Your ride today.... (part 1)

[oldfatfool]

220km in driving rain for the middle 5-6 hours, horrendous cross winds, crap roads and crapper drivers. 14 yes 14 flamin miserable hours. Company/organisation/butties good though.

Don't miss next years Red Rose Audax, cheers Chris and Dave

 

[Get In The Van]

Not quite sure about the garage you mean - my geography isn't great out that way., but here's the route...
http://app.strava.com/activities/51166109

I was going anti-clockwise round the Forth, so after exiting BP Grangemouth I had to double-back west for a km or so towards the dry ski slope.

I screwed my route up when I passed the golf club, and turned right towards Linlithgow by mistake. Thought about Beecraigs at that point (insanity!), but the dark stormy clouds put me off.

Then after Park Farm I did also for a fleeting moment think about Kingscavil () .

But sense prevailed when I remembered yesterday's Sportive Kinross Black route, and decided against it, bizarrely!

Ah I see which way you came now, you would have passed the garage if you had carried onto the A904 instead of doubling back on yourself just after Grangemouth, the climb i'm on about is the A706 which crosses through the road you took up towards the golf course.
Nice route though!

 

[edindave]

220km in driving rain for the middle 5-6 hours, horrendous cross winds, crap roads and crapper drivers. 14 yes 14 flamin miserable hours. Company/organisation/butties good though.

Don't miss next years Red Rose Audax, cheers Chris

Puts things into perspective. Kudos.

 

[MickeyBlueEyes]

I didn't have one was a lovely day for it too, even more

 

[edindave]

Ah I see which way you came now, you would have passed the garage if you had carried onto the A904 instead of doubling back on yourself just after Grangemouth, the climb i'm on about is the A706 which crosses through the road you took up towards the golf course.
Nice route though!

I vaguely remember a horrendous looking drop towards the A904 from doing my route proper it in the other direction, but I turn off left half way down it, and stay in the back roads (going clockwise round the bridges). That might be the road you mean*. But I did miss a bit out unfortunately and ended up on the main road from Linlithgow back up to Champany.

*I'm guessing you mean an evil hill! Sounds good!

 

[deadpool7]

Found some great singletrack to ride today. This was my first experience with singletrack and I absolutely loved it! There were some very fast sections, but it was not too technical so it ended up being a blast to ride. Had some great views of mountains and buttes around us as well. We got out before the 100 degree heat hit, but it was still a bit of a warm one today. I think I rode for just under 7 miles or so (did a couple of loops). Can't wait to check it out again!

 

[Edwards80]

Another few tough miles into a headwind, before turning at Allgreave for the climb back up to the Cat. Quick stop again at the feed then battled over the Cat and then down the dicey descent to Lamaload.

We stopped to chat to some of the folks at the feed station on our club ride. I was happy that we were turning away from the cat and fiddle pub, unlike you folks riding into the wind

 

[HLaB]

The wind behaved itself for yesterday's club run; it didn't feel too hard on the way out but I think it got up on our return from the west judging by my meander in the afternoon which seemed to be mostly into a headwind. It was grey and overcast yesterday but after a late night rain shower it brightened up so I went for a 18 mile detour into the countryside this morning on the way to work

 

[Boardgirl]

Cheeky 25 miler today on my new bike. Some beastly climbs so a bit sore today! Oh and I got my second QOM on Strave

 

[Licramite]

good ride on Saturday - king Alfred's tower and back, but the wind was - cold - and if the sun dipped behind the cloud - and the wind picked it up it was a bit - bloody cold- so didn't,t stop on getting to the tower more than a quick drink and a bite.
I thought my front mudguard was a bit loose - only put them on because of the wet weather - realised it was when it fell off. so if you see a short mudguard in a hedge - its mine-
Actually passed 7 people - unfortunately they were all gong the other way. overtaken by everyone and his dog as usual.
had a really good shower, - about 15 miles short of home so got home wet and very cold.
surprisingly saddle sore , but I haven,t done many 40 miler's this year.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Another shortish ride today going into Shrewsbury and through the Quarry, out to Uffington, Upton Magna and Atcham, then back home by the short route bypassing Condover.

I'm absolutely certain now that someone has forgotten to turn off the winter. I should not be needing two fleeces for a ride at the end of April. The same time last year I'd already been using shorts for a month.

Despite the cold it was a decent ride with a bit of from time to time. I managed to set a reasonable pace on the way out but after Atcham was headed directly into a gusty wind which really slowed me down. At one point I was struggling to maintain 7.5mph.

There weren't many other cyclists out, which made it a bit annoying when I encountered a guy who was happy to tuck into my slipstream while I was going well but was too high and mighty to return my greeting when he overtook as I slowed for a hill. to you sir!

Today's distance was 19.8 miles and despite the wind I managed a 12.8mph average speed. The saddle felt better this trip. I may get used to it. What with the new saddle and getting over my bug, it feels like being a beginner all over again.

I forgot to take any pictures until Atcham so these are the few I got:

The entrance to Attingham Park.

The Mytton and Mermaid at Atcham. Not very long ago the water was shoulder deep in that little arbour in the foreground.

Atcham Church and a nice placid River Severn.

 

[asterix]

Nice pics.

I had a base layer, jersey and a jacket with leggings of course. Just warm enough.

However, despite the chilly wind I was delighted to see not one but at least a dozen swallows having a great time whizzing around. I do hope they know what they are doing and haven't arrived (in the Limousin region) too early..

 

[skudupnorth]

Did this ride the other day to check out the soon to be guided busway from Leigh to Ellenbrook in sunny Manchester using an old railway line.Trees are down and chipped.Not a massive ride but you get to see the area before it is completed.

 

[Stringy Bob]

Started the week with 30 miles round the local area. Wind when behind me was blasting me along at about 22-24 mph. When in my face.... a lot slower!!

 

[Old Plodder]

Did this ride the other day to check out the soon to be guided busway from Leigh to Ellenbrook in sunny Manchester using an old railway line.Trees are down and chipped.Not a massive ride but you get to see the area before it is completed.

That should have been a Cycle Way!