Your ride today.... (part 1)

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

A rather unexpected ride today. As I was lying in bed listening to my OH try to go to work the car engine started, there was this loud noise and the engine was turned off. some bearings have failed somewhere and a bolt relating to said bearings on the timing belt (I think) has sheared off. No alternater, no power steering... not going anywhere today. thank goodness it happened whilst stationary... anyhow, so the ride was off over to my mothers to borrow my step-father's car who is in hopistal today for a hip replacement so is not going to be needing it.
22 miles - started off really cold and overcast so merino wool top & waterproof (my cycling jacket is not windproof and walking the dog had gotten me cold). Mistake - half way the sun came out and I was too hot but could not take it off. Anyhow there is a rather nasty cold headwind out there today and I only got to cycle into it for 22 miles... it was hardwork - tired legs were not impressed at all with their 8th consecuitve day of cycling when today is meant to be a rest day.

It didn't take long for me to spot that the potholes I reported yesterday via the website have been marked up for repair! Given I cycled the road on Friday evening and they were not marked up, it could only have happened this morning/yesterday. It should make one of my commutes a touch less hazzardess.

Spotted some more daffodils in flower today - miniature daffs around the base of a lamp post in the countryside. Spring is arriving.

Somehow still managed 2 strava cups which as me totally confused because I was struggling against a headwind uphill on very tired legs!

 

[Old Plodder]

And I didn't even pay him to say that

I had to go into town this morning and after yesterday's pain-fest, not forgetting the 90ish miles from the two days before that, my legs were not at all impressed, even less so when I presented them with two panniers of groceries to bring home. All's good though - I've just scraped over 1000 miles for the year thus far.

I'm feeling quite pleased with myself for yesterday's explorations of Exmoor. 50 miles with just under 4000 feet of climbing, though I did walk some of it - the climb up from Elworthy crossroads, for example. If you don't know it, last time I was there I did it the easy way and hit 42mph coming down!

Looking back down at the crossroads - a good excuse for a break with a long way still to go before the top!


I revived myself with some tea (I love my flask) and once recovered, continued up to Wheddon Cross, one of the highest villages on Exmoor, and then down the main road to Exebridge. I thought that section would be easier than it turned out to be, but the road was very different to what I was expecting. For starters, there's lots of ups considering you're supposed to be going down, and the surface was so badly damaged from all the rain and floods that it was like cycling over cobbles, so I had to put in far more effort than should have been necessary.

As a result, I was absolutely pooped by the time I turned off at Exebridge for home and really struggled with the hills, the fading light doing nothing to help with my self-esteem and confidence. But with no option other than to struggle on, I eventually made it back onto flatter terrain, and then finally onto home turf, where my legs made a miraculous recovery and I even decided against taking a shortcut home, opting to do the full fifty miles as originally planned!

I'll definitely be heading up there again ... once my legs recover!

I enjoyed a brilliant & breathtaking weeks holiday in & around that area, fantastic area, but it does make you work for the views.

 

[coffeejo]

Any recommendations for must-see villages or views?

 

[skudupnorth]

Paid a visit to a place i pass many times but have never actually seen other than from the road.The area i chose for my cheeky 22 miler is called Rixton Clay pits which is a SSSI ( Site of Special Scientific Interest) and basically full of ponds and wooded areas full of lovely wildlife.Dragged the Specialised Sirrus out and headed across Astley Moss which is a cycle freindly road due to hardly any cars using the "road" .....i say road but it is more like a dirt track with plenty of potholes that resembles a bomb site from a B.52 "rolling thunder" raid in Vietnam ! After crossing the moss i rode across to the brilliant cycle path that follows the Manchester Ship Canal which ends at a little village called Hollins Green and where i have to ride on the road for a short while before arriving at Rixton.
I was pleasantly suprised at this hidden gem of a site and managed to wheel the bike around the wonderful woodland,ponds and open land full of wildlife.Here are the usual photos to give the locals a taster of what we have been missing and i will no doubt get over there again with the family for a proper mooch.
Old steam train by the Manchester Ship canal at Irlam

Rixton Clay pits

 

[Ladytrucker]

Lovely ride out today, and enjoyed every minute of it. I had a day off work and just had to make good use of it. Sunny but cold in the west of Scotland.

I managed to unclip in time and not to fall off today.

 

[Old Plodder]

The names Wheddon Cross & Elworthy brought back the memories, hills, wind, rain, & a ride up a extremely steep little road to x-road, where we went into a wooded bridleway & emerged near Holcombe, I think that was the name, turned right & in about 35 yards had a cream tea.
Exford was in a nice little dip, then there was Tarr Steps, Liscombe, & Withypool. Plus we rode up over Dunkery Hill. Simonsbath rings a bell as well.
We also had lunch one day in Dunster, an old town with a castle & an old wool market building (I think that was what it was).
(It must have been about 1985, so long ago, but when you mentioned those names, back came the memories.)

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

I done a nice 12-13 mile trip today in the morning , weather was gloomy, got back and the sun came out with blue sky's, i should of waited lol

If I give you my number, can you please text me as soon as you are heading home, so I can start getting ready for my ride..

 

[Scotty1991]

If I give you my number, can you please text me as soon as you are heading home, so I can start getting ready for my ride..

Make sure the kettle is on then aha

 

[Scotty1991]

Beautiful day today.
http://app.strava.com/activities/43228205

Nice ride too.

 

[Old Plodder]

Monday weather forecast said it was going to be a good day on Teusday, so I decided I would go out again.

Nice cycling weather as it turned out. Did 35 (hilly'ish) miles, 3 hours, legs are aching again, but glad I went.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Tis absolutley gorgeous out. another unplanned, unexpected ride on a day that was my last chance for a rest day until next Monday. So day 9 of consecutive rides and now another 5 days before I can get a rest day in.... but what a lovely day to be out.
went out via the A556 into Kelsall, though I would take the quick route to the Vets to pick up some meds for a poorly dog I am dog sitting for (thankfully they didn't need to see him, it is a reoccuring problem, he is an Irish Wolf Hound and they don't fit into many vehicles made worse by the fact he is slightly paralysed in the rear legs, not to mention our car having broken down yesterday.... problem explained, meds dispensed - they didn't even want me to pay ). so off to Kelsall, hated the quick route (2 miles and a lot less climbing) and went home via the longer route in Delamere forest - and I was too warm! 3/4 length summer shorts, thin merino wool top under a non-windproof cycling jersey and I was too warm... what a beautiful day it is out there right now...

only proof I have is the photo... the dog being the cause of today's non-rest day! 25.5km in 1hr 11mins... not exactly speedy but then I am not.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

Did two 11 mile rides today for work. So that's a double bonus: being out in the glorious weather and getting paid for doing so

Here's a piccy from the 2nd one - south of Kirkby Stephen heading towards Malastang

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

32miles into the magical A2 headwind both directions. Couple more rides planned Thurs/Fri to bring weekly total over 100mi before I lose my club run virginity on Sunday, which is at least 50mi

Injury/niggles all but gone - cycling is enjoyable again!

 

[Marshmallow_Fluff]

A short but hilly ride today with a friend. Just over 16 miles and a lovely coffee and cake with the sun on our face. Bliss!!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Not being wanted for my usual tuesday tasks I planned last night to get out for a longish ride. Opening the curtains this morning though it was dense fog which wasn't part of the plan. Thankfully that started to lift by 11am so I headed for the Long Mynd.

The ride out was pretty uneventful until I got to All Stretton, where I came up behind a horse. No problem - the road is wide and straight, there is almost no traffic so I plan to do a really wide overtake. Unfortunately before I can do so, the horse caught a glimpse of me out of the corner of his eye and was thoroughly spooked by it, ending up broadside across the road. Lucky the road was quiet!

After Church Stretton I headed through Little Stretton and Minton and climbed up to the gliding club before heading up to the summit at Pole Bank. Not a classic view today with the mist still clearing but it was very pleasant to be up there.

The off road paths up there are quite muddy in places at the moment. I've not seen them like that before.

I came down via High Park and Gogbatch, passing a group of wild ponies (they aren't fazed by a bit of traffic.)

I like Gogbatch, I can't put my finger on it but there is something about the place that feels like you've stepped back a few years. When I'm there I always half expect to see a family having a picnic next to their Austin 7.

The wind was behind me for the trip home so I was able to cruise along quite nicely at 15 - 20 mph most of the way (it made up for my very slow ascent.)

40.3 miles at 10.8mph average and a maximum altitude of 1693' above sea level.

On the way out. Very misty after the fog earlier.

Between Little Stretton and Minton. This is just before the first steep climb of the day so is a good place to have a drink and engage low range.

Climbing up Nutbatch towards the gliding club.

Nice spot to stop for lunch. I usually get this climb out of the way first but there is a handy rock to sit on here.

Joining the Portway and looking towards the gliding club.

At Pole Bank.

On the descent now at High Park. I was surprised that there are still patches of snow up here.

A Long Mynd traffic jam.

Looking down Gogbatch towards Caer Caradoc. There's a bit of snow still up there too.