Your ride today.... (part 1)

[Flick of the Elbow]

I have a longer run planned for tomorrow so set off this morning on my racing bike for a circuit that has been taking a couple of hours on my Croix de Fer over the winter. Despite a strong westerly I was surprised to get back 10 mins faster, just shows what a difference the bike makes.

 

[Saluki]

@Old Plodder surprised I didn't bump into you, we were round by Froyle and Wells this morning, a large group of us did 57 miles out from Basingstoke. You couldn't miss us, I had about 25 ish on my ride, mostly dressed in green and black jerseys.

It was a lovely day for a ride but I am now expecting a telling off from the club. I advertised the ride at 15.5mph and we ended up at about 17 . Still we got in some lovely hills and a few of the girls got some Strava qoms.

Why a telling off? Did anyone complain?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

just a slow, leisurely ride around a very busy Delamere Forest.
We aimed to explore some new routes and we did just that. Fraid I bailed on cycling over this 'bridge' as did my OH...

seems most cyclist were doing the same from that lack of tyre marks. Doesn't look too bad in the photo but the first 18 inches of it is missing on the other side and it is rather rickety to say the least....Even walking it was dodgy...

Stopped off at the café, something we don't normally do and a member of staff surrendered the last dairy free cookie/piece of cake when my OH asked if there were any left (I'm allergic to dairy) which was very kind of them.

Coming home was interesting - on the road my OH noticed that he front wheel was 'wobbling'. We put it down to his new tyres not being centred and left it at that... got home and had a better look and he has managed to break one of the nipples holding the spokes to the rim! How he has done that is anyone's guess... Last time he was out, he managed to ruin 2 tyres... this time its the wheel that will be needing some attention! (not to mention his chain keeps coming off and the gears are all 1 out, so the smallest cog on the cassette is not being used and when he is on the largest cog, there is still one more click to go which boots the chain up and over and off..... I hate indexing...

If anyone is considering Delamere Forest tomorrow, word of warning, it is the Marie Curie Cancer Charity run event tomorrow and cycling there will not be easy...

http://www.strava.com/activities/142214657 Just the 28.1km in the sunshine!

 

[Glow worm]

A really pleasant 15 miler here today.

Sauntered up to Wicken Fen, one of my usual haunts as it is largely an off road route. It started badly before I even left my village when I had a 'disagreement' with a Volvo wnacker who'd decided the use of indicators were a bit beneath him. I often wonder why they bother even fitting indicators to Volvos!

Anyway, I couldn't face any more Volvo morons, so I chose the quietest route possible. Didn't take many pics today, but at Wicken, the Konik ponies were close by in one meadow with a couple of foals there too.

At about this point I heard the second cuckoo of the day and on the way home a female marsh harrier flew over my head quite low. It was carrying a frog in its talons, and I don't think the frog was having the best of afternoons!

The last few miles home were lovely and Volvo free I'm relieved to say.

 

[kipster]

Why a telling off? Did anyone complain?

A couple of comments on the ride which I took on board. At 25 miles we were on target at 15.2, but then the route flattened out and the speed picked up. Difficult to please 25 ish people.

 

[postman]

Not as planned by the time we got to Otley my mate had an aching calf muscle,he said he was going for a coffee and i had to go on by myself.So running later than i planned i went to Embsay Steam Railway,oh it is lovely after you leave Bolton Abbey.58 miles in all.It was Otley Show and loads of people and traffic,but sadly just outside of Ilkley was the worst car smash i have ever seen.The result of that were massive tailbacks and in this hot weather.Some of the riding was hard,my legs felt like lead going up hills but i manned up and cycled through it.Oh i also met Bokon, ripping the tarmac just outside of Otley ,we spoke briefly as he whizzed past me at about 30mph,i kid you not i was doing 17 mph and he ripped away from me.Nice to meet another chatter.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Completed the Cotswold Challenge Audax today, the ride report is on the threat here.

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/cotswold-challenge-17th-may.155323/

 

[Chappy]

Had a great day today with the wife, sister in law and sister in law boy friend.

We went to Moors Valley country park and spent the best part of the day cycling along all the routes there especially the blue route which I had to go round twice. Its a 4.4km route through the wood not very technical but fast and flowy.

Parts of the blue route above.

There was also some great family friendly trails which are ideal for all ages

And of course the day wouldn't be complete without a stream and a rope swing

Would highly recommend a visit if you are in the area there was a section built by local riders attached to the woods which happens to have some proper jumps and runs but i was allowed to go and look

 

[Maverick Goose]

Another fantastic sunny day, made it across the A35 in one piece and just the one MGIF....he'll burn his clutch out if he's not careful.

 

[Toeclip]

Early morning ride out to Maldon Promenade park, tide was out so a nice view of the mud while I enjoyed a cuppa and sausage roll, a round trip of 72.50 miles.

 

[Pikey]

I rode out to Rowde with my wife and bought her some ice cream.

Probably the best ride this year

 

[gavgav]

happily... I would love to visit Canada...

I'd love to live in Canada!! Not sure about the bears chasing the bike though

 

[Bokonon]

Not as planned by the time we got to Otley my mate had an aching calf muscle,he said he was going for a coffee and i had to go on by myself.So running later than i planned i went to Embsay Steam Railway,oh it is lovely after you leave Bolton Abbey.58 miles in all.It was Otley Show and loads of people and traffic,but sadly just outside of Ilkley was the worst car smash i have ever seen.The result of that were massive tailbacks and in this hot weather.Some of the riding was hard,my legs felt like lead going up hills but i manned up and cycled through it.Oh i also met Bokon, ripping the tarmac just outside of Otley ,we spoke briefly as he whizzed past me at about 30mph,i kid you not i was doing 17 mph and he ripped away from me.Nice to meet another chatter.

Ooh, I've not posted on here for ages. Anyway, I was out for a quick pottle this morning, heading for the Langbar climb out of Beamsley, whilst wearing my CycleChat jersey. I passed a cyclist just coming out of Otley who shouted 'hey, CycleChat!' at me so I slowed down for a chat; I've now met postman

 

[merc85]

Was gonna do my usual route today but it was such nice weather thought id go 44 miles around the River Stour, What a ride 2hrs 22mins ave 18.4mph some steep hills too

 

[Bobby Mhor]

After @Brandane post yesterday HERE

It was a good look at the weather forecast and with a window early morning just about 8..
It was off from the house to drop down a local Cat4 then about turn and back up again....at the usual slow speed then it was back down part of it then turn right and a drop to almost sea level then out the A8 towards Langbank where I took the old road and headed up the long haul Hatton Brae, I was pleased to see quite a few cyclists out and about in this area.
A quick run down into Bishopton where I headed left towards the Erskine Bridge but as the cycle lanes are all confusing due to continuing work, I decided just to head along a now busy road towards the Georgetown straight, a long laborious road esp with the strengthening breeze in my face.
A quick water break before dropping down into Crosslee then heading along the Locher Rd where I joined route 75 and toodled home and the Garmin turned 30 mile just 800yds from home..
The rain?
for about two miles through Bishopton heading east..
A good run..
Kudos to the many cyclists out today in Renfrewshire.
the sky?
50 shades of grey