Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
A 20 mile ride today, the sun making an appearance too!
I went up the long draggy hill to Westlake then made the mistake of riding down the dirtiest road in
https://www.strava.com/activities/2964928011
I went up the long draggy hill to Westlake then made the mistake of riding down the dirtiest road in
https://www.strava.com/activities/2964928011
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Out for a leg stretch today after the Christmas excesses. I'd hoped to get my brother out too but he's feeling under the weather today so it was just me.
I opted to head over Lyth Hill to Exfords Green then up to Oaks, round Broom Hill to Pulverbatch, Wilderley, Walkmills, Dudgeley, across the A49 and back via Hollyhurst, Longnor, Ryton, Condover and the short way home.
Lyth Hill was busy with walkers and their dogs and the lanes afterwards were busier than I'm used to as well. There seemed to be two distinct types of driver out today, the ones who are still full of the Christmas spirit and waved and smiled as I passed and those who barely acknowledged my existence when I pulled over to let them through. Thankfully the former made more of an impression this time.
I've tweaked the tension of the Nidd saddle on the knockabout bike recently and it has made it feel noticably improved to ride as it seems easier to put the effort in on the climbs. I don't think I'm any faster but it feels much better.
There were quite a few runners out in places where I'm not used to seeing them and the odd cyclist was out and about. I met a club outing near to Dudgeley Mill but they didn't seem bothered about talking to me.
Once I turned back northwards I had the wind and gradient in my favour (as usual here) so enjoyed a good swift run most of the way home. At Ryton I waved a vehicle out ahead of me which turned out to be a hearse for horses. Somebody has had an upsetting Christmas.
26.6 miles this time at 12.2 mph average.
The view from Lyth Hill early on. A bit misty today but it brightened up later in the ride.
I opted to head over Lyth Hill to Exfords Green then up to Oaks, round Broom Hill to Pulverbatch, Wilderley, Walkmills, Dudgeley, across the A49 and back via Hollyhurst, Longnor, Ryton, Condover and the short way home.
Lyth Hill was busy with walkers and their dogs and the lanes afterwards were busier than I'm used to as well. There seemed to be two distinct types of driver out today, the ones who are still full of the Christmas spirit and waved and smiled as I passed and those who barely acknowledged my existence when I pulled over to let them through. Thankfully the former made more of an impression this time.
I've tweaked the tension of the Nidd saddle on the knockabout bike recently and it has made it feel noticably improved to ride as it seems easier to put the effort in on the climbs. I don't think I'm any faster but it feels much better.
There were quite a few runners out in places where I'm not used to seeing them and the odd cyclist was out and about. I met a club outing near to Dudgeley Mill but they didn't seem bothered about talking to me.
Once I turned back northwards I had the wind and gradient in my favour (as usual here) so enjoyed a good swift run most of the way home. At Ryton I waved a vehicle out ahead of me which turned out to be a hearse for horses. Somebody has had an upsetting Christmas.
26.6 miles this time at 12.2 mph average.
The view from Lyth Hill early on. A bit misty today but it brightened up later in the ride.
chriswoody
Legendary Member
- Location
- Northern Germany
Another nice day, clear blue skies and sub-zero temperatures conspired to coat everything in a lovely white frost. I headed out on clear country lanes towards my favourite forest. Trees lining my route provided a handy roost for several Buzzards that took flight as a glided by, a site that I'll never tire of. Turning off into the forest brought a distinct change, as the low sun failed to penetrate and the ground was frozen solid. The thick steel tubes of the Kona soaked up the worst of the vibration, but it was still a rough ride in the sections that had been churned up by the Wild Boar. Other tracks were a frozen delight and the forest flew by as the speed increased. A 28km loop in total with over 80% in the solitude of the cold forest.
I finished the day with a quick spin with my son who is really getting to grips with his new bike and off-road riding.
I finished the day with a quick spin with my son who is really getting to grips with his new bike and off-road riding.
theloafer
Legendary Member
- Location
- newton aycliffe
a nice little jaunt on the bike to see how the love of my life could cope .. after her fall back in july ...she did really great ...found a new cafe stop... the weather was quite pleasant for the time of year 😁 25 miles
https://www.strava.com/activities/2965726425
...found a new cafe stop... the weather was quite pleasant for the time of year 😁 25 mileshttps://www.strava.com/activities/2965726425
Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
A nice final 39 mile club ride of the year. Two of the three of us used it to pass our 3,000 mile targets. Climbed the Cotswold edge at Middleyard before sniffing out one of the only cafes that was open today, after descending past Forest Green Rovers' ground into Nailsworth and on to Horsley. Finished the year on 3,032.9 miles. All starts again in a few days. Happy New Year everyone.
Cheers, Donger.
Cheers, Donger.
gavgav
Legendary Member
Out for my final ride of 2019, with the aim of getting the 47 miles in, that I needed to scrape past 1000 miles for the year. 2 months off the bike, with a broken hand, has made this my lowest yearly mileage total, since taking up cycling in 2013.
It was a nice sunny day, fairly mild and the southerly wind was quite gentle, which was appreciated with this being a North and South route, second half into the wind.
Took the usual route out of Shrewsbury, to Uffington and Upton Magna, then climbed up East Haughmond and Ebury Hills, before the flatter section to Bings Heath and Shawbury. Negotiated the nasty junction in the village, continued on to Moreton Corbett, Stanton upon Hine Heath and then Booley.
Encountered a couple of very friendly ladies, on horses, here, and a quick chat where they remarked on the lovely weather. I climbed up past the West Midlands Shooting Range and Kenstone Manor, arriving at my lunchtime stopping place, Hawkstone Park Follies. It’s closed until February and so I had to make do with eating my lunch in front of the big gates, at the top of the drive.
The return route is retracing steps, as I don’t fancy any of the main road routes around there, which are the only other alternatives. I met the 2 ladies on horses, again, just before Stanton, but they were already on the side of the lane, talking to a couple with dogs, which made passing them easy.
Only other thing to note, before Shawbury, was a fox running across the road, between me and a tanker, that was coming the other way. He was close to being squashed by the tanker!
At Shawbury I rejoined the road to Poynton, and I’d done about 1/2 a mile when I heard a vehicle come up behind me, on a very narrow section. Just as I was looking ahead to see where I could pull in, I heard said vehicle accelerate fast, come storming past me, dangerously, at a hell of a speed, forcing me to swerve towards the ditch and because he’d had to use the verge on the other side, where his wheels were spinning, spewed thick clumps of stoney mud into the road, all over me and the bike. I was absolutely fuming, not sure I’ve ever been so angry on a bike.
I had to stop and remove mud from my ear, from the gear mechanism of the bike and the spokes of both wheels, to even make the bike rideable again.
What said driver seemed to have forgotten, was that he was driving a liveried Silver Vauxhall Vivaro Van. “Dan Barber Carpentry and Joinery” was the culprit and I’ve just reported him to the police. I don’t expect anything will be done, but he was an absolute maniac. I will be sure to spread his details around friends and family and ensure they don’t use his business services.
To be honest the rest of the ride, through Roden, Rodington, Longden on Tern, Isombridge, Withington, Upton Magna and Shrewsbury, was a bit of a blur, due to me being so angry, but I’d calmed down by the time I’d got home.
Washed the bike down, removing even more thick clumps of mud from the incident.
I’d not only done the 47 miles needed, but had actually completed my first 50 mile ride of the year, indeed since September 2018, with 52.2 miles on the clock, at 11.7 mph avg speed and 1800ft of climbing.
Bizarrely, December has been my biggest cycling mileage month of the year, by a good 30 miles now!
This takes me to 1005 miles for 2019.
It was a nice sunny day, fairly mild and the southerly wind was quite gentle, which was appreciated with this being a North and South route, second half into the wind.
Took the usual route out of Shrewsbury, to Uffington and Upton Magna, then climbed up East Haughmond and Ebury Hills, before the flatter section to Bings Heath and Shawbury. Negotiated the nasty junction in the village, continued on to Moreton Corbett, Stanton upon Hine Heath and then Booley.
Encountered a couple of very friendly ladies, on horses, here, and a quick chat where they remarked on the lovely weather. I climbed up past the West Midlands Shooting Range and Kenstone Manor, arriving at my lunchtime stopping place, Hawkstone Park Follies. It’s closed until February and so I had to make do with eating my lunch in front of the big gates, at the top of the drive.
The return route is retracing steps, as I don’t fancy any of the main road routes around there, which are the only other alternatives. I met the 2 ladies on horses, again, just before Stanton, but they were already on the side of the lane, talking to a couple with dogs, which made passing them easy.
Only other thing to note, before Shawbury, was a fox running across the road, between me and a tanker, that was coming the other way. He was close to being squashed by the tanker!
At Shawbury I rejoined the road to Poynton, and I’d done about 1/2 a mile when I heard a vehicle come up behind me, on a very narrow section. Just as I was looking ahead to see where I could pull in, I heard said vehicle accelerate fast, come storming past me, dangerously, at a hell of a speed, forcing me to swerve towards the ditch and because he’d had to use the verge on the other side, where his wheels were spinning, spewed thick clumps of stoney mud into the road, all over me and the bike. I was absolutely fuming, not sure I’ve ever been so angry on a bike.
I had to stop and remove mud from my ear, from the gear mechanism of the bike and the spokes of both wheels, to even make the bike rideable again.
What said driver seemed to have forgotten, was that he was driving a liveried Silver Vauxhall Vivaro Van. “Dan Barber Carpentry and Joinery” was the culprit and I’ve just reported him to the police. I don’t expect anything will be done, but he was an absolute maniac. I will be sure to spread his details around friends and family and ensure they don’t use his business services.
To be honest the rest of the ride, through Roden, Rodington, Longden on Tern, Isombridge, Withington, Upton Magna and Shrewsbury, was a bit of a blur, due to me being so angry, but I’d calmed down by the time I’d got home.
Washed the bike down, removing even more thick clumps of mud from the incident.
I’d not only done the 47 miles needed, but had actually completed my first 50 mile ride of the year, indeed since September 2018, with 52.2 miles on the clock, at 11.7 mph avg speed and 1800ft of climbing.
Bizarrely, December has been my biggest cycling mileage month of the year, by a good 30 miles now!
This takes me to 1005 miles for 2019.
Last edited:
LeetleGreyCells
Un rouleur infatigable
- Location
- Whitehaven Mansions
Today was to be a sociable day as I joined the club social ride for a pleasant 51km ride in Derbyshire from Bolsover out to Ashover (not far from Matlock). A group of 9 left from the road leading to the castle heading south and east. I'd been asked if I was riding by a friend on Friday night, and thought why not? The sky was clear and there was no rain clouds in sight. But that's because the wind had blown them all away before turning its attention upon us! Headwinds and crosswinds, unfortunately no tailwind. Gusts galore!
We squeezed into a tiny café in Ashover that sold delicious bacon sandwiches (with brown sauce, of course) for a short break before continuing on our circular route back to Bolsover via Tibshelf village. Lots of hills and good company.
One of the riders' chain slipped off between the largest sprocket and the wheel, a quick readjustment got her going again. My friend is convinced his rear brake was locked on for the ride. He says his fitness is not in question
We squeezed into a tiny café in Ashover that sold delicious bacon sandwiches (with brown sauce, of course) for a short break before continuing on our circular route back to Bolsover via Tibshelf village. Lots of hills and good company.
One of the riders' chain slipped off between the largest sprocket and the wheel, a quick readjustment got her going again. My friend is convinced his rear brake was locked on for the ride. He says his fitness is not in question
AndreaJ
Veteran
Another sunny day here and after Monday’s trauma of getting lost and having to go up hills I decided on a route I knew. I headed out to Whixall, Hollinswood, over the canal to FennsWood and Fenns Bank then back over the canal to Blackloe and up to Alkington. Turned back to Tilstock and carried on the Wem road dodging some huge potholes to Coton before turning to Prees and back to Coton where I turned off to CotonWood before remembering the lane would be flooded got through without getting too wet and back to Coton, Braynes Hall,Waterloo, Edstaston, Creamore, Highfields and back home. 24.3 miles done on a lovely day to be out, still got covered in mud though I will be glad when the lanes dry up a bit.
Richard A Thackeray
Legendary Member
Bike selected; CGR, as I had intentions of some bridleway/river bank/field riding (& roads were damp)
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)
Just a potter around Wakefield, mainly taking photographs for the 'Trig Point Bagger' thread
6 entries in it
I had intended a ride up to Aberford, but the low Sun makes the return journey more of a risk at this time of year, in order to photograph a section of the 'Great North Road' that I'd quite forgotten about (where it was sliced by the creation of the dual-carriageway/Aberford bypass)
Sadly, that's getting to be a route for an over-cast day
The road is straight (it's not called 'Roman Ridge Road' for no reason!!) & with very little features to deflect sunlight (straight ahead on the way back)
Parts of todays ride were rather grotty & at one point, on a 'track', several inches deep in mud - enough to cause a forward travel problem!
(ie; a stop in the middle if it..... even the return, 'downhill' through it slowed me up)
I was heading up to Dame Bolles Water Tower
Between here; https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/356322 and the River Calder
Just before the mud-patch
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)
Just a potter around Wakefield, mainly taking photographs for the 'Trig Point Bagger' thread
6 entries in it
I had intended a ride up to Aberford, but the low Sun makes the return journey more of a risk at this time of year, in order to photograph a section of the 'Great North Road' that I'd quite forgotten about (where it was sliced by the creation of the dual-carriageway/Aberford bypass)
Sadly, that's getting to be a route for an over-cast day
The road is straight (it's not called 'Roman Ridge Road' for no reason!!) & with very little features to deflect sunlight (straight ahead on the way back)
Parts of todays ride were rather grotty & at one point, on a 'track', several inches deep in mud - enough to cause a forward travel problem!
(ie; a stop in the middle if it..... even the return, 'downhill' through it slowed me up)
I was heading up to Dame Bolles Water Tower
Between here; https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/356322 and the River Calder
Just before the mud-patch
Last edited:
Landsurfer
Veteran
Winter sun .... i love winter sun. Today was warm and bright and lovely.
The tailwind along the eastern segment of the ride was also a bonus.
30.6 Miles, 1000 ft of climbing, just a joy to be out ....
The tailwind along the eastern segment of the ride was also a bonus.
30.6 Miles, 1000 ft of climbing, just a joy to be out ....
Richard A Thackeray
Legendary Member
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
Bit of lovely sunshine today. So out onto the standard White Rabbit loop. A couple of Kestrels made themselves noticeable as did Redwings. A lone Buzzard glided by lit beautifully by the sun. I met June P at Strensham. We had a lovely long chat. The lane at Upton is open at last as the River is now back between its banks. Nice wee leg turner. 35 smiles
