Riding the Rapids

Back to me riding in various places.

Half way to Cwm Carn on Saturday morning I was very sure it was a bad plan. The rain was smashing down making it hard to even see the car in front on the motorway let alone where the actual motorway was. Not the best start to a trip out to go mountain biking.

Having arrived and paid my entire pound to park I decided that I may as well ride anyway. In waterproofs and accepting that I was going to get wet I set off up the climb. To be honest, once the muddy water made its way through my shorts and gloves I could settle into the ride, easing forward over wet rocks and roots and making it to the top (overtaking several groups on the way up).

The way back down, dancing over rocks, and fighting a rear brake that decided to lock-up and make riding (or rather stopping) harder than I hoped was just as wet. My hands slipped on the bars and made holding a line tricky, but more fun. There’s something about a trail turned to a waterfall to ride through and warm and wet forests steaming in front of you that makes an already good ride even better and more rewarding as you finally get back to the car and try and get dry enough to drive home.

Once again taking a chance on the weather in a trail centre and riding anyway is definitely worth it.

A