Bolsover & District Cycling Club

What a ride, Andy and I couldn't decide if we were going to go to South Forest Leisure Centre, it had been raining all day so we knew it was going to be muddy in the Pines. It then started snowing half an hour before we needed to set off. I know everyone is aware of how I feel about rain, it is fair to say I am not a fan of riding on the snow either. After much sole searching we decided we had better go just in case someone else turned up.

Unfortunatley for me Howard had made the effort to come from Lincoln and John had turned out from Pleasley. Reluctantly I stepped out of my nice warm car, got my bike together and did a few laps of the car park just as the snow really started to fall. When I declared that as I had "riden" my bike that it should count as a club ride and technically I would be allowed to go and sit in the bar everyone laughed then set off towards the woods, well in for a penny.

In all it wasn't that bad, the mud was thick, claggy and stuck to everything, it was hard to control your bike, alot of leaning back, holding on hoping for the best was going on, but if it wasn't for my toes freezing I rekon I would have enjoyed the whole ride, I must invest in some ice breaker socks like Horward has. It was very nice to see 3 other hard core, get out in all weather mountain bikers out there enjoying the fabulous trails. As a bonus a couple of the riders were running the 900 lumin lights purchased from dealextreem for around the 50 quid mark (depending on the exchange rate), they were very bright, seemed to be of ok build quality and were given good reviews by the lads who have been using them all winter..... 2 sets are now on order as my lights died before the end of the ride and Andy couldn't resist.

All this winter training must be standing us in good stead for when the weather picks up, if you are wondering if you should come out, just turn up stick on some warm gear and no matter how much the sensible part of your brain is telling you not to, jump on your bike and give it a crack. If I can put up with this weather; even enjoying the rides, anyone can. If the worst came to the worst and you did happen to perrish in the extreem conditions we would have a drink in your memory at the end of the ride.