30 January - Guildford via Peaslake (boys Ride - it's not for girls)

Day 30

Rider: Andy/Grant/Loren/Raph/Phil (Guest appearance by the girls for a quick drink in Peaslake)

Bikes: Ironhorse MkIII Elite x2, Lapierre 317, Specailised StumpJumper, Giant.

Location: Camberwell/Waterloo (train to Guildford) Off-road to Peaslake

Weather: Chilly, but blue skies

Total Mileage: Approx 18 Miles - Cross country/Trails

Route: Absolutely no idea - organised by Raph, we enjoyed some tough climbing on muddy and rutted bridleways and the some fun on T2 and Barry Knows Best. When Raph organises the route it is like having a Tom Tom - that keeps playing up. You see lots of places, but not necessarily the ones you were expecting.

Time: 9am from Waterloo

Food: Weetabix and Honey, Tea, Cornish Pasty, Chicken Samosa, Carrot Cake, Tea, Latte, Chicken & Veg, Tea, Activia Yoghurt.

Mechanicals: Where shall i start. Now it's not uncommon for me to have problems with my bike and some may say it's because I don't cycle properly. Of course that is nonsense and I put my occasional mechanical problems down to either poor maintenance (hold my hands up) or faulty equipment. And before you jump in and say a bad workman always blames his tools, I actually do think it is down to wear and tear and due to the fact that my bike has been given a bloody good seeing too rather regularly.

So, the problem with my bike was 'chain suck' - at least that's what i am calling it. A problem that has dogged Grant regularly, but now with his new chain set he had an amazingly 'suck' free day. It may be the route i have to take, but i am trying to avoid a costly resolution. 'Chain Suck' was the reason, and only reason, that i was unable to successfully climb a small hill- that and the fact that some walkers were stood in my way at the beginning so i couldn't get a run up. (see photo).

Loren got a flat and I have to say we were impressed (not) my his lightening fixing skills. The 2 week course in mending a tyre was well worth it Loren. So impressed that i had to step in and help - mmmmmmmmmm well actually step in and mend it (Masterclass series 1 of my 'Bike maintenance for dummies'. (see photo - though no evidence of me actually mending it though). Grant and Raph can be seen lazing, relaxing, chatting - generally doing nothing.

Photos: A veritable collection below showing the highs and lows of the ride.

We are going somewhere here - i think.

Or is it here?

Mmmmm - Loren checking out his bike

and Phil getting his new 'Giant' ready.

Amazing view from Marthas Hill

Phil trying to get his breath back

Phil learning the art of balancing - he's the one in the fluro

Yes Loren - you have gone the wrong way or do i mean the easy way :)

and so has Phil

OK Grant - come out of the bushes

Bizarre looking toadstool

The end of T2

was very rooty - a lot more worn away than on New Years Day.

Terrible photo Raph - i am not eating a Cornish Pasty - NOT

The girls arrived

Laurence and Friend

Al, Katie and Lin

Lorens puncture

Grant and Raph chatting and enjoying watching Lorens masterclass in puncture repair

Ok - i apologise Grant, but i had too - sorry, though 

if you are of a nervous disposition please turn away.

Loren still trying to get the tyre off

and Grant and raph still sat there waiting

and posing

Now, this is not what it may look like.

Yes it is me and I have a very good reason for walking.

as i mentioned before and i will say it again - i am walking only because of 'chain suck'. I am trying to mask my identity, but simply because i know the photo could be used against me

The descent through the stream.

and then the rutted climb

Flat Pedals over Cleats: I never thought i would see the day, but i swapped my spds for flat pedals. Having managed to secure an excellent deal from my bike shop, I decided to try out flats for the first time. Armed with Truvativ Holzfeller pedals, Northwave shoes and some sixsixone shinpads i set off to try the trails in Peaslake. My first surprise came riding down Camberwell Grove and trying to get some air off the sleeping policemen. Think i need to try and keep my feet on the pedals next time. I was worried that I might lose pace on the climbs and feel unsteady on any technical descent, but I felt exactly the opposite. My pace on the climbs was pretty much the same and in some cases better. Having the confidence, knowing that i can dab if necessary, meant I pushed it a little harder at times and managed to get through most of the technical bits unscathed.

I was impressed by the pedals and even the shoes stood up better than i was expecting. They got very wet and muddy and yet my feet remained dry and relatively warm.

Interesting link below about flat pedals.

http://www.leelikesbikes.com/benefits-of-flat-pedals.html

I got the shoes free with the pedals so will try them out and see whether it's worth investing in some with more stickability, like Five tens. But for now they are fine. The pins on the Holzfellers are pretty lethal, so shinpads are definately worth the investment.