BIG BEAR BIKES

Those of you that frequently get out there and do it will understand what I am talking about when I mention those random cuts and scrapes that you get on your legs – even though you know you haven’t come off the bike. UBI’s (Unidentified Biking Injuries) as we like to call them. And those of you know me and/or have ridden with me will know that I am the absolute master when it comes to them, never seeming to end a ride without the proverbial claret exiting from some part of my legs. What I have never managed until this Saturday was to obtain such an injury before I actually left the bike shop.


So the ride started off with a decent amount of blood emerging from a ‘F’ shaped cut. Heaven knows where that came from but thankfully the shop has Public Liability insurance............

I’m not sure Big Bear Bikes has ever had 14 people in the shop at 9am on a Saturday morning but we did this week. Word is obviously getting around about the Saturday shop ride as we had 12 riders this week. That’s a 6-fold increase in 3 weeks. If we continue along that growth curve we will have a bigger turnout than this years Tour by Christmas.

We were riding from Wykeham this week headed off in convoy to our starting point – The Downe Arms – where in return for them letting us share their car park we spend a bit of money behind the bar afterwards. We had left Pickering sunshine but as is the way in the Moors by the time we got to Wykeham and assembled the bikes the drizzle had started. And didn’t stop for the next 3 hours and 26kms. The start from Wykeham heads up out of the village before heading turning of the road to start a flowing, undulating loop which takes in the infamous Wykeham downhill for those wanting to have a go at it.

Considering the constant drizzle falling the trail was actually not too wet and muddy with only a few parts getting a little sticky. Having spent much of last week pushing his bike through the gloop of Levisham, Rich returning for his second ride had opted to put a set of winter mud tyres on his bike before the ride just in case which seemed to perform well especially when we got to the first serious bit of mud. John Putsey did the honourable thing by blasting down the hill into the gloop to show us the line not to take as we rode around him lying face down in the mud. Thanks John! The ride continued with the whole group making good progress until we reached the top of the Wykeham downhill which is challenging (but superb fun) at the best of times but after a summers abuse, exposed roots and persistent drizzle I knew it was going to be a challenge too far for some of the group so we split briefly allowing those that wanted to ride it to follow me and those that didn’t went down a different route with Aitch. After the obligatory safety briefing conducted by my good self which I very clearly recall going something like “the roots are slippy so try avoid them, the drop offs have chicken runs either side – I definitely suggest you use them today, avoid the boardwalk and pallet sections as they will be treacherous and don’t even attempt any of the gap jumps because you won’t make them” I set off at a moderate pace with the group following. I’m not sure how far I got down before the groans, moans, crashes and bangs faded from earshot but I suspect it wasn’t that far. 5 minutes later a muddied and somewhat battered group assembled at the bottom recounting “over the bars” stories that involved wet roots, drop offs, boardwalks and gap jumps (fair play to Matt for even attempting that one !!) Ever get the feeling people don’t take you seriously?

Anyway we were all smiling – which lasted approximately 30 seconds into the climb back out. For those that have done it before you will know just how relentless and steep the fire road and path out of the bottom of the valley back up to the view point is. A tough climb with 27 gears on your bike and for everyone apart from Aitch a “granny ring” climb. Well everyone except Aitch and me. I seemed to have forgotten when suggesting adding the downhill to the route that I was in fact on my new Pace 104. Singlespeed. 32/16. B@&&*@ks!!!!! 15 minutes later and with constant encouragement from Scotty telling me not even Wayne “ half man/half singlespeed” Elliott had made it up on a 32/16 I crested the hilled first, legs on fire, chest burning and my arms wrenched from their shoulders. One by one the others finally made it to the top.

And at this point I would like to name and shame the two Matts. The final two up the hill they had dropped back out of sight and mistaken their bikes for handbags. They would have gotten away with the push had they not been spotted 20metres from the summit jumping back on to some over the crest riding with the assembled group jeering and laughing. Good effort guys – you nearly fooled us. The next 45 minutes were really sweet flowy single track across the top of the moor heading back in the direction of the cars with a brief stop to chat to the local Master of the Hunt and his dogs who seemed to be also out enjoying himself with his fellow riders. Just goes to show it doesn’t matter what you ride you can have fun – even if it is a 17hands horse! His saddle looked a little more comfortable than mine

And so we arrived back at the car. Wet and slightly muddy, some knowing that there may be a few bruises tomorrow that were not there today, and me still marvelling at how I managed to draw blood standing stationary in doors in the shop.

See you all next week

Simon.