Were back on Singletrack ;-) and you need a note from your mum to miss tonights ride.

SingleTrack are running The Velo Store as part of their Tuesday Treat. Theres some great prize's on offer too.

Dave Johnson wants some sort of copy right payment for the Williams sisters gag, Erm just speak to Tom or Simon and they will sort you straight out Dave.

And whilst were on the Tuesday theme Im wandering how many excuses were gonna for not being able to make our first minus temp night ride of this season especially with England Germany on. Im riding and so is Simon, we've had tow feeble and one kind of reasonable excuse. Anyone else got a note from their mum ??

Wellies, journalist's, an lobby ?

All three were out last night on our Velo Store Tuesday night ride,
for the first time we had a rider out in wellies, Pete (not me) had just finished walking the dog and thought it might be a good idea to keep the wellies on as it was a tad damp. It was truly a site to behold as he rode away from me on Beech caves, in the group standing up on the pedals. Im not sure if it will catch on though.

Better equipped to tell us would be Dave Smith of presently of roadreel.com, Ive wasted a whole morning watching it and laughing, absolutely brilliant.

Those slimmer ones amongst us and Dave Johnson finished the ride in the Star with beer and  ......




 See you Tuesday !!

Hip Flasks and Coffee

Tuesday Night for many means one thing, Night Riding, and the same goes for the Mtb crew in the Velo Store.

Last night was special one for one particular customer, Bos (pictured below) who hours before had bought the Whyte G150. It was only the second one in any store in Great Britain and he was certainly the first member of the General Public to own one.

And so it was to the night ride which as always kept to the strict 6.00pm departure and left at about 10 past (mostly my fault). It was a tad damp as we picked up Jonathan Turner on the White Bridge were a quick grunt and nod of the head were exchanged before we proceeded to weave our way up-to Hanchurch woods. Mr Turner nearly took honours on Beech cave climb but was pipped by Skinny Si Williams. The slightly more Robust Dave Johnson and Me (MR J) were third and forth respectively. 

Loop's were completed with extra climbs thrown in and descents were had mostly completed using the slide and fall technique.

here's the Route

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It was then that hip flasks were extracted and chit chat started. Highland Park & Laphoriag were voted best  on show. Reluctantly flasks were put away and The Barlaston  motorway was eventually hit via some brambly detours and one sore lip. Legs span and battles were fought, Simon tried to push Jon in the canal,  and a few PBs were grabbed. 

Eventually it was back to the shop, bikes packed, files collected and then home. For me it was shower, pasta bake and Tea, for others there may have been a night cap.

And so it is that I am sat 20 minutes before my Rural Derbyshire schools meeting drinking very good coffee in Le Mistral in Wirksworth

Last of the Summer Rides

Last of the Summer Rides,

With Northerly winds forecast to bring in the first of this Autumn's cold weather later this week meaning from here in it's probably time to don the winter jackets and boots as well as under helmets buffs and eventually wind proof skull caps.  Last night was single layer shorts and chat time as the Velo Tuesday night ride headed up to Hanchurch woods via canal towpaths, across golf courses and through the fishing pools.  Early casualties were Jon Sparkes (Tyre issues) and a few non starters (who had early starts the next day) Before getting to Hanchurch though it was a quick push through Down Banks were Graham moved to Strava third (on a single speed !!) on the Knaim & No. climb and then through spooky woods  were Simon Williams got 4th on Clay canyon and Dave Johnson moved to 4th on Spooky Woods Wolf run.

By the time we hit road (and met Piley) on the Woods exit the hope 4‘s were on  and the pace picked up for the Tarmac run up to and past Poachers cottage, and a pleasant Spin through the Golf Course.

Charles who was riding his slightly over specked Orange Patriot really enjoyed the Fishing pool and The Rooty Climb climbs and would of course have smiled more if he hadn't got a few broken ribs. This was evident in that he only picked up one 2nd place on Strava and no KOM’s, well down on his normal five or six.

Dark was up, trails were lost and found and before we knew it were heading back down through Beech caves were Paul, on only his third ride, showed us he wasn't backing down from anything. And so back to Alternate M6 and spin back to the shop for bike loading and, in my and Graham's case, a quick check on tomorrows work.

And so to next Tuesday where I'm predicting more layers, more dark, possibly more wet, but definitely more smiles. 

* The Velo Store ride every Saturday From 9.00 (road inclusive pace) Every Tuesday 18.00 Mountain (social but usually over 20 miles) last Sunday every month Cafe Run (60+ miles 17 MPH average) If you fancy trying one of our rides, all three are free - just turn up with a suitable bike and kit.