Cannock Chase in the sunshine...

This Sunday 10 Carnival riders joined Eamonn and his two boys Tom And James for a great blast around Cannock.
Weather was sunny and very warm.
Trails were as dry and dusty as I've ever seen there.
That made the going super fast and flowing.
Eamonn took us on a tour of some of his "special" areas.

All the tracks were riding fast and flowy with the odd surprise to keep us on our toes. One actually didn't keep me on my toes. It kept me on my backside.
There were a few stacks during the morning.
I saw Tracy sliding off on a loose off-camber corner.
Stevo fell in the woods on one of those tricky rooty corners and had a quick roll around in the dirt.
Both jumped up smiling.
I missed James and Eamonn coming off but heard about it later.
I lost it big time while thinking to myself how well I was riding (as you do).
Probably the largest stack I've had in a couple of years.
I has to happen every now and then eh?
Hung up a front wheel on a fast descent and off I went in amongst roots logs and something hard and pointy that hit me right on the right-hand side sitting down bone.
I did have a bit of bother sitting down in the saddle after that but there were no volunteers to inspect the damage so I just had to guess all was still intact down there. This was the outcome of the incident.
It wasn't easy riding side saddle for the last hour or so.
:O)
Moments to make you smile were plenty.
Seeing the whole group going off a random set of steps that were just sitting there in the middle of nowhere.
Surprise!
Made me laugh anyway..
I was having too much fun to take that many pictures.
I think Gill got some nice ones though.
We got some food at the visitor centre before finishing the ride on the famous "Follow the dog" trail.
I must say that Eamonn's trails in the morning were a lot more flowy that the man made stuff.

"Follow the dog" was a fun trail but a bit lumpy and bumpy with quite bad braking bumps. Redeeming features were the wooded wiggly bits and the boardwalk that was fun.
Back at the carpark we took the time to chill with a drink and a chat before coming away.
Many thanks again to Eamonn for the guiding.
Good to see everyone having a great day.
Roll on next time.
All the pictures are on Fotopic Website now.

On top of the world....

Easter Friday at 05:00hrs we set off to Snowdonia to ride the highest ridable mountain in the UK.

It was more like a 3 hour hike-a-bike than 100% riding to get to the top but, once at the summit, it was worth the effort.

Standing on the 1,085mtr peak of Snowdon was something special.We had packed everything we may need for the ascent except SUNCREAM!!!

So, as we frazzled in the soaring temperature at the top of the world, we could be happy in the fact that we had all lugged extra layers and waterproofs with us for no reason!!

Oh well. That's global warming for ya.

The Rangers Trail descent down the other side of Snowdon was terrific fun.

All loose shale, slate slabs, steep stepped drops and all very technical and scary in places.

A shout-out to the two young lads here for some great riding.

Nicky and Stevo were riding stuff they haven't dreamed about before.

They were having to get on with it because the rest of us were concentrating on saving our own hides.

Well done as well to Alex.

She was riding stuff she hasn't been able to for nearly a year now.

Phew..

A lot of energy spent that day.

Thanks to all 7 of the Carnival who put a lot in and got a whole lot more out of the ride.

Well done to the support team (Dorrie and Sarah).

I think they walked up the mountain faster than we got up there.

Easter Sunday Was another sunny and warm day so we went for a bike ride.

as you do..

What a lovely day too.

The scenery over Wheathamstead way needed to be seen to be believed.

A nice day for the Carnival "Crocks" to stretch their legs.

Mickey.......pulled muscles doing the garden on the Friday.

Mark.......sprained ankle playing badminton the week before.

Halford......hurt ribs from last weekend's ride.

Mind you. Only one of them moaned constantly about the pain.

I think you can guess who that was.

Easter Monday was another glorious day.

So....

Yes. You guessed. We went for a bike ride.A local blast around some of our favourite trails.

We ended up at a country pub where the wives and kids joined us.What a nice end to a great weekend.

Beer and a meal in the sunshine with your mates.

Thanks all for a really good weekend.

:O)

There are more pictures on my Fotopic website.

I would go see 'em now before they find out I've gone well over the maximum storage allowance.

oops.... :O)