Bad back

I put my back out a few days ago; the muscles on one side of my spine have gone into spasm which is tilting my pelvis over to one side and making list rather heavily over to my right. So no bike related activities for me for a few days at least, which is difficult with the weather being so sunny and the trails riding so well at the moment. Vicarious cycling for me for the next few days, with some gentle bike fettling thrown in as well. And this time, I promise I will do my core exercises and stretching... just like I did the last time... and the time before that...
In the meantime, I love this short film about Keirin racing, body armour and track bikes sounds like a pretty heady mix.

Sunny

A significant first for the year: the first ride without knee warmers and long sleeves. A lovely sunny day, albeit a bit chilly on top of the Garth; the trails were slippery as, rather suprisingly so as it has been fairly dry apart from some rain last night. I've got a few days off ahead, so the plan is to have a shakedown run or two on the Big Bike in preparation for the forthcoming Snowdon trip; it will be interesting to get used to it's handling again after a winter of riding short travel and rigid bikes.

(This link will probably only work for a limited time, but it's got some great Strathpuffer coverage in it, featuring wee man Luke and Spanky Mike.)

Anyway, here's a few pictures from today, it's nice to have some decent light for a change.

Coast to coast and Lent in a Tent

Si has just completed a Welsh coast on the road in aid of the Kidney Wales Foundation. 215 miles and 13,500 feet of climbing in around 15 hours, on his own as well on a pretty windy old day. If you would like to make a donation, Si has a Just Giving page here. In other fundraising news, Andy and Del will be spending Lent in a tent... 43 days in a tent outside their house in order to raise money for the Special Olympics for adults with learning disabilities; they also have another Just Giving page here. Andy is a top chap who once rode the Dyfi Enduro on a fixed wheel cross bike with a bald rear tyre, and Del is a veteran of many tandem and wild camping trips with Andy, so I suspect this all may seem like perfectly normal behaviour to them. And in 6 weeks or so Dave Buchanan will attempting the longest continuous mountain bike ride ever, Cardiff to North Wales and back again... offroad... without stopping. More news on that one as it gets closer.

Spring...

... is springing, or so it would appear. Little green shoots of wild garlic are starting to poke through, the evenings are getting longer, the trails are drying out. Managed a nice 25 mile or so loop round some lovely local trails, whilst the fast boys were ripping it up at the Wentwood Enduro. Si got joint first with Johnny Pugh, and Matt P was third, with a smattering of other top ten places too. Sounds like it was a cracking first event for the organisers; I shall try not to crash before next years event. Roll on the dusty trails and the longer days.

Urban dh

This has been all over the place recently, but I think it's pretty cool...

VCA 2010 RACE RUN from changoman on Vimeo.

Good luck to all the Wentwood enduro riders tomorrow, I have high hopes for some podium placings for the fast boys, some of whom are planning a lap of Cwmcarn when they finish. I've got a nice leisurely local loop planned of my favourite local trails tomorrow in an effort to build up the mileage for the Dyfi, on the Superlight for the first time in ages, which should be fun...