Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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Spartak
Powered by M&M's
- Location
- Bristolian
Early morning ride on a planned route taking in 3 South Bristol hills - Clarken Combe, Caswell Hill & Nailsea Hill.
Met my two ride companions at Filton McD's for an espresso before heading into Bristol.
Some drizzle once we crossed the river but no need for rain jackets.
Nice to ride the climbs with very little traffic & managed to PB on each one
Route details .....
https://www.strava.com/activities/310668907
Met my two ride companions at Filton McD's for an espresso before heading into Bristol.
Some drizzle once we crossed the river but no need for rain jackets.
Nice to ride the climbs with very little traffic & managed to PB on each one
Route details .....
https://www.strava.com/activities/310668907
AndyWilliams
Über Member
- Location
- Lincolnshire
Good work people. Keep it up.
Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
I had to watch the Eurovision Song Contest sober last night. Needed a club ride this morning to get it out of my mind and return to normality. Turned out to be a great 37.6 mile ride, including 2 big hills (Horsepools Hill up to the back of Haresfield Beacon, then part of Selsley Hill and up to Middleyard) before dropping back down into the Vale of Gloucester and looping round via Kings Stanley, Frocester, Frampton, Arlingham and the banks of the Severn at Priding and Epney. Quite a brisk pace today, as most of the slower riders and hill strugglers were absent, so I had my work cut out keeping up. Some of us were kitted out in our new Kingsway CC club shirts - in my case for the first time, today.... and a fine sight we made as a peloton.
Made some of the other bunches of cyclists we came across look really quite scruffy.
Most of us were filthy and mud-splattered by the time we finished. Even a sudden downpour couldn't ruin a fine ride out today. Thoroughly enjoyed the ride and the company again - even without a cake stop.
Enjoy the weather while you can, everyone.
Cheers, Donger.
Made some of the other bunches of cyclists we came across look really quite scruffy.
Most of us were filthy and mud-splattered by the time we finished. Even a sudden downpour couldn't ruin a fine ride out today. Thoroughly enjoyed the ride and the company again - even without a cake stop.
Enjoy the weather while you can, everyone.
Cheers, Donger.
Last edited:
- Location
- Manchester
New max speed, 31.5 mph, down hill with the wind behind me and a car on my tail! Whoop Whoop! Shame there's a mini roundabout at the bottom as it levels out.
I somehow managed to turn off the strava when I stopped for a photo, ggrr. Glad for the computer on the bike.
Anyway I did my Kearsley, Whitefield, Prestwich, Heaton Park, Agecroft, Swinton ride. 20 miles with some nice hills.
The picture is the tram in Heaton Park.
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
Today I went to Oundle in Nothamptonshire. Not only did I cross the A1, but also the A14!
I left a 7 and took the quiet way out to Kimbolton, there I stopped at Budgens for a snack after 25 miles.
It was whilst having this snack when a few bikes started to come by, I was about to gate crash an organised charity ride for the next 50 miles....
One of the riders who went by was playing calypso music loudly out of somewhere, but I couldn't see where!
The next few miles were lovely and rural. I was eventually caught by a group of 3 doing the ride and I spoke to a lovely fella from Durham. Whilst riding with him I'd gone past a village I wanted to go through on my route I'd written down, so I doubled back at a roundabout and took the road which led to further up the busy A road that the roundabout was on, or a private road.... So I doubled back to whence I came. Basically I then followed the charity ride route for ages!
Oundle was pretty but the drizzle had turned to rZin. I sheltered in the door of the Tesco express and ate chocolate. Once the shower had passed I set off on my wY, again following the arrows of the ride. I was going through lovely countryside on quiet roads.
Back over the A14 and down as far as Little Staughton, through St Neots and home through the Gransdens (there's a surprise)
The air at present is thick and cold, even with a tail wind I had a head wind!
Saw lots of birds- Red Kite, a Buzzard, Keztrel, Sparrowhawk, Yellowhammer, Bullfinch, SwAllow, Housemartins and a cormorant which isn't really a bird!
101.4 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/310762608
And a big thank you to @PeteXXX for route info
I left a 7 and took the quiet way out to Kimbolton, there I stopped at Budgens for a snack after 25 miles.
It was whilst having this snack when a few bikes started to come by, I was about to gate crash an organised charity ride for the next 50 miles....
One of the riders who went by was playing calypso music loudly out of somewhere, but I couldn't see where!
The next few miles were lovely and rural. I was eventually caught by a group of 3 doing the ride and I spoke to a lovely fella from Durham. Whilst riding with him I'd gone past a village I wanted to go through on my route I'd written down, so I doubled back at a roundabout and took the road which led to further up the busy A road that the roundabout was on, or a private road.... So I doubled back to whence I came. Basically I then followed the charity ride route for ages!
Oundle was pretty but the drizzle had turned to rZin. I sheltered in the door of the Tesco express and ate chocolate. Once the shower had passed I set off on my wY, again following the arrows of the ride. I was going through lovely countryside on quiet roads.
Back over the A14 and down as far as Little Staughton, through St Neots and home through the Gransdens (there's a surprise)
The air at present is thick and cold, even with a tail wind I had a head wind!
Saw lots of birds- Red Kite, a Buzzard, Keztrel, Sparrowhawk, Yellowhammer, Bullfinch, SwAllow, Housemartins and a cormorant which isn't really a bird!
101.4 miles
http://www.strava.com/activities/310762608
And a big thank you to @PeteXXX for route info
Last edited:
D
Deleted member 1258
Guest
62 miles the journey, Shackerstone the destination, not the nicest morning for a bike ride, dull grey with a strong wind, and on the way out intermitant light rain, the ride home was dry though, just slow with a head wind most of the way. Regular way out through Shilton, Withebrook and monks Kirby, just outside Thurlaston I turned onto Watery Gate Lane crossed the ford and headed for Earl shilton, the other side of Earl shilton I headed past Mallory Park crossed the main road and through Sutton Cheney past the Bosworth battlefield and instead of turning into Shenton I carried on into Far Cotton past the Water Park and onto Shackerstone. I took the direct route home, through Shenton crossed the A444 through Atterton, the Ducks were waddling around in the road, into Mancetter and up Purley Chace, the woods are still full of bluebells, to come into Coventry through Keresley and through the Pro Logis industrial Estate home.
They are generous with the portions and the price wasn't bad either
They are generous with the portions and the price wasn't bad either
Gareth C
Veteran
- Location
- North Pennines.
Weardale, Teesdale, Swaledale and back
Liz and her folks were off to Saltaire for the arts festival, so I had a whole day to do what I pleased. Why not ride down to Swaledale and back?
I set off from home and went down the back road in Howdon-le-Wear. This start was a bit Paris-Roubaix-esque, where the mud has been reinforced with dumped bricks and such-like. Over the Wear, and onwards south of Hamsterley Forest towards Barnard Castle, with fantastic weather and beautiful views to the south.
By the time I arrived at Barnard Castle, I’d considered I’d be ready for a café stop. However, I was going well, so straight through town, and down to the River Tees.
After negotiating a few hundred metres of the A66 dual carriageway, I’m onto the back road to Arkengarthdale via The Stang, a notorious climb. En-route to the climb there are amazing views.
The climb up the Stang is tough, but done without a pause. You can’t really see the true nature of it looking back once at the top (so you’ll have to go and try it for yourself).
We’re then in “proper” Yorkshire Dales country, and the scenery is amazing. Maybe it’s helped because it’s pretty much downhill all the way to Reeth.
I call in to see my mate Rich at Swaledale Outdoors, and Sarah and Milly turn up bringing his lunch. Milly wants to “pump up my head” remembering the last time I was there, concussed.
After leaving Rich’s place, I head down to The Dales Bike Centre for lunch.
There’s no escaping the fact, I’m now half way around the route and it’s time to head home. I’ve chosen the back road via Marske, which avoids the traffic, is extremely scenic, but also extremely hilly.
Just shy of Richmond it’s time to turn north, over ground I’ve not cycled before. Beautiful country lanes between Richmond and the A66, and military ranges. Eventually the A66 is crossed (phew), and its back onto familiar territory. At Whorlton I stop to eat the pork pie I had been given by Liz. I was expecting just a good pork pie, but this was a spicy concoction from Knitsley Farm Shop, and a pleasant surprise.
The sustrans route continues up towards Evenwood, where there is a dirt track to Bishop Auckland. If the ride started with a flavor of Paris-Roubaix, it was now Strada Bianchi. In my tired state I was just gently cruising around the many potholes. The second half of the road is effectively singletrack, and thankfully the nettles weren’t in full bloom yet!
From Bishop Auckland I decided on a direct route home, as the legs were tired. This meant a few busy roads, but also the chance for a photo from the high level bridge over the Wear.
Three major rivers in a day, perfect weather, and calling in on good friends half-way round. A good day.
Route.
* Phone camera seemed to be on a mission to capture low resolution pictures – apologies.
Liz and her folks were off to Saltaire for the arts festival, so I had a whole day to do what I pleased. Why not ride down to Swaledale and back?
I set off from home and went down the back road in Howdon-le-Wear. This start was a bit Paris-Roubaix-esque, where the mud has been reinforced with dumped bricks and such-like. Over the Wear, and onwards south of Hamsterley Forest towards Barnard Castle, with fantastic weather and beautiful views to the south.
By the time I arrived at Barnard Castle, I’d considered I’d be ready for a café stop. However, I was going well, so straight through town, and down to the River Tees.
After negotiating a few hundred metres of the A66 dual carriageway, I’m onto the back road to Arkengarthdale via The Stang, a notorious climb. En-route to the climb there are amazing views.
The climb up the Stang is tough, but done without a pause. You can’t really see the true nature of it looking back once at the top (so you’ll have to go and try it for yourself).
We’re then in “proper” Yorkshire Dales country, and the scenery is amazing. Maybe it’s helped because it’s pretty much downhill all the way to Reeth.
I call in to see my mate Rich at Swaledale Outdoors, and Sarah and Milly turn up bringing his lunch. Milly wants to “pump up my head” remembering the last time I was there, concussed.
After leaving Rich’s place, I head down to The Dales Bike Centre for lunch.
There’s no escaping the fact, I’m now half way around the route and it’s time to head home. I’ve chosen the back road via Marske, which avoids the traffic, is extremely scenic, but also extremely hilly.
Just shy of Richmond it’s time to turn north, over ground I’ve not cycled before. Beautiful country lanes between Richmond and the A66, and military ranges. Eventually the A66 is crossed (phew), and its back onto familiar territory. At Whorlton I stop to eat the pork pie I had been given by Liz. I was expecting just a good pork pie, but this was a spicy concoction from Knitsley Farm Shop, and a pleasant surprise.
The sustrans route continues up towards Evenwood, where there is a dirt track to Bishop Auckland. If the ride started with a flavor of Paris-Roubaix, it was now Strada Bianchi. In my tired state I was just gently cruising around the many potholes. The second half of the road is effectively singletrack, and thankfully the nettles weren’t in full bloom yet!
From Bishop Auckland I decided on a direct route home, as the legs were tired. This meant a few busy roads, but also the chance for a photo from the high level bridge over the Wear.
Three major rivers in a day, perfect weather, and calling in on good friends half-way round. A good day.
Route.
* Phone camera seemed to be on a mission to capture low resolution pictures – apologies.
Attachments
NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
Still struggling with my pesky patellas and limited to 20 minutes cycling at a time, so a steady 4.33 miles on local roads around home. I was actually out for 24 minutes but I won't let on if you don't...
Seems very lightweight by comparison with what's been posted above but at least I'm getting out on the bike.
It was good to improve my average speed back into double figures (10.5 mph) so that's another positive from the day.
Seems very lightweight by comparison with what's been posted above but at least I'm getting out on the bike.
It was good to improve my average speed back into double figures (10.5 mph) so that's another positive from the day.
HertzvanRental
Veteran
I drove from Chester back to Kent. Any good?
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
HertzvanRental
Veteran
Times not so good but I drove the car up the hills, no "walk of shame"!! Brownie points?
Gareth C
Veteran
- Location
- North Pennines.
My knees are a disaster from a couple of mountain bike crashes. Any time on the bike is good time on the bike. Just means you need to pad out the ride with longer coffee stops...
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
Spartak
Powered by M&M's
- Location
- Bristolian
