Had the week off work, left the wife at home (and work) and went off to do lots of cycling related stuff… What a great week I had!

Monday: I often have to head up and down motorways to business meetings and it’s always a rush so this time I elected to take it nice and easy as I headed up north. I also made several stops, the first (and only really interesting one) was at Noah’s Ark bike shop near Stroud.

It’s a great bike shop, especially the clothes section which is where a lot of bike shops seem to skimp on. Really nice place to (road) ride too as well, though be warned the Stroud area is bloody hilly (John’s just read that as a challenge) and there’s a road that comes down the hill behind the shop that is most definitely to be avoided on a road bike because it’s very steep and the tarmac very broken up – the time I did it I had my arse hanging over the back seat feathering the brakes all the way down like you would on a MTB. Not sure that’s even possible to do on a drop bar unless you’ve arms like Mr. Tickle.

I’ve currently got flat pedals fitted to the MTB. Those who have had a flat MTB pedal smack into their shin will know how much it hurts and bleeds and my pedals have extra long studs in them so it’s even worse. So my main reason for going to Noah’s Ark was to try and get some shin guards as I was unsure of what the next few days might bring. Picked up some SixSixOne Veggies which are soft shelled which makes them very comfy; I must have calves like a top rider because I needed a large and could have possibly got away with an extra large.

Noah’s Ark also happened to have a Cannondale Synapse there in my size. Not being in a rush was great as I could chat to the guy in the shop about it, and the pros/cons of the various versions, for ages and I now even more convinced it’s the perfect new road bike for me. Just need to get out on one and see how it rides now. Most annoyed I didn’t have my road shoes with me otherwise I could have taken it for a spin there and then.

After that bit of retail therapy, I basically spent a very long time on motorways, and in 50mph speed restrictions, till I got the edge of the Peak District (Mellor) and my final destination, Lily Bank Farm Cottage B&B. Lily Bank is a lovely little B&B, in an amazing location, run by Emmy who is also a qualified MTB leader/instructor. As such it’s a very biker friendly place with bike cleaning facilities, secure bike storage, clothes washing/drying etc. and big flagstone floors which Emmy really doesn’t mind you standing on dripping wet. It’s also dog friendly, with the resident dog being very pleased to have company. Emmy’s husband is an amazing cook and so I ate dinner there both nights I stayed. All in all highly recommended, and I have every intention of going back for more (might even take the wife with me next time).

Tuesday: After a fabulous cooked breakfast AND cereal, I got ready for a day’s MTB training with Emmy. It was a one-to-one session with her giving me some instruction (and at one point me giving her a bit!), some insight into how she runs her beginner and intermediate group sessions and most of all some great riding. We rode from the house because what she has on her doorstep is simply amazing. Being very hilly meant some stonking climbs but with the reward of some fantastic downhill sections. If anyone fancies getting into MTB or improving on what they have then I totally recommend going and spending a day with Emmy, either on a regular group day or, if you can afford the extra, a one-to-one session.

Got back absolutely knackered, soaked to the skin (it rained heavy all day) and covered in mud. Washed the bike off and Emmy kindly washed my bike kit and dried it off in front of the Aga for me whilst I went and had an lovely hot shower. I’m telling you the place is heaven for a MTBer and the woman is an angel.

Another recent MTB purchase was some Endura MT500 MTB overshoes bought specifically for this week. Am very glad I did because with a pair of Woolie Boolie socks underneath my feet stayed nice and warm, even though they were soaked. Unfortunately my pedals and a lot of walking/standing on rocky ground have ripped the undersides to shreds after just a couple of rides, but I can’t blame the quality of the product for that.

Wednesday: After another fantastic cooked breakfast I set off from Emmy’s to the Ramada Jarvis (twice the price of Emmy’s and not even half as good) in Bolton. Left very early but good job I did as there was a major accident on the M60 and it took me over an hour just to get to the motorway. The 30 mile journey took nearly two hours and I only just made it in time for day one of a MTB leadership course, the “classroom” stuff. There was a full delegation of six on the course, all from very different backgrounds and there for very different reasons, but a very nice group of blokes. The day was very interesting and I learnt masses. In the afternoon it snowed which settled and really wasn’t welcome as it put the remainder of the course in jeopardy.

Thursday: Day two of the course, the practical stuff. Met up with the instructor Ray at Lever Park who was busy considering whether to cancel the course or not given there was still some snow around. Fortunately he decided to go ahead, but with the caveat that he might change his mind and abandon the course at any stage. Lots more stuff to learn and lots of practical sessions – which you had to pull off with aplomb as it was a continual assessment course. I was really pleased with my riding, not having to repeat anything and being the only person in the group to complete a very steep, rocky climb (which as it happens wasn’t actually part of the assessment, so I could have walked!).

Once again I learnt masses and had a great day out. It was bloody cold so glad to be well kitted out (I was wearing a thermal base layer, a fleece mid-layer, a windproof fleece jacket and a waterproof, thermal leggings, winter cycling tights, woolie boolie socks, overshoes, waterproof gloves and a windproof headband) but even then only just about comfortable when we were standing around. Perhaps I am just a soft southerner.

After the course we had to wait around for one-to-one assessments with Ray. I used the opportunity to give my bike a bit of a clean (me and bike were both filthy again) using my fabulous Christmas present of a Mobi portable pressure washer by the light of a headtorch. Everyone else laughed at how organised I was but at least my MTB was getting a bit of TLC before being thrown the boot of the car.

Right, my turn for assessment… it was a combined level 1/2 course, with your performance determining what grade you got. I’m pleased to say I passed and am now a MIAS Level 2 Mountain Bike Leader/Instructor! This means I can lead groups on rocky/demanding terrain up to a height of 600m in non-winter conditions (i.e. no ice).

Celebrated by taking myself out to the local indian restaurant and having a two-course blowout meal.

Woke up at 3am not feeling very well. Curry does not normally affect me like that. Got up to visit the bathroom and realised why… Before going out to dinner I’d put the radiator on max to dry enough cycling stuff for the next day and had left it on like that. It must have been 30°C in my room! Still cycling stuff was dry

Friday: Another cooked breakfast (that was #3 this week!) and I started my journey home. This time I detoured via Clive’s house for yet another off-road jaunt in another hilly location! Hadn’t met Clive before but he’s a very nice chap with a great attitude. Bike and me got muddy again but a good time was most definitely had.

On the way home I stopped off at Halfords (only place that was open) to get some disc rotor cleaner. Whilst I was there I also saw a nice Polaris Aqualite waterproof that packs up really small into it’s own back pocket so bought that too (mine is grey)…

Saturday: Time to sort out gear, do lots of washing and give the bike a good stripdown and clean. The conditions I was riding in were very very wet and muddy so there will be lots of grit and stuff well ingrained into the various components which, for longevity of the bike, needs to come out. I removed chain and cassette before going to bed last night and they were minging!

Like I say, what a week! Unfortunately, it’s back to reality now which means no more cooked breakfasts!