Archive for October, 2011

30/10/2011 – Hartfield to Groombridge, riding with Iren

Sunday, October 30th, 2011

Today we tried going in the other direction from Hartfield so see how the trail is.

This was an interesting ride with the leaves now displaying their autumn colours 🙂

it was also interesting as we had not been along this stretch before, unlike the western direction this has gated sections between roads, something to make life fun on the way back !

We set off only to be quickly slowed as we tried to work out which way the toddler in front was going, a situation quickly sorted by the appearance of her mum 🙂

From then on the odd dog seemed to be the only distraction likely to cause issues.

As mentioned the track had gates, these were open, designed to slow down riders as you had to pass through almost at right angles to the track. These are easy to master if you slow right down and use a slow gear, but you do need to plan how you go through.

I fell foul of one crossing where I went through in a high gear, turned the bend only to see a hill facing me ! cue one rapid downshift for boh sets of sprockets !

At Groombridge  we turned round to come back and soon were going well – ever tempted fate ?

I saw a squirrel bound across the track some way in front of me, Iren found another that tried going under her wheel !!! cue squeals of horror and “what was that ?”

Then we came to another of those gates, with Iren leading, and she unfortunately got the approach all wrong and slipped off the bike, thankfully no damage done but I did need to straighten her saddle out.

From then on it was an uneventful ride back.

I think next time we will go West again but aim to go past Forest Row

30/10/2011 - Hartfield to Groombridge, riding with Iren

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29/10/2011 – Mum and Iren ride to London Road

Saturday, October 29th, 2011

Yes we revisited the ride near Mum’s house through to London Road.

We had to do most of this ride twice, mum had an issue with loose handlebars which was unnerving her.

So we went back, tightened them up and tried again,

This time there was a definate improvement on the previous ride on the 1st, Mum was happier riding through to the London Road from thebridge over the railway.

Mum was also making successful efforts to clear the ascents  on the track, previously she would walk up them, now she is speeding up to use her momentum to carry her over.

I did try her bike and was quite surprised, the gearing is quite high, we are now wondering if we could lower the gearing it may help her.

All in all a good ride out, Mum showed a good improvement in her riding, Iren showed how to forage !

29/10/2011 - Mum and Iren ride to London Road

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23/10/2011 – Clayton to Blackcap

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

Went for a walk in the autumn sunshine (and wind 🙁 )

This was a fair walk for me, but proved to severly challenge poor Iren, unfortunatley this mean’t that I had to leave Iren at the Beacon and get the car to collect her (thankfully an hour or two later and she was fine)

We walked straight past the beacon and on to Blackcap where the terrain took it’s toll on Iren, we rested at the trig point before heading back.

At 3 miles to go we agreed that muggins would forge on ahead to collect the car and then pick up Iren at the Beacon – I’ve done power walks from  Clayton to the Beacon andback, but not a 3 miler after 6 1/2 have already been clocked. I have to say I seemed to fair better on the gills than I expected, but the legs and feet were feeling it by the time I got to the car

Unfortunately the GPS was not a happy bunny so we have no trace today 🙁

Although this did not have the desired result this was still the longest walk by Iren – well done 🙂

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16/10/2011 – Clayton to the Chattri with Iren

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

Today Iren ventured onto the bike from Clayton to the Chattri, we had aimed to do the Beacon to Black Cap but were too late to grab a parking space 🙁

At first Iren was nervous, this was not a nice flat cycle track, this was an unmetalled road with builder’s rubble in it’s make up.

Iren was very nervous on the initial ascent, but gradually you could see her getting used to the terrain.

At the top of the two paths Iren was given the choice of riding to the Beacon or  the Chattri, she chose the Chattri.

The  first path down has a narrow track which means care needs to be taken, Iren was clearly nervous but coped fine.

The second path is across a path, Iren was like a rocket across the field witha  big grin 🙂

The third path needed a bit more care, but Iren had got the idea by now and had no problem.

After showing Iren the Chattri we then had the long ride back which Iren & I both felt the ascent back to the top of the two paths.

Once back to the two paths we decided that we had done enough for the day (Iren has still just done 2 rides) .

For the ride back down the 2 paths Iren showed that she was learning how to ride on the rough tracks and her confidence was growing.

Overall a  good ride with an introduction to rough track riding for Iren.

16/10/2011 - Clayton to the Chattri with Iren

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09/10/2011 – Seven Sisters with Iren

Friday, October 14th, 2011

Yes, this was Iren’s first serious go at the sisters.

It was a reasonable day, not too cold or warm 🙂

We quickly passed the first sister before the steep descent down number 2 where muggins here showed Iren how NOT to descend (on me bum!)

We carried on all  the way to the top of the last sister before returning where Iren realised how tiring the walk is.

This was my 2nd attempt this year at the sisters and the best attempt, although still not up to last year’s standards 🙁

Third time lucky hopefully 🙂

09/10/2011 - Seven Sisters with Iren

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08/10/2011 – Mum tries the Hartfield cycle track

Friday, October 14th, 2011

Mum got to see the Hartfield cycle track heading towards Forest Row.

From the outset it was evident that mum was clearly at ease, she was away and virtually no lack of confidence.

She was riding past oncoming riders of all ages, sexes and abilities without flinching.

As you can see this was the longest ride that she has done, and she cycled much more than previous trips.

well done mum !

08/10/2011 - Mum tries the Hartfield cycle track

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02/10/2011 Cycling on the old railway trackway near Hartfield

Sunday, October 2nd, 2011

 This was Iren’s first ride with her bike so we decided to search out part of the trackway from East Grinstead to Groombridge.

Once located we found the track very wide, with easy gradients and condusive to a long ride.

As this was the first ride for Iren we had to stop a couple of times for adjustments to the seat height.

This was a pleasant ride, but at the extreme of Iren’s range for her first ride – she might need a comfy chair or will stand tonight 🙂

This ride has the ability to be extended for quite some distance – once Iren’s cured her saddle soreness – Crawley Down to Groombridge is some 14.2 miles long so by adding some roads then a ride of over 30 miles is possible, but we both will need to build on our stamina for such a distance.

This cycle track will be visited again, of that I have no doubt.

Here are the videos from today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3dkYOo85NU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zqn4dhSkaM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKs3lrHi3Ks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0gY5qB0w0I

02/10/2011 Cycling on the old railway near Hartfield

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01/10/2011 – Mum rides to London Road

Sunday, October 2nd, 2011

Mum got out on the bike to tackle paths behind her house running to London Road, Burgess Hill. Previously she had taken the bike down to the railway bridge but no further.

It was very evident where mum felt most comfortable as she was off like a shot, no scooting either, however it was also evident where she is far from comfortable as the speed drops and her confidence ebbs away.

Mum slowed down passing a corner where previously a dog had bounded out towards her and walked round. Once round the corner she was happy to cycle again all the way to the railway bridge.

Once past the railway bridge the track changes from a wide single track to two  narrow tracks with a grassy central section, a change that mum felt difficulty in adjusting to, the tracks were too narrow and the surface too loose and bumpy for her.

Despite her miscomfort she did make it for the first time to London road before returning home, once past the railway bridge she was up and running again.

Although the distance is less than previous runs, the terrain was more difficult (especially when compared with the Newhaven / Seaford track) so this was a worthy effort.

01/10/2011 - Mum rides to London Road

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