As you may notice my blog has a new home and I have combined all the kit and race stuff into one blog with my personal stuff. Please feel free to let me know how you think this new blog format looks. The title Challenge Adventures hopefully links it all to the events and outdoors stuff I now do.
So old dog new tricks!
I have always liked a little bit of biking and have owned a mountain bike of some sorts on and off forever. Ever since my very first MTB when I was about 15 years old. A classic Raleigh Mustang All Terrain bike in funky pink camoflage colours!
In 2007 when they started up the bike to work scheme I took the opportunity to buy a really good spec bike and ride a bit more often. It was a 2007 Specialized FSR XC. It’s cost a grand and that was a lot of money for a bike then…I rode it quite a bit including some trail centres in the UK and whilst never good over really rough terrain was an average rider at trail centres.
I then bought a road bike, a Giant Defy to do some training on and another 29er Hardtail all on the Cycle to work schemes over the next few years. I did a bit of riding as extra fitness and fun but never big miles and I never really tried to build up my skills off road to any standard. I was running too much to devote the time and energy. I eventually sold the FSR and road bike and I still have the 29er hardtail. Though I recently refurbed it after it was looking tired.
This year I decided to buy another full suspension bike for trail use and to try to get back into biking as an additional fitness activity. I bought a decathlon AM100s which although was still £1200 in the Jan sales it is very much an entry level full suspension bike. But the spec is good for the price and the bike is much more capable than I am on it.
I used it only a little bit before we had lockdown but since we have had more time I have been out on it a fair bit and enjoying getting out again on the bike. Maxine also now has a decathlon full suspension bike although a slightly less expensive version (ST530s).
We have been visiting lots of bike parks and trails trying to get our skills improved and I am really enjoying that challenge. My running is not where it once was and whilst I am improving my running again I am really enjoying getting out on the bike more. Although as you get older you seem to be much more scared of crashing and hurting yourself!
It will be interesting to see how many tricks this old dog can learn and how much I can improve over the next few months or years. Whilst I don’t expect to be Hans “No Way” Ray in that time, I would like to be happy doing any black run in the UK and doing drops and small gap jumps and tables.
Anyhow I will try to be more regular on the blog stuff and I am sure you will see more MTB running and Walking stuff posted.
Please fee free to comment and share and visit the Challenge Adventures YouTube channel.