Yesterday the UK got a good dose of snow. Rather than drive into work (which I have been doing recently – shame on me) I decided ride in the long way on the Love/Hate.

As I left the house just after 7am there was just a few snowflakes in the air and on the ground. Riding through Swithland woods the ground was completely frozen which very rarely happens in there. On to Bradgate Park for some early morning Cheeky Trails action and there was just a light dusting of snow but there was definetly more coming down. The trails were running superfast, say “Good Morning” to the deer, a muddy ditch that looks frozen but isn’t catches me out and pitches me over the bars landing on the hard frozen ground on the other side. Ouch.

Continue through Bradgate pausing only to take some photos of ducks and deer around a frozen lake, along with some gratuitous shots of the bike on the frosty ground. Its really coming down now.

Out of the park and up the hill to Markfield, 32:16 and Maxxis Minions at low pressures do not for easy road climbing make.

Past Billa Barra Hill and down the cheeky footpath trail to the Industrial Estate. There is a good covering on the ground but the frozen rutted mess of the footpath can be still felt underneath.

Into work for a hot shower and a Bacon Cob.

Spend more of the day looking out of the window at the snow coming down hoping it doesn’t melt. It doesn’t.

Ride the same way home but get a slush puppy enema between the fun snowbound offroad bits. Take in more Bradgate Park Trails and the singletrack in Swithland woods. Pausing briefly to take pictures of snow illuminated by lights.

Snow makes everything really hard work but Maxxis Minions work surprisingly well as snow tyres.


The big melt is due over the next 24 hours just in time for the Rutland and Beyond Audax I’m planning on doing on Sunday. The forecast is liking like rain/sleet and 2C temperatures. Joy.