Mixed feelings about biving and riding so far in 2 days.

 This is long. I've tried to write it as short as possible, however it's hard trying to condense 2 days worth of stuff into a few paragraphs and hey I had nothing better to do with my Sunday apart from look after my sore ass, have the occasional coffee and just relax.

So as I've said it's Sunday morning as I write about my adventures which took place on Friday and Saturday. I've awoke to a very stiff left leg (the one I call my good leg) although at the moment it doesn't feel all that good. Not only is it stiff, but I also have that darn niggling pain back in my ACL (cruciate ligament). I put it down to my shoes and the cleat position as it happened last time I wore these ones on a long ride. I've tried adjusting them several times, however no joy. Funnily enough I also have a pretty stiff stump too. I guess that shows the extent of the workout I gave the poor little fellow. Add this to saddle and socket sores and a blend of phantom pain and your probably wondering "errr why do you bother when it causes all this pain and discomfort". Well there's an easy answer it's because I love being out with my friends, riding my bike, seeing new places and faces and making memories. In the past I have had way too much sit in the house, thinking "well this is it for me", so now I have the ability to do things I like to grab every opportunity I can.

So lets move on to the tale of our micro-adventure. 

I have to get myself one of those

If you have been keeping up with my adventures you will know that I was off bike packing with my two friends John and Lee. Well after we arrived at the camp site and had pitched our tents we decided to head to a local pub for a nice cool pint and some grub. We where there until oh I don't know 8:00 pm and as we left the pub it was starting to set in a bit darker. I hadn't brought any lights with me (I usually have my Blackburn Flea's in my pack, though not happy with my front Flea as it's not retaining it's charge) As I didn't have any light's Lee rode at the back of our small convoy, with John up front and me in the middle. As we neared the camp site Lee sped ahead looking forward to his pasta and as he did so I noticed his back light. Dear me it was like a mini sun, all be it red lol. I shouted out "hey what kind of rear light is that" to which he replied "a Moon". Ok I have to get myself one of those I thought.

And so after perusing Google and finding the lowest price I could, £29.00 or so I waited for my new light to arrive. Well it came today and I have to say I'm well impressed. In fact I'm struggling to type up this blog as I have just blinded myself with my new light...I had a flash back of earlier days and the Movie Gremlins "Bright Light! Bright Light!". There is definitely no way I should ever get rear ended with this, well not unless the driver is blinded and runs over me.

I like the different modes, though the intense flashy one makes me feel like I am going to have a fit and the nice easy attachment is great,a sturdy clip and rubber strap. Makes it easy to pop on and off when needed. The light isn't mega big either so doesn't look out of place on your ride.

Here's some techy stuff and a video that doesn't really do the light any justice, it's sooooo bright! LoL
The Moon Shield 60 Rear Light gives out 60 Lumens which will be sure to get you seen. The high performance 3.7V Lithium polymer battery will give you a battery life of up to 7 hours and has got 5 different modes. The Shield is also usb (usb included) reachable which makes it quick and easy charge up by plugging in to your computer and has a charge time of 2 hours. it also features a low battery indicator which will come on when there is 1/2 battery left. The shield is easily attached to you Handel bars or seat post with the tool free mount that makes it quick and easy to take on and off your bike it is also vertically adjustable to get the right angle for maximum visibility.
up to 5 hours 40 minuets - 20 lumen - standard
up to 3 hours 50 minuets- 40 lumen - high
up to 2 hours 30 minuets - 60 lumen - over drive
up to 7 hours - 40 lumen - strobe
up to 7 hours - 40 lumen - flashing

There and a bit of the way back - The Good the Bad and the Scummy

Ever since my birthday I've had a bit of an upset tummy. I wasn't sure whether it was something I had ate, or as my usual getting stressed about nothing in particular.

On Thursday, at least I think it was  Thursday (my memory is shocking) yeah it was Thursday as I have just texted John who was with me, we went to visit our new friend Lee and his lovely wife Michelle. Michelle had contacted us on Facebook saying she was going to prepare a nice home cooked meal and I mean who can refuse that. Not only that we were heading over to discuss plans with Lee about going bike packing on Saturday, staying over Saturday night, then returning sometime on Sunday. Lee is quite clued up on the local area and he knew of a decent ride which ended with a good camp site.

As usual I left everything until last minute and found myself with John and Ern at Go Outdoors trying to pick a tent which I could quite easily pop on my bike. WoW it was more difficult than I though, so many tents to choose from and then when I did eventually figure out which one I wanted they didn't have it in stock, so I spent the best part of another half an hour trying to find one I liked. Sods law really I should have just opted for the very first one I saw in the entrance to the shop as that is the one I eventually bought. The one I got was a Vango Tempest 200,it's a 2 man and not a bad little tent for £90...Not that I know much about tents, other than they are held up mostly with stick type thingy's and bits of rope.

Once at Lee's we discussed where we would be going, had a cracking lasagne, thank you Michelle and watched a few of Lee's home bike movies which were very entertaining. Lee appears to have a more professional approach to making his video's where as I just fudge stuff together and hope for the best lol.

Oh I better warn you now, this could be quite an epic tale so if you would like to head off for a cuppa and some biscuits I'll still be here when you get back.

As the Title says "There and a bit of the way back" and  "The Good  the Bad and the Scummy. well lets start with the good huh?

Saturday morning arrives I've been feeling ill all of Friday and only had a few hours sleep. Both John and Lee were proper decent and said "hey if you don't feel up to it no probs, we can always do it another day/weekend". Sod that I thought I've just spent £90 on a tent. Maybe I'll feel better once I'm riding. So I messaged back saying that  "we are still on".

Again Mr Unprepared I set about figuring out what I thought I would need, after all John and I didn't have to be over Lee's until 12 midday. This is when it became apparent that this camping and carrying all your own gear is quite a task in itself. I had a few goes at packing various things then came to the conclusion it's never going to all fit. After sometime I managed to get everything I was going to take squared away...Jeez my bike was like a laden mule and after I added 2 litres of water to my backpack it felt decidedly heavy. I'm just pleased I had my Bike Bag Dude frame bag as without this I would have been stumped. I was able to pop various things in this handy bag, everything from my GoPro to a few banana's and my bobbly hat.

John arrived around 11'ish, carrying his gear and we had a few minor adjustments of each of our bikes and gear before heading over to meet Lee at his house.

On arrival at Lee's we were greeted by both Lee and Michelle and proceeded to make final checks, get a few photo's taken and Michelle took a little video of us all leaving so that Lee could use it in his video that he was going to shoot.

John,Lee and Myself