Me & my shadow + 1

Me & my shadow + 1
Originally uploaded by ebygomm

A quick blast roundabout

OS Openspace

Routes over OS 50k maps, how exciting!

Easter in the Lake District

We're far too hardy (or foolish) to let a forecast of snow put us off camping so we set off for Turner Hall Farm Campsite, got pitched in a relatively sheltered spot after only a minor mishap getting the car stuck in the mud. Luckily Mik managed to push me out but not before I'd sprayed mud all over the side of someones campervan! Had a wander around, stocked up on supplies and spent my Christmas money on a lovely Down jacket that proved money very well spent over the course of the weekend. Arrived back at the campsite to be greeted by howling winds, going to bed hungry was the favoured option over trying to cook. One very noisy night later (although the tent stood up admirably) we woke up to find several tents had disappeared in the night and it was still very windy.

Not to be deterred we set off for Grizedale and were surprised to find glorious sunshine and shelter from the wind amongst the trees. Ten minutes into the ride we found we were stripping off the layers. Found the North Face Trail to be really nice, some slightly technical stuff amongst the trees then amazing views to make the boring riding along the fire roads worthwhile. Unfortunately the trip was cut slightly short by somebody falling of his bike and hurting his thumb (and his shoulder and ripping his jacket) but was good nonetheless. Thankfully the wind had calmed considerably by the evening and with my recently purchased jacket we could sit and cook outside quite happily.

Sunday morning and the world was white. Not quite snow where we were, more frozen sleet but pretty all the same. Finally registered that the strange sounds in the night had been ice sliding off the flysheet. A fairly relaxing day since the injured one wasn't up to much, driving round, seeing some places we'd not seen before, going for a few short wanders.

Monday morning and time for home, although not before one rather scary drive over Wrynose pass complete with frozen snow on the road.

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Ashover Circuit

   

Managed to squeeze in a nice 12km ride today without getting rained on :-) Lots of lovely single track down through the woods.


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Cannock Chase - Follow the Dog

After follow the dog
Originally uploaded by ebygomm

A trip to Cannock Chase to check out the XC course there. It was really great, not even marred by the fact my chain snapped half way round, pulling the rear mech into the back wheel and I had to complete the course only using two gears because of a severely shortened chain. As the picture demonstrates, it was a little bit muddy, not surprising considering the amount of rain.
Total Distance: 6.3 miles



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2008!

   

HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAVE A GREAT 2008!

Wonderful Wonderful Copenhagen

      

Friendly old girl of a town...

Sunny skies greeted us in Copenhagen. A quick visit to the Little Mermaid and pleased to find she was all in one piece. Then a walk around Kastellet, a fortification constructed in a pentagram, with an obligatory photo sitting on a canon. Our next stop was to be Vor Frelsers Kirke - Our Saviour's Church - which has spiral stairs leading around the outside of the spire but disappointingly it was closed for renovations. A look at the pretty colours of Nyhavn and then a wander down the Strøget to the Rundetårn. A climb to the top of the round tower doesn't involve lots of stairs, but rather a ramp that winds its way to the top. Views of all of Copenhagen greeted us at the top along with a glimpse of Sweden across the water.

As it got dark it was time to go to Tivoli, an amusement park right in the centre of Copenhagen. Luckily for us we knew the right people so avoided the monster queues to get in. It all felt very festive, lots of sparkling Christmas lights but really we were there for the rides...which were fun, but one of the main ones broke down right before we were due to go on, and it's not quite Alton Towers!