Your ride today.... (part 1)

[i hate hills]

An early morning 9 mile spin on the mtb. Out round by the golf course and back into town only to go out round the industrial estate and back into town once more.Stopped at Lidel to buy a paper and was seduced by the look and smell of their freshly baked cookies. After a cookie washed down with a can of pepsi max it was back on the bike and a run along the bandit highway that is Montrose Street. That successfully negotiated a wee stop to take in the river south esk and then home.Still cold and a bit windy up here but it stayed dry.Question is........is a cookie stop the same as a cake stop? Your thoughts ladies and gentlemen ? Ride safe everyone Mike.

 

[derrick]

A little 14 miles with Deb (my better half) she is really getting back into her cycling now, even started commuting three times a week, that new bike seems to have made so much difference to her riding, and has given her a lot of confidence, she even rode on her own yesterday while i did a charity ride, it's all good.

 

[Fuzzball]

Well today I did 10 miles in just over 90 minutes, best ride this year yet as I managed to get my other half to come out with me for the first time in 3 years!

 

[i hate hills]

Why is it that dog walkers are such c*nts? Today I was on the shared path approaching a group of kids, one of which had a ball. I called out and they all saw me and moved over.
However, immediately after doing so, I was met with a man running with a football (kicking it) with a dog next to him. I slammed on the brakes, swerved and locked up the back wheel to avoid him and his dog. I then turned around to see him just carry on running with the dog, swerving around everything.
He then stopped running when he got to the ground of kids who I can only presume were with him. The kids had actually seen me nearly miss the man because I was aware of them watching me after I had passed (probably waiting for the guy).

The day was made a bit more pleasant with me helping a guy who's chain had come off and then continuing to Rhos where there were a lot of people out sunbathing/having a fun time.

Today has been glorious and easily the warmest of the year so far. Saw loads of bikes on the shared path and quite a few foreign people (it isnt even a holiday!). I then was able to chase some motorcyclists who were filtering through traffic at 25mph and then passed them when they slowed down. Today has been epic and to top it off, we are having a barbeque for tea.

The thing i hate is the ones with the extendable leads that dont reel them as you approach. I'm not tarring them all with the same brush as some dog owners are ok.

 

[i hate hills]

Another Nice 29m ish ride. Same again weather was great. Although towards the end of the ride go some odd road raging Howdon trash shouting get out the way at me on a roundabout then screaming. LOL. Passengers were just as funny but we shouldn't laugh at fat people. They got the finger. Then the little benefit baby's in the back returned the gesture. haha.

Benefit baby ........i love it !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Black Country Ste]

Did a group ride yesterday to Wellesbourne near Stratford-upon-Avon. The ride itself from Whitlock's End was 54mi but getting to the meeting point and home again made a total of 66 miles. I never, ever thought I had it in me.

Add to that the 33 miles I did taking the bike to Decathlon for its 6-month check up (mechanic had gone home), via the parents', I was THIS close to doing the ton this weekend. Unbelievable.

 

[gavgav]

21 miles in the glorious warm Shropshire sunshine with rickshaw Phil and his brother. From Shrewsbury to upton magna, withington, Longdon on tern, rodington (including a sneaky pint of Shropshire gold ale at the bulls head ) and back to Shrewsbury. Hope there are many more days like today this summer!

 

[Turdus philomelos]

Well, I wasn't exactly today but yesterday. I did my first 100 mile cycle102.9 miles according to Google 'My Tracks'. Rather pleased with myself especially since my first 42 miles was into a very strong head wind. No bad for an old bird, fast approaching her last birthday in her forties and who only took up cycling three years ago. Only dilemma now is what's the next cycle challenge.
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

 

[Glow worm]

Just a 9 miler today in warm sunshine over to a village called Reach where they have a fair every May. I think they have done sice about 1260. I've never seen so many people out on bikes- you can join organised rides, up from Cambridge, or down from Ely each year, though we live too close really to join one. Managed to persuade Mrs G to join me on a rare cycle ride for her.

Some of the cyclists on the way there...

And a few more...

It was great, especially with the road closed to motorised traffic. The fair was heaving, and the Mayoress (of Cambridge) threw coins (new pennies) at the crowd as is the tradition. This was just before the coins were thrown with the Town Cryer in red.

Managed to persuade Mrs G to cycle home the long way, though I wasn't popular at the end, as it was a bit further than she'd thought. I guess when you hardly ever cycle, 9 miles is a fairly long way. Here she is on one of the tracks no doubt muttering about why she ever married such a tit!

All in all a brilliant day for a ride, let's hope summer brings us plenty more this year.

 

[i hate hills]

Just a 9 miler today in warm sunshine over to a village called Reach where they have a fair every May. I think they have done sice about 1260. I've never seen so many people out on bikes- you can join organised rides, up from Cambridge, or down from Ely each year, though we live too close really to join one. Managed to persuade Mrs G to join me on a rare cycle ride for her.

Some of the cyclists on the way there...
View attachment 22904

And a few more...
View attachment 22905


It was great, especially with the road closed to motorised traffic. The fair was heaving, and the Mayoress (of Cambridge) threw coins (new pennies) at the crowd as is the tradition. This was just before the coins were thrown with the Town Cryer in red.
View attachment 22906

Managed to persuade Mrs G to cycle home the long way, though I wasn't popular at the end, as it was a bit further than she'd thought. I guess when you hardly ever cycle, 9 miles is a fairly long way. Here she is on one of the tracks no doubt muttering about why she ever married such a tit!
View attachment 22907

All in all a brilliant day for a ride, let's hope summer brings us plenty more this year.

Well done on getting mrs g out on the bike. If only i could persuade my mrs to go , she's a bit feared of the traffic. Looked a nice day with you's. If the mayoress of Brechin had thrown coins they would have hit her on the head trying to pick them up on the way back down. All the best Mike.

 

[deanbmx]

Just been out and done 11 miles for a quick outing. Just a small loop.

 

[Glow worm]

Well done on getting mrs g out on the bike. If only i could persuade my mrs to go , she's a bit feared of the traffic. Looked a nice day with you's. If the mayoress of Brechin had thrown coins they would have hit her on the head trying to pick them up on the way back down. All the best Mike.

Yes it was all pretty civilised really. Good that stuff like that still goes on- you'd have though the health and safety lot would have had something to say about it by now!
It was a struggle to persuade mrs g to cycle there, and I shouldn't have pushed it by coming back the long way. Cycling 's not her thing so I guess it was the equivalent of her persuading me to wander round clothes shops all morning - ain't gonna happen, so fair play to her!

 

[2bluegp]

10 miler this morning, with the majority if it superb singletrack .

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

As Gavgav has already mentioned, I rode over to his just after lunch and joined up with him and Doug (my brother) for a gentle tour round the lanes to the east of Shrewsbury.

The route took us out of town along the old canal route past Sundorne then to Upton Magna, Withington, Isombridge, and Longdon-on-Tern. The return leg took us through Marsh Green, and Rodington before heading back to Shrewsbury via Upton Magna again.

We enjoyed a break at the Bulls Head in Rodington for a swift pint (Shropshire Gold). I haven't been in the pub before but was impressed with the welcome we had, so shall be back.

In the space of a week we have gone from miserable cold to glorious warmth and it certainly tempted out all the cyclists who were notable by their absence yesterday. Long may it continue.

After parting from the others I made my way home via the riverside (which was also really busy with people enjoying the sunshine) and home via the Belle Vue area of town which was surprisingly quiet (everyone is by the river )

My total for the day was 32.3 miles at a leisurely average of 10.7mph.

Lots of blossom out at Downton (en route to Upton Magna)

Gavgav and Doug

Gavgav at Rodington, shortly before the pub stop.

Crossing the A5 on my way home. The weekenders are all returning home.

 

[G3CWI]

Lots of wobbly people out today. Wobbly around the middle and wobbly on their bikes, Bless.