Your ride today.... (part 1)
- Thread starter gbb
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Painted the toilet red last night, warfarin and all that, so the choice was a trip to A&E or to get a ride in today
Not surprising, the latter was more preferable so did ~35 miles heading out from Chester to the Clwydian hills. Still can't face going up Hope mountain but did a loop round it with a bit of climbing in, and that's the first time on those roads in a year and a half, since before the PEs. Some interesting stomach cramps during and after the ride, but it was good to get out that way again.
Not surprising, the latter was more preferable so did ~35 miles heading out from Chester to the Clwydian hills. Still can't face going up Hope mountain but did a loop round it with a bit of climbing in, and that's the first time on those roads in a year and a half, since before the PEs. Some interesting stomach cramps during and after the ride, but it was good to get out that way again.
mooseracer
Guru
- Location
- Nr Bristol
coffeejo
Ælfrēd
- Location
- West Somerset
So sorry for your loss, @arranandy
Another pootle round the lanes for me on the hybrid - I know some people had sunshine but it was just grey and grim down here. On the plus side, it wasn't raining, though there were some real-life cats and dogs.
I was chuffed to bits to meet a pair of bulldogs who were shining examples of how the breed should look - not an ounce of fat on either of them, full of life and vitality and wonderful characters to boot. They were out for a Sunday afternoon walk with their humans (elderly man and his grandsons) and a hairy, oversized toupée cunningly disguised as a miniature Daschund. She couldn't keep still long enough for a quick pat let alone a proper cuddle but the two bulldogs (mother and daughter) were more than happy to greet this lovestruck cyclist. If you've ever tried to stand astride your bike whilst two beasties compete for your attention, you'll appreciate how close the bike and I came to landing in a heap on the side of the road. Death by cuddles would have been a slow but unavoidable fate. As it was, the front wheel came close to buckling under the weight of Mama who couldn't cope any longer with being scratched behind the ear and collapsed in a state of Utter Bliss, much to the delight of The Girl who proved just how athletic and supple these dogs can be if they're looked after properly by making a bold attempt to levitate into my lap. Luckily her ambitions exceeded her abilities and she couldn't quite make it - bearing in mind that I was still astride the bike, I suspect that any resulting injuries would have made the rounds of the entire ambulance and nursing crews in the south west before sundown.
I would have stayed there all day, but The Toupée and the boys had long since lost interest and looked as though they were about to make some dreadful mischief so I had to say goodbye to my new friends, and quickly pedalled away before the temptation to knock Granddad into the ditch and steal the girls became too much to resist. The rest of the ride was uneventful but as I went through the last village before my own, I managed to be in the right place and the right time to witness a rather staid, middle-aged and portly black and white cat lose all dignity and revert back to his youthful kitteny days. Without warning, he suddenly pounced on a large pile of leaves on the grass verge - they stood no chance against his bulk, especially when his tail swept a load into the air like confetti. Fearing some sort of attack, he launched himself into the air and clung with all his might to the trunk of the tree which had previously been home to the aforementioned leaves. Unfortunately, this was the point at which his inner kitten became distracted and abandoned its future self, hanging onto the bark by his front claws, gravity doing its thing and pulling all his podge down around his ankles. I couldn't help myself and giggled out loud. Still not knowing what had happened or where he was, he slowly turned his head to stare at me. Lacking any sort of sensible plan to rescue himself, he instead chose to just let go, landing with an undignified plop in the leaves before running off at top speed as though all the hounds of hell were gnawing at his back legs.
Not a particularly adventurous ride but certainly an animaltastic one
Another pootle round the lanes for me on the hybrid - I know some people had sunshine but it was just grey and grim down here. On the plus side, it wasn't raining, though there were some real-life cats and dogs.
I was chuffed to bits to meet a pair of bulldogs who were shining examples of how the breed should look - not an ounce of fat on either of them, full of life and vitality and wonderful characters to boot. They were out for a Sunday afternoon walk with their humans (elderly man and his grandsons) and a hairy, oversized toupée cunningly disguised as a miniature Daschund. She couldn't keep still long enough for a quick pat let alone a proper cuddle but the two bulldogs (mother and daughter) were more than happy to greet this lovestruck cyclist. If you've ever tried to stand astride your bike whilst two beasties compete for your attention, you'll appreciate how close the bike and I came to landing in a heap on the side of the road. Death by cuddles would have been a slow but unavoidable fate. As it was, the front wheel came close to buckling under the weight of Mama who couldn't cope any longer with being scratched behind the ear and collapsed in a state of Utter Bliss, much to the delight of The Girl who proved just how athletic and supple these dogs can be if they're looked after properly by making a bold attempt to levitate into my lap. Luckily her ambitions exceeded her abilities and she couldn't quite make it - bearing in mind that I was still astride the bike, I suspect that any resulting injuries would have made the rounds of the entire ambulance and nursing crews in the south west before sundown.
I would have stayed there all day, but The Toupée and the boys had long since lost interest and looked as though they were about to make some dreadful mischief so I had to say goodbye to my new friends, and quickly pedalled away before the temptation to knock Granddad into the ditch and steal the girls became too much to resist. The rest of the ride was uneventful but as I went through the last village before my own, I managed to be in the right place and the right time to witness a rather staid, middle-aged and portly black and white cat lose all dignity and revert back to his youthful kitteny days. Without warning, he suddenly pounced on a large pile of leaves on the grass verge - they stood no chance against his bulk, especially when his tail swept a load into the air like confetti. Fearing some sort of attack, he launched himself into the air and clung with all his might to the trunk of the tree which had previously been home to the aforementioned leaves. Unfortunately, this was the point at which his inner kitten became distracted and abandoned its future self, hanging onto the bark by his front claws, gravity doing its thing and pulling all his podge down around his ankles. I couldn't help myself and giggled out loud. Still not knowing what had happened or where he was, he slowly turned his head to stare at me. Lacking any sort of sensible plan to rescue himself, he instead chose to just let go, landing with an undignified plop in the leaves before running off at top speed as though all the hounds of hell were gnawing at his back legs.
Not a particularly adventurous ride but certainly an animaltastic one
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Glow worm
Legendary Member
- Location
- Near Newmarket
Awful tragedy - R.I.P.
Sincerely hope that remembering all the good times you had with your friend will help you get through this.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Not good Andy, my thoughts are with you and everyone involved
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Great Ride for me, well it was till the cafe stop (really enjoyed that), then my rear wheel decided it wanted to jump out of the drop outs, fixed it for the second time and didn't put the wheel in square (Oops, pedalling with the brakes on is not a good idea); and to top it off I p'tured near Blatherwycke after 52miles. That was close enough to home though (17.5miles), so I told my mates to press on, nipped home, grabbed a spare tube and a track pump and completed the Century a Month challenge. http://app.strava.com/activities/98092809 (There's circa 5.6 miles missing from that but I like to reset the garmin before I get near to the flat).
totallyfixed
Veteran
- Location
- The only county without a McDonalds
The forecast last night was for today to be 50 shades of grey and not a lot else, so when the bedroom lit up with one shade of yellow the prospect of a decent ride suddenly got a lot better. Unfortunately, when the sun does hit our bedroom window at this time of year it means we are late. Oh well, then I discover I have a front puncture, just about had it with this brand of tyre, 4 punctures now in 40,000 miles, rubbish!
By the time we left it was after 10.30, the colours on the trees were still amazing with oak trees probably looking most splendiferous, with this willow being the exception in Castle Bytham
Contrast this with the typical profile of the bare horse chestnut at Little Ponton, about 26 miles into the ride
Because of the lazy start time we abandoned the original route and headed for the Windmill cafe at Wymondham, what a surprise when we got there, they have changed it completely and for the better too, it was a good stop before but now it's right up there with the best. 41 miles done and a short ride home. In this picture you can just see another windmill on the horizon, this time Whissendine, which means only 3 more hills to do.
What a great day, not a cloud in the sky, light winds, good cake and best of all dr_pink allowed me to best her on all the hills [I have to take the opportunity when I can]. 53 miles, both of us on fixed.
By the time we left it was after 10.30, the colours on the trees were still amazing with oak trees probably looking most splendiferous, with this willow being the exception in Castle Bytham
Contrast this with the typical profile of the bare horse chestnut at Little Ponton, about 26 miles into the ride
Because of the lazy start time we abandoned the original route and headed for the Windmill cafe at Wymondham, what a surprise when we got there, they have changed it completely and for the better too, it was a good stop before but now it's right up there with the best. 41 miles done and a short ride home. In this picture you can just see another windmill on the horizon, this time Whissendine, which means only 3 more hills to do.
What a great day, not a cloud in the sky, light winds, good cake and best of all dr_pink allowed me to best her on all the hills [I have to take the opportunity when I can]. 53 miles, both of us on fixed.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
I wasn't expecting today's weather either!
finished work at 02:00 this morning and still wasn't sure whether to go for on or off road when I woke up....
Tea was drunk, porage was eaten and the shed was unlocked to see which bike called to me the loudest.
OK, SL4 hardtail it was. I intended to go around Salcey and some bridleways nearby but ended up past Sywell Aerodrome and Hardwick Lodge to Pitsford..
Some of the bridleways around here are really hard to follow with out an OS Map or GPS as al the signs are missing. Still, if the farmer turns up with a cheery "Get orf moi land!!" I can point to the lack of signage..
I tried a stunt or two on local haystack but came unstuck a bit
Well, you've got to have a laugh sometimes, eh!!
Onwards to Pitsford Reservoir that was quite busy as the weather was nice. Good to see lots of kids riding round there and enjoying the 9 mile circuit with parents and grandparents in tow
There are a few more peaceful areas as well if you know where to find them..
Yet another desicion for the day.. cake or ice cream!?!?
Belgian white chocolate, no less
Happy with the day, I headed towards home (about 10 miles away) and was rewarded the summat going twang in the rear drivetrain just after getting a PB on the Pitsford to Moulton segment on Strava. I ended up walking/pushing/rolling/scooting about 4 miles home as Mrs Pete was in town and No1 daughter and her fella were having a liquid Sunday lunch so wouldn't want to drive anywhere to pick me up
Tomorrow's job looks like taking the rear hub apart to see what's broken. (Before I go to work at 13:30 that is)
Part 2 of the ride was, after walking home and changing bikes, was to get to the library to pick up a Times Table chart for my granddaughter and to deliver it to her, along with a bag of chocolate coins
In total, 28 miles but not really streuous. Good to get out and about though..
http://www.strava.com/activities/98047644I
Tea was drunk, porage was eaten and the shed was unlocked to see which bike called to me the loudest.
OK, SL4 hardtail it was. I intended to go around Salcey and some bridleways nearby but ended up past Sywell Aerodrome and Hardwick Lodge to Pitsford..
Some of the bridleways around here are really hard to follow with out an OS Map or GPS as al the signs are missing. Still, if the farmer turns up with a cheery "Get orf moi land!!" I can point to the lack of signage..
I tried a stunt or two on local haystack but came unstuck a bit
Well, you've got to have a laugh sometimes, eh!!
Onwards to Pitsford Reservoir that was quite busy as the weather was nice. Good to see lots of kids riding round there and enjoying the 9 mile circuit with parents and grandparents in tow
There are a few more peaceful areas as well if you know where to find them..
Yet another desicion for the day.. cake or ice cream!?!?
Belgian white chocolate, no less
Happy with the day, I headed towards home (about 10 miles away) and was rewarded the summat going twang in the rear drivetrain just after getting a PB on the Pitsford to Moulton segment on Strava. I ended up walking/pushing/rolling/scooting about 4 miles home as Mrs Pete was in town and No1 daughter and her fella were having a liquid Sunday lunch so wouldn't want to drive anywhere to pick me up
Tomorrow's job looks like taking the rear hub apart to see what's broken. (Before I go to work at 13:30 that is)
Part 2 of the ride was, after walking home and changing bikes, was to get to the library to pick up a Times Table chart for my granddaughter and to deliver it to her, along with a bag of chocolate coins
In total, 28 miles but not really streuous. Good to get out and about though..
http://www.strava.com/activities/98047644I
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TF is being kind.. Our ride was cut short from planned route 'cos I was done in! Even potsy would have beat me on the hills today ...
coffeejo
Ælfrēd
- Location
- West Somerset
Oh lordy, I think we all know what his next sig line's gonna beTF is being kind.. Our ride was cut short from planned route 'cos I was done in! Even potsy would have beat me on the hills today ...
Cush
Veteran
- Location
- North Cumbria but still a Geordie
You did the right thing, after Dad died I walked over several lake district fells and thought of him the whole way. It helped.
potsy
Rambler
- Location
- My Armchair
Well now you've suggested itOh lordy, I think we all know what his next sig line's gonna be
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