That was sort of how it went with the blog, what one day had been very much on my mind and something I was enjoying, suddenly just went straight through a trap door, perhaps never to be considered again.
But the blog did come back onto my radar, but then I kept wondering how to get back into it, had it been too long away? What would I say? How could I explain it? Duh... this isn't War and Peace I'm writing, nobody was waiting on the edge of their seat for another installment, hardly anyone reads it anyway! So forget trying to explain things (although I've still tried, obviously) and just dive back in and see how it goes. So here we are, on the eve of a new year, and that seems like a good enough time to wade back in.
That's if I can remember how to do it all - the back end of the site has changed for a start I see...
Well, despite having the usual ups and downs health wise, I thankfully did manage to keep riding the bikes and taking photos. If I said that riding in the countryside and taking snaps as I go keeps me on the sunny side of the grass I'd be over dramatising things a bit, but it's not too far off in reality. Time and time again a ride to somewhere away from other people, away from traffic, away from the PC or the telly, and away from my own head, has evened out my mood and got me centered again. I hope the riding/snapping switch never gets flipped, really I do.
Anyway, enough of all that, let's have an extremely self indulgent, self absorbed, look back at a few photos that were taken after I last posted on here. These are mostly shots plucked at random from the 2016 archive, and most will have appeared on my Flickr page already, but anyway, lets give 'em a shake and see what falls out.
Warning: This post could be several hundred yards long.
First up, we'll start at the end and the last ride of the year, a rather short (just 4.7 miles) bimble on Fatso just yesterday.
Misty murky shot of Fatso given a tickle in Nik software.
I'd woken up to a world seemingly where the contrast sliders had been pushed too far along in the negative direction. Clarity was required, or coffee as it is otherwise known. But, looking out of my windows now fully caffeinated revealed the fuzziness to be weather related rather than my head running on idle, and further more, the sun was out making for some beautiful light. I quickly decided to go for a boot on a bike, and duly underwent a rapid costume change into my riding gear, eagerly anticipating getting amongst some great nature and having some good photographic possibilities to go at. But, in the time it took to don my riding strides, the sun gave up the struggle and it had clouded over, sealing the murk in with... well more murk. Bums. But I still went out, just with a shift in mission - Take some photos while Fatso is still clean for a post on here regarding the first year of cycling Fattery, a post which will hopefully appear here very soon.
Hmmm... what now... a random GoPro snap of some woodland capering...
Right, we're back to April again now, and a fat foray into my fave woodland playground - Idless Woods.
The very end of April, despite the blog ending episode of the glums, saw me go for a dip on Perranporth beach.
What had started off as a bimble along some byways saw me feeling surprisingly, and unusually, fit physically, and not feeling the usual stiffening of my back after a few miles riding. Bouyed up by that and a refreshingly warm and sunny day, I kept on going after consulting the map (Paper map mind, none of that satellite guffery here thank you...), taking in some new to me Bridleways and byways that led right down into Perranporth. Having got there, it would've been daft not to take a fat bike onto the beach where it is said they belong, so Fatso got to dip his wheels in the Atlantic and to hell with what the staring onlookers were thinking.
Looking back down at Perranporth beach. I didn't make those tyre tracks by the way. Least I don't think I did, I was having fun down there though...
Most importantly, I made it home again too, and only suffered minor pains towards the end of the ride, so all in all, it was one of 'those' days - a great day that will live long in the memory.
What next? Right, let's have some Bluebells...
Idless Woods again, and this time on the Voodoo.
Bluebells in the lanes too...
and on the Bridleways, but this time with added old bloke.
Having reached the north coast at Perranporth, and still feeling reasonably chipper, a plan was hatched to reach the south coast, and the tiny Hamlet of Portholland on the Roseland peninsular was favourite. It'd take a bit of getting at to dodge the main roads, but I've fond memories of trips to Portholland in the past on motorcycles with girlfriends, and even a wife, so Portholland it had to be.
Told you Portholland was small - this is most of it. (looking sort of North).
and this is looking south from just around the corner.
This was another good ride for sure, although the Met Office hadn't got the memo and the supplied weather was distinctly meh. A coffee on the rocks courtesy of my Mini Trangia and half a Malt Loaf for fuel saw me get the ride done nicely. When mind and body are working well, things are so much better, but then again, I suppose, that makes these occasions all the more satisfying and rewarding given their rarity.
Erm... here's a random Fatso photograph given a tickle in Nik software, which I am becoming a big fan of.
2016 saw a few rides with Craig, my neighbour, again. Bodmin Moor on a cold, wet and windy January day, a few rides along the Mineral Tramways Trail, the Plym Valley and here, in Cardinham Woods.
Craig and his Cube batbike. This bike is evil, it is the work of the devil, an instrument of Satan for sure. Not because it tears up the trails as some ill informed folk claim, nor is it because it is not 'proper' mountain biking. No it's because I wasn't on one myself and these things are too hard to try and keep up with.
Craig there can be seen looking at Fatso, longingly and enviously as it turned out, as soon after this trip he went out and bought a Specialized Fat Boy, and is now a true convert to the ways of the fatter tyre.
It's December, it's grotty out, time for a reminder of better riding weather...
A touch of soft focus added for that added warm, fuzzy, summery feeling.
That's enough sunshine, this is Great Britain, so time for some rain...
The Voodoo is just an itsy bit on the small size for me, and I've struggled in the past to get a handlebar/stem set up that really felt right. So, back in May I lobbed on the straight bars that had originally graced the Jamis, and an ugly as a Kebab Shop fist fight adjustable stem. Having done the spannering, it was time to test out the mods to see if they worked, despite the fact it was raining like a cow peeing on a rock out. Having donned all the wet weather gear, the rain promptly stopped, of course, which at least allowed some dicking about with a camera. As for the bars and stem... no. All was not lost however, and I went on to fit the original Voodoo stem and a pair of 760mm bars (same as on Fatso) which have sorted the issue.
Another random shot...
Fatso beside the Tresillian River early one morning.
Thanks to one of the issues I've got going on, it's usually best for me to do my riding in the mornings, and before eating. But one glorious evening, I threw caution to the wind, and lights on the bike, and went for a late evening bimble...
Just bimbling along as the sun goes down...
Riding as the sun went down and the day slipped into evening reminded me of long days skidding about on bikes in my childhood with my mates, and getting into trouble for being out so late, before doing it again the next day. It's amazing the memories a simple ride on a bike can drag up.
A few more randoms...
The main A39 out of Truro towards Carland Cross is always a blaze of colour in summer.
Summery country lane bimble shot.
Not the Autumn, but rather July. Dodgy Voodoo quality control in evidence around the spokes.
The Fatbike never fails to amaze me with how it copes with everything I ask of it. Now I'm old and with a crap body and various other ailments, I'm no hard charger on a bike that's for certain. But the bike makes mincemeat of the sort of mild terrain I throw at it, and flatters my modest ability.
It was a scorching hot Sunday when I had a goodly potter about on Newlyn Downs, site of the old Cargoll lead mine.
Ride over this on the Voodoo or Jamis? Not a chance! Not with my lack of skillz anyway. But with Fatso? Yup, crack on!
Two days after the above ride, I was off bright and early, well early, on what would be the hottest day of the year (down here anyway) on a mission to visit another old mine site, this time 'down west'.
On the road just after sunrise. What a cracking time to be out and about in the world.
Bet you thought I couldn't get any scruffier... well come summer out comes my trusty sun hat and any lingering hopes of sartorial elegance and dignity go right out of the window.
Target for the day was reached though - Site of the old Wheal Busy mine twixt Chacewater and Redruth. A retina searing, flesh burningly hot day, but pottering along slowly saw it not a problem at all, and another good day was had.
Crikey, this a long job, I need a Mince Pie and a coffee...
Right, back again, and what's next?
Looking at some of these photos you'd think I love getting my mush in front of the camera, but actually I hate having my photo taken. Trouble is, bikes are made for riding, not for leaning against stuff, and if you want to illustrate the pleasures of riding, you need someone actually riding a bike in some of your photos. If you ride alone like me, that means getting yourself in the shot now and then, but at least I can partly hide behind macho shades and a baseball hat (I don't do helmets).
Having said all that, here are some static shots...
Fatso getting checked out by some nosey mooeys... All was well until one of 'em tried to eat the handlebar end, the dopey sod. I had to swipe a load of leaves to wipe the bar of Mooey slobber too, yuck!
Later on the same ride, a slobber free Fatso in Ladock Woods.
The GoPro saw a little less use this year, now that the initial new toy novelty has worn off, but I do still like dicking about with it to try and get a different point of view.
Wowza! Just nabbed the One One logo in exactly the right place!
Back to ride past selfies again, this time out for the first coffee of the day in the local woods.
Old boy suffering from serious caffeine deficiency making a heroic effort to ride somewhere pleasant before the first brew up of the day.
This is a cracking way to start the day it has to be said. If you can handle the 'world in low resolution', stumbling, grumpy, headachey ride, then the first coffee of the day tastes all the better for having earned it, and enjoying it somewhere invigorating. This was beside the river in the woods, and the only sounds to be heard were the birds singin' and yackin' and the trickling of water. Utterly marvelous.
The kettle takes about ten minutes to boil - a downside? No way! I know gas jobbies will boil up much quicker, but those ten minutes, and the ten minutes or more after, savouring the coffee, are what it's all about - enjoying the moment and absorbing the surroundings.
I got a few new to me Bridleways ticked off in 2016, and none better than this one which leads from sort of of Tregavethan to sort of Treworder, north west of Truro. I say sort of, 'cos this is one of those bridleways that is a bit random in its siting - a bit of a puzzle as to its history and reason for being. But whatever, it is nicely rideable (unlike some that overgrown or riddled with ruts and hoof divots) and passes through some cracking countryside.
That great feeling of being alone with nobody knowing I was there, was very strong on this ride. Many folk probably will never know such places exist as can be reached by wandering along these ancient bridleways. Exploring just what I can reach within my limited riding range has really opened my eyes as to what is around my neighbourhood, and the magic that can be found exploring such places.
A couple more random picks...
Hefty rains in September saw my beloved Tregassow Lane flooded once again. More of which later...
En route to the Tresillian River for a coffee, and passing beneath the Paddington - Penzance mainline.
The start of October saw some unseasonably good weather. Unable to sleep one night, I eventually gave in trying just before dawn, and instead headed off for a ride just as the sun was coming up.
It was darker than this photo suggests, and the lights had been necessary just a few minutes before to see where I was going.
Sun up and looking towards Probus, with the county's tallest church tower clearly showing on the horizon.
A favourite haunt of mine when fancying a bit of woodland riding is... was Ladock Woods, but on my last visit, the gates were locked up and it appears access is no longer possible - boo! and boo again! There, that told 'em.
About as physical as my riding can get - dicking about in Ladock Woods. Sadly, a thing of the past now.
Ah now, I mentioned Tregassow Lane flooding just above didn't I...
One morning, late in October, and a misty start on dry roads to begin with...
But recent rain meant Tregassow Lane would be flooded, so it was out with the GoPro and lets get splashing!
A couple of Autumn woodland shots, both in Idless Woods, but one on a grizzly drizzly day, t'other on a glorious sunny day.
Still plenty of green around, along with plenty of mud. This puddle turned out a tad deeper than expected.
That's better, more like autumn now with the colours.
Now I'm not one to be bothered about gathering 'friends' 'thanks' 'likes' or 'faves' or any other form of self congratulation that is found on the internet these days, it's nice to receive them, but it's not a competition or anything, and I don't fuss and fret about them. But occasionally the 'favouriting' of certain photos on Flickr catches my eye as being odd. Some photos I'm really pleased with myself go unnoticed, but that's fine. But now and then, some shonky old snap takes off with folk faving it all over the place. One such was this one below...
Now this one above did intrigue me, as I very nearly didn't bother uploading it, almost dismissing it as just a routine snap not worthy of the effort. But last I looked it had some daft number of faves, and I can't for the life of me think why! For a start there is no skill involved here at all. This is the Gopro on the chest mount, set to fire every couple of seconds, and that is it. Off I ride, and once home, I trawl through loads of blurred shots and if I'm lucky, I might bother to upload one or two, but these over the bar shots are very common and not especially interesting, and as for composition, lighting and all that... well there's none of that involved. I've uploaded loads of these shots in the past, most better in my eyes than this one, so for it to garner as much interest as it did is a mystery really.
Now I don't think we've had nearly enough splashy shots of a flooded Tregassow Lane, but not to worry, as in November, it flooded again, and well... I just love bozzing through water on a bike...
GoPros being waterproof is very liberating! You can do all sorts of stuff that would kill the average consumer compact/DSLR in very short order. They do need good strong contrasty lighting though to give their best it seems.
Back in November I gave Fatso a bit of a 'detail' (posh word for a valet...). I usually like to keep my bikes clean, and so regularly give 'em a bit of a tickle with the buckets and sponges. But after mooching through my old van polishing/waxing supplies box and seeing what I still had, I thought I'd spend a relaxing Saturday evening giving the Fatbike a good seeing to. So it got a coat of Autoglym Super Resin Polish topped with Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection, and boy did it look peachy after! Proper tickety boo! The white paint gleamed and the subtle flake in the paint was really popping. Old Fatso looked better than when he came out of the box and I was dead chuffed.
So of course, it was (almost) straight out to get it all mucky again...
Fatso looking peachy. Fuzzy, but peachy.
Yup, gleaming bike or not, it was back to Idless Woods for another mooch about in some unseasonally warm sunshine. Despite that sun, the tree cover here is very dense and so the camera demanded a silly high ISO right up the enhanced fuzziness end of the scale. Of course, had I got the tripod out I could've retained image quality... If you want me, I'm the one stood in the corner of the photography class wearing the Dunce's hat...
Another randomish selection, but this shot does contain several elements of why I love getting off the roads and into the scenery.
This location above feels like it's miles from anywhere, and it is! But it's also all about the trees, the bushes and hedges, that hill in the background and the general ambience to be found on this particular path that I like so much. It all makes for an extremely pleasant foray into the English countryside.
By jove this is the last photo!
A couple of Sundays back the day dawned misty and sunny, but also cold as a Penguin's plums. I could hardly get dressed and out on the bike quickly enough, and was soon snap snap snapping away with the camera as it was such a glorious morning to be out. Times like this when the weather is invigorating and there are plenty of photo opportunities to go at really do excite me. It took me ages to get anywhere as I kept stopping to look behind me, or around me, for the next possible shot to bag, and I was also trying to get as many shots as I could before the mist dissipated or the sun went in. Truth be told, I was almost in a panic! But, all was well and I got some shots I was pleased with, and had a fantastic ride as well, which is what butters my toast these days, and butters it well.
I'll just lob the one shot from that ride in... no I won't! Let's have another... hang on a mo... oh and another... and...
What a great morning's ride that was.
Right, if anyone has got this far without the need for medical intervention, well done!
Hopefully, I'll now get back to this bloggery lark, but for now, I'm just going to see if this lot will upload... If it's too long or something, there will be tears... I'm just going to bung it up as is, and if it needs editing for typos and wonky spellings I'll have to do it later... I need another coffee, and fast!
-----------------
