Epping Forest Mountain Bike - King Of The Mountains

We went to Epping Forest on Sunday for a morning mountain biking. Myself, Scott, Keith and Joe met at Tesco's in Chelmsford at 0730 and were on our bikes in the Forest by 0830. I loved it. I just love being on my bike.

We followed a couple of routes we found here (http://eppingtrails.co.uk). Using Joe's new GPS system we covered about 15 miles. We rode for appx 2 hours and were not riding for just over an hour. This does me in, as I want to ride.. But with stopping to adjust bikes, have picnics and check our routes, I guess we had no choice. But next time I want to go faster...And I don't want to stop.

The Forest was in good condition. Not too muddy and at some points nice and sunny. I think we are slowly getting the hang of Epping and looking on the map above (which outlines our route) I think we have covered most of areas in the Forest. There is singletrack all over; I need to go back. No one really came off. We did some downhill bits but mostly just following our route through the trees. I can still feel my back wheel skiding gently into the corners. It really is ace.

T

Mark Ronson is dreadful

Hey. This is live blogging. I'm watching the Brits. Mark Ronson has just won Best British Male. And what a horrible little posh boy twat he is. God I hate him. Little tousle haired public school boy. Who does he think he is ? And his horrible rich looking parents sat there like cardboard cutouts; sun tans and hair styles. God he is despicable. The man has no soul. Fucking twat.

Anyway. Here is a Amy Winehouse track remixed by the Rumble Strips. It's Back To Black. It's great. Amy's great.

http://www.mediafire.com/?1m0vyngzyge

T

Thetford Forest Mountain Bike black route

So. Whilst I have not been running I have been mountain biking. I've not been 'off roading' on a bike in like 20 years. But last December I got myself a brand new Specialized Rockhopper MTB on the goverment Cycle To Work Scheme, and I love it.

Over Christmas I spent a couple of afternoons trying to hack my way from Chelmsford to Ingatestone via bridleways and tracks. Then I went to Epping with Lee; freezing cold and fucking great. Two weeks ago I went back to Epping with Keith Scott and Joe. Where we did 11 miles in 3 hours, got covered in shit and had and equally fantastic time. Scott and I went to Danbury Common where we scared the crap out of each other. And for the last two weekends Scott, Joe and myself have gone out early on Saturday morning for a 2 hour hack from Galleywood to Hylands (where in the woods to the west of Hylands House is a fantastic mile or so of track that when I rode it yesterday I was going so fast the wind was whistling in my ear).

But on Saturday I went to Thetford Forest (High Lodge) and did the Black Run and half of the Red Run. I did just under 18 miles in 2 hours. I did the Black Run in an hour. This is pretty good for a big lad like me, but as all runners know, biking is for poofs. So for me 10 miles of black route cross country is a piece of cake.

However, I am told that despite the Thetford Black Run being labeled such it is hardly considered a real Black Route. It was technically challenging but there was no real risk of breaking any bones. The Beast section is good, but I must say, not as hairy as Danbury. There are no real hills, just loads of mud and churned up singletrack. Winding through the trees though with the sun like a strobe in my eyes, I was as happy as I could be. I ate a Cream Egg, drank my bottle of water, and just did not stop. I think I'm a natural. I want to race now..

T

Ankle Impingement Syndrome

I have been diagnosed with Ankle Impingement Syndrome by my physio.

This condition is usually found in ballet dancers and very occasionally runners. I basically have something which is stopping me pointing the toes fully in my left foot. This 'something' is the impingement. The impingement is at the back of my heel, right in the 'hinge', as it were. The impingement is usually scar tissue or, in the worst case scenario bone. If it is bone then the usual procedure is to have surgery..

The physio is asking me to stretch my ankle and cease running until I get better flexibility and go back to him for a weekly prognosis. I am following this and the associated tightness in the calves has gone and the ankle is becoming better and allowing me greater flexibility. But I am concerned I may end up in surgery with this problem.

I go back to the physio this Thursday. I am hoping he may allow me to head out on a short run on Thursday night. But I am not going to push it again.

So, there you go. It's taken me 4 physios to get to this diagnosis. But running is such an important thing for me; it has become central to who I am. I am not going to give up. If it means I cannot run for a year, two years, so be it. I know I will run again and will now allways run, when I can.

I have a load of runs to log from just before this recent injury. I need to upload these on here and will do soon. It's just so difficult to get my head around not being able to run but then write about it. In the meantime I have been mountain biking. I will put some details of these session up here soon also.

Details Ankle Impingment Syndrome can be found here - http://www.emedicine.com/sports/topic5.htm

T