Your ride today....

[Dave 123]

This time yesterday I'd ridden in shorts and short sleeves.
This time last year the bridleways were dry and bone hard.

I've not ridden my mountain bike round here for a good few weeks due to the clay soil and rain. So after 3 days of dry it was time to assess the situation.

They're still soaked.

Right, that's the end of the science bit.

From the bottom of the village I joined the bridleway and instantly slipped and slid all over, the bike was an increasing shade of sludge. I elected to not go down the edge of Hardwick wood, I'd still be there now if I had of!
I took the road from Caldecote Highfields all the way to the Eversdens, at the Hoops I made my way up to the Wimpole ridge. Nearing the top an attractive lady said 'cor, you're fit', I shall treasure that remark for ever, even though it's inaccurate!
Along the ridge, skylark, greenfinch and yellowhammer. At the turn to go down it looked like.....

At the bottom I stopped to admire

Back through the village and a turn at the Mares Way bridleway, up I went

The puddle on the left was deep....!
Through the woods with the sheep in and out for the rest of the hill. Farmer Palmer has been playing with Roundup

Along the ridge and the blossom seduced me

Back down the hill, though I had to take it easy as a gaggle of ramblers were coming up.

Home via the roads. Nearly 18 mucky miles. Pressure washer time!

https://www.strava.com/activities/1509660189

 

[Donger]

Bit of a dodgy knee today. Wondered whether it was wise to go out on the club ride, what with our Isle of Wight trip next week and all that. Went anyway. Fortunately one of the others was nursing an injury too, so we switched routes and did a gentle, flat run out beyond Slimbridge and back instead of a hilly trek into the Forest of Dean. Another great coffee and cake stop at the Black Shed at Slimbridge, where we met up with our Intermediates. 36.6 more miles on my total, and no obvious ill effects on the knee. Fingers crossed I'll be OK for our adventure next week.
Cheers, Donger.

 

[jayonabike]

Very early ride today, I was out the door at 5.30 am just as it was starting to get light. Once I was out of town I didn’t see a car for 10 miles.
There’s something special about being the only soul around and cycling through deserted villages, having the road to yourself as the sun comes up and the morning mist rolls off the fields.
70 miles on the Dolan single speed and back home by 10 o clock.

 

[skudupnorth]

Had a couple of good rides this weekend but only remembered the camera for one ! Rode over to the East Lancs Railway at Bury to catch the Class 40 Diesel birthday celebrations today and was greeted by four of the beasts and a steam thing 35 miles in the recently returned wind to geek out on old trains

 

[NorthernDave]

With a couple of hours to fill, time for another ride.

Noticeably cooler than yesterday, but still dry, so I had half a mind for a 25 mile loop with a couple of hills included.
As is seemingly inevitable this involved Coal Road first of all, then Skeltons Lane and the long descent down Sandhills into Thorner.
Through the village and up Church Hill to warm the legs up properly, before the gentle drop to Bramham Park and the steep hill down into Wothersome dip that's followed almost immediately by the steep climb out of Wothersome dip...
Once crested though, it's a mile or so of gentle down hill to Bramham, with a steeper drop into the village. The only way out of Bramham, like most of the villages around here, is up so it was the Col de Town Hill, where I was easily set for a PB until I got nearly to the top to find the narrow road blocked by an Ocado van making a delivery. Curse the middle classes and their online shopping. He moved as soon as he could, but the damage was done...
Anyway, from there it was over the Windmill and the fast descent towards Clifford and then on to Boston Spa, passing two decent sized group rides on the way. out onto a near deserted Main Street, then down and over the river to Thorp Arch adding the dogleg round Church Causeway and Dowkell Lane on, before heading for Wetherby.
As I turned onto Walton Road, I realised that I'd only been passed by 3 cars all the way from the descent into Thorner - nearly 10 miles and surely some sort of record. That said, Walton Road soon set about getting that average back up and while it was busier, it was still far from busy.
Through Wetherby which was also very quiet and out on the Linton Road heading for well, Linton.
Or "lumpy Linton" as I've now christened it as it never fails to keep you honest with the number of ups and downs in one village.
Down over the bridge and into Collingham, eventually crossing the A58 and tackling the Col de Jewitt Lane for a second time this weekend.
Not only did I manage to avoid the granny ring today, but I actually set a PB up here, which surprises no-one as much as it did me as it didn't feel particularly fast.
Onto Compton Lane to East Rigton and at the last second decided to double back along Bramham Lane as I had a bit of time in hand.
I've mentioned mud on these lanes before and while a couple of dry days has helped the situation there is still plenty of it.

Trust me, it was worse than it looks, what looks like tarmac showing through is actually a layer of dried mud - lots of loose gravelly stones too.
Anyway, up onto Holme Farm Lane and then the familiar ridgetop run back to Thorner on Milner Lane.
Through the village and as I'm a glutton for punishment I decided to climb back up Sandhills (aka Van Zyl Hill). To be honest it's definitely not as bad as it used to be, but I've still got some work to do.
From there it's Skeltons Lane, a quick blat along Coal Road and local roads down to home.

25.9 miles (41.68km) in 1h 55m at an average of 13.5mph with 1,325ft climbed.

All good and while no mountains were climbed there was enough ascending there to give the legs a workout.
Quite a lot of cyclists out, outnumbering motorists for a good bit of the ride which makes a nice change.
That ride takes me over 600 miles for the year, which is a bit behind target but I'll live with that given the weather so far. With a mini-heatwave due this week, maybe it's time to fettle the best bike ready for an appearance...

And to end, the map:

 

[Jon George]

Out at noon for a pootle north of Ipswich and, on an impulse decided to visit Boulge Church where Edward Fitzgerald is buried. A lovely place, but I couldn't find his grave, so a return visit will happen. (I've subsequently checked whereabouts it is - should have gone to Spec Savers.) Another point for the 50k challenge and I appear to have solved my fueling problems. (It appears it would help to read the instructions on the high-energy mix container. Again - should have gone to Spec Savers. )

This leading away from the church.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Our lass was taking the eldest back to uni today, so decided to get up and get out and bag some explorer squares.

Out of the door just after 6am. 20 miles pretty much due south to Yelvertoft for the first square. Turned out the "road" was a very muddy track, the nice clean white bike wasn't nice and clean after that.

A loop around Crick to get a couple of more squares.

Eventually hit the A5 near the M1, was great riding around the huge roads and warehouses with no traffic about, wouldn't want to do it during a weekday.

Through Rugby and up to Newbold on Avon and the first stumbling block, turned onto a road to nip into a square and hit a ford in flood, depth post said 9ft, so I wisely turned around. Quick look at the map and I saw that I probably could get the square with a 3 mile diversion - wouldn't know until I got back home and uploaded the file but went for it anyway

Into Coventry and a right convoluted route to get all the city squares. At this point the sky went very dark, looked like it was going to chuck it down. Luckily it held off

More zig zagging across country saw me hit Astley book farm at 90 miles, I had planned to stop but decided to carry on and try and beat the rain which was threatening again.

At 100 miles I was feeling it, probably should have stopped at the cafe but too late, flap jack and a Wispa down my neck and I carried on.

Ended up bagging 65 squares including the ford in flood square and beat the rain

115 miles in total

https://www.strava.com/activities/1510090522

 

[C R]

Nice weather yesterday, but had things to do, so no ride. Today the weather was back to its usual self. I decided I would try a quick loop round and set off towards Kempsey without a defined plan, but two minutes into the ride the left hand crank felt loose, I had obviously not tightened it properly after fixing the bb yesterday. Back home to fix it and set off again.

As I got on the way a few drops started falling, luckily it didn't start raining, but it kept looking rather grey.

Turned left before Kempsey, up through Green Street and Hatfield Bank towards Pirton and then Wadborough. When going through the level crossing the signal for an oncoming train went off, and really startled me. The time between the signal sounding and the train coming is actually quite short, probably no more than 15s after the barrier is down.

I had planned to turn right towards Stoulton, but was on autopilot and missed the turn carrying straight to Littleworth over another level crossing.

Someone in a van nearly came out in front of me out of one of the houses by Norton church, luckily stopped in time, but probably only missed me by about a foot.

In all 12.5 miles, 350 feet climb at an average of 14.5mph, which is my best so far. I am now able to keep my cadence in the high eighties without much trouble, and my shifting points are also getting better, which shows on my improved average speed.

This ride has taken the April total to 82 miles, which compensates for the low mileages in February and March.

 

[colly]

Up and out for around 7am. before the festivities begin. Cool morning but dry at least.
I went north up Wetherby Road taking in Wellington Hill which at less than a mile from home is a bit of a shock to the system first thing.
Through Red Hall, Scarcroft and into Bardsey. I turned right up Rigton Bank.

I think I upset a lady cyclist who I had been catching all the way from Scarcroft as I turned right, she was stopped at the red light and seeing as I had been through these lights countless times I knew they were about to change. I said hello and edged over the line making to turn right.
'The lights are still red you know' She replied. High dudgeon or what ? To be fair they were still just red but with no traffic coming from any direction I felt it safe to anticipate the change.
I didn't quite catch what she said so I half halted and looked back.
'I'm sorry ?' I said
'The lights are.........' The lights were now green. I swear I heard a 'tut'

Anyway it was on and up. Rigton Bank is short but sharp and I was puffing by the time I got to the top. Compton Lane to the top of Jewitt Lane, I made for Bramham then shadowed the A1 and turned for Taddy.
A left in Tadcaster past John Smith's brewery and on into Boston Spa. Into Collingham and pick up the A58 back into north Leeds.

30 miles and 1700 ft of up.


View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/22136122

 

[Elybazza61]

Yesterday was an in and out commute and first ride of the year on the Helium

To work;

https://www.strava.com/activities/1507069812

And home (carrying a very full rucksack)

https://www.strava.com/activities/1508556133

Helium against an old wall in Ely

And a small pic of a full (and heavy) Alpkit Gourdon 20 litre rucksack(pleased with a 30kph average carrying that!)

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

.Once crested though, it's a mile or so of gentle down hill to Bramham, with a steeper drop into the village. The only way out of Bramham, like most of the villages around here, is up so it was the Col de Town Hill, where I was easily set for a PB until I got nearly to the top to find the narrow road blocked by an Ocado van making a delivery. Curse the middle classes and their online shopping.

I was in Bramham. on Wednesday with the daughter
I'd offered to take her for a drive out, & food, to alleviate sitting in the house, for at least one day of College 12/-term

So, I took her up the old 'GNR' route, from FerryBridge, so I could photograph a few for my 'GNR' albums on FaceBook, even to the point of showing her the actual physical remains of the original Bramham Crossroads
I lead an exciting life

We terminated at Bramham, & headed back through Aberford, & over at HookMoor, then down the (Roman) Ridge Road, to Castleford
Newton Lane (to Fairburn) still, surprisingly, being closed due to floodwater!


View: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214346996101045&set=a.10213582673593460.1073741881.1601508436&type=3&theater



View: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214347007261324&set=a.10213582673593460.1073741881.1601508436&type=3&theater


https://www.facebook.com/richard.a....0214336261072676.1073741886.1601508436&type=3


View: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214346794336001&set=a.10214336261072676.1073741886.1601508436&type=3&theater



View: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214346792935966&set=a.10214336261072676.1073741886.1601508436&type=3&theater

 

[LeetleGreyCells]

13 miles today with @steven1988 and Matt plus kids. Nine of us in total. Great ride on a new route. 13 miles is now the furthest my kids have ever ridden. And they did it with no complaint, happy to be riding along with other kids, loving every second. Pleased as punch.

Thanks Steven for the invite!

 

[steven1988]

13 miles today with @steven1988 and Matt plus kids. Nine of us in total. Great ride on a new route. 13 miles is now the furthest my kids have ever ridden. And they did it with no complaint, happy to be riding along with other kids, loving every second. Pleased as punch.

Thanks Steven for the invite!

Anytime your kids were superstars today and I managed to lift that saddle

 

[theloafer]

yesterday was a short trip into darlo tp pick up my new cycling glasses and then called in to see a club mate .and back home 19 miles

https://www.strava.com/activities/1508349414

todays little jaunt was an other hill test and off road , for the love of my life and her e- bike parked at Northallerton (had to pick up some fat rascals) then out by foxton lane which then ends after a FORD turns into a cycle track (muddy lane) ...here I thought I would get a ear full..but no ... then through East Harlsey - East Rounton then Swainby where there is a great cycle café(new to me) The rusty bike coffee was has and snacks ready for the first hill test up over past Cod beck Reservoir to Osmotherley.
then on to the climb upon to the moors past Chequers and on to Hawnby where we turned right and climbed up the unpaved road over to cross the Cleveland way to drop into Kepwick -under the A19 through Borrowby when the rain started ....and back to the van
43 miles
https://www.strava.com/activities/1510738535

wind blew her over after getting threw the gate

 

[fossyant]

16 flatish muddy MTB miles yesterday then went out round Hayfield with 9 others today. Epic ride of 17 miles but 3000 feet of climbing. All the trails are soaked.