So after the horrid knee cramps and use of the shock horror granny ring last week I was determined to prove I could get back to where I was in the winter before breaking my elbow.
So I headed out with the sole intention of hitting the most climbs I could in my local area, after a short spin down Valley Walk to Rodbridge to take in a quick lap of the picnic area which is pretty flat but very tight in places, not just either side of you but also from over hanging trees. After this little warm up I headed up the long but reasonably mellow double track up to Borley and then a long road slog up to Bulmer once at Bulmer you get a nice respite with an open wide loose gravel downhill which you can bash in to the hardest gear and stomp it to reach rather ridiculous speeds, if you feeling adventurous hit the sides for some wall ride action. This then takes you in to a short but very steep and tricky ride uphill which is sandy, rutted and loose what a great combination, upon reaching the top hook a left into the roller-coaster, a steep double track with a few little lumps to jump then up a short sharp single track blast into a very narrow single track decent the a quick climb which is achievable with little effort after the downhill, into a tight left hander to traverse along the side of the hill over a fallen tree and then right onto the edge of the curved dirt steps, I think the council put these in to make it better for walkers to get up but in doing so they made a cracking berm round the outside of the steps. A quick joining section to the next steep tight climb into a valley like downhill which you can wall ride a good 8 foot off the bottom. After that torturous section it's a nice spin down the railway line to Cornard, the country park is a slog once your legs are tired starting with a promising bit of single track across a field and you're in to more climbing double track in to single track a break as you cross the park through a bit more single track which has a table top in the middle down some step and then a little set of kickers which makes all the hard work so far worth while, a short steep climb to the valley which is a wicked downhill with the sides barely a couple of foot from the bars and going pretty much straight up either side of you, (Think star wars blowing up the deathstar) more kickers along here which you can get some real silly height and distance on, big smile. at the risk of getting boring. Up another long steep climb and then along to Old Joes golf course, cheeky nip round the back and into Shawlands Wood. Nice downhill through the woods, 4 foot drop at speed over a small double/ tabletop more twisty single track and then one more long climb before heading relieved downwards towards home. I was done, sweaty, achy and tired but very very happy with my effort. With no cramp mild back pain and relatively happy legs today I think I made a step in the right direction, In a week I've gone from being miserable about my fitness to hoping I can get entry in to a race for next month.
See route here: http://bit.ly/m602OF
ReatinRides on.
