24.5.06
Back from the Peaks
Colin's pretty good at trashing stuff. The only thing that can be saved from these two sorry mechs are the (rather worn) jockey wheels. Crikey.
The ride was a 3.30am start in the rain on saturday - two hours after we called it a night and went off to get some kip. We got back to the flat at 2.30pm. Pics at some point soon.
19.5.06
Macbook update
Haven't had a chance to do much to the new Macbook over the past couple of days, but Boot Camp is going on this morning, followed by our labs version of XP.
First looks published ages ago and now up on PCW and on The Inquirer. Mike's given it a bit of spin. The review is a little scrappy, and I could do better. Will do with the full review for Computeractive.
First looks published ages ago and now up on PCW and on The Inquirer. Mike's given it a bit of spin. The review is a little scrappy, and I could do better. Will do with the full review for Computeractive.
Almost ready for Sheffield
Sheffield Uni Pizza Hut ride this weekend. 4am start, 60 miles. Eek.
Mostly packed and ready to go to Sheffield. Not with that bike, mind. Driving to Sheffield tonight, 4am start tomorrow morning. Sixty miles at least, according to Sheffield Uni MBC.
Weather looking rather pants in all directions. Bugger.
At least some good beer last night at the S&G...
Mostly packed and ready to go to Sheffield. Not with that bike, mind. Driving to Sheffield tonight, 4am start tomorrow morning. Sixty miles at least, according to Sheffield Uni MBC.
Weather looking rather pants in all directions. Bugger.
At least some good beer last night at the S&G...
17.5.06
New Macbook on test
Just back from a briefing at Apple's London offices with a bunch of other journos and a couple of analysts. Not only did we get to wipe our mitts over the new Macbook, but several of us got seeding units to play with for a week or so.
The black MacBook is more expensive - I imagine that's all over the internet now - but the finish is matte, not shiny. It's more velvety that my old G3 Pismo, and I quite like it, but not at that price. The intention is that this one will fill the shoes of the old 12" PowerBook, by the way.
That display is glossy - Apple's very keen on telling us about it, as more people seem to be using their laptops to watch films. The reflection is from the 5bn megawatt searchlights in the office. In reality, it's just nice and shiny.
Undo two screws in the battery bay, and you can slide extra memory in or out, which is an improvement over the old iBooks. There was some muttering about doing the same with the hard drive, but I haven't got the Phillips head screwdriver out yet. Mwahahaha.
Keep an eye on Personal Computer World's site and Computeractive's site for updates in the near future. It's press day here, you see.
The black MacBook is more expensive - I imagine that's all over the internet now - but the finish is matte, not shiny. It's more velvety that my old G3 Pismo, and I quite like it, but not at that price. The intention is that this one will fill the shoes of the old 12" PowerBook, by the way.
That display is glossy - Apple's very keen on telling us about it, as more people seem to be using their laptops to watch films. The reflection is from the 5bn megawatt searchlights in the office. In reality, it's just nice and shiny.
Undo two screws in the battery bay, and you can slide extra memory in or out, which is an improvement over the old iBooks. There was some muttering about doing the same with the hard drive, but I haven't got the Phillips head screwdriver out yet. Mwahahaha.
Keep an eye on Personal Computer World's site and Computeractive's site for updates in the near future. It's press day here, you see.
16.5.06
Adventure...
...appears to be where you find it. Good bit of graffiti by the Shell building outside Waterloo this morning. Camera does not show general overcast industrial grimness to its full extent...
15.5.06
More Summer Lightning re-opened
After all the logging earlier this year, the last two bits of Summer Lightning have been close. we opened one a while back, but it somehow didn't ride the same without trees. To the final section got a different treatment yesterday. We just cleared a route, adn asked people to ride it in. We'll bench it properly once the line has come up.
Seb uses Universal Berm Shaping Tool #1
Please ride the trail in...
Doesn't look like much, but there's a semi-ridable trail in there somehow. The tape shows a rough guide to the line. Various people cleared it comfortably in 32x16.
Seb uses Universal Berm Shaping Tool #1
Please ride the trail in...
Doesn't look like much, but there's a semi-ridable trail in there somehow. The tape shows a rough guide to the line. Various people cleared it comfortably in 32x16.
12.5.06
Howies sample sale
Louisa at Liverpool Street in a suit. TFL means dressing up. Dom arrives in shorts and a tee. Raluca and James already installed. James has been splurging on beer at The Big Chill for a few hours after surveying the Tower of Westminster.
The sample sale is a bunfight. More courier bags than you can shake a stick at (we boast three between the five of us). Polite edging between racks and racks of Colwyn Bay product on the cheap. Prices made up by hungover employees on the fly - easy on the generous, but not as much of a bargain as when they sold stuff to TK Maxx a few years back.
D&L head off to a proper dinner. The rest of us are sucked towards the Truman Brewery barbeque like the guzzling fools we are. Everyone squats on the kerbs and snarfs gorgeous burgers, haloumi, aubergine and cold, cold beer. Smoke drifts from the barbie and down a street chockablock with bicycles. Big bike count. Ditto for the hipsters.
Two pubs - one by the old market, and the Star & Garter next to my work on the way back. Nice cold IPA. Everyone drifts off on the last train back. Big bags stuffed full of cheap gear. I've picked up two merino tops - one for biking, one for sailing. Can't wait to try them out in the Irish sea this summer.
The sample sale is a bunfight. More courier bags than you can shake a stick at (we boast three between the five of us). Polite edging between racks and racks of Colwyn Bay product on the cheap. Prices made up by hungover employees on the fly - easy on the generous, but not as much of a bargain as when they sold stuff to TK Maxx a few years back.
D&L head off to a proper dinner. The rest of us are sucked towards the Truman Brewery barbeque like the guzzling fools we are. Everyone squats on the kerbs and snarfs gorgeous burgers, haloumi, aubergine and cold, cold beer. Smoke drifts from the barbie and down a street chockablock with bicycles. Big bike count. Ditto for the hipsters.
Two pubs - one by the old market, and the Star & Garter next to my work on the way back. Nice cold IPA. Everyone drifts off on the last train back. Big bags stuffed full of cheap gear. I've picked up two merino tops - one for biking, one for sailing. Can't wait to try them out in the Irish sea this summer.
Wednesday evening ride
Back from work too late for the Abinger Hatch ride. Spring-green fields in the half light are the colour of al dente broccoli through train windows. The ride home pauses in the middle of the vineyard again. Look left - Ranmore. Right - Box Hill. lower down, surrounded by vines with meaty green shoots.
Churn back from the station on 40x16, Spokey-Dokeys clacking and pinging like broken bottom bracket bearings.
Bit of air in the DeKerf's rear tyre, quick rummage through the kit box to find bike clothing that isn't in the wash. On with the hated bug spray that turns lips numb and insensitive like the biocide it is. Rather that than the big red wheals of last weekend's bugfest, though.
Two minutes of scrabbling find the Lumicycle battery and lamp, then out the door and thrashing like a wounded buffalo through the car park and towards the one way system.
Up to the hardware shop, down past the Waitrose, turn right past Dan's bike shop, and left by the pub to get to the scrap yard. Steady climb on fireroad up the side of Ranmore, then a happy bimble down to Neil's farm. The goats are out this evening. Greensands hills a mile away, trees throwing shapes on the fields in the low evening sunlight.
Through Westcott, past the Cricketers and James, Dom and Louisa's house. Cheeky drop to the
bottom of the Rookery, and a tired rumble up the climb. Half a metre of rain-cleansed dirt wide. Turn left at the top, saying hi to the Evans ride coming in the other direction. Numpty at the back doesn't know to give way to climbing riders. Last guy is more understanding, and even says Hi.
Cool under the trees. Heartbeat thudding in time to the Pixies' U-Mass as it runs on a tape loop in my head. Tweaky singletrack beside greensands way. Crispy sand, moist grip from two days of rain and warmth.
Legs complain from four days' solid riding last week. Arms niggle from bug bites. Nose itches from bug juice. The Pixies seem to have taken up residence. Bone Machine, then Where is my mind? Too much time plugged into the iPod.
Ducklings squabble in a pool left by monstrous logging vehicles the size of bungalows.
Setting sun smears a wash of purple and orange across the far side of the valley. A quick rummage for the lights, then back down Summer Lightning. Pick back through Wolvens, down Billy is a Runaway. Not enough light, too fast, wobbly brakes. Deep breath. Take it easy. Cheeky illegal singletrack back past Westcott, aiming for the middle of Dorking. Woods slightly chilly now, populated by ghostly dog walkers and excited mutts.
One last berm, drift a little, tyres catch on Asphalt. Rear lights on, churn back into town past pubs and antique shops. The bottom bracket is still knocking. Worry, worry. Back to a tub of home made Kiwi fruit ice cream.
Churn back from the station on 40x16, Spokey-Dokeys clacking and pinging like broken bottom bracket bearings.
Bit of air in the DeKerf's rear tyre, quick rummage through the kit box to find bike clothing that isn't in the wash. On with the hated bug spray that turns lips numb and insensitive like the biocide it is. Rather that than the big red wheals of last weekend's bugfest, though.
Two minutes of scrabbling find the Lumicycle battery and lamp, then out the door and thrashing like a wounded buffalo through the car park and towards the one way system.
Up to the hardware shop, down past the Waitrose, turn right past Dan's bike shop, and left by the pub to get to the scrap yard. Steady climb on fireroad up the side of Ranmore, then a happy bimble down to Neil's farm. The goats are out this evening. Greensands hills a mile away, trees throwing shapes on the fields in the low evening sunlight.
Through Westcott, past the Cricketers and James, Dom and Louisa's house. Cheeky drop to the
bottom of the Rookery, and a tired rumble up the climb. Half a metre of rain-cleansed dirt wide. Turn left at the top, saying hi to the Evans ride coming in the other direction. Numpty at the back doesn't know to give way to climbing riders. Last guy is more understanding, and even says Hi.
Cool under the trees. Heartbeat thudding in time to the Pixies' U-Mass as it runs on a tape loop in my head. Tweaky singletrack beside greensands way. Crispy sand, moist grip from two days of rain and warmth.
Legs complain from four days' solid riding last week. Arms niggle from bug bites. Nose itches from bug juice. The Pixies seem to have taken up residence. Bone Machine, then Where is my mind? Too much time plugged into the iPod.
Ducklings squabble in a pool left by monstrous logging vehicles the size of bungalows.
Setting sun smears a wash of purple and orange across the far side of the valley. A quick rummage for the lights, then back down Summer Lightning. Pick back through Wolvens, down Billy is a Runaway. Not enough light, too fast, wobbly brakes. Deep breath. Take it easy. Cheeky illegal singletrack back past Westcott, aiming for the middle of Dorking. Woods slightly chilly now, populated by ghostly dog walkers and excited mutts.
One last berm, drift a little, tyres catch on Asphalt. Rear lights on, churn back into town past pubs and antique shops. The bottom bracket is still knocking. Worry, worry. Back to a tub of home made Kiwi fruit ice cream.
10.5.06
Dartmoor ponies again
This time it's Emma's Crackandfail, sorry, Cannondale, getting all the attention.
9.5.06
Kathy in Dirt Rag
I took this pic of Kathy riding on Caspers a few years ago, and didn't really do anything with it. then I sent a copy over to Dirt Rag, and they seem to like it. Might be worth buying issue 121. I'm as excited as I was when my first story was published ages back. Can't wait
Last pics from Dartmoor, courtesy of James
Dartmoor ponies appear to be into rubber in a big way. They're curious little bleeders, and went straight for the grips on Raluca's Kona, before nibbling the tyres and saddles too. Emma's Cannondale and my Orange got the same treatment. We were laughing too hard to chase the entire herd of about 15 of them away effectively.
Pics from the Peaks
Colin - somewhere above Hope on the Roman Road. One of the last shots taken with my little Sony before I squashed it.
Col again, and again with the Roman Road.
That plume of smoke on the right is from a big old cement works slap bang in the middle of a huge area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) - it went in before the AONB control order came into effect.
x-35
Looks like we'll be on one of these for the racing season next year. It most definitely *won't* be called Cool Runnings, though. Probably something a bit ruder.
X-yachts have a good history of making fast, one-design cruiser-racers, and the 35 looks a peach. This one has been trouncing the opposition so far.
Pretty clean cockpit layout - german mainsheet led under the side decks. Even the backstay is concealed, and in just the right spot on the track pedestal for the mainsheet trimmer to tweak it upwind. Note the grip tape on the wheel supports for handy helmsman hiking (Ooh. Alliteration)
A pretty clean coachroof after six years on a 707! Most of the key controls are dual - led to each side.
Simple bow set up pt. 1 - no muss, mo fuss.
X-yachts have a good history of making fast, one-design cruiser-racers, and the 35 looks a peach. This one has been trouncing the opposition so far.
Pretty clean cockpit layout - german mainsheet led under the side decks. Even the backstay is concealed, and in just the right spot on the track pedestal for the mainsheet trimmer to tweak it upwind. Note the grip tape on the wheel supports for handy helmsman hiking (Ooh. Alliteration)
A pretty clean coachroof after six years on a 707! Most of the key controls are dual - led to each side.
Simple bow set up pt. 1 - no muss, mo fuss.
Dartmoor pics pt.3
Raluca on the beach at Slapton.
Smashing weather, and deserted on a bank holiday.
No idea what this yacht is - it looked like an oversized Dragon. Sail insignia was SU10
No photo editing required...
Pics from Dartmouth pt. 2
There's a great coastal walk from Dartmouth, and a small hidden bay where you can pick up tons of sea glass. So we spent ages beachcombing. After the winter, there's tons of flotsam and jetsam on the beach, as well as cool things luike cuttlefish and mermaid's purses.
Jetsam - a buoy that has burst open like a grape. these are pretty tough puppies, so it must have been a bit of a smack.
Tractor tyre - about 5ft across. Serious jetsam.
Emma loved the climbing problems here.
Nice 'n steep.
Jetsam - a buoy that has burst open like a grape. these are pretty tough puppies, so it must have been a bit of a smack.
Tractor tyre - about 5ft across. Serious jetsam.
Emma loved the climbing problems here.
Nice 'n steep.
Pics from Dartmouth pt. 1
The view from the flat, out towards Start Bay.
Moving left a bit, looking down on Kingswear and the Lower Ferry. Steam train not pictured. ;)
