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So after several brownies and flapjacks we were really getting into it. Andy did the log jump on the down hill section – which was great – although he makes everything look so easy, it makes you believe you can give it a try!

I decided to practice my jumps so sessioned the dual slalom whilst Dan and Andy went to explore. The first few runs were very sketchy – every jump was really nose heavy and I was beginning to believe that I was just not made to lift my bike wheels off of the ground. Getting some advice from Andy meant that I knew the theory – but just didn’t seem to be able to put it into practice. Keep thinking weightless thoughts, is what I kept repeating to myself but after a few more nose heavy runs – I realized that I was no Tinkerbell or Peter pan.

Having decided that I may not be jump material, I carried on down the dual slalom. Now the problem I seem to be having since returning from the Alps is controlling my speed. Everything feels really tame – the course at Chicksands that was once scary – now seems to be very short and there is no way that I am going to be able to reach 40 miles an hour down it! So I found myself letting the brakes off on the dual slalom trying to make myself go faster and faster.

Eventually some ingrained knowledge most have clicked into place and I suddenly realized that I knew what I needed to do to get my wheels off of the ground. Now we are not talking some giant air here – just a foot or so, but to realize that I was not landing front heavy was a great feeling. So a few great runs later – when I thought I was starting to get much better, I asked Andy to see if I was actually getting in the air by much. However, I managed to walk to the top of the dual slalom course and got talked into having a race with one of the regular riders.

I am not sure what part of my brain decided this was a good idea– but I decided to give it a go anyway. So we set off and I was flying I was actually going slower than I had done all day – it felt like my jumps were really smooth, and I was well in front. Until disaster struck! (if this was some horror movie this would be the time to tell the person not to go into the haunted house!)

I let out the brakes and rounded the berm, however being on the side of the trail which I hadn’t run all day, I misjudged both the speed and dryness of the soil. So my front wheel slid out and I hurtled towards the ground. There was no elegance to my fall and it sounded as if I was a sack of potatoes as I hit the ground, the air whooshed out of my lungs, and my hip took the weight of my fall. But on a plus note – Andy was right beside me to pick up my bike and me from the trail.

Having a sore hip didn’t stop us riding though and it meant that I was able to get some great pictures of Dan and Andy riding the courses. However a day on, and my hip is blue and my ribs ache – not sure there will be any Sunday riding for me today!
]]> http://www.andywetherell.com/emblog/index.php?entry=entry060521-211149 Time : As long as our wet skin could take
Top Speed : Unknown (I’m guessing really fast!)
Ave Speed : Unknown
Weather : Wet
Temp : 10 - 12°C
Trail Conditions : Wet and muddy

Firstly I had better start my blog with a confession – I have been slack! After a few people pointing out the lack of blog entries recently (and I thought no-one was reading these!), I thought I had better admit that although I have been riding I have failed to write my blog for several weeks. Although I am sure that I could come up with some valid excuses, like the dog ate it etc, I had better admit that I have been out enjoying trails and not informing others of this enjoyment. So for the people who have nagged at me – be prepared for renewed ramblings!

Today saw us visiting Chicksands, and although I have not mentioned it, this is our third visit in the last few weeks. There is simply so much to say about Chicksands but for anyone wanting me to sum it up, it is awesome –even the thought of going encourages a smile to be plastered on my face for days at a time. There is so much to do at Chicksands, you can’t help but be impressed. There is a cross country section, jumps, dual slalom, 4x, and North Shore areas.

Today we were going to session my favourite section – the dual slalom – however, the weather thought that it would test our mountain biking mettle and decided to rain all day. Being the dedicated riders that we are, Dan Andy and I headed out anyway. By the time we had arrived and set up the bikes – it was raining steadily, so after a few slow runs of the slalom we decided to head to the North shore area and play about on the jumps, and the fun trails that led to them.

Andy completely aced a 6 foot ladder drop in the North shore area, and the antics of other riders caused much amusement and friendly banter – for those of us not yet blessed with the courage to try these daunting jumps!
I managed to get a small jump on one of the downhill sections, that left me with the hope that I will be able to join in some of the bigger jumps later on in the year.

As the day progressed we get more and more wet, and the bikes more and more muddy. One point to note is that my women specific Speciallised saddle seems to retain loads of water – half way through the day my shorts where more wet than everyone else. After washing the bikes this evening Andy also commented on the water retention of my saddle – so ladies be warned you are getting extra comfort, but at a cost!
]]> http://www.andywetherell.com/emblog/index.php?entry=entry060412-215726 Time : 1 hr 08 mins 39 seconds
Top Speed : 23.9 Mph
Ave Speed : 7.1 Mph
Average Heart Rate 139
Kcal burnt: 379 at 45% Fat burn
Weather : Evening sun with patchy cloud
Temp : 7-9°C
Trail Conditions : Dry with muddy patches

Tonight we decided to go exploring. So armed with bikes, water and no sense of direction (on my part) we set off. We decided to try and find an alternative route that we are able to do in the evenings, so instead of heading for the downs we decided that Epsom and Ashtead common were our intended routes. Having lived in Epsom for a number of years, I was surprised to learn of such a place as Epsom common, or the fact that it is the home to two lakes / big ponds (delete as appropriate!) Not only was I unaware of the existence of such a place, I was also unaware of the fact that Epsom Common is actually quite big. We managed to easily do 8 miles, winding our way through trees and trying to avoid running over Canadian Geese. Which in case you are interested do not run / waddle away when two approaching bikes come haring along the path. It was a completely different ride tonight, very leisurely with us able to admire the wildlife and chat the whole way round. The path took us to some great looking trees, which not only deserve a mention but are worthy of a second trip just to take some pictures. The bluebells are also peering through the ground and hopefully it won’t be long until we are able to ride with bluebells bordering our night path. A truly beautiful little place right on our doorstop – I was thrilled, and now I am planning a second trip tomorrow night just to take some pictures!
]]> http://www.andywetherell.com/emblog/index.php?entry=entry060405-215511 Time : 1 hr 00 mins 39 seconds
Top Speed : 29.4 Mph
Ave Speed : 8.9 Mph
Average Heart Rate 152
Kcal burnt: 368 at 36% Fat burn
Weather : Evening sun with patchy cloud
Temp : 7-9°C
Trail Conditions : Dry

You know when you are typically British, when you BBQ in the rain, and when you decide that because it is officially British summertime you must wear shorts. This is precisely what I did tonight – with careless regard for the ice on my car this morning, I returned from work tonight and donned my shorts. Off we went on a loop of the downs (thought that a short ride would be best as Andy has done about thirty miles today!). The ride was great as usual, although ploughing down the hills at nigh on thirty miles an hour, isn’t good for the cold short clad legs! I don’t know where the notion for the short wearing has occurred but really I need to reconsider, just because the sun is shinning does not make it warm! So now I am embracing the British spirit of things, and having a well deserved cup of tea and a biscuit.
]]> http://www.andywetherell.com/emblog/index.php?entry=entry060403-215226 Time : 1 hr 34 mins 48 seconds
Top Speed : 24.0 Mph
Ave Speed : 7.7 Mph
Average Heart Rate 143
Kcal burnt: 550 at 42% Fat burn
Weather : Evening sun with patchy cloud
Temp : 7-9°C
Trail Conditions : Dry with muddy patches

Nothing of importance to note tonight, another great ride, but no toad spotting or puncture fairy sighting. So instead a few points I noted from my ride instead. Firstly, why is that on every ride (no matter what distance) I get a runny nose! Even if I was to take my bike to the end of the road I would have a runny nose. Now this doesn't occur before I get on the bike, so why is it that on every ride, my nose starts running?

Now I would feel that the explanation could be weather related if this phenomenon only occurred whilst out in the winter, but it doesn’t. Consequentially because of the runny nose, I ride most of the routes with my mouth open. Which leads to me chewing on a mouth full of mud on most roads (well I desperately hope its just mud anyway!) So my last point is does anyone know the calorific value of mud, my belief is that it would depend on the chalk content, grit composition etc? Also after this mud intake why do I get home and still feel as if I could eat everything in the house. Answers on a postcard please!]]> http://www.andywetherell.com/emblog/index.php?entry=entry060402-230012 Time As many daylight hours as we could fit in
Top Speed : No Speedo on my new bike
Ave Speed : No Speedo on my new bike
Average Heart Rate 128
Kcal burnt: 1206 at 49% Fat burn
Weather : Wet with patches of sunlight
Temp : 10-12°C
Trail Conditions : Wet and very muddy


Unfortunately due to having to work on Saturday, Sunday was our only day for riding this weekend. After dreaming of drop offs all week, we decided to head to Swinley forest for some chilled out riding that would improve our skills.

The day dawned bright and clear, so Andy and I donned our shorts, and headed straight for Swinley forest. Now here was our first mistake of the day – shorts! The weather forecast had said that it was going to be bright and sunny with temperatures of 15°C. How wrong can you get! The ride started off a little nippy on the luminous white exposed legs, but we both decided that it would soon warm up on the up hills. Foolishly on reaching the top of a hill, I see a sign for a lake that we had never visited, and convinced Andy that we needed to deviate from our route to see this spectacle. I should really have engaged my brain and realised that a lake would mean two things, firstly midges (I am like the caviar equivalent to midges) and secondly lakes are always at the base of hills – which meant an evil climb back up to the original signpost.

Having visited the lake the return uphill journey was exceptionally muddy, with the added bonus of a downpour. We decided to go to the gully to shelter under some trees, and watch the people pull some big airs. After about ten minutes the rain eventually cleared and we headed for the drop off section. Now the great thing about this section in Swinley is that it caters for every type of person, by providing a wide range of drop offs. From level one a small roll off for gentle practice, to a level five gut wrenching I’ve just lost my lunch kind of thing. Obviously I am only at level one, and level two seems to have the same lost lunch effect on me still. But I had a great time dropping off the small mound of dirt, and was ecstatically happy when I nailed it consistently and my bike got quieter the more I progressed. Andy managed to make the drops look ridiculously easy, and was really great in pointing out helpful techniques for me.

After a few hours of playing on the drops, and a couple of downpours later we headed for the down hill section. We saw some ducks taking up residence on one of the muddy trails next to a large puddle, which caused us both to burst out laughing. You can see the pictures in the gallery section. The down hill section was very muddy, although we did manage to get round the course with big smiles on our faces.

We eventually decided to head back to the Look out, and tackle some of the bigger drops on the way back. There is a drop off of a couple of foot and then a bigger one that is about three foot. Although I was trying to psyche myself up to the smaller of the two drop offs, common sense and the thought of broken bones prevailed and I decided to take pictures of Andy instead. The smaller of the two drop offs Andy managed with ease, and after a couple of effortless landings, I was completely unprepared with the camera as he nailed the three footer. Making it look all so easy, Andy ran it a few more times so that I could take some blurry pictures. By the time we got back to the car, we were both covered in mud and grinning from ear to ear.
]]> http://www.andywetherell.com/emblog/index.php?entry=entry060331-221158 Time : 1 hr 07 mins 4seconds
Top Speed : 27.5 Mph
Ave Speed : 8.1 Mph
Average Heart Rate 152
Kcal burnt: 410 at 37% Fat burn
Weather : Dry and overcast patches of sunlight
Temp : 7-9°C
Trail Conditions : Dry with muddy patches

Tonight was my very first night out riding on my own, and as much as I would love to say that the ride was horrible, for the benefit of a very disheartened Andy who couldn’t join me, I just can’t. It was great! Armed with mobile, water and Andy’s new ipod, I set off on my merry way. I decided to amend the route somewhat tonight so that I didn’t have to tackle the exceptionally quiet stretches which could leave me vulnerable. (its worrying when you have to think about things like this!) So a couple of loops of the downs it was. Andy had directed me to a path which I had never ridden before, so that I could include a bit of downhill which I loved. So where we would usually blast down the downs and then sling a right I decided to take a left and follow the path which led – surprise, surprise back to the downs.

Now I expected the downs to be full of eager people out enjoying a spring evening – but how wrong can you be. The new path which led back to the downs looked as if it hadn’t been used in ages, and there were no people in sight. As I made my way uphill, I had that very funny feeling of being watched, as I turned my eyes to catch the intruder I noticed several black eyes staring at me. It was then that I realized that I was the intruder; I had managed to cycle upon a huge group of rabbits, all staring at me from the side of the path. Very disgruntled a being interrupted they were too! After a few seconds of being watched (felt like a few minutes – in which I had to think what a large number of carnivorous rabbits could do to me), they carried on with what I can only guess was their usual routine. About twenty rabbits running along frolicking and paying me no heed, was a real treat.

As I reached the top of the downs after playing with the rabbits, I came across a small gap in the horse barriers followed by a small gate. Taking a look at the gap and my handlebars, I decide that I could make it, if I managed to push one side of my handlebars through and then twisted the other side through. Big mistake! My left handlebar went through really easily, but then came the obvious problem, my wheel was now turning in the wrong direction, and my handlebar hit the gate forcing it unceremoniously into my thigh! So I am now sporting a spatial awareness bruise, and the moral of the story is, small gap + big handlebars = purple bruise!
]]> http://www.andywetherell.com/emblog/index.php?entry=entry060329-235305 Time : 1 hr 32 mins 18seconds
Top Speed : 26.3 Mph
Ave Speed : 7.9 Mph
Average Heart Rate 148
Kcal burnt: 615 at 38% Fat burn
Weather : Dry and overcast patches of sunlight
Temp : 7-9°C
Trail Conditions : Dry with muddy patches

It is said, in the world that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. This was most certainly the case tonight, as we were visited by the puncture fairy multiple times. Now this fairy I believe to be the complete opposite to the tooth fairy. Instead of rewarding you with money, the puncture fairy does exactly that; Puncture! Instead of a cute little girl fairy with a pink ballerina-esc outfit and armed with copious amounts of money, the puncture fairy wears a cammo outfit and is armed with sharp implements - weapon of choice thorns! Although I did not catch a glimpse of this evil fairy, we suffered severely at his hands tonight.

After getting off to a promising start, we were hit by an unprovoked fairy attack which left us standing at the bottom of chalk lane armed with my new Blackburn Mammoth pump, and looking bemused at Andy’s back wheel. After recovering from the flat we powered up the hills (I loosely use the term powered), and I made a concerted effort to try and push myself a bit harder on the evil inclines. The down hills were great today, still muddy, but without the head wind I was able to get up to a faster speed. But then disaster strikes again. As we cross under the M25 the noise of the cars obviously meant the puncture fairy was able to get the jump on us for the second time tonight.

Once the puncture was fixed there was pretty much only downhill all the way home, which meant we were able to enjoy the night air and scenery. The fact that we had to stop for two punctures meant that it was dark before we completed three quarters of the ride. However this was a nice, as the dark meant that we were able to intrude on Mother Nature. There were so many animals out tonight; we saw copious amounts of rabbits and cows, four deer a fox, and by far my favourite a toad. Now this find might not be exciting to most people, but after almost mowing the thing down I called Andy back to look at my find, and to rescue it from sheer disaster - as it was trying to cross the road. So a slight pit stop was required for Andy to remove the toad to the side of the road, and for me to realise that this was my first actual toad sighting. So the rest of the way home I was trying to see all the night creatures and to relish the sting of the wind on my cheeks. Anyway enough of my waffling - time to go and restore the natural balance of the world, by eating some chocolate to return the calories I have carelessly burnt.
]]> http://www.andywetherell.com/emblog/index.php?entry=entry060327-232329 Time : 1 hr 38 mins 32seconds
Top Speed : 23.0 Mph
Ave Speed : 7.3 Mph
Average Heart Rate 155
Kcal burnt: 638 at 35% Fat burn
Weather : Warm and very windy
Temp : 10 - 12°C
Trail Conditions : wet and very muddy

So tonight was my first evening ride of this year and hence my very first web log. Since the beginning of the year I have been promising myself that as soon as the clocks went forward I would recharge my lights and head out in the evenings after work. Now during the course of the day things did not look promising as every time I looked out of the window it was raining, but I had promised myself that I would go out three times a week plus weekends, and I refused to fail at the first hurdle. Thankfully I am one of those women who have a wonderful husband that gets all their stuff ready before they get in from 10 hours in the office, so after a hectic day I arrived home to find my bike out and my cycle clothes laid out on my bed.

So tonight was my first ride back on the Marin. After getting my new bike about 4 weeks ago, I have abandoned my Marin in favour of the new bike for our weekend riding experiences. So spent the first 2 miles of tonight’s ride mentally comparing the two. This came to an abrupt end as I tackled the first hill of our ride. Now one thing to note for those of you that don’t know me is this: I hate uphills. Not just a little bit either, I seem to be able to feel an incline of just a couple of millimetres (an exaggeration you say - but I am sure that my husband would testify that this is not the case) Not helped by a really bad headwind, I struggled my way to the top of the climbs. Now Andy has been riding three times a week for the last three months and boy can I notice a difference – you always know when you are riding with a person of a far superior fitness than you, and tonight that was most definitely the case. You can tell this by the following reasons, 1) The far superior rider can chat all the way up the hill. You attempt to catch one in three words of the conversation while still trying to keep to a rhythm of breathe, breathe, breathe. 2) Just before the top of the hill they are able to put on a spurt of speed, whilst you are still trying to summon energy out of your small toe. 3) By the time you get to the top of the hill the stronger rider is recovered, never looks out of breathe and you never see them gulp their water. Hopefully after three months of riding three times a week, I will also notice a difference!

The ride tonight was great though, blasting through the mud and getting some fresh air was just what I needed to blow our the cobwebs, and I now feel energised and ready to face another day. Although the worst bit of riding in the winter/spring/whatever the time of year is meant to be, (delete as appropriate) is the cleaning up of the equipment, it takes a couple of hours to ride a trail and then the same time to clean the mud off of every bit of equipment you have taken out with you! So eventually everything is cleaned and now I am eating a guilt free Cadburys cream egg – one of the many ups to an evening ride!
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