Your ride today....

[Rickshaw Phil]

A couple of rides yesterday.

The first was a utility ride to run an errand on behalf of @gavgav. The knockabout bike was more convenient to use so I grabbed that and headed over then , job done, made the ride into a longer loop out to Condover and over Lyth Hill on the way back.

11 miles at 13.1 mph average in some quite warm and sunny conditions.

The second ride was an evening one taking the Raleigh for a climb up onto the Long Mynd to enjoy the warmth. At the start there wasn't a lot of traffic but people seemed to be in a rush to get wherever they were going (the pub probably) making me glad when I got onto the quieter lanes.

By the time I got to Leebotwood the traffic had quietened down a lot so on the short stretch of the A49 that I needed to use only a couple of vehicles passed me. The climbing starts here and to begin with it was quite pleasant just winding my way up the hill. A stop for a photo and a drink though gave a first taste of what was to come as I got bothered by a few flies. The higher up the climb I got there more there were and by the steepest section at High Park I had a fair cloud buzzing round me. It was a good incentive not to stop and I may well have set a personal record getting up the climb.

Thankfully, after the cattle grid the gradient eases off and I could get enough speed up to leave the flies behind and find a spot to stop for a drink in peace. The scenery looks great in the evening light and crossing the hill from this side I had the place almost to myself until the summit.

Having taken photos at the top I headed down via Boiling Well and the Burway. There were a few more people over this side who had driven up to enjoy the evening views and a couple of cyclists winding their way up the Burway.

Back down in the valley I had a good run back along the lanes and decided to extend the ride a little through Acton Burnell and Pitchford. I had a bit of a tailwind in places but it seemed to fail me just where I'd expected it to be bestin the last few miles which was a shame.

32.6 miles, also at 13.1 mph average which is pretty quick for me on this route.

The hills look nice in the evening sun.

View from the top of the High Park climb.

Looking towards Wales from the summit (Pole Bank).

At Pole Bank.

On my way down the Burway. A few other people are enjoying being up here on a warm evening too.

There goes the sun.

 

[welsh dragon]

A short one for me as it looked like the heavens were going to open at any minute. Of course now I am back the sun is shining. a 12 mile bimble for me. I was bored.so was glad to just get out even for just an hour.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Steve E was in the Green for a meet this time. John G and Margaret PR were at the Pot when we rolled up. Newent got the nod so chats flowed as we took to our standard lanes. Steve had to get back so turned at Birtsmorton while we 3 continued on by Hethelpit X. We dodged around Upleadon to enter Newent the back way.
The cafe was excellent as usual and with the world put to rights we rode through Dymock woods for Ryton and Bromsberrow. Thence it was back to the Castlemorton lanes. M said her byes at Welland Stone. John and I rode the final miles to part at Guarlford where the heat of the day was building uncomfortably. Nice social one today. 54 smiles

 

[Mr Celine]

Friday after work ride. I'd been at a training course in Glasgow mid week so unable to ride. And that's all I wanted to do. Clipped in on the drive way and set off south west on a clockwise loop. No water stops. No pee stops. No ice cream or cake stops. All give ways clear, no traffic stops. Sorry but no photo stops. Arrived home again and unclipped. 41.35 miles non-stop @ 15.8 mph. 685m up and down. The map -

 

[NorthernDave]

Scorchio today, wasn't it?

Actually no - not when I set off anyway. I was in shorts and a short sleeved top, but stopped within a quarter mile of home to put my arm warmers on. I'd actually only taken them in case my delicate skin needed additional protection from the rays of the sun, but I'm glad I had them with me. It was very grey first thing here, although the sun was clearly trying to burn through.

Anyhow, wrapped up and down the hill to Barwick Road, then the drop down to Cock Beck and the long straight drag up the hill to Scholes, which also helped warm me up. A bit more up from the Coronation Tree, then the long steady descent through Barwick and back down to cross Cock Beck again, before the climb up Cattle Lane and the general lumpiness to Aberford.
As I exited Abeford unde rthe A1(M) bridge, the sun finally started to show through and the temperature started to build. Up the hill to Lotherton Gates, then the twisty descent of the B1217 to the Crooked Billet pub.
Just after there a sharp right and up the hill into Saxton, before a wiggle through the village and out on Headwell Lane.
A short sprint along London Road and left into Barkston Ash, before the long straight of Common Lane towards Church Fenton.

Over the railway bridge and through the village, before another right onto Bracken Hill Lane to start the loop around the airfield. At this point a large tractor and trailer caught up with me, so I pulled in to let him through as it's mainly single track along here.
I took advantage of the stop to remove my arm warmers (it really was Scorchio now) and take a pic:

Back on the bike and out into the countryside, then over the East Coast mainline and down into Ryther, where another left saw me head through Ozendyke to Ulleskelf, where I stopped for a snack and some more pics:

Really funny light here - not full blown sunshine, but hazy and it was blooming warm!

Back on the bike, and completed the loop back into Church Fenton then reversed my route to Saxton, heading out of there on Coldhill Lane (which certainly didn't live up to it's name today!), before dropping onto Copley Lane for the steady run to Lotherton Gates.
Down the hill to Aberford and then a straight forward reverse of my earlier out bound route before hitting local roads up to home.

31.50 miles (50.69 km) in a steady 2h 33m at an average of 12.5 mph with 1,394 ft climbed and an average temperature of 19.7°C, although it felt a lot warmer in the sun and the Garmin gives a max temperature of 26.0°C.

Happy enough with that and it's another point in the Half Century Challenge. Not quite as many cyclists out today as you might have expected given the weather, but still a few making the most of the sunshine.
Now to rehydrate.

And to end, the map:

 

[Cavalol]

Bit of a 'moment' with Strava, early yesterday. Fixed itself now (didn't seem to have recorded second leg of journey, but has done now), so...

First part, relatively easy East Runton to just past Sheringham. Nothing too exciting, roads were quiet and wind behind me, lovely job. Planned to sort of ride past Sheringham, then turn right somewhere and come back along the coast or cliffs. In the end, was only maybe 1/2 mile or so out of the village, spotted an accessible gate (with no 'no public right of way' signs) so went through it, over a farm track, cross the (steam and diesel) railway line, through the golf club and on to the coastal path.

After that (re-started Strava as thought it was playing up) it was Sheringham, Beeston Regis, Cromer and back to East Runton. Absolute belter of a ride, hard work due to hills, steps and very fine sand. Had I been riding where I shouldn't across one of the hills I might have fallen off as the front wheel slipped in said fine sand. But I wasn't riding where I shouldn't, of course, so that never happened. Especially somewhere near that photograph above. Honest, officer.

Back from our week in that lovely part of the world, today. Roll on the next time we visit.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Free day so decided to go do some square grabbing and try out a new cafe.

60 miles to the cafe (The Forge in Cranford) and it doesn't open till 10am. I normally plan my timing at 15mph so left the house at 06:15 with the aim to hit the cafe at 10:15

Being a mindful person I smothered myself in sunscreen and yep, first two hours was in fog! Being a glasses wearer, riding in fog is a right pain, constantly have to wipe them, but eventually the fog lifted and the sun came out.

Mile 25ish and I'm riding into Harringworth and there are free parking signs up, a fella doing a bbq and some sign about the Flying Scotsman. Found out when I got home it was going over the viaduct at 10am. It's worth riding out this way just for the viaduct, beats the pants of that Settle one

Out of Harringworth and onto the first proper climb of the day, 210 foot over 0.6 miles. a bit lumpier than I normally do.

Skirt around Corby and after grabbing a few squares got to the cafe just before 10am, it was open and cooking.

Really friendly staff and brilliant service, latte (very hot) and a cracking sausage sandwich later and I'm heading to Little Addington for the awkward square grab of the day. It looked like there were a couple of public footpaths into it and that was it, but when I got there, there was a new industrial estate, rode straight in and out for the square

Into Wellingborough and all the square grabbing is done for the day, do I catch the train or ride back to Leicester? Sod it, ride it.

Nearing the A14 I hear this voice say morning as two riders go by. I was doing 19mph and they went off so quick I might as well have been sat at the side of the road

Had to stop for temporary lights at some roadworks and I realise how hot it as got. Get into Leicester only a mile or so from home and stop at a garage for some water. Bought a 1.5 litre bottle and refilled both my bottles. By the time I got home I had half a bottle left

108 miles by the time I'm done with over 5,000 foot of climbing at a very pleasing 16.5mph average, got in the car later and it said 34 degrees. No wonder I drank that water so quickly.

Cracking ride and a cracking cafe, will definitely use it again.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2489686460

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Bit of a 'moment' with Strava, early yesterday. Fixed itself now (didn't seem to have recorded second leg of journey, but has done now), so...

First part, relatively easy East Runton to just past Sheringham. Nothing too exciting, roads were quiet and wind behind me, lovely job. Planned to sort of ride past Sheringham, then turn right somewhere and come back along the coast or cliffs. In the end, was only maybe 1/2 mile or so out of the village, spotted an accessible gate (with no 'no public right of way' signs) so went through it, over a farm track, cross the (steam and diesel) railway line, through the golf club and on to the coastal path.

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After that (re-started Strava as thought it was playing up) it was Sheringham, Beeston Regis, Cromer and back to East Runton. Absolute belter of a ride, hard work due to hills, steps and very fine sand. Had I been riding where I shouldn't across one of the hills I might have fallen off as the front wheel slipped in said fine sand. But I wasn't riding where I shouldn't, of course, so that never happened. Especially somewhere near that photograph above. Honest, officer.

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Back from our week in that lovely part of the world, today. Roll on the next time we visit.

Never knew Beaumanor Hall was a listening station during the war, I've ridden passed that loads of times

 

[colly]

A fixed wheel early ish spin out this morning. It was warm and chilly and humid all at the same time. Just a tee shirt and shorts was ok.

I didn't go far, just around local lanes.

14+ miles and about 850 ft of upwardness

View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/36567547

 

[13 rider]

Never knew Beaumanor Hall was a listening station during the war, I've ridden passed that loads of times

The site of the defence sixth form college was a raf signals training centre from 1945 until the late 60s the officers quarters were at Garrets Hay the big house at the church turning

 

[Mike_P]

With the heat there was no way I was going to literally start off with forcing the Defy up Cornwall Road on the UCI course so a looping route initially to gain the requisite elevation and which still used a length of Cornwall Road albeit a less steep section and which is not part of the UCI circuit

Through the Pine Woods on the climb of Harlow Moor Road and coasted down to Pannal.

On the climb out of the village the twin sets of traffic lights co-operated nicely for once and Drury Lane, signposted as 12% was done in a new PR. Then to Wetherby via Kirkby Overblow and Sicklinghall – thought briefly of stopping by the river in Wetherby but quickly decided that would most likely be packed today so headed immediately north out of the town and spotted a conveniently sited bench with litter bin for a snack break. Resumed by cycling up the A168, close to the A59 junction gypsies had tied up a number of horses by the roadside; one sadly had died.

Continued beyond the Arkendale turning for once towards Boroughbridge and along the bypass, still the A168, to the Roecliffe turning. The road to Bishop Monkton was indicated as closed for a cycle race, checked with a marshall that it was okay to continue; I did not encounter any race cyclists . The ride was painful however as something flew straight into my lip – ouch. Another snack break was taken in Bishop Monkton with a delightfully sited bench serving the purposes.

West out of the village on Moor Road was unpleasant as the sun bore down with no trees providing any cool breaks but nevertheless the mile long undulating upwards ride was completed in another PR.

Across the A61 and through Markington for the twin climbs of Hobb Green Hill and, after a short sharp decent, Drovers Hill. The former was heavy on the sunrays, the latter less so and incredibly 20 seconds knocked off my previous best time.

There was a bustle of activity adjacent the Bishop Thornton Cricket Ground – a batsman had obviously hit a six and a number of fielders instead of dozing in the outfield were searching the adjacent field for the ball. Down to Ripley and along the Greenway; the crossing of the A61 changing just as I reached it for cycles to cross. Suburban Harrogate was also full of hot streets with little shading and I was quickly in the shower once home.
44.79 miles 2126 ft climbed Avg 13.3 MPH

 

[Heltor Chasca]

I fancied an Audax on my tourer today. I also fancied ice cold water so I put my bottles in the fridge last night. Good to have a change of routine sometimes...Well maybe not. Rode off this morning for the start, 35km down the road. AND FORGOT MY BLINKIN’ BOTTLES! Not an option considering today’s forecast. Turned around for home and managed to add 15km to my day which wasn’t a good start (not included in the route below) Made the start line but 45 minutes late so I was chasing the others. Thankfully caught the group by the first control for some company.

There we go. We learn best by our mistakes.

 

[pawl]

The site of the defence sixth form college was a raf signals training centre from 1945 until the late 60s the officers quarters were at Garrets Hay the big house at the church turning

Remember Garrets Hay well.When I was about 6 or 7we quite often went by bus to Woodhouse ,dad would always point out the sentry outside the gates.

There was a man who lived a few doors down from us who worked at Beaumanor Hall we never new exactly what his role was It was some time after the war did we learn of the role Beaumanor played during the war.

It is now owned by Leicestershire Council I have attended several training courses there.also cycle rallies.
It is a quite impressive building.

It also hosted weekend cycle rallies Handy for me as ilived in Loughborough at the time and rode with the Loughborough section of the C T C. sadly I understand no longer functioning.Not sure if the hall is still a cycle rally site.

 

[MrBeanz]

40 miles at 17.8 MPH average speed. Wore my Fat Bastard jersey today just in case. But I actually felt pretty good, got in some good efforts, and did OK!

 

[13 rider]

Today I finally completed a ride I had planned months ago to increase my Veloviewer square by 1 to 34*34 . The ride took in the suburbs of Nottingham and Derby so lots of Urban roads which is the main reason I'd been putting it off . Out the door at 0700 Heading to Nottingham via Cropston ,Barrow ,Sutton Bonnington and Kegworth . Into Long Eaton around the backs streets grabbing vv squares then onto Chilwell and over the A52 at Bramcote and into some nice lanes heading for Derby . Into Ockbrook home of @lane I believe didn't see anyone waiting with a cup of coffee so carried on to Derby . Had plotted the route down some nice cyclepaths down by the river and past Pride Park . Took the cloud trail back to Tonge then over some hills to home . 76 miles in the bag at 15.5mph the urban riding and cyclepaths had slowed me down but considering the amount of urban roads I enjoyed the ride weather was a lot cooler than yesterday so much more comfortable than yesterday