- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Yes, the sun did break through briefly.
Shame about the incident on your ride. There are some agresssive morons about and I hope not to encounter that one!
Your ride today.... (part 1)
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
- Status
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Shame about the incident on your ride. There are some agresssive morons about and I hope not to encounter that one!
ScotiaLass
Guru
- Location
- Middle Earth
I couldn't decide whether to go for a ride today, but as I haven't been out for well over a week, the decision was made to man up - and after all, I had a new Altura jacket to try out!
I caught two light showers with the sun poking out in-between. The jacket was brilliant.
It wasn't cold, so I went with longs, long sleeved base layer, short sleeved top, the jacket and my long fingered gloves. Perfect - kept me warm but not overheated.
I didn't stop to take any photos today - usual route, no issues, no close passes on the way home, and even had enough energy to wash Priscilla.
15 lovely miles.
Now for a cup of something hot!
I caught two light showers with the sun poking out in-between. The jacket was brilliant.
It wasn't cold, so I went with longs, long sleeved base layer, short sleeved top, the jacket and my long fingered gloves. Perfect - kept me warm but not overheated.
I didn't stop to take any photos today - usual route, no issues, no close passes on the way home, and even had enough energy to wash Priscilla.
15 lovely miles.
Now for a cup of something hot!
BigonaBianchi
Yes I can, Yes I am, Yes I did...Repeat.
- Location
- Iskele TRNC & Mordor UK
67 miles two mountain crossings a storm and a jacuzzi
http://cyprusonabianchi.blogspot.co.uk/
http://cyprusonabianchi.blogspot.co.uk/
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
It's the end of another week and for variety I did my long route in the morning and the normal route this afternoon. Shortly after getting on the bike I discovered a problem - during an incident too minor to be worth mentioning yesterday, I managed to clonk my tailbone against the nose of my saddle. It didn't feel too bad yesterday but today it was quite obvious I'd bruised my coccyx which made strenuous pedalling quite uncomfortable.
I therefore didn't rush and just enjoyed the trip which was quite nice.
The evening trip was also taken at a leisurely pace but I think going the Atcham-Condover route was a mistake as the back roads were all quite busy with rat-runners today. There was a bit of an incident when a van driver couldn't wait for me to pass and turned out of a farm driveway while I was passing (coming from my right and going in my direction). I was doing about 15/16 mph at the time so it took him longer than he expected to accelerate up to my speed, by which time there was a car coming the other way which was forced to stop and the van had to drop in behind me anyway.
The rest of the trip was okay apart from the aforementioned traffic down the lanes and having to wait for ages for a gap in the traffic at all the main road junctions en route.
On a whim I put in an extra loop at the end of the ride so 21.4 miles this time and despite taking it easy the average speed wasn't much slower than usual at 12.7 mph.
The Mytton & Mermaid from the old bridge at Atcham.
I therefore didn't rush and just enjoyed the trip which was quite nice.The evening trip was also taken at a leisurely pace but I think going the Atcham-Condover route was a mistake as the back roads were all quite busy with rat-runners today. There was a bit of an incident when a van driver couldn't wait for me to pass and turned out of a farm driveway while I was passing (coming from my right and going in my direction). I was doing about 15/16 mph at the time so it took him longer than he expected to accelerate up to my speed, by which time there was a car coming the other way which was forced to stop and the van had to drop in behind me anyway.
The rest of the trip was okay apart from the aforementioned traffic down the lanes and having to wait for ages for a gap in the traffic at all the main road junctions en route.
On a whim I put in an extra loop at the end of the ride so 21.4 miles this time and despite taking it easy the average speed wasn't much slower than usual at 12.7 mph.
The Mytton & Mermaid from the old bridge at Atcham.
I am still taking things easy following my back and hip problems. I took a ten miler this morning and the first part is a fairly long but gentle climb. I was amazed when my Aldi Bikemate computer was recording between 70 and 80 mph. I'm sure I am not that fast! Eventually I wondered if the external battery for my phone was causing problems so I disconnected it from the phone and all returned to normal. Funnily I had similar problems with a different computer (B'Twin) on the Dunwich Dynamo, but caused by the cable between the battery and the front light. I am seriously considering a wired computer to get away from these minor hiccups.
djb1971
Legendary Member
- Location
- Far Far Away
I've just finished cleaning the bike after this mornings mudfest.
Up and out very early, it was pitch black out, didn't turn light until almost 8.00am. Then the rain came.
Every trail was really hard work, extremely muddy and very, very wet. I rode through a flood that came halway up my shins, whilst on the bike. It washed the bike off nicely. Coming back home I went through the same flood, didn't quite make it, hit a piece of wood and stooped dead. The fun part was, it was in the deep bit
so I swam to shore with the bike and sat on a log pile to empty my boots and wring my socks dry
Everything looked spotless clean until I started through the mud again, don't you love that crunchy, grindy noise everything makes
Ah well, same again tomorrow
Up and out very early, it was pitch black out, didn't turn light until almost 8.00am. Then the rain came.
Every trail was really hard work, extremely muddy and very, very wet. I rode through a flood that came halway up my shins, whilst on the bike. It washed the bike off nicely. Coming back home I went through the same flood, didn't quite make it, hit a piece of wood and stooped dead. The fun part was, it was in the deep bit
so I swam to shore with the bike and sat on a log pile to empty my boots and wring my socks dryEverything looked spotless clean until I started through the mud again, don't you love that crunchy, grindy noise everything makes
Ah well, same again tomorrow
- Location
- Egham
Brief utility ride today, bread, candles and squeaky dog balls. 6 miles with my lad, so good opportunity to continue with how to ride on roads and so on. Hoping to go on my 'proper' ride tomorrow...
mooseracer
Guru
- Location
- Nr Bristol
50 mile ride out around Malmesbury today, flying on the way out, discovered why when I was on the homeward leg...bit on the windy side. First 'decent' ride for a couple of weeks and thoroughly enjoyed it 
Bike went from being shiny and clean to caked in mud but it can stay that way as will be out on it again tomorrow.
Bike went from being shiny and clean to caked in mud but it can stay that way as will be out on it again tomorrow.
D
Deleted member 1258
Guest
Ashby Parva the destination, 47 miles the journey, my Son and Stepdaughter have taken my Good Lady to Reading for Xmas shopping, so once I had taken Her to the station I got the bike out and off I went, out of Coventry through Bell Green and up Deedmore Rd to Shilton and through Withybrook, Monks Kirby and Pailton, the same route as last Sunday, when I got to Shawell I turned left for Walcote and on through Gillmorton to the Midlands Roller arena for a stop for a batch and a cup of coffee, a breezy day, brightly sunny at times, cloudy and murky at other times, I'm on the back end of a head cold and that plus a strong headwind for a lot of the ride made for a slow hard ride, I think my average was around 14mph, I rolled into the Cafe and found myself amongst the aftermath of a car crash, there'd been a crash just up from the cafe and the police had brought the people into the cafe so they could talk to them and the Ambulance people could check them over, it looked like there was nobody seriously hurt thankfully, when I left the cafe there was a car on its roof in the hedge a few yards up the lane, I carried on through Ullesthorpe and Claybrook Pava to Monks Kirby then retraced my wheel tracks into Coventry, not the most enjoyable mornings cycling I've done, but a pleasant way to spend a Saturday morning.
Goonerobes
Its okay to be white
- Location
- Wiltshire
A fine autumn day meant no need for a jacket today, just bib tights & a couple of layers were all that was required for my 58 mile wander this morning.
The route, on nice dry roads, took me up into the Test Valley & then across the arable Hampshire countryside before poking my head briefly into Wiltshire & then back home through the New Forest.
As I had been this way once previously it was one of those days where you could just switch off & enjoy the scenery & being out in the fresh air. In fact I was so switched off that when I crossed a small bridge over the River Test I nearly fell off when I spotted a little egret (ornithology courtesy of @Stonechat ) fishing in exactly the same spot as when I photographed him 4 weeks ago!
Another lovely ride & I think I've earned my fish curry supper tonight.
http://www.strava.com/activities/211408678
Little egret September 26th 2014 & the same? Little egret October 25th 2014.
The route, on nice dry roads, took me up into the Test Valley & then across the arable Hampshire countryside before poking my head briefly into Wiltshire & then back home through the New Forest.
As I had been this way once previously it was one of those days where you could just switch off & enjoy the scenery & being out in the fresh air. In fact I was so switched off that when I crossed a small bridge over the River Test I nearly fell off when I spotted a little egret (ornithology courtesy of @Stonechat ) fishing in exactly the same spot as when I photographed him 4 weeks ago!
Another lovely ride & I think I've earned my fish curry supper tonight.
http://www.strava.com/activities/211408678
Little egret September 26th 2014 & the same? Little egret October 25th 2014.
Last edited:
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
I had a late start today due to chores, tiredness and lethargy (sounds like a firm of solicitors).
I had a brainwave to do one of my usual loops, but in reverse. The first dozen miles were smack bang into a head wind. Going down the hill from the Gransdens into Gamlingay my garmin said 29.1 mph so naturally I thought "go on, 30...."
I pressed hard on the pedals, I looked down.... 29.7, the wind hit me with a huge gust and it was back down to 29 with no hill left to play with!
I had to cross the A428 at Croxton on a staggered junction. I was marooned in the middle for a good 3 minutes as cars and lorries whistled past in both directions. I effed and jeffed at the traffic as it rumbled by, me on my white line desert island!
Now the funny thing about reversing a familiar route is that you get to see things that you didn't see before like mahoosive great brick built windmills right next to the road! I shot down the hill in Graveley on smooth, new Tarmac, maintaining a constant 30mph along the flat, I struggle to maintain 13 coming the other way some days! Moments later I had a huge smile on my face as a buzzard flew just ahead of me for 50 metres , feathers catching the sun.
Another staggered junction took me over the A1198 toward Hilton, again I was wind assisted. I was laughing to myself in the knowledge that I was about to get absolutely nailed by the wind for a couple of miles.... And I wasn't wrong! Head down, on the drops 11-13mph time. Nice!
My respite came as I turned for Elsworth, and a nice hill to climb. It was so much more pleasant than the wind, I came up over the top just about still in the big ring, mile after mile of Cambridgeshire below me in the afternoon sun.
From there it was a trudge up a gradual hill through Knapwell, the wind throwing the occasional jab at me. I turned along the old 428 toward home, crossing the bridge over the new 428 and down to the roundabout. I hit the roundabout at speed as the next bit of road down to the Hardwick roundabout is fast. And then off in the distance I spied 2 fluorescent jackets on bikes...... One day I'll grow up, but today wasn't the day! As I reached the roundabout the two gents were just coming off into Hardwick. I eased off the testosterone for the roundabout but pressed hard on the pedals once through. I shot past them with a wave. Now I realise it's immature flying past people for fun, but sometimes on this section of road at the end of a ride I'll really struggle, but with a little target to aim for it felt so much better. If it was you I passed I apologise, and thanks for the help.
35 miles in all. Tomorrow is a rest day
I had a brainwave to do one of my usual loops, but in reverse. The first dozen miles were smack bang into a head wind. Going down the hill from the Gransdens into Gamlingay my garmin said 29.1 mph so naturally I thought "go on, 30...."
I pressed hard on the pedals, I looked down.... 29.7, the wind hit me with a huge gust and it was back down to 29 with no hill left to play with!
I had to cross the A428 at Croxton on a staggered junction. I was marooned in the middle for a good 3 minutes as cars and lorries whistled past in both directions. I effed and jeffed at the traffic as it rumbled by, me on my white line desert island!
Now the funny thing about reversing a familiar route is that you get to see things that you didn't see before like mahoosive great brick built windmills right next to the road
! I shot down the hill in Graveley on smooth, new Tarmac, maintaining a constant 30mph along the flat, I struggle to maintain 13 coming the other way some days! Moments later I had a huge smile on my face as a buzzard flew just ahead of me for 50 metres , feathers catching the sun.Another staggered junction took me over the A1198 toward Hilton, again I was wind assisted. I was laughing to myself in the knowledge that I was about to get absolutely nailed by the wind for a couple of miles.... And I wasn't wrong! Head down, on the drops 11-13mph time. Nice!
My respite came as I turned for Elsworth, and a nice hill to climb. It was so much more pleasant than the wind, I came up over the top just about still in the big ring, mile after mile of Cambridgeshire below me in the afternoon sun.
From there it was a trudge up a gradual hill through Knapwell, the wind throwing the occasional jab at me. I turned along the old 428 toward home, crossing the bridge over the new 428 and down to the roundabout. I hit the roundabout at speed as the next bit of road down to the Hardwick roundabout is fast. And then off in the distance I spied 2 fluorescent jackets on bikes...... One day I'll grow up, but today wasn't the day! As I reached the roundabout the two gents were just coming off into Hardwick. I eased off the testosterone for the roundabout but pressed hard on the pedals once through. I shot past them with a wave. Now I realise it's immature flying past people for fun, but sometimes on this section of road at the end of a ride I'll really struggle, but with a little target to aim for it felt so much better. If it was you I passed I apologise, and thanks for the help.
35 miles in all. Tomorrow is a rest day
Glow worm
Legendary Member
- Location
- Near Newmarket
A lovely 26 miler here today in the flatlands.
My rear wheel had a slight buckle which I sorted, but wasn't happy I'd tensioned the spokes correctly, so headed off to a place called Horningsea, to an excellent LBS to get someonewho knows what they're doing with more experience than I, to look over it for me.
I'm very lucky to have a fine network of beautiful tracks and bridleways on my doorstep here. They're always quiet and still fairly dry.
Further along is another- this one was once the Cambridge to Mildenhall railway line...
I was quite pleased the mechanic at the LBS said I'd done OK with the wheel and he only retuned a few spokes. The noise spokes make when you first jump on the bike after tightening or loosening them gives me near heart failure every time , even though I gather it's fairly normal. Still, fully reassured I wasn't riding a death trap, I left the LBS and headed off towards Burwell and Wicken.
I love spindle, especially at this time of year when the berries look stunning. I was pleased to find a bush I'd not seen before near Lode...
A quick circuit of gloomy Burwell (everyone there always seems thoroughly miserable for some reason- not sure why, it's quite a nice place. Maybe something in the water. I always make sure I'm extra cheery there- seems to wind them up even more!) and then out to Wicken.
Burwell Lode looking great in the sunshine...
I sat on a bench overlooking the fen and listened to the 2nd half of the Norwich game on my trusty transistor radio, and then headed home.
The only downside, (apart from a lacklustre 0-0 draw) was my cycle computer. It's started playing up and one second I'm doing say, 15mph, the next 0mph, over and over despite not changing speed. I've just put new batteries in so it must be another faulty unit (this is the third I've bought- cateye wireless). Will have to look for another make I reckon.
Home by 5-30, making the most of the last of the British Summer Time light.
My rear wheel had a slight buckle which I sorted, but wasn't happy I'd tensioned the spokes correctly, so headed off to a place called Horningsea, to an excellent LBS to get someone
I'm very lucky to have a fine network of beautiful tracks and bridleways on my doorstep here. They're always quiet and still fairly dry.
Further along is another- this one was once the Cambridge to Mildenhall railway line...
I was quite pleased the mechanic at the LBS said I'd done OK with the wheel and he only retuned a few spokes. The noise spokes make when you first jump on the bike after tightening or loosening them gives me near heart failure every time , even though I gather it's fairly normal. Still, fully reassured I wasn't riding a death trap, I left the LBS and headed off towards Burwell and Wicken.
I love spindle, especially at this time of year when the berries look stunning. I was pleased to find a bush I'd not seen before near Lode...
A quick circuit of gloomy Burwell (everyone there always seems thoroughly miserable for some reason- not sure why, it's quite a nice place. Maybe something in the water. I always make sure I'm extra cheery there- seems to wind them up even more!) and then out to Wicken.
Burwell Lode looking great in the sunshine...
I sat on a bench overlooking the fen and listened to the 2nd half of the Norwich game on my trusty transistor radio, and then headed home.
The only downside, (apart from a lacklustre 0-0 draw) was my cycle computer. It's started playing up and one second I'm doing say, 15mph, the next 0mph, over and over despite not changing speed. I've just put new batteries in so it must be another faulty unit (this is the third I've bought- cateye wireless). Will have to look for another make I reckon.
Home by 5-30, making the most of the last of the British Summer Time light.
Last edited:
ScotiaLass
Guru
- Location
- Middle Earth
That looks so lovely!
Glow worm
Legendary Member
- Location
- Near Newmarket
Thanks, it was certainly a lovely day to be out and about. The flatlands aren't everyone's cup of tea, but there are some lovely wilder parts if you know where to look.
- Status
