Tango Cycling: leith hill tower

Friday, 6 June 2014

1st Nightride for TT1 (Tango Twin 1)

Last night I had the privilege to join Iain & Lizzie for my first night ride.

We have been trying to arrange a night ride for the past 2 months, but different training goals and schedules made it impossible until last night. I actually cancelled as it is month end at work, but Iain kept saying how nice the trails are so I couldn't resist.

We set off up to Leith Hill, by going up The Rookery and some of Summer Lightning and then took a fun right turn onto a kind gradient which led into a fast & fun downhill. We eventually reached Leith Hill Tower following a nice singletrack climb. Singletrack up or downhill makes me so happy.

We were riding at a steady pace and as I've said before, in my head riding with Iain & Lizzie, is riding in another league. There were times when I was grateful that I didn't wear my heartrate monitor as I think it might've exploded or the alarm warning you of sudden heart failure might've gone off. You know when you are struggling to breathe and starts to cough that dry irratating cough... I knew recovery usually come after a climb, but as soon as I started recovering a little we up the pace a little again. Ellie Goulding's song Burn Burn Burn has been the theme song of the majority of my rides lately. I've specifically memorised the lyrics for the Hero. :)

At the top of Leith Hill we were spoiled with this view.

As the saying goes, What goes up... Must go down! From here it was all downhill.

It was the first time that I rode the new section (which were under dispute and closed for a while) of Summer Lightning it starts at the tower on the left handside of the old track down from the tower. Speedy bermy fun. Nothing to hectic, well built and super fun.

We then continued on the SL connection to the old part. Singletrack goodness, it is so well built that your bike is just flying and getting air without much effort.

I'm usually weary of drops, but these are great, all the drops gives you momentum and lead you from one piece of fun into another. I would've been a great ambassador for Colgate whilst riding last night.

Iain & Lizzie riding the night away!

At one of the junctions where we usually go right we were turning left. My front wheel was pumped up a bit hard so it literally just slipped out underneath me, my bike came to a stand still, but I kept running to the left without falling over. This was bizarre, but definitely the best crash scenario I've ever been in.

The darker it got the faster we were riding. What you can't see, can't harm you...

I'm so over this training for the Hero and am appreciating putting the fun back into riding. Thank you Iain & Lizzie for another fun ride.

Ps. Why work late when you can go on a night ride?!

http://www.strava.com/activities/149895923

Saturday, 28 July 2007

The Mountain Bike Bite

The first time I got on a mountain bike was in 2007, a few guys from church was going out & I can't really remember how I got roped in or convinced to go along. I think it was mostly peer pressure & being completely overwhelmed by such friendly people & wanting to spend more time with them.

Before I knew it, I was in Evans with Elisca & Annelize trying out cycling tights & buying gloves. I just followed there lead, because I knew nothing about the sport. The only other people I knew who mountain biked was Conrad Stoltz & his buddies when I was at university. They were in a totally different category & washed there bikes all the time which was a complete foreign concept to me.

Now the last time I was on a bike was at university where my daily commute was 3km to campus, at that time, it was a long way... :) I hardly had any brakes on the bike as replacing brakes was low priority with all the other fun I was having.

So totally unfit & not knowing WHAT to expect I've mounted a 17" framed mountain bike, I am only 5"2.

We got to Leith Hill & had a well deserved cup of tea. This is also where my sentiment & tradition of having tea whilst mountain biking was born.

I also didn't know that it is NOT cool to take leftover chicken drumsticks from a party the night before as 'padkos' with you, but one of the guys must've felt bad for my goodwill gesture, so carried it in his backpack for us.

Soon after that we made our way to Summer Lightning & this is where the "mountain bike bite" bit me. (Die gogga het my gebyt.) My arms was so tired from stretching so far to reach the handlebars, but all the complaining for going uphill was long forgotten as the downhill made up for it.

We took the train back to London & went Hein's house where we had to wash the bikes.
My thoughts was: "Wash your bike? Why?" But it is like my uncle always says when I cook, "Part of the cooking is the cleaning."

2 Traditions that stuck from the very first time riding:

1. Tea with 2 sugars @ our halfway stop
2. The original invite from Hein Muller said, we are riding whatever the weather.