On Saturday I decided to have a rare run around FtD with Mr Toast.  He duly killed his speed (not the wife), and I certainly ramped up my speed to keep up with him.  He noted that I was slower than when I had been on the Meta, but overall I didn’t do too badly.  I think he found the waiting around in between sections a bit tedious though.

Him: Go now?

Me: Yeah-no, wait, there’s someone coming.

[Biker goes by]

Him: Now?

Me: Er, not yet, that guy’s friends are about to come by

[Bikers go by]

Him: Now?!

Me: Yeah, go…oh wait, someone’s coming…

In my defence, whilst riding the trail I did have to launch myself into the soft, soft bracken twice as much faster riders approached – it completely breaks what little flow I have.  Although in their defence, they were perfect gentlemen, saying things like, “You don’t have to move for me!” and a cheery “You should keep going!”.  Awesome encouragement, but I wonder whether they’d still be saying as I pootle through the section at a third of their speed…:P

With Mr Toast’s encouragement I did the long section 8, and rode it at a reasonable speed.  The jumps I could have done with tackling with a bit more speed, as I could have been a lot more stable, but otherwise I was pretty pleased with myself.  It’s funny, I’ve been putting it off since I started biking again this year, mainly because I’ve mentally built it up into something that it’s not.  Yes, it’s quite a fast bit of track, with jumps, but nothing I can’t handle, and I even came out of the climb the other end a lot better than I had last year.

I’d say overall that my fitness (and knees) have improved, I just need to get my confidence back up to start tackling stuff at a decent speed again.

Random event of the day: nearly running into a lady of advanced years who thought that having a little walk on Ill Phil’s Hill was a good idea…

Ride: Cannock Chase

Trail: FtD

Highlights: I think section 13 was a highlight today

Bad bits: Not being as fast as I was on the Meta.  Curse cheating full-sussers!

Post ride food snaffled: Dotty Cookie

Good dogs seen:  Bit of an exotic batch.  There was what I think was a shar-pei and a St Bernard, plus a sweet puppy that seemed to have the head of a russel, the body of a corgi, and the soft folds of skin around the ankles of a bassett hound.  Believe me, it was a good combination.

What’s this?  Yes, it’s the lesser spotted ‘post-work weekday ride report’.  Hooray for British summer time!

So, we got home, got our biking gear on, and got outside.  The aim was to pootle through the country roads until we got to Burton Dassett, which is pretty much the hilliest area around Leamington, as far as I’m aware.

The lambs were out in force, and we reflected how different they are to when they grow up.  Lambs – highly entertaining, bouncing, frolicking lunatics.  Sheep – they eat grass, shout ‘bear’ every so often…and that’s about it.  It’s like they get to a certain age, and they get lobotomised, with all trace of personality erased.  Which is shame, but probably for the best – it made me feel less guilty about the delicious lamb rogan josh I made after the ride.  Nom.

Anyhoo, I’ve been on a couple of pootles around the country lanes with Mr Toast before, but this was the first time I’d actually biked up Burton Dassett.  I think last time we got less than partway up before I threw a tantrum…

Got to the top, and took in the views.  Sometimes it’s easy to forget what we have on our own doorstep.  Admittedly, there’s not a lot of interesting trails around us, or even accessible bridleways, but as far as country roads, farmland and country parks go…well, it’s better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.

Naturally, when we got to the top Mr Toast had to spend a good few minutes fiddling with his bike.  Normally, excessive fiddling leads to complaining, then complaining leads to parcels from Chain Reaction and Merlin arriving at work.

Ride: Bishop’s Itchington to Burton Dassett – and back.

Trail: Mainly country roads, bridleways on Burton Dassett.

Highlights: Laaaaaaambs!  View from the top.

Bad bits: Getting my lace wrapped around my crank and nearly coming off my bike

Post ride food snaffled: Lamb rogan josh.

Good dogs seen:  Four jack russells, all different owners.  Three were wire-haired, one was smooth.  Jack Russells, the dog for this season.

So, this weekend was the weekend of reckoning.  We picked up a small Meta 5.5.3 from Leisure Lakes in Wolverhampton, and then headed to Cannock Chase.  How would Mr Toast’s favourite full-susser fare against previous competitors?

Initial impressions weren’t great.  My thoughts as I wound down the short version of section 8 was that the steering was nasty.  Mr Toast pointed out that this was probably because of the handlebars, which are exactly the same width as the ones on his XL Meta – and wider than the ones on his Stumpy and Zaskar.

I’m used to my hands being right on the end of the grips, and was doing the same on the Meta.  I made a conscious effort to move my hands in as much as the brake levers and gears would allow, and the bike became a bit more managable.  Running it through sections 9, 10, and 11 definitely had its moments.

Of these moments, my favourite was following Mr Toast.  I don’t think I’ve actually ridden with Mr Toast since Llandegla.  I was following Mr Toast, when he  slowed, stopped, then pulled over.  Given that I’d been having a bit of trouble stopping and starting on the Meta (more of that in a minute), I decided to pass Mr Toast.  The look of surprise on his face was priceless.

Basically, he had slowed and stopped to wait for me.  Last time we went around Follow the Dog together, he would often leave me for dust.  He’d stopped because he thought that I’d be quite a bit behind, and moved to the side when he heard someone behind approaching – not imagining that I’d actually be that close.  He was impressed with my speed, and it was a nice reminder for me how much I’ve improved.

I have to admit, I did do that wooded section a lot faster than usual – on my hardtail, I struggle to keep up momentum on anything other than descents.  A combination of fragile knees and slightly too-small bike means that I really struggle with the attack position, and the terrain saps my speed- but not on a full-susser.  Mwahhahahaha!

There was one major problem with the Meta though.  As mentioned earlier, my mounting and dismounting of the bike was somewhat…ungainly.   Eventually, I figured out why.  Length of the bike?  Great!  Height of the bike?  Great!  Stand over height?  NIL POINT!

Yes, when I got off the saddle, the top tube was trying to firmly embed itself in my nether regions.  Bugger.  Realising that this would be a fairly big problem, we realised the Meta was off the list.  We went back to the café for the obligatory cookie with heavy hearts.  Whilst being hailed on.

But, we still had it for another day, so today we took it out again.  Not really feeling too confident on a bike where stopping and starting was a bit of a saga, I decided to do part of the green – unfortunately, our time was limited as we had to get the bike back to the shop.  Yesterday was heavy rain and hail, but today marked the start of British Summer Time…

British weather, eh?  Got to love it.

It was a pleasant pootle, and it was nice making friends with the Meta in a controlled environment.  Despite the reviews, I found climbing on the Meta easy – a lot easier than on my hardtail.  I also felt compelled to explore, and to ride through streams – several times.   I also took it down section 13 again for a fond farewell.   Again, it felt really nice, but the complete lack of standover was always there at the back of my mind.

So, the search goes on.  Something that feels like the Meta, and has basically the same geometry as the Meta…but with more standover.  I’m considering maybe a Stumpjumper or and Enduro – I don’t know whether I should go for a lighter option, or for a ridiculous amount of travel that I’ll probably never need, but will fill me with confidence.  I’m also considering trying a couple of Cannondales if I can, and maybe re-testing the Trek, the Orange and the Zesty.  You know, just to be sure…

No Meta to test, sadly – Leisure Lakes managed to get it Saturday afternoon, but that was a bit late for this weekend, especially as the Sunday was out for biking because of Mother’s Day.  However, we’ll definitely be able to test it next weekend.  Woot!

Anyhoo, for this ride, instead of doing FtD, I decided to hit the green loop.  Last time I did the full green route was the end of June, just before the wedding.

I was chuffed with how fast I did the green loop.  Last time I really struggled on the climb – it’s not that steep, but it’s quite long.  In fact…well, I took a lot of breaks.  I was happy at the time, because I didn’t know if I had the stamina to do a 19 mile route.  Yes, yes, I know that’s fairly pathetic, but we all have to start somewhere.

This time, I pretty much flew around.  I was still slow on the uphill climb, but at least I wasn’t having to stop every couple of minutes!  Most of the stops I made were to take photos.  Speaking of which…

Obviously Follow the Dog isn’t exactly ugly, but it is nice to have a change of scenery.   There’s a lot of intriguing little trails off the track, which I’ll maybe one day explore.  For this ride though, I stuck to the road more travelled, through the packs of orientating kids, families out walking and Power Ramblers.

Unfortunately, my inability to accurately follow a route to completion meant that I took a wrong turn.  I managed to lose sight of the route markers in an area full of caravans – I think it was some sort of gathering of the South Staffordshire Caravan Club, not entirely sure though.  So, I picked a random direction, and sought out…ADVENTURE!

Thankfully, my sense of direction wasn’t as bad as I feared.  I ended up emerging near the end of section 16, where I found a familiar face, fiddling with his upside-down carbon Zaskar.  Yes, I’d managed to bump into Mr Toast.  Huzzah!

He was travelling light, so he was grateful that I had my multi-tool on me – he’s recently fitted a new saddle and seatpost, and the saddle kept tilting.  After a few fruit pastels, we decided to carry on…well, I’d finished the green a lot faster than I’d expected, how could I not throw in a bit of FtD?

So, I threw myself down 13, 14 and 15 before heading back to the cafe for a cookie.  I think on weekends when we do two days in a row that I might spend one day doing Follow the Dog, and the next doing the full green route.

Ride: Cannock Chase

Trail: Most of the green loop – missed out the last section or so due to my risible navigational skills, but made it up by eventually finding my way back!

Highlights: Realising how much I’ve come on since June, even with the operation.  Perhaps the progress is a sign that the operation was a success?  Also, riding with an MP3 player – flying through section 15 with Queen’s Bicycle Race blasting is an awesome experience!

Bad bits: Um…none, really.   Maybe large packs of orienteering children forming a solid block across the path, but hey…it’s nice that they’re getting out and enjoying the countryside.

Post ride food snaffled: Heaven’s Own Cookie.  Smartie flavoured.

Good dogs seen:  Again, jack russells with pleasing head-to-body ratios, and a variety of well-groomed westies.

Mr Toast has been in touch with Leisure Lakes.  They had a slight hiccup with the small Meta – apparently, it’s now gone to a magazine!  Fortunately they, along with Commencal, have agreed to sort me another small Meta, which I’ll hopefully be able to take out this Saturday.  Can’t wait!

Whilst reading Singletrack, Mr Toast noticed that there was another set of demo days going on – the Premier Demo Series.  They have Lapierre bikes, so I tried to find out if I could demo a small 314.  Alas, they only have medium bloke’s 314s and 514s, no small ones.  I am tempted to try a small bloke’s Spicy, but I think it’s possibly a little burlier than what I’m looking for.

Have I mentioned how I hate being short?

First, an apology over yesterday’s post.  Lengthy rambling Lord of the Rings analogies?  By Odin’s Beard, I really shouldn’t post at one in the morning!  With that out of the way…

Went over the Chase again – it would have been criminal not to whilst we’re having a sunny spell!  Today’s run was a bit of a mixed bag – I pushed myself harder, and had shorter breaks (if any) between sections.  However, I didn’t ride as well yesterday – I made some really iffy line choices, catching my pedals and nearly losing control a couple of times.

I don’t know whether I was still a bit knackered from yesterday, or whether not giving myself as much time to recover between sections meant I was flagging too early.  I really struggled to get off the saddle and keep my head up…and I threw up after Ill Phil’s Hill.

On the plus side, even though today’s performance wasn’t as good as yesterday’s, I was still better than I was last week.  Plus I got up the fireroad hill.  Huzzah!

I had a moment of eye-rolling wonderment as I approached the exit of section 11.  A family were walking up the track, the wrong way, with the young children waving long branches around, pretending to sword fight.  I just don’t get it – they were passed by a number of bikers, travelling at speed.  There were a number of bikers on the fireroad, near the exit.  The family were very close to the exit, which suggests that they came onto the trail via the fireroad.  There’s a clear ‘No entry sign’, with an explanation that the enticing forest path is a mountain biking red route, and shouldn’t be used by walkers, horse riders or leisure cyclists.  It was an accident waiting to happen, and a completely avoidable one at that.

I slowed and informed them (politely!) that they were on a dedicated mountain biking trail, and told them to be careful as there were likely to be bikers coming down a lot faster than me.  They seemed a little put out, but hopefully they’ll have gotten off the trail and realised that it was meant for their benefit as much as anyone else’s.  I can’t imagine the collision between a five year old child and a 20-35lb bike carrying a fully grown adult would result in a pretty sight.

It makes me cross, but sometimes you have to give people the benefit of the doubt, and assume they’re on the track out of ignorance rather than because of wilful stupidity or spite.  I think a lot of bikers just try to ignore walkers on the track, instead of informing them of their mistake.  But if they’re not told, how will they ever know?  They’ll probably just assume that the mountain bikers are arseholes who run along the forest trails like complete lunatics. Which is probably a fair assessment, which is why we get our own segregated trails. 😉

Anyhoo, I wore my new shinies both rides this weekend.  The leggings are possibly a little on the large side, but are otherwise fine – they don’t bunch up too much, and they fit a lot better around the ankles.

The Dhb glasses are great – much better quality and looks than Mr Toast’s bloke’s equivalent from a year or so ago (they’ve got this psuedo-Oakley iPod feel), they fit on my head just dandy (even with the helmet on), and they don’t mist.  The only problem is that, due to my rather hamster-esque face, the bottom of the lenses sit on my cheeks, and are completely lifted off my ears when I smile.

Perhaps this by design, so that mountain bikers are forced to look cool and serious – without them, we’d be compelled to grin like idiots a good 90% of the time.

Mountain biking.  Serious business.

Ride: Cannock Chase

Trail: All of FtD, with the exception of sections 6, 7 and 16.

Highlights: Getting up the fireroad hill – I was a bit disappointed that I didn’t make it yesterday

Bad bits: Feeling a bit spaced out and out of control on the trail, making silly mistakes.  Plus being ill between sections 14 and 15 was pretty rough.

Post ride food snaffled: Bacon sandwich, and Heaven’s Own Cookie.  A smartie one this time, instead of triple choc fudge

Good dogs seen:  A daschund, with a dapper walk and proud buttocks.  Another schnauzer – it’s been a veritable schnauzer bonanza this weekend!  Good jack russells with pleasing head-to-body ratio.  Plus some sort of crazy sitcom-in-the-making comedy couple of a Westie and a greyhound, having a sit in the lake.  The moorhens looked unimpressed, however.

Another weekend, another pootle around Follow the Dog.  You know that bit in The Two Towers movie, where Theoden is released from Saruman’s spell – he goes from being all cobwebby and geriatric, to kick ass warrior king?  That’s a bit like me recovering from winter, that is.

Well, OK, to continue this quite frankly ridiculous Lord of the Rings analogy, I’m not quite chopping orcs yet.  Or I might be, I just need a good long rest and a biscuit between each kill.  But I definitely feel like I’m actually getting my confidence back on the trail – I just need the fitness to follow!  On the plus side, I rode most of Follow the Dog, and rode most of it fairly well (by my standards).

I did the boardwalk easily, no wobbles, rode the wooded sections after section 8 pretty fast, and sections 13 and 14 were awesome.  However, I felt really knackered on the climbs – I didn’t make it all the way up the fireroad hill in one go this time (but I didn’t get off to push!).  I don’t know if I was just having an off-day, or didn’t give myself enough time to recover before tackling the hill, or if the Rebas were bobbing a bit too much (which would be an issue with my weighting).  The sheer joy of trying to go as fast as possible quickly destroyed the memory of the nasty climbs though.

I even overtook people!  Admittedly, they were a family with young children (section 7), a couple who were obviously new to the Chase (section 12), and some poor sod who was obviously dragged there by his more experienced mates and was struggling a bit with the trail (sections 13 and 14).

I actually rode all of section 14 without my usual stop to ‘admire the scenery’ at the top if Ill Phil’s Hill.  I think this was actually the first time I’ve done this!  Unfortunately I paid the price at the start of 15, where I had to sit down for a bit until my eyesight returned to normal, and the compulsion to be violently sick passed.  Ah, the cobwebs of winter.  Damn you, Saruman.

Now I really hope that I do get a Meta 5.5.2, just because it’s white, and I can call it ‘Snowmane’.  Hopefully it won’t crush me to death…

Ride: Cannock Chase

Trail: All of FtD, with the exception of sections 6 and 16.

Highlights: Ill Phil’s Hill – fast replacing section 13 in my affections.

Bad bits: My chronic lack of fitness, and lengthy recovery periods.

Post ride food snaffled: Bacon sandwich, and Heaven’s Own Cookie

Good dogs seen: A schnauzer.  They are just unbelievably awesome!

As we were travelling to FtD, I realised how much last Sunday’s exploits had shaken my confidence.  There I was, contemplating doing the full loop of Follow the Dog (well, of all the parts that are open), and I was filled with a palpable sense of dread.  Although I’ve done FtD more times than you could shake a stick at, I was mentally picturing all manner of terrible accidents I could have.

I could fall off the boardwalk!  I could come a cropper on the jumps on section 8, or fall off on the log slope!  It didn’t matter to me that I never had before – that was last year!

I was torn – do I face my fears head on and get back on the trail?  After all, I did a couple of sections last Saturday no problem.  Or should I wait until I’m a bit more comfortable on the bike, and then get back on the trail.  But wait!  What happens if I delay getting back on the trail, then I mentally build it up to be far worse than it actually is?

In the end, I decided on a compromise.  I missed out the boardwalk section, and went straight up the fireroad hill to section 8.  I did the old downhill version instead of the newer one, not due to fear but because I know my fitness isn’t quite up to it yet.

And…I had a blast.  I’ve lost quite a bit of speed over the past six months’ hibernation, and a bit of confidence – not only in terms of biking, but in common sense.  I felt that my tyres were a bit skittery, but I didn’t want to let any air out in case I ended up running around on them under-inflated.  As it turned out after the ride, Mr Toast pointed out that the front wheel was far too high.  But it didn’t stop me from having a whale of a time.

I’ve recently been re-reading Mountain Biking Essentials, which I picked up in Glentress.  The main thing that stuck with me when I was riding was ‘Looking Ahead’.  I’ve mentioned before that I have a chronic habit of looking at the ground immediately in front of my wheel, rather than the trail ahead.  I noticed I was doing it again, and marvelled at how much faster I went when I wasn’t staring at my front wheel.

I did Ill Phil’s Hill (section 14) for the first time since September, and it was fantastic.  The Chase Trails chaps have obviously put a bit of work into it over the winter – like section 13, it felt a lot smoother and faster than at the end of summer last year.  I did the entire section with a huge grin on my face.  Pausing at the top, naturally.

I’ll admit, once I got to section 16, I was seriously knackered.  Never mind keeping my head up and looking at the trail ahead, I was struggling keeping my eyes open (particularly my right eye, as my contact lens was playing up…).  It’s a very narrow section of singletrack, and my moment’s hesitation caused my handlebar to clip a tree, sending me off the bike.  Fortunately, I was going so slowly at this point that injury was always going to be fairly unlikely on the soft, soft foresty ground.  It was like a big snuggly duvet…

So, overall, it was an awesome ride.  I can see I’ve lost a bit of confidence and a bit of fitness since the operation, but I’m in a better position than I was this time last year.

Ride: Cannock Chase

Trail: Greens up to the top of the fireroad hill, then the remainder of FtD

Highlights: Ill Phil’s Hill.

Bad bits: Still not fond of section 16.  I guess I’ll grow to love it if I ever get good at riding it!

Post ride food snaffled: Food had stopped at the cafe, so it was a cup of tea and a delicious, delicious cookie.

Good dogs seen: A sweet little Westie pup, and and an awesome collie that dived into a water…outlet…thing.  Er, one of these:

Mr Toast saw him on the trail, described him as ‘an awesome mountain biking dog’.  Apparently very well trained, and very fast…and doesn’t lose speed on ascents!