Your ride today....

[13 rider]

1st of the month an Imperial century challenge to start again . Having bumped in @Supersuperleeds on Thursday a plan was hatched and he devised a circular route from my house . Out the door at 0725 to meet @Supersuperleeds a mile away . He was waiting for me so off we go . Anstey ,Cropston ,Rothley ,Syston ,Barkby ,Keyham and over a deserted A47 into Billsden which was quiet as a grave .Into the rolling countryside around the Langton's quick diversion into Northamptonshire at Weston on Welland before turning back into Leicestershire .Welham ,Kibworth ,Fleckney and round Bruntingthorpe and into Lutterworth the halfway point . Were both feeling a bit leggy today so a cafe stop in Morrison's was called for as it was open when most cafes were not . A surprisingly good coffee and sausage bap at reasonable prices were consumed . As we left it had started to rain making it slightly unpleasant to say the least . On to Ullesthorpe and turned onto new roads for me to Monks Kirby ,Brinklow and nearly to Ansty but not my Anstey . Bit of urban roads through Bedworth then back to the countryside and the rain begins to ease . More urban roads through Nuneaton and back over the A5 to familiar ground and the sun breaks out at last .Higham on the hill and finally the cafe at Sutton Wharf which just before @Supersuperleeds past the ton . We were both ready for another break we were feeling the miles now . Coffee and a bowl of chips each were eagerly consumed . So back out for the homeward leg . Cadeby and then climbing into Kirby Mallory I past the ton . Newbold Vernon ,Desford ,Ratby ,Groby and finally the right Anstey . Here we parted ways leaving me a half mile climb to home and @Supersuperleeds to do another 7 or so home .
110.9 miles for me at 15.4 mph legs are telling me that was tough . @Supersuperleeds pressed on to do another metric double ton I think 125 miles . Tough but enjoyable ride which the company got us both through it .So just another 11 tons to go . Dam these monthly challenges

 

[hondated]

Two chest infections, one after the other, and an unexpected snowfall in the intervening period had already put paid to me hitting my annual target of 3,000 miles this year, but I only needed a handful of miles to make it my second biggest year so far. So out I went in the drizzle to do couple of loops of the local housing estates and back lanes.

Only 10.5 miles today, but that took me to 2,910 for the year. .... my second best in 9 years of cycling, in 88 rides at an average of 33 miles per ride. This was mostly made up of a Metric Century-a-Month Challenge ride every month, (half of them audaxes) plus a bunch of my bread and butter 20 mile rides and regular Sunday club rides of 30-40 miles. Can't complain, it's been a good year, with trips to the Yorkshire Dales, The Belgian Ardennes and the North of Scotland. Also threw in a few challenging hilly rides, like the Tumble and the Gospel Pass in South Wales, and Buttertubs Pass and Grinton Moor in the Dales.

Can't wait for the next year's adventures to start, now. I've got trips to North Wales, the Dordogne and the Vosges mountains planned .... and I think I'll aim well beyond my target next year to make sure I don't foul it up at the final hurdle.

Happy New Year everyone, and good luck with whatever your targets or challenges are next year. Donger.

Donger 2,910 well done that's some achievement. I probably didn't even get near to the last three figures. HNY to you and our forum friends too.

 

[Stonechat]

Still not back on the road but soon will be
Yearly total was 3800 miles
Second successive year with an injury
I could in theory hit 5000 for a year but max to date is 4550

Happy new year all and here's to a good year of cycling

 

[Dirk]

28 wet, windy and hilly miles today from Braunton to Woolacombe and round to Barnstaple and back to Braunton. Headwind on Tarka Trail had me down to 9 mph in places! Hard work in places.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

First ride of 2018. A day later than intended and just a short one to blow the cobwebs away: Over Lyth Hill then onto my Acton Burnell loop, finishing with the direct route home.

It was pretty cold, wet and windy out first thing but as soon as I saw a break in the weather I went for it. There was still a bit of drizzle about so I got damp and the headwind wasn't much fun for the first seven miles but when I changed direction at Longnor it was behind me and helping almost the whole way back.

Edit to add: There were a small number of other cyclists out braving the conditions too including a guy on an upright racing trike.

18.1 miles this time and the wind assisted return leg helped push the average speed up to a reasonable 13.6 mph.

It wasn't a good day for photography so just a couple of snaps to give an idea of the conditions:

Not much of a view from Lyth Hill

Drizzly at Great Ryton.

 

[Fonze]

37 km, under 2 hours and thoroughly enjoyed ride again today.
Just started to rain as I finished so timed to perfection

 

[Old jon]

Where to go? How to ride there? What to pedal? I guess everyone has similar stuff to decide. Some days it is easier than others and days like today, well, the quandary ( will trichotomy be correct ? ), had been resolved and the body just had to start up.

And start up it did eventually. A little dull outdoors and rain had been promised for later on, which I interpreted as post ride. A brisk ride into Holbeck, and across the Beck of Hol to reach Office Lock and the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool canal. Pedal off in the direction of Liverpool. Rain. Three hours sooner than expected, rain. Oh well, keep going, along to Viaduct Road and the beginning of the ride up Cardigan Road to Headingley. This bit should have warmed me up. And it did NOT! The rain increased but not my body temperature, particularly my fingers. OK I was on the fixed, so fingers are only needed for brakes, and I only use one of them. But it was painful so I excused myself from riding any further on, thought to ride back along the A 660 into town centre and then thought better of that. About turn, North Lane and on to Kirkstall and a return to the towpath, this time homewards.



For a change, the towpath was free of joggers. In fact there were few folk about at all. The canal was once bordered by all types of industry, usually mucky and noisy. Most of that has departed now, but there are still the scars or interesting relics of the past, depending on your viewpoint. The power station at Kirkstall has been replaced by a large substation for quite a while now, ugly stuff really. The marina ( odd place for one ) is still there, and Armley Mills, a museum now. Travelling further, it is a difficult thing to identify some of the businesses now. The Albion pub was at the side of Greenwood and Batley’s access road for a long time, that firm had a machine shop ( or two ) that reached the canal, most of the other firms might just have been textile based. Hmm, might be worth a visit to the Thoresby Society, they will know much more than me.

Anyway, leave the canal, dive under the wings and ride along Great Wilson Street, turn right and find Dewsbury Road and away to home. Still wet, eleven and a bit miles and I guess happy to be in reach of warmth. Good to go out as well.

More squiggles on a short ride

 

[galaxy]

Where to go? How to ride there? What to pedal? I guess everyone has similar stuff to decide. Some days it is easier than others and days like today, well, the quandary ( will trichotomy be correct ? ), had been resolved and the body just had to start up.

And start up it did eventually. A little dull outdoors and rain had been promised for later on, which I interpreted as post ride. A brisk ride into Holbeck, and across the Beck of Hol to reach Office Lock and the towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool canal. Pedal off in the direction of Liverpool. Rain. Three hours sooner than expected, rain. Oh well, keep going, along to Viaduct Road and the beginning of the ride up Cardigan Road to Headingley. This bit should have warmed me up. And it did NOT! The rain increased but not my body temperature, particularly my fingers. OK I was on the fixed, so fingers are only needed for brakes, and I only use one of them. But it was painful so I excused myself from riding any further on, thought to ride back along the A 660 into town centre and then thought better of that. About turn, North Lane and on to Kirkstall and a return to the towpath, this time homewards.



For a change, the towpath was free of joggers. In fact there were few folk about at all. The canal was once bordered by all types of industry, usually mucky and noisy. Most of that has departed now, but there are still the scars or interesting relics of the past, depending on your viewpoint. The power station at Kirkstall has been replaced by a large substation for quite a while now, ugly stuff really. The marina ( odd place for one ) is still there, and Armley Mills, a museum now. Travelling further, it is a difficult thing to identify some of the businesses now. The Albion pub was at the side of Greenwood and Batley’s access road for a long time, that firm had a machine shop ( or two ) that reached the canal, most of the other firms might just have been textile based. Hmm, might be worth a visit to the Thoresby Society, they will know much more than me.

Anyway, leave the canal, dive under the wings and ride along Great Wilson Street, turn right and find Dewsbury Road and away to home. Still wet, eleven and a bit miles and I guess happy to be in reach of warmth. Good to go out as well.

More squiggles on a short ride

View attachment 389772

Sometimes the decisions can be Stressful

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

The worst of Storm Eleanor was past but winds were still gusting to 40+mph. But the sky was blue so off I went. At the top of the common the wind coming down Peachfield Road swiped me so fiercely I ended up in the gutter and just about stayed upright. I was heading for the shelter of the lanes where that great invention, "The Hedge", would provide shelter. So it was just lots of bits of tree in the lanes when I got there. There was one small dead tree partly across the lane but on two wheels that was easily ridden around. 4 wheelers would need to stop. There was plenty of water on the Marsh as I crossed but no where near the road. That section had an amazing tail wind assist. Turning at Strensham took me into the wind. Gears were reduced and I soldiered on at less than 8 mph. At Upton the back lane was flooded so I routed the alternative way for Brotheridge Green and my usual run back. Tough one at times today but glad I got out. That kicks off the 2018 campaign now. 35 smiles

 

[Spartak]

So it's only January 3rd & I've had 2 visits from the Fairy already... one front, one back.

Today's occurred whilst I was visiting an ill relative at Southmead hospital, previous to that I'd battled Storm Eleanor as I rode into Bristol to get a refund for a Christmas present.

Hopefully that's my allocation of visitations for 2018?!?!

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Mrs 26 and I rode over the Hill to meet Pete M and John B. Mrs 26 wanted to get some admin done so after chats she headed back. We three were in for a wee ride over to Trumpet. So we took to Old Colwall but at Coddington Cross resurfacing work prevented us going by Coddington. We took an alternative route for Southfield Lane and Bosbury. That lines us nicely for Canon Froome and Ashperton. Just a bit of main road and we were sitting nicely in the cafe.

Much chat later we headed down Falcon Lane for Ludstock and Leddington. The wind had been rising so we took a bit of headwind hindrance. We were halted by some roadworks. Highways were digging and clearing drainage. The adjacent pig farm had caused much flooding in the lane. That's nicely sorted now. We took to the Castlemorton Lanes for the run in. John headed off by the Three Counties Showground while Pete and I took to the Guarlford Road. Now that wind was severe. We were reduced to 7mph and I came to a brief halt when one gust hit. The Met Office reports 40 - 50 mph gusts while we were out there. We made it tho and no harm done. 44 smiles.

 

[pjd57]

First short outing of the year.
Snow, ice and grandweans have curtailed my outings over the last couple of weeks.
But today I had things to do. So got the bike out and headed to the hire shop , dehumidifier required, then the carpet shop to arrange to get the old flooring replaced once the place is completely dry. ( Burst pipe )

Only 9 miles but it was important and enjoyable at the same time.

Very wet with a cold wind.

 

[Jon George]

I went down the west of the A12 to Colchester to visit an old friend. The journey down was mainly smur with little wind, but the ride back was wind-assisted and helped a lot.
I took this on the way down at Holton St Mary I have had a number of 'Cafe Stops' in the past whilst sitting on that bench in the summer.

 

[PeteXXX]

Nice ride today, on the CX, to Salcey Forest. I called round for a mate at midday, and were on bike paths and tarmac to the forest. Blimey, the wind was strong! We were struggling to ride straight into at at a few points!

The roads were a bit sticky with lots of shrubbery and tree bits blowing around. I managed to find a bit that jammed in between the spokes and brake disc

Still, we made it to the cafe and met another mate there, at 13:00, where we had cake.

Once we'd had a chat, we rode a circuit of the forest, with a detour half way round. It was a bit boggy in places, but quite rideable.

The kids go there during the hols and build shelters with the fallen branches. There'll be plenty more for them to choose from after the recent winds

Back home along a 'B' road the Wooton were one chap headed to the west of the town, whilst we headed to the east, with a cracking tailwind for a few miles!

Back home on 30 miles.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1340515792

 

[galaxy]

Mrs 26 and I rode over the Hill to meet Pete M and John B. Mrs 26 wanted to get some admin done so after chats she headed back. We three were in for a wee ride over to Trumpet. So we took to Old Colwall but at Coddington Cross resurfacing work prevented us going by Coddington. We took an alternative route for Southfield Lane and Bosbury. That lines us nicely for Canon Froome and Ashperton. Just a bit of main road and we were sitting nicely in the cafe.

Much chat later we headed down Falcon Lane for Ludstock and Leddington. The wind had been rising so we took a bit of headwind hindrance. We were halted by some roadworks. Highways were digging and clearing drainage. The adjacent pig farm had caused much flooding in the lane. That's nicely sorted now. We took to the Castlemorton Lanes for the run in. John headed off by the Three Counties Showground while Pete and I took to the Guarlford Road. Now that wind was severe. We were reduced to 7mph and I came to a brief halt when one gust hit. The Met Office reports 40 - 50 mph gusts while we were out there. We made it tho and no harm done. 44 smiles.

Driving through Trumpet was bad enough today. Well done