Spartak
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- Bristolian
Out on my MTB this morning, 27 icy kms, the photo was taken looking over the storm pond at Emersons Green.
Your ride today.... (part 1)
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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Out on my MTB this morning, 27 icy kms, the photo was taken looking over the storm pond at Emersons Green.
rualexander
Legendary Member
Nice weather at last, so went for a spin around Biggar area,
totallyfixed
Veteran
- Location
- The only county without a McDonalds
I honestly did not know how long it would be before I contributed to one of these again, discounting the short ride on Christmas day that was short, slow, careful and on gears, but also 48 hours post op. If my surgeon reads this I suspect I will be in in the poo.
So, now I am 6 days post op and climbing the walls, I have to go out on fixed, not I might add the safest piece of machinery with which to negotiate frosty roads. I think we had the same conditions as most on here, sunny and cold, but with the added spice of the uncertainty of the effect of physical exercise. It went well, almost too well, I held back on any hills, the steepest was only around 12% and fairly short, dr_pink was brilliant and helped me keep the pace down.
A very rare picture of me climbing a short hill
I don't usually keep stats on rides but as this was a bit of an epic [pootle] we did 40 miles at an average of 14.41, very easy and no ill after effects. A huge thanks to my surgeon [even though I hope he never reads this!] for doing a brilliant job. Just the shoulder op to go now. Thanks to all for the good wishes.
So, now I am 6 days post op and climbing the walls, I have to go out on fixed, not I might add the safest piece of machinery with which to negotiate frosty roads. I think we had the same conditions as most on here, sunny and cold, but with the added spice of the uncertainty of the effect of physical exercise. It went well, almost too well, I held back on any hills, the steepest was only around 12% and fairly short, dr_pink was brilliant and helped me keep the pace down.
A very rare picture of me climbing a short hill
I don't usually keep stats on rides but as this was a bit of an epic [pootle] we did 40 miles at an average of 14.41, very easy and no ill after effects. A huge thanks to my surgeon [even though I hope he never reads this!] for doing a brilliant job. Just the shoulder op to go now. Thanks to all for the good wishes.
D
Deleted member 1258
Guest
I honestly did not know how long it would be before I contributed to one of these again, discounting the short ride on Christmas day that was short, slow, careful and on gears, but also 48 hours post op. If my surgeon reads this I suspect I will be in in the poo.
So, now I am 6 days post op and climbing the walls, I have to go out on fixed, not I might add the safest piece of machinery with which to negotiate frosty roads. I think we had the same conditions as most on here, sunny and cold, but with the added spice of the uncertainty of the effect of physical exercise. It went well, almost too well, I held back on any hills, the steepest was only around 12% and fairly short, dr_pink was brilliant and helped me keep the pace down.
A very rare picture of me climbing a short hill
I don't usually keep stats on rides but as this was a bit of an epic [pootle] we did 40 miles at an average of 14.41, very easy and no ill after effects. A huge thanks to my surgeon [even though I hope he never reads this!] for doing a brilliant job. Just the shoulder op to go now. Thanks to all for the good wishes.
Nice to see you on the bike, how are you feeling? I only ride fixed in the winter, I recon they're ideal when its slippery.
totallyfixed
Veteran
- Location
- The only county without a McDonalds
Way better than I have any right to expect, I keep thinking something will go wrong, I have measured my resting heart at a low of 38 bpm, not had that for years plus I am sleeping right through the night now.
Have to disagree with you on the fixed on ice, although I am talking more about solid sheet ice where there are times when you just want to coast and put all your concentration into balancing the bike, and where a pedal stroke would disturb that balance.
D
Deleted member 1258
Guest
Thats good then, I've never had my resting heart rate that low, I think my best was about 50, I think yes agree to disagree, I've ridden fixed in most winter conditions, including sheet ice, and have just found it better.
Good to see you up and getting back into it @totallyfixed. Take it steady though.
vernon
Harder than Ronnie Pickering
- Location
- Meanwood, Leeds
Yesterday's ride was 31 miles comprising rides to and from Leeds Station, a pootle around York to fill in an hour between connection for the London train and a ride around some of London's architectural treasures totalling thirty two miles.
Post ride carb and protein replenishment.
A fuller pictorial record is here:
Post ride carb and protein replenishment.
A fuller pictorial record is here:
Spartak
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- Bristolian
Only 8.5km today, but it did bring up my 400kms for the month, which means I managed at least that total in every calendar month this year 
Total for year was 6583 kms
Total for year was 6583 kms
- Location
- Egham
Same old dull trainer ride for me, but posting as it took me over the 1000 mile mark for the year
Roll on 2014 when I actually plan to cycle outside...
Roll on 2014 when I actually plan to cycle outside...
Last bike ride of the year was a gentle 33 miles round the lanes south of EK and Hamilton. The only things of note were having to take a detour as 1 of the lanes I wanted to use was blocked by a tractor trying to pull a lorry out of a ditch and getting a 'nice bum' comment from a MILF in a car behind me at some traffic lights.
Hoping to get out on the bike tomorrow morning provided I don't have too many Peronis this evening.
All the best for 2014 to all you Cyclechatters
Hoping to get out on the bike tomorrow morning provided I don't have too many Peronis this evening.
All the best for 2014 to all you Cyclechatters
OP
OP
gbb
Squire
- Location
- Peterborough
Just a ramble, typical i suspect of whats going through a cyclists head, pre, during and post ride...
'You going out today ? (on the bike)
'Yup, be a shame to waste a day off, i'm in the mood for one' (this is rare for me nowadays)
I go upstairs half an hour later, i'm pulling on my bib longs....
'Hahaha, have you looked outside ?'
At the same moment, i have my longs up to my knees...and its started raining...i pull down my bib longs, hrrmph
Half an hour later, i'm constantly looking out the window, its still drizzling...its so easy to keep warm...do i MTFU and get out there....half an hour later again, i'm still doing the same
Half an hour later...sod it, its stopped raining, its cloudy but doesnt look too windy or cold..against all the odds of my terrible years cycling...the bike looks like its going to win.
And i'm out there
..its quite mild, i'm going to re-do my last route, a steady 20 miler. The hills kill me nowadays, i plod up my local one near the radio towers, i'm now approaching the spot i saw the two Red Kite and the dead deer...i wonder how much they've since torn up the carcase...huh....no carcase ?. This leaves me wondering where its gone as i ride on...too big for predators to have carted it off, too rotten and manky for anyone to have bothered...ah well, i'll never know.
Last ride, Fieldfares...this ride, Redwings, lots of them.
Despite my meagre mileage this year, i feel ok, the Raleigh Clubmans as smooth as a babys bum, but i really must get a shorter stem, i'm so stretched out.
Lights falling...bugger, i'm going to struggle to get the full ride in, stem and lights then.
At Normans Cross i take the shorter route instead of heading to Yaxley and run parallel with the A1, nice surface, no traffic but noisy from the A1....and into the brickpits that border my estate. Normally there's a track to use, because of a massive new development its now a temporary track of broken brick, rubble, puddles and mud. A mile of standing on the pedals, constant concentration, skidding and skipping over millions of pebbles, rocks and puddles....thank gawld i have mudguards.
After this years almost total failure cycling wise, i was determined to get out there, which isnt easy when its wet and murky, your motivation is rock bottom and your fitness has evaporated.
I made it...i got out there, twice in a week, it was probably only 18 miles...but i gave myself a pat on the back, a cuppa and a piece of luxury xmas cake.
Happy new year to you all...
'You going out today ? (on the bike)
'Yup, be a shame to waste a day off, i'm in the mood for one' (this is rare for me nowadays)
I go upstairs half an hour later, i'm pulling on my bib longs....
'Hahaha, have you looked outside ?'
At the same moment, i have my longs up to my knees...and its started raining...i pull down my bib longs, hrrmph
Half an hour later, i'm constantly looking out the window, its still drizzling...its so easy to keep warm...do i MTFU and get out there....half an hour later again, i'm still doing the same
Half an hour later...sod it, its stopped raining, its cloudy but doesnt look too windy or cold..against all the odds of my terrible years cycling...the bike looks like its going to win.
And i'm out there
..its quite mild, i'm going to re-do my last route, a steady 20 miler. The hills kill me nowadays, i plod up my local one near the radio towers, i'm now approaching the spot i saw the two Red Kite and the dead deer...i wonder how much they've since torn up the carcase...huh....no carcase ?. This leaves me wondering where its gone as i ride on...too big for predators to have carted it off, too rotten and manky for anyone to have bothered...ah well, i'll never know.Last ride, Fieldfares...this ride, Redwings, lots of them.
Despite my meagre mileage this year, i feel ok, the Raleigh Clubmans as smooth as a babys bum, but i really must get a shorter stem, i'm so stretched out.
Lights falling...bugger, i'm going to struggle to get the full ride in, stem and lights then.
At Normans Cross i take the shorter route instead of heading to Yaxley and run parallel with the A1, nice surface, no traffic but noisy from the A1....and into the brickpits that border my estate. Normally there's a track to use, because of a massive new development its now a temporary track of broken brick, rubble, puddles and mud. A mile of standing on the pedals, constant concentration, skidding and skipping over millions of pebbles, rocks and puddles....thank gawld i have mudguards.
After this years almost total failure cycling wise, i was determined to get out there, which isnt easy when its wet and murky, your motivation is rock bottom and your fitness has evaporated.
I made it
...i got out there, twice in a week, it was probably only 18 miles...but i gave myself a pat on the back, a cuppa and a piece of luxury xmas cake.Happy new year to you all...
alans
black belt lounge lizard
- Location
- Staffordshire
Today has been awful weather.High winds & much rain.Not at all conducive to cycling......so I went for a ride
I used the Longstaff for the first time in some months & also Shimano sandals with Sealskinz socks & overshoes.I also wore waterproof trousers over my Ron Hill tracksters
I also decided to ride with lights due to the overcast gloom.The Vision 1 battery failed after a few km & the front flash on the dynamo was then switched on.The rear Cateye LD1100 also on flash mode served well even in the day time.
I realised after a few km that I'd not attached my Topeak Aero Wedge so was riding without a p.r.k.,spare inner tube,multi-tool,tyre boot etc etc.I was lucky to get away with that 'cause it became clear that a lot of hedge cutting has taken place recently on the lanes hereabouts.All the recent rain has softened the cuttings.
Only 16km in 40 minutes,most of which was a bit of a struggle either against the wind or uphill,particularly the little bit up from Fole brook to Nobut x-roads;it's not long nor steep but it often feels rather demanding.
Three things I realised in retrospect......
I should have raised the saddle a wee bit to accommodate the thicker soles of the Shimano sandals
The 2kg I have gained in the last 2 weeks makes itself felt when riding a bike moreso than when perfecting my lounge lizard technique.
It needs to be colder to wear waterproof trousers over tracksters to avoid over-heating.
2 rides in 4 days is not too shabby all things considered even though neither were of much distance.
I used the Longstaff for the first time in some months & also Shimano sandals with Sealskinz socks & overshoes.I also wore waterproof trousers over my Ron Hill tracksters
I also decided to ride with lights due to the overcast gloom.The Vision 1 battery failed after a few km & the front flash on the dynamo was then switched on.The rear Cateye LD1100 also on flash mode served well even in the day time.
I realised after a few km that I'd not attached my Topeak Aero Wedge so was riding without a p.r.k.,spare inner tube,multi-tool,tyre boot etc etc.I was lucky to get away with that 'cause it became clear that a lot of hedge cutting has taken place recently on the lanes hereabouts.All the recent rain has softened the cuttings.
Only 16km in 40 minutes,most of which was a bit of a struggle either against the wind or uphill,particularly the little bit up from Fole brook to Nobut x-roads;it's not long nor steep but it often feels rather demanding.
Three things I realised in retrospect......
I should have raised the saddle a wee bit to accommodate the thicker soles of the Shimano sandals
The 2kg I have gained in the last 2 weeks makes itself felt when riding a bike moreso than when perfecting my lounge lizard technique.
It needs to be colder to wear waterproof trousers over tracksters to avoid over-heating.
2 rides in 4 days is not too shabby all things considered even though neither were of much distance.
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
It didn't look like I was going to get a ride in today with being wet and windy this morning then problems cropping up at home. However, the sun came out and the problems were resolved without me being needed so a window of opportunity opened up this afternoon.
I headed out over Lyth Hill to Oaks, Pulverbatch, Wilderley, Leebotwood and back via my regular haunts of Longnor, Ryton and Condover. I could still feel the effects of the Long Mynd ride the other day so I was taking it a bit leisurely at the start. The most noticeable thing today was how wet the back roads are. The track over Lyth Hill was particularly bad with puddles almost up to the hubs.
There was a bit more traffic about on the lanes en route to Pulverbatch than usual, but everyone was polite and friendly which was nice (even a guy in a Porsche). There was a bit more flooding on the back road to Pulverbatch which being in a dip I did rush through. Didn't go wheeeee though.
A similar set up on the way to Leebotwood resulted in wet trousers as the depth and my speed combined to send up a fountain of water up each leg.
The trip back was straightforward apart from meeting one guy on a narrow bit, who wasn't going to slow down just for a cycle. Hope bouncing through the ditch a bit will make him think about driving with slightly more consideration next time.
Back safe, chain mickled so it doesn't go all stiff again and hot chocolate being consumed to warm up.
23.2 miles this trip at 11.8 mph average which I'm happy with for a hilly ride on the knockabout bike.
Excellent conditions for the last trip of 2013.
About to drop down the hill at Lyth Bank.
Wrentnall.
On the road to Wilderley you come over the crest and have this view laid out before you. It looks even better in real life.
Looking at The Lawley and Caer Caradoc before dropping down to Leebotwood.
I headed out over Lyth Hill to Oaks, Pulverbatch, Wilderley, Leebotwood and back via my regular haunts of Longnor, Ryton and Condover. I could still feel the effects of the Long Mynd ride the other day so I was taking it a bit leisurely at the start. The most noticeable thing today was how wet the back roads are. The track over Lyth Hill was particularly bad with puddles almost up to the hubs.
There was a bit more traffic about on the lanes en route to Pulverbatch than usual, but everyone was polite and friendly which was nice (even a guy in a Porsche
). There was a bit more flooding on the back road to Pulverbatch which being in a dip I did rush through. Didn't go wheeeee though. A similar set up on the way to Leebotwood resulted in wet trousers as the depth and my speed combined to send up a fountain of water up each leg.The trip back was straightforward apart from meeting one guy on a narrow bit, who wasn't going to slow down just for a cycle. Hope bouncing through the ditch a bit will make him think about driving with slightly more consideration next time.
Back safe, chain mickled so it doesn't go all stiff again
and hot chocolate being consumed to warm up.23.2 miles this trip at 11.8 mph average which I'm happy with for a hilly ride on the knockabout bike.
Excellent conditions for the last trip of 2013.
About to drop down the hill at Lyth Bank.
Wrentnall.
On the road to Wilderley you come over the crest and have this view laid out before you. It looks even better in real life.
Looking at The Lawley and Caer Caradoc before dropping down to Leebotwood.
Last edited:
SatNavSaysStraightOn
Changed hemispheres!
- Location
- ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ɐɹɹǝquɐƆ
For some daft reason we decided on a final 50km mtb ride for the end of year. Daft in all aspects. First the weather this am was not really conducive to cycling - so we waited until the storm front had passed and then went out after an early lunch of pancakes, lemons, limes & sugar...
First hurdle, my OH gleefully informed me I had a fairy visit. Sure enough my front was totally flat and a hawthorn soon located and extracted. He then got his own bike out and low and behold, his rear was flat but he could not find the culprit - he usually fixes his own flats (after an episode last year where he buggered off with my road bike wheels when he had a flat, he now knows the rules!) but I went over for a look and soon found the culprit - another hawthorn.
I had planned a rather ambitious route, heading out to the River Weaver, picking up the Trent & Mersey Canal, using the Shropshire Union Canal to get back to the River Weaver and then the Whitegate Way home. We knew we would be out in the dark, so had our off road lights and were well equipped....
3.5km down the road and my OH having left me behind on a really muddy bridlepath has another flat (rear again)... So I hang around dutifully and not interfere.... I went off to take some photos, he can't find the cause, so asks me to have a look and I can't find the cause either.
He swaps out the inner tube playing it safe, turns his bike over and swears very loudly - the front is also flat... (4-0 to the fairy at this point!). His front is a shraeder valve (his rear and both of mine are presta), so it is a patch it job... no issues - we have 5 patches with us... the first one didn't go on properly, so we pull it off, put it in a pocket and try another one. Success and we are on our way again... From there we were OK for a while... some really lovely light and some stunning scenes along a part of the River Weaver I have not been to before had us repeatedly stopping despite the fact we were well aware the sun was in its last phase...
A viaduct I didn't know existed!
the other side of it - and loads of reeds...
A lovely bridge on the other side, but it was not possible to get a good angle on it and this was all the reeds & trees/vegetation allowed me.
Further on and the light is making this wreck look stunning. I had to stop to take a picture...
From here we set off for the Trent & Mersey Canal - will I never learn? I have tried cycling it before to my mother's back last March/April. I did state then that if I was ever stupid enough to try to cycle to my parents' home using an off-road route you should come and shoot me and put me out of my misery. Why oh why did I think the same canal would be any better in a) winter, b) after lots of rain & c) in the other direction? It was not by any means any better and the hurdles put on it were just the same... (bikes having to be put up onto rear wheel to negotiate gates or other hazards too narrow to get them through, bikes having to be lifted over because the V kissing gate is only human sized and even the dog we dog sit for would not have been able to get through it, and in one case, my OH actually swinging the bikes out over the canal whilst he hung onto the metal hurdle and swung himself around it.... I could go on but it is too depressing...)
On the bright side of things, we did meet some really nice bridges and every pedestrian was really nice and friendly (and probably took one look at the state of us) and all kindly stepped out of the way to let us through!.
Around the corner from this photo, we came across the first of the 2 kingfishers we disturbed and 'chased' along the canal with them flying 50m and coming to rest, waiting for us to catch up and then flying on - OK its not like that but they were beautiful in the 'afternoon' light - which was rapidly becoming the last of the light...
We climbed up and over 2 tunnels, passed the Anderton Boat lift and finally ran out of light around the A556. Decision time - in the light we were averaging 7kph in the muddy conditions.... With the light rapidly failing (and us actually having to get home to dog sit tonight) we had a decision to make....
We baled at the next opportunity and put some more air in my rear tyre (I had let a lot of air out because of the muddy conditions, my rear wheel had been all over the place and there was a certain location to the left of me, I didn't want it visiting....)...
From there, following the A556 to the River Weaver, picking up the National Cycle Route 5 into Winsford to catch the Whitegate Way home, you would be forgiven for thinking what else could happen... Well nothing right up until I was sliding along the River Weaver trying hard to keep my rear wheel from sliding to the right this time, right into the River Weaver when I get a yell from my OH... Fairy visit... 5 - 0. We pushed the bikes back to the A556 to a street light with the "let's just cycle home down the A556" thoughts in our minds. Inflating the tyre did nothing whatsoever and it was his rear tyre yet again... After a conflab, I left to fetch the car and agreed a pick up point. Us, the car and the bikes are now totally filthy - as is the house. I had to leave mine somewhere and for ease and quickness I abandoned it in the house - listening to my rear tyre hissing at me (think the valve is actually dodgy on that one... will I have another fairy visit in the morning? Anyone's guess, but I can tell you that every stitch of clothing is currently in the washing machine and both bikes are going to start the New Year with a really good wash!
Ride abandoned. Fairy 5, SNSSO Household 0 http://www.strava.com/activities/103039757 . I guess we had not met our quota for 2013!
First hurdle, my OH gleefully informed me I had a fairy visit. Sure enough my front was totally flat and a hawthorn soon located and extracted. He then got his own bike out and low and behold, his rear was flat but he could not find the culprit - he usually fixes his own flats (after an episode last year where he buggered off with my road bike wheels when he had a flat, he now knows the rules!) but I went over for a look and soon found the culprit - another hawthorn.
I had planned a rather ambitious route, heading out to the River Weaver, picking up the Trent & Mersey Canal, using the Shropshire Union Canal to get back to the River Weaver and then the Whitegate Way home. We knew we would be out in the dark, so had our off road lights and were well equipped....
3.5km down the road and my OH having left me behind on a really muddy bridlepath has another flat (rear again)... So I hang around dutifully and not interfere.... I went off to take some photos, he can't find the cause, so asks me to have a look and I can't find the cause either.
He swaps out the inner tube playing it safe, turns his bike over and swears very loudly - the front is also flat... (4-0 to the fairy at this point!). His front is a shraeder valve (his rear and both of mine are presta), so it is a patch it job... no issues - we have 5 patches with us... the first one didn't go on properly, so we pull it off, put it in a pocket and try another one. Success and we are on our way again... From there we were OK for a while... some really lovely light and some stunning scenes along a part of the River Weaver I have not been to before had us repeatedly stopping despite the fact we were well aware the sun was in its last phase...
A viaduct I didn't know existed!
the other side of it - and loads of reeds...
A lovely bridge on the other side, but it was not possible to get a good angle on it and this was all the reeds & trees/vegetation allowed me.
Further on and the light is making this wreck look stunning. I had to stop to take a picture...
From here we set off for the Trent & Mersey Canal - will I never learn? I have tried cycling it before to my mother's back last March/April. I did state then that if I was ever stupid enough to try to cycle to my parents' home using an off-road route you should come and shoot me and put me out of my misery. Why oh why did I think the same canal would be any better in a) winter, b) after lots of rain & c) in the other direction? It was not by any means any better and the hurdles put on it were just the same... (bikes having to be put up onto rear wheel to negotiate gates or other hazards too narrow to get them through, bikes having to be lifted over because the V kissing gate is only human sized and even the dog we dog sit for would not have been able to get through it, and in one case, my OH actually swinging the bikes out over the canal whilst he hung onto the metal hurdle and swung himself around it.... I could go on but it is too depressing...)
On the bright side of things, we did meet some really nice bridges and every pedestrian was really nice and friendly (and probably took one look at the state of us) and all kindly stepped out of the way to let us through!.
Around the corner from this photo, we came across the first of the 2 kingfishers we disturbed and 'chased' along the canal with them flying 50m and coming to rest, waiting for us to catch up and then flying on - OK its not like that but they were beautiful in the 'afternoon' light - which was rapidly becoming the last of the light...
We climbed up and over 2 tunnels, passed the Anderton Boat lift and finally ran out of light around the A556. Decision time - in the light we were averaging 7kph in the muddy conditions.... With the light rapidly failing (and us actually having to get home to dog sit tonight) we had a decision to make....
We baled at the next opportunity and put some more air in my rear tyre (I had let a lot of air out because of the muddy conditions, my rear wheel had been all over the place and there was a certain location to the left of me, I didn't want it visiting....
)...From there, following the A556 to the River Weaver, picking up the National Cycle Route 5 into Winsford to catch the Whitegate Way home, you would be forgiven for thinking what else could happen... Well nothing right up until I was sliding along the River Weaver trying hard to keep my rear wheel from sliding to the right this time, right into the River Weaver when I get a yell from my OH... Fairy visit... 5 - 0. We pushed the bikes back to the A556 to a street light with the "let's just cycle home down the A556" thoughts in our minds. Inflating the tyre did nothing whatsoever and it was his rear tyre yet again... After a conflab, I left to fetch the car and agreed a pick up point. Us, the car and the bikes are now totally filthy - as is the house. I had to leave mine somewhere and for ease and quickness I abandoned it in the house - listening to my rear tyre hissing at me (think the valve is actually dodgy on that one... will I have another fairy visit in the morning? Anyone's guess, but I can tell you that every stitch of clothing is currently in the washing machine and both bikes are going to start the New Year with a really good wash!
Ride abandoned. Fairy 5, SNSSO Household 0 http://www.strava.com/activities/103039757 . I guess we had not met our quota for 2013!
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