Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
Well done @cosmicbike . That's 2 hours faster than my one and only 100 miler!
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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![not_worthy[1].gif](/data/attachments/391/391359-1ca7269e0630255855b618dbdcddf3fc.jpg){kind=small}
LeetleGreyCells
Un rouleur infatigable
- Location
- Whitehaven Mansions
Well today was the day, and I was up just before the alarm at 0530hrs. I had a route planned, but bit of a brain fade since it started by going through Windsor Great Park which doesn't open until dawn for cyclists, so I figured I'd get some early flat miles and did a circuit out to Eton before looping back past the end of my road some 20 miles later. The temperature settled at 2 degrees so I actually got the clothing right, and the 2nd hand Hope Vision 1 light proved to be a great buy, lighting the dark roads nicely.
Up through the park before heading through Ascot to Bracknell which turned into a hellish half hour. Note to self, in future stick to mapping on the roads, do not try and get the Garmin to plan routes through walking/cycling underpasses. Lots of wrong turns and doubling back on myself, I was glad to see the back of Bracknell!
By now it was colder, down to 1 degree, and I was starting to get peckish. A steady run down through Owlsmore saw me in Camberley and I spotted a McD's, so bike locked up, and at 51 miles I actually really enjoyed a double sausage and egg McMuffin, hash brown and coffee. Didn't stay long as I was warming up, and that wouldn't do. Back on the bike and down through Frimley, some vaguely familiar territory around Pirbright, Ash Vale and towards Guildford. I'd decided not to look at how many miles I'd done until I go to roads I knew, so at Chobham I discovered I had 75 miles done. Back via Stonehill, then a Chertsey loop to get the miles in. Missed @Stonechat , 2nd time this week we've been on similar ground...
Home on 101.4 miles, with a moving time of 6hrs 58 minutes and 8 seconds, way faster than I was planning or expecting.
View attachment 391519
And a relive thingy
https://www.relive.cc/view/1356830371
Happy with that, my first imperial centuryNot sure about doing one of them every month, but I'll give it a go. Oh, @Pat "5mph" I'm off to work in the morning, 0500hrs alarm, and probably on the bike as usual (assuming the legs work....)
Fantastic @cosmicbike ! Very pleased for you!
Well done @cosmicbike .
When I eventually get round to doing 100, the time will be
a) irrelevant b) about 11hours.
When I eventually get round to doing 100, the time will be
a) irrelevant b) about 11hours.
derrick
The Glue that binds us together.
- Location
- On the edge of London
We did a little loop today Dom and myself did a slightly longer route than Deb and Paul, the idea was we all end up the pub together, we all get the best out of the ride, needs a little tweaking but good fun.
https://labs.strava.com/flyby/viewer/#1357375315?c=gcpy42tb&z=C&t=1QMqpq&a=U-fnUIbB4FCAt-BQ
https://labs.strava.com/flyby/viewer/#1357375315?c=gcpy42tb&z=C&t=1QMqpq&a=U-fnUIbB4FCAt-BQ
The weather forecast for the next 2 weeks includes cold, windy, wet, icy and possible snow with some days having all of those features in a 24 hour period! So I decided with that in prospect, to take advantage of a cold but decent forecast for today and set my alarm for 7.15 am. By 8 am I was on the road after having enjoyed a huge bowl of porridge and steaming mug of tea.
A 26 mile round trip from Littleborough to Newhey, the climb and descent to Denshaw followed by riding through the attractive Saddleworth villages of Delph, Uppermill and Greenfield before climbing the mile or so to Dovestones Reservoir and returning by the same route in reverse as far as Delph. I then took the long 2 mile climb from Delph up the Grains Road to Grains Bar to be rewarded with the long descent along Buckstones Road to come out between Shaw and Newhey before returning home to Littleborough.
On the outward journey from Newhey I didn't encounter any more than 5 motorists! The first half hour of my ride was still in virtual darkness so it was a good move recharging my usb functioning lights last night.
I'm really glad I made the effort especially if the weather results in me doing less rides over the next few days than I otherwise would.
A 26 mile round trip from Littleborough to Newhey, the climb and descent to Denshaw followed by riding through the attractive Saddleworth villages of Delph, Uppermill and Greenfield before climbing the mile or so to Dovestones Reservoir and returning by the same route in reverse as far as Delph. I then took the long 2 mile climb from Delph up the Grains Road to Grains Bar to be rewarded with the long descent along Buckstones Road to come out between Shaw and Newhey before returning home to Littleborough.
On the outward journey from Newhey I didn't encounter any more than 5 motorists! The first half hour of my ride was still in virtual darkness so it was a good move recharging my usb functioning lights last night.
I'm really glad I made the effort especially if the weather results in me doing less rides over the next few days than I otherwise would.
Attachments
Today was still quite bracing with plenty of wind chill but nice and toasty apart from the exposed bits of my face!
I fancied a slightly different ride so once up on the Holmfirth Road and at the Sovereign crossroads I decided to head straight across and follow the road on a nice easy descent down towards Denby Dale before a right turn onto the Barnsley Road and then the gentle climb up to The Dunkirk before heading left on Dry Hill Lane for a nice section with a few cheeky climbs before arriving in High Hoyland.
A quick stop and photo before continuing
Another nice descent (the benefit of those climbs earlier!) and a couple of left turns took me to the roundabout under the M1. A long steady drag took me on past the Yorkshire Sculpture Park on busy busy roads then on through West Bretton and on through Midgeley and Flockton where the narrow roads mean adopting a central position in the road is the safest even if you sense the rath of a couple of drivers !!
After another set of temporary lights it was a left onto quiet roads and a steady climb up to and past Emley mast where the sky was very moody.
I flew past the Three Acres then as I came into Shelley, the quick way home was a right at the junction so left it was
On through Lower then Upper Cumberworth with the exposed road and head/sidewind making it less than fun but soon onto more sheltered roads.
Back through the Sovereign crossroads and the temporary lights before heading home.
25 miles and 2,093 ft of climbing.
I fancied a slightly different ride so once up on the Holmfirth Road and at the Sovereign crossroads I decided to head straight across and follow the road on a nice easy descent down towards Denby Dale before a right turn onto the Barnsley Road and then the gentle climb up to The Dunkirk before heading left on Dry Hill Lane for a nice section with a few cheeky climbs before arriving in High Hoyland.
A quick stop and photo before continuing
Another nice descent (the benefit of those climbs earlier!) and a couple of left turns took me to the roundabout under the M1. A long steady drag took me on past the Yorkshire Sculpture Park on busy busy roads then on through West Bretton and on through Midgeley and Flockton where the narrow roads mean adopting a central position in the road is the safest even if you sense the rath of a couple of drivers !!
After another set of temporary lights it was a left onto quiet roads and a steady climb up to and past Emley mast where the sky was very moody.
I flew past the Three Acres then as I came into Shelley, the quick way home was a right at the junction so left it was
On through Lower then Upper Cumberworth with the exposed road and head/sidewind making it less than fun but soon onto more sheltered roads.
Back through the Sovereign crossroads and the temporary lights before heading home.
25 miles and 2,093 ft of climbing.
hondated
Guru
- Location
- Eastbourne East Sussex
Congratulations would of been easier in the Summer.Well today was the day, and I was up just before the alarm at 0530hrs. I had a route planned, but bit of a brain fade since it started by going through Windsor Great Park which doesn't open until dawn for cyclists, so I figured I'd get some early flat miles and did a circuit out to Eton before looping back past the end of my road some 20 miles later. The temperature settled at 2 degrees so I actually got the clothing right, and the 2nd hand Hope Vision 1 light proved to be a great buy, lighting the dark roads nicely.
Up through the park before heading through Ascot to Bracknell which turned into a hellish half hour. Note to self, in future stick to mapping on the roads, do not try and get the Garmin to plan routes through walking/cycling underpasses. Lots of wrong turns and doubling back on myself, I was glad to see the back of Bracknell!
By now it was colder, down to 1 degree, and I was starting to get peckish. A steady run down through Owlsmore saw me in Camberley and I spotted a McD's, so bike locked up, and at 51 miles I actually really enjoyed a double sausage and egg McMuffin, hash brown and coffee. Didn't stay long as I was warming up, and that wouldn't do. Back on the bike and down through Frimley, some vaguely familiar territory around Pirbright, Ash Vale and towards Guildford. I'd decided not to look at how many miles I'd done until I go to roads I knew, so at Chobham I discovered I had 75 miles done. Back via Stonehill, then a Chertsey loop to get the miles in. Missed @Stonechat , 2nd time this week we've been on similar ground...
Home on 101.4 miles, with a moving time of 6hrs 58 minutes and 8 seconds, way faster than I was planning or expecting.
View attachment 391519
And a relive thingy
https://www.relive.cc/view/1356830371
Happy with that, my first imperial century
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Well done.Well today was the day, and I was up just before the alarm at 0530hrs. I had a route planned, but bit of a brain fade since it started by going through Windsor Great Park which doesn't open until dawn for cyclists, so I figured I'd get some early flat miles and did a circuit out to Eton before looping back past the end of my road some 20 miles later. The temperature settled at 2 degrees so I actually got the clothing right, and the 2nd hand Hope Vision 1 light proved to be a great buy, lighting the dark roads nicely.
Up through the park before heading through Ascot to Bracknell which turned into a hellish half hour. Note to self, in future stick to mapping on the roads, do not try and get the Garmin to plan routes through walking/cycling underpasses. Lots of wrong turns and doubling back on myself, I was glad to see the back of Bracknell!
By now it was colder, down to 1 degree, and I was starting to get peckish. A steady run down through Owlsmore saw me in Camberley and I spotted a McD's, so bike locked up, and at 51 miles I actually really enjoyed a double sausage and egg McMuffin, hash brown and coffee. Didn't stay long as I was warming up, and that wouldn't do. Back on the bike and down through Frimley, some vaguely familiar territory around Pirbright, Ash Vale and towards Guildford. I'd decided not to look at how many miles I'd done until I go to roads I knew, so at Chobham I discovered I had 75 miles done. Back via Stonehill, then a Chertsey loop to get the miles in. Missed @Stonechat , 2nd time this week we've been on similar ground...
Home on 101.4 miles, with a moving time of 6hrs 58 minutes and 8 seconds, way faster than I was planning or expecting.
View attachment 391519
And a relive thingy
https://www.relive.cc/view/1356830371
Happy with that, my first imperial century
Well today was the day, and I was up just before the alarm at 0530hrs. I had a route planned, but bit of a brain fade since it started by going through Windsor Great Park which doesn't open until dawn for cyclists, so I figured I'd get some early flat miles and did a circuit out to Eton before looping back past the end of my road some 20 miles later. The temperature settled at 2 degrees so I actually got the clothing right, and the 2nd hand Hope Vision 1 light proved to be a great buy, lighting the dark roads nicely.
Up through the park before heading through Ascot to Bracknell which turned into a hellish half hour. Note to self, in future stick to mapping on the roads, do not try and get the Garmin to plan routes through walking/cycling underpasses. Lots of wrong turns and doubling back on myself, I was glad to see the back of Bracknell!
By now it was colder, down to 1 degree, and I was starting to get peckish. A steady run down through Owlsmore saw me in Camberley and I spotted a McD's, so bike locked up, and at 51 miles I actually really enjoyed a double sausage and egg McMuffin, hash brown and coffee. Didn't stay long as I was warming up, and that wouldn't do. Back on the bike and down through Frimley, some vaguely familiar territory around Pirbright, Ash Vale and towards Guildford. I'd decided not to look at how many miles I'd done until I go to roads I knew, so at Chobham I discovered I had 75 miles done. Back via Stonehill, then a Chertsey loop to get the miles in. Missed @Stonechat , 2nd time this week we've been on similar ground...
Home on 101.4 miles, with a moving time of 6hrs 58 minutes and 8 seconds, way faster than I was planning or expecting.
View attachment 391519
And a relive thingy
https://www.relive.cc/view/1356830371
Happy with that, my first imperial century
I would give you two likes if I could.
Cracking effort.
Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
Well done @cosmicbikeWell today was the day, and I was up just before the alarm at 0530hrs. I had a route planned, but bit of a brain fade since it started by going through Windsor Great Park which doesn't open until dawn for cyclists, so I figured I'd get some early flat miles and did a circuit out to Eton before looping back past the end of my road some 20 miles later. The temperature settled at 2 degrees so I actually got the clothing right, and the 2nd hand Hope Vision 1 light proved to be a great buy, lighting the dark roads nicely.
Up through the park before heading through Ascot to Bracknell which turned into a hellish half hour. Note to self, in future stick to mapping on the roads, do not try and get the Garmin to plan routes through walking/cycling underpasses. Lots of wrong turns and doubling back on myself, I was glad to see the back of Bracknell!
By now it was colder, down to 1 degree, and I was starting to get peckish. A steady run down through Owlsmore saw me in Camberley and I spotted a McD's, so bike locked up, and at 51 miles I actually really enjoyed a double sausage and egg McMuffin, hash brown and coffee. Didn't stay long as I was warming up, and that wouldn't do. Back on the bike and down through Frimley, some vaguely familiar territory around Pirbright, Ash Vale and towards Guildford. I'd decided not to look at how many miles I'd done until I go to roads I knew, so at Chobham I discovered I had 75 miles done. Back via Stonehill, then a Chertsey loop to get the miles in. Missed @Stonechat , 2nd time this week we've been on similar ground...
Home on 101.4 miles, with a moving time of 6hrs 58 minutes and 8 seconds, way faster than I was planning or expecting.
View attachment 391519
And a relive thingy
https://www.relive.cc/view/1356830371
Happy with that, my first imperial century
It was cold, think my metabolism is not yet up to full speed, but glad you got your clothing right.
Strangely I have never done a century in this area. Always sportives.
Good ride
- Location
- Glasgow
Really brilliant effort @cosmicbike!
My first (and only lol) imperial, around 113 miles I think, took me about 12 hours moving time plus 2 hours stopping time
My first (and only lol) imperial, around 113 miles I think, took me about 12 hours moving time plus 2 hours stopping time
Many congratulations, and very well done, @cosmicbike !!
Hmmm, cleaned the bikes yesterday, so I was not surprised about the rain this morning. Also brave and credulous, I believed the weather forecast, so off I went for a ride on the fixed. Thirteen miles in soggy total, around the less hilly bits south and east from where I am now sitting. With the sun shining through the window!
Very much a ride in the suburbs, I rode around the dereliction of Holbeck, having to wend through a traffic jam to reach that part of Jack Lane, along Water Lane and then traversed Hunslet to the climb for John o’ Gaunts. Woodlesford next, and the downhill spin past the station. This is where I decided shorter was better. Uphill was warm enough but down was less good than that. So, turn right, and again right at the Oulton roundabout to climb the hill, just for the generated warmth. Left onto Haigh Road and along to that awkward junction with Wood Lane. Turn right there, just so I could ride past the jawbones. Right at the lights aims the bike back to Hunslet, and also gives me my first glimpse of blue sky. Over Seacroft maybe. It was still persisting on me. Anyway, back home through Hunslet again, with a diversion to pass the light railway on the way to Dewsbury Road and home. No video today, but there is a map. At least I think it is a map, real ones go soggy in the rain.
Hmmm, cleaned the bikes yesterday, so I was not surprised about the rain this morning. Also brave and credulous, I believed the weather forecast, so off I went for a ride on the fixed. Thirteen miles in soggy total, around the less hilly bits south and east from where I am now sitting. With the sun shining through the window!
Very much a ride in the suburbs, I rode around the dereliction of Holbeck, having to wend through a traffic jam to reach that part of Jack Lane, along Water Lane and then traversed Hunslet to the climb for John o’ Gaunts. Woodlesford next, and the downhill spin past the station. This is where I decided shorter was better. Uphill was warm enough but down was less good than that. So, turn right, and again right at the Oulton roundabout to climb the hill, just for the generated warmth. Left onto Haigh Road and along to that awkward junction with Wood Lane. Turn right there, just so I could ride past the jawbones. Right at the lights aims the bike back to Hunslet, and also gives me my first glimpse of blue sky. Over Seacroft maybe. It was still persisting on me. Anyway, back home through Hunslet again, with a diversion to pass the light railway on the way to Dewsbury Road and home. No video today, but there is a map. At least I think it is a map, real ones go soggy in the rain.
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
I've been kicking myself, having missed a couple of good opportunities to get out for a ride at the weekend and then the weather forecast looked too bad to get out today, however it unexpectedly cleared up about midday so I quickly had some lunch then got the bike out.
It's milder out than expected but quite breezy. I decided to head for Oaks as that makes for a good ride when there is a strong westerly due to having the wind and gradient helping on the way back.
After the rain this morning the roads were wet and/or muddy so the freshly cleaned bike didn't stay like that for long, especially as I used the dirt track over Lyth Hill on my way to Exfords Green.
Long Lane was a low speed slog as it's deceptively uphill and was directly into the wind today and the climb to Oaks was much the same, to the extent that I was down a couple of gears lower than usual and wondering whether something had gone wrong with my fitness. Looking it up later on it seems the wind was gusting to around 30mph which may have had something to do with it.
I took the back way to Pulverbatch then headed for Wilderley with the wind behind me and making the hills now seem effortless. I decided to extend the ride and headed past Smethcott and Walkmills to Leebotwood before turning northwards for Longnor, Ryton and Condover. I had more of a crosswind for this bit which didn't help as much (and was colder than earlier on in the trip) but I still got along at a reasonable pace, however it seemed to shift to a northwesterly after Condover which slowed me down quite a bit for the last couple of miles or so.
During my short stretch along the A49 I had two courteous overtakes from HGVs and a third waited patiently as I took my turning. Thanks guys.
23.2 miles today at 12.5 mph average. Fairly pleased with that on this route.
At the top of Lyth Hill and looking towards Oaks.
The view back down the road I've just climbed at Oaks.
At Broom Hill en route to Pulverbatch. There are some showers rolling across Shrewsbury.
A little further on, near to Smethcott; more showers partly obscuring the Wrekin. I was lucky and stayed mostly dry.
It's milder out than expected but quite breezy. I decided to head for Oaks as that makes for a good ride when there is a strong westerly due to having the wind and gradient helping on the way back.
After the rain this morning the roads were wet and/or muddy so the freshly cleaned bike didn't stay like that for long, especially as I used the dirt track over Lyth Hill on my way to Exfords Green.
Long Lane was a low speed slog as it's deceptively uphill and was directly into the wind today and the climb to Oaks was much the same, to the extent that I was down a couple of gears lower than usual and wondering whether something had gone wrong with my fitness. Looking it up later on it seems the wind was gusting to around 30mph which may have had something to do with it.
I took the back way to Pulverbatch then headed for Wilderley with the wind behind me and making the hills now seem effortless. I decided to extend the ride and headed past Smethcott and Walkmills to Leebotwood before turning northwards for Longnor, Ryton and Condover. I had more of a crosswind for this bit which didn't help as much (and was colder than earlier on in the trip) but I still got along at a reasonable pace, however it seemed to shift to a northwesterly after Condover which slowed me down quite a bit for the last couple of miles or so.
During my short stretch along the A49 I had two courteous overtakes from HGVs and a third waited patiently as I took my turning. Thanks guys.
23.2 miles today at 12.5 mph average. Fairly pleased with that on this route.
At the top of Lyth Hill and looking towards Oaks.
The view back down the road I've just climbed at Oaks.
At Broom Hill en route to Pulverbatch. There are some showers rolling across Shrewsbury.
A little further on, near to Smethcott; more showers partly obscuring the Wrekin. I was lucky and stayed mostly dry.
Last edited:
gavgav
Legendary Member
Many congratulations @cosmicbike. Great stuff!Well today was the day, and I was up just before the alarm at 0530hrs. I had a route planned, but bit of a brain fade since it started by going through Windsor Great Park which doesn't open until dawn for cyclists, so I figured I'd get some early flat miles and did a circuit out to Eton before looping back past the end of my road some 20 miles later. The temperature settled at 2 degrees so I actually got the clothing right, and the 2nd hand Hope Vision 1 light proved to be a great buy, lighting the dark roads nicely.
Up through the park before heading through Ascot to Bracknell which turned into a hellish half hour. Note to self, in future stick to mapping on the roads, do not try and get the Garmin to plan routes through walking/cycling underpasses. Lots of wrong turns and doubling back on myself, I was glad to see the back of Bracknell!
By now it was colder, down to 1 degree, and I was starting to get peckish. A steady run down through Owlsmore saw me in Camberley and I spotted a McD's, so bike locked up, and at 51 miles I actually really enjoyed a double sausage and egg McMuffin, hash brown and coffee. Didn't stay long as I was warming up, and that wouldn't do. Back on the bike and down through Frimley, some vaguely familiar territory around Pirbright, Ash Vale and towards Guildford. I'd decided not to look at how many miles I'd done until I go to roads I knew, so at Chobham I discovered I had 75 miles done. Back via Stonehill, then a Chertsey loop to get the miles in. Missed @Stonechat , 2nd time this week we've been on similar ground...
Home on 101.4 miles, with a moving time of 6hrs 58 minutes and 8 seconds, way faster than I was planning or expecting.
View attachment 391519
And a relive thingy
https://www.relive.cc/view/1356830371
Happy with that, my first imperial century
Jon George
Mamil and couldn't care less
- Location
- Suffolk an' Good
Nice to catch up with this thread - my part-time job has generated an absolute stinker of a problem which I don't think will end happily for me. (The realisation that my contract is effectively zero-hours has not been relaxing.)
With another email sent, I decided I just HAD to get on a bike, even though the rain was tipping down. I grabbed Pasty #3 The Hybrid and had a pootle out towards Bucklesham. The sun appeared for a few brief moments, and I have proof.
The work problem hasn't gone away, but I got a ride in. (I also got wet, but who cares about that?) To misquote The Mole from Wind In The Willows: 'Bother! Oh, blow! Hang work! Up we go! Up we go!'.
With another email sent, I decided I just HAD to get on a bike, even though the rain was tipping down. I grabbed Pasty #3 The Hybrid and had a pootle out towards Bucklesham. The sun appeared for a few brief moments, and I have proof.
The work problem hasn't gone away, but I got a ride in. (I also got wet, but who cares about that?) To misquote The Mole from Wind In The Willows: 'Bother! Oh, blow! Hang work! Up we go! Up we go!'.
