Interesting couple of weeks

I've been getting out and about a bit the last couple of weeks. Trying to get my weekly milage up by degrees, managed 30-40 for the last 2 weeks, including turbo sessions. A couple of weekends ago managed to get a South Downs ride in, covered a quarter of the target distance in just under 3 hours, unfortunately I dont think that pace is sustainable for 100 miles, I'd love to do it in 12 hours, but I think a little realism needs to come into it.
Last weekend we were visiting family and I managed to sneak in a 10 miler up at Lee and Cragg quarries, blimey proper full on trails the climb from the car park started higher than Ditchling Beacon what we call a high point round here. Some great trails though, and friendly northerners at every turn. I was talking to a guy about his new white Orange 5 just like the one I've ordered (more of that later) who challenged me as to why I needed a new one, I think he eventually accepted the 'fancied one' argument, my more technical justifications didn't seem to cut it. They got me back on the right track after my slight detour through a wind farm (pictured).

Further on I was chatting to another couple of riders who were having a breather and offered they offered me some of their hot Oxo! I then caught up with a local called Dave who was recovering from the flu (!) and he led me back down off the moors and through the quarry on one the best singletrack I've done in ages. This youtube clip covers some of it although not me but as damp. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq78FhBC8Fk great stuff (a lot faster than me too). I was finished when I got to the car, he headed on back up for a bit more, he was the one getting over flu!

Dave has offered to take me out and show me some more next time I'm up there, which is very generous, lets hope these miles I'm trying to get in will pay off!

This week I've been over in Bristol for work and managed to get over to Ashton Court and tried out the Red and Blue trails there, again good fun, but by then my legs seem to have run out of steam. Everytime pedalling was required I found the tank was empty. Not where I wanted to be with my training. So decided to take it easy for a couple of days, eat well and plan to hit the downs again this weekend.

So I've ordered a new bike, hope to be getting it by the end of the month, very excited. Started by bidding on an ebay bargain, ended up with a great deal from SunsetMTB in Cardiff, wont tell the full story here but I'm quite excited, but have to wait for Orange to build the frame and paint it for me! I've gone a bit mad with the upgrade options too. Not actually sure if its the right bike for the SDW, but it'll be great for fun trails and trail centres. Just need to get my skills up to scratch.

I think thats enough rambling for now.