Spot The Photo Bomber

A (keen mountain biker) friend took me to Llandegla this morning for a "spin". The "spin" turned out to be torture for me & my 20 year old Marin Mount Vision.  Well, I knew it was going to hurt as I haven't done any serious mountain biking for a number of years (I used to go racing), but it was nice to have been invited to this mountain bike heaven, Llanegla. Secure parking, cafe, shop, toilets and bike hire/wash all at hand. And of course the numerous trails to choose from. P & C took me on the harder/more dangerous red routes whilst E went her separate way.

P & C are regulars here and did wonders for me warning me of the danger areas etc. I managed to get some air and some serious speeds, but came out fine with no cuts or bruises or broken bones. Except for a double dose of thigh cramp on the last stretch. Never experienced this before & was at one point began to crap myself as I thought I would not make it back to the car park. Fortunately I managed to stretch them enough and completed the loop. P & C were more shocked with how I managed to keep up with them "on that thing" as they thought it would struggle, referring to my Marin. Cheeky sh!tes! My retro bike survived!

The ride was capped off with coffee, pasties n cake. Aces.
P took this shot (apparently he "bombed" the bomber in this pic earlier)showing E, C & myself on the right.

What struck me most today was how far mountain bikes have come since my 1996 Marin hit the shelves. In it's day my bike was way ahead of it's time (came with a Life time guarantee and the frame design became the first Full Suspension bike to win a cross country World championship). Sadly this technology is so yesterday, especially as P & I swapped bikes at one point. Quite an amazing experience I must say! But my bike coped well........though I am tempted to do a bit of web surfing for a replacement.........

We'll see.

Thanks guys/gals