The endless summer

I recall in September 2013 thinking what a great spring and summer we'd had, with a lot of fine weather running from the end of May until the end of September. Of course being laid up with a broken collar bone somewhat detracted from this. Inevitably, therefore I was fully expecting a bit of a damp one this year, particularly after all the wild weather we'd had over the winter.

But here we are in November, and once again it's been a belter. Not too warm, in fact perfect cycling weather. Which isn't to say we haven't had a few horrible days, starting with my second day trying to do the Highland Trail, plus a huge storm in August on the tail end of Hurricane Bertha.

The first inkling was after I'd extricated myself from the HT, only for the sun to blaze down. I did do a scoot round the Highlands on the motorbike to cash in on this, thinking it would be short lived but it kept going.

A fine day in the high hills of the southern Cairngorms. A week later I was back to do a long loop round the outer periphery of these hills with barely a sprinkle and lots more sun and dry trails.

My TdF tour did subject me to a more usual mix (with blazing sunny weather either side of course!) but I only actually got rained on twice, the sun shone for a couple of days, plus crucially on the actual stage, so I can't complain.

Further sunny riding followed round a short loop in the west. Me and Rob were accompanying Iona who was determined to figure out her nav mistake on her Highland Trail ride (stile versus gate.) Rob then figured on a long loop into the hills. In the event his freewheel packed in so we spent an hour or so sunbathing whilst he faffed it into some sort of working order, followed by a return the way we'd come.

The infamous gate...

Then both my attempts at the Cairngorms 300 were in the sun, although Bertha's intervention between these rides certainly impacted my second go!

After all of that hard riding, the weather again came good for a fabulously relaxing few days in the Yorkshire Dales.

Who'd have thought it - more sun, more dry trails.

This was September of course, not unknown to be a sunny month and I figured this trip would be it and a shocker of an Autumn would follow. Nope, more sun and dry trails. I pounded the local hills, rode the beach, did a long loop out to and round Loch Katrine on the Fargo and a few adventurous 'commutes' via various hills and trails.

Sitting on the top of the Bishop watching this view on the way home from work one evening brought it home to me - we'd had another amazing summer, and I'd cashed in on it mightily. Notwithstanding my HT performance, it had all been 100% successful. Best of all, I seemed to be riding in the Cairngorms every other weekend - actually 5 times and often on the same trails, but I will never get tired of this place, likewise the Dales. Also worth a mention is my beloved Krampus - it's accompanied me on most of my rides this year and what a fab bike it is. I had a minor panic when all supplies of Surly Knards dried up, my current pair were worn smooth and their long awaited dirt wizard failed to materialise. I finally picked a new pair of knards up last month and other manu's are finally getting on the 29+ band wagon so hopefully some better efforts next year.

Then in November I did my first expedition into the hills around Ben Alder, expecting it to be damp and cold. In the event it was mild, sunny and the trails OK. Just a couple of big rivers to cross...

Roll on winter. When you've had a year like this, contemplating dark nights, cold and damp weather (or snow) seems much easier. Plus, it's fat bike season and I have a new bike!