The Breakfast Run..

This years London to Brighton training ride took place in wonderful sunshine.

Did we miss the wind and rain of last years??......

..er... no.

12 intrepid riders took part in this yearly event.

10 mountain bikes and only 2 road bikes this time.

They are learning slowly what "real" bikes are.

There was actually one real bike with us on Sunday.

Eric's lovely 1951 restored road bike.

We tried not to make too bigger fuss over it in case his head got big and he couldn't get his crash helmet on.

We took in 16 miles of warm and sunny country lanes on the way out to our breakfast stop.

It was just like an Enid Blighton book.

Five go riding in Surrey.

Except...there was 12 of us.

...and we weren't in Surrey..

The breakfast stop was a bit longer than normal.

There was a wait of 45 mins to get our food.

I had 2 cups of coffee while waiting and don't even drink coffee!!

I think they only had 3 plates so had to wait for people to finish before washing up and recycling the crockery.

It was worth waiting for though.

Hmmmm..... A number 6.

(drool)

The biggest fry-up in cafe history for a fiver.

On the return journey we split up into two groups.

The roadies did a road loop back home while the off-roaders zig zagged all over the county for the next 28 miles and 3 1/2 hours.

The trails were in very good condition considering that it had rained for several days before our ride.

Only a few mechanicals to report.

Two punctures and one broken chain.

To the rescue came both Steves producing rubber gloves from their bags.

What the hell they get up to on normal rides I wouldn't like to know.

Steve Elms also had a range of brass fittings in his saddlebag along with a large can of Brasso for those longer stops where you may need some extreme polishing to while away the time.

Everyone had a great day out and I bet will want to do it all over again soon.

Anyone seen my Baboon impression?

Many thanks to our leader for the day Haydn.

A sterling job done.

Many thanks also to Steve and Tracy for feeding us after the ride.

Those home made baked beans were just wonderful.

(parp!)

A Serious business this Mountain Bike Riding..

We put a lot of effort into our riding.

Last week we were riding up the side of mountains in Wales.

But...

There is a small minority of Carnival riders who just aren't taking things serious enough.

While the majority were slogging it up the climbs there were a few who just had to get there first.

And once there....

Take the Mickey out the rest of us buy performing Circus tricks.

So.

To those involved I say...

Stop it!

It isn't clever or funny!

Well..

I guess it is really.

What skill we have in our Carnival group eh?

:O)

DB

The May Welsh Weekend.

Still buzzing after a brilliant long weekend in Wales.
The bunkhouse was sitting there just where we left it last time.

On Friday we went and found a new trail just outside Betw Y Coed. The Penmachno trail turned out to be a little gem.
Four of us rode there in the blazing sunshine.
It was a flowy mountain route with nice climbs that didn't take the mickey out of our legs.
The downs were not over technical but still made ya grin.
The final two descents were worth the entry fee in themselves.
And I guess it was probably the first time a Big Hit has been ridden up into those mountains.
Well done to Darren who didn't whinge once (well maybe the once) about all the climbing.
Friday night saw the arrival of the rest of the Carnival. The atmosphere was great with loads of booze, banter and bolx going on.

The kitchen, for the breakfast fry-up, was heaving but still under the control of the lovely ladies who gave their all in the name of sport.
Many thanks to them for all the food over the weekend.
Well done Debbie, Dorrie, Tina and Gill.

Saturday ride was at Coed Y Brennin.
All trails have new names but are still the ones we know and love.
The Dragon trail was the chosen one for Saturday.
It's the Karrimore with a small loop hacked off.
More sunshine and great trails to ride.
I felt spoiled.
Then I felt cramp!
Then I felt like I shouldn't have drunk so much red wine the night before.
..but hey. It's a dirty job but someone has to do it.
:O)
In the evening we partied again and help Chris celebrate his "special" birthday.
(cough)*"50"*(cough)


Sunday came....
Mmmmmm.... more fry-ups for breakfast.
Then off to Penmachno again to show the others what we had discovered on our first day.
It was still a warm day but it had been raining during the night.
That made some of the rocky descents interesting.
Chris had an off into some rocks but luckily had his head to stop him damaging too much of the rest of his body.
He is old now.
He got the Carnival "left arm gash". A very sought after Scar ya know.
On the final run down to the carpark we lost Young Mark over the edge of the trail.
ooohh dear I thought as I watch him disappear.
Lucky for him he ended up laying in some bushes.
Still smiling.
Kids!
Later on the same track Darren lost it and had a roll around in rocks.
He was a bit the worse for that but later in the evening was chasing young ladies around the house so wasn't as bad as he said he was.
Then we went home to eat and party again.
Turned out to be Haydn's birthday too so we had to make an extra special effort to drink more.


Monday there was a bit of drizzle going on.
I was fooked and had a sore arse from all the riding so elected to go walk abouts with the ladies and Darren.
We drove to Machynlleth to find the Clymax trail.
While the Carnival rode that trail we walked around the town (5 mins)
....had some lunch in a cafe (1 hour)
...had a look in a bike shop (10 mins)
...then....
Had a car party!
Weyyy Heyyy.....
We know how to live the Rock'n'Roll life style.
On the Carnival's return we found out that Mark (Matador) Sims had received his Carnival "left arm gash".
Welcome to the club Mark.

There were loads of pictures taken and video shot over the weekend.
I hope to get it all sorted out and edited (to make my riding look good) ASAP.
We laughed a whole load.
Drank a whole load.
Rode a whole load
...and had a whole load of fun
Many thanks to everyone who made it the greatest road trip yet.