Court Kit

While I was away form you last week I wasn’t just failing to ride the Mendips, I was also back to Ashton Court in Bristol for another go at the new trails there.

Firstly it means I can now tell you that, after riding them with fewer people in the way, the trails are top quality, and give you options to ride carefully or go a bit more adventurous by taking the tougher lines. The wet weather and slippery mud coating the tails made the whole thing a bit more challenging as my wheels regularly skittered sideways. I banged round twice and was left grinning and thinking about where I could go harder.

It was also a chance to fully try out all of the new kit which I was kindly given for Christmas. It’s amazing the difference that new kit can make to the feel of the ride, and, while tried and tested stuff is nice to have, new bits can add a bit of special feeling to any ride. You never know how a helmet will work for its intended job until you crash, but my new Giro Xar from the 2011 range was so comfortable I forgot about it, which seems a good sign. Gloves from 661 worked as flawlessly as ever, so no complaints there

A new rucksack form Deuter was secure and comfy as well, keeping tools and clothes separate in a good way and straps and clever pockets kept it where it should be, even dropping down over rock steps.

The biggest surprise, and winner was a bit of kit I’ve thought about for a while. Living in a small flat in London doesn’t leave much space to wash a bike after every ride. The solution could well be to wash it in the car park after a ride, taking it home cleanish. This mobile jet wash seems to be the ideal bit of kit to get the bike clean quickly and easily using a can of water that I only have to remember to put in the boot.

So there you are, a bit of product placement, but I feel that sharing news on good kit is often useful if you’re thinking of buying any.

A