Hello PBK  Bloggers.

Well the Autumn has taken hold with strong winds, rain, cooler temperatures, wind (did I mention the wind? its been windy) and it has driven this particular PBK er to the dark side, yes fatty has been out MTBing and even taken some of the road team with him?

A couple of weeks ago the team bus, Dunk and myself made the short drive up to Peebles in the Scottish borders and met up with fellow team riders Chris, lyn’s and JPS  as well as some friends from Preston wheelers. The Saturday morning dawned bright and sunny/wet/sunny and wet. It was changeable and very windy with severe weather warnings on the news at least we were heading for the protection of the forests mmmhh??

Resigned to the fact we were going to get wet the day was very enjoyable, but….. well as pretty as those Northwave MTB shoes are, and they are pretty and very supportive with an excellent to use SBS buckle system white is not the colour to choose for winter riding in muddy forests. Good traction on the running bits though, running you say?? Well a bunch of lads who race get a little bit competitive and being on a racing mtb some of the more technical sections were beyond me and my bike to ride but that’s no excuse to be last one down.

The Sunday dawn sunny/sunny and no wind. It was a lovely day and we had a bit of a treat, where as Saturday was on technical downhill trails (for those that know the Glentress black run) Saturday was XC heaven on the Innerleithen red route and after a monster climb to the high point of the route we enjoyed some fabulous berms, flowing single track. And then the best bit of the whole weekend a monster cafe stop before the drive south again.

Kit of note,

Gore soft shell jacket. Worked exceptionally well in the mixed conditions never getting too sweaty and shedding water and filth, I’m really pleased to inform you that we will be offering Gore products in the very near future.

Northwave shoes / Sealskin socks /Look quartz combo. Wow I have finally hit on a combination that works in the British weather stiff Summer shoes race shoes with lots of venting provide a stiff stable platform with great er drainage. The Merino lined sealskin socks keep my feet warm and dry and the quartz pedals providing easy entry free float ample support, good mud clearance and ultra light weight.

Bell Volt. Filling the gap with the demise of Giro’s E2 the Volt is a superb high end road/XC race helmet with fantastic ventilation good fit and a removable peak you don’t know its there which is lets face it quite an endorsement.

Happy Autumn people, unless your lucky enough to be where the sun is shining…….