Your ride today.... (part 1)

[Spartak]

Yesterday morning I took my MTB out for a spin around the bridleways of South Gloucestershire, leaving home I headed up to Pucklechurch & Hinton before crossing the busy M4 and dropping down for a quick thrash round Wapley Bushes, before heading back via Westerleigh RUPP, on reaching Ram Hill I discovered a slow puncture but as the rain had started I managed to limp home !

http://www.strava.com/activities/132184979

 

[colly]

I haven't been laying any flooring, but I have been riding my bike more recently and my legs are stiff too, therefore it is due to that!

I'm toying with the idea of taking my bike to Garforth on the train some day soonish to get a decent flat ride in. If we get a dry, sunny, relatively wind-free day, I'll go for it! (I have a metric century route worked out but it involves a couple of minor offroad TPT stretches which I wouldn't want to do if conditions were muddy.) It would probably be on a weekday and I would leave Garforth about 11:00 and aim to get back there about 16:00. Let me know if you are going to be free one day with a decent weather forecast and fancy joining me!

Yes I'd be happy to come along, I just need a bit of notice if it's a weekday.

 

[ColinJ]

Yes I'd be happy to come along, I just need a bit of notice if it's a weekday.

Ok - I'll watch the weather forecasts and see if I spot a suitable day coming up. Forecasts tend to be a bit iffy beyond 3 days though, so that would probably be the maximum notice.

 

[CharlieB]

A sunny Easter Monday morning excuse for a quick very random spin around some byways of my youth in S. Bucks. Chalfont SS Giles and Peter, Gerrards X, a fairly deep ford I'd forgotten existed got feet wet, Burnham Beeches, Egypt, Hedgerley and back to Chesham almost the way I came. 675 mts of climbing in 46 miles was rather surprising - I thought all the hills were up at my end of the Chilterns. Had to get that one in before the forecast rain arrives at 4 o'clock.

 

[Mark Grant]

A sunny ride out to Surrey for me. Tea & cake at the top of Box hill before returning home.
Just 41 miles as I've got pilates tonight and I don't think the instructor will be lenient!

 

[jayonabike]

65 miles & 1071 metres of climbing with @toptom
I had to stay fairly local (within 1hrs cycling from home) as the Wife was at work & my lad was at the skatepark, just incase I got a call to get home. So a nowhere in particular make it up as we go along looping back on ourselves route was the plan for the day. As it turned out it was a hilly one taking in Dunstable Downs, Ivinghoe Beacon, Wiggington Hill, Wendover Woods, back into Ashridge & Pedley Hill. It was a warm day and a good hard ride, my legs are feeling it right now!
Home in time to do some housework and cook a Chilli con Carne for when the Mrs gets in from work.

The view from Wendover Woods looking out over Aylesbury Vale

 

[gavgav]

Been feeling my legs since my hilly ride on Saturday, but wanted to get out and enjoy Holiday Monday, so arranged for a shorter ride with @Rickshaw Phil and Doug. They cycled down to my house, as they wanted the extra miles and we set out on a regular route of mine to Uffington, Upton Magna, Somerwood, Rodington, Longdon on Tern, Isombridge, Withington and back to Upton Magna, Uffington and home.

There was a keen easterly breeze yet again, but it was much warmer than the one on Saturday, once we had got going for a mile or so at least. I could tell that my legs were fatigued and I was holding up the other 2 at times, but the route was uneventful until we were between Rodington and Longdon on Tern. I had stopped in a wet/muddy pull-in, to let a fairly large winnebago through that was taking up the whole road, when there was an unfortunate incident behind me......... I won't elaborate, but @Rickshaw Phil may!

Anyway we continued back to Upton Magna and were hoping to stop at The Haugmond pub, that has recently been re-opened, but it closes on a Monday! Therefore it was onto Uffington and a much needed pint/bowl of chips at The Corbet Arms in the sun, which was very enjoyable.

We then headed back along the old canal path and I branched off back to my house as they continued home.

20.99 Miles
11.7 MPH avg

 

[GrumpyGregry]

100km of lovely local lanes across bits of two counties. On me todd. Very recreational pace. Very re-creational ride.

 

[nickyboy]

I got back from a 2 week holiday to Florida yesterday. 14 days of no cycling, mahoosive breakfasts (sirloin tips, hash browns, 2 eggs and 3 pancakes anyone?) had taken effect. I'd packed on a few pounds so somewhat nervously I got out there today.

Nice and sunny but strong NE wind. The good news was the sunny weather allowed me to wear shorts and short-sleeved top so I could flash the tan. Though better of going into the mountains so down into Cheshire but what with all the humps and bumps it was still 46 miles with 3,400ft of climbing. The upshot is I am well knackered now. It seems that sitting on sunloungers and walking on the beach are not great for maintaining fitness.

Banana stuffed French toast anyone??

 

[gavgav]

I got back from a 2 week holiday to Florida yesterday. 14 days of no cycling, mahoosive breakfasts (sirloin tips, hash browns, 2 eggs and 3 pancakes anyone?) had taken effect. I'd packed on a few pounds so somewhat nervously I got out there today.

Nice and sunny but strong NE wind. The good news was the sunny weather allowed me to wear shorts and short-sleeved top so I could flash the tan. Though better of going into the mountains so down into Cheshire but what with all the humps and bumps it was still 46 miles with 3,400ft of climbing. The upshot is I am well knackered now. It seems that sitting on sunloungers and walking on the beach are not great for maintaining fitness.

Banana stuffed French toast anyone??

I couldn't believe how big the Canadian Breakfasts were when I was over there, and am guessing the American one's are the same!

 

[ScotiaLass]

My ride today, although in familiar territory, was different! Today, I rode with the lovely @Pat "5mph" and her Belles who had ridden from Glasgow. I met up with them at the Falkirk Wheel, a short hop for me, a bit longer for them!

I was early and they were late...not a problem as I sat people watching, and watched a motorised sailing boat try to get through a lock...I think it was his first time as he hit the jetty a couple of times. When he eventually made it through, there was a crowd waiting, as it's a swing bridge, and he got a round of applause. He was not amused!

Priscilla at the swing bridge, Falkirk Wheel

The swing bridge, closed and awaiting the boat


The Belles soon turned up and we had a quick coffee break before continuing the last 4 miles to Helix Park and the Kelpies.
There was a bit of a headwind but the miles flew by and it was nice to have some company and chat, as I cycled.

Pat giving me camera direction!

The Belles

Pat and Michelle

Standing below the Kelpies, looking across the turning pool, towards Fife (under the bridge)


And finally, the stars of the show....

The Kelpies

It was a lovely ride with some lovely people, I just wish it had been a bit longer for me!
Next time ladies!!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Further to what @gavgav says, Doug and I set out to meet up with him for a nice ride around the lanes to the east of Shrewsbury. On the way over we crossed the A5 which was already practically at a standstill due to the weight of traffic coming back from Wales.

After meeting Gav we headed out along the old canal to Uffington and Upton Magna followed by the climb along the flank of Haughmond Hill where Doug romped away from Gav and I - the training is starting to pay off I think.

Between Rodington Heath and Longdon on Tern there was a surprising amount of traffic and in some places not a lot of space to pass. We'd just stopped to let a BMW pass and were getting going again when Doug did a very sudden stop (with back wheel locked) and as I wasn't expecting it I didn't reach the brake levers in time and just went straight into the back of him. The reason for the stop was the Winnebago (yes, proper branded one) which was taking up the entire lane but which I couldn't see coming from where I was at the back of the group. Totally my fault and really embarrassed about it now.

Once a few minutes had been spent straightening handlebars, brake levers and accessories on the bar (all on my bike - Doug's didn't get a scratch) we got going again, only to realise that we'd intended to turn right immediately before the place where the incident happened. Not that it mattered really, we just did an extra mile or so to get back on track.

The journey back was with the wind and on really flat lanes, so nice easy riding. I couldn't help noticing that the slowing down hand signal got a lot of use on the way back. Anyone would think I made a habit of crashing into folk

As already mentioned the pub at Upton Magna is closed on a monday so we ended up at the Corbet Arms instead, where a pint of Shropshire Gold went down quite nicely and made me feel better. While supping our pints we noticed that Doug has skinned his ankle in our little incident and his left arm is covered in scratches from where we fell into the hedge.

After the pub we headed back towards town where Doug and I parted from Gav near the Sports Village and we carried on towards The Quarry, which was absolutely packed with people enjoying the lovely warm .

Crossing the A5 again on the way back it was still pretty much stationary over four hours since we were last here.

32 miles today at 11.6 mph average. Doug wasn't struggling at the end of the ride like he has been up 'til now which shows he's improving.

The great trek home is underway and it was still like this in the afternoon.

Drink stop at Upton Magna.

The finger post at Upton Magna. 30 miles to Whitchurch from here? Sustrans don't half take the scenic way.

Another quick stop shortly before the "incident".

Beer (and cider) stop.

Funfair in The Quarry.

Busy at the Boathouse today.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

So for my 2nd ride on the new bike we opted for an 85km ride we did last weekend and ended up doing rather more... It seemed like a good idea (once we had edited out the off-road sections ) and set off deciding to be brave - s/s jersey and shorts for my OH, s/s jersey and 3/4 lengths for myself... I was struggling early on, or at least I felt like I was, Strava disagrees with a whole load of PR's through Delamere Forest (road) area... but early on it was very much a case of 'controlling' the traffic and owning the road and it felt like it was going to be one of those days on the roads. Luckily once out of the area things quietened down and other than the dodge across the A54 dual carriageway (turn right onto it and then get off within 100m at the next junction) it was a good day on the roads - with the one exception of a 4x4 driver who decided to overtake 2 cyclists on a single track hump back bridge over a canal with 3 oncoming cars. He failed because I made it clear he was not going to get anywhere and thankfully the oncoming car also responded to my hand cycles (stop sign held out behind me ) and me cycling up the middle of the bridge... I don't think his wife was particularly impressed either from what I could hear from the vehicle when they finally got passed us!

From there - lunch where we had it last week, but the snakes head fritillary are now well passed their best and onwards and upwards... until I found I didn't have a cycling partner ... back tracking a touch established that he had a fly in his eye (again...) and once it was removed we were underway at what I thought was a nice gentle pace. A café stop at the marina in Nantwich brought me a coffee and they are happy for me to eat my own food because they know they can't cater for me (being allergic to all dairy) and then we started to head home through the centre of Cheshire.

Somewhere around Winsford we decided that we felt good enough to change the route and make it a 100km day, so headed off towards Northwich which my OH complained about - fast road but boring, so then headed off back towards Weaverham and Acton Bridge and .... well 105.3km all said and done. I think I am going to like my new bike! 49 strava cups tell me the pace was not as leisurely as I had previously thought and I am finding that I can use the drops much more often than expected - handy in that horrendous easterly that is coming across the Cheshire Plains at the moment! Oh and I caught the sun... must try to stop doing that, I'm starting to look way too healthy!
http://www.strava.com/activities/132677107

 

[EltonFrog]

I had to work this lunch time and by the time I got home it didn’t look like a ride was going to happen because there was thunder in the air, and in the distance the clouds were blacker than black man’s thumb viewed through a pint of Guinness. However directly above the house the sun was warm and the sky was blue and there was no wind in the air. The enemy and I decided we would take the MTB’s out along the canal again to Aldermaston Wharf visitors centre, have a cuppa and a cake then come back about 15 miles. After two miles it started to rain, we stopped put on out w/proofs and carried on then the suns came out, we stopped, took off our w/proofs and the rest of the ride was FAB. Loads of folk out today, walking, biking, boating, the café was busy. There was a family with two small boys with an Isla bike each and the Mum had an adult Isla bike too; very posh.

On the way back the clouds started to look pants again, as we approached home it started to spit and in the last two miles home we got drenched. Great fun! In all a nice gentle ride out, I love going down the canal.

 

[fossyant]

Managed a quick 20 mile blast at over 19 mph average, was over 20 till I hit Rhyl. Out from Gronant, via Upper Gronant, Prestatyn, Meliden, Dyserth. Opened up into TT mode leaving Dyserth until I reached Rhudlan, clocking up mid 20's. Turned for St Asaph, but went to Bodwiddlywiddly place, then looped back to Towyn, Rhyl, Prestatyn and Gronant. Only one silly pass in 20 miles, and lots of considerate driving, considering it was busy due to the bank holiday. Murderous headwind along the coast, but managed to hold 18 to 19 mph in it. Good spin, no pictures I am afraid as I went out to kill myself as havent ridden loads in the last week or so (holiday).

So far this week it's been two training rides, and two pootles with the family.

Edit, checked Strava on my return and this invader from Manchester got 3 top 5 places. Ha ha.