Your ride today....

[Jenkins]

Today was an almost perfect day for a bike ride - bright sunshine, cool temperatures and roads that were starting to dry out after the recent lousy weather. The only drawback was a stiff breeze as noted by @Shearwater Missile above riding arond 30 miles to the north of where I was.

Having started out with a trip along a single track road to Levington that was covered in mud & field runoff, I was glad that the majority of the rest of the route would be along better 'classified' roads. This consisted of the usual run through Nacton and into Ipswich, then out alongside the River Orwell under the Orwell Bridge (one of my favourite views)

and up to Freston and the road around Alton Water through Holbrook and Stutton to Brantham and then into East Bergholt. I'd planned to stop at the church there for a photo, but showed a bit of respect & changed my mind due to the presence of a hearse & 4 pall bearers waiting for a funeral to finish.
Back onto the main road and under the A12 to Holton St. Mary which is where the effects of the recent weather started to be most visible

Further along the road, looking down from Upper Layham to the River Brett it was even more obvious

This took me into Hadleigh and the start of the ride back home and finally a bit of a tail wind on the road to Hintlesham, then Burstall and Sproughton before I took a short break for a snack bar at a regular stopping spot on Paper Mill Lane. Here the River Gipping was deeper & faster flowing than I've seen in many years - the first pic is from today, the second is two months ago for comparison

Finally into Claydon and the final run home through Westerfield, Rushmere St. Andrew & Bucklesham with a final total of just over 63 miles and completion of the 100k per month challenge to go with both half century efforts.
https://www.strava.com/activities/2951320444

 

[Shearwater Missile]

Today was an almost perfect day for a bike ride - bright sunshine, cool temperatures and roads that were starting to dry out after the recent lousy weather. The only drawback was a stiff breeze as noted by @Shearwater Missile above riding arond 30 miles to the north of where I was.

Having started out with a trip along a single track road to Levington that was covered in mud & field runoff, I was glad that the majority of the rest of the route would be along better 'classified' roads. This consisted of the usual run through Nacton and into Ipswich, then out alongside the River Orwell under the Orwell Bridge (one of my favourite views)
View attachment 497651
and up to Freston and the road around Alton Water through Holbrook and Stutton to Brantham and then into East Bergholt. I'd planned to stop at the church there for a photo, but showed a bit of respect & changed my mind due to the presence of a hearse & 4 pall bearers waiting for a funeral to finish.
Back onto the main road and under the A12 to Holton St. Mary which is where the effects of the recent weather started to be most visible
View attachment 497652
Further along the road, looking down from Upper Layham to the River Brett it was even more obvious
View attachment 497653
This took me into Hadleigh and the start of the ride back home and finally a bit of a tail wind on the road to Hintlesham, then Burstall and Sproughton before I took a short break for a snack bar at a regular stopping spot on Paper Mill Lane. Here the River Gipping was deeper & faster flowing than I've seen in many years - the first pic is from today, the second is two months ago for comparison
View attachment 497654 View attachment 497655
Finally into Claydon and the final run home through Westerfield, Rushmere St. Andrew & Bucklesham with a final total of just over 63 miles and completion of the 100k per month challenge to go with both half century efforts.
https://www.strava.com/activities/2951320444
View attachment 497658 View attachment 497659

That is the best view of the Orwell Bridge, you are right. The worst view is being in a car going over it or stuck in traffic because of an accident that seem to be frequent or at least used to. Nice pictures by the way and some of my old stomping ground too.

 

[steven1988]

Our club Santa ride today - five rides happening: 3 road rides of varying length, a CX/MTB ride and the Go Ride kids ride; all meeting up at the same café at the same time. 81 of us descended on the poor serving staff, but a little preparation (and consideration) saw us all dealt with quickly. That's 81 of us all fancily dressed in Santa / elf / other Christmas motif and at least half of us wearing mud.

The Go Ride kids ride was our group led by myself with a friend acting as sweeper. 17 of us on the Trans Pennine Trail from Poolsbrook Country Park to Rother Valley Country Park. The only downside was getting up to the café on the new campsite - 100ft of elevation in 0.23 miles at about 20%. We walked it (riding back down after was fun though ).

A great ride with kids aged between 7 and 14 and their parents. The sky was dry, the ground was not. I had three bikes to clean when we got home. It turns out they weren't brown in colour as I thought but a blue and two reds

A good time was had by all and we're looking forward to our New Year's Day ride which, while not getting such a good turnout as the Santa ride, is well-attended. Probably because it starts at 10AM

14 happy and gentle miles at kids pace.

You forgot the bit about missing the class clown.

 

[LeetleGreyCells]

You forgot the bit about missing the class clown.

You’ll soon be back in the saddle, riding through every puddle and chasing down the kids (and the kids chasing you!)

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I’ve got the 2 days off work, before Christmas and so I was determined to get out for a good long ride, before all of the festivities kick off. @Rickshaw Phil was also free and able to join me, which is always more enjoyable than a solo ride.

I was late setting off, after forgetting to set my alarm but cycled over to Phil’s, passing the long queues of traffic that were trying to get into a well known food store on the Retail Park and arrived at 10:30. It was chilly out and a keen wind from the West/South West was blowing.

We left Phil’s and climbed up Lyth Hill, to avoid the worst of the traffic on the A49, crossed it fairly easily, when we needed to and continued down muddy and wet lanes to Condover, Ryton and Longnor. There were a few floods to deal with, but nothing as bad as my previous trip down there!

It was hard going, into the wind, before we turned out of it and began the long climb up Shoot Rough/Comley Hill. Wound our way up quite nicely and then enjoyed the fast descent into Cardington, before enjoying a wind assisted cruise to Hughley, which brought the average speed back up from its lowly single figure position.

At Hughley, we turned back into the cold wind and then paused for lunch, on the side of the road, near Harley. We were only there about 10 minutes, but we both got properly cold and so were glad to get moving again.

Phil “enjoying” lunch
View attachment 497598

We were cycling into the wind, towards Cressage and both of us were feeling very cold, so we paused for Phil to don an extra fleece and me to don my full finger gloves, which helped warm us up a bit.

At Cressage we had a short section on the busy A458, before climbing up towards Eaton Constantine and then joining the lane to Wroxeter. I was beginning to feel my legs, by now, having not done a huge amount of mileage recently, so it was slow progress into the wind.

The lane down to the old A5 was busy and then we joined the very muddy lane down to Upton Forge. We’d had really courteous drivers for virtually all of the ride, but along the lane met 4 vehicles, pulled in for them and only 1 could bother to say thank you, even that was begrudgingly! Merry Christmas people!!

The final section was to Upton Magna, Uffington and then through the busy town roads to Sundorne, Reabrook and home.

Thoroughly enjoyed getting some long mileage in again, with 41.5 miles done and 2200ft of climbing.

I’m 54 miles short of 1000 for the year, which is lower than I aim for, but with 2 months of no cycling, not too bad really. I’m going to try to get up to the 1000 but may be scuppered by weather and other plans.

Merry Christmas to all on this great thread and here’s to a good 2020 cycling for us all

Not much I can add to Gav's report. A moment that hasn't been mentioned was while we were stopped for lunch I commented about the wind getting a bit blustery just as a gust caught Gav's bike and toppled it slowly into the hedge. Fortunately no damage done.

After parting company I rode past the retail park on the way home and the traffic was still queueing to get in. I've been told since that those trying to leave were having to queue for 45 minutes to get off the site.

My speedometer shows just over 41 miles for the trip at a nice round 10mph average.

A break at Hollyhurst shortly before tackling the big climb of the day.

The view from Dryton, showing that there is still more water in the Severn Valley than usual.

Overlooking the Roman ruins of Viroconium (Wroxeter) which in its heyday was the fourth largest city in Britain

 

[colly]

A brighter, sunnier day than yesterday but the roads were just as mucky. Limited for time due to family matters it was a quick run out on local lanes.
Uneventful save for a blast on the horn from a moustashioed taxi driver who felt obligated to point out a cycle lane 6 meters to my left.
Very kind of him, and I did wave and point so he might pull over and pass the time of day for a spell but he was probably busy and he went on his merry way.
I think his hand must have been over heated or something because as he sped away he was furiously shaking it about to cool it down. People are so friendly at this time of year !

All together a not too bad leg stretcher.

17.5 miles and 900ft

View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/43032880

 

[Old jon]

Things just felt right for a ride this morning, so I just pedalled off. Didn’t even wait for the rain to stop.

Vague thoughts were somewhere towards Otley, so into the depths of Holbeck and ride away along the towpath all the way to Viaduct Road. That is three quiet miles to warm up some muscles. Cross the Aire and start the climb up Cardigan Road to Headingley. And from there to West Park, it seems a bit endless. Across the Ring Road there and a little further on, the garthing pinged. I have a message. Yes, my phone talks to the gps, this stuff is surprisingly good. Stopped at the next dropped crossing, the stuff I ordered yesterday from Chain Reaction is being delivered today between ten and twelve. It is now fifteen past ten and I was not expecting anything until Monday.

Ah well, it is downhill most of the way back, and back I should go. Dunno if any of my neighbours are in and so on, it is a working day for many. Headingley again, Kirkstall and the towpath. The rain stopped, the sun nearly shone and I remembered to turn the camera on. Fifteen miles, a box full of new chains and tyres and a hot shower. A good start to Christmas Eve.

 

[Shearwater Missile]

Things just felt right for a ride this morning, so I just pedalled off. Didn’t even wait for the rain to stop.

Vague thoughts were somewhere towards Otley, so into the depths of Holbeck and ride away along the towpath all the way to Viaduct Road. That is three quiet miles to warm up some muscles. Cross the Aire and start the climb up Cardigan Road to Headingley. And from there to West Park, it seems a bit endless. Across the Ring Road there and a little further on, the garthing pinged. I have a message. Yes, my phone talks to the gps, this stuff is surprisingly good. Stopped at the next dropped crossing, the stuff I ordered yesterday from Chain Reaction is being delivered today between ten and twelve. It is now fifteen past ten and I was not expecting anything until Monday.

Ah well, it is downhill most of the way back, and back I should go. Dunno if any of my neighbours are in and so on, it is a working day for many. Headingley again, Kirkstall and the towpath. The rain stopped, the sun nearly shone and I remembered to turn the camera on. Fifteen miles, a box full of new chains and tyres and a hot shower. A good start to Christmas Eve.

Christmas come early. Was it gift wrapped ? !!!

 

[Old jon]

Christmas come early. Was it gift wrapped ? !!!

Nope, bluddy gurt cardboard box.

 

[iancity]

Weird day today, started in overcast conditions, went really bright and sunny at the top of any climbs but once descended it was dark and freezing fog.

thoroughly enjoyed it tho :-)

and about an hour later...

10 mins after that...

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Yesterday
Bike selected; CGR, damp roads (used both days)
Weather; cool, low Sun, broken cloud-cover, a slight breeze
Photographs from today; unless dated otherwise
Geograph used, to illustrate points not covered by my own images (& to give a map location)


A day-off, so I'd arranged to meet up with a friend, who's moving soon
Her & hubby are off to Lincolnshire
At the price/location/size of the house they're buying, I don't blame them
She's with YAS, so moving to - I guess - EMAS (East Midlands Ambulance Service, which covers Lincolnshire)

Due to some time-constraints, I'd only arranged to meet up with her at the cafe in Rothwell Park

So it was the same route, as I basically ride to work, until 'Stanley Ferry', where I cut a corner, via the Nagger Lines (part of Trans-Pennine Trail & Wakefield Wheel)
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2941702

Back onto Aberford Road (A642) at Stanley Grove, up past the site of (the demolished) St Peters Church
Passing the old Cinema (known locally as 'Clog & Rhubarb'), which has been a tyre/exhaust centre for a lot of years!
Past the site of Stanley Station (long gone!!!)

Over the M62 (@ jct 30), and turning left onto Pennington Lane, before the descent towards Oulton
She was there a few minutes before me, so bought the 'brews' (not planned..... honest!!)
It was more of a surprise to find out she'd driven down, & not arrived on m/bike!

An hours good conversation, catching-up & laughter ensued
Took the usual photo, before we parted ways
I'll miss them both!!!




Coming home, I saw a brand new (householder installed) MilePost!
Then back home, via the same route





Today

Out for a little loop, with the intention of calling at Nostell Priory, as I didn't get chance to photograph a few things last time I called, as it was a Saturday at ParkRun time; I'd have got in the way whilst 'snapping'

There via Wakefield Road, to the top of 'PineApple Hill', over Crossley Street (with expansive views, to HolmeMoss & Broomhead Moor)
Over Cow Lane & West Lane, onto (A638) Wakefield - Doncaster Road

Over Nostell Bridge... not really a true bridge, as there's a dam under it, between the Upper & Middle Lakes

Into Nostell Priory, via the Gate-Lodges mentioned above (re; ParkRun)

Five additions starting here

On retracing route, I called at wifes office, before she locked up, for a brew

Home & a good lubrication of the bike

 

[colly]

Merry Christmas.

After a late-ish bedtime around 11.30 I planned on getting up and out for about 7 or so, an hours spin say, and back home in time for the usual festive preparations. It didn't work out like that. I woke at around 2.15 and I knew it was going to be a long night.
Nothing on my mind, no worries, no bizarre nightmares, nothing to disturb the peace. I was just 'awake'. I tried to get back off without much success and after twisting and turning and drifting in and out for two and a half hours I decided enough was enough.
So it was up at an ungodly 4.40am and I was dressed and out on the bike for 5am. I thought to use roads I rarely use so I headed into the city. As you might expect it was quiet. Roads normally cluttered with cars, vans, lorries and buses were empty and silent. More urban foxes than people. Unlike me I passed through the forest of red lights. I did take it steady and checked of course but it was so quiet I would have heard a car anywhere within 200m.
Round by the Playhouse, City Loop by the bus station, and along The Calls, under the Dark Arches to the station and City Square passing close to the lowest spot in Leeds City Centre.
From there it was up hill. Past Bank House, the only subsidiary office of the Bank of England, across The Headrow, the starting point for a couple of peculiar cycle races in recent years, up past the Leeds General Infirmary and on and up and across Woodhouse Moor towards Headingley, passing the university on route.
On the Otley Road now and it takes me through Headingley and not far from the cricket ground. During the day and evening this road is non stop traffic and so riding it in near silence would make a nice change, if I were to ever cycle this way, during the day, which I don't, because of the traffic.
So err.. well, it was ok anyway and I am sure if I ever did ride this way, during the day, it wouldn't be so pleasant.
Once through Headingley I was heading through Weetwood and eventually to Lawnswood where I crossed the ring road. No sign of a car anywhere. After passing the ring road I headed left and up towards Cookridge and Cookridge Tower. Reputed to be the highest spot in Leeds.
After the tower is was downhill and across the Otley Road again taking the back roads through Adel and Long Causeway to do some huffing and puffing down and up Stairfoot Lane. In the remotest, darkest part of the ride surounded by trees and not much else. I was passed by my first car (only car) of the morning.
Back into urban Leeds and down to the ring road at Moor Allerton, up and across Scott Hall Road to Harrogate Road and into Chapel Allerton. Then a swift down and not so swift up the other side of Gledhow Valley and a short loop to bring me back home. With just enough time to have a cuppa, do some veg, post this and and to shortly take Mrs Colly up a cup of venerable brew. So a not too shabby start to Christmas day.

18.5miles and 1400ft of up.

Have a great day one and all.



View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/43054336

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Out the door just after 05:00 for 35 very peaceful miles. I was overtaken by the grand total of 4 cars and two of those were back in Leicester right at the end of the ride.

Didn't have to stop at any junction nor got caught by any red lights so pedalled pretty much all the way. Went over the M1 twice and there can't have been more than a dozen cars on it

I just love the Christmas morning ride, it is as if the world belongs to you and you only.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2954775524

 

[Old jon]

Yay! Christmas!! Off for a ride I went, in the absence of a sleigh I chose the fixed. And because it is the day it is I chose not to ride far. A mere nine and a bit miles on the flattest bit of land around here, up and down the Aire valley for not much of a change. But I enjoyed it.
The map shows all.

 

[chriswoody]

Just 14km today, but a very special 14km. A loop around the local forest with my 6 year old son and his new mountain bike. He had a great time and hopefully many more fun rides ahead.