Your ride today.... (part 1)

[Donger]

I had a chap in a Kangoo slow by a passing place when he saw me, but then he decided to barge through anyway , however this was offset by a chap in a white van who did wait patiently for me in another passing place and a very good overtake by an artic on the Condover road (thankyou Trevor Pye Transport )
.

It always seems to be about 50/50. Some good drivers and some inconsiderate ones. In 2 weeks on single track roads in rural NW Scotland and the Outer Hebrides every single vehicle I encountered while on the bike either gave way to me or else allowed plenty of room for us to pass. When driving the car, people were almost as polite and selfless, with a few exceptions, and the car nearest to the passing place nearly always gave way. Everyone waved thanks or acknowledgement to each other. There surely can't be a better place to cycle in the UK.

 

[ColinJ]

In 2 weeks on single track roads in rural NW Scotland and the Outer Hebrides every single vehicle I encountered while on the bike either gave way to me or else allowed plenty of room for us to pass.

Same for me the week before, except for one complete a***hole who drove straight at me and screamed "Get off my f***ing road"!

 

[Stonechat]

I seem to suffer from vans and lorries who seem incapable of passing me without 1 to 3 blasts of the horn, I never change my position

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Wet.

 

[PeteXXX]

Yesterdays ride..
After finishing w*rk at 01:30, I had to get up at 06:45 to prep the bike and take my granddaughter to school then meet up at a mates house at 10:00 for an off-roader around Salcey Forest and the byways & bridleways nearby..
I've done most of the route before and was expecting some nettle problems, but they have mainly died back now on the bits we rode.

After about 15 miles, we had a cake break, washed down with a black coffee.

We were thinking of doing a circuit of the forest but decided, as we still had 20 on so miles over the fields back home, that we'd have enough miles under our belts without the 5 or 6 around the trail.

This section wasn't as boggy as it has been the last couple of times I've ridden it, but it was still slippery enough to have to take a bit of care.

We were hoping to ride through a private woodland estate to get back, but the locals were shooting things with shotguns, so we did an about turn and had to use the roads for a few miles. Shame really, as the woodland route is usually quite peaceful with lots of deer and wildlife to be seen. (And Muddy Mary tyres are hard going on tarmac!!)

On the way down to Whiston Ford, my front brakes packed up, so for the rest of the ride it was back brake only or I'd have wrecked the rotor I reckon. On stripping it down when I got home, one of the pads had disappeared! New set on order now to be fitted before the weekend as hope to get out on it on Sunday.

Quite a fun off road ride, and at 40 miles, a good workout.

http://www.strava.com/activities/198390344

 

[Old Plodder]

Sounds like you just need a change of scenery, my friend. Stick the bike on the car and go for a day trip somewhere nice .... the hills, the coast, somewhere picturesque. Does it for me every time things get a bit samey.

I'm afraid I'm not a car owner, (I do have 4 bikes though), & not many cyclists in my neck of the woods, probably because of this damn big hill I'm living at the top of now.
I freeze going down it, out from home, then boil on the way back up to get back home, unfortunately, I have no other options.

 

[cosmicbike]

Group ride for me today, a rarity. Met up with the 'West Thames Wheelers 2' at Staines Memorial Gardens in the rain, where much debate about coffee way already taking place, with threats of coffee before the ride! I'm the youngster of the group at not quite 40, with the remainder being either near retired, retired, or very retired! No real route planned so we went to WGP via the Thames towpath and up Egham Hill, where we lost one of our number. Down to 7, we continued until my Dad got a visit from the p fairy, a quick fix with Halfords self sticky patches and off we go again. Stopped for coffee and cake at the lakeside café which was nice, before heading home via Virginia Water.
Very enjoyable ride in great company. Sedate, but just what I needed. 20 miles in a little over 3.5 hours, according to Strava we were only moving for 2 of those so the coffee break was longer than I thought!!

 

[potsy]

Another one here that's lost his mojo, trying to get it back again albeit very slowly.
Went for a potter on the river trail today, 18 miles, enjoyed it but unlike other times I was just glad to get home by the end of it.

Stopped here but there was nobody about to ask me any questions

Little rest stop on the way back.

Hello gee gees

 

[Goonerobes]

Today's ride didn't get off to the best of starts as once I had got the bike off the maintenance stand I realised it had a flat back tyre.

New tube fitted & note to self to buy some more tubes & put winter tyres on this weekend & I was off on a little 44 mile trip on a variation of my regular midweek roads around the New Forest. 10 miles in & riding in the autumn sunshine I was beginning to regret putting a base layer under my short sleeve jersey although 10 miles later under the tree cover I was glad of it so now I don't know what to wear on my next outing!?

http://www.strava.com/activities/198859222

I spotted this rather handsome looking chap enjoying the fruits of the forest this afternoon, although needless to say once he had spotted me I didn't hang around to chat!

Plenty of berries on the holly this year. Are we in for a winter?

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

The legs were better for the run in to work today. Unfortunately the weather wasn't - it was cool and dry at the start but after 3 miles I ran into the . There was an overtake by a tanker on the lanes that I wasn't impressed by as he started moving back towards the left before he'd passed me.

Edit: I didn't mention the squirrel that ran down the road ahead of me instead of diving into the hedge. Must have followed him for about quarter of a mile at 14mph - not bad for a tiny creature I thought (and the squirrel was quite quick too.) The pheasants were there again on the way back - all trying to get off the road in a panic as I approached.

The bike makes quite a reasonable clothes horse for drying everything out and I'm fortunate to be allowed a corner of the warehouse to store it.

On the way back it was warmer and dry but the wind had picked up. My scenic route to avoid the main roads means that I had it helping for a bit round Atcham, but it was directly against me for the last couple of miles, making for a slow finish to the ride.

I had a nice view of the Stretton hills on the way which were lit up by the sun. I did take a photo but unfortunately it doesn't capture the look.

Just a fraction under 13mph average for the round trip today.

Here's the photo mentioned. Nice view of The Lawley, Caer Caradoc and the Long Mynd but it didn't capture the light the way I hoped.

 

[albion]

Another one here that's lost his mojo, trying to get it back again albeit very slowly...

I try to 'have a mission' for every ride, be it calling in somewhere or adding a new section to make it feel 'new'.
Sunday, I avoided doing 2 new sections so as to still have one of them available for later.

 

[Archeress]

Repeated my ride along the millenium coastal path from Bynea to Pembrey Country park today with my fiance instead of the cycling club. Bit windy but the kite flying didn't go too well. My fiance wants to repeat the ride this weekend as there is a steam fair at Pembrey.

Hugs
Archeress x

 

[coffeejo]

Encountered that rare but blessedly wonderful phenomenon on the way into town: a tailwind. The homeward headwind wasn't as much fun.

 

[Donger]

I've allowed myself a few days off after my Scottish exertions. It all starts again this weekend, when I start training for next year's challenge. I've just talked the missus into another week in Annecy next September, so I've got another Alp or two to get up in a year's time. Impossible to lose your mojo when you have a target like that to aim for.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I've allowed myself a few days off after my Scottish exertions. It all starts again this weekend, when I start training for next year's challenge. I've just talked the missus into another week in Annecy next September, so I've got another Alp or two to get up in a year's time. Impossible to lose your mojo when you have a target like that to aim for.

this is so true... now all I need to find is another target to re-find my mojo as well - should be better once the dog goes back to its owner on Sunday...
perhaps upping my target for this year to ..... sits and thinks for something sensible... not working yet