Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
What a brill saddle bag.If it rained you could climb inside it.i had a similar one.
NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
No chance of a ride tomorrow, so I made use of the Bank Holiday to round March off with a final metric half.
Out just after 8am into the gloom, but with a promise of some sunshine later on. The bike headed up Coal Road, then the usual combination of roads down into Thorner and up Milner Lane at the other side. Along the ridge then right onto Thorner Lane, which becomes Thorner Road for the drop down to Bramham. Blimey there was a lot of surface water - it wasn't raining but it might as well have been!
A skirt around Bramham and up onto Toulston Lane and back out into the countryside and across the county line into North Yorkshire. Instead of turning right for Stutton, I carried straight on for a bit of variety and eventually reached Tadcaster. Right at the lights by the brewery and onto the A162 which climbs over the A64, the drops down to cross Cock Beck, before the steady climb up the other side towards Raw Lane.
There are temporary traffic lights at the junction, which provided an opportunity for a breather before turning onto Raw Lane itself -- where there are some more signs warning that Raw Lane is closed for 4 days for "works" from 08/04. I suspect the dreaded stone chips are coming...
It's mainly downhill from here to Ulleskelf, but with the wind in my face a bit more effort than usual was required. Over the railway bridge and through the village, then on towards Ryther, where another right saw me onto Mill Lane and then over the railway again where I stopped for a Snickers and a stretch:
Back in the saddle and along the road, which becomes Moor Lane for the wend through the fields and around the quiet side of Leeds East Airport and into Church Fenton. Through the village, past the station and the long straight to Barkston Ash, then a quick squirt up the A162 and, for a bit of variety, I turned right to Scarthingwell, spotting the sign for the church and thinking I'd grab a photo at a new to me place.
Unfortunately the church appears to be only accessible via a private, gated road to a nursing home, so no pic
and I retraced my route back to the A162 and across to Saxton Lane which took me all the way to Saxton, where the sun made a brief appearance.
Cold Hill Lane from there, before dropping down onto Copley Lane, then Lotherton Gates, the drop into Aberford under the A1(M) bridge and the ups and downs of Cattle Lane to Barwick, the climb through there and almost to Scholes, before dropping down Leeds Road and local roads up to home.
35.42 miles (57.00km) in 2h 32m at an average of 13.9mph and with 1,443ft climbed.
A good mornings work, although I feel oddly tired now. Still, it's another metric half in the bag and rounds the month out nicely.
There were plenty of cyclists out today - from the report above, it looks like I crossed paths with @Spiderweb a couple of times.
And to end, the map:
Out just after 8am into the gloom, but with a promise of some sunshine later on. The bike headed up Coal Road, then the usual combination of roads down into Thorner and up Milner Lane at the other side. Along the ridge then right onto Thorner Lane, which becomes Thorner Road for the drop down to Bramham. Blimey there was a lot of surface water - it wasn't raining but it might as well have been!
A skirt around Bramham and up onto Toulston Lane and back out into the countryside and across the county line into North Yorkshire. Instead of turning right for Stutton, I carried straight on for a bit of variety and eventually reached Tadcaster. Right at the lights by the brewery and onto the A162 which climbs over the A64, the drops down to cross Cock Beck, before the steady climb up the other side towards Raw Lane.
There are temporary traffic lights at the junction, which provided an opportunity for a breather before turning onto Raw Lane itself -- where there are some more signs warning that Raw Lane is closed for 4 days for "works" from 08/04. I suspect the dreaded stone chips are coming...
It's mainly downhill from here to Ulleskelf, but with the wind in my face a bit more effort than usual was required. Over the railway bridge and through the village, then on towards Ryther, where another right saw me onto Mill Lane and then over the railway again where I stopped for a Snickers and a stretch:
Back in the saddle and along the road, which becomes Moor Lane for the wend through the fields and around the quiet side of Leeds East Airport and into Church Fenton. Through the village, past the station and the long straight to Barkston Ash, then a quick squirt up the A162 and, for a bit of variety, I turned right to Scarthingwell, spotting the sign for the church and thinking I'd grab a photo at a new to me place.
Unfortunately the church appears to be only accessible via a private, gated road to a nursing home, so no pic
and I retraced my route back to the A162 and across to Saxton Lane which took me all the way to Saxton, where the sun made a brief appearance.Cold Hill Lane from there, before dropping down onto Copley Lane, then Lotherton Gates, the drop into Aberford under the A1(M) bridge and the ups and downs of Cattle Lane to Barwick, the climb through there and almost to Scholes, before dropping down Leeds Road and local roads up to home.
35.42 miles (57.00km) in 2h 32m at an average of 13.9mph and with 1,443ft climbed.
A good mornings work, although I feel oddly tired now. Still, it's another metric half in the bag and rounds the month out nicely.
There were plenty of cyclists out today - from the report above, it looks like I crossed paths with @Spiderweb a couple of times.
And to end, the map:
- Location
- Egham
A rather slow 3.2 miles today. What was going to be an extended ride to the shops turned into a ride to the shops and back as once again my Daughter surprised me and asked to come along. I think the new (to us) bike may have something to do with it.
Given it's been pouring with rain all day I don't think I missed much anyway.
@Donger that's a great post. I suspect your 20,000 miles may have involved more climbing than mine, I tend to avoid hills whilst you seem to seek them out..
Given it's been pouring with rain all day I don't think I missed much anyway.
@Donger that's a great post. I suspect your 20,000 miles may have involved more climbing than mine, I tend to avoid hills whilst you seem to seek them out..
I've had that for years now and I love it and it tends to go with me everywhere. Plenty of room for camera, an extra jacket, packed lunch and thermos flask for all day rides, or to fit in a bit of shopping or big enough for a weekend tour. It remains totally waterproof and will probably outlast me.
Jenkins
Legendary Member
- Location
- Felixstowe
Two short rides today, both on the Voodoo 29er, so on and off road- the first was a loop round to Lidl to take advantage of their Super Weekend offer on coffee, then back home for a bite to eat and a coffee while fitting a Cateye Velo 9 to the Voodoo. This was followed by effectively the earlier ride in reverse to do a set-up calibration on the computer. Light drizzle all the way and got home just before the heavy stuff hit.
Mr Celine
Discordian
- Location
- Waxing my moustache
Given the forecast for tomorrow thought it best to nip out after work for a quick 25 miles, despite it only being 4C, very dull and looking like rain.
But Leaderfoot viaduct looks good no matter the weather.
No such luck, there's still some around...
... though this was the only bit I found. While taking this photo it began hailing, so I thought it best to head for home. Shortly after I had my closest pass for ages. I stopped opposite a passing place to let a berlingo type pensionerwagon past, but rather than go through the puddle in the passing place he carried straight on and missed me by millimetres.
26 miles at 14 mph.
But Leaderfoot viaduct looks good no matter the weather.
No such luck, there's still some around...
... though this was the only bit I found. While taking this photo it began hailing, so I thought it best to head for home. Shortly after I had my closest pass for ages. I stopped opposite a passing place to let a berlingo type pensionerwagon past, but rather than go through the puddle in the passing place he carried straight on and missed me by millimetres.
26 miles at 14 mph.
Slick
Guru
This wasn't today but over the past couple of weeks I've been in Aberdeen working. It's a great place to work but pretty boring through the week sitting in a hotel room. I wanted to take my ageing mountain bike to do this ride https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/the-formartine-and-buchan-way but discovered that the front forks were leaking so had to take a road bike. I had done a bit of that path last year so already knew it wasn't an ideal surface for thin wheels so looked for something else. I found this http://www.deesideway.org and thought it was amazing in places and probably tougher on a road bike than I first realised.
After work I drove round to Duthie Park and parked right behind the winter garden where the path starts. I was immediately impressed by the great surface and the mixture of old bridges and a cracking new bridge that looked like you were cycling up the deck of an expensive yacht. Duthie Park is very close to the city centre but it seemed within a very short time before you are first passing allotments and then out to the country. The first 10 miles or so passed in a flash and I was in Drumoak which is where the fun really started as the wildlife came to life with the buzzards and hawks hunting and the mad march hare boxing which always makes me smile. It was a slow run out as I enjoyed the nice warm weather but I put the pedal down to try and get back before night fell and I nearly made it but the people I met on the way back seemed to be well used to sharing a path with cyclists so no drama. It amounted to just over 50k, so another point in the bag.
The boys at work warned me not to do anymore of that run as it wasn't suitable for road bikes, it was all I needed to hear although to be fair, it turned out they were right. I drove out the to Banchory determined to get to Aboyne and back before dark which really shouldn't be too difficult as the clocks changed to give me the extra hour.
I almost immediately regretted it, between the climb and the horrendous surface up towards the woods and Scolty hill, so much so I almost gave up and turned right around as I feared there was no way the bike would make it unscathed. The views were amazing though, looking down over the Dee, so I just kept going hoping for the best but realising I was quite far from home if I needed any help. I eventually got off the forest trail and was so delighted to find a main road I missed the track and took a wrong turn. I corrected my course but shunned the track for a downhill blast into Potarch where I joined the trail again along the Dee into Kincardine O'Neil.
After another couple of wrong turns it was a short blast up and over a couple of steep hills on a muddy trail before shunning the last couple of miles of track for a nice downhill blast into Aboyne.
I sat for what felt like 5 minutes before realising the sun was going down and it was getting much colder quite quickly. There was no way I was going back over these trails so went for the main road which took me back to Banchory in double quick time.
https://www.relive.cc/view/1474156473
I did the final short stint to Ballater a day or two later, which was just a short flat ride just to say I did the entire route.
After work I drove round to Duthie Park and parked right behind the winter garden where the path starts. I was immediately impressed by the great surface and the mixture of old bridges and a cracking new bridge that looked like you were cycling up the deck of an expensive yacht. Duthie Park is very close to the city centre but it seemed within a very short time before you are first passing allotments and then out to the country. The first 10 miles or so passed in a flash and I was in Drumoak which is where the fun really started as the wildlife came to life with the buzzards and hawks hunting and the mad march hare boxing which always makes me smile. It was a slow run out as I enjoyed the nice warm weather but I put the pedal down to try and get back before night fell and I nearly made it but the people I met on the way back seemed to be well used to sharing a path with cyclists so no drama. It amounted to just over 50k, so another point in the bag.
The boys at work warned me not to do anymore of that run as it wasn't suitable for road bikes, it was all I needed to hear although to be fair, it turned out they were right. I drove out the to Banchory determined to get to Aboyne and back before dark which really shouldn't be too difficult as the clocks changed to give me the extra hour.
I almost immediately regretted it, between the climb and the horrendous surface up towards the woods and Scolty hill, so much so I almost gave up and turned right around as I feared there was no way the bike would make it unscathed. The views were amazing though, looking down over the Dee, so I just kept going hoping for the best but realising I was quite far from home if I needed any help. I eventually got off the forest trail and was so delighted to find a main road I missed the track and took a wrong turn. I corrected my course but shunned the track for a downhill blast into Potarch where I joined the trail again along the Dee into Kincardine O'Neil.
After another couple of wrong turns it was a short blast up and over a couple of steep hills on a muddy trail before shunning the last couple of miles of track for a nice downhill blast into Aboyne.
I sat for what felt like 5 minutes before realising the sun was going down and it was getting much colder quite quickly. There was no way I was going back over these trails so went for the main road which took me back to Banchory in double quick time.
https://www.relive.cc/view/1474156473
I did the final short stint to Ballater a day or two later, which was just a short flat ride just to say I did the entire route.
Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
I had no idea what my total was since my return to cycling in 2013 ish
Just checked and it is currently 19,230 miles
Should make the 20,000 this year all being well
My ride yesterday was one of those days where you've set your heart on going out for a ride and you wake up look out the window and your heart sinks. The forecast was saying Sunny and 8 degrees and the actual weather was foggy and 0 degrees.
I'd only thought of doing a short ride as I'd been to the gym and given pretty much all I had the night before, so my stubbornness kicked in. I searched out the most powerful lights I've got put on my high viz jacket and went anyway.
So off I went into the cold and grey mist. It was fine, I took a route to Baden, my usual Weekend ride, that was mostly on Cycle paths. Not much to see, but about 5 kms out from my coffee stop, it suddenly cleared. By now it was a more comfortable 5 degrees and I started to enjoy it a bit more. Arriving in Baden I decided to test my legs and take the short but hard (for me) cobbled climb up into the town. Last year I couldn't do this, so was happy to get to the top. At last it was time for coffee.
I headed to my usual cycle park and it wasn't there! It's been removed so they can do something to the building. So I went to the railway station and parked there. Annoyingly they have the stupid cycle racks where you hang your bike from the handlebars. This means my lock doesn't reach through the frame and you can only lock the front wheel. Not much good with a quick release spindle. So I too the gamble and left it locked through the frame but not actually locked to anything. Not so much of a gamble in Switzerland, but still not something I'm not really happy to do. However, that's how most of the other bikes were locked and there wasn't another option because I needed to eat.
After a Coffee and a Ham and Cheese Croissant, the sun finally made an appearance and I thought (wrongly) that it would be a much nicer ride home. It would have been if it wasn't for the headwind! I'd taken the road route back as with the sun out the shared cycle path / footpath would be busier with walkers and their dogs. The road route is much higher and so was the wind. Full on headwind all the way home.
Still enjoyed it - Glad I went out, another 50kms completed - Weekend weather is bad, but looking forward to Monday, which is looking a bit more spring-like.
Just the one photo today as the weather didn't make things look nice, but the entry to Baden looks pretty whatever.
I'd only thought of doing a short ride as I'd been to the gym and given pretty much all I had the night before, so my stubbornness kicked in. I searched out the most powerful lights I've got put on my high viz jacket and went anyway.
So off I went into the cold and grey mist. It was fine, I took a route to Baden, my usual Weekend ride, that was mostly on Cycle paths. Not much to see, but about 5 kms out from my coffee stop, it suddenly cleared. By now it was a more comfortable 5 degrees and I started to enjoy it a bit more. Arriving in Baden I decided to test my legs and take the short but hard (for me) cobbled climb up into the town. Last year I couldn't do this, so was happy to get to the top. At last it was time for coffee.
I headed to my usual cycle park and it wasn't there! It's been removed so they can do something to the building. So I went to the railway station and parked there. Annoyingly they have the stupid cycle racks where you hang your bike from the handlebars. This means my lock doesn't reach through the frame and you can only lock the front wheel. Not much good with a quick release spindle. So I too the gamble and left it locked through the frame but not actually locked to anything. Not so much of a gamble in Switzerland, but still not something I'm not really happy to do. However, that's how most of the other bikes were locked and there wasn't another option because I needed to eat.
After a Coffee and a Ham and Cheese Croissant, the sun finally made an appearance and I thought (wrongly) that it would be a much nicer ride home. It would have been if it wasn't for the headwind! I'd taken the road route back as with the sun out the shared cycle path / footpath would be busier with walkers and their dogs. The road route is much higher and so was the wind. Full on headwind all the way home.
Still enjoyed it - Glad I went out, another 50kms completed - Weekend weather is bad, but looking forward to Monday, which is looking a bit more spring-like.
Just the one photo today as the weather didn't make things look nice, but the entry to Baden looks pretty whatever.
- Location
- Egham
Plans are afoot for a short Summer 'tour' with my lad, so he needs to start getting the miles in. Today was a 20 mile target with some hills, along with looking at route options for him to get to one of his mates houses. We started out in the drizzle, and it never really got any better. Up through the Royal Holloway University campus, pausing at the Founders Building, my lad played a brass concert here last year.
From here to mates house, then onwards into Windsor Great Park where we did the 3 horses loop, before heading home through Wentworth. Well timed as the rain started to come down proper once we got home.
Bang on 20 miles.
From here to mates house, then onwards into Windsor Great Park where we did the 3 horses loop, before heading home through Wentworth. Well timed as the rain started to come down proper once we got home.
Bang on 20 miles.
