Your ride today....

[Jenkins]

Today's ride was effectively a repeat of one I did earlier in the year - a fairly direct route (for me) out to Stowmarket via Needham Market, then up and over th A14 to Stowupland, down through Creeting St. Peter and back over the A14, a short stretch then up Fen Lane under the A14 before back down the Lord's Highway and over the A14 to Creeting St. Mary back towards Needham Market before crossing the A14 (again) to head homewards via Cl;aydon, Westerfield and Bucklesham. In all there were something like 8 crossings of the A14

The route involved normal road surfaces, off road on a restricted byway and what amounted to a paved farm access track covered in loose, wet leaves and field run off dirt - slippery from Wednesday's rain and a couple of passing showers today with the Spa shoiwing what a great allrounder it is.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1237584432

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

[QUOTE 5005468, member: 9609"]a puncture on a day like that, that's not good. When you were fixing the puncture did any moron manage to get you with that puddle ?[/QUOTE]Fortunately no. They were all swinging wide of it after coming round the preceeding corner.

 

[Dave 123]

Here in Menorca it hammered it down all day yesterday, we rode our hire bikes 5 miles back from the shop.
Today the rain had stopped by 10.30 so we've had a gentle spin to Es Grau.
We saw some booted eagles and cattle egrets and met the girls in a bar by the water for a drink.
We came back into Mao along the port road

Then we came back to Es Castell

We then stopped at a tapas bar for a nibble before riding back to the apartment..

https://www.strava.com/activities/1238769782

We are here to do the Vuelta a Menorca sportive. There is a ride later today, a bigger one tomorrow and one on Sunday. And the sun is out!

 

[Stonechat]

Friday ride

A rather convoluted route
Starting off up Prune Hill, Down Crimp Hill and Up Priest hill
South through the Park, I noticed when crossing Smith's Lawn and going down Breakheart Hill that wind was very strong
Through Virginia Water, down to Ottershaw and back up to Thorpe again, and home via Chertsey

Though there were some tailwinds, the strong winds slowed the overall speed somewhat
Still nice ride, still in shorts, just arm warmers to take the edge off, a bit chilly to start with.

33.60 miles @ 16.3 mph
1083 feet climbed

Sun came out afterwards

https://www.strava.com/activities/1238746796/

 

[Dave 123]

My 2nd ride of the day to Cala en Porter with a couple of hundred other people.
A few hairy and scary moments, like the lady dismounting mid lane on a 15% hill without warning....
All good fun!

https://www.strava.com/activities/1239023120

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

After a couple of damp days it looked good out there so off I went around the north of the hills. I crossed the main Hereford road at Stony Cross where resurfacing work is happening. To be honest the new surface is worse than the old. Ah well, at least it's no problem as I don't ride on these main roads. I chanced upon a couple of riders in the lanes. Just out for a little one were they. I had a chat before peeling off for Coddington. The sign said the lane over to Munsley was closed. I rode anyway to find that the sign was telling an untruth. Well it was today anyway. Maybe they will close it tomorrow. A reasonable amount of traffic was about at Trumpet but I was soon back in the lanes running south along the eastern flanks of the Marcles. Then it was some assistance from the wind as I headed east from Much Marcle. I opted for the run back through the Castlemorton lanes to complete the loop. Lovely day for it today. 52 smiles

 

[Dave 123]

Today was the main ride of the weekend. We rolled from Es Castell into the town square in Mao, only a mile or so, and waited for the off...

Over the cobbles we bumped, locals out of their houses waving us off. There were motorbikes blocking the roundabouts and junctions for us.
We sped through the green Menorca countryside, sun on our backs. Through small towns, photos being taken as we rolled through.
Then came the timed climb. 13% followed by a false flat, then ramped up to a sustained 16%. 1.5k in total. At the top rained... I didn't sign up for that!

Onward to Ciutedella. We took a left turn, the peloton bunched, from behind us we heard a skid, followed by a thud! It happened in front of Pete. It was an old Spanish guy, hurt his arm.
We saw some magnificent black Menorca horses, some sheep and dairy cattle.

The two pics above show us waiting for the full group to assemble before blocking the main road on the island.

Then we rolled in to Ciutedella

A bit of food was hadthen it was off again for the ride back to Mao.
I got up to the front for a bit, but it was all rotating a fair bit.
A top day out was had by all. Fun in the sun.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1240189545

 

[Dave 123]

Us, atop the climb

If you peer hard you can see Mallorca

Pete crosses the line

Oh, and I saw an Egyptian Vulture

https://www.relive.cc/view/1240189545

 

[cosmicbike]

Managed a quick scamper up the High Street this morning in between buying new car and decorating duties. A little bit windy, and almost nice not to be out for a long ride today. Formula 1 tomorrow so maybe no ride, will see what SWMBO says....

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Day-off yesterday
Ran at the Nostell Priory ParkRun, but then, due to more pressing family matters was in & out of house most of the day

Riding a bit later this morning, but in a circuitous route to Thornes Park (Wakefield), to watch the (Wakefield Triathlon Club organised) 6th round of the YCCA winter series
https://yorkshirecyclocross.com/the...17-yorkshire-points-6-thornes-park-wakefield/

I did consider dragging the CX bike out of the garage, riding there, & competing in it.... maybe sneaking into the 'Novice' race, as it's been a while since I raced
However, a couple of WTC members, reckon as I've ridden before, I really ought to be in my 'V50' class


Ride report/pics later!

 

[delb0y]

Got up late today after a gig last night, so I went for a short ride - decided have a bash at Portway, which defeated me earlier in the year. I'd say today was a score draw. Didn't stop or get off, but had to cycle a few circles around the flat bit just before the summit in order to let the heart beat ease. After a minute or so I carried on and all was good. Then it was over Painswick Beacon, a lovely lane across the valley and down the hill to home. Not far, but at least a tiny improvement on last time I tried to get up Portway. A couple of Donger's club-mate's rode by me as I headed back home as if I was standing still. I think the wind was against me but behind them!

 

[Donger]

Nothing quite as mad as @delb0y for our Chilled Group today. (I've still never taken on The Portway in either direction). Chapeau, Sir!
Up Horsepools Hill to Edge, along Sevenleaze Lane to the top of Painswick Beacon, a brilliant sweeping 35mph descent into Painswick on glorious new tarmac, then up to Cranham, another great descent down to Brockworth and off to Gloucestershire Airport for coffee and cakes. I think some of our Intermediates would have been the ones to fly past @delb0y on the way back. They are too fast for me. We did a different route via Brockworth and one last climb up Witcombe Hill and then down Nut Hill to Upton St Leonards. 41.1 miles for me, and quite enough climbing, thank you. A nice ride in spite of the blustery wind.

 

[graham56]

Nieuw Vennep-Leiden-Hoogmade-Nieuw Vennep. Cold,wet and windy ☹️

 

[Stonechat]

Today was HDW club ride and Hill Climb.

The venue was Windsor Hill which is not at Windsor but Wooburn Green
It was a cold start but I was well dressed in anticipation of a certain amount of hanging around.

Ride over was uneventful via Eton and the ever windy Dorney Common and Taplow

The the climb ramped up towards the top , maxing out at about 13.5 %
The Strava segment below is slightly shorter than our Club Hill Climb
Inveitably I pushed a little too hard at the bottom and the steepest part is by a bend, managed to keep going. There were three slower than me, and one other tied. My official time was 2 mins 56 seconds. best times were two people on 1 min 46 seconds, one a time triallist regular, the other a 15 year old lad.
Well done him .

Homeward we stopped at the Flowerlands Garden Centre near Bourne End. A huge place.
Onward home via Maidenhead, Holyport, Moneyrow Green and through Windsor.

I had done the hill once before, was over 30 sec up on my Strava segment time.
Average power for the Strava Segment was 258W

The sun came out while riding through Windsor
https://www.strava.com/activities/1241941237

 

[Dave 123]

The last ride of a great weekend.
We set off with our escort out of Mao and in to the countryside. The pace was fast as we undulated up and down through Menorca until after 15 miles or so El Toro came in to view

There it is, straight ahead.
The first km is ok, nothing too drastic, maybe 16% in places momentarily, but manageable. The second km was a bit more interesting with tough ramps and hairpins.
I caught a lad up , Richard from Cumbria...'thought you said this was tough?' I gasped
'The last bit is harder still, and you're just about to catch Joseba Beloki'

Indeed I was, though he was probably just taking it easy. Still, I was impressed!

Then we rolled back down

The return to Mao had some killer inclines that were harsh on tired legs.

The last 5 miles was fun, riding in a big peloton at 35mph, inches between bikes.

Over all on the 2 timed climbs I finished 147 out of 350. Not bad for a short arse from the flatlands. It's a while since I've ridden at pace for a sustained time, so I'm pleased.

Then came the reception. We won a trophy! Family group. It's a bit like waggyest dog in a dog show, but who cares!

What a wonderful weekend.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1241543689