Your ride today.... (part 1)

[EltonFrog]

@cosmicbike you should get a double "like" for that ride.

 

[EltonFrog]

I did the “Three Hills” again to today. When I say the “Three Hills” what I mean is the three bastard fecking cunting steep bastard fecking hills! Any way the rain stayed off and the roads were mainly dry and the traffic was quiet, I set off down to Pangbourne, going over Whitchurch Bridge, up Whitchurch Hill, on to Goring via the very fast downhill, over the river Thames then up Streatley fecking bollox bastard Hill bringing me about ten miles later to within a hares breath of home and a cuppa, but I carry on up Sulham Hill back then round to home, collect a rucksack and then off to Pangbourne again to do a bit of shopping and banking had a cuppa and a bacon sarny in the cafe. I did my shopping and dropped a pot of double cream on the floor of the Co-Op which splattered everywhere. GAH! The last couple of miles home it started to rain and the wind got up, but I just missed the worst of it. 27.59 enjoyable miles.

No piccies today. it was much as i could to breath after Streatley Hill, never mind operating a camera.

 

[hopless500]

I did the “Three Hills” again to today. When I say the “Three Hills” what I mean is the three ******* fecking ****ing steep ******* fecking hills! Any way the rain stayed off and the roads were mainly dry and the traffic was quiet, I set off down to Pangbourne, going over Whitchurch Bridge, up Whitchurch Hill, on to Goring via the very fast downhill, over the river Thames then up Streatley fecking bollox ******* Hill bringing me about ten miles later to within a hares breath of home and a cuppa, but I carry on up Sulham Hill back then round to home, collect a rucksack and then off to Pangbourne again to do a bit of shopping and banking had a cuppa and a bacon sarny in the cafe. I did my shopping and dropped a pot of double cream on the floor of the Co-Op which splattered everywhere. GAH! The last couple of miles home it started to rain and the wind got up, but I just missed the worst of it. 27.59 enjoyable miles.

No piccies today. it was much as i could to breath after Streatley Hill, never mind operating a camera.

View attachment 43137

You appear to have gone up a cliff face at about 7.5 miles

 

[EltonFrog]

Feckin felt like it too. That's Streatley Hill, one of the "Top Ten" apparently, this was the third time I've been up it and it ain't getting easier, today I was going so slow at one point I nearly fell off.

 

[cosmicbike]

I did the “Three Hills” again to today. When I say the “Three Hills” what I mean is the three ******* fecking ****ing steep ******* fecking hills! Any way the rain stayed off and the roads were mainly dry and the traffic was quiet, I set off down to Pangbourne, going over Whitchurch Bridge, up Whitchurch Hill, on to Goring via the very fast downhill, over the river Thames then up Streatley fecking bollox ******* Hill bringing me about ten miles later to within a hares breath of home and a cuppa, but I carry on up Sulham Hill back then round to home, collect a rucksack and then off to Pangbourne again to do a bit of shopping and banking had a cuppa and a bacon sarny in the cafe. I did my shopping and dropped a pot of double cream on the floor of the Co-Op which splattered everywhere. GAH! The last couple of miles home it started to rain and the wind got up, but I just missed the worst of it. 27.59 enjoyable miles.

No piccies today. it was much as i could to breath after Streatley Hill, never mind operating a camera.

View attachment 43137

That rides gonna cost you in the CC swear box

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Our lass and number two son have gone to London for a couple of days so had to play taxi driver to the station, so got up and did a 35 mile loop around the east side of Leicester before taking them and then did a 40 mile round trip to Sainsbury's so I can feed number one son

 

[coffeejo]

Yesterday evening's ride under a clear, blue sky seems a far cry from the sodden clouds that are in the process of emptying themselves over west Somerset at the moment but that's why I chose to ride when I did, to bid farewell to the sunshine before it vanished off on its holidays. Again. My chosen route was a familiar variation of one of my favourite loops: head west up the main road that runs along the valley dividing the Quantocks from the Brendons and then head up, up, up a short, sharp climb to the edge of Exmoor, follow that road east(ish) to Wivesliscombe and then loop back to Taunton and so to home after 30+ miles of climbs, descents and sweeping corners.

I've never known those roads, even the A358, to be so quiet and there were long stretches where I had the tarmac to myself - just me, the evening chorus and some spectacular views. I was having too much fun to stop to take many photos but couldn't help but couldn't resist this little chap(ess):

The view from the same gateway kept me there for quite a while longer:

I deliberately timed the ride in the hopes of being out to witness the setting sun and it worked out pretty well:

 

[EltonFrog]

@coffeejo nice piccies, I like baby baa lambs me.

 

[hopless500]

@coffeejo nice piccies, I like baby baa lambs me.

Me too

 

[Old Plodder]

I believe they go well with mint sauce...........

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Inspired by @gavgav's ride on saturday I decided to head down to Cardington and then back via Chatwall and Ruckley. I haven't ridden through Ruckley for ages and by heading to it the way Gav did I'd be riding a lane I haven't been up before.

Setting out, the wind that had been calm all day decided to perk up a bit so it was harder work than I expected on the exposed bits - especially the road to Condover. I'm certain it's doing it on purpose now. The wind did ease a bit which I was glad of along along the old Roman road where it usually gets stronger where it's funnelled between the hills.

After Cardington I was onto the bit that's new to me - it's a nice lane which climbs steadily but not steep passing a campsite on the way (just 2 caravans on site today and one of those looked like it was being packed up.

At the top of the climb there was a horse and rider. I dinged my bell a good way off, which didn't bother the horse but made two dogs I hadn't noticed think I was their new best friend and they came lolloping towards me (bit of deja vu there as this also happened on a ride to Pulverbatch recently)

I was now onto the descent towards Ruckley. I passed one other cyclist who seemed quite surprised to see me, then had to pause at Causewaywood to sort out an odd noise (front left brake block seemed to be rubbing).

The weather was closing in on me now so I pressed on through Acton Burnell and Pitchford but the rain caught me just before reaching Cantlop. Fortunately it was just light and that shower blew past quite quick. The wind strengthened again after the rain went through which gave a welcome boost on the way back.

24.4 miles at 12.4 mph average.

Cardington.

Looking down the valley from Causewaywood. I like this valley - it feels quite hidden away.

Between Ruckley and Acton Burnell. You get some great views from here usually. Today the Long Mynd is hidden from view by a curtain of rain that's coming this way

 

[totallyfixed]

Contrary to everything I have previously said about not posting on this thread because of a shoulder op [arthroscopic sub acromial decompression + some more bone shaved off my clavicle], unsurprisingly I was told it would be weeks before I could attempt riding my bike. It was 5 days. I got bored on the turbo trainer so thought I might as well ride outside. Up until Sunday it was on gears, then on Sunday I did 22 miles on the fixed but getting out of the saddle was too uncomfortable so uphills are very, very slow grinds.
Today was 32 miles on fixed under a threatening sky, at one point it became a race to reach the bridge where the road passed under the A1, which we made, just. Less than a half mile further and the roads are completely dry again, the oil seed rape fields against the dark rain clouds that had passed over us were beautifully contrasted, not so great on a camera phone though , you had to be there.

Good to be back in the saddle.

 

[Saluki]

Contrary to everything I have previously said about not posting on this thread because of a shoulder op [arthroscopic sub acromial decompression + some more bone shaved off my clavicle], unsurprisingly I was told it would be weeks before I could attempt riding my bike. It was 5 days. I got bored on the turbo trainer so thought I might as well ride outside. Up until Sunday it was on gears, then on Sunday I did 22 miles on the fixed but getting out of the saddle was too uncomfortable so uphills are very, very slow grinds.
Today was 32 miles on fixed under a threatening sky, at one point it became a race to reach the bridge where the road passed under the A1, which we made, just. Less than a half mile further and the roads are completely dry again, the oil seed rape fields against the dark rain clouds that had passed over us were beautifully contrasted, not so great on a camera phone though , you had to be there.

Good to be back in the saddle.

Go you careful!

 

[Saluki]

My usual evening time ride from home to the Colney Unit at the N&N Hospital to meet Ken from dialysis. 8.33 miles in 34.47 which is my fastest time this year.
It was another gorgeous evening, I say evening, I left the house at just after 9pm and there was little traffic. I could smell the blossom from Wymondham to Hethersett, awesome. I felt absolutely great! to think that I wasn't sure if I was going out or staying in to watch Midsomer Murders on ITV3+1. I'm glad that I went.

 

[Bryony]

@Pat "5mph" and @ScotiaLass - I thought the Kelpies looked familiar. The same artist, Andy Scott, made this pack horse for Leeds. He obviously loves his horses.

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View attachment 43181

They are gorgeous!