Old Plodder
Living at the top of a steep 2 mile climb
- Location
- Surrey/Hants border
Congratulations, surfdude.
Your ride today.... (part 1)
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
- Status
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theloafer
Legendary Member
- Location
- newton aycliffe
today ride was to make all the tweaks to karon,s new bike (Gwendolyn) a nice steady 29 miles scenic route out to sadberge had a quick half larger 
then down the A66 cyclepath into darlington headed to cockerton and back via Walworth as karon requested ice cream so called in at archers ice cream parlour ... very tasty too .
. weather was ok no rain but at times a chilly breeze
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/506684001
then down the A66 cyclepath into darlington headed to cockerton and back via Walworth as karon requested ice cream so called in at archers ice cream parlour ... very tasty too .. weather was ok no rain but at times a chilly breezehttp://connect.garmin.com/activity/506684001
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
A nice relaxed ride in the sun today, what a difference from yesterday. A bit blowy but really nice and warm. Passed @totallyfixed and Dr Pink near Polebrook I think. Did fifty with them but given it was such a nice day I did another 50 on my own, really noticed the wind then!
On the way back I approached a guy pushing a nice Trek, so I stopped to ask if he was alright, p'tured he said. So I offered him a tube but he politely refused but he would borrow a pump.
No pictures I'm afraid, I was tempted but I wanted back to see the giro finish.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/506705922
On the way back I approached a guy pushing a nice Trek, so I stopped to ask if he was alright, p'tured he said. So I offered him a tube but he politely refused but he would borrow a pump.
No pictures I'm afraid, I was tempted but I wanted back to see the giro finish.
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/506705922
Cush
Veteran
- Location
- North Cumbria but still a Geordie
Got a mile down the road and it POURED down after another 1/2 mile I decided that as I could not get any wetter I might as well carry on. I had also met SWMBO coming back in the car with a very dry and smug looking dog in the back. So macho pride stepped in. At Crosby on Eden it was dry, by the time I reached the Sheepmount, where there was a big sporting festival, complete with bouncy castle going on, there was no sign that there had been any rain and apart from my shoes and socks I was drying off. Carried on up the Caldew but then chickened out and headed up London Road Cumwhinton and Wetheral, where there were great puddles. So 21 miles round Carlisle mostly on quiet roads but also some seriously busy ones. Even the rain could not put a damper on a neat ride.
gavgav
Legendary Member
Cricket was cancelled due to the incessant rain we've had over here in Shropshire and so I was able to head off to this http://www.shrewsburygrandprix.co.uk/.
I took the route through Castlefields and along Sydney Avenue and alongside the River Severn (which was lapping over the top of the towpath again by the weir) and arrived at Greyfriars bridge, where I had arranged to meet @Rickshaw Phil and his brother Doug. I was a few minutes early and witnessed an argument between a cyclist and a woman in a motorised invalid carriage on the bridge, as the cyclist had ridden over the bridge when he was supposed to walk the bike across
.
Phil and Doug arrived and so we carried on into the Quarry and met up with one of the Cycle Shrewsbury groups to enable us to access the Grand Prix course, and ride 7 laps on the closed road circuit. There were already large crowds in place, ready for the racing and it was a pleasure to cycle around the course amongst all ages of riders. There were a few very enthusiastic children that didn't have much spatial awareness and it meant having to be very careful
but all passed off without incident.
The Fun Ride
We then spent half an hour watching the Extreme Mountain Biking display and it was great fun. The bloke was in full control of the bike at all times, without much effort it seemed and he hopped and jumped around platforms, bars, and vehicles with aplomb.
Extreme Mountain Biking on top of a van! Doug enjoying the afternoon viewing
We then positioned ourselves at the top of Shoplatch for a bit, to watch the Women's National Race, which included Joanna Rowsell (MBE).
Racers heading up Shoplatch and also a narrow "pinch point" at Cross Hill!
We got on the bikes and cycled the short distance around to the top of Cross Hill for a different viewing point opposite the Coach & Horses.
Sharp left hander with Joanna Rowsell leading the womens race, in the Orange and Black outfit
@Rickshaw Phil and Doug enjoying the afternoon
After watching some good fast racing, Doug and I left Phil to it and headed back down into the Quarry and home. There were more races to come over the next few hours and they are streaming them live on the website http://www.shrewsburygrandprix.co.uk/ if you want to take a look
A very enjoyable afternoon, with great crowds and I hope this becomes a regular event for Shrewsbury over the coming years.
10.66 miles
I took the route through Castlefields and along Sydney Avenue and alongside the River Severn (which was lapping over the top of the towpath again by the weir) and arrived at Greyfriars bridge, where I had arranged to meet @Rickshaw Phil and his brother Doug. I was a few minutes early and witnessed an argument between a cyclist and a woman in a motorised invalid carriage on the bridge, as the cyclist had ridden over the bridge when he was supposed to walk the bike across
.Phil and Doug arrived and so we carried on into the Quarry and met up with one of the Cycle Shrewsbury groups to enable us to access the Grand Prix course, and ride 7 laps on the closed road circuit. There were already large crowds in place, ready for the racing and it was a pleasure to cycle around the course amongst all ages of riders. There were a few very enthusiastic children that didn't have much spatial awareness and it meant having to be very careful
but all passed off without incident.The Fun Ride
We then spent half an hour watching the Extreme Mountain Biking display and it was great fun. The bloke was in full control of the bike at all times, without much effort it seemed and he hopped and jumped around platforms, bars, and vehicles with aplomb.
Extreme Mountain Biking on top of a van! Doug enjoying the afternoon viewing
We then positioned ourselves at the top of Shoplatch for a bit, to watch the Women's National Race, which included Joanna Rowsell (MBE).
Racers heading up Shoplatch and also a narrow "pinch point" at Cross Hill!
We got on the bikes and cycled the short distance around to the top of Cross Hill for a different viewing point opposite the Coach & Horses.
Sharp left hander with Joanna Rowsell leading the womens race, in the Orange and Black outfit
@Rickshaw Phil and Doug enjoying the afternoon
After watching some good fast racing, Doug and I left Phil to it and headed back down into the Quarry and home. There were more races to come over the next few hours and they are streaming them live on the website http://www.shrewsburygrandprix.co.uk/ if you want to take a look
A very enjoyable afternoon, with great crowds and I hope this becomes a regular event for Shrewsbury over the coming years.
10.66 miles
Dark46
Veteran
- Location
- Quedgeley, Gloucester
Went for quick ride this morning. I thought right 10 miles it is and off I set. I went to work and set a PB and thought about the rest of the ride. This is the reason I cant wait to get a Garmin as the ride turned out to be 7.6 miles .
Bryony
Veteran
- Location
- Ramsgate, Kent
Took the eldest step daughter round the blue MTB trail at Fowlmead today. Was a nice sunny but windy day and some of the trails were very muddy and boggy, which added to the fun!
It was fairly eventful Ruby fell off her bike twice, once in a very nice muddy puddle! And in between her falls I puked in the woods!! But apart from that it was a very enjoyable day!
Ruby riding over the bridge
We weren't brave enough for the red route!
Lovely views
Fowlmead lake
It was fairly eventful Ruby fell off her bike twice, once in a very nice muddy puddle! And in between her falls I puked in the woods!! But apart from that it was a very enjoyable day!
Ruby riding over the bridge
We weren't brave enough for the red route!
Lovely views
Fowlmead lake
Attachments
Spartak
Powered by M&M's
- Location
- Bristolian
Two rides today, firstly this morning we had a club ride over the Severn Bridge, starting in Blackmill in the Ogmore Valley, it was a very wet ride with rain falling for most of the ride. We firstly climbed the Bwlch before dropping down into Treorchy.
The next climb was up the Rhigos, a well graded climb with great views once at the top, a flat section then took us to Neath, where we stopped at the very welcoming Orchard Cafe ( well worth a visit - its opposite the Bus station ), a short climb took us out of Neath up to Cimla before our final climb back up the Bwlch from Blaengwnfi once at the top the heavy rain started again & continued until we reached the car park.
91 kms in total with 1800 metres of climbing. http://www.strava.com/activities/145361279
After showering and eventually warming up, took my MTB out for a quick spin in the sun !
The next climb was up the Rhigos, a well graded climb with great views once at the top, a flat section then took us to Neath, where we stopped at the very welcoming Orchard Cafe ( well worth a visit - its opposite the Bus station ), a short climb took us out of Neath up to Cimla before our final climb back up the Bwlch from Blaengwnfi once at the top the heavy rain started again & continued until we reached the car park.
91 kms in total with 1800 metres of climbing. http://www.strava.com/activities/145361279
After showering and eventually warming up, took my MTB out for a quick spin in the sun !
Attachments
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
@gavgav has already covered it, but today's ride was down to the Shrewsbury Cycle Grand Prix.
Doug and I had a nice fast wind-assisted run into town where we met up with Gav before heading to the centre to join the fun ride before the racing. There was quite a crowd gathering already so it was nice having the experience of riding the closed roads in front of all those people.
It was a real mixed group as already mentioned, with all ages and abilities on the track at the same time. It made it a bit interesting when some of the quicker riders were trying to force their way past slower groups
but fortunately there didn't appear to be any incidents. I completely lost count of how many laps we did. Enough to have some fun anyway.
Next up was the stunt riding - I liked that a lot. Can't even bunny hop personally.
The racing itself was fast and furious. Being on a part of the course that didn't have any speakers for the P.A. system I didn't have a clue what was going on a lot of the time, but did have an idea of which was the leading group. Not quite sure what went on at the end of the second race - suddenly heard the marshall's radio saying there was an ambulance on the course and we were expecting the riders to do another couple of laps but only a handful of them came round again.
A crash I guess.
I stayed for the two races then headed back as I was feeling rather cold from standing around in the wind. An uneventful trip back brought it up to 12 miles for the day.
A bit of trials riding. Very impressive.
Plenty of people came out to watch.
A few scenes from the racing.
Doug and I had a nice fast wind-assisted run into town where we met up with Gav before heading to the centre to join the fun ride before the racing. There was quite a crowd gathering already so it was nice having the experience of riding the closed roads in front of all those people.
It was a real mixed group as already mentioned, with all ages and abilities on the track at the same time. It made it a bit interesting when some of the quicker riders were trying to force their way past slower groups
but fortunately there didn't appear to be any incidents. I completely lost count of how many laps we did. Enough to have some fun anyway.Next up was the stunt riding - I liked that a lot.
Can't even bunny hop personally.The racing itself was fast and furious. Being on a part of the course that didn't have any speakers for the P.A. system I didn't have a clue what was going on a lot of the time, but did have an idea of which was the leading group. Not quite sure what went on at the end of the second race - suddenly heard the marshall's radio saying there was an ambulance on the course and we were expecting the riders to do another couple of laps but only a handful of them came round again.
A crash I guess.I stayed for the two races then headed back as I was feeling rather cold from standing around in the wind. An uneventful trip back brought it up to 12 miles for the day.
A bit of trials riding. Very impressive.
Plenty of people came out to watch.
A few scenes from the racing.
Last edited:
flatflr
Guru
- Location
- Just over here
48 very windy miles from Newbury over the Ridgeway to Wantage, then back via Lambourne. Hard work on the route back climbing a 10% hill into a 15mph wind, and had to pedal down a decent that I can normally get up to 25mph coasting!
Old Plodder
Living at the top of a steep 2 mile climb
- Location
- Surrey/Hants border
Ah, rain......that's what keeps the countryside green.....
jazzkat
Fixed wheel fanatic.
- Location
- The Cumbrian Riviera
I don't normally do photos on a ride, I tend to just pedal away.
Today was a little different I wanted to go a bit more gentle and with the forecast saying heavy thundery showers I decided to drag the tourer (with mudguards) out instead of the geared road bike or fixed wheel. I also wanted to give my newly built (by me) wheels a good run out to see if my first attempt at wheel building is any good.
10 miles in and I stop for my first photo, The Strickland arms at Sizergh Castle
A bit too early for a stop so I carry on and circumnavigate Kendal going around the east side of Kendal before heading north towards Staveley. I did stop and take a picture of Kendal castle as there was some sort of kite festival, but the picture didn't come out very well!
At Staveley I stopped for some nourishment, the choice was Wilf's Cafe or Hawkshead brewery's beer hall. As the 'sun was now over the yard arm' I decided to have a pint of Brodies Prime, and very nice it was too
After my brief stop I headed west to Ings and then south on a very minor gated road. It was very quiet despite it being the Sunday of a bank holiday weekend.
From here I headed to Crook and the closer to home I got the more ominous the sky, it looks like I'm going to get wet (the pic doesn't do the sky justice it was blue sky and sun behind me but the sky in front was very black looking!)
As I got further south the sky broke and the sun came out again. Crosthwaite church looking particularly splendid.
As I got very close to home the weather was so nice I decided to go a bit further than I had planned and so went past Gummers How coming from the 'relatively' easy side (it's still 20% in places!). I stopped to get a couple of snaps, first, looking down on the Lakes Aquarium/ferry terminal at the southern end of Lake Windermere
and the second looking north up the lake
I got home after 49.94 miles! Totally dry and in short sleeves - it is a bank holiday isn't it?
A couple of things I've learnt today - it's nice to slow down and look about a bit, my Dawes Galaxy is amazingly comfortable (I knew this already, but I forget if I don't ride it) and I'm bobbins at taking photos!
........and my wheels are still round
Today was a little different I wanted to go a bit more gentle and with the forecast saying heavy thundery showers I decided to drag the tourer (with mudguards) out instead of the geared road bike or fixed wheel. I also wanted to give my newly built (by me) wheels a good run out to see if my first attempt at wheel building is any good.
10 miles in and I stop for my first photo, The Strickland arms at Sizergh Castle
A bit too early for a stop so I carry on and circumnavigate Kendal going around the east side of Kendal before heading north towards Staveley. I did stop and take a picture of Kendal castle as there was some sort of kite festival, but the picture didn't come out very well!
At Staveley I stopped for some nourishment, the choice was Wilf's Cafe or Hawkshead brewery's beer hall. As the 'sun was now over the yard arm' I decided to have a pint of Brodies Prime, and very nice it was too
After my brief stop I headed west to Ings and then south on a very minor gated road. It was very quiet despite it being the Sunday of a bank holiday weekend.
From here I headed to Crook and the closer to home I got the more ominous the sky, it looks like I'm going to get wet (the pic doesn't do the sky justice it was blue sky and sun behind me but the sky in front was very black looking!)
As I got further south the sky broke and the sun came out again. Crosthwaite church looking particularly splendid.
As I got very close to home the weather was so nice I decided to go a bit further than I had planned and so went past Gummers How coming from the 'relatively' easy side (it's still 20% in places!). I stopped to get a couple of snaps, first, looking down on the Lakes Aquarium/ferry terminal at the southern end of Lake Windermere
and the second looking north up the lake
I got home after 49.94 miles! Totally dry and in short sleeves - it is a bank holiday isn't it?
A couple of things I've learnt today - it's nice to slow down and look about a bit, my Dawes Galaxy is amazingly comfortable (I knew this already, but I forget if I don't ride it) and I'm bobbins at taking photos!
........and my wheels are still round
gavgav
Legendary Member
The Lakes, simply stunning as always!I don't normally do photos on a ride, I tend to just pedal away.
Today was a little different I wanted to go a bit more gentle and with the forecast saying heavy thundery showers I decided to drag the tourer (with mudguards) out instead of the geared road bike or fixed wheel. I also wanted to give my newly built (by me) wheels a good run out to see if my first attempt at wheel building is any good.
10 miles in and I stop for my first photo, The Strickland arms at Sizergh Castle
A bit too early for a stop so I carry on and circumnavigate Kendal going around the east side of Kendal before heading north towards Staveley. I did stop and take a picture of Kendal castle as there was some sort of kite festival, but the picture didn't come out very well!
At Staveley I stopped for some nourishment, the choice was Wilf's Cafe or Hawkshead brewery's beer hall. As the 'sun was now over the yard arm' I decided to have a pint of Brodies Prime, and very nice it was too
After my brief stop I headed west to Ings and then south on a very minor gated road. It was very quiet despite it being the Sunday of a bank holiday weekend.
From here I headed to Crook and the closer to home I got the more ominous the sky, it looks like I'm going to get wet (the pic doesn't do the sky justice it was blue sky and sun behind me but the sky in front was very black looking!)
As I got further south the sky broke and the sun came out again. Crosthwaite church looking particularly splendid.
As I got very close to home the weather was so nice I decided to go a bit further than I had planned and so went past Gummers How coming from the 'relatively' easy side (it's still 20% in places!). I stopped to get a couple of snaps, first, looking down on the Lakes Aquarium/ferry terminal at the southern end of Lake Windermere
and the second looking north up the lake
I got home after 49.94 miles! Totally dry and in short sleeves - it is a bank holiday isn't it?
A couple of things I've learnt today - it's nice to slow down and look about a bit, my Dawes Galaxy is amazingly comfortable (I knew this already, but I forget if I don't ride it) and I'm bobbins at taking photos!
........and my wheels are still round
I might just about get this posted by midnight to qualify for 'My ride today'
After the usual late finish at work in rubbish weather, I'd seen a great forecast for today. As the rain lashing against the window at 04:00 woke me up, I did doubt it though!.Nevertheless, my alarm woke me up at 07:00 and I was out by 08:00..
As I was starting work today at 13:30, I reckoned I'd have time to get 50 miles in. I must admit that the wind was stronger than I thought it was going to be, and always swirling around, so which ever way I turned, it seemed to be head-on... How does it do that??
Anyway I rode through the town and on towards Nether Heyford and Kislingbury. Next stops were Stoke Bruerne and the canal crossing.
It was still quiet at this time of day. Usually it's a really busy place.
Unfortunately, I had no real time to spare for refreshments al the way round the ride.
After passing Salcey, I used a favourite road of mine through Weston Underwood.
The old post office still with its bike (used as a flower pot though!
Practice spot for the end of the TDF?
Back past one of the entrances to Castle Ashby on the A428
And home just in time for lucnh, shower and zoom of to work for the day
50 miles. Quite happy with that
http://www.strava.com/activities/145292651
After the usual late finish at work in rubbish weather, I'd seen a great forecast for today. As the rain lashing against the window at 04:00 woke me up, I did doubt it though!.Nevertheless, my alarm woke me up at 07:00 and I was out by 08:00..
As I was starting work today at 13:30, I reckoned I'd have time to get 50 miles in. I must admit that the wind was stronger than I thought it was going to be, and always swirling around, so which ever way I turned, it seemed to be head-on... How does it do that??
Anyway I rode through the town and on towards Nether Heyford and Kislingbury. Next stops were Stoke Bruerne and the canal crossing.
It was still quiet at this time of day. Usually it's a really busy place.
Unfortunately, I had no real time to spare for refreshments al the way round the ride.
After passing Salcey, I used a favourite road of mine through Weston Underwood.
The old post office still with its bike (used as a flower pot though!
Practice spot for the end of the TDF?
Back past one of the entrances to Castle Ashby on the A428
And home just in time for lucnh, shower and zoom of to work for the day
50 miles. Quite happy with that
http://www.strava.com/activities/145292651
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