Your ride today.... (part 1)

[arranandy]

32 cold, wet and windy miles this morning. Even had some sleet and snow at one point. My feet were pretty cold by the time I got home. I've suffered with cold feet the last couple of winters despite trying various combinations of socks, shoes and overshoes. Must be an age thing

 

[totallyfixed]

Probably my last ride for a while. The wind was WSW so for a change we headed for Bradgate Park to the north of Leicester, a very popular place for city dwellers to drive out to and walk several hundred meters before indulging themselves , where has my Christmas spirit gone?
The ride out was tough into the wind with plenty of hills. The only thing of special interest was overtaking another cyclist, as we approached from behind I could see he only had a single sprocket on, as we passed I said hello and also clocked that he was riding an ON-ONE so I shouted back, "freewheel or fixed", the reply was fixed so I gave him a big thumbs up. He did try to stay with us but he was an older chap probably in his 50's and we weren't hanging around.
This is the view out of the window where we were sitting in the cafe in Bradgate Park

The Park was heaving with walkers and a few on bikes too, don't you love it when a dozen walkers are in a line abreast taking up the whole road and when you say a polite excuse me, the reply is you should have a bell on, sigh. Quite how I managed this shot in the park with only dr_pink in it I have no idea

The wrong colour clouds were now looming, left, right and behind so we needed to get a clip on. Actually the Met Office, BBC and everyone else had said it would be dry, so 12 miles later when I felt a drop on my cheek I knew I was imagining it. In fact it was pouring on one side of us and sunshine on the other and these are the pics, one to the left and one to the right.

Came out pretty light on the camera

Finally the run into Oakham, in this case it was much lighter than this in reality.

The only other remarkable thing we saw was a roadie in shorts, his legs were a kind of grey colour. 60 miles and a good one to remember over the next difficult days.

 

[Christopher]

for yesterday: Interesting fixed-wheel ride from Preston out towards Ormskirk. The flat lands of West Lancs were looking bleak and beautiful. It was a real slog into the wind across the open treeless roads, had the occaisional rain shower as well. Got 2 visits from the fairy - think she was perched on my front mudguard, the vixen - that were really my own fault as I was knowingly using a tyre with cuts in it and inner tubes that were too small. Was a bit funny as I only had one spare tube so had to stop every 5-6 miles to frantically pump the tube up and shoot off again before having to stop & repeat the process. Luckily it was a slow leak, been a long walk otherwise. Didn't feel hungry but got stomach pains in the last few miles. Got home, binned tube, fixed punctures. Saw very few cyclists. Lots of debris on the roads and the potholes runneth over with water. Great fun, really enjoyed it.

 

[Saluki]

Just back in from an 8.02 mile ride from home to the edge of town round to Spooner Row and back via Wattlefield. Its my regular "I want to ride but don't have much time" ride. Tonight it took me 42:30 instead of the usual 30 - 33 mins. I've not ridden since 26th November and I think that my bike has got fat as it was really sluggish. It could be that I've got fat and am really sluggish though. Probably me, on reflection.
Trying to kick this bloody depression that's hanging around. I loathe Christmas but cannot avoid it really. Tonight I was bored to tears so took the bike out for a spin in the nasty drizzle and wind (not that bad but I've got really unfit).

Once off the town road and heading along the Suton Road to Spooner Row, it was really quiet. Riding in the silence is really rather lovely. Feel a bit better now. Might go and find a cup of tea.

 

[PeteXXX]

After last nights' storms I managed to get out for a few miles on the old Single Speed bike. The river was quite high and the riverside cycle path under the main road was deeper than I expected!

I went to the market in the town centre and it was surprisingly small. I thought the traders would be out trying to make a few quid on Christmas Eve.

On the way back I passed a ship under construction in a backwater off the Nene. Not sure what I intended for it, but it's a bit peculiar looking.

Anyway, back along the Washlands bank and through a bit we call The Zambesi. It was too flooded to cross easily so I diverted round some of it..

Only 15 miles, but nice to get out before tomorrow.

Happy Christmas folks

 

[mrcunning]

Not really been on the bike for a month,so i blasted off today and after 6 miles of head wind my lungs were ready for popping..luckily turned into a side street and no wind..12 miles and struggled..

 

[derrick]

A nice steady 38 miles, the start of the rapha 500 challenge, going to give it a go but the weather is not looking to helpful, it was nice to get out for a spin though, can i sneak out on Christmas day, we shall see.

 

[Pennine-Paul]

only 11 miles on my commute to work,the driving standards from motorists today was appalling

either it's Santas sherry or everyones in holiday mode and just not concentrating.

watch out if your out on your bike peeps.

 

[derrick]

only 11 miles on my commute to work,the driving standards from motorists today was appalling

either it's Santas sherry or everyones in holiday mode and just not concentrating.

watch out if your out on your bike peeps.

Yes i thought there were a few more twats around than usual.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I'd been hoping to get out today but the morning was just a stream of heavy showers rolling across. Looking at the rainfall radar after lunch it looked as though it was clearing so I took the chance to get out. I did the Atcham route today: Condover, Atcham, Uffington, into the centre of Shrewsbury and back.

The first thing that became apparent was that the wind hadn't died down at all so it was slow going on the climb up to Lyth Hill where the views were great today as the air is so clear. I was still working against the wind until Condover when I turned north-east and had it giving me a boost instead.

It was a quick run to Atcham where there is a bit of minor flooding across the fields (the river is expected to peak sometime Christmas afternoon). I don't expect it to get out onto any roads this time. It may be different after the storm due on Friday.

On the way I'd noticed more showers rolling in across the Long Mynd (damn, misjudged it again ) and at Atcham it became clear that they were quite likely to go across rather than skirting past as I'd hoped. I pressed on anyway with the hope that I could get to somewhere less exposed before it arrived.

The first shower did just miss so I only got a bit damp, but by the time I was nearing Shrewsbury I could see larger and darker coloured clouds approaching.

I chose to go through the town with the towpath being blocked by flooding and found the traffic no more busy than a normal weekday, then headed into The Quarry where I was fighting against the wind again (struggling to maintain 9 mph on a dead flat path).

The remainder of the journey was against the wind and in the rain, so it was nice to get back, change into something dry and settle down with a hot chocolate.

19.2 miles at 11.7 mph average.

Very windy but bright & sunny when I set out. The previous showers are just disappearing beyond the Wrekin.

Looking towards the Lawley, Caer Caradoc & the edge of the Long Mynd from the same viewpoint.

The Mytton & Mermaid at Atcham. Only a mermaid would take drinks in the garden today.

A lot of water flowing under the bridge. Where did all that dark cloud come from?

Shrewsbury weir. Honestly it's under there somewhere.

In The Quarry. It's getting dark early and I'm riding towards loads of rain laden cloud.

 

[coffeejo]

Had to go into town for an appointment this afternoon - did the short route on the main roads as I didn't fancy getting my feet wet in the inevitable pools of standing water on the back lanes. Got a decent work out leaving town though as the wind was quite chilly and I didn't fancy hanging around at the traffic lights so had to work like a so-and-so to get through both sets before they turned red. Made it ... just. My sincere thanks to the BMW who patiently waited behind me and didn't try to overtake as my lungs were bursting.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Just back from my final 'commute' over to my parents' home before Christmas...

I think the weather gods were smiling on me today because despite needing full waterproofs just to get my bike out, by the time I was ready to ride it, there were breaks in the cloud and it had stopped raining. I actually made it to my parents' home in full sunshine all the way (2hrs actual ride time - nasty headwind though). The ride was mostly uneventful, the roads very quiet and on the whole most motorists being exceptionally careful and considerate! Before I had covered 3 miles though, I had come across 3 closed roads - all are sudden dips under a railway line so no prizes for guessing why the roads are closed, but thankfully none of them were roads I needed. As I headed out towards the Pennies it was clear that they had had much less rain overnight than we had had, however I was totally confused about the weather - I was cycling in bright sunshine under blue skies, but over to the west, there was a large weather front visible - I wasn't sure I would actually make it to my parents' home without getting very wet but amazingly I did and it stayed dry for almost an hour after I had arrived.

Someone somewhere is getting wet, but not me!

And looking the way I am going - another bright day with difficult driving conditions at time - riding in it is not as difficult, just make yourself seen!

A little later on and I came across a tree I am getting rather fond of, though I am not so fond of the ungraded Cheshire single lane hill it is on... but today decided to stop and photo it...

Crossing over the M6, I met another roadie out for a ride and got a chirpy hello out of him, but the south bound M6 was crawling to a halt and sirens were heading down the hard shoulder... The 2hr bleeper went off on the garmin just as I pulled into the driveway, so I knew it was a slow ride, but the headwind had been interesting at times to say the least.

Bits and pieces done at my parents' and I started to get ready to leave. Going out to put bits onto my bike, it was raining hard: those big really wet rain drops that soak you very quickly... but in less than a few minutes it had eased off, so I decided just to 'get wet' and follow rule 5. Before I had left the road they live on, it had stopped raining. Going back over the M6 it tried snowing on me, but I could not for the life of me see where it was coming from - the skies were totally clear and stars were visible (plus whatever planet it is in the south west/west that is very visible at the moment). It stayed like that for my entire journey and the careful considerate driving carried on with vehicles holding back, not overtaking me and generally being nice. Not sure what is going on really!

Closure to home and there was some flood water to cycle through that had not been there this morning, so I know I have missed most of the weather, but amazingly I got home in the total dry as well! Think I must be in the weather gods good books today!

I'll finish off with one last photo - my parents' Christmas tree... She likes doing things differently.

Out - http://www.strava.com/activities/101742533
Back - http://www.strava.com/activities/101742537

 

[cosmicbike]

No pics, simply because the same dull walls are boring. Still on the trainer, though physio has said I can go out as of Thursday it just hasn't worked yet due to the weather leaving puddles in the house! I did 2 sessions and 17 miles, no pain so must be good. Next 'ride' day is 27th so hope for some nice weather..

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

No pics, simply because the same dull walls are boring. Still on the trainer, though physio has said I can go out as of Thursday it just hasn't worked yet due to the weather leaving puddles in the house! I did 2 sessions and 17 miles, no pain so must be good. Next 'ride' day is 27th so hope for some nice weather..

Hopefully the forecast will change. It isn't looking that promising for the 27th at the moment though.

 

[Toeclip]

Just back from a much shorter ride than I had plan to do because of too many flooded lanes. Okay so I`m a wimp but cold wet feet I don`t like, so it was just over 12 miles for me.