Christmas Day Out

As is now traditional I went for a ride on Christmas morning. I like to stick with a good bet on these sort of rides so headed to Cwm Carn to take on the grit and, potentially, the weather.

Given the storms recently there was potential for all sorts of problems but I seemed to be lucking out as I crossed the bridge and drove up in to the valleys in what could almost be described as sunshine.

Inevitably it wasn’t to last and I got out of the car into a hailstorm. Hailstorms would become a feature of my Christmas riding. Luckily the shower lasted only long enough for me to share some disappointed-in-the-weather comments with the only other riders on the hill and soon it was back to more standard December weather as I hit the slopes.

The effects of the weather were clear to see but the trail was clear and very pleasant as I worked round in conditions that were never going to break records on any online athletes forum but meant I could earn my excessive eating and drinking later in the day.

And the only cost? Diesel and a pair of brake pads utterly destroyed in the gritty mud.

Elsewhere this week there were stories of other trails in prospect as work starts soon on the Hadleigh Castle complex.

Perhaps in response to the issue with pedal reflectors that I mentioned before Christmas, there was also this, for those of you wanting some spurs for your bike.

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