In praise of - Salsa seatpost clamps.

Most bikes come with cheap horrible ugly seatpost clamps. Some do a good job of stopping the seatpost slipping down into the frame, but some don't, especially cheaply made quick release jobs.
Salsa clamps are beautifully machined and finished, the q.r. levers are nicely shaped and comfortable in the hand (some levers are just awfull!), and rather than just having a tapped hole for the thread they feature a seperate stainless steel boss (the bolt is also stainless) so you're not going to have any stripped thread or rust problems. Yes they're expensive compared to other offerings but quality costs, and slipping seatposts irritate!
I like them so much that 3 out of my 4 bikes have them fitted, and I've just bought this for Dani's Genesis;

Dani's new pink Salsa seatpost clamp.

...and fitted to her Genesis.

I never move my seatpost so I just fit the plain versions;

The plain 'Lip-Lock' version.

I really like these!

Paul.

Ladybower Classic.

Ladybower Classic is another route from 'Dark Peak Mountain Biking', and one that I've not done before, although I have ridden sections of it in the opposite direction.

The start is at Heatherdene car park (all of the free roadside parking spaces were taken...) at the eastern end of  Labybower. From there its up to the Ladybower Inn on the A57 where the first off-road section starts. The ride now is the same route as Ladybower 2, but in reverse, untill Fairholmes is reached. A tough climb (walk!), superb in descent, leads to nice rocky moorland trails then onto to muddy slippery almost unrideable mankyness (fell off). However, this in turn led onto Derwent Edge and far more enjoyable but still muddy riding. Riding down to the reservoir along tracks that I usually ride up was fun, especially when things got narrow and technical along a dry stone wall (I did make a bit of a hash of things!).

The track between the Ladybower Inn and Cutthroat Bridge, A57 close by on the right.

From Derwent Edge, its down here to Ladybower.

Tarmac leads to the excellent Gores Farm descent, which in this direction is a climb (walk!), and it felt rather strange climbing up one of the best downhills in the area. Plenty of other bikers were about today, I met someone on this section converting their bike to singlespeed after wrecking their rear mech. I was tempted to turn around and ride down again, conditions were superb, but decided to press on instead.

Once past Fairholmes it was new territory for me, down towards Hagg Farm on another rocky descent, again highly rated. Rocky, stepped, and bermed at the top, its a lot of fun but you do need a fair amount of skill (which I haven't got!) to get the most out of it. I'm looking forward to re-visiting this section. Then all too quickly its across the A57, down another steep slippery (but fast and fun) bridleway, across a little bridge then turn left. Wide forest roads (muddy in places) lead back towards the end of Ladybower and the car park. This section is either a slog, a fast slalom through assorted walkers or a chance to step back and admire the Autumn colours along the banks of the reservoir. (Ladybower really is a lovely body of water, and I really cannot understand why the water company doesn't allow canoeing on it).

Looking along Ladybower from the forest track.

Autumn colours on Ladybower, the A57 is on the opposite side of the water.

Them forestry boys...

...get all the best toys!

16 kilometres, loads of mud, one scabby knee, and the first wear of my new Endura windproof gloves!

Paul.

A misty paddle on Rudyard.

Out with the canoe and off to Rudyard Lake today with Peak Paddlers. I like Rudyard, especially at this time of year when the trees are showing their autumn colours. The water was still, and low (due to repairs on the dam wall, the 'lake' is actually a reservoir) and the weather cool and misty. I was hoping for sun, to make the most of the colours of the surrounding trees more than anything else.
I did pack the Kelly Kettle and planned to brew up at the end of the lake, however the cold damp air put me off the idea. Small Dog came along, I left Big Dog at home, my canoe isn't big enough for three!
We all did a lap of the lake together, chatting and catching up as we paddled, before returning to the dam end for tea and food at the cafe (sausage and egg bap, very nice). Then a few went home leaving three of us to paddle another lap.

I enjoy being on Rudyard, what it lacks in size it makes up for in charactor. There's some interesting properties along the shore, including some highly distinctive boathouses.
The weather conditions didn't make for good photography, but here's some pics anyway;

Getting ready, my boat in the foreground.

Looking down Rudyard from the dam.

Small Dog looking landward.

Chris in Swiss (hat).

On of the more impressive boathouses.

The view from the driving seat.

Small Dog modelling the latest colours...

Every boat should have one!

 Paul.

Linacre and Holymoorside.

I fancied going a little further afield for this weeks ride. A route in last months MBR (November) looked promising, a 16 mile figure of 8 jaunt to the west of Chesterfield. According to the description its a 'better summer route as one or two of the lanes can become gloopy after prolonged rain', which makes me wonder why they published it in Novembers mag. Dani came along, but soon regretted her decision....

Parking up at Linacre Reservoir, we soon hit the first bridlepath, mildly muddy farm tracks and fields. Then a short road section, more farm tracks, and the first serious section of gloop...
A narrow track ,covered in thick mud, took us down to Birley Brook, then a couple of stream crossings brought us to a muddy wooded climb. At this point Dani had a serious sense of humour failure, the back end of her Genesis was absolutely slathered in gloop, stopping the rear wheel turning (I thoroughly enjoyed myself!). This is the problem with 29ers, bigger wheels and tyres equals less mud clearence around the seatstays and chainstays. Front mechs are also a mud magnet, which is why singlespeeds win in foul weather! When we lived down in Bedfordshire I fitted 1.95 tyres in the winter to cut through the gloop and give more mud room. She's talking of converting the bike from a triple chainring/9 speed set up to 1 x 10 next year.

Dani alongside Birley Brook.

On the climb up from Birley Brook.

Mud glorious mud...

Tarmac took us down to Wadshelf and the A619, then on to Holymoorside and the next bridlepath. A super singletrack climb through bracken (fell off) led to nice woodland singletrack, dropping down to tarmac and a restricted byway, a nice little descent down to a bridge and a stiff climb on the other side. Turning right at Walton Lees Farm took us along moorland singletrack, something I always enjoy, then another short tarmac section to the next bridlepath.

Moorland riding, Harewood Moor.

This took us uphill through trees then opened out onto a field of coos. The uphill section was seriously muddy, being cut up by hooves. No chance of riding that, or even keeping your feet dry!

A bit claggy here...

More tarmac was followed by more rough farm tracks to Eastmoor and the A619, turning off up Puddingpie Hill (there's some great placenames in this area), turning right at the crossroads, then right again at the Royal Oak for a mixture of rough farm tracks and bridlepaths leading to Old Brampton. From there another bridleway, a woodland mixture of mud and dry leaves, took us back to the car.

Dani's not keen on returning, but I enjoyed the ride. I like to check out new areas, but if I come back it'll be in the summer!

Paul.

Mam Tor Figure of 8.

This is the second time that I've done this ride, the first time was many years ago, not long after I made the move up here. Its another route from the 'Dark Peak Mountain Biking' book. Again I moved the start point, parking near the Blue John Cavern, which saved me driving down the Winnats Pass and into Castleton, getting annoyed with day trippers (drivers and pedestrians) who seem to leave their road sense at home...

The first stage was to ride tarmac along to the start of Rushop Edge, with its mud and ruts. I've never really got the hang of rut riding, and slippery conditions under wheel didn't help. I'd lent my nice grippy Bontrager front tyre to Dani, she raced in the Evil Sherriff off-road duathlon yesterday and needed the grip, refitting my Kenda Karma in its place. Karmas are decent enough tyres, gripping well on rock and loose stuff, but their shallow blocks just don't cut the mustard in slippy mud. I don't mind the rear end sliding about but I do like the front to stay planted. So I shall blame the tyre for my comedy fall on the Edge rather than my poor bike handling skills! Up here on the high ground in the dips and hollows where the sun doesn't reach small patches of snow could be seen. Winter is here.

Looking along Rushup Edge, on the other side of the wall is a footpath.

But you soon cross through a gate onto lovely rocky hard pack. It was along here that I came up behind a couple of elderly walkers, a lady and someone that I presume was her husband. She was friendly, moving aside so I could pass. He refused to acknowledge me, despite my friendly 'hello's', even when I was along side him he kept his eyes on the ground and kept walking. Obviously doesn't like mountain bikers. A stark contrast to the other 99% of people that I meet when out riding who are all really friendly, move aside for me to pass, and even hold gates open for me!

Turning off towards Chapel Gate I had a couple of very large puddles to contend with, one up to my bottom bracket, before reaching the descent. When I first rode it, about 6 years ago, it was a badly eroded rubble strewn chute, now its been sanitised with a layer of planings (reclaimed tarmac chips). All very nice for walkers I suppose, but rather boring from a mtb point of view. But the views across Kinder and down the Edale valley are superb, especially in the low winter light.

Chapel Gate, before the descent, looking towards Edale.

The descent as seen from below. Once this was a gnarly test piece...

At the end of Chapel Gate its tarmac time again, this time a tough climb up to Mam Tor, 'cat. 1' apparently. I had to stop twice to get my breath back, but I did overtake a couple of other cyclists so I wasn't doing too bad for an unfit singlespeeder.

The next off road section was a nice muddy climb contouring around Mam Tor, dropping down to Hollins Crosss. The descent was slippy and rutted and saw my second fall of the day. On reaching Hollins Cross I turned left down a bridlepath towards Castleton, a descent that I didn't particulary enjoy the first time and didn't particulary enjoy this time. Rutted, slippy grassland has never appealed to me to be honest, its not a surface that I'm comfortable on. I fell off again. A gate leads to a wet narrow rocky track, much more fun and the last off road section of the day.

Tarmac took me through Castleton, thronging as usual, and past Treak Cavern. Then the tarmac gets far more interesting as a landslip has left the road to the east of Mam Tor a jumbled broken mess. Then its past the Blue John cavern and back to the Landy.

15 kilometres, 2 hours 5 minutes, 3 falls, one grumpy man (just makes me laugh!), superb views.

Paul.

In praise of - Lifeventure Thermal Mugs.

When Dani came home with one of these I thought she'd gone mad, after all its expensive for what looks to be just a posh flask...
But once I'd seen it in use a few times I changed my mind and bought my own. Its basically a vacuum flask constructed from stainless steel which holds 300ml, or one cup of tea in real terms. Tea is kept hot for hours, it doesn't leak, it withstands abuse and is easy to clean. When new they even look smart, but these are designed to be used and a few scuffs and dents add character.

Tea, an important part of the outdoor experience.

There is a dedicated jacket available for it which claims to improve performance by 25% as well as protect it from knocks, I use a neoprene jacket that came with a small Thermos with mine and I reckon that using a jacket does help keep your tea hotter for longer.
Like any flask though the trick is to pre-heat it with boiling water before use.

Paul.