Bored? Never!

I find myself repeating the same rides when on the bike, and you'd think it would get boring. And I suppose that sometimes it's true, but on some routes I never get bored no matter how many times I repeat them. Any route involving moorland always retains it's interest, partly due I think to the changeable weather, the bleak aspect, the thrill of seeing buzzards, curlews, lapwings, kites on a good day and hearing skylarks (at least in the warmer months anyway). It does help that most regular moorland route is mostly off-road, another of my regular rides has been spoiled by DCC tarmac'ing a fair stretch of it which frankly puts me off riding along there.

Today I saw and heard curlews and lapwings, saw a buzzard get mobbed by a smaller bird, and heard at least one skylark (there were lots of little brown jobs flying around, but ID'ing birds is not my strong point. I just like seeing them, I don't need to know what they all are).

As for the actual riding, the section pictured below is quite a stiff climb, one that I've never cleaned, but at the moment I'm finding that I'm getting further and further up before I stall, maybe getting out on the singlespeed in the last few weeks is strengthening my legs, or maybe the dry weather is helping. I suspect a bit of both;

And on my mid-ride tea break, just after a kind walker held the gate open for me;

Fat bikes and moorland are a good mix.

Paul.

Sticks

I need some sticks. So, out to the quarry this morning (and a lovely one it was) with bike and saws. I had an eye on a tree that was growing at an angle over a path, which would have been a problem if left. So, down it came, cut into sections, with two decent lengths attached to the toptube with electrical tape and a strap.

One thing to be aware of is the sticks pushing on the rear V brake slowing things down. Not a problem running discs, but I have no choice on this bike.

Paul.

And another set of bars...

Much as I liked the On-One OG bars that I recently fitted to the Inbred I still found the front end too low, so it now sports a pair of Ritchey Buzzard bars.

I had to lengthen the rear brake cable, a 5 minute job not including the time spent walking down to my local bike shop at the bottom of the hill.

The result is a higher, wider front end with a little more reach. It's got quite a different feel now, and it'll take a few rides before I know whether I like it or not.

I will say tho', they're really ugly!

Paul.

Quickie

I've been able to ride for a few weeks, other stuff getting in the way. So I went out for a short ride this morning on the Inbred, and I mean short, just through the quarry and round the fields. Took me less than an hour. But, in my defence I was tired after a day's dancing yesterday and today was hot, so I was out before 9. I met Dani in the quarry on the return leg, she'd just got out after a swim.

I have new bars on order, the front end is still too low for my liking.

Paul.

A quick shakedown

Out on the Inbred on Saturday, just to check the new set-up out, bars and stem. I like the swept back hand position, and a little more height is nice, but first impressions are that the front end is still too low. I'll ride it a few more times before I properly make my mind up.

I just did a short figure of eight, through the quarry and round the fields. One good thing about riding singlespeed is that you can get a good workout from a short ride, I've missed that.

Paul.