Ride Entry – 2nd August
by admin on Aug.02, 2009, under Uncategorized
Bike: Handjob
Distance: 51 miles (1560m of climbing)
First proper hard offroad ride of the year I think. But I felt really good. Climbed up to the pike without missing a step, straight back down. On the way down to the gate I decided it would be a good time to brake. I pulled the levers and absolutely nothing happened, both levers hit the bars. Nearly pooed myself. Tried again, that got something, tried again, that started them working properly. They remained like this all the way round the ride, had to pre-prump them for any descents.
Got onto the Belmont road, met a load of Ironmen. Rode down into Belmont with them and then veered off through the cones to go over to Witton Weavers way. (Passed a load of ironmen on the descent and then passed a load of roadies on the next road climb. And they were trying to too! I felt great! Witton Weavers way over to Tockholes, start the Darwen climb, pass 4 or 5 blokes on the way up there. FLY up to Darwen tower, don;t even bother stopping and shoot back down the other side.
Into Darwen, road climb up to the tops and then back on the Witton Weavers over to Entwistle. No shooting on the rifle range so fly right across to the base of peel Tower hill. This is a very steep climb and for the first time today I have to drop out of the big ring…..and then the middle ring. Make it mind and sit down for a rest. Great! Descend back down to Ramsbottom and due to time constraints I don’t bother trying reversing my route but just back through Bolton on the road and pick up some local trails to get me home.
Great ride, really enjoyed it and felt quite good once I got home, despite the MOTHERFUCKERS NEXT DOOR COMING HOME AT 4:30 AND MAKING LOADS OF NOISE TILL 7!!!!! And to think we’re trying to keep them sweet about this conservatory. In fact that’s the only thing that stopped me going round there with a pair of flails and suggesting they bring it down a bit if they don’t want to never wake up.
edit: And that’s 183 for the week, quite happy with that.
edit, edit: If you think 183 miles in a week sounds a lot. Try looking at a complete crazy lunatic’s mileage for one week….. Yep, that’s right, 351 miles on one week, and Matt rides mostly offroad.
Fucking nuts!
August 3rd, 2009 on 9:24 am
“I pulled the levers and absolutely nothing happened”
Thought I’d clicked on mattmagic bookmark by mistake
I’ve been meaning to do 3 towers again, big ring all the way until peel tower? Hardcore.
August 3rd, 2009 on 10:33 am
I was thinking about your brakes today, actually, my rear is always like that, pull it about 4 times in quick succession and it bites, then you have to hold it on the bite to keep it working, absolutely no chance of braking in an emergency.
I have no idea what causes it, as it’s been bled loads of times, possibly sticky piston.. not sure.
and
nice 5 hour Handjob.
August 3rd, 2009 on 10:55 am
I’m going to try and bleed them and we’ll see what happens then.
The only bit where I got a bit sketchy on the big ring was on the steeper bit of the Darwen climb from Tockholes. Almost had to change down there. The rest was pretty easy.
August 3rd, 2009 on 5:45 pm
> I have no idea what causes it, as it’s been bled loads of times, possibly sticky piston.. not sure.
Hope? You need to rebuild the lever.