Your ride today....

[SteCenturion]

@I like Skol forum ride which I will call the 'Rich man Poor Man' Manchester/Cheshire loop !

Very enjoyable mainly flat ride utilising Skol's excellent local knowledge & my first ever forum & group ride.

Albert Square Memorial start/finish.

 

[Mike_P]

Finally got out on the bike, not that I did not have opportunities over Christmas but those opportunities were taken up fitting a motor to the hybrid – no main problem with fitting the motor, once I had bought a new file to clean out the inside of the bottom bracket, and its gubbins. It is fitted under the bottom bracket and it is the necessary rerouting of derailler cables that has been somewhat time consuming without anything being achieved Now waiting on postie to bring a new, old-type, above bottom bracket cable guide which should hopefully resolve the matter

Anyway third attempt at getting to the upper Washburn Valley; decided after the last failure obviously not to use the country park, so avoiding thorns, and equally opted against Oaker Bank just in the case the chain took offence at it again. So west on the A59 and then south on Burley Bank Road to gain Penny Pot – seemed strange turning right rather than left! Through Fewston and across Swinsty Dam in a new PR. The car park on the west side of the dam was obviously full as everyone went to walk off the celebrations

A very chilly decent towards Blubberhouses and thankful for a upgrade kick to warm up

More parking congestion at Blubberhouses - was it because of the church or the reservoir around the corner

Then a big loop around Thruscross reservoir (without actually seeing it), although the dam wall was plainly obvious in the landscape from south of Blubberhouses. It was however not all plain sailing as rounding the corner on this climb I ground to a halt and Shanks Pony was called for (grade of up to 17.7%)

Came across what I presume is a building built for reservoir purposes but is now an Outdoor Centre.

Another case for Shanks Pony coming up (this one had a bit at 25%)

On this decent I was fearing the worse again but the resulting climb was far easier than it looked

and it brought me to the Greenhow to Blubberhouses road, here approaching Thruscross village

Thence Menwith Hill Road, south on the B6451 and east on Penny Pot and risked the country park hence a nice constant downhill end to the ride.

Stats: 27.38 miles cycled at an avg of 12.1 mph with 1897ft climbed, 0.25 mile walked with 129ft climbed/ bike pushed

Happy New Year everyone.

 

[Edwardoka]

Today's ride was a simple, cheery little bimble mainly following my usual loop but with a detour via Eaglesham and the steeper climb up to Whitelees Windfarm; a cheeky climb, and one that I struggled with more than I care to admit - made more challenging by the sun directly in front of me and the stream of cars squeezing past on what is allegedly a single-track road with cycle lanes in each direction. I feel that someone in the council should probably tell the drivers...

Got to the top, turned into the windfarm visitor's centre, half-blinded by the sun, saw that the car park was heaving with fairweather windfarm enthusiasts so forewent my bit of gravelly escapism and straight back out. Descended to the A77 and then onto the Cleish back road with its lovely open view across to Arran in the fading light, and back over Stewarton Road with a very angry sounding freehub.

Participation trophy level effort by me, but 29 miles in the bank is 29 more than last year.
Happy new year folks :-)

 

[Edwardoka]

Last ride of 2018 and first ride of 2019 to report!
I left home just before midnight to head to the Glasgow Green cyclist counter - tagging @Katherine because she asked what it was, now I've got pictures.
I had this fancy to be the number one cyclist recorded in 2019, which, of, course, resulted in simultaneously being the last in 2018 because there was not another soul on a bike about.
Hardly any pedestrians too, just the roads full of speeding taxis.
As I type, it is still a lovely, warm night, you can see the counter stating 10 degrees.
I would have stayed out longer, but was a bit worried about my cat being home alone with the noise of fireworks.
There is usually a big firework display on the main square, organized by the council, but I did not see any this year, strange.
Strava did not record my return, because I did not bring my glasses, pressed the wrong button ... haha!
Anyway, here's the pictures, happy new year 2019 to all!
View attachment 444990 View attachment 444991 View attachment 444992

You're brave visiting the Gorbals at midnight on a party night

 

[Jenkins]

Up and about relatively early today with plenty of time for a ride. It was dry and with a bit of a breeze so I used my best Van Nicholas Ventus for the first time in over a month. The original plan was for a trip of just a few miles as the crow flies, but 40+ miles by road to Shotley and back with a bit of extra added to get in a 50 miler for the start of the year.

Everything went as planned for the outward leg up one side of the River Orwell through Levingtton & Nacton into Ipswich then down the other side of tthe river to Shotley via Freston & Chelmondiston, but then instead of heading to the end of the road and turning back the way I'd come, I turned right and roughly followed the River Stour through Ewarton & Harkstead to Holbrook and Stutton, then up and across Alton Water at Tattingstone

After that it was round the west and North of Ipswich through Copdock, Sproughton & Branford to Claydon and on to Westerfield & Rushmere St. Andrew where I realised that I could turn the planned 50 miles into a 100km by adding in a couple of extra short diversions on the remaining ride home through Bucklesham.
Easily completed and I got home on 62.6 miles to complete the first 100km ride of the year.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2048762549

 

[pjd57]

A short but brilliant outing for me today.
Oldest grandson age 12 wanted to go out on his new bike.
Wee brother age 2 decided he was coming too,, on his balance bike.

So it was laps of the block for half an hour.
I really should have got some pictures.

 

[Katherine]

Wow. Lots of CCers out for New Year's Day rides.
And I was one of them too! First ride since my accident on 10th October.
A very joyous but very cautious 20 mile anti clockwise loop down the East Lancs Road path to Leigh, through Culcheth, up the A 57 Cadishead Way.
Braking and changing gear is still hard and I stopped several times to rest my hands. Plus I was tired.
Perfect weather, mild and dry and blue skies.
On one of my stops I was treated to a wonderful aerial display by a large group of Canada geese , changing the shape and direction of their formation several times before disappearing.

I was passed by a few lone cyclists but I didn't see any groups today.
Some very polite boys asked if I needed any help on one of my stops. I'd leant the bike against a lamppost whilst I put my jacket back on.

 

[C R]

Mrs C R went for her park run this morning, so the afternoon was mine to go for a ride, and I thought I would get my first ride of the metric half challenge.

Alas, it wasn't to be. Got to the garage, and the rear tire was flat again, ffs. Wheel out, thorough check of the tube revealed a slow puncture. Checked the tire, and found a cluster of thorns. Fixed tube, cleaned tire, pumped up, wheel in, and out for the ride. Almost three, but the day was not too dark, so maybe I would still get some decent light.

Out through Norton past the garden centre down to Kempsey by Brookend lane. Then left on the A38. Much busier than the usual early mornings I ride here, and too many impatient drivers, even in the 30 speed limit through the village. I was glad to turn off towards Kerswell Green at Baynhall.

Half way up the short hill the rear started to feel soft, aaaaargh! I decided I wasn't going to bother checking the tube, just pump up and hope the air loss was slow. I had meant to ride to Pershore via Earls Croome and Defford, but with the tire in that condition decided to just go back the shortest way, via High Green, past Pirton church and Wadborough.

Had to pump up a couple more times, and made it home having managed only 14 miles.

New tire on order. Hope this doesn't set the trend for the rest of the year.

 

[cosmicbike]

Wow. Lots of CCers out for New Year's Day rides.
And I was one of them too! First ride since my accident on 10th October.
A very joyous but very cautious 20 mile anti clockwise loop down the East Lancs Road path to Leigh, through Culcheth, up the A 57 Cadishead Way.
Braking and changing gear is still hard and I stopped several times to rest my hands. Plus I was tired.
Perfect weather, mild and dry and blue skies.
On one of my stops I was treated to a wonderful aerial display by a large group of Canada geese , changing the shape and direction of their formation several times before disappearing.

View attachment 445234

I was passed by a few lone cyclists but I didn't see any groups today.
Some very polite boys asked if I needed any help on one of my stops. I'd leant the bike against a lamppost whilst I put my jacket back on.

Good to hear you're back on the bike again

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Wow. Lots of CCers out for New Year's Day rides.
And I was one of them too! First ride since my accident on 10th October.
A very joyous but very cautious 20 mile anti clockwise loop down the East Lancs Road path to Leigh, through Culcheth, up the A 57 Cadishead Way.
Braking and changing gear is still hard and I stopped several times to rest my hands. Plus I was tired.
Perfect weather, mild and dry and blue skies.
On one of my stops I was treated to a wonderful aerial display by a large group of Canada geese , changing the shape and direction of their formation several times before disappearing.

View attachment 445234

I was passed by a few lone cyclists but I didn't see any groups today.
Some very polite boys asked if I needed any help on one of my stops. I'd leant the bike against a lamppost whilst I put my jacket back on.

Brilliant! Glad you're back on the bike.

 

[Vantage]

First of all apologies for the actions of those idiots on the motorbike I can assure you that they are not representative of all of us motorcyclists. I was hoping as I read the thread you were going to say that you caught them up and gave them a good hiding but again hopefully they will do it to the wrong bloke one time and get what they deserve.

Noooo that would be like classing all cyclists as red light jumping nobbers.
I think at this point in my life, a ten year old girl could kick the hell out of me

I don't know why but even though I am often on Spa's website none of the photos of their bikes look as good as yours. In fact they look far better quality than I thought they were and even the badge they fit really looks great.
Mmm even more tempted to buy a frame set now. Remember dont let the B's get you down.

Thankyou
Spa do the same as everyone else and spec their bikes with black components.
Rims: black
Bars: black
Seatpost: black
Etc etc.
It's boring as hell and common as council estate Tracy. Every bike these days looks the same
I like that mine sticks out a little

 

[Vantage]

Tara McDoggie and I left the house shortly after lunch yesterday for a pootle and first ride of the year.
Into Moss Bank Park which was seriously busy for this time of year so poor Tara had to stay on her leash.
Out the other side and into Bamber Bridge then a right turn onto a bridleway where Tara was freed and I had to push the bike up the hill. Not too steep to ride up, but bumpy enough to test my handling skills and slippy enough to test the nobbliest of tyres. Tara decided halfway up was an ideal spot to have a crap. Thanks Tara.
Lifting the bike to get through the 3 anti cycle gates really took its toll on my right shoulder which has been giving me jip for the past few months. I hate those bloody gates!
Tara can be an unpredictable little rotbag at the best of times so approaching Smithills Dean Road whilst off the lead was unnerving. But, she did as she was told and slowed to a stop just like me and crossing road in a calm, civilised manner earnt her a treat on the other side
We rolled along at a nice steady pace...well I did, along the lane. Tara was zipping in and out of bushes and behaving like a complete nutter as always. Calling her back and telling her to be nice when we meet other doggies is second nature now, but a waste of time when it's 2 or more doggies as she blatantly ignores me and bolts off to chase them anyway, as was the case when we crossed over a stream and headed uphill. On the crest were about 4 dogs and 5 or 6 people all stood right in the middle of the trail talking and Tara blasted straight through them to play tag. Rung the bell and ploughed up the little hill.
34t ring and 36t sprocket and the CityJets clung to the slippy, mud covered rocky trail like superglue. These tyres never fail to astound me given their slick profile. One of the dog owners seemed surprised to as he said to his partner, "That's some kind of superbike to get up that." Nope, just some old mountain biking skills from days gone by.
Muttly and I continued our adventure around Horrocks Fold Park and stopped for a short rest and a pack of smokey bacon crisps. Tara had a couple meat sticks and a gob full of grass...
Back to riding (or walking if I was too chicken) some narrow single-track and onto Scout Road. The sun was mega low here and cars were racing into it at 50+mph.
"F**k that!" I thought. So Tara, leashed to the bike and I rode very illegally (pfft) along the footpath before turning left onto Smithills Dean Road again and a short brake block killing descent to a right turn onto another bridleway. I tend to prefer walking this one because every time I ride it, I leave the bike in a less than gracefull sideways direction.
Thankfully, Tara didn't wander off to socialise with the farmers cows. Last time, about ten of them and a bull chased her across the field
After passing the farm, we turned left onto Longshaw Ford Road and a painfully long brake dragging session into Bamber Bridge. It sounded like the pads were decimated.
Tara was free of the lead pretty much till we hit the estate and as we pulled up at the steps she looked knackered. That's rare. Good walk then
5 and a bit miles and 1hr 40mins of doggie happiness

 

[colly]

Well the 2nd of the year wasn't as nice as the only other day of the year but no matter. I would have gone out yesterday seeing as it was so nice. The truth is I simply didn't fancy it at all.
So today was different and after faffing about with a rat trap which again was untouched and empty ( they know you know), I set off about 11am again with no plan in mind. First I thought Ilkley would make a change but at Moortown I found myself turning for Shadwell.
So it was out through Shadwell and East Keswick Down to Collingham and past Wetherby going north. I plodded on past Kirk Deighton all the way up to Walshford. Crossed the A1M and into Cattal. Turned north again and made it up to Whixley where I detected definite signs of sleet in the air. Being a softy I thought ' bugger this' and turned so I would be heading home. A right brought me to Green Hammerton. A quick right and left brought me back to Whixley Station where I waited for 5 mins or so at the level crossing.
On down to Cattal where I was caught at the lights over the very narrow bridge. Passed the time of day with another cyclist, from Poppleton as it happens, straight down to Thorpe Arch, Boston Spa, Collingham again, up the inevitable Jewitt Lane and back via usual lanes and roads to home.
A nice ride and my legs are telling me it was an effort although the figures say it was nothing out of the ordinary.

43.3 miles with just under 1900 ft of skywards. Fixed.

View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/30612712


Now the rest of the day is to be dedicated to making a electric rat zapper. If you don't hear from me again.............

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Below freezing first thing. I waited but it didn't get much above 3 C. So I headed out for a fairly easy one around Corse Lawn. I haven't ridden this loop for a while so a change is as good as a rest. Anyway that's my 2019 Zero Zapped. 31 smiles

 

[Old jon]

Two rides this time, one from last Sunday that was very short and today’s much more pleasant visit to the Wharfe valley.

Sunday. Hmm sometimes things just do not happen the way you would like them to, as I was reminded this day. A fair morning, with breeze, and away I went through Holbeck and towards Office Lock. There is a hump backed bridge that crosses the canal by the lock, and I thought someone had made it steeper overnight. Nope, flat tyre time. Oh well, get on with it. I can never fix a tube as fast as the ten minutes some folk can, even at home, and on the canal towpath everybody and the ducks wants an explanation. Except those who tell you that you are doing it wrong . . .

Eventually the rear wheel was back in the frame and the tools were replaced in the bag. The tyre, a Durano Plus with 550 miles on it, went on as easily as any other tyre, only needed my thumbs. I will say it took more effort when it was first fitted. The pump, however, grrrr! It is a combined pump and CO2 thing. Sorry, it was a combined etcetera, it only functions as a pump now. These things are found out too late, are they not? Treated each bike to a new CO2 thing, as a cure. Anyway, start riding again and the gears are self changing! Not my day, wander off home trying to fix the gears and not succeeding.

Spent some time just about fixing the gearchange. Well enough to ride 30 miles today, as above to visit the Wharfe valley. The geared bike again, to check things out, and Holbeck and the towpath again. Viaduct Road and Cardigan Road to Headingley and further up the road to Lawnswood. After crossing the Ring Road there are alternative roads to take to go to Otley, I allowed autopilot to take me all the way to the Dyneley Arms ( seems to be shut ) and then I chose to descend Pool Bank, for the sheer WHIZZZZ!! of it. But by ‘eck I was cold at the bottom. Turn left there, onto the A 659 and warm up along the road to a munch break at the maypole. Time to go uphill again, the less steep option of Leeds Road and the views north across the valley. It does go on though.



Bramhope is briskly ridden through and at the roundabout a left turn gives me a climb up Kings Road to Arthington Road. Right turn and the drop past Golden Acre Park rests the legs a bit, all the way to Adel dam. Climb away and ride back to the A 660, more downhill back to Headingley and even more loss of altitude to Kirkstall and the towpath. Easy way back to town, or in my case Hunslet and the last couple of roads home. Bike good, me smiling.

Scribbles on a landscape. Sort of.