Friday, August 25, 2006

The new 'blue'


'Getting the Bikefax blue's'
Would you believe it? Apparantly 'blue' is a very difficult colour to print. According to our printer, its a nightmare to get the right blue.... so just when we thought it was all over, we spent the best part of this week finding the 'right' blue, one that will print, that is, for the Scotland guide. The scots dont seem to have that much trouble printing 'the right blue', its everywhere even in the scottish flag..
Anyway that little hiccup resolved, the date is set for the return of the book from the printers. If you're one of those people putting in a pre-order right now for the guide, you can expect it on your bookshelf by the end of August. Now that's all set, it's good at last to be able peel my eyeballs from the computer screen and my ass off the office chair and get back out for some real riding. Waited for it to stop raining today and then headed off to one of our favourite local trails - the Marin trail over at Betws y Coed.
The trail was a bit wet and muddy at the start and there were a few early comedy moments on the muddy rocks but as the ride went on and the sky got bluer, the trail got firmer and firmer. Interesting to say that the Marin is one of those trails that seems to get better and better for a bit of wear and tear. Got to say that having been riding in that forest since the year dot, the Marin did seem a bit tame when it was first built, but now that its got a bit more worn and gone back down to some of the bedrock and original ground conditions, it's got a lot more technical and entertaining.
And whoooooooo's been out there with a shovel, making the jumps on the second to last section even bigger? Good effort, it's even more fun ever. Back to the orifice tomorrow to do some work on the Beicio Llanberis proposal. Gwynedd Council is having its second look at the proposal for a mtb centre in Llanberis and we're putting together the funding plan for it. Its looking very promising indeed and they have promised to give us a decision by October.
Posted by Sue

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Finally finished the Scotland guide


Finally finished the south Scotland and 7 stanes guidebook. Sent it to the printers on friday, signed off the proofs today and it should start rolling out on the posts on monday. Celebrated by shutting up shop early, dusting down the bikes and heading up to Bwlch Cwm Llan on Snowdon for a very fine ascent and a ripping descent. Played host to some of the folk from the 7stanes and the Borders FC on tuesday. Ali took em all on a guided ride up Snowdon, via the Llanberis railway path and the Rhyd Ddu descent. They were all looking a bit faded when I met them for lunch at Pete's eats. No wonder after a 5am start and they were still planning to head over to Coed Llandegla for a look see.