Your ride today.... (part 1)

[davidg]

quite a bit of rain in the morning...did wiggle ride in north downs...71 miles and quite a bit of climbing, much of it at the end!

managed to blow up (literally) an inner tube as part of my puncture repair strategy

 

[fossyant]

Flat(ish) 21 miles - first time out in 4 weeks.... riding fixed......missed the rain for a dry pleasant spin. Ribs still very sore from going flying a week ago by the hotel pool (slipped on the wet floor and crashed down straight on my back/head) - painful back pulling away, and climbing....although I resume the commute tomorrow.

 

[Fairweather]

Myself, 515mm, Fairweather, Allda Pies and various members of the Acme Wheelers had planned to do the first half of the Dragon ride this morning.

However, the weather was not very accommodating enough for Fairweather and he cried off. Though to be fair he did become a very good support vehicle in his van!

The weather was "challenging"! Visibility was down to 20 metres over the top of the Bwlch. It wasn't the fear of traffic in those conditions, but the bleating of nearby sheep that was of most concern!

But we all made it home without too much bother. Fairweather even helped out some Ogmore Wheelers who'd punctured. they must of thought "Who's this bloke with a track pump and a spare bike in the back of his van!"

Despite the conditions I thought it was a blast. We must do it again!

Thought it was a blast did you?????? I thought it was a silly idea, riding in the rain - and boy did it rain at the top of the Bwlch! I even told one of the Acme gang to turn his light on because I almost hit him as the visibility was that bad - (he appeared from nowhere) -and apparently his light was on..... that is how bad the visibility was - madness I tell you.

It was very funny when I pulled over near the Ogmore chaps. One of them had a wheel in his hand looking sorry for himself as I asked "need a track pump lads?". It was as if he had seen a Mr Whippy van in the middle of the Atacama.........

Really glad I didn't ride today, far too wet for me..... I felt even happier about not riding when we got back to Lardster's house. I picked his shoes up and they were soggy as ####!.

Although the worst problem of the day was the radio reception in the van going over Rhigos. Could only get Radio 2, and Elaine Page was on - if only I had a gun!.....

What fun.....Fairweather by name......

 

[potsy]

Flat(ish) 21 miles - first time out in 4 weeks.... riding fixed......missed the rain for a dry pleasant spin. Ribs still very sore from going flying a week ago by the hotel pool (slipped on the wet floor and crashed down straight on my back/head) - painful back pulling away, and climbing....although I resume the commute tomorrow.

What no helmet? At least you landed on sommat soft

 

[Salad Dodger]

Rode "The Heron Trail" today. 18 miles around North Kent with she who must be obeyed.
Rainy when we set out, but then it dried for the rest of the day.
First 12 miles or so no problems, but then we stopped at a garden centre which had a very nice cafe, for coffee and a cake. Mrs Salad found it a bit hard to get back into the ride after the stop, but after a bit of sense of humour failure on my part we made it back to the start.
As well as doing the ride for it's own sake, we were raising money for a local lady called Nikki Phelps, who has cancer and who is having to buy her own treatment drugs. So we will be able to contribute a little towards her treatment, as well as having a pleasant ride.

 

[515mm]

Really glad I didn't ride today, far too wet for me..... I felt even happier about not riding when we got back to Lardster's house. I picked his shoes up and they were soggy as ####!.

What fun.....Fairweather by name......

.....Fairweather by nature. But thankyou for carrying my hat and gels and bars and HiFive and buying me coffee and toast after I realised my tenner was on the hall table and I looked so glum. This team support vehicle really is an excellent idea.......

 

[515mm]

Right, now I can post a bit more about Sunday's ride.

Firstly, Alldapies' pals from Acme Wheelers are a top bunch of lads(and lass!) - I was a bit nervous about going on a 'proper' club ride when Lards first suggested it. What if they are all dead serious roadies and see me for the soft country boy on a posh bike that I know myself to be?

I need not have worried. After five minutes (literally) in their company I bunny hopped a small pothole I couldn't swerve round, to be rewarded with a cacophany of ''OOOOHHH! Are you in the circus?'' ''I wish I could do that''. ''You should be on telly, doing that, you should''. Ah. So that's all right then.

The conversation remained in that vein for the next four hours, with the target of all the banter being the quickest riders in the bunch - and poor Alldapies who copped an enormous amount of (unjustified) abuse for the less than perfect weather and for forgetting his arm warmers and overshoes - again! Goosepimples are soooooo last year, darling.....

Thankyou for a thoroughly enjoyable day, 'Pies and Acme Wheelers.

The route of Cimla Hill, Bwlch and Rhigos takes in 3 of the 4 major climbs of the Dragon Ride and normally offer stunning views, leg burning climbs and furious descents. Well, two out of three ain't bad. I'm not sure which is worse, being able to see how far you have to go to get over the mountain - or riding up a mountain being unable to see a damn thing, not even the bike 20m in front.

Fitness-wise I was okay on Cimla and Bwlch, but Rhigos hurt - no doubt a result of my enforced rest and subsequently interrupted training. Grateful thanks to Lards for pacing me up. There is a certain style to turning a 34/21 like it's no effort at all when the guy you're pacing is on the rivet turning a 34/27! ''No, I'm not taking my jacket off, I'll be cold.''

 

[gbb]

Nothing remarkable, but finally finding the time to up the riding time a bit.
22 miles yesterday, 15 miles commuting today...as said, nothing remarkable at all, just pleased to start stretching the legs again. Its been a long winter and a busy time at work.
Shame ive got to use the car tomorrow, but at least i can take some wheels to work to adjust and lube the hubs and spray the rims (latest project on a Raleigh donated by a friend)

And i'm eating as well amazing how you immediately start eating like a horse once you up the mileage.( i lost a lot of appetite and weight over the winter)

New Conti gators fitted too. So much easier to inflate as hard as rock and the profile's better too. My old Vredstiens were getting prone to punctures and i always found hard to inflate 'hard'

 

[hobbygirl]

15 miles lots of uphills average speed 13mph. lots of lovely birds! ( the feathered kind) not so good , the darn wind nearly blew me off the bike.

 

[KEEF]

Saturday 22 miles with grandson in trailer along the Derwent Walk and Consett Sunderland Railway. Stopped for picnic with grandson nice relaxed day out, why are the calming measures so narrow? I had to have help to get trailer through !(Thanks everyone) Sunday 30 mile along Derwent Walk / Waskerly Way weather perfect lots of cyclists out Sunday haven't seen it so busy for ages. Monday rest. Tuesday 10 mile road loop round village as fast as I can some really short steep legs burning, legs screaming stop climbs.Wednesday loop again but very windy so avoided the steep parts.( I know don't say it )

 

[gbb]

I only mentioned in Beginners and Riding t'other day how i cant ride at a steady pace I never learn.
Felt a bit wierd last night, flushed, hot in my torso and a 'strong' heartbeat felt in my neck and a tiny bit shaky. There is a virus going round so perhaps ive got a bit.

So, this morning i woke up all hot and sweaty, showered and off to work. Felt ok, but decided to extend my commute to 12 miles just for the hell of it. Didnt push too hard, but not easy either, enjoyed the early pre traffic ride....but bugger, didnt i sweat

Felt ok en-ride, feel ok now, but somethings sitting in me.

 

[Vikeonabike]

Fantastic,, For the second day on the trot I had company...saw a bloke on a Dolan, thought..yay scalp, caught him at the level crossing and had a great chat...sat in his wheel most of the way home at 20mph average....He was taking it easy. By the time I got home I was blowing....Mr Barnard thank you....

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

My two ride companions wimped at the sight of a few drops of rain. So I did 43 miles on my own and it was only over the last 9 that I started to feel a wee bitty cold - mostly due to the condensed sweat that my waterproof won't let out. But I enjoyed it - hedges were greening up, swallows were flitting about and chiffchaffs were chiff chaffing

 

[gbb]

Action packed extended commute tonight !

Very close overtake in rushhour traffic, no need, so i backhanded the rear of the car as it passed. I think the passenger thought they'd clipped me, wound down the window and said 'really sorry mate ' Fair do's...a wink and on.
Then several miles of cycle lane in heavy traffic, i'm making better way than they ever are. 3 cars tried to close down the cycle lane to block me...no chance. two of them did it as i was alongside, one got a light smack on the windscreen, one got a light smack on his bonnet and a mouthful as i rode in front of him. Quite deliberate on all occasions, all the road to use and they edge into my lane.

Often said, Peterborough drivers are usually quite considerate, i dont get that many problems.
Ah well, doesnt spoil my day, rather makes it more exciting

So, 15 miles commute, very wet ar$e and legs, socks are drenched...alls well with the world.

 

[GrasB]

Got an angry commuter, which was funny... Going up Madingley Rd. nice n' easy as I wasn't limbered up & a guy gets on my wheel when I stop at the M11 traffic lights. Now the incline begins & I keep to a nice steady pace up the road. When it gets to the steepest section I start hearing the guy panting but I'm just keeping to my limbering up pace nothing more.

This continues to the first roundabout, now my legs are nice n' lose so I drop to the bottom chainring & start to really spin. About 30 seconds latter hear: that's *gasp* so f**king *gasp* big *gasp* of you *gasp*, b**terd! *gasp*. I have a good look behind rather than a quick glance to see a roadie in full lycra in sprint mode.

With that vision fixed in my mind I do a fast paced 25 mile ride... with perfectly timed rain getting me nice n' soaked in the last mile to cool me down