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October 26, 2008

IFB Go Kayaking

It rained a bit last night.
The obvious never crossed my mind, as The Sleeve and I set out on Sunday morning.

It wasn't too bad to begin with


And then we had a refusal at the first grade 3 rapids!


Elsewhere felt like autumn - a bit damp with overtones of fading watercolours


Even though the sun was shining the rain came down


It's a sad indictment of modern society that minority groups (like cyclists) are so badly treated?
At least I could lift my bike over he gate!


The red flag is flying on the hill, and Moorbottom Road is closed - there is an armed guard on the track!
We're forced to go over the top, which is unaffected by the wet weather


It's usually like this!


And look at the state of this pad!
One ride in the wet and it disintegrates!
You'll be telling me next I didn't "bed them in".
Well, I can tell you - I've had those pads in since June and they've been fine up until today!


October 19, 2008

Skillz pay Billz

Lee Quarry now boasts a Skillz Area.
Time for the Rooley Moor Rampage!

Brendan Semenuk was busy, but The Sleeve and Shaman came along.

Some light relief in the quarry as Nopies shows off on the Big Dipper.
He makes it look so easy! (Well, I suppose it is - just don't let go of the bars!)

It's a long way to go to burn a 'hot' vehicle.
I wonder what they used for a get-away vehicle from here?
Stole a mountain bike possibly?



and then it's a short hop over to Lee Quarry and an examination of the skillz area.
Some half-logs across pools of water of indeterminate depth (well, actually not very deep as I was to find out).

As well as the skinnies (and some easier ones to practise on) there's a teeter-totter.
That's a seesaw to you guys...get with the North Shore speak!

Even NoPies gives it a whirl, in his own unconvincing style

The verdict?
Worth half an hour on a balmy summer evening. It's a bit harder on an ordinary day of rain and wind.

And don't forget to call in at the bike wash on the way home - keeps the back of your car nice and clean!

October 13, 2008

Play Misty For Me

Don't bother with a camera and the weather's great, take it with me and you can't see a thing!

It's difficult to know where you're going in a pea souper,
For all I know we're going round in circles...


Dropping down out of the cloud and it's obvious where we are.


And if that's not obvious enough, you should recognise this one

The jaunt finishes in unseasonal sunshine


Just another Sunday ride.