I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
- Location
- Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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Aravis
Putrid Donut
- Location
- Gloucester
Absolutely no chance of writing up yesterday's right last night. For the Imperial Century a Month challenge I did a ride I've been planning for a while, bisecting the Clee Hills to the east of Ludlow. Map and elevation shown below:
A day of two halves really. Until beginning the big climb it was as idyllic as could be imagined, with most lower temperatures than of late and not a breath of wind. Some familiar stuff, but quite a bit of it, especially after Hereford, I'd never done in yesterday's direction. I did find a completely new route after Weobley (the westerly bulge on the map) and that's a keeper.
The climb up to the Clees was for the most part extremely steady, with just a couple of steep ramps, one right at the top. Then an equivalent descent, long enough for the legs to seize. Never mind, I stopped for a feed and a picture of Titterstone Clee:
At the bottom, there's a bridge over the river Rea. For the moment the rivers still seem to have a worthwhile amount of water in them.
As well as the big climb there were four significant aftershocks to come, one starting immediately after the bridge above. I'd carefully noted that they came at 83, 89, 94 and 96 miles, after which there would be little else to fear. I think that knowledge was helpful, but the temperature had risen in the strong afternoon sun, and once back to the lowlands I felt a bit dead until reviving myself at the water stop in Upton-upon-Severn.
A little further back, approaching Martley there was a startling end-on view of the Malverns. I didn't stop for a picture and there wasn't another comparable view, so I'll have to go back.
Because of the expected north-easterly breeze I'd planned to use the A38 from Upton instead of the usual quieter routes, and it worked well. I put in a much stronger finish than had seemed likely when I left the hills, with a good final distance of 135.31 miles.
A day of two halves really. Until beginning the big climb it was as idyllic as could be imagined, with most lower temperatures than of late and not a breath of wind. Some familiar stuff, but quite a bit of it, especially after Hereford, I'd never done in yesterday's direction. I did find a completely new route after Weobley (the westerly bulge on the map) and that's a keeper.
The climb up to the Clees was for the most part extremely steady, with just a couple of steep ramps, one right at the top. Then an equivalent descent, long enough for the legs to seize. Never mind, I stopped for a feed and a picture of Titterstone Clee:
At the bottom, there's a bridge over the river Rea. For the moment the rivers still seem to have a worthwhile amount of water in them.
As well as the big climb there were four significant aftershocks to come, one starting immediately after the bridge above. I'd carefully noted that they came at 83, 89, 94 and 96 miles, after which there would be little else to fear. I think that knowledge was helpful, but the temperature had risen in the strong afternoon sun, and once back to the lowlands I felt a bit dead until reviving myself at the water stop in Upton-upon-Severn.
A little further back, approaching Martley there was a startling end-on view of the Malverns. I didn't stop for a picture and there wasn't another comparable view, so I'll have to go back.
Because of the expected north-easterly breeze I'd planned to use the A38 from Upton instead of the usual quieter routes, and it worked well. I put in a much stronger finish than had seemed likely when I left the hills, with a good final distance of 135.31 miles.
jongooligan
Legendary Member
- Location
- Behind bars
This morning at 4:50 I set off rather nifty for a pre breakfast ride in the wye valley. For some reason I had Squeeze's 'Up the Junction on a loop in my head.
Herefordshire sunrise
![20180711_060701[1].jpg](https://www.cyclechat.net/attachments/20180711_060701-1-jpg.418825/ "20180711_060701[1].jpg")
It was a beautiful morning for a ride.
River Wye at Ross
![20180711_063218[1].jpg](https://www.cyclechat.net/attachments/20180711_063218-1-jpg.418826/ "20180711_063218[1].jpg")
28 miles
Herefordshire sunrise
It was a beautiful morning for a ride.
River Wye at Ross
28 miles
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Back on it now the pain killer side effects are manageable. Been out on the MTB two night on a row and I'll be out tonight. Just need to make sure I am back before the drunks start rolling out after the match.
I dare not tell you about stopping to take pictures of a large family of geese or indeed about getting punched by a group of teenagers last night, because I suspect this thread will get locked due to the usual suspects.
I dare not tell you about stopping to take pictures of a large family of geese or indeed about getting punched by a group of teenagers last night, because I suspect this thread will get locked due to the usual suspects.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Keep it in your head - once you start actually singing along to it, you'll get some really worried looks!
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
A tandem ride today. Out and back to a town called Cremieu, I'd seen the sign saying medieval town, and although it gave us a headwind on the return (and way out) it was a good decision.
It was market day, and they have one of those old, covered markets. I had a pain au chocolat with my earl Grey.
13.5 mph average, considering the strong wind that was good going.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1695170057
When we booked the accommodation we didn't know there was a nuclear power station on the doorstep.......
It was market day, and they have one of those old, covered markets. I had a pain au chocolat with my earl Grey.
13.5 mph average, considering the strong wind that was good going.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1695170057
When we booked the accommodation we didn't know there was a nuclear power station on the doorstep.......
Supersuperleeds
Legendary Member
- Location
- Leicester
A few personal achievements after today's ride.
Out the door just before 06:00 to head towards Derby to bag more explorer squares, was rather cloudy and a bit cooler than recent days which was very welcome.
I'd obviously rehydrated from yesterdays ride as I had to stop twice in the first 30 miles to answer the call of nature.
After looping in and out of Derby it was over to Nottingham to do the same before heading to Nice Pie for the cafe stop. The original route was 113 miles but I added another 6 or 7 before the cafe stop and then changed the route home to hit another double metric.
By the time I got to Nice Pie it was sunshine and hot again
So my personal achievements were:
1) Took my max square on Veloviewer to 42 and now sit 17th on the leaderboard
2) Completed 3 200km rides in a row.
3) Today saw me complete my 100th imperial - A century of centuries
Humblebrag over.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1695521574
The heatmap of my imperials:
A big thank you to @13 rider @tallliman @Lilliburlero @Chris Doyle who I have ridden several of my imperials with and the company makes the rides easier.
I should also thank @ianrauk for the imperial a month challenge without which I wouldn't have got the 100 mile bug.
Out the door just before 06:00 to head towards Derby to bag more explorer squares, was rather cloudy and a bit cooler than recent days which was very welcome.
I'd obviously rehydrated from yesterdays ride as I had to stop twice in the first 30 miles to answer the call of nature.
After looping in and out of Derby it was over to Nottingham to do the same before heading to Nice Pie for the cafe stop. The original route was 113 miles but I added another 6 or 7 before the cafe stop and then changed the route home to hit another double metric.
By the time I got to Nice Pie it was sunshine and hot again
So my personal achievements were:
1) Took my max square on Veloviewer to 42 and now sit 17th on the leaderboard
2) Completed 3 200km rides in a row.
3) Today saw me complete my 100th imperial - A century of centuries
Humblebrag over.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1695521574
The heatmap of my imperials:
A big thank you to @13 rider @tallliman @Lilliburlero @Chris Doyle who I have ridden several of my imperials with and the company makes the rides easier.
I should also thank @ianrauk for the imperial a month challenge without which I wouldn't have got the 100 mile bug.
Last edited:
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Usual circuit off road tonight. The geese were in the water and no silly teens. Hardly anyone as there was some sporting event on the telly. Smashed it round and knocked 3 minutes off the time. That will do nicely. Bike needed a good wash as it had about 50 miles of trail dust on it since Monday
Vantage
Carbon fibre... LMAO!!!
- Location
- Behind everyone else, Bolton
Coffee Ride!
One of the worst things about riding alone is that for me at least, cafe stops are a no go. I just feel.....like a billy-no-mates sat in a cafe on my lonesome so I don't do it. Today however, I was gonna meet the other half for some of that overpriced Costa crap.
Having tidied up the cockpit some more and raised the hoods by twirling the bars around, I set off into sunshine about 9.15. My legs were like jelly. Oh well, it's a flat ride anyhoo till the return trip into Bolton.
Shortly before turning off Chorley Old Road for Queens Park I encountered close passing nob no.1.
I have the cam lens about 5mm to the right of dead centre on the 460mm bar. Merc driver. The dumbass even had a busted brakelight.
A gentle bimble along the wooded riverside trail through Queens Park took my mind off it.
Onto Mayor Street and at the mini roundabout one mile from where I met nob no.1, nob no.2 makes a appearance.
The 'to the left kinda direction' of my bike is me swerving as the t**t squeezed up the right to turn right. No friggin patience. I swore at the sod and told him to wake up.
I carried on up to the lights (0.13 of a mile according to BikeHike) where I waited patiently for them to change. Same can't be said for nob no.3 (in another Merc) who floored it just to get past me.
Not as close as the first two, but when setting off, I tend to wander a little bit till I get some speed up and the to55er flooring it made me wander a bit more as it made me jump.
Some people eh? Wish I had a Star Wars style laser gun on the bars. Or a mini RPG launcher.
Some more tarmac riding and eventually I got onto a bike trail for a mile, past the hospital and onto 9 1/2 miles of traffic free bliss along NCR55 and the Bridgewater Canal.
At Stretford Mall I met Pam, her dad, her bestie and eventually her eldest for a coffee. Woulda been nice if some smokeaholic wasn't gassing me with one cig after another. The sooner they ban smoking the better. Coffees slurped and I was under way again around 12 I think.
Back onto the canal and I took my time plodding along happily. Shortly after Passing Asdas Altrincham store I left the canal to join the Penine Cycleway NCR62. Just as I passed through the gate I was ambushed by a couple sustrans volunteers who were trying to drum up support. Had a nice chat with him and made my way along the path to a now known to me bench further up for a pack of smokey bacon crisps and a sup of water. Not many places left where one can find absolute peace and quiet for any length of time.
This last three miles of listening to gravel crunching under the Landcruisers were my last for the day and I soon hit Mill lane towards Warburton Bridge with its new plastic toll booth and then through Hollins Green and onto that ever so delightful racetrack of Holocroft Lane. Hurty hands forced a stop at the driveway to Franks Farm and the mitts were put on. The EE battery (better known for overheating and exploding) was hooked up to the cam and a Swizzels double lolly was jammed in my gob. During this heatwave I've been doing my best to avoid the stupid tan line associated with mitts but they were a blessing today. My tans pretty even now anyhoo.
A right at Culcheth then it was a mind numbingly boring ride of epicly drab proportions (watching the world cup could only be as dull) through Glazebury, Leigh, Atherton and Westhoughton into Bolton where I stupidly and blindly followed a car in front through the junction of Beaumont Road, Chorley New Road and Victoria Road. It had chanced an amber and by the time I was halfway across, the CNR traffic was on a green light. Cue an Audi driver slamming his brakes on to avoid squishing me.
Sorry
Mr Audi driver.
Victoria Road was climbed in my granniest of granny gears at sub 3mph and Boot Lane was the last bit of nice riding I had. Why?
Coz this BAST**D who clearly saw me decided to block my progress anyway by turning right just in front of me.
All I could shout was "THANKS ALOT!"
His reply was to give me a thumbs up from the driver side window. Feckin smartarse.
Home for about 4 having done 43 and a bit miles and averaging a face peeling 9.9mph!
Le Map!
View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/25363800
One of the worst things about riding alone is that for me at least, cafe stops are a no go. I just feel.....like a billy-no-mates sat in a cafe on my lonesome so I don't do it. Today however, I was gonna meet the other half for some of that overpriced Costa crap.
Having tidied up the cockpit some more and raised the hoods by twirling the bars around, I set off into sunshine about 9.15. My legs were like jelly. Oh well, it's a flat ride anyhoo till the return trip into Bolton.
Shortly before turning off Chorley Old Road for Queens Park I encountered close passing nob no.1.
I have the cam lens about 5mm to the right of dead centre on the 460mm bar. Merc driver. The dumbass even had a busted brakelight.
A gentle bimble along the wooded riverside trail through Queens Park took my mind off it.
Onto Mayor Street and at the mini roundabout one mile from where I met nob no.1, nob no.2 makes a appearance.
The 'to the left kinda direction' of my bike is me swerving as the t**t squeezed up the right to turn right. No friggin patience. I swore at the sod and told him to wake up.
I carried on up to the lights (0.13 of a mile according to BikeHike) where I waited patiently for them to change. Same can't be said for nob no.3 (in another Merc) who floored it just to get past me.
Not as close as the first two, but when setting off, I tend to wander a little bit till I get some speed up and the to55er flooring it made me wander a bit more as it made me jump.
Some people eh? Wish I had a Star Wars style laser gun on the bars. Or a mini RPG launcher.
Some more tarmac riding and eventually I got onto a bike trail for a mile, past the hospital and onto 9 1/2 miles of traffic free bliss along NCR55 and the Bridgewater Canal.
At Stretford Mall I met Pam, her dad, her bestie and eventually her eldest for a coffee. Woulda been nice if some smokeaholic wasn't gassing me with one cig after another. The sooner they ban smoking the better. Coffees slurped and I was under way again around 12 I think.
Back onto the canal and I took my time plodding along happily. Shortly after Passing Asdas Altrincham store I left the canal to join the Penine Cycleway NCR62. Just as I passed through the gate I was ambushed by a couple sustrans volunteers who were trying to drum up support. Had a nice chat with him and made my way along the path to a now known to me bench further up for a pack of smokey bacon crisps and a sup of water. Not many places left where one can find absolute peace and quiet for any length of time.
This last three miles of listening to gravel crunching under the Landcruisers were my last for the day and I soon hit Mill lane towards Warburton Bridge with its new plastic toll booth and then through Hollins Green and onto that ever so delightful racetrack of Holocroft Lane. Hurty hands forced a stop at the driveway to Franks Farm and the mitts were put on. The EE battery (better known for overheating and exploding) was hooked up to the cam and a Swizzels double lolly was jammed in my gob. During this heatwave I've been doing my best to avoid the stupid tan line associated with mitts but they were a blessing today. My tans pretty even now anyhoo.
A right at Culcheth then it was a mind numbingly boring ride of epicly drab proportions (watching the world cup could only be as dull) through Glazebury, Leigh, Atherton and Westhoughton into Bolton where I stupidly and blindly followed a car in front through the junction of Beaumont Road, Chorley New Road and Victoria Road. It had chanced an amber and by the time I was halfway across, the CNR traffic was on a green light. Cue an Audi driver slamming his brakes on to avoid squishing me.
Sorry
Mr Audi driver.Victoria Road was climbed in my granniest of granny gears at sub 3mph and Boot Lane was the last bit of nice riding I had. Why?
Coz this BAST**D who clearly saw me decided to block my progress anyway by turning right just in front of me.
All I could shout was "THANKS ALOT!"
His reply was to give me a thumbs up from the driver side window. Feckin smartarse.
Home for about 4 having done 43 and a bit miles and averaging a face peeling 9.9mph!
Le Map!
View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/25363800
Last edited:
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
Pete M suggested a little outing this afternoon so I rode over to Colwall for the meet. We took a fairly easy and short route to Trumpet where we paused at The Nest for a coffee. Chats ensued with another rider who was there and about to return to Newent.
We headed into Falcon Lane aiming for Leddington and then Broom's Green. The ride seemed fairly easy so I've clearly recovered from Monday's efforts. We took the Castlemorton and Brotheridge Green run back to complete a lovely twiddle in the lanes. 40 smiles
We headed into Falcon Lane aiming for Leddington and then Broom's Green. The ride seemed fairly easy so I've clearly recovered from Monday's efforts. We took the Castlemorton and Brotheridge Green run back to complete a lovely twiddle in the lanes. 40 smiles
Hugh Manatee
Veteran
A ride on the road tonight after yesterday's mountain biking. Very empty roads meant my usual 25 mile loop could have been a quick one. Very warm with a light northerly isn't the best wind direction but I decided it would be a ride where I use the big ring!
With a 12-23 cassette I have to drop out of the big ring more often than I would like but the feeble pipe cleaners that pass as my legs struggle with the 53 tooth gear.
Half way through and we're looking good. A quick stop to switch on the rear light and to check out a planning application and I'm soon back to speed.
Change down into the small ring for the only noticeable climb and the chain momentarily jams. After that, I cannot get the chain back on to the big ring.
Second half of the ride in the small ring and the result is I'm a tantilising 0.2mph off my best time. I'll have to check over the gears tomorrow if I get five minutes.
With a 12-23 cassette I have to drop out of the big ring more often than I would like but the feeble pipe cleaners that pass as my legs struggle with the 53 tooth gear.
Half way through and we're looking good. A quick stop to switch on the rear light and to check out a planning application and I'm soon back to speed.
Change down into the small ring for the only noticeable climb and the chain momentarily jams. After that, I cannot get the chain back on to the big ring.
Second half of the ride in the small ring and the result is I'm a tantilising 0.2mph off my best time. I'll have to check over the gears tomorrow if I get five minutes.
Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
3) Today saw me complete my 100th imperial - A century of centuries
Really good @Supersuperleeds
Excellent
Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
Brilliant achievement, @Supersuperleeds. An Eddington number of 100 is no mean feat.
Nomadski
I Like Bikes
- Location
- LBS, Usually
I probably had too much sweat running down my glasses to see you pal, otherwise I would have given you a hoohah.
Nomadski
I Like Bikes
- Location
- LBS, Usually
I said "nice Cheshire stroll" :P
