Training: June - Black Mountains

Nev, Ed and Hedd headed down to the Black Mountains in South Wales to tackle a familiar ride, but this time anti-clockwise rather than clockwise. We choose a hot day which made the going really tough, but i guess that's just the kind of test we need now with the C2C only weeks away. The anti-clockwise route certainly meant more technical descending, with Ed "The Bear" Benfield showing us the way down the biggest of the day.

Ed shows us how its done - even more confident on new tyres

After I decided on a "shortcut" to the top of the next descent, which took us on a huge push/carry, we needed a rest. It was all worth it though with a fantastic, long descent.

Nev tackles the switchback at the top of the long descent

Training: May - Lakes

On a Saturday in late May, Ed and I (Hedd) headed up to Staveley in the Lakes to put our riding to the test. I was a bit worried that Ed wouldn't make it after taking a "new wheels" tumble on an evening ride in the Malverns the day before - but he didn't let me down. We headed to Kentmere Hall before climbing past Stile End and descending to Sadgill. The first real test was the Gatescarth Pass (a huge climb followed by a fantastic descent). No time to waste at the bottom, we headed straight up to Small Water. This trail was mostly unridable, with a significant carry to the welcome banks of the tarn. From here followed a real test, as we climbed to the top of the Nan Bield Pass (a huge carry!). Whilst this was really tough, it wan't a surprise and we handled it pretty well. After a short rest at the top we headed down the technical Nan Bield descent. Unlike Gatescarth, we didn't quite conquer it - but it was huge fun trying!

Ed's new wheels at the top of the Nan Bield Pass. You can see the descent winding away ahead.

Training: April - Coed-y-Brenin Pink Heiffer

Hedd, Stu, Ad & Ed headed up to Coed-y-brenin on a Sunday in late April to tackle the Pink Heiffer ride. We had a great day, and Ed surprised us all with a burst of speed on the final climb!

Ed finds some pace uphill!

Training: April - Quantocks Residential

In April, Hedd, Nev, Ed, Ad, Stuart and Ash headed down to the South West for 3 days of biking. Things got off to a bad start when, shortly after arriving at the caravan park, Nev reversed his car into a wooden barrier damaging two of the bikes on his carrier. Fortunately, a visit to the bikeshop in Minehead sorted us out and we were away, enjoying unseasonal Quantocks weather on day 1.

Ad reaching the top of the final climb on day 1.

On day 2 we headed over to Exmoor to tackle a Killer Loop that started and ended just above Minehead. Unfortunately Nev had to leave us on day 3, we returned to the Quantocks for some more great riding.

Ad flying down Frog Combe