Your ride today....

[nagden]

Up at 7 out by 7:40. A lovely 18k ride into the village for croissants and pain au chocolat and à Coffee in the bar. The ride was perfect, beautiful sunrise, no traffic and a lovely atmosphere in the village. Happy Christmas everyone.

 

[gavroche]

Not my ride but I did see a cyclist this morning whilst walking the dog. Cycling on Christmas day? What is the world coming to?

 

[footloose crow]

December 25. How to avoid the Queen's Speech
The main difference between me and Jeremy Corbyn is that I do know when the Queen's Speech is on. Where we both agree is the necessity to do something different at 3pm on Christmas Day. A need to get out. A need to do something physical.

And it's a good time to cycle on traffic free roads as everyone is digesting their Christmas dinner - and listening to the Queen. Well nearly everyone is; there were a (slightly inebriated possibly) pair of boy racers whom I met three times as they drag raced between Tresillian and Truro. They took up both lanes but left me a small gap each time. Cheers boys.

This was a snatched hour when everyone else was looking the other way. Not far, out of town and down the hill and then up to the top of Probus village. I didn't stop, I didn't unclip, all the lights were green. If only every day the roads were this quiet.

I feel a lot better now...

 

[Mike_P]

Yesterday I expected to be writing that today I did a repeat of Saturdays ride but on the ebiked hybrid with Christmas Dinner en route with a friend, but then the Dinner invite was withdrawn due to family issues which left me somewhat at a loose end

So whilst most people were feeding on turkey etc headed west on the Defy to Swinsty Reservoir. Quickly realised I had not been concentrating when I put the kit on as I pulled the leg warmers up and continued to so for the rest of the ride; I had foolishly put the thin leg warmers over the top of the thick below knee length bibs

Saw four cyclists on the outward run, two who were too intent on getting a fast time to acknowledge me and the car park at the reservoir was full so many others either avoiding the issue altogether or having Christmas Dinner later, like a normal day for many. So I was surprised to see a vacant bench by the reservoir, presumably had also been used by another cyclist as there was a head warmer on the table .

Struggled up Smithsons Lane from the reservoir on the return, could have been all the extra layers- the wind also was noticeably stronger readily identifiable by the Knabbs Ridge wind farm and pretty cold. On the other hand wondering if the slightly different 11 speed cassette I have put on the bike, a 11-30 rather than a 12-30, has slightly different ratios so I am dropping down earlier than before and hence finding myself spinning in granny gear too soon

En route noticed my packaway waterproof top was not in the top bar bag, flip – it was definitely there on Saturday Fortunately have another as that one was getting on in years but might be best storing the newer one elsewhere

Passed a solitary cyclist on the return – who greeted me with Merry Christmas and I’ll pass that on to all YRT contributors. Now to do my 35 minute Christmas dinner - the trick is to use turkey breasts and cook them in a George Forman grill for around 8 minutes; its the pigs in blankets, stuffing and (frozen) roasts that take up the time.
14.27 miles, 869ft climbed, 12.2mph avg

 

[albal]

Beautiful morning on my ride this morning.

 

[Jenkins]

Another beautiful day for a ride - clear blue skies, temperatured in the mid single figures and a bit of a breeze from the north west. With a few hours to spare before Christmas dinner round mum's, I headed out at about a quarter to ten with a target of being home before midday to give myself time for a shower & shave when I got back. The result was just under 35 miles around the local lanes of Falkenham, Kirton, Newbourn, Waldringfield, Martlesham & Bucklesham. This was then followed by a further 3 miles to mum's and another 4 miles home 4 hours later having eaten way too much!

 

[EltonFrog]

Yesterday, Christmas Day.
It was my intention to get up early and go out for an hour or so on the road bike, but, probably because I was out late working on Christmas Eve I overslept and didn’t wake up until 8.15, so that scupper’d my plan.

Anyway, I managed to get out after Christmas lunch, and to save time and faff I just jumped on my hybrid, jeans, shoes and NoDad* Christmas jumper and did a loop, up the hill to Chilton village, across the bridle way and round to Hagbourne and down the old railway track to home.

And what a stunning day too, bright sunshine, no wind, not a cloud in the sky , mild temperatures, stunning views at the top of the hill. I wish I had remembered my camera.

just 6.23 miles, I was pleased with that.

*No Dad don’t make me wear it.

 

[EltonFrog]

Yet another ride today into town to meet up with The Fragrant MrsP who had run in a little earlier. In contrast to yesterday’s weather, today was vile, cold, wind, grey, blustery and wet. Still, it was good to blow the cobwebs off.

I went out on the old traffic free railway route, but it was full of inattentive dog walkers and phone Zombies so on the way back I went through the villages, not a lot of traffic today...I think they’re all in Argos spending their vouchers.
7.35 miles today.

 

[Shearwater Missile]

A late write up from yesterdays ride.
Yes, a lovely sunny day and I was in two minds whether to go out, as I have had a sore throat and sniffles. So at 13:50 I went out just to get some air and in my haste had forgotten my gloves and I was not going back for them once I`d closed the garage door down. I just took the main road up to Bacton and Cotton and as others have said in other areas very quiet roads, quietest I have ridden on for several years. It may have been sunny but was certainly chilly, not being helped by not wearing gloves . I saw a flock of fieldfares on my way up to Old Newton and a kestrel on my return journey. I did have one scary moment though and that was when I happened to glance down at the FD and next thing I new that I`d come off the edge of the tarmac into a puddle, one wet foot but some how I managed to stay upright. I was waiting for the moment the tyre to deflate as the wheel hit the edge of the road but luckily it was OK. The bike would have stayed clean if it was`nt for that mishap. Message to self " pay more attention to the road Mr Missile".
I knew that I`d be on about 15 miles when I got back so put in a bit more on the estate to make it 16 miles. It was an enjoyable ride and once inside my hands soon warmed which was surprising as I suffer from cold hands at the best of times. 17.2 average speed.

 

[JPBoothy]

I didn't have much time for a longer ride today, so I thought a quick loop of the local cycle paths on my Single Speed would do the trick without causing too much family bother. However, to my horror somebody 'in authority' had decided to turn a blind eye to letting the Cheshire Oaks bargain hunters park along the whole length of pathway on both sides of the road! I had to wheel my bike along the gutter into oncoming traffic in some places. Lets hope this doesn't become the norm now that it has been allowed to happen once.

 

[Old jon]

Boxing Bah Humbug Day. And it started well. Decided to head off in the rough direction of Wetherby, took the geared bike and pedalled towards Holbeck.

Not much changes there, along Water Lane and onto Great Wilson Street towards Crown Point Bridge. Quiet, to be expected I suppose, and all the traffic lights were green until the turn onto Roseville Road. Then Roundhay Road, which is up in this direction and by the time I reached the clock at Oakwood I seemed to run out of legs. Stopped for a couple of minutes, then continued for more up on Boot Hill. Which went fairly well. Cross the Ring Road and carry on along the A58 for a while then turn left onto Whin Moor Lane.



Felt a bit of a wobble just before Shadwell Main Street, put it down to road surface and turned left to carry on to Slaid Hill. Turn right at the lights onto Wike Ridge Road, down the dip then up. Wobble again. Stopped. Some time ago a spoke in the back wheel had broken, and I replaced it. But I wondered, as you do. Anyway, the back wheel was spinning true, I looked around the rest of the bike and saw nothing wrong so continued. Through Wike, take the right turn for Scarcroft and could have been in a lower gear for that first rise. Next rise, correct gear but all over the road. Stopped and looked, broken frame.

Two pictures in the wrong order

That is a bit of a facer. Not exactly what I said at the time, but close. Almost twelve miles to walk home, which gave me plenty of time to recover, and think about stuff. It was good to reach my front door though. And I still have the fixed to ride.

 

[JPBoothy]

Boxing Bah Humbug Day. And it started well. Decided to head off in the rough direction of Wetherby, took the geared bike and pedalled towards Holbeck.

Not much changes there, along Water Lane and onto Great Wilson Street towards Crown Point Bridge. Quiet, to be expected I suppose, and all the traffic lights were green until the turn onto Roseville Road. Then Roundhay Road, which is up in this direction and by the time I reached the clock at Oakwood I seemed to run out of legs. Stopped for a couple of minutes, then continued for more up on Boot Hill. Which went fairly well. Cross the Ring Road and carry on along the A58 for a while then turn left onto Whin Moor Lane.



Felt a bit of a wobble just before Shadwell Main Street, put it down to road surface and turned left to carry on to Slaid Hill. Turn right at the lights onto Wike Ridge Road, down the dip then up. Wobble again. Stopped. Some time ago a spoke in the back wheel had broken, and I replaced it. But I wondered, as you do. Anyway, the back wheel was spinning true, I looked around the rest of the bike and saw nothing wrong so continued. Through Wike, take the right turn for Scarcroft and could have been in a lower gear for that first rise. Next rise, correct gear but all over the road. Stopped and looked, broken frame.

Two pictures in the wrong order

View attachment 497943

View attachment 497944

That is a bit of a facer. Not exactly what I said at the time, but close. Almost twelve miles to walk home, which gave me plenty of time to recover, and think about stuff. It was good to reach my front door though. And I still have the fixed to ride.

Blimey, it's a good job that the sales are on then

 

[EltonFrog]

Boxing Bah Humbug Day. And it started well. Decided to head off in the rough direction of Wetherby, took the geared bike and pedalled towards Holbeck.

Not much changes there, along Water Lane and onto Great Wilson Street towards Crown Point Bridge. Quiet, to be expected I suppose, and all the traffic lights were green until the turn onto Roseville Road. Then Roundhay Road, which is up in this direction and by the time I reached the clock at Oakwood I seemed to run out of legs. Stopped for a couple of minutes, then continued for more up on Boot Hill. Which went fairly well. Cross the Ring Road and carry on along the A58 for a while then turn left onto Whin Moor Lane.



Felt a bit of a wobble just before Shadwell Main Street, put it down to road surface and turned left to carry on to Slaid Hill. Turn right at the lights onto Wike Ridge Road, down the dip then up. Wobble again. Stopped. Some time ago a spoke in the back wheel had broken, and I replaced it. But I wondered, as you do. Anyway, the back wheel was spinning true, I looked around the rest of the bike and saw nothing wrong so continued. Through Wike, take the right turn for Scarcroft and could have been in a lower gear for that first rise. Next rise, correct gear but all over the road. Stopped and looked, broken frame.

Two pictures in the wrong order

View attachment 497943

View attachment 497944

That is a bit of a facer. Not exactly what I said at the time, but close. Almost twelve miles to walk home, which gave me plenty of time to recover, and think about stuff. It was good to reach my front door though. And I still have the fixed to ride.

How the flippity blasty heck did that happen?

 

[Old jon]

Blimey, it's a good job that the sales are on then

Just priced a repair. And a respray. Thoughts . . .

 

[Mike_P]

Boxing Bah Humbug Day. And it started well. Decided to head off in the rough direction of Wetherby, took the geared bike and pedalled towards Holbeck.

Not much changes there, along Water Lane and onto Great Wilson Street towards Crown Point Bridge. Quiet, to be expected I suppose, and all the traffic lights were green until the turn onto Roseville Road. Then Roundhay Road, which is up in this direction and by the time I reached the clock at Oakwood I seemed to run out of legs. Stopped for a couple of minutes, then continued for more up on Boot Hill. Which went fairly well. Cross the Ring Road and carry on along the A58 for a while then turn left onto Whin Moor Lane.



Felt a bit of a wobble just before Shadwell Main Street, put it down to road surface and turned left to carry on to Slaid Hill. Turn right at the lights onto Wike Ridge Road, down the dip then up. Wobble again. Stopped. Some time ago a spoke in the back wheel had broken, and I replaced it. But I wondered, as you do. Anyway, the back wheel was spinning true, I looked around the rest of the bike and saw nothing wrong so continued. Through Wike, take the right turn for Scarcroft and could have been in a lower gear for that first rise. Next rise, correct gear but all over the road. Stopped and looked, broken frame.

Two pictures in the wrong order

View attachment 497943

View attachment 497944

That is a bit of a facer. Not exactly what I said at the time, but close. Almost twelve miles to walk home, which gave me plenty of time to recover, and think about stuff. It was good to reach my front door though. And I still have the fixed to ride.

Yikes Possible solution
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/brand-x-rd-01-road-bike-frameset/