Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
A truly great day out in Wales for me today in the congenial company of Cyclechat's @Banjo, my Welsh Passepartout. Drove over to his place and switched to his car for the journey over to Carmarthenshire to take on the Black Mountain (more specifically the pass known locally as the "Cuckoo"). The ride started in cool and damp weather, in a light fret that threatened to turn into proper rain but never actually did so. The rain tops were discarded as soon as we got down to the outskirts of Llandovery. Some pictures:
Banjo and me:
Gratuitous bike shot:
On the Black Mountain:
The beautiful sweeping descent on the North side:
Me descending:
![Black Mountain Donger[1].jpg](https://www.cyclechat.net/attachments/black-mountain-donger-1-jpg.409613/ "Black Mountain Donger[1].jpg")
Banjo in Llangadog:
Seeing a place name like this, and conscious that hindsight is always a wonderful thing, how many would ride on at this point?
![Black Mtn Banjo[1].jpg](https://www.cyclechat.net/attachments/black-mtn-banjo-1-jpg.409612/ "Black Mtn Banjo[1].jpg")
What a great ride. Once we had got through Brynamman, (which was pretty steep), the climb up to the top of the Cuckoo was a great, steady climb. An easy enough gradient for us to be able to chat as we rode. Then what fantastic views all the way down the North side. We then descended through woodland full of bluebells on a great little road following a mountain stream. We made for a café in Llandovery for a full English before heading back to where we parked the car in Gwaun Cae Gurwen by skirting around the mountain via Llangadog, Bethlehem, Ffairfan (where we were surprised by a nasty, steep and rather long climb we were not expecting) and Llandyfan.
Another stupendous day out in Wales and another 42.5 miles ridden. I just love those mountains. Diolch yn fawr, Banjo.
Cheers, Donger.
Banjo and me:
Gratuitous bike shot:
The beautiful sweeping descent on the North side:
Me descending:
Banjo in Llangadog:
Seeing a place name like this, and conscious that hindsight is always a wonderful thing, how many would ride on at this point?
What a great ride. Once we had got through Brynamman, (which was pretty steep), the climb up to the top of the Cuckoo was a great, steady climb. An easy enough gradient for us to be able to chat as we rode. Then what fantastic views all the way down the North side. We then descended through woodland full of bluebells on a great little road following a mountain stream. We made for a café in Llandovery for a full English before heading back to where we parked the car in Gwaun Cae Gurwen by skirting around the mountain via Llangadog, Bethlehem, Ffairfan (where we were surprised by a nasty, steep and rather long climb we were not expecting) and Llandyfan.
Another stupendous day out in Wales and another 42.5 miles ridden. I just love those mountains. Diolch yn fawr, Banjo.
Cheers, Donger.
Attachments
Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
I did see a couple on a tandem. Looked like they were having fun.Just found out that a couple of dear friends did the 50 miler on their tandem.
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
Yup, sounds like Vonnie and Ant.
Looks like you've had another fabby ride in some amazing scenery.
Mr Celine
Discordian
- Location
- Waxing my moustache
Too sunny not to go for an afterwork ride. There was a very cool easterly breeze, back to threequarter bibs and toe warmers. Despite this my feet (and fingers) were frozen by the time I got home.
I did a 30 mile loop with one big climb, the Woll, and stopped at the summit cattle grid for a photo. This forest was clear felled a couple of years ago but already the replacement trees are obscuring the view. This is looking east with Eildon Mid and Wester Hills on the horizon.
![IMG_20180516_190349[1].jpg](https://www.cyclechat.net/attachments/img_20180516_190349-1-jpg.409617/ "IMG_20180516_190349[1].jpg")
Stopped again just outside Selkirk for the view back up the Ettrick Valley, with the Ettrick Water sparkling in the sun.
![IMG_20180516_191945[1].jpg](https://www.cyclechat.net/attachments/img_20180516_191945-1-jpg.409618/ "IMG_20180516_191945[1].jpg")
I met some MTB friends a couple of miles from home. One is recuperating from a toe operation and was stretching her legs on an e fat bike, she wasn't going any further so rode back with me. It's odd riding along at the same pace as someone until the road goes up, they keep going at the same speed, I have to sprint to catch up again!
The map -
50km at 13.4mph, 2454' ascent.
I did a 30 mile loop with one big climb, the Woll, and stopped at the summit cattle grid for a photo. This forest was clear felled a couple of years ago but already the replacement trees are obscuring the view. This is looking east with Eildon Mid and Wester Hills on the horizon.
Stopped again just outside Selkirk for the view back up the Ettrick Valley, with the Ettrick Water sparkling in the sun.
I met some MTB friends a couple of miles from home. One is recuperating from a toe operation and was stretching her legs on an e fat bike, she wasn't going any further so rode back with me. It's odd riding along at the same pace as someone until the road goes up, they keep going at the same speed, I have to sprint to catch up again!
The map -
50km at 13.4mph, 2454' ascent.
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Another quick morning spin on the Dawes using a regular local route: Condover, Atcham, Upton Magna, Walcot, Cressage, Acton Burnell, Longnor, Condover and home.
The conditions are really good again with light winds and sunshine which encouraged me to press on so that I left the village doing the mid 20s mph. Condover slowed me down as there is a road closure through the centre that needed to be walked past (a two mile detour down a narrow lane for the motorists - being on a bike has its advantages
).
Back up to speed again and I was able to cruise along quite nicely to Walcot where the undulating section begins. Nearing Eaton Constantine I spotted animals in the road ahead. It was a herd of about 20 deer. I slowed and tried to get my phone out to take a pic but they got spooked by my presence and disappeared through a hole in the hedge and out of sight.
The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful after that little moment. I caught and overtook another cyclist on the way to Cound Moor, had a patient lorry driver wave me through near Acton Burnell and decided to return the favour to a lorry wanting to pull out of the quarry near Condover.
34.1 miles this trip at a very pleasing 15.8 mph average.
The deer had already scarpered but the phone was in my hand so I thought I'd take a pic of the scenery anyway.
The conditions are really good again with light winds and sunshine which encouraged me to press on so that I left the village doing the mid 20s mph. Condover slowed me down as there is a road closure through the centre that needed to be walked past (a two mile detour down a narrow lane for the motorists - being on a bike has its advantages
).Back up to speed again and I was able to cruise along quite nicely to Walcot where the undulating section begins. Nearing Eaton Constantine I spotted animals in the road ahead. It was a herd of about 20 deer. I slowed and tried to get my phone out to take a pic but they got spooked by my presence and disappeared through a hole in the hedge and out of sight.
The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful after that little moment. I caught and overtook another cyclist on the way to Cound Moor, had a patient lorry driver wave me through near Acton Burnell and decided to return the favour to a lorry wanting to pull out of the quarry near Condover.
34.1 miles this trip at a very pleasing 15.8 mph average.
The deer had already scarpered but the phone was in my hand so I thought I'd take a pic of the scenery anyway.
Last edited:
i hate hills
Its my day to be brilliant
Day 4 of holiday week and an not so remarkable 5 miler in the afternoon after of course everyone else had finished with my services. The rain stayed away again . This new record for me 4 days in a row on a bike and no rain . No farmers to scare , pretty uneventful really.
Spartak
Powered by M&M's
- Location
- Bristolian
Very pleasant ride this morning with Mrs S. along the Bristol 2 Bath track to Saltford for some lunch in the ever popular Bird in Hand.....
Noodle Legs
Winging it
- Location
- Coalville, Leicestershire
4 days Post-Peaks and I decided that was enough rest and time to do a bit of summat. So I popped out in the late afternoon sun and took in some NW Leicestershire lames to a) recover from the peaks and b) warm up for Sunday’s CC forum social. Not too much wind about and a fairly flat route made for a pleasant ride, with exception to a couple of minor climbs. Had a 15 minute warm up to Griffydam then did some intervals along the flats of Top Brand, as the local club were setting up for their weekly time trials. Considering it was rush hour it was fairly quiet out so that made the ride even more pleasurable. Not even the stench of the tip on Lount Hill or swallowing copious amounts of flies could dampen my spirits! Navigating the big roundabout on the outskirts of Ashby-de-la-Zouch was a bit hairy but the sun had clearly made the drivers happy and they were quite courteous around that point. So I carried on through Ashby and the nice little villages of Normanton le Heath and Packington, hitting a few strava PRs along the way.
All in all, just under 22 miles in an hour and 14.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1578189047
Check out Post-Peaks Leg Stretch on Relive! https://www.relive.cc/view/1578189047
All in all, just under 22 miles in an hour and 14.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1578189047
Check out Post-Peaks Leg Stretch on Relive! https://www.relive.cc/view/1578189047
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
A top tandem day out today.
We drove to Prestatyn and parked near Pontins prison camp. We then set off along route 5 along wide traffic free concrete promenades. Oystercatchers stood on the beach.
We soon reached Rhyl. It wasn't as bad as I remembered. On to Colwyn Bay, there were hordes of people taking photos of the old pier being dismantled.
From Rhos on Sea the lumpy bits started. We took the route 5 signs and ended scaling a vertical wall, then we went down a residential street and a gravel jigger.
Into Llandudno and along the Marine Drive, bloody cranesbill, rock rose, primrose and stonecrop flowering on the limestone cliffs. We overtook a lady and then turned up for the summit of the Great Orme. Hairpins and steep pulls up. We went around the back of a small church, then an 18% ramp, that was fun.
Eventually we got to the top, people talking to us and congratulating us and questioning our sanity!
The lady we passed appeared and we had a good chat with her for 10 minutes.
Then we descended and then did a loop around the whole lump of the Orme. We didn't see any goats which was a downer.
The last 5 miles to the car was into a strengthening headwind that wasn't funny at all. Both our undercarriages were tender.
Just over 50 miles. A brilliant ride.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1577854342
We drove to Prestatyn and parked near Pontins prison camp. We then set off along route 5 along wide traffic free concrete promenades. Oystercatchers stood on the beach.
We soon reached Rhyl. It wasn't as bad as I remembered. On to Colwyn Bay, there were hordes of people taking photos of the old pier being dismantled.
From Rhos on Sea the lumpy bits started. We took the route 5 signs and ended scaling a vertical wall, then we went down a residential street and a gravel jigger.
Into Llandudno and along the Marine Drive, bloody cranesbill, rock rose, primrose and stonecrop flowering on the limestone cliffs. We overtook a lady and then turned up for the summit of the Great Orme. Hairpins and steep pulls up. We went around the back of a small church, then an 18% ramp, that was fun.
Eventually we got to the top, people talking to us and congratulating us and questioning our sanity!
The lady we passed appeared and we had a good chat with her for 10 minutes.
Then we descended and then did a loop around the whole lump of the Orme. We didn't see any goats which was a downer.
The last 5 miles to the car was into a strengthening headwind that wasn't funny at all. Both our undercarriages were tender.
Just over 50 miles. A brilliant ride.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1577854342
NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
That Pontins is where legendary British comedy Holiday on the Buses was filmed in 1973. For some reason, we then went on a family holiday there a couple of years later...
Noodle Legs
Winging it
- Location
- Coalville, Leicestershire
That Pontins is where legendary British comedy Holiday on the Buses was filmed in 1973. For some reason, we then went on a family holiday there a couple of years later...
I went there as a 3 year old in 1981! Don’t remember it other than my sisters chucking me in the pool “teaching” me to swim...... my earliest childhood memory!
Jenkins
Legendary Member
- Location
- Felixstowe
I'd made plans for today to get the train from the local station to Ipswich and then a connecting train to Lowestoft from where I'd ride home. Having woken up way too early, I ended up riding the 9.5 miles to Ipswich instead and getting an earlier train to Lowestoft. It may have been sunny, but the continuing northerly wind was bitterly cold so arm warmers and knee warmers were deployed for the ride to Ipswich and the first hour of the rride home.
There were shorter routes I could have taken, but I'd mapped out one that, down to Saxmundham at least, kept mostly to 'B' or unclassified roads once out of Lowestoft, to the extent that I only saw one other cyclist and very few cars (unless you count the proper Landrovers or Hi-Lux type pickups that farmers prefer). Basically south or south-west indirection from Lowestoft through villages like Mutford, Hulver, Uggeshall, Bramfield and Peasenhall down to Saxmundham and then across the River Alde at Snape
then skirting Rendlesham Forest into Woodbridge and more familiar roads around Martlesham, Waldringfield
(one of the entrants in the village scarecrow competition). The faffing around on familiar roads was designed to take the mileage to just over 64 on the ride and a total of 73.5 on the day, and still left time to run the lawnmower over the garden post shower.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1578131890
This also makes rides of 50k (Monday), 50 miles (Tuesday) and 100k (today)
There were shorter routes I could have taken, but I'd mapped out one that, down to Saxmundham at least, kept mostly to 'B' or unclassified roads once out of Lowestoft, to the extent that I only saw one other cyclist and very few cars (unless you count the proper Landrovers or Hi-Lux type pickups that farmers prefer). Basically south or south-west indirection from Lowestoft through villages like Mutford, Hulver, Uggeshall, Bramfield and Peasenhall down to Saxmundham and then across the River Alde at Snape
https://www.strava.com/activities/1578131890
This also makes rides of 50k (Monday), 50 miles (Tuesday) and 100k (today)
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
Love the scarecrow LOL... And the wherry.
Been to Wetherby,i had a look round,normally it's the place you ride through on the way to York or Knaresbrough.Today it was just enough 23 miles.Nice weather, FLAT and no aching knees today,i must be getting better.Out just after 08-30 and back around 11-20.I enjoyed myself.
