Your ride today....

[Richard A Thackeray]

Local roads down to Barwick Road, across Cock Beck and up the hill into Scholes and the Coronation Tree, then a bit more up before the long descent through Barwick and all the way back to Cock beck again, where the climb up Cattle Lane starts. A few undulations bring you to Aberford, then under the A1(M) and a bit more climbing up to Lotherton Gates and onto the B1217 and down the hill, past the Crooked Billet and the right up the sharp incline and into Saxton.
Back out into the countryside and across the A162 into Barkston Ash, then the long straight along Common Lane to Church Fenton.

Allmost mine too, as I riode that way to Barwick-in-Elmet, back to Aberford, then to Saxton

Lots of cyclists and half the MotoGP grid passed while I was stopped and I was soon on my way heading back for Church Fenton to complete the airfield loop.
Back through the village and past the station, where quite a few photographers were starting to gather for the Flying Scotsman which was due to pass through in about 40 minutes - I think @Richard A Thackeray was going to see it somewhere between there and Garforth?
The long straight to Barkston Ash, then a wiggle up the A162 and Saxon Lane into Saxton, before heading out of the village on Cold Hill Lane (a very inappropriate name today!) and down onto Copley Lane heading for Lotherton Gates.

Yes, at the railway bridge to the west of Micklefield Station, on the road between 'Peckfield Bar' & HookMoor

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Gospel Pass ride today. A bit of marauding across the Welsh Frontier to see if @welsh dragon is awake. I didn't see many Welsh folk out and about. I imagine they are cowering indoors as the bright yellow god is prominent in the blue sky. Very scary for a race who are used to grey and wet. A very evil god is this shiny hot one.

I got up early to head out before the heat of the day. Dawn is a lovely quiet time. I took the short but hilly route to Ross on Wye. One or two folks were about when I got there but all the shops were still shut. The main A40 was busy tho' but I negotiated the "compulsory" bits OK. The Hereford road was also carrying some traffic so I was glad to turn onto the quieter route for Skenfrith. This road is a bit of a roller coaster with a noticeable descent into Skenfrith. It presages a steady and steepening climb for Cross Ash where I turned off onto another climb for Campston Hill. Up here the views across to Skirrid and the Sugar Loaf were just stunning. I had been looking over towards Orcop and Garway where I rode recently with Mrs 26. I dropped off Campston Hill for Llanvihangel Crucorney which would take me into the Vale of Ewyas and on to the climb of the Gospel Pass. This is the big one. It's a steady ramp upwards for 10 miles to Capel Y Ffin passing the ruins of Llanthony Priory on the way. Then the road kicks up steeply for about 2.5 miles to the summit at 1800 feet. It's a narrow road all the way and best ridden "out of season". The views back to the Brecon Beacons and the mid Welsh hills were just stunning. I dropped off taking it steady as it is quite a technical descent of about 5 miles. My reward was the cafe in Hay on Wye at 62 miles which did me some lovely nosh. Two riders turned up while I was there, one wearing a GV shirt. Not sure how he got that as he hasn't been on GV tour.

My route now followed the River Wye on a roller coaster run for Tyberton where I turned into smaller lanes to set me up for the run to Wormelow Tump. I could see the Orcop and Garway Hills again this time from the opposite side. I found the narrow lane for Hoarwithy which had the junction covered in loose sand washed from the banks and fields. What a dangerous turn - Highways Authority take note. At Hoarwithy I refilled my bottle at the pub before climbing away from the River Wye for the Marcle Hills. On the ridge May Hill was showing well over to the south east. Dropping to Much Marcle lined me up for the standard Broom's Green and Bromsberrow return. Despite my legs deciding they'd had enough I took the the slightly longer run through the Castlemorton and Hanley Swan lanes. I'd made the most of the cool of the early morning but not found the later warming up too bad as there seemed to be a cooling breeze. Just slightly short of 7000 feet of climbing and 122 smiles today.

 

[welsh dragon]

Gospel Pass ride today. A bit of marauding across the Welsh Frontier to see if @welsh dragon is awake. I didn't see many Welsh folk out and about. I imagine they are cowering indoors as the bright yellow god is prominent in the blue sky. Very scary for a race who are used to grey and wet. A very evil god is this shiny hot one.

I got up early to head out before the heat of the day. Dawn is a lovely quiet time. I took the short but hilly route to Ross on Wye. One or two folks were about when I got there but all the shops were still shut. The main A40 was busy tho' but I negotiated the "compulsory" bits OK. The Hereford road was also carrying some traffic so I was glad to turn onto the quieter route for Skenfrith. This road is a bit of a roller coaster with a noticeable descent into Skenfrith. It presages a steady and steepening climb for Cross Ash where I turned off onto another climb for Campston Hill. Up here the views across to Skirrid and the Sugar Loaf were just stunning. I had been looking over towards Orcop and Garway where I rode recently with Mrs 26. I dropped off Campston Hill for Llanvihangel Crucorney which would take me into the Vale of Ewyas and on to the climb of the Gospel Pass. This is the big one. It's a steady ramp upwards for 10 miles to Capel Y Ffin passing the ruins of Llanthony Priory on the way. Then the road kicks up steeply for about 2.5 miles to the summit at 1800 feet. It's a narrow road all the way and best ridden "out of season". The views back to the Brecon Beacons and the mid Welsh hills were just stunning. I dropped off taking it steady as it is quite a technical descent of about 5 miles. My reward was the cafe in Hay on Wye at 62 miles which did me some lovely nosh. Two riders turned up while I was there, one wearing a GV shirt. Not sure how he got that as he hasn't been on GV tour.

My route now followed the River Wye on a roller coaster run for Tyberton where I turned into smaller lanes to set me up for the run to Wormelow Tump. I could see the Orcop and Garway Hills again this time from the opposite side. I found the narrow lane for Hoarwithy which had the junction covered in loose sand washed from the banks and fields. What a dangerous turn - Highways Authority take note. At Hoarwithy I refilled my bottle at the pub before climbing away from the River Wye for the Marcle Hills. On the ridge May Hill was showing well over to the south east. Dropping to Much Marcle lined me up for the standard Broom's Green and Bromsberrow return. Despite my legs deciding they'd had enough I took the the slightly longer run through the Castlemorton and Hanley Swan lanes. I'd made the most of the cool of the early morning but not found the later warming up too bad as there seemed to be a cooling breeze. Just slightly short of 7000 feet of climbing and 122 smiles today.

Well done 26x26. Kudos for your ride. Welsh people are not used to seeing that yellow thing in the sky. We are more used to lots of rain, so when it does appear, we all run and hide indoors.

 

[pawl]

My ride yesterday - 81km down to Easenhall

Blaby- Countesthorpe - Wiloughby Waterlys - Ashby Magna - Dunton Bassett - Leire- Ashby Parva - Claybrooke Magna - Withybrook - Ansty - Brinklow - Easenhall - Pailton - Monks Kirby - Ullesthorpe - Gilmorton - Countesthorpe

Actually its my first ride down to Easenhall - not been past Brinklow before (well apart from on my commute to Walsgrave hospital from Blaby). Was nice too...first time I've seen Brinklow castle - and I must have cycled within 100m of it many times on my commute. Must explore round there a bit more, would have yesterday but it was a bit warm and my water bottle was close to empty by this point too.​

Been through Brinklow on several occasions.Was not even awair that Brinklow had a castle

 

[Biff600]

After being on the beer from 11am on Saturday and watching the football, I really didn't think I'd be in any fit state to get out on the bike on Sunday, but...............

...........I did, and clocked up 38 miles in 2hrs12mins.

I decided to just follow a route that I'd put in the Garmin, and not look at the speed or distance until I got back, just take it easy and enjoy the day
I was pleasantly suprised to see that my average speed for the trip was 17.3 mph, not bad for a bloke still full of beer and kebab !!!

Saturday....

Sunday.....

 

[Stonechat]

90 ft/mile pah () - the typical ride that I do in Yorkshire/Lancashire is about 20 m/km (106 ft/mile)! Some hilly rides are as much as 25 m/km (132 ft/mile). Some shorter hilly rides with maximum lumpiness have been about 28 m/km (close to 150 ft/mile).

It's not so bad now that I am a more sensible size and use a triple chainset but when I used to do those rides weighing more than 17 stone using a standard double chainset it was horribly hard!

Now we will get someone from the Andes/Pyrenees/Alps/Dolomites/[Insert other mountainous region here] posting that their typical ride has 40 m/km (212 ft/mile) of climbing!

Round here I am lucky to get 30 ft/ miles, in fact last one was only 20
On the Isle of Wight average over 50 ft/mile
Have managed a few rides over 100 ft per mile in Devon, Lake District (Wrynose Pass), and Mt Ventoux

 

[ColinJ]

Round here I am lucky to get 30 ft/ miles, in fact last one was only 20
On the Isle of Wight average over 50 ft/mile
Have managed a few rides over 100 ft per mile in Devon, Lake District (Wrynose Pass), and Mt Ventoux

I do like the hills, but I would also like there to be more quiet flat routes round here. The only respite for me is to go up and down the valley A-roads, which are where 99% of the traffic is.

There are days when I would like to go out and do a quick 30-40 flat kms if I could but I can't face the valley roads yet again.

 

[PatrickPending]

Been through Brinklow on several occasions.Was not even awair that Brinklow had a castle

its more of a mound....quite a big one though!

 

[I like Skol]

Interesting, this - I've ridden this road 372 times in the other direction, and 31 times in this direction and yesterday was one of the slowest ever rides along there.
I've often met cars on the bends but they've always been on their left rather than on my left, which is where this car was when I first spotted her. The lead-up to these bends is a long straight downhill, so I've always reduced the speed from 30mph on the straights to 20mph before approaching the bend. But yes, this goes to show that a slower ride round the bends is a good idea

Don't take my comments as a personal criticism. It is just that most such 'incidents' can usually be avoided if one or both parties approach the situation (in this case a blind bend on a single track road) with less speed and remember the old adage 'be sure you can stop in the distance you can see to be clear' which it appears neither of you could/did.
I will make a disclaimer though and admit that I don't know the road, I wasn't there and the camera perspective may be giving me a very misleading view, so please take my points for what they are, constructive suggestions rather than critical accusations

I don't think it is fair to plaster the video on the internet with the accusatory title and naming/shaming inclusion of the vehicle reg so perhaps you could take that down or at least remove/obscure the reg number?

Stay safe out there peeps!

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Yesterday's ride, but been busy with family things.

After last weeks ride along Bredon Hill I came up with a sort of hare brained plan of trying to cycle to Bredon Tower, as I had seen some photos of people with bikes up there.

With that in mind I set off at about 7:15, hoping to have some cooler temperatures, but not much joy on that point, the sun was already rather strong. Started up Hatfield Bank, and managed a new PB there, without really trying. I am now doing the segment under three minutes, which is an achievement, considering I had to walk the bike from half way up just about a year ago. Then Stonehall Common, down the short Pirton hill (managed my fastest yet here, 35mph) and past Croome. The thing with this route is that Bredon Hill can be seen pretty much straight ahead all the time.

After Croome follow Rebecca Road, and then a right past Besford and on to Defford. Then is a very short segment of the Pershore-Upton road, and the right turn towards Eckington that I had commented on with contributions from @twentysix by twentyfive and @Aravis. I take the same approach as them in here, taking the lane, but I am still scared that some idiot will come tearing up the hill, and doesn't see me in the middle of the lane until it is too late, having read their experiences, and considering the road is quieter at this time of day, is quite reassuring. I may try @Aravis's suggestion of the road further up next time.

After the turn is a quick run down to the bridge, and then a short sharp climb to Eckington itself. From there the turn for the Combertons comes quickly, and the road climbs gently by the north side of the hill.

Near the highest point of the road is Deer Park Hall, and a road takes to the right towards the hill. I followed this road, but it shortly forks into two, and the bit I needed to follow for the tower is a dirt track with loose gravel and deep ruts, which made me think twice about attempting to continue. I did continue, first walking the bike for a short distance, and then pedaling when the slope eased a bit. Here I hit two problems, the lowest gear in my bike is not low enough (must really think now of getting that triple), and I am not good at difficult tracks, carried on trying for a little bit, but after nearly coming off twice in about 20m I decided to give up for my own safety, and walked the bike back down to the tarmaced road.

Back on the main road Little Comberton came very quickly. In here I had a close pass from a roady, who was coming down too fast for the road with cars parked near a blind bend, but luckily for him no cars where coming from the other side. Pershore came quickly after, and then the Holloway, which I managed in under three minutes for the first time. Then it was Besford Bridge, Wadborough, Littleworth and the swift dash past Norton Church.

24.4 miles with an average of 13.6mph, including the Bredon Hill attempt. My speed and time were much better than I expected, as I was feeling not all there most of the time. July total stands a 83 miles so far, and have now ridden more miles this year than in the whole of last year. With a bit of luck I may manage to double last years mileage.

Nice ride, shame for the aborted climb, but I don't think I will be ever able to do that sort of thing, will probably do a family walk and picnic up there though.

Ah - you picked a difficult way up Bredon Hill. That route is a fairly tough walk. I've ridden to the Tower many years ago but I went up from the southern end of the Hill. IIRC I went up from Conderton. Slope is much easier and all rideable IIRC

 

[Arjimlad]

Don't take my comments as a personal criticism. It is just that most such 'incidents' can usually be avoided if one or both parties approach the situation (in this case a blind bend on a single track road) with less speed and remember the old adage 'be sure you can stop in the distance you can see to be clear' which it appears neither of you could/did.
I will make a disclaimer though and admit that I don't know the road, I wasn't there and the camera perspective may be giving me a very misleading view, so please take my points for what they are, constructive suggestions rather than critical accusations

I don't think it is fair to plaster the video on the internet with the accusatory title and naming/shaming inclusion of the vehicle reg so perhaps you could take that down or at least remove/obscure the reg number?

Stay safe out there peeps!

Not taken personally at all... the fact that the driver came round the bend hard up against the wrong side of the road caused me a moment of concern as I grabbed the brakes, she then corrected her line. I've taken the reg off the video though.

 

[I like Skol]

As promised, here are some pictures from the Velothon Wales ride on Sunday...

Before; Waiting for the off, little brother left of shot and his cycling buddy on the right.

Group A away. We were in group D so still had a 30min wait (during which time it continued to heat up).

One of the official photos taken of me climbing The Tumble, note the lack of other riders with a heck of a lot of people giving up in the heat and walking up the hill. I must admit, while the 1st third of the climb wasn't too bad under the shade of the trees, as soon as you emerged onto the bare hillside you were hit by an almost dessert like arid heat! I rode to the top and didn't even stop at the feed station there for food or drink...

Caerphilly Castle and the final big hill of the ride. I was clean out of water in the baking heat and spitting feathers but luckily had found an unofficial water stop just a few hundred yards before the climb up Caerphilly Mountain so managed to get the fluids needed to get me to the finish line...

All done, just had to walk around the corner to collect my medal.

Final picture, because I think it is just a good action shot of me on the day.

I am tempted to buy some of the official pics as they have captured a few reasonable shots. I am waiting to see if any more get added to the album first as I don't know how they managed to only get pictures of me holding the bars. Every time I saw a photographer that looked even remotely official/professional (and anyone else pointing a lens) I showboated to the extreme, dancing, double thumbs up, non-handed, hands in the air and waved them around like I just didn't care, yet all the pictures seen so far are of me gripping the bars looking serious? I just clowned about for the entire ride

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

While I'm on, an area just to the north west of Bredon Hill called Nafford is worth a visit.

The Avon forms an island, so there's a lock, a couple of footbridges and a weir, as well as several natural lakes.

It's reached by a right of way rather than a road, but it is easily ridable, or it was 40-odd years ago.

Yep - Nafford locks are still rideable. The locks themselves have been revamped since you were there last. Birlingham churchyard is a lovely spot in the snowdrop/crocus season

 

[C R]

Thanks @Pale Rider and @twentysix by twentyfive for the Nafford suggestion, I will definitely try it, possibly as soon as this weekend. I will also try the other suggestion to go up the hill at some point. Reports will follow as and when.

 

[Pale Rider]

Thanks @Pale Rider and @twentysix by twentyfive for the Nafford suggestion, I will definitely try it, possibly as soon as this weekend. I will also try the other suggestion to go up the hill at some point. Reports will follow as and when.

Hope you can get a pic or two.

An elderly relation of mine referred to the area as 'Nafford Mill'.

A quick google suggests there were mills at Nafford for a few hundred years until what I suspect was the last one burned down in 1909.

https://catalogue.millsarchive.org/..._home_artefactual_digi_objects_Rest_21072.pdf

http://www.eveshamjournal.co.uk/news/past/4385843.Mill_at_beauty_spot_is_destroyed_by_fire/