Your ride today.... (part 1)

[Geoff Crowther]

The advantage in living where we do is it is very sheltered from the wind, the disadvantage is that we often get a rude awakening 5 mins up the road. Today was no different although to be fair the wind wasn't that strong but because it has been a while since we did any longer fixed gear rides because of the racing season we felt it more than usual.
A bit later this evening dr_pink will be posting up a ride in the Informal Rides section for my birthday so have a look, today it was her birthday ride.
Here she is [again]

The Pearson still looking in good nick, 7 years old now and over 50,000 on the clock, original cranks and chainring, second set of wheels, not bad going I think.

These are the roads we will be riding later this month on the CC ride if it goes ahead.
It was good to do a relaxed ride for once, 50 miles mostly in sunshine. Hopefully see some of you later this month.

It looks really lovely round there. Only time we get to Rutland is dashing through in the camper on the way to Dover. Must try to get down your way with a bike.
Not sure about this "fix"ation though

 

[Elybazza61]

Looking at that route I think you did well to get 299m of climbing! In fact St Ives was the alternative destination for one of our groups this Sunday but no-one fancied the dash across the fens with all the wind.

Yeah it was a bit on the breezy side and those climbs were probably the ones from Somersham to St Ives and the little bit in to Wilburton on the twenty pence road.The thing about being round here is that you get so used to the flat that any rise in the road feels like a climb

 

[MikeW-71]

I've not been out that much lately with the poor weather (mostly very windy), apart from the odd commute. So I decided to get the old Defy back out on the road as it's not had much love since I got the CX. It now returns to a Winter bike role.

It was really nice to have a calm morning today for a change, so once the fog had cleared up, I was off for an old favourite route through Armathwaite, across the river and then back up the other side through Cumwhitton and Warwick Bridge. It was a rather chilly 6C so I just took it nice and steady as I plan to get out tommorrow as well for a bit longer

http://app.strava.com/activities/215390178

 

[LarryDuff]

Got out for a 12 mile ride this lunchtime after not getting out the last 4 weeks due to work/weather. Conditions were lovely for November.

 

[Ransom1980]

I did a new route before work this morning 19.4km a nice circuit took me 1h 4mins

I started in buxton out along the a515 Ashbourne rd until the Chelmorton Road then back to Buxton from topley pike along the a6,

If I had taken my phone out of my jacket an realised I was not late (I thought I was) then I would have gone another half hour but didn't want to be late for work

The phone said 4'c an the car temp said 1'c so I was very glad of my previous nights purchase aldi cycling leggings a steal at £13.99

 

[coffeejo]

There's been a fair amount of rain today. Must remember than denim's not the ideal choice of clothing in such conditions.

On the plus side:

 

[Goonerobes]

Although I still had slightly achy legs & back from Saturdays ride I had no work on today so it would have been rude not to fit a little ride in. So once I was back from taking the cats to the vets for their jabs & I decided to pay a visit to Bucklers Hard on the Beaulieu River as, for my sins, I had never actually been to the place despite it only being 12 or so miles from home.

The chilly early morning sun had turned to showers by the time I set off but with little or no wind it was still reasonably pleasant to cycle in & my aches & pains were soon a distant memory. Around 2 miles in, & at the time to my annoyance, I came across a road closure. However, a fellow cyclist also appeared & we decided to risk it & go down the closed road which as it turned out was a bonus as we ambled along 2 abreast chatting about bikes & rides for a good few miles & the workmen who were repairing a section of the tarmac were happy to let us pass without a problem.

We said our goodbyes after around 11 miles & he headed off to Lymington & I to the small Georgian hamlet of Bucklers Hard, originally built as a free port for trade to the West Indies but probably best known for building ships for Admiral Nelsons fleet using oak timber from the nearby New Forest.

Just 26 or so miles today but enjoyable, as always.
http://www.strava.com/activities/215413064

 

[Jon George]

Needed to clear the head from work-related and parental-illness stress and went for a wander East of Ipswich.

The pic above was taken at Foxhall, and the one below at Bucklesham.

And this, taken on the road into the cul-de-sac hamlet of Hemley, overlooking the river Deben.

Stress has, unsurprisingly, abated.

 

[EltonFrog]

A utilility ride today, to the bank, post office and shops. I took the Hybrid again, and went down the NCW/Sustrans route to Didcot. Visited the LBS to buy a single rail seat post clamp for my Brooks saddle and Dawes Kingpin. So not a lot to report, it rained a bit, then sun came out, then it rained, then the sun came out and it was to cold for shorts.

Here are some piccies.

This bench is meant to represent the WhitenhamClumps that you cant see in the distance.

A bit misty

The track on the old railway.

My bike getting wet.

The Ridgeway in the distance

Whittenham Clumps that you still can't see in the distance.

A couple of snuggled up chinchillas in PetsRUsAtHomeULike.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Quite cold this morning with a frosty smell in the air for the first time (that I've noticed) this autumn. More cyclists out and about this morning but none wanted to return my greetings today. The legs felt very sluggish morning and evening and it showed with an average for the round trip of 12.4 mph, probably not helped by having been in a cold warehouse all day - more layers needed tomorrow if the forecast is right.

Nice sunset this evening but it was a shame there were power lines in the way. That's one of the downsides of doing this longer route at the moment. The upside is that I'm not getting stressed by the traffic.

 

[Donger]

I thought it was supposed to be nice today, but I waited in vain for several hours hoping it would clear up. Eventually just thought "sod it!" and went out in the drizzle anyway - suitably togged out in waterproofs. After losing my trip computer twice in the last 2 rides, I was taking no chances, and taped it up with electrician's tape so it wouldn't tip forwards and go AWOL this time..... Possibly the ugliest bit of fettling in history, but it worked.

Headed off to Frampton on Severn with my camera, hoping to get some nice shots, but the light really wasn't very good for most of my ride. This first couple are of my usual turning point on Splatt Bridge at the far end of Frampton, exactly 10 miles from home. The bridge is a manually operated swing bridge over the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, but in the first shot you can also see the River Severn in the background.

Also in the background you might spot a twitcher with a tripod, looking out for local birdlife (it is very close to Slimbridge after all). This was ironic, actually, as while I was standing on the bridge taking a swig, I caught the amazing sight of some sort of grebe darting under the bridge right beneath me a few inches below the surface of the water - looking for all the world like it was flying. It then popped up right in front of me, and then "flew" past again underwater in the opposite direction - clear as anything. I didn't see the twitcher go anywhere near his camera, but if he'd been on the bridge he could have got some classic shots.

Headed back via the waterfront at Epney just as a rainbow was disappearing and the sun was about to set. Whilst this next one is not particularly sharp, I liked the golden glow from the low sun on the river bank and Longney Church.

Just had time to get a nice shot of a sunset over the Severn before legging it back home to Quedgeley before it got too dark.

Got home not too wet and glad I'd made the effort. Only 19.3 miles this afternoon, but homing in on my 2,000 mile target for the year. Two more rides should do it.

Cheers, Donger.

 

[PeteXXX]

A utilility ride today, to the bank, post office and shops. I took the Hybrid again, and went down the NCW/Sustrans route to Didcot. Visited the LBS to buy a single rail seat post clamp for my Brooks saddle and Dawes Kingpin. So not a lot to report, it rained a bit, then sun came out, then it rained, then the sun came out and it was to cold for shorts.

Here are some piccies.

View attachment 60866

This bench is meant to represent the WhitenhamClumps that you cant see in the distance.

View attachment 60867

A bit misty

View attachment 60868

The track on the old railway.

View attachment 60869

My bike getting wet.

View attachment 60870

The Ridgeway in the distance

View attachment 60871

Whittenham Clumps that you still can't see in the distance.

View attachment 60873

A couple of snuggled up chinchillas in PetsRUsAtHomeULike.

Still wondering what Whittenham Clumps look like...... We need to know!

 

[BigonaBianchi]

Today is my Mums Birthday. So I cycled up to the summit of Mount Olympus and yelled happy birthday to her through the clouds. God bless you Mum. RIP XXX

http://cyprusonabianchi.blogspot.com/2014/11/mount-olympus-for-you-mumhappy-birthday.html

 

[PeteXXX]

After scraping the ice off the car at midnight when I finished work, then again at 08:30 this morning to take my Granddaughter to school, I was got the chance to pop the shorts on and get out on the bike for a few hours.. Due to family issues with post natal diabetic checks, babysitting Grandson, Mrs PeteXXX having booked a hairdo at 13:00 yada yada yada.. I might have had to either cancel or truncate my planned ride!
Luckily, due to modern technology, ie: texts, I could get going and be 'on call' within half an hour if necessary..
After assisting with a particularly explosive nappy issue (luckily no photographs available!!) I headed out to meet a mate at our regular spot, the Canoe Centre. Initially, four of us were due to ride, but it ended up as me and Bob, the two old farts that don't often fail to get up and going!

We were 'Off Road' today around the Washlands, Cogenhoe, Brafield on the Green, where Bob got a couple of thorns through his tyre.
Once the p*ncture fairy had been placated we continued across the fields and bridleways

towards Cogenhoe. The bridleway was from the top of the pic by the tractor furrows on the horizon.

Bob trying to catch me up on the next field

Mind you, he was off like a shot up this muddy cabbage patch. Had I not been riding one handed to take some piccies I might have stayed in front!
Blimey it was slippery, and much steeper than it looks!

Feeling the need for sustenance, we aimed back towards civilization in the guise of Overstone... Sadly the café was closed.. at 13:00... lunchtime! They must be making too much money if they're closed at that time of day....
Luckily, Sywell Aerodrome is nearby so we headed there for a coffee.
After a cracking sunny ride, the clouds were gathering overhead so we decided to get going. I had only a couple of miles home, but Bob had to get back to Brackmills where he'd parked his car.

An enjoyable 23 miles, mainly off road through mud, in great weather.. Sadly, no cake

http://www.strava.com/activities/215416551

 

[Glow worm]

I tired of work a little too early today and headed off for a 10 mile or so circuit. The late afternoon light on the Fen was lovely..

I'd hoped to see short eared owls that over- winter here from Scandinavia and wasn't disappointed- saw two almost straight away - the first of the season for me. Then a barn owl appeared as well. It is somewhere in the pic below, honest..

Further along, a fellow cyclist was enjoying riding in the late sun..

Stopped off to watch thousands of starlings come in to roost near Reach village and heard plenty of tawny owls as dusk closed in. A real owl fest today. Sadly, my early skiving meant getting back to work for a couple of hours on returning home but I wouldn't have missed my first encounter with short eared owls of the winter for anything.