Your ride today....

[Donger]

Days-off Friday/Saturday

Sadly I woke up early Friday morning (03:00 ish), with a hacking cough, streaming nose, & the inability to breathe efficiently
I intermittantly went back to sleep, but after my usual 06:45 alarm, SWMBO took one look/listen to me & told to me go back to sleep
I surfaced at 09:50

I spend Thursday barely being able to complete a full breath, or sentence, without coughs
'Ditto' most of Saturday

So no ride at all, either day

I had to get Joanne up, to take me to work this morning, as I didn't feel up to riding in (& definitely not running!)
By hometime, (17:00), it was a fair bit better
See what tomorrow brings, as I'm on 'early-turns' (be there for 05:00)

(days-off this week are Thurs/Fri)

Hope you are back on the bike soon. All the best.

 

[Buck]

Yesterday would have been a better day for a ride but I was feeling less than good and ended up postponing to today. I was well wrapped up and determined not to pass this one up.

As everyone else experienced it was a touch icy! The worst thing was the mixture - black ice; slush and hard ice.

My road was icy (never gets gritted) but the main road was OK as I slowly headed up Marsh Lane and then onto the Sovereign crossroads.

I was conscious that I was staying more to the centre of the road avoiding the wet/icy edge but didn’t experience any issues from drivers

I turned off the main road and onto Park Head Lane. From this point on it was a combination of road conditions with a couple of wobbles to keep me on my toes (and thankfully upright!)

I decided not to head down past the windmills but instead head onwards which meant an interesting decent down Hog Close Lane which is quite steep with a couple of interesting turns - queue nervous descent!!

After this, it was more of the same and the cold wind was really biting despite my many layers.

I headed down past Winscar reservoir but probably recorded my slowest time as I descended carefully and was braking from about half way down ! After this it was the pull up towards Carlecotes and then an uneventful run into Penistone.

After heading past Scout Dike reservoir on the main road I turned off and up the hill past Ingbirchworth reservoir and at one point the whole road was covered in sheet ice - no option but to ride over it and thankfully no slides or bumps.

A slow climb up Horn Lane then right on Broadstones before a careful run down home.

21.0 miles and 1693ff of climbing.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1345377193

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

It was a chilly one today, plenty of roads on the icy side, but the main roads were clear. I went over to Royton via Middleton to pick my mate up and then a casual ride to Hebden Bridge via Hollingworth lake. I had 4 layers on and a couple of pairs of socks to keep warm, and just about managed to keep the cold out. After a Brie, bacon and cranberry toastie, we traced the same route back to make a total of just over 67 miles at 15mph average and 3750ft of climbing. The tail wind home was appreciated.

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

View attachment 390538

I was hoping to take the club B group out to the Anderton boat lift today and add a few miles for my first ever January metric century , but at 1 to2 degrees, it was too cold to stay out that long and my route was mostly country lanes that would have been too icy. So, we joined the A group to a new cafe stop in Rivington. We stayed on the ,main roads but still had to keep away from the edge to avoid icy patches. A cold but beautiful day and at 32 miles that was definately enough. I was glad of my new Conti 4 seasons tyres and my investment of birthday and Christmas money on some Northwave winter boots.
I've still got 2 weeks left for the challenge attempt.

We liked the cafe and there was a good selection of cake.

Which cafe was it that you tried? Spring cottage?

 

[PeteXXX]

After an 02:15 finish it was definitely a bit chilly as I set out for a pre-w*rk pedal just before 10:00. Crunchy puddles in the gutters were a warning, if I needed one!
Still, I rode into the town centre past Abby Park,

where the postponed Santa Run was taking place. It should have been before Christmas but then the snow came down..

After the ride through town, the tranquility of Castle Lake, with the old lift tower in the background, with frosty decking...

Back home, into a nippy headwind, along the riverbanks I time for a shower, lunch and w*rk Booooo

15 cold but sunny miles.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1345020395

 

[Jenkins]

Today was a day of two rides. No ice around here, at least by the time I got up anyhow, but an absolutely beautiful clear sunny day albeit with a bitterly cold strong breeze.

Having just purchased yet another new bike and set it up yesterday evening, the first ride of the day was a test ride with a quick stop to pick up some rolls at Lidl. The route was a mixed on and off route of just over 21 miles (similar to last Sunday) into Old Felixstowe, back to Trimley, back to Felixstowe and the port viewing area...

and then back home to Trimley for lunch and a much needed hot mug of coffee. Having seen the staate of the bike and my clothing, I'm glad that I've got some Crud Race Pac mudguards on order to provide a bit of cover!

A change of bike for the afternoon to my Cube CLS and another slow ride while listening to 5Live's coverege of the FA Cup on frequently used back lanes through Falkenham, Kirton, Newbourne and out to Waldringfield with a diversion to the River Deben...

before heading back up to Martlesham and finally getting the wind behind me as I headed down to Foxhall,...

Bucklesham, Trimley St Martin and home for yet another much needed hot coffee after another 25 very enjoyable miles.

 

[Katherine]

Days-off Friday/Saturday

Sadly I woke up early Friday morning (03:00 ish), with a hacking cough, streaming nose, & the inability to breathe efficiently
I intermittantly went back to sleep, but after my usual 06:45 alarm, SWMBO took one look/listen to me & told to me go back to sleep
I surfaced at 09:50

I spend Thursday barely being able to complete a full breath, or sentence, without coughs
'Ditto' most of Saturday

So no ride at all, either day

I had to get Joanne up, to take me to work this morning, as I didn't feel up to riding in (& definitely not running!)
By hometime, (17:00), it was a fair bit better
See what tomorrow brings, as I'm on 'early-turns' (be there for 05:00)

(days-off this week are Thurs/Fri)

Oh, hope you are well enough for a ride on your next set of days off.

It wasn't perhaps as impulsive a purchase as I made it out to be! If only I could afford such things on a whim . I have been looking for a decent road bike for a while, and done my window shopping on this here computer. I've always had a soft spot for Merida for some reason; I think they are the forgotten man of the big manufacturers and therefore perhaps offer better value for money. I had a shortlist which included the Merida, and the Cannondale Synapse 105 carbon.. Went to Evans recently to look at the Synapse, but for some reason Evans have a knack of putting me off big purchases, despite the £700 off RRP.. Prefer the LBS route if possible - and yesterday it all came together, if a little unexpectedly. Sorry for going OT on the "Your Ride today" thread, but it does have some relevance as a PS to yesterdays ride!

We enjoyed the story of the 2 bikes in one ride, very much!

It was a chilly one today, plenty of roads on the icy side, but the main roads were clear. I went over to Royton via Middleton to pick my mate up and then a casual ride to Hebden Bridge via Hollingworth lake. I had 4 layers on and a couple of pairs of socks to keep warm, and just about managed to keep the cold out. After a Brie, bacon and cranberry toastie, we traced the same route back to make a total of just over 67 miles at 15mph average and 3750ft of climbing. The tail wind home was appreciated.

Bacon, brie and cranberry! Awesome. I am going to suggest Hollingworth Lake as a possible destination for a club ride. I went once with MSC but I don't think SCC have ever been. (could be wrong)
We are trying to vary our rides a bit more for interest.

Which cafe was it that you tried? Spring cottage?

Yes. We were made welcome, it was more expensive than the Bowling Green but cheaper than some of the cafes in Cheshire. Not a great choice on the menu but it was all lovely. The muddy track up to it was dry today but I wouldn't fancy it in the wet. Another plus is that it's open from 10. Sometimes we arrive at the Bowling Green before it's open.

 

[Pumpkin the robot]

Bacon, brie and cranberry! Awesome. I am going to suggest Hollingworth Lake as a possible destination for a club ride. I went once with MSC but I don't think SCC have ever been. (could be wrong)
We are trying to vary our rides a bit more for interest.

It was in Hebden bridge, not Hollingworth Lake (the cafe there is not much to write home about)
I was going to lead a ride for SCC about 18 months ago to Hebden bridge. It took in Blackstone edge and returned via Cragg vale from memory . Unfortunately I was ill that weekend and Robbie led the ride instead.

 

[Katherine]

It was in Hebden bridge, not Hollingworth Lake (the cafe there is not much to write home about)
I was going to lead a ride for SCC about 18 months ago to Hebden bridge. It took in Blackstone edge and returned via Cragg vale from memory . Unfortunately I was ill that weekend and Robbie led the ride instead.

Ah. One day then?

 

[kapelmuur]

Likes for all who got out today. I hope everyone who fell on the ice is okay.

Due to circumstances beyond my control I've only just got out for my second ride of the year. I was a bit slow and lethargic today so didn't get out until after lunch, which was just as well as it was icy here too.

I needed to drop something off with @gavgav which meant riding past the football ground on the way where I'd missed the crowds arriving (Shrewsbury vs West Ham today) and just the last few stragglers were turning up.

Having done my errand I headed south past Betton Strange, Cantlop and Pitchford to Acton Burnell. It worked out well doing the route this way round as I was on gritted roads for the first 3/4 of the ride and had the north-easterly wind behind me all the way to Longnor which was good.

There seemed to be a lot less traffic on the roads (might have something to do with that football match) but there were a few cyclists out and it was a pleasant trip despite the bitter cold.

At Longnor I left the gritted roads and turned into the wind. It was just as well I'd left the ride 'til late in the day as there was still a lot of ice about in sheltered spots. If I had been out earlier it would have been even worse. I took it carefully and managed to avoid any slips

I didn't fancy being on the main roads with the sun low in the sky so went over Lyth Hill (more icy stretches) and added a loop round the village to finish off.

20 miles at 12.9 mph average. Hot chocolate to finish off with.

View attachment 390511
Outside the New Meadow (officially the Montgomery Waters Meadow ). Just a few stragglers turning up in time for kick off.

View attachment 390512
Cantlop Bridge. A rare example of one of Thomas Telford's smaller bridge designs and recently named as one of the top ten places in the UK to play Pooh Sticks.

View attachment 390513
A quick snap at one of my regular spots.

View attachment 390514
Blue sky and long shadows at Hunger Hill.

Riding past the Meddah when there's a game on - shame on you!

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Riding past the Meddah when there's a game on - shame on you!

I'm not really into football, to @gavgav's frustration. Watched the last half hour when I got home though as it was being televised. That kick to the teeth.

 

[PatrickPending]

My ride yesterday - 28Km super short icy ride down to Peatling Parva via Ashby Magna. Haven't cycled much recently so nice to be out even for a short and fairly slow ride - you have to make the most of the sunshine after all...

 

[Alien8]

Yesterday decided against trying to ride back home through the annual flooding at Welney.

On the road depth had dropped to about two-feet.

The detour added about 45mins to my ride - so can't be bad.

 

[cosmicbike]

2nd challenge ride completed today, the metric half. Rather chilly with the temperature not going above 3.2 degrees C. A very quick one for me, done in under 2 hours at 16.6mph average, and only really started feeling cold the last 20 minutes or so. Nabbed a couple of Explorer squares out Byfleet way, rather frustratingly turned around on a dead end road about 100 yards away from grabbing another..., curse the CC member(s) that got me hooked on this

 

[gavgav]

Rubbish day at work, dealing with one of my team who is going through one of the most horrendous things at home that life could possibly throw at you, meant I was feeling very flat and in need of a ride.

It was very cold and a tiny bit drizzly, but I went for it anyway. My intention was the normal route around Shrewsbury, which began by heading into Reabrook and then up the cycle paths to Heathgates, before dropping down to the Weir on the River Severn. Ah, slight problem, the flood gates on the Towpath are still shut, despite the River now being back in its banks following recent minor flooding.

I decided to just follow my nose instead, so walked the bike over Underdale Bridge and headed for Belvidere, looping around the estate and then, when I finally remembered the way, arriving at the Shirehall, where I sneaked through the car park and out onto London Rd.

It was very busy along there, with rush hour traffic, but all were well behaved, which is more than can be said of some drivers that I witnessed at Weeping Cross Island. I could have done with some popcorn

Idiot turns right at the Island, not indicating at all and so chap pulls out in front of him, and idiot, obviously expecting chap to be a mind reader, blasts hand on the horn and keeps it blasting on and on. Chap responds with his horn and idiot keeps hand on his horn and there are arms coming out of windows, the full works .

As I pedalled off towards home I heard shouting and sound of doors banging and so I can only assume a quarrel was happening.

Dear oh dear oh dear, there are some very angry people in this world.

Anyway, didn’t affect me and I completed my short 10.8 miles and felt happier than when I set out