.

So glad to see that they were not forgotten. 

Many forget including myself how many Commonwealth Countries were involved, just watching the wreaths being laid at the Cenotaph highlights this.

Finally I rode up through town and looked at a small plaque erected on the side of a building in the centre of town.

Here we remember 20 residents who were killed during World War 2 by enemy bombing on the 23rd August 1940 at 1830hrs

A day of emotions, I served and am proud to of done so - Lest We Forget

Ride Safe...........

Wootton Loop 16.3km On A Fat Bike

Took the fat bike out for a quick spin late in the afternoon yesterday.

The weather was dry but the nights are starting to draw in quickly these days!

I left my house and took a turn off to the right along a footpath, I've ridden along here before, but that was a while ago and I noticed recently that they were making it wider and laying it to gravel.

The gravel did not last long, and the old muddy path was still there, this winds it's way through woodland, with many low branches, narrow gaps between trees, roots to knock you off balance and fallen tree's. 

This was one of the easier sections to get through. A lovely little ride, but I did encounter a few dog walkers, all were ok, but it's not a route I would choose to do often.

It was then into the forest and along the trails. These trails are made by the continuous movement of horses here in the New Forest.

But, there are local horse riders who also use these same trails. You can always tell when a horse fitted with shoes has been through as the trail is ripped to shreds.

They say bikes cause damage, well no where near as much as horse riders do - I should of taken a photo.

It was that bad in places that it will not be long before I will be unable to ride it. Shame really.

As the light was fading fast I managed one photo opportunity of the bike.

The forest is changing colour now that autumn is setting in.

No records broken today, but an enjoyable day, I could of gone further, but with fading light decided to call it a day.

Ride safe..

To See The Sea 8.4km On A Fat Bike

With the weather forecast not looking at all good, today was never going to be a long ride!

The wind was gusting 50mph and there were frequent heavy down pours, so I decided to go and see the sea.

I took my normal route towards the sea, but with an extremely strong head wind it was hard work as I approached the sea front.

I dropped down the cliff and onto the sea front at Barton, and rode along to the end of the beach.

Whilst I was riding my pop on down tube mudguard blew off twice, after the second time it was strapped to my rear rack. That's how strong the wind was!

I was going to have a brew down here but decided to head back up the hill to a shelter and regroup as you could watch the rain clouds form and come towards you.

But first I had to negotiate "Marine Beach Climb" which I can happily say that I beat my previous "Personal Record".

Out of the wind in the shelter it was very pleasant, really mild for the time of year and so I had a brew and just watched the clouds scoot by for 10 mins or so.

Heading home with the wind at my heels it did not take me long to get home, just as well as it started to rain, and I was a tad damp by the time I reached the house.

Only 8.4km a real easy ride, apart from the head wind, but enjoyable none the less.

Ride safe...

Why A Fat Bike??

A very good question!

There are a number of reasons why I decided on a Fat Bike, but  - "What exactly is one?"

A Fat Bike is basically a Mountain Bike Frame built to accommodate 4" tyres.

"Why so big wheels?"

These are to allow you cycle through terrain, such as gravel, sand, water, rocks and snow easier.

The bigger the tyre, the greater the footprint is on the ground and due to this factor it provides you with more grip.

"So why not just get a Mountain Bike?"

Simply because I feel that the Fat Bike does a better job of getting through rough terrain, with little or no impact on the ground you are traversing.

Plus as anyone who has been following me for a while knows - I like to be different!

There was one other important consideration.

I'm a big lad, and I needed a bike that could handle that fact!

The over sized tyres, inflated to around 20psi easily copes with my weight, making the bike perfect for those on the plus size!

After a good deal of research I decided on a Calibre Dune Fat Bike, bought from GoOutdoors.

It is classed as an upper end entry level bike. Costing approx £600.00 New.

You can buy cheaper (see previous posts) but I wanted a new bike, didn't want to spend a fortune and this ticked all the boxes.

There is also a very loyal following of Fat Bikes here in the UK and abroad.

Since I took ownership of my bike I have gained a great deal of enjoyment from it, lost weight (nearly 2 stones) and it has got me out and about the Forest and the Coast.

None of this would of happened if I had not taking the plunge and bought the bike.

I enjoy it so much that I have even set myself a challenge to cycle from John O'Groats to Lands End in September 2019 using the least amount of roads as possible!

All in aid of a very worthy cause "Pilgrim Bandits" - Follow the link ----->>>>HERE<<<<-----
to find out more about this and if you wish donate a couple of pounds it will go towards helping Veterans who have been severely injured in the course of serving their country.

So please follow this new blog.

Ride safe

It's Time To Seriously Ramp Up The Training!

I just had a look at my Strava stats for last month - 

I covered 308.8 km in October, which is down on the previous month of 576.3 km.

During September I did manage a couple of long rides which is why the figure is higher.

But I really do need to start looking at ramping my training up a cog.

Over the last 4 weeks I have averaged 74 km per week, so I am going to use this as a bench mark and will raise it to 100 km per week.

I want it to be realistic and achievable, but at the same time I have to be motivated enough to have to go out in the colder air and possibly in the dark to achieve it.

If I really want to break it down it's 15 km per day, which is not far, but it's having the ability to be able to go out everyday and that is not achievable.

But, I will do it - So watch this space!

Ride safe..............