Fat Lad Rides Three Routes in Three Days

And feck me I’m suffering today for it.......

Sunday 28th August – Reservoir Raid Remix: 11.8 Miles

I rode up to the start point to meet Carol, Mick and Andy. It was a glorious morning and I was glad to be out. It was a fairly uneventful ride with good friends and Carol falling off quite a bit. Up past the church on the climb I turned the corner to find a dog in the path. Sorry but if your mutt is in my way when I’m actually getting up a climb it needs to move or get a Conti Gravity makeover.

The rest of the ride was a steady pedal home. And then Andy says: “Fancy a quick hour tomorrow kid?” I should see these things coming really......

Monday 29th August – Middleton Mosh Recon: 12.5 Miles

With the usual Fat Lad planning (i.e. last minute) I rode up to meet Andy at the chippy. Pete couldn’t make it but came over to the chippy to say hello anyway.

We decided to recce a section of woods I’ve been meaning to add to the ride for a while now and so it was tarmac all the way to Beirut Alley. Getting to where I knew I roughly needed to be using the GPS for what it was bought for we made our way up through the estate and up to the water tower via a nasty short road climb.

Into the woods, and for poor Andy who had to listen to them, a lot of good memories came flooding back to me. Many a night I spent misbehaving on the old Muddy Fox in these woods with good friends. Those trees have seen some bizarre mechanicals, awesome jumps and some crazy falls..

We rolled through the jump spot and arrived at what we’d ridden here for. The single track in Middleton Woods is awesome. It just flows so well. Small berms, take off points, switch backs. It just reminds you why you do it.

I don’t know if it’s the endorphins, the adrenaline or low blood sugar but I always feel like someone who was very close to me and was taken from us all far too soon is riding that singletrack with me. I miss you mate and I know there’s hills wherever you are.
Leading us out of the woods it took two attempts to find the right track but eventually I found it and we climbed back to the water tower and into the estate. Adding the descent from the woods and the momentum that comes with it to the final part of Beirut Alley makes the enclosed nature of the last path like the Death Star Trench scene from Star Wars.

Tuesday 30th August – Middleton Mosh:15.8 Miles

Once more 7pm rolled round and up to the chippy again for more riding. For once the chippy itself was packed and smelled bloody lovely..... With Gezz finish work later than planned and Chip’s mind still at SITS and forgetting he was on lates this week it was the hardcore Tuesday crowd of Pete, Sheila, Andy, Russ and I.

From the start we headed down Scotchman Lane and once again I went much much faster than my ability should allow and had a sphincter tightening moment when I hit 36 mph...

Up to the ruins and my legs were already struggling. It was horrendously humid and hot with every square inch of my body sweating.... ewww....

Pete waited for me at the top of the first climb and we rushed on to catch the rest up.

After a brief rest we made our way to the church and on seeing two old fella’s on the bench we decided to push through the churchyard. On the way past Pete got collared and had to listen to tales of times gone by while the rest of us made our way up the hill.

After Pete caught up we made our down past the drop and I made the short climb on the other side for a change.

From there we rolled to Beirut Alley and up into the new (for the Tuesday guys) section in Middleton Woods. It was the first time I’d ever done this singletrack in the dark and it did not disappoint! I thought it was feckin ace and from the smiles on other peoples faces they did too.

Sheila by now was flagging (yeah yeah me too...) and so rather than climb all the way back to the top of the woods we decided to go back to the road.

I knew there was a path at the bottom of the woods that brought us out of the woods and on to Dewsbury Road but it was dark and to completely honest I had no idea where I was. I was completely winging it. So when we got in sight of the road and could hear the Dam Busters theme being played on a xylophone I had to laugh. (I swear on Mrs. Fat Lads new shoes that this is true all the above riders heard what I did.... turned out to be an Air Cadet band)

At the top of the gravel stream by the White Rose we got discussing next years Sleepless in the Saddle. I’ve decided I’m going to give it ago and to talk some people into it with me. So far the plans include the name “Team Fat Lad” and a minimum weight qualification. Pete would have to go on a strict Fat Lad diet of pies and ale from now until then...

On the last climb of the night it took a monumental effort for both Sheila and I to make it to the top. And then it was home where I collapsed.

Ok so Memory Map reckons that I’ve done just over 40 miles over the three days and I know for most reading this you could probably manage that in one. However I’m willing to bet that you’re not just short of sixteen stone.....

Fat lad

Fat Lad Rides the Abridged Reservoir Remix

I’d had a shite day. The hearse was being laid to rest with a very poorly gear box that was going to cost four times it’s value to repair. Back to the Peasant Wagon again... I feckin hate public transport.
I nursed my automobile back from the garage to home and got ready for the ride. Fed, watered, suited and booted I was out of the door and on my way to Pete and Shiela’s. To say it’s August there was a twat of a headwind all the way there. I was fecked before I’d even started.

Pete and Shiela weren’t quite ready yet so I pootled over to the car park to see if anyone else was there. Rolling up to Gezz’s car, propped up against the wall was an On-One inbred singlespeed. “Which lunatic is riding that?” I asked Castleford’s own answer to Morresy (thinking we had another loon besides Roachy joining the one f*cking speed fraternity). Turns out it was his. Ah. I pulled my foot out of my mouth just as Pete and Sheila arrived. With Andy in Majorca (bastard) and Roachy with a bust knee (Don’t ask, It involves a wheelie bin) we got out shit together and set off. With Russell riding here from Wakefield and with the wind we decided on a shorter route for the night.

Down the track across from the school Pete and Russ played on the gravel mound as the rest of us made our way down. From the track through Nam, Pete became titsup in the foliage much to amusement of all us present.

From there I raced Gezz up the hill to the cricket club and lost. I’ll say no more.

Steady away to home, a good ride to finish a piss poor day.

Fat Lad Rides The Chip Chase

Sunday mornings should be about sleeping in, the morning papers and hangovers. Instead the 6:55am alarm wakes me from inappropriate dreams of Kylie.

With fading memories of everyones favourite antipodean pop princess fading I got into Andy’s van and we made our way to the Newmiller Dam starting point.

Getting there on time (somebody else driving you see...) there was already a fair group getting ready to go. Out to play this morning included Chip, Mick, Carol, Bob, Steve, Andy and Myself. With Everybody suited and booted we were off, straight into what feels like a 1 in 2 climb up to the woods surrounding the lake. At the top it was up and down through the singletrack and over the roots. Carol set the tone of the day after a damp tyre/slippy root interaction pushed her over onto her side before she could get unclipped.

With only ten minutes gone it was time for a break. Quite literally. Andy’s carbon fibre seat post decided to crack. Andy lowered the seat post into the frame and off we went.

It was time for a first for me. When I do the Newmiller ride with the Thursday guys I have to cut out a piece of single track a couple of miles in. I do this to save my legs and so everybody doesn’t get too pissed off waiting for me. So it was big grin time when I had chance to ride it. If I’d decided to miss it I would have missed Carol’s Indiana jones trick!

Taking a right turn round a tree on the singletrack Carol started to fall, like a shot she threw out her arm, hooked it round the trunk and using her momentum sling shotted herself upright. I swear you couldn’t make this shit up.

From there we got out on to the small moor section and back into what I think is the best piece of singletrack in Wakefield. It swoops, it turns, it flows, it just feckin rocks. Ahem. Just wipe myself down and carry on.

We pedalled on hitting the dismantled railway Andy’s seatpost getting shorter all the time, turn his fine steed into something resembling more and more like a 8 year old’s bike.

Remaining highlights of the ride included: Puncture in my front wheel. The nightmare of gorse up by Heath common and the delight of everybody descending the first climb of the day.

By the time we rolled back into the car park the GPS reckoned we had done 23 miles. I don’t know how long it is since I’ve done a ride that long but I reckon it must be five years plus. I had an absolute blast of a time, but I think my legs hate me now.

Fat Lad

Fat Lat Rides the Reservoir Raid Remix

Well bugger me (actually on second thoughts, errrm don't) a real life post and everything.

So my logs tell me some people still come here and look so I'm sure your going to get the shock of your life when there is actually something to read.....

So with Thursday's ride being just a lot shit, I was anticipating the Sunday ride with lots of enthusiasm. I Dragged my fat arse downstairs to get some breakfast in Mrs Fat Lads fluffy dressing gown as I couldn't find mine. (Hey that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!)
Fed,changed and watered I made my way to the chippy to meet with Andy, Pete and Shiela. We had decided earlier in the week to follow our noses as the first wooded section we normally go through hosts Clay Pigeon shooting on occasion. There might be plenty of padding back there but I still don't fancy pulling any shot out of it.

So we wizz down Scotchman Lane and I use my "gravity advantage" to coast past everybody and scare my self with a 36mph speed wobble, from there we took a left past the stables and onto the first climb of the morning. It was turning out to be a glorious day and in the gorgeous sunshine I sweated the ascent stopping for a breather half way. This was Shiela's first ride for a while as Pete kept stealing her bike while his was being repaired (don't ask, it involves many tales of woe with a certain Batley bike shop) and so she was struggling too.

Flying down Quarry lane and making our way past the church I coasted down the grass verge getting out of the saddle ready for the short blast to the cornfield climb to find Andy and Pete not quite up it yet and had to do my SPD dance to get out of the pedals in time. Still gave everybody else a giggle.

From there we cut down the side of the British Oak pub to find the path almost entirely blocked,I swear one of these days I'm going to take a saw with me and sort this out once and for all! But for a complete change we welcomed a fence that now encloses someones grounds that we'd always felt a bit wierd riding across....

Anyways... much like my navigation.. this has all got a bit of course. Round the reservoir through the woods and it was time to head out towards the trail Pete has named "Beirut Alley". Last time we were there we got bottles thrown at us by the locals, while on this occasion the missiles were thankfully absent, the trail was still covered in broken glass and various other chav detritus.

Up through the White Rose Centre car park and on to a path I have not missed at all. The Gravel Stream. I feckin hate it. 2" deep of loose gravel on an incline. I'll leave it at that.
From that misery we rode parralel to the railway track which in winter is really boggy and was a joy to ride in the dry.

Regular riding should be doing wonders for my fitness, but I've never really noticed it. From the railway crossing to the main road via the farm was always a struggle historically but this morning I seemed to coast up it. Don't get me wrong I was still fecked when I got to the top but I've definitely got quicker.

Two minutes from home is where I decided to follow the rest and go into the woods via Rooms Lane and finish my self off good and proper. Andy and Pete steamed ahead and missed the turning but thats what you get for being faster than me :)

Through the woods it was back home with a big grin and some sore legs.

Fat Lad

I'm not linking the logs and files here from now on, as they can be found on the left.