Your ride today.... (part 1)

[asterix]

Went out with the intention of getting some pics of the Trent at full flow, didn't make it there, only a few miles out and the Ti seatpost bolt sheared and my seatpost slid down a good 3 inches, I didn't fancy marking the new carbon post so decided to turn around, the 4ish mile ride home was pretty tough as it was all flat and I couldn't sit down, had to plod home in as high a gear as possible, luckily there was enough of the bolt left to get hold of with some thin nose pliers and remove it..........new steel bolt in and all back to normal, will have another go in the morning.............hopefully with no drama.

Bad luck, but it must have been good training for the thigh muscles. Better luck next time..


First longish ride since Tuesday. As CoG, also 30 miles York to Selby direction. Nice stiff headwind outbound to get me warmed up. Naburn, passed a couple of peeps who looked the type I really shouldn't pass with my mudguards and saddlebag if there was any order in the world. Cycled on to Selby, then coming back, there they were, so of course I had to pass them again. Very embarrassing.

 

[postman]

First ride on my road bike since November,only the third ride since November.36 miles Knaresbrough with two mates.Great going out,a stop for beans on toast then a crap ride back into a wall of wind,all the way home.It took the legs off my mate,it nearly blew me into a ditch,i swore.Not a nice return journey.But it was great to be out,and what with a pair of 3/4 thermal tights under my thermal tights,i was all toasty and warm.

 

[potsy]

Got an unexpected chance to nip out for an hour or so (waiting for a delivery) and planned a 20+ miler, after 3 miles I was already thinking about cutting it short and doing 10 instead, in the end I compromised and managed 14 including a test of the road near Tatton Park that means I can avoid the Tatton Mile as recommended by @skudupnorth
Worked out well and will definitely adopt that as my usual route there now despite the fact it means climbing a couple of extra hills

Can really feel the lack of fitness after my commuting mileage came to an end towards the end of January.

Lots of people out, some of them let on a lot didn't, the driving standards were unusually good too, plenty of drivers waiting and not squeezing past on the lanes, and it didn't rain

 

[skudupnorth]

Got an unexpected chance to nip out for an hour or so (waiting for a delivery) and planned a 20+ miler, after 3 miles I was already thinking about cutting it short and doing 10 instead, in the end I compromised and managed 14 including a test of the road near Tatton Park that means I can avoid the Tatton Mile as recommended by @skudupnorth
Worked out well and will definitely adopt that as my usual route there now despite the fact it means climbing a couple of extra hills

Can really feel the lack of fitness after my commuting mileage came to an end towards the end of January.

Lots of people out, some of them let on a lot didn't, the driving standards were unusually good too, plenty of drivers waiting and not squeezing past on the lanes, and it didn't rain

Its a good little road with a few "testing" lumps and like you say avoids the wooooooosh factor of the Tatton mile

 

[Peteaud]

I was planning just a small 10 miler this morning as Mrs Aud wanted to go out this afternoon, but as long as i was back by 1PM she did not mind. A local group emailed to say they were going out at 10AM but there was no way i could make it. However, their route choice got me thinking, how about a ride into the Blackdown Hills? I have not been up there since last summer and a 20 mile loop would be just the ticket.

Set off, chilly but nice and sunny and within 5 miles i was too hot, lucky the roll up top came off, along with the buff and the zips went down on the winter jacket.

Nice weather at last

1st mistake of the day, i normally go up the hill all the way, this time i had planned the left turning half way up, this went downhill, that meant the end had to be steep, and by god it was.

About 1/2 way up

And keep going up

Finally got to the top and headed west along the ridge, with some stunning views

Sunshine and water

Typical Devon stream.

By now my legs had turned to jelly and i started to question my sanity, pressing on however and more hills i had to stop for a rest and a nibble.

Stopped for a rest, nice comfy seat!

Crossing the main A303 and heading back into somerset, the time was ticking....

Before more uphill

Typical blackdown lane, and hill

Near the top

Finally made it to suicide crossroads, the highest point and stunning views across the county

Suicide x roads !!!

View across Somerset


total 25.9 miles, 2895 feet of climbs, a bit more than i meant

route

Now i remember why i don't go to The Blackdown Hills very often, to many hills

Having said all that, i got back a 1.10 so didnt get in trouble, and although my legs are aching, i need to do more of the hill work i did enjoy it.

 

[welsh dragon]

Great pics @Peteaud

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I hadn't really planned to head out today but there was again and hardly any wind so I had an early lunch and decided to head out to Cardington.

The lack of wind didn't last long and by the time I had the bike out and ready to go it was getting quite blustery. I decided to head out anyway (I could always turn back if needs be, couldn't I?)

I started off going over Lyth Hill to Condover (a bit of climbing but it avoids the main road section which is exposed to the wind), then to Longnor, round the back of Leebotwood and up the climb to Folly Bank. While stopped here for a drink, a driver asked directions to the path for Caer Caradoc. I was able to oblige, having a good recall of the map, but couldn't advise if there was any parking up at Willstone as it's one of the roads I've never ridden. After she'd gone I thought why not go that way and see what's there? Willstone is a quiet little hamlet that has a certain charm and I'll go that way again.

After having to give way to a flock of sheep, it was down to Cardington and back onto my route. Plaish was next where I encountered a chap in a BMW who gave me a frantic wave and big cheesy grin before putting his foot to the floor and disappearing in a squeal of tyres - I could still hear him screeching round for the next half mile. At least he was friendly.

Heading towards Kenley now I decided to have a detour through Langley and Ruckley to get to Acton Burnell before heading back into the wind for a couple of miles to get back to Longnor and the quiet route back to Condover. This time I used the main road expecting a good boost from the wind, but it was a cross wind so was wanting to shove me into the centre of the road all the time instead of helping.

I encountered plenty of courteous driving today which made up for the prat yesterday. The only thing that let the trip down was getting back to find that the mudguard brake-bridge support has snapped off (again). Fixed with cable ties and I suspect it's more securely held now than before.

31 miles at 12.2 mph average, bringing my total distance for this week over 150 miles - more than I usually do per week in the winter.

Approaching Willstone

Traffic problems.

Cardington.

Langley Hall

Langley Chapel

 

[welsh dragon]

Another winner @Rickshaw Phil

 

[PeteXXX]

After the joys of finishing work at 03:00 this morning and sleep by 04:00, I had to put the alarm clock on to get me up in time for a decent ride. After only 3 whacks on the snooze button I crawled out of bed at about 9... I couldn't possibly waste a day like today

I first rode towards town and was quite surprised by the headwind. The forecast was for chilly but calm and warming up to 12c by lunchtime. Never mind, it blew the cobwebs out..

These are a couple of silhouette 'statues' outside the Avon Cosmetics offices beside the River Nene.

Just up the riverbank a bit further are some newish developments overlooking the water..

My route from here was along cycle paths and on to Banbury Lane on the direction of Gayton and Blisworth. I reached Stoke Bruerne and needed some strong black coffee to perk me up a bit..

I was most disappointed with the Waterside Café there. They had NO CAKE(!!!!!) and not even any sandwiches. All they could offer was a muffin or flapjack in a plastic film thing. Another couple walked in and back out again, not happy, as well. That'll be my last time of calling in there. Very poor state of affairs especially on a sunny Saturday at the end of kids half term. Maybe they don't want the business.
Coffee was nice though..

I headed towards Salcey, but not to stop, and on to Weston Underwood

Weston Underwood ~ A very pretty village to ride through.

One of the houses even has it's own 'Ha Ha'

It's a few miles into Olney from there, then, Yardley Hastings, across the cattle grids past Castle Ashby so I could ride up Cogenhoe Hill which I usually blast down. It's not a mega hill but it's a bit of a tester after 40 miles.

I needed a few extra miles to make it 50 so I went back towards the town again and sat by the bike/skate/scooter park and watched how easy all these 360's, 180's, gap jumps and drop-offs should be. Sadly I had the wrong bike with me so couldn't join in!

This lad can even do it with no head!

It kind of puts to bed the idea that all kids fanny around with playstations etc and do nothing all day and never get any exercise. There were loads there enjoying themselves. I had a chat with a chap whose 5 yr old son was up and down the ramps on his scooter.

After a 15 minute rest there, I aimed back home for my own slice of cake.
Lovely 52 miles and only the need to wipe a bit of dust off instead of the usual recent full wash and hose down (Me and the bike, that is!)

http://www.strava.com/activities/115157711

 

[coffeejo]

T'was a day of blue skies, sunshine and a strong hint of spring (and never mind the forecast for tomorrow and and tomorrow and tomorrow) so I led a ride up into the Blackdown Hills.

It was great to be out though I nearly had a mutiny on my hands when our chosen lunch stop wasn't as welcoming as the false words on their website promised. A pub that serves lunch at half past one on a Saturday afternoon? Now why on earth would they want to do that? (And never mind the Website of Lies.) Plan B, a small coffee shop, was closed and Plan C was looking like empty bellies all the way home until we remembered the pub we don't usually frequent as it's between the roads we tend to ride. I was sent to spy out the land (probably so they could discuss how to dispose of my body) but to my horror I was too late ... the kitchen had closed at two. I explained about the grumpy pub down the road and the kitchen was promptly reopened! Even better, the food and service were excellent so we'll definitely be going back.

 

[Peteaud]

T'was a day of blue skies, sunshine and a strong hint of spring (and never mind the forecast for tomorrow and and tomorrow and tomorrow) so I led a ride up into the Blackdown Hills.

View attachment 38652

It was great to be out though I nearly had a mutiny on my hands when our chosen lunch stop wasn't as welcoming as the false words on their website promised. A pub that serves lunch at half past one on a Saturday afternoon? Now why on earth would they want to do that? (And never mind the Website of Lies.) Plan B, a small coffee shop, was closed and Plan C was looking like empty bellies all the way home until we remembered the pub we don't usually frequent as it's between the roads we tend to ride. I was sent to spy out the land (probably so they could discuss how to dispose of my body) but to my horror I was too late ... the kitchen had closed at two. I explained about the grumpy pub down the road and the kitchen was promptly reopened! Even better, the food and service were excellent so we'll definitely be going back.

Spill the beans, good pub is ............., bad pub to be avoided is ..........................................

 

[coffeejo]

Spill the beans, good pub is ............., bad pub to be avoided is ..........................................

The York Inn, Churchinford:

Freshly cooked food, sourced from local suppliers is served lunchtimes and evenings. Coffees, Sandwiches, Panini’s and Soups are served throughout the day

 

[Peteaud]

The York Inn, Churchinford:

What was the good pub?

 

[Peteaud]

[QUOTE 2944453, member: 9609"]@coffeejo @Peteaud
your county is looking pretty impressive considering the images we are getting on a daily basis through the news. Are the roads as quiet as they look ?[/quote]

Depends where you go, but generaly the roads are quiet. Summer brings in the tourists though and a lot of the lanes become caravan parks

I live in Chard, South Somerset, and i am on the border with Devon and Dorset, both are very hilly but no flooding.

 

[coffeejo]

What was the good pub?

The Holman Clavel Inn, near the top of Blagdon Hill.
[QUOTE 2944453, member: 9609"]@coffeejo @Peteaud
your county is looking pretty impressive considering the images we are getting on a daily basis through the news. Are the roads as quiet as they look ?[/quote]
Think some of Pete's photos were taken in Devon (they're not great at marking the county borders ) but Somerset is rather on the large side - 1,610 square miles with 4,058 miles of roads. The Levels and Moors only make up one part of the county: we've also got the Mendips, Chew Valley, the Somerset Coalfield, the Quantock Hills, some of the Blackdown Hills, the Brendon Hills, most of Exmoor, and all the vales and "normal" bits in between, plus 40 miles of coastline.

But yes, the lanes are usually quiet.