Your ride today.... (part 1)

[HLaB]

Done my first training session in over a month. Kinda messed up, it was forecast heavy rain in town light rain at the meet point, turning heavy. It was neither but I decided to get a bit of a ride in beforehand and worst case cycle home, I hate group cycling in the wet as glasses a wearer. This probably wasted a bit too much energy though http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2766833

On the training ride itself http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2764023 , I was going OK until one of the group never came through (chaingang) and never told me by which time the bloke in front had a good lead. On the subsequent rotations I found out why the bloke in front was acellerating through; and I fell off after about 8.5miles. Got scooped up by one of the faster group and was going fine with them, as they were more smooth but after about 6 rotations I needed to pull out and drop to the back to recover. Unfortunately I missed the back and got dropped again. Eventually I got scooped up by a slower group I had passed earlier on, recovered for a bit and dragged them to the finish.

Made the mistake of not carrying an extra bottle (not factoring my extra ride) and drafted most of the way, about 8 miles, before heading back to town at a more sedate pace with my mate. http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2764024 . As you might have seen on my thread elsewhere in the cafe a car slowed down beside us to let me know, my light wasnt working. After which my mate lifted his sunglasses and said 'it is quite bright, oh well it makes a change from the usual abuse'

Theres about another 3.5 miles of the journey but I dont like showing a GPS track to my front door

 

[Rob3rt]

Coach planned for 3 hours yesterday, I under estimated the distance when thinking up a route and ended up being out for 4 hours covering 85 miles... I was fairly shattered for a week day evening!

 

[potsy]

I think that about sums it up.

Joy ride too not a commute yet I chose to come home the long way instead of cutting it short, was only supposed to be 18 miles but ended up doing nearly 26, a much needed cup of tea now to recover

 

[Donger]

I think that about sums it up.

Your ride today, or South Manchester in general?

 

[gavgav]

I think that about sums it up.

Joy ride too not a commute yet I chose to come home the long way instead of cutting it short, was only supposed to be 18 miles but ended up doing nearly 26, a much needed cup of tea now to recover

I've never known sustained rain like this in my lifetime, that I can remember. Spells of heavy rain yes, but this is nearly 8 months now of incessant rain. Just driven to Wellington and back in an absolute torrent and had to negotiate deep water in a number of places, including dual carriageway

 

[cuberider]

Despite the forecast we decided we needed a ride today and headed to the Upper Derwent. We only did a modest 12.2 miles, but the weather wasn't actually that bad.

We did only see 5 other cyclists though so most must have been put off by the rain and missed a decent ride.

 

[BAtoo]

So a day (or 3 away) as the internet connection here in German hotels has been iffy........ (or costly....)
Three days with under-target rides due to leg pain (68, 38, 32) but since yesterday (Tuesday) back on song - 88 miles yesterday from Siegen to Padderborn (lovely town); still v hilly with 6500 ft of climbing (Strava)
Today Padderborn heading for Hessel; completed 83 miles (2200ft) when my mate had a tumble in the rain - banged shoulder & shaken - so we stopped there. Slow going through the towns and a 8 mile detour as the army range N of Padderborn was closed......

 

[Gravity Aided]

I rode 11 miles round trip to the LBS(rode there in driving rain, to continue today's theme) to buy tires for the upcoming metric century, but they inadvertently mistagged a 27x1.5 as a 700x28. I tried for a while to fit the tire, but it just wouldn't stay on. Then I looked at the size after a try or two, and saw 27x1.5. So I took it back and exchanged it, this time via auto. BTW, 1.25 inches rain overnight. I don't know how much this morning yet.

 

[gavgav]

A shortish ride for me today, as I am off out with @Rickshaw Phil tomorrow for what I hope will be a new longest ride and the peak of my training for the BHF Cycle Ride.

The Met Office forecast last night suggested 14mph winds, with no gusts...........................yeh right!! It was like an autumn morning, with 20mph winds that were gusting to near 30mph at times . Is it really summer?
Anyway, not to be deterred I headed out through the estate and down the Old Canal Path (with a quick stop to put an extra layer on as it was ) where I encountered a horse and rider coming towards me at a fair speed, on the quickest section and so had to brake fairly sharply. Yesterday's monsoon's had re-introduced the layer of tree mulch onto the path and so I skidded and the back end stepped out ! Managed to avoid coming off and continued to Uffington and Upton Magna, through the flood that has appeared across the road for the umpteenth time this year.

It was then a left turn, up the side of Haughmond Hill, down to Haughton, then a short climb up Ebury Hill, which gives great views of the North Shropshire plains, and continuing to follow the NCN Route 45 to Bings Heath. Next was a bit of new territory for me, as I headed over to Shawbury. I didn't stop long there, as I find it one of the ugliest villages in Shropshire, with lots of old council housing estates, the RAF Base, but luckily one gem which is The Fox & Hounds gastro pub. It does absolutely massive portions of great food and has good beer, so well worth a visit if you are ever in the vicinity. Alas, it was 10:30 and well before pub opening time and so I re-traced my steps for a short distance and then onto Roden, Rodington Heath and Withington, through more floods. I had made good progress up to now and was averaging over 13 mph.

After turning right at Withington, to join the NCN Route 81 I knew exactly what I would face though, which was the strengthening westerly wind directly into my face and sure enough it was a real battle all the way back home for a good 6 miles or so. Still nice to be out when I would normally be at work

24.56 miles
12.1 mph avg speed

 

[Dark46]

I was offered a lift home as it was raining and I said " it won't do me any good sat in a van" little did I know what was going to happen in less then 5 minutes.! Well I came to one of the wooden decked bridges and OFF I went as it adjusted my position from the entering angle to the exit angle as the paths on to and off the bridges are NOT at 180*. Now I just got up and carried on only to notice that my front wheel is now buckled ! Well I carried on and did 8 miles in total . I was soaked through when I got back but enjoyed the ride. When I got back I realised my right knee was hurting as I got off at home , so I must have twisted it on the off! Well it looks like it's a funny week as on Tuesday I was putting my helmet on and was looking inside and I thought that doesn't look right? It looks as though there's a black plastic peice that looks bent , so I pulled at it and I then thought oops too hard. As it turns out it was the peak for the helmet! I had noticed there were holes for one but had no idea it was stuffed inside.
Not looking forward to tomorrow as I have to drop the bike off fortis first service!
Well so far today no ride as my knee hurts slightly. Plus this morning I was 49 ! LOL

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I was offered a lift home as it was raining and I said " it won't do me any good sat in a van" little did I know what was going to happen in less then 5 minutes.! Well I came to one of the wooden decked bridges and OFF I went as it adjusted my position from the entering angle to the exit angle as the paths on to and off the bridges are NOT at 180*. Now I just got up and carried on only to notice that my front wheel is now buckled ! Well I carried on and did 8 miles in total . I was soaked through when I got back but enjoyed the ride. When I got back I realised my right knee was hurting as I got off at home , so I must have twisted it on the off! Well it looks like it's a funny week as on Tuesday I was putting my helmet on and was looking inside and I thought that doesn't look right? It looks as though there's a black plastic peice that looks bent , so I pulled at it and I then thought oops too hard. As it turns out it was the peak for the helmet! I had noticed there were holes for one but had no idea it was stuffed inside.
Well so far today no ride as my knee hurts slightly. Plus this morning I was 49 ! LOL

A "like" for sharing with us rather than for the off.

 

[Dave 123]

Yesterday's ride was a 30 miler with some 10% climbs out at Cap des Pinar, I felt like crap! My lungs were burning. I don't think the Lymes disease effects have fully gone. This was the end of the road, the doors creaked open and two spotty soldiers waved us on.....

So this morning we decided to go for a long, flatter ride (still some nice ups though) we took the undulating road to Sa Pobla again, I was coughing up gunk on every hill, nice!
We rolled on to Muro and then happened upon a tiny lane to Maria. The road from Maria out to Ariany was quiet until we picked up the busier road that took us onto Petra.

A quiet rural road took us back to Sineu. We saw a Black Vulture here.

More quiet roads had us back to Muro, then Sa Pobla, we then dropped into Alcudia via the back of Albufeira, we then had a sprint finish back to the bike shop in Pollensa...... It's family time!
65 miles at an average of 19mph, HOT and windy in parts. More bike fun for a couple of days next week. We're moving villas on Saturday to Sencelles, so we will get to see more rural interior. We may attempt riding into Palma.
I'm loving the holiday life!

 

[jayonabike]

After a day off the bike yesterday my legs were rested & ready to go again!
James rang me last night asking if I was going out as he wanted to cycle over to the LBS. I met him at 9.30 and we set off straight into a headwind. No bother at least we'll have a tail wind on the way back (yeah right). We cycled through the lanes towards Ashridge & spotted a herd of deer in the woods looking back at us. After a 10 minute stop at the shop we were on our way again. James had to get back but still had time to go a longer way home. Whilst the ride to the shop was more chatty and laid back, the ride home was at a faster pace and both of us taking turns at the front. Back to Aldbury up to Ivinghoe, past the beacon and up a short climb to Studham. The tail wind was still a headwind but at least the hedge lined lanes gave us some shelter.
I left James at Redbourn to head home & I picked up a local loop but in reverse. All B roads and the headwind. Through Harpenden, Wheathampstead, Sandridge & St.Albans and I was back in the lane towards home. A couple of loops around the block to knock it over 100km for the 100km thread and I was home ready for some lunch

 

[cosmicbike]

Trying to get back into my physio routine of ride-rest-ride, motivation is next to nothing, and the wind today was no help. Sure the headwind fairy mad sure she was in my face the whole time. Still on the hybrid so Thames towpath for me from Egham to Chertsey and back through the cycle/foot paths round the back of Chertsey to home. 14 miles and 1.5hrs. Only 1 picky today, Chertsey Bridge looking quite nice.

 

[gavgav]

View attachment 46956 Trying to get back into my physio routine of ride-rest-ride, motivation is next to nothing, and the wind today was no help. Sure the headwind fairy mad sure she was in my face the whole time. Still on the hybrid so Thames towpath for me from Egham to Chertsey and back through the cycle/foot paths round the back of Chertsey to home. 14 miles and 1.5hrs. Only 1 picky today, Chertsey Bridge looking quite nice.

If it's any help @cosmicbike I certainly always enjoy reading that you are getting out on the bike again