EltonFrog
Legendary Member
What a coincidence, the Fragrant MrsP and I are NY at the moment too, staying near the Federal Reserve Bank.
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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What a coincidence, the Fragrant MrsP and I are NY at the moment too, staying near the Federal Reserve Bank.
Spiderweb
Not So Special One
- Location
- North Yorkshire
A beautiful good Friday, swapped the 3/4’s for shorts, first time this year. Out on the Tricross before lunch for a steady pootle out to Cawood and through the quiet lanes to Selby and back.
30 miles with an average of 15.3 mph, lovely ride.
welsh dragon
Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
Shearwater Missile
Veteran
Makes a very pleasant change to get on the bike with just cycling shorts and cycle jersey and I will admit arm warmers. Temperature was 18 degrees with a 13mph easterly. Because of the wind direction I ventured out to Mendlesham first via Creeting and Stowupland and then on to Wickham Skeith and turning west to Finningham and then left on the B1113 to Old Newton. I had to stop at Old Newton church as there was a wedding and the bride and groom had just come out of the church, brilliant day for photos. There were a lot of parked cars everywhere so really had to watch where people were walking as I did`nt want to run down any of the guests and make it into somebody`s photo ! I continued onwards to Gipping and then Stowupland aided by a slight tailwind. Quite an enjoyable ride, must say I am sure I ride better when it is warmer, does anyone else think that ? 24.4 miles in total. I forgot to mention that I saw two buzzards, one yellowhammer and I believe the first swallows this year and of course countless goldfinches in the hedgerows.
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NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
Despite the forecast it was still brisk this morning when I was getting ready, so stuck with longs and layered up - although not quite as much as last weekend when it was Baltic.
The bike steered itself to Coal Road, then Skeltons Lane and the A58 before a left onto Whin Moor Lane and the quiet lane to Shadwell.
The climb to Slaid Hill lights followed marvelling at the sheer number of signs already out for the TdY in a fortnight, then it was right, through the dip and onto Tarn Lane to loop back into Scarcroft, dropping back onto the A58 for the largely downhill run to Collingham.
From there it was over the bridge to the lumpiness of Linton and eventually into Wetherby where I skirted the town centre to head north, first climbing the hill into Kirk Deighton and then to on North Deighton before taking the right onto Ox Close Lane for rural quietness.
A club ride had just formed up at the corner, so I slowed down to let them clear off and then I enjoyed the near deserted roads through Cowthorpe and almost to Cattal. I think on this section I saw 3 cars and about half a dozen cyclists. Bliss.
Another right at the crossroads just shy of Cattal to head south past the former airfield on another road that was far quieter than I'd expected.
Eventually I reached Bickerton crossroads where after a brief pause for traffic it was across and on southwards, after a couple of miles taking the lane to Walton, which is still as lumpily surfaced as ever, but also near deserted. Through the village and a quick dogleg to ride down towards Thorp Arch, then over the bridge to Boston Spa with that sharp climb up the other side, before a wiggle on Main Street took me towards Clifford.
Through there and down the hill into Bramham, which inevitably means up the hill to get back out of the village.
It was really warming up by this point, so I stopped at the bench by the A1(M) bridge to take a layer off and grabbed a couple of pics:
Back on the bike and over the bridge, where a quick glance down at the motorway revealed all 3 lanes of northbound traffic grinding to a halt. Oh dear.
From there it's a steady climb past Bramham Park before taking another right onto Thorner Lane and through the lesser Wothersome Dip. I ground my way up the other side and then it's another steady climb for a mile or so, before I peeled off onto Jewitt Lane for more near solitude.
Left onto Compton Lane and the equally quiet run to Rigton Green, where I looped back onto Holme Farm Lane for the familiar run to Milner Lane and between the hedges before dropping down into Thorner.
Along Main Street and straight on for the climb up Sandhills, then Skeltons Lane and back onto Coal Road heading towards home.
At the end of the street I noticed I was on 38 miles and with the sun shining and a bit of spare time I added a long loop in to push the mileage up.
40.55 miles (62.25 km) in 3h 18m at an average of 12.3 mph with 1,788 ft climbed and a tropical average temperature of 13.8°C
Happy with that, despite far too many motorised muppets again today but I'll not let them take the shine off a good ride in near perfect weather. If the weather is like this tomorrow I might risk shorts - you have been warned!
Loads of cyclists out today, including a couple of good sized club runs
My longest ride so far this year too, which shows how far I've fallen back with one thing and another. Still, it gives me an excuse to keep getting out there and improve.
It also takes me over 2,000 total miles on the Giant, which was intended to be a bad weather / winter bike but continues to be worth every penny and more in terms of pure smiles per mile - and despite the improving weather I'm currently in no rush to get the 'best' bike out, which speaks for itself.
And to end, the map:
The bike steered itself to Coal Road, then Skeltons Lane and the A58 before a left onto Whin Moor Lane and the quiet lane to Shadwell.
The climb to Slaid Hill lights followed marvelling at the sheer number of signs already out for the TdY in a fortnight, then it was right, through the dip and onto Tarn Lane to loop back into Scarcroft, dropping back onto the A58 for the largely downhill run to Collingham.
From there it was over the bridge to the lumpiness of Linton and eventually into Wetherby where I skirted the town centre to head north, first climbing the hill into Kirk Deighton and then to on North Deighton before taking the right onto Ox Close Lane for rural quietness.
A club ride had just formed up at the corner, so I slowed down to let them clear off and then I enjoyed the near deserted roads through Cowthorpe and almost to Cattal. I think on this section I saw 3 cars and about half a dozen cyclists. Bliss.
Another right at the crossroads just shy of Cattal to head south past the former airfield on another road that was far quieter than I'd expected.
Eventually I reached Bickerton crossroads where after a brief pause for traffic it was across and on southwards, after a couple of miles taking the lane to Walton, which is still as lumpily surfaced as ever, but also near deserted. Through the village and a quick dogleg to ride down towards Thorp Arch, then over the bridge to Boston Spa with that sharp climb up the other side, before a wiggle on Main Street took me towards Clifford.
Through there and down the hill into Bramham, which inevitably means up the hill to get back out of the village.
It was really warming up by this point, so I stopped at the bench by the A1(M) bridge to take a layer off and grabbed a couple of pics:
Back on the bike and over the bridge, where a quick glance down at the motorway revealed all 3 lanes of northbound traffic grinding to a halt. Oh dear.
From there it's a steady climb past Bramham Park before taking another right onto Thorner Lane and through the lesser Wothersome Dip. I ground my way up the other side and then it's another steady climb for a mile or so, before I peeled off onto Jewitt Lane for more near solitude.
Left onto Compton Lane and the equally quiet run to Rigton Green, where I looped back onto Holme Farm Lane for the familiar run to Milner Lane and between the hedges before dropping down into Thorner.
Along Main Street and straight on for the climb up Sandhills, then Skeltons Lane and back onto Coal Road heading towards home.
At the end of the street I noticed I was on 38 miles and with the sun shining and a bit of spare time I added a long loop in to push the mileage up.
40.55 miles (62.25 km) in 3h 18m at an average of 12.3 mph with 1,788 ft climbed and a tropical average temperature of 13.8°C
Happy with that, despite far too many motorised muppets again today but I'll not let them take the shine off a good ride in near perfect weather. If the weather is like this tomorrow I might risk shorts - you have been warned!
Loads of cyclists out today, including a couple of good sized club runs
My longest ride so far this year too, which shows how far I've fallen back with one thing and another. Still, it gives me an excuse to keep getting out there and improve.
It also takes me over 2,000 total miles on the Giant, which was intended to be a bad weather / winter bike but continues to be worth every penny and more in terms of pure smiles per mile - and despite the improving weather I'm currently in no rush to get the 'best' bike out, which speaks for itself.
And to end, the map:
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Joey Shabadoo
My pronouns are "He", "Him" and "buggerlugs"
Well a wee loop turned into a bigger loop with one notable event. I fitted new Marathon+ tyres to the Carrera and headed out to try a loop into the hills nearby. It's quite a steep ascent and I don't know who was more surprised when I caught up with a group of 12 riders all in full lycra and riding some lovely shiny, shiny bikes. I hung back thinking they're not going to be happy being passed by a 17st old man on a commuter bike wearing a flappy t-shirt and baggy shorts but I finally got impatient and whizzed past them. As I passed, one guy exclaimed "f'sakes" and another laughed. I was chuffed to bits as I "scalped" the entire pelican, definitely a first for me.
Then I took a wrong turn so the loop basically doubled but I didn't mind cos the scenery was brilliant, it was a road I'd never been on and the fields were full of lambing sheep and newborn calves. I had to smile when I passed one field full of sheep where most were struggling to lamb whilst nearby in an adjacent field the tups were watching the fruits of their labour with an impatient air as if to say "hurry up"
Lovely day for a ride. 20 miles with 1800ft climbing.
Then I took a wrong turn so the loop basically doubled but I didn't mind cos the scenery was brilliant, it was a road I'd never been on and the fields were full of lambing sheep and newborn calves. I had to smile when I passed one field full of sheep where most were struggling to lamb whilst nearby in an adjacent field the tups were watching the fruits of their labour with an impatient air as if to say "hurry up"
Lovely day for a ride. 20 miles with 1800ft climbing.
Andy in Germany
Guru
- Location
- Rottenburg am Neckar
I was here:
Round the big loop clockwise from the north, then round the little one, again clockwise, with Beautiful God daughter.
Pictures will follow when I have time to get them off the camera.
Round the big loop clockwise from the north, then round the little one, again clockwise, with Beautiful God daughter.
Pictures will follow when I have time to get them off the camera.
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Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
As I am busy tomorrow and Easter Sunday, went out today.
I planned to do the same route as a previous ride, but the Garmin and I were having difficulty.
Managed to navigate myself up to the top end of White down. Unfortunately his meant going up Crocknorth, never been up it that way before and it was a bit tough.
So next down the steep Whitedown, up Leith Hill from the north, not so hard but it went on a long time. Down Leith hill and rest before the steeper ascent,and once down up the steepest hill, White Down. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea on a bank holiday. Had to stop twice for daft motorists who didn't pull it at sensible places to allow oncoming cars to pass. Returned home via Ockham and Cobham 53.2 miles @14.5 mph and 2877 feet climbed https://www.strava.com/activities/2301719607
Yes and I wore shorts
I planned to do the same route as a previous ride, but the Garmin and I were having difficulty.
Managed to navigate myself up to the top end of White down. Unfortunately his meant going up Crocknorth, never been up it that way before and it was a bit tough.
So next down the steep Whitedown, up Leith Hill from the north, not so hard but it went on a long time. Down Leith hill and rest before the steeper ascent,and once down up the steepest hill, White Down. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea on a bank holiday. Had to stop twice for daft motorists who didn't pull it at sensible places to allow oncoming cars to pass. Returned home via Ockham and Cobham 53.2 miles @14.5 mph and 2877 feet climbed https://www.strava.com/activities/2301719607
Yes and I wore shorts
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At last it’s time for short sleeves and bibs!
Woke up at my normal Friday time today despite having the day off, so got up and had a leisurely breakfast while watching Cycling Videos on YouTube.
Wasn’t sure what my legs were like after their complaints after last weekend’s ride and a couple of gym sessions, but decided there was only one way to find out.
I’d been thinking of doing a circuit of Lake Zürich and couldn’t think of anything better so headed out. The legs were good but the bike was not. I was getting a lot of chain rub which was a bit annoying. Thankfully it’s booked in for a service next week, so I decided to carry on.
I arrived in Rapperswil at about 10:30 and had a short stop for Coffee and cake. From there I took the cycle path to Schmerikon right at the top of the lake - not my favourite bit of the route as it’s a lot of gravel and it’s often busy - It wasn’t to bad today and the next part is my favourite bit.
From Schmerikon I took Route 76 around the top of the lake. It takes a wide loop around the top with views of the mountains and being spring time, the meadows are full of Dandelions.
I arrived at my planned lunch break in Lachen at 12:00 and found a space in a favourite lakeside cafe. Took a very long lunch enjoying a Sausage and Cheese salad and a coffee while sitting outside on the shore of the lake, trying to get the motivation for the last stretch.
Finally the run back to Zürich. Not the best part of the ride as it’s a main road crisscrossing the railway line. The worst bit is right at the end climbing up the hill to home.
Bike is cleaned and put away - Don’t know why as the bike shop will do it again (and better) on Tuesday! Shorter rides on my other bikes for the rest of the weekend.
108 kms today. A great start to Easter Weekend.
Some rowers, enjoying the calm water half way down the lake.
Schmerikon at the end of the lake.
Meadows full of Dandelions stretching for miles. The best part of the ride!
The view from Lunch at Schmerikon
And a map.
Woke up at my normal Friday time today despite having the day off, so got up and had a leisurely breakfast while watching Cycling Videos on YouTube.
Wasn’t sure what my legs were like after their complaints after last weekend’s ride and a couple of gym sessions, but decided there was only one way to find out.
I’d been thinking of doing a circuit of Lake Zürich and couldn’t think of anything better so headed out. The legs were good but the bike was not. I was getting a lot of chain rub which was a bit annoying. Thankfully it’s booked in for a service next week, so I decided to carry on.
I arrived in Rapperswil at about 10:30 and had a short stop for Coffee and cake. From there I took the cycle path to Schmerikon right at the top of the lake - not my favourite bit of the route as it’s a lot of gravel and it’s often busy - It wasn’t to bad today and the next part is my favourite bit.
From Schmerikon I took Route 76 around the top of the lake. It takes a wide loop around the top with views of the mountains and being spring time, the meadows are full of Dandelions.
I arrived at my planned lunch break in Lachen at 12:00 and found a space in a favourite lakeside cafe. Took a very long lunch enjoying a Sausage and Cheese salad and a coffee while sitting outside on the shore of the lake, trying to get the motivation for the last stretch.
Finally the run back to Zürich. Not the best part of the ride as it’s a main road crisscrossing the railway line. The worst bit is right at the end climbing up the hill to home.
Bike is cleaned and put away - Don’t know why as the bike shop will do it again (and better) on Tuesday! Shorter rides on my other bikes for the rest of the weekend.
108 kms today. A great start to Easter Weekend.
Some rowers, enjoying the calm water half way down the lake.
Schmerikon at the end of the lake.
Meadows full of Dandelions stretching for miles. The best part of the ride!
The view from Lunch at Schmerikon
And a map.
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
Out in the sunshine on my Cube. Into Cambridge to meet my friend Stuart, then we went out through the South Cambs countryside.
Coming into Fowlmere there is an awkward junction. We were turning left(more or less straight on) but you have to look almost behind yourself to the right... Stuart’s bike wandered across my line, plenty of sidewall on sidewall action, and I did dab his cassette with my tyre! Lots of braking!!!
It was all good.
Shepreth and Barrington and then off up Old Wimpole hill.
We eventually wound up in Haslingfield at the Moringa Tree for a coffee.
Here’s the church
We parted company in Barton.
https://www.strava.com/activities/2302404658
Back home for a Seville orange G&T
Coming into Fowlmere there is an awkward junction. We were turning left(more or less straight on) but you have to look almost behind yourself to the right... Stuart’s bike wandered across my line, plenty of sidewall on sidewall action, and I did dab his cassette with my tyre! Lots of braking!!!
It was all good.
Shepreth and Barrington and then off up Old Wimpole hill.
We eventually wound up in Haslingfield at the Moringa Tree for a coffee.
Here’s the church
We parted company in Barton.
https://www.strava.com/activities/2302404658
Back home for a Seville orange G&T
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
Just because... Had a nice 10 mile bimble to Ely and back on Wiggy #2, the Chartres, simply to sit in the sun in the cathedral grounds with a nice cold drink. 
Usual route via Downham Common, California, Orwell Pit etc. Rotating the bars has helped with the hand numbness, but still need to fine tune that.
Usual route via Downham Common, California, Orwell Pit etc. Rotating the bars has helped with the hand numbness, but still need to fine tune that.
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
Superb sunny day. Margaret PR, Phil G (who hasn't been seen for ages), Pete M, Jules H and me. Hailes Abbey was the plan. The pace was brisk from the start. Must be the warm weather. Phil and Margaret turned for a short one at Woolstone. Jules got a head start and it was 5 miles before Pete and I caught him. The cafe was busy with Bank Holiday folks but the service was fine. We took the northerly run around Bredon Hill to approach the River. Goodbyes at Upton left me with the standard run back. Is this summer? 75 smiles
Jimidh
Veteran
- Location
- Midlothian
I had planned on going a slightly longer ride of 50-60km but half way round thought something didn’t feel right and had a look at the bike and found the whole back tyre was in a shocking state so thought i’d better head home and fit a new one.
My wife was drinking wine in our neighbours garden so I knew I didn’t have a service car if the tyre decided to give up the ghost
At this side of the equator winter is approaching, and aye, the temperature is dropping a bit. Which makes things easier for riding, so I went out to take advantage of it. Beira Mar here I come!
And further than that of course. As in other places, it is Good Friday today. Unlike some, this place just about shuts down. Road traffic is very sparse and oddly there were not so many bike riders to be seen. Maybe everyone went to a beach, there are forty some to choose from on the island. That is beaches with names, there seem to be lots more short sandy shores, I had to check my typing twice there, that have no names. And I found a few today, once I had crossed the new road bridge and reached the mainland. Familiarity helps loads when I am riding, so leaving the bridge and heading northwest is now a straightforward bit of pedalling, no need to search for other roads ‘cos there are none. For a bike anyway. The bike track goes through Estreito on the way past Canto to Balneario and the Jardim Atlantico, every look to the right at crossroads showed the sea. And a short beach. Looking to the left at crossroads showed rising roads, and I knew I had to ride that way sometime.
All the uphill has to reward you with downhill sometime.
And it did, with the bonus of a road I thought I had seen before. So, follow that for a while, familiar scenery appears and it seems I am beginning to know the area. Confident that this road leads to Sao Jose, the grin factor rises. Further along, I know the road divides, take the left fork for the beach and then turn left again. This is the direction back to the bridge to the island. Another cycle track, in Santa Catarina when cycle tracks are good, they are very very good. Slightly busier than the ride out, but still quiet, cross the water and turn left to head for home. No water features today until the bottom of home hill where there seems to be a burst pipe under the surface. Lots of water running down the hill. One motorcyclist going up. Wearing flip flops and shorts, the usual uniform hereabouts. And he lifted his feet off the footrests as he rode through the water. Maybe part of the test here, I dunno. So, home with a smile after 23 miles yet again, and 1300 feet of going up. Pretty good.
Thanks to garthing, a map of the wandering
And further than that of course. As in other places, it is Good Friday today. Unlike some, this place just about shuts down. Road traffic is very sparse and oddly there were not so many bike riders to be seen. Maybe everyone went to a beach, there are forty some to choose from on the island. That is beaches with names, there seem to be lots more short sandy shores, I had to check my typing twice there, that have no names. And I found a few today, once I had crossed the new road bridge and reached the mainland. Familiarity helps loads when I am riding, so leaving the bridge and heading northwest is now a straightforward bit of pedalling, no need to search for other roads ‘cos there are none. For a bike anyway. The bike track goes through Estreito on the way past Canto to Balneario and the Jardim Atlantico, every look to the right at crossroads showed the sea. And a short beach. Looking to the left at crossroads showed rising roads, and I knew I had to ride that way sometime.
All the uphill has to reward you with downhill sometime.
And it did, with the bonus of a road I thought I had seen before. So, follow that for a while, familiar scenery appears and it seems I am beginning to know the area. Confident that this road leads to Sao Jose, the grin factor rises. Further along, I know the road divides, take the left fork for the beach and then turn left again. This is the direction back to the bridge to the island. Another cycle track, in Santa Catarina when cycle tracks are good, they are very very good. Slightly busier than the ride out, but still quiet, cross the water and turn left to head for home. No water features today until the bottom of home hill where there seems to be a burst pipe under the surface. Lots of water running down the hill. One motorcyclist going up. Wearing flip flops and shorts, the usual uniform hereabouts. And he lifted his feet off the footrests as he rode through the water. Maybe part of the test here, I dunno. So, home with a smile after 23 miles yet again, and 1300 feet of going up. Pretty good.
Thanks to garthing, a map of the wandering
