Twilight Follow the Dog

While happier clocking up miles on the road, I do enjoy a ride on my MTB, helped by the fact it is a Mercian! So, as Autumn is in full swing and the evenings are getting a little darker, I decided to take a twilight ride around Follow the Dog on Cannock Chase, easy for me as just a 10 minute drive away!

My closest parking spot means I join the route just after the first section, as dusk was approaching, I was surprised to see so many others seemingly just setting off, finishing the first section at least, even more surprised that I was catching and leaving most behind, I gave them the benefit of deciding they had done "other" routes or 1 lap or already!

Good lights are needed and I must get some! I use two "Cree" ones off Ebay, cheap and cheerful and on the road commute are great, on the lumpy Cannock Chase routes, well they move about a little, meaning that constant adjustment is required! 

Now, I am not the most skillful mountain biker and even a small descent down rocks can cause me to  un-clip, but in the fading light, you don notice some of the obstacles and so riding them without "fear" is easier, or fool hardy?, any way I do think that it also helps with confidence and improving skill.   

On my own and in the growing darkness, owls hooting, occasional red eyes picked out by my lights, it does bring out a certain primeval feeling and the heart beat does rise... but its great fun - and I must do more of the same..... see you on the Trails!

 

   

Christine Bottrill Cancer Research UK 4.3TT

For the second year running we attended the Christine Bottrill 4.3TT, a 4.3 time trial organised by Christine`s son Mark, hosted by Coalville Wheelers and run on their 4.3mm TT coarse.

Fun is the aim, alongside raising funds for Cancer Research UK, 2020 was the 4th year for the event, with a sum just short of £3,000.00 raised, a total over the 4 years of just short of £10,000.00 - you can donate Here.

Last year, the Wheelers clubs house was full to overflowing, tea and cake in plentiful supply and lots of "banter". We were not sure of what to expect, a full on TT or madcap fancy dress event, in the end it turned out to be somewhere between the two, so me on my "tall bike" and James riding the Shopper "swing-bike" fitted in well and we were welcomed, and questioned about our choice of "rides". Not sure if there is a World Record for a 4.3 mile tt on either bike, we maybe should have checked. We enjoyed ourselves enough to place the date on our 2020 calendars.       

Along came Covid, events cancelled here, there and everywhere, but with some Covid guidelines and sensible planning the ride was cleared to go. 11th October dawned, following the wet and miserable day before, bright and sunny, as it was last year. Bikes packed and then the short drive to Griffydam and Coalville Wheelers Clubhouse, staggered arrivals and the Clubhouse being closed (apart from the toilet) might have made for a more subdued event, but laughter was in the air and the various fancy dress outfits made for a great morning.

James was dressed as a "courier" on his "fixie", myself Elliot and ET with a Halloween theme! 

I also removed my 1980`s Coalville Wheelers jersey from its (picture) frame and managed to fit in to my "costume". 

A great event, and one already on the Calendar for 2021.