Hadleigh Olympic Cycle Park on the Boys New Mountain Bikes

You wouldn't believe this time last year we were experiencing the extreme weather conditions as a consequence of the "Beast from the East". Move forward one year and we are basking in double digit temperatures that feel like mid spring rather than mid-February. With such gorgeous weather we decided to spend a day at Hadleigh Olympic Cycling Park to get the kids outdoors and for Brandon and Joshua to both try their new mountain bikes on the course. To date they have only ridden them around the block and out with friends, but not on the Hadleigh tracks.

Joshua loved his biked and found the front suspension really good when going off of rocks. As usual he was a bit more daring than Brandon and had a fairly nasty fall off of one ramp resulting in grazed knees and hands. Brandon's bike is still just a fraction big for him and as such he was far more cautious and only came off once during the tight downhill tunnel 360 loop.

I didn't take a bike this time as I was pushing Holly around using the balance buddy and her stabilisers. She did do quite a bit of pedaling but also needed a lot of pushing on the big hills and some of the rougher surfaces. This is definitely the year when I need to get her riding a bike on 2 wheels so that I nt longer have to run around with her. I am sure the boys were both riding on 2 wheels at the age of 5.

After a good mess around on the various bike tracks we also took a nice cycle over to Hadleigh Castle with some spectacular views over to Old Leigh and Southend.

I don't think Holly will be on this bike much longer, I lifted the seat for her to make it a bit more comfortable, but I think she needs to move to one of her bigger bikes in the garage.

Joshua testing out his suspension dropping down some rockery.

Brandon being very sensible and cautious.

This is the year that we get that balance buddy off of the back of Holly's bike.

Joshua tackling another part of the rockery.

Such a lovely day to get out on the bikes.

Brandon did really well considering this was his first time at Hadleigh on his new big bike.

Joshua found the front suspension worked really well on drop offs like this one.

Joshua tackling the BMX stunt track. It was on this track that he had his fall of the day.

Looking good on the raised corners.

On our way over to Hadleigh Castle we stopped off for some exercise!

Me and Brandon also had a balance off on these starting from the smallest and seeing who could walk across each one, getting higher and higher.

Exploring a 13th century kitchen.

Holly being a bit Sassy for the camera.

My boys.

Holly exploring other parts of the castle.

I think this is a great picture of the 3 kiddies.

Holly is starting to look so grown up, where is our little baby gone?

Stunning views over the castle and looking down on Old Leigh and Southend. 

Brandon was very interested in using the phones to learn some of the history of the castle.

Joshua was first to complete the tunnel loop on the main mountain bike course.

Brandon tried this but was too slow and cautious.

Holding a leg out for balance, but sometimes you are better off just taking a brave pill and going for it.

Shortly after this picture he came off before making it in to the tunnel.

But to his credit he didn't let the fall phase him and got right back on the trail.

And eventually out the other side.

Another great days exercise on the excellent mountain biking facility at Hadleigh.