I knew you had riden around that area that's what made me think it could possibly be you . Orange is obviously a popular colour
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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Jenkins
Legendary Member
- Location
- Felixstowe
Can a commute be in this thread? Nothing unusual about the ride in this morning except for that at 05:30 when I got up it was bright sunshine, but by 06:00 when I left for work, the mist had rolled in and just got thicker the nearer to Felixstowe seafront you got. Remarkably warm despite the mist and very little wind.
Unfortunately for anybody who came to Felixstowe expecting a day of sunbathing on the beach, the sea mist never lifted all day. I couldn't even see the quayside cranes from the office window due to the mist despite being only about 1/4 mile away, although it burned away quite quickly inland as I found out when I nipped out for a sarnie. Having spent most of the day looking at the greyness, I needed some sunshine so I decided to extend the return leg by doing the normal first 8 or 9 miles around Felixstowe dipping in and out of the mist only to emerge again into bright sunlight. Then, once back on the High Road I turned right and headed through Trimley St. Mary & Trimley St. Martin then up the back road to Levington and Nacton, into Ipswich and back via Bucklesham and Kirton resulting in a ride home of 35 miles instead of the usual 14 or 15.
To keep with the work theme, a quick stop was made at the HQ of one of the major shipping firms in Levington for a photo
Unfortunately for anybody who came to Felixstowe expecting a day of sunbathing on the beach, the sea mist never lifted all day. I couldn't even see the quayside cranes from the office window due to the mist despite being only about 1/4 mile away, although it burned away quite quickly inland as I found out when I nipped out for a sarnie. Having spent most of the day looking at the greyness, I needed some sunshine so I decided to extend the return leg by doing the normal first 8 or 9 miles around Felixstowe dipping in and out of the mist only to emerge again into bright sunlight. Then, once back on the High Road I turned right and headed through Trimley St. Mary & Trimley St. Martin then up the back road to Levington and Nacton, into Ipswich and back via Bucklesham and Kirton resulting in a ride home of 35 miles instead of the usual 14 or 15.
To keep with the work theme, a quick stop was made at the HQ of one of the major shipping firms in Levington for a photo
Set off around seven, hoping for a bit of fresh air, but it was already quite muggy. By the end of the second mile I was already dripping. Still, better than raining.
Today I tried a longer variation of the Drakes Broughton loop. Up Hatfield Bank, past Littleworth and Wadborough, on to Besford, and then across Besford Bridge and on to Drakes Broughton. A bit before Drakes Broughton there is a bit of a dip, down which I manage close to 30mph, coming the other way there was a guy in a road bike who seemed to be flying up the hill, something to aspire to, maybe in the next life.
After Drakes Broughton on to the A44, and across it towards Peopleton. The idea was to turn towards White Ladies Ashton after Peopleton, but I missed the turn and ended up in Upton Snodsbury. Left turn there towards Spetchley. I was a bit apprehensive about the traffic here, as it is a narrower road than the A44, but what little traffic there was gave plenty of space.
After Spetchley it was the County Hall site, and then down Red Hill towards home.
20.8 miles at 14.8mph, with 670 feet of up.
Today I tried a longer variation of the Drakes Broughton loop. Up Hatfield Bank, past Littleworth and Wadborough, on to Besford, and then across Besford Bridge and on to Drakes Broughton. A bit before Drakes Broughton there is a bit of a dip, down which I manage close to 30mph, coming the other way there was a guy in a road bike who seemed to be flying up the hill, something to aspire to, maybe in the next life.
After Drakes Broughton on to the A44, and across it towards Peopleton. The idea was to turn towards White Ladies Ashton after Peopleton, but I missed the turn and ended up in Upton Snodsbury. Left turn there towards Spetchley. I was a bit apprehensive about the traffic here, as it is a narrower road than the A44, but what little traffic there was gave plenty of space.
After Spetchley it was the County Hall site, and then down Red Hill towards home.
20.8 miles at 14.8mph, with 670 feet of up.
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Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
On seeing a sportive that I could reach from home, decided to enter, this was the Evans Ride it Woking (which despite the name actually started from Chobham)
85 miles was the long option, and there was approx 10 mile journey to and from Chobham.
Won't go into the long course but left home at 7.35, was underway at 8.50, won;t go into details of the course, but it was rather lumpy without any killer hills, furthest point reached was Selborne I also lost track of the navigation signs and briefly ended up in Alton, needless to say I had to go back up a hill to regain the course.
As is often the way the later stages legs etc are complaining, but finished the course and did not stop for long before returning home
https://www.strava.com/activities/1614846174
109.6 miles @ ave moving speed of 15.0 mph
4518 feet climbed
85 miles was the long option, and there was approx 10 mile journey to and from Chobham.
Won't go into the long course but left home at 7.35, was underway at 8.50, won;t go into details of the course, but it was rather lumpy without any killer hills, furthest point reached was Selborne I also lost track of the navigation signs and briefly ended up in Alton, needless to say I had to go back up a hill to regain the course.
As is often the way the later stages legs etc are complaining, but finished the course and did not stop for long before returning home
https://www.strava.com/activities/1614846174
109.6 miles @ ave moving speed of 15.0 mph
4518 feet climbed
Noodle Legs
Winging it
- Location
- Coalville, Leicestershire
Big effort, well done!
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
I couldn't be out for too long this morning so got the Raleigh out and stuck (mostly) to one of my tried and tested routes. It's quite overcast out there but warm and pleasantly humid with light winds which made for some nice cycling conditions. My intention this time was to take things easy and just enjoy the ride.
Saw a couple of youngsters and a parent cycling to school at Condover. From what I've seen, the ones who live in the village walk, while those from further afield are usually driven so seeing the bikes being used is nice and I hope it starts a trend.
At Atcham I took a tour through Attingham Park as I quite like to do. It's a good thing I wasn't pushing for a fast ride as the cattle in the park had decided that on or around the drive was where they wanted to be today.
I got on better than expected from Walcot to Cressage (think the wind was helping a bit along here) and didn't do too badly on the stretch after Acton Burnell either, then after Longnor the gradient is mostly in my favour on the way home so it's easy to scoot along at a good cruising speed.
35.4 miles today at an unexpectedly quick 15.6 mph average.
Traffic holdup in Attingham Park
Saw a couple of youngsters and a parent cycling to school at Condover. From what I've seen, the ones who live in the village walk, while those from further afield are usually driven so seeing the bikes being used is nice and I hope it starts a trend.
At Atcham I took a tour through Attingham Park as I quite like to do. It's a good thing I wasn't pushing for a fast ride as the cattle in the park had decided that on or around the drive was where they wanted to be today.
I got on better than expected from Walcot to Cressage (think the wind was helping a bit along here) and didn't do too badly on the stretch after Acton Burnell either, then after Longnor the gradient is mostly in my favour on the way home so it's easy to scoot along at a good cruising speed.
35.4 miles today at an unexpectedly quick 15.6 mph average.
Traffic holdup in Attingham Park
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mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
I've downloaded the pictures for other reasons so here goes. This was a trip to a shop for some onions but it was sort of damp just drizzling so I decided to go to a shop a few villages away. I set off across Setchey Common along Setch Road (a place name is old when there are three ways to spell it, all said the same). Poppies, Mallow, Cow Parsley and some white flowers I can't name were colouring up the verges, which I've expertly avoiding getting in the photo.
Good speed on the gravity flat and again dropping down Wormegay Road, tempered slightly by the knowledge that I'd be returning this way if all went well. Nutter skip lorry barely waited to after the narrow section before overtaking (not a close pass) then karma as he was brought to a stop crossing the humpback river bridge.
Hairpin turn in Womegay onto Saxon Way which is a stone road, although it seems to be more sand than stone at the minute:
Around the corner into Petticoat Lane suggested that recent dry weather and yesterday's hot sun still hadn't dried the lane out completely:
Thankfully it improved once past the first dip where almost all the tractors head into the fields and it becomes a much grassier track to the drain bridge:
I was reminded how much tougher I find this lane north to south, as it means descending on mud, climbing on sand and then descending on stone... I think it's better done the other way round!
Crossing the warren revealed foxgloves and rhodedendrons in full bloom
On the noticeboard at the edge, along with emergency contact info and adverts for the local MTB club, there was an American advert for bike/scooter dog walking leads which seemed rather surprising.
Back on tarmac, over another bit of Norfolk's terrible rough chippings and then I climbed Squires Hill (5% for 500m) to the RAF base and shops. No pictures of up there. Partly because it's on Streetview and partly because I forgot while looking around for the shop. Onions bought, dropped back down Burnt House Drove, dodging the potholes created by all the base traffic turning, then out onto Marham fen and another stone road.
South of the river seemed like it probably had concrete panels under the stone and sand and good speed was possible, then over the sideless bridge.
North of the river wasn't in such good repair, with the corners seriously broken up - probably tractors turning at speed - then it was back on concrete to Pentney Lakes. I took a quick look at Pentney Abbey and on the way out, spotted what looked like a very old road sign, with a post-1965 no-right-turn sign but referring to long-gone company names and faded/baked to heck.
Then I rode into West Bilney Wood rather than take the 3 mile detour on roads. I tried a bridleway that I'd not ridden before but it was an extreme challenge. Rather than the sand I was expecting, it was soft clay, which made for a firm ride with occasional jolts when I hit a hoof print that had set hard. Lots of pine cones too. It gave way to sand just before rejoining the stone road which I've ridden before. It seems to have been re-shelled recently, looking like it should: Norfolk's strade bianchi.
Annoyingly, the west end of that road is a footpath (maybe I'll suggest an upgrade to bridleway again), but it was probably still worth the walk to avoid the detour which I've done too often. That brought me back to the humpback bridge from earlier and I retraced my route home. Either I was on a very good day, holding over 15mph up the long drag up towards home, or I had a tailwind. Still no proper rain.
Good speed on the gravity flat and again dropping down Wormegay Road, tempered slightly by the knowledge that I'd be returning this way if all went well. Nutter skip lorry barely waited to after the narrow section before overtaking (not a close pass) then karma as he was brought to a stop crossing the humpback river bridge.
Hairpin turn in Womegay onto Saxon Way which is a stone road, although it seems to be more sand than stone at the minute:
Around the corner into Petticoat Lane suggested that recent dry weather and yesterday's hot sun still hadn't dried the lane out completely:
Thankfully it improved once past the first dip where almost all the tractors head into the fields and it becomes a much grassier track to the drain bridge:
I was reminded how much tougher I find this lane north to south, as it means descending on mud, climbing on sand and then descending on stone... I think it's better done the other way round!
Crossing the warren revealed foxgloves and rhodedendrons in full bloom
On the noticeboard at the edge, along with emergency contact info and adverts for the local MTB club, there was an American advert for bike/scooter dog walking leads which seemed rather surprising.
Back on tarmac, over another bit of Norfolk's terrible rough chippings and then I climbed Squires Hill (5% for 500m) to the RAF base and shops. No pictures of up there. Partly because it's on Streetview and partly because I forgot while looking around for the shop.
Onions bought, dropped back down Burnt House Drove, dodging the potholes created by all the base traffic turning, then out onto Marham fen and another stone road.South of the river seemed like it probably had concrete panels under the stone and sand and good speed was possible, then over the sideless bridge.
North of the river wasn't in such good repair, with the corners seriously broken up - probably tractors turning at speed - then it was back on concrete to Pentney Lakes. I took a quick look at Pentney Abbey and on the way out, spotted what looked like a very old road sign, with a post-1965 no-right-turn sign but referring to long-gone company names and faded/baked to heck.
Then I rode into West Bilney Wood rather than take the 3 mile detour on roads. I tried a bridleway that I'd not ridden before but it was an extreme challenge. Rather than the sand I was expecting, it was soft clay, which made for a firm ride with occasional jolts when I hit a hoof print that had set hard. Lots of pine cones too. It gave way to sand just before rejoining the stone road which I've ridden before. It seems to have been re-shelled recently, looking like it should: Norfolk's strade bianchi.
Annoyingly, the west end of that road is a footpath (maybe I'll suggest an upgrade to bridleway again), but it was probably still worth the walk to avoid the detour which I've done too often. That brought me back to the humpback bridge from earlier and I retraced my route home. Either I was on a very good day, holding over 15mph up the long drag up towards home, or I had a tailwind. Still no proper rain.
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welsh dragon
Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
I did a massive 6 miles today.. I needed to drop a prescription into the Dr so instead of faffing around getting the car out, driving there then finding a parking space, i decided just to use my bike. Much easier and probably just as fast in the end.
. I needed to drop a prescription into the Dr so instead of faffing around getting the car out, driving there then finding a parking space, i decided just to use my bike. Much easier and probably just as fast in the end.
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Randomnerd
Bimbleur
- Location
- North Yorkshire
Seventy five smiles on Sunday climbing north out of the Vale of York to Sutton Bank the back way via Easingwold (rammed with cyclists), Coxwold and up from Kilburn to the White Horse. Old Byland, Helmsley, Hovingham and Sherriff Hutton, then home. 3500 feet of climbing (we walked the 25% stuff but got up the 16%, even after a hearty lunch).
Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
Yesterday's ride. Too knackered to write it up last night. Made up a 54 mile club "away day" ride in Somerset into a 62.3 miler for the Metric Century a Month Challenge. As I suspected, the pace on the mostly flat stretch out from Cheddar to Glastonbury and round to Wells was fast. About 2mph faster than I was comfortable with, so I could tell it was going to be a tough one. Just before arriving in Wells we got a good view of Glastonbury Tor, which had been straight into the sun when we had passed it earlier. (No hippies today):We had a very welcome snack and drinks break on the Cathedral Green in Wells, where we met up with the faster group. Lovely pasties from a shop near the cathedral and a nice bit of shade under a tree before posing for the obligatory club photo. (That's me in the middle):
Next up came the return to Cheddar via Wookey Hole and a bit of main road, and the assent of Cheddar Gorge. True to form, not a single photo taken of the gorge, as we were all determined to get up it in one go! This shot of our little group was taken just after the top of the gorge .... which I was most definitely last to get up:
The gorge was busy (Sunday after half term) and there seemed to be some kind of Gumball Rally going on, with McLarens, Lamborghinis, a Renault Alpine and several Mercedes, Porsches and BMS all showing off. I had been this way before on the "Tasty Cheddar" audax, which was one of the toughest rides I had ever done. I was momentarily pleased to learn that we were going to hang a left and head downhill next. I was further encouraged by the brilliant descent down through another pretty impressive gorge known as Burrington Combe, which was a delight. Couldn't shake the feeling that we would soon have to start climbing again though. Our pub stop at the Lamb Inn near Shipham was a most welcome break. I had just lost a rear light that rattled loose on the descent of the Combe, and I really couldn't be arsed to go back uphill to look for it!
My legs were nearly gone by the time we stopped for a pint, so I left the pub a few minutes before the others to start the next climb so that I didn't hold them up too much. The climb back up the Mendips to Charterhouse was a long, tough one, vicious enough in places to force me to weave and zig-zag around using every inch of the width of the road. At this point I could easily have given up ... except that I had to get back to my car anyway! It all became worth it when we finally started to descend the Cheddar Gorge. Wow! What a great feeling. At a point where the light conditions were OK, I pulled over to get a shot of Lisa and Tina swooshing past me. Timed it just right:
Had a bit of banter with an Aussie tourist in the pub at the bottom of the gorge and savoured a pint of orange and lemonade with loads of ice. By this time the sun was scorching hot
and we could have stayed in the beer garden for ever:Unfortunately, 100km is not 54 miles, it's 62.14, so I still had another 8 miles to go.
Rich (on the right above), partly out of goodwill and partly due to the fact that he was car sharing with me, agreed to accompany me for another 8 miles .... out to the lovely village of Axbridge and back via Cheddar Reservoir.Rich in Axbridge:
After a final lap of Cheddar, involving one last little climb up through a lovely residential area I'd never found before, we arrived back at the car park on 62.3 miles (100.2km). Job done.
.Another fantastic ride in great company and beautiful weather. I just think perhaps I'd be better off doing my century rides either on my own or with a smaller group of friends ..... and in cooler weather. That has to be one of the toughest five rides I've ever done. Drank loads on the day, and another five pints of beer, water and fruit juice in the evening .... and was still too dehydrated to sweat any more. 24 hours later I'm really glad I did it though. Superb route through the Mendips.
Cheers, Donger.
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Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
We will be riding around that neck of the woods soonish, give us a wave if you see us!
Slick
Guru
Sounds like a great effort, well done.
View attachment 412623
We had a very welcome snack and drinks break on the Cathedral Green in Wells, where we met up with the faster group. Lovely pasties from a shop near the cathedral and a nice bit of shade under a tree before posing for the obligatory club photo. (That's me in the middle):
View attachment 412624
Next up came the return to Cheddar via Wookey Hole and a bit of main road, and the assent of Cheddar Gorge. True to form, not a single photo taken of the gorge, as we were all determined to get up it in one go! This shot of our little group was taken just after the top of the gorge .... which I was most definitely last to get up:
View attachment 412625
The gorge was busy (Sunday after half term) and there seemed to be some kind of Gumball Rally going on, with McLarens, Lamborghinis, a Renault Alpine and several Mercedes, Porsches and BMS all showing off. I had been this way before on the "Tasty Cheddar" audax, which was one of the toughest rides I had ever done. I was momentarily pleased to learn that we were going to hang a left and head downhill next. I was further encouraged by the brilliant descent down through another pretty impressive gorge known as Burrington Combe, which was a delight. Couldn't shake the feeling that we would soon have to start climbing again though. Our pub stop at the Lamb Inn near Shipham was a most welcome break. I had just lost a rear light that rattled loose on the descent of the Combe, and I really couldn't be arsed to go back uphill to look for it!
View attachment 412626
My legs were nearly gone by the time we stopped for a pint, so I left the pub a few minutes before the others to start the next climb so that I didn't hold them up too much. The climb back up the Mendips to Charterhouse was a long, tough one, vicious enough in places to force me to weave and zig-zag around using every inch of the width of the road. At this point I could easily have given up ... except that I had to get back to my car anyway! It all became worth it when we finally started to descend the Cheddar Gorge. Wow! What a great feeling. At a point where the light conditions were OK, I pulled over to get a shot of Lisa and Tina swooshing past me. Timed it just right:
View attachment 412627
Had a bit of banter with an Aussie tourist in the pub at the bottom of the gorge and savoured a pint of orange and lemonade with loads of ice. By this time the sun was scorching hot
View attachment 412628
Unfortunately, 100km is not 54 miles, it's 62.14, so I still had another 8 miles to go.
Rich in Axbridge:
View attachment 412629
After a final lap of Cheddar, involving one last little climb up through a lovely residential area I'd never found before, we arrived back at the car park on 62.3 miles (100.2km). Job done.
Another fantastic ride in great company and beautiful weather. I just think perhaps I'd be better of doing my century rides either on my own or with a smaller group of friends ..... and in cooler weather. That has to be one of the toughest five rides I've ever done. Drank loads on the day, and another five pints of beer, water and fruit juice in the evening .... and was still too dehydrated to sweat any more. 24 hours later I'm really glad I did it though. Superb route through the Mendips.
Cheers, Donger.
BianchiVirgin
Über Member
- Location
- Norn Iron
Between today and yesterday 135km and 1905m of climbing. Lots of sun and lots of sun cream. Time about 4.5hrs total. Happy enough as was solo on both trips.
Leicester cycle chatters favourite cafe stop Nice Pie at Old Dalby is worth a visit
- Location
- Egham
So far a few days of rather unexciting rides, being commutes. But worthy of note, for me anyway, on my ride home from work this morning the trusty 2014 Boardman CX Team which has been my regular commuting machine passed the 10,000 miles mark. In some ways it's like Trigger's broom, but I can't knock it for £730. In all those miles I've replaced tyres (on 3rd set), chains, cassette, BB and most recently cables. The rear wheel was swapped out as the freehub went iffy, so a used set from a fellow CC member were acquired.
Roll on the next 10 thousand
Roll on the next 10 thousand
