pawl
Legendary Member
- Location
- Desford Leicestershire
Just past 500 miles Not bad for a rickety fair weather cyclist.
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
Socially distanced partying all the way from Quedgeley and through the villages of Elmore, Longney and Saul this afternoon. Little family groups with picnic tables and chairs out in their front gardens and on the road verges all the way. As I rode through Epney, a horse and trap came by in the opposite direction, bedecked in red, white and blue and driven by a guy in WW2 army fatigues and accompanied by a lady in old fashioned nurse's uniform. "We'll Meet Again" was blaring out from somewhere on board. It made me smile.
Another thoroughly enjoyable 18 mile ride.
Cheers, Donger.
Another thoroughly enjoyable 18 mile ride.
Cheers, Donger.
AndreaJ
Veteran
Another tour of Whixall lanes today in the warm sunshine. Started to Northwood, Hollinswood, over the canal to Fenns Bank then back over the canal to Alkington, Hollinswood again, Lower Houses, Coton, Coton Wood, Prees, over the railway line back to Coton, Abbeygreen, Waterloo, Northwood where I pulled over to let a tractor and silage trailer past having managed to avoid them for the rest of the ride and back home. To be fair to the local farmers most of them manage to give me more room than the school run traffic does. Back to more normal numbers of people about walking although there are still a few extra cyclists out. 20.7 miles @15.5mph. A not very good picture from the bridge over the railway on the lane into Prees.
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
Another lovely Spring day. I thought I'd check to see how the rehab is going by taking on more miles with the addition of some hills. So it was off around the standard run for Coddington and Peg's Farm. The Munsley lump was fine and soon I was climbing steeply up and over to Woolhope Cockshoot for the ramp up and over for Canwood and then Woolhope. Again I climbed up onto the ridge to eventually drop to Much Marcle. I took the usual run back by Brooms Green and the Castlemorton Lanes. That run back went quite briskly so I think all is well with the rehab. 56 smiles
Another short loop round the lanes through Kempsey, Croome and back via Wadborough and Littleworth. Some street parties still going on, wonder what effect this might have on infection rates.
Warm, muggy and overcast, but hardly any wind, and I think I set a personal best in this route. Good fun, if a bit short.
Warm, muggy and overcast, but hardly any wind, and I think I set a personal best in this route. Good fun, if a bit short.
CanucksTraveller
Macho Business Donkey Wrestler
- Location
- Hertfordshire
It is, but she's only just transitioned to a big bike and the saddle is going up bit by bit, ride by ride. If I did the whole "near straight leg" thing immediately she'd not reach the floor. We're just working on finding our sweet spot between safe and efficient. But thank you!
Jenkins
Legendary Member
- Location
- Felixstowe
Having done a bit of shopping for my mum & stepdad this morning, the plan for the afternoon was to go out for a relaxed 50k in the sunshine using the Pickenflick flatbar. As with most of my rides at the moment this was to be the anti-clockwise loop out to Westerfield, but it was so nice that I caried on a bit to Claydon and along Paper Mill Lane. There was a quick stop for a snack bar at a footbridge over the River Gipping where it appears that the levels are back to normal after the heavy rain at the start of the year.
This pic from March
And how it was today - what can't be seen is how clear the water is.
I then headed back to Ipswich via Bramford & Sproughton, then down to Nacton & Levington on the run home so that the 50k became 50 miles instead!
Load of people out on bikes & on foot again, plus a fair number of small (socially distanced) gatherings of people for VE Day, or others who appeared to have just set up deck chairs in their front gardens just to watch the world go by.
https://www.strava.com/activities/3419447395
This pic from March
And how it was today - what can't be seen is how clear the water is.
I then headed back to Ipswich via Bramford & Sproughton, then down to Nacton & Levington on the run home so that the 50k became 50 miles instead!
Load of people out on bikes & on foot again, plus a fair number of small (socially distanced) gatherings of people for VE Day, or others who appeared to have just set up deck chairs in their front gardens just to watch the world go by.
https://www.strava.com/activities/3419447395
Yesterday was a bit different as I had various reasons for a socially-distanced return to the family homestead, 15-20 miles outside the city.
I've done the journey a million times by car but never on the bike; partially because the most direct route is a fast and unintersting A-road and there's usually something bulky to be carried.
Given the circumstances it seemed like an ideal time to leave the car alone (with all the usual benefits for all concerned) so I planned an alternative route on Google maps; a few miles longer than the most direct option but avoiding the main road almost completely; passing through some villages and almost exclusively on quiet, pleasant country roads.
I had a pretty good idea of the route but as an insurance policy my mapped journey was converted to a .gpx file and uploaded to my head unit in case I happened to take a wrong turn anywhere.
While the distance involved was totally manageable compared to some of my usual rides, I'm used to cycling for other purposes (shopping, pub) and I know the area fairly well, there was still a bit of apprehension attached to this ride. I guess this was because it was actually for a purpose and I've only ever done the journey in a car - which somehow made it seem less viable on a bike (usually utility rides are shorter and replace journeys that would otherwise have been done on foot) .
I stepped out of the house into bright sunshine just before our socially-distanced, garden-based, VE-themed "street party" was due to start since I didn't fancy having to keep up false patriotic appearances with the neighbours. Several miles in (having passed various gazebo's being erected, bits of garden furniture being arranged and union flags being draped) I realised I'd forgetting to instigate the route on my head unit but didn't want to restart my ride so I was, to an extent, on my own after all..
The 2nd b*llock was dropped in Kidlington; paranoia about inadvertantly finding myself on the A34 meaning I took an early turn and headed east to Islip rather than continuing north to Hampton Poyle. No big deal though; only a mile or two out of the way. Onward to Bletchingdon, before randomly meeting a mate and his family on the other side of Kirlington.. A suitably distant chat was had with the 3rd and 4th friends I'd actually been in the presence of since the start of lockdown.
Back on my way I eventually reached a point where I had to decide between the last leg on the main A-road or cross-country. I've walked the latter many times and figured it was worth a shot on the bike since it was close to home and would sack off the main road almost completely. I peeled off down the gravelly, max 8-ish percent farm track that was smooth enough as long as you could avoid the potholes; lightly dragging the brakes periodically in preparation for the bend at the bottom as while the tyres' grip under braking has earned my confidence, I'm less eager to explore their limits of lateral adhesion..
On the other side of the bend I climbed to a gate and into a large grassed field with a fair downward slope. The ground was tolerably smooth and the bike rolled well with minimal fuss down to the gate at the bottom. Finally I followed the outskirts of the next field for a few hundred yards, along a thin track lined with deepish grass and nettles; having no choice but to plough through and hope there were not substantial obstacles hidden within.
Finally it was out onto the main road for the final few hundred yards into the village and home, with a palpable sense of achievement and my idealistic convictions of the humble bike as a practical means of transport reinforced. This was aided by the CdF's versatility in making short work of the grass and gravel I'd never have even considered navigating on a more road-focussed bike.
Having ridden for years it still excites me to think / pleases me to experience how this relatively simple, cost-effective mechanical device can so drastically expand the range and speed of the human body when operating under its own power
I have a few things to do today (including hopefully passing on my skip-rescue Scandi town bike on to its new custodian) then it'll be back to Oxford. Perusing my route on the map illustrated to me the proximity of the Oxford canal at many points; so I'm tempted to try this route on the return leg. It's a little longer and I know the surface will be less comfortable, the speeds lower and necessary concentration higher; while I suspect the tow paths might be littered with pedestrians (especially the nearer to the city I get) but I guess I can always bail at one of the bridges along the route and complete the journey by road as necessary
I've done the journey a million times by car but never on the bike; partially because the most direct route is a fast and unintersting A-road and there's usually something bulky to be carried.
Given the circumstances it seemed like an ideal time to leave the car alone (with all the usual benefits for all concerned) so I planned an alternative route on Google maps; a few miles longer than the most direct option but avoiding the main road almost completely; passing through some villages and almost exclusively on quiet, pleasant country roads.
I had a pretty good idea of the route but as an insurance policy my mapped journey was converted to a .gpx file and uploaded to my head unit in case I happened to take a wrong turn anywhere.
While the distance involved was totally manageable compared to some of my usual rides, I'm used to cycling for other purposes (shopping, pub) and I know the area fairly well, there was still a bit of apprehension attached to this ride. I guess this was because it was actually for a purpose and I've only ever done the journey in a car - which somehow made it seem less viable on a bike (usually utility rides are shorter and replace journeys that would otherwise have been done on foot) .
I stepped out of the house into bright sunshine just before our socially-distanced, garden-based, VE-themed "street party" was due to start since I didn't fancy having to keep up false patriotic appearances with the neighbours. Several miles in (having passed various gazebo's being erected, bits of garden furniture being arranged and union flags being draped) I realised I'd forgetting to instigate the route on my head unit but didn't want to restart my ride so I was, to an extent, on my own after all..
The 2nd b*llock was dropped in Kidlington; paranoia about inadvertantly finding myself on the A34 meaning I took an early turn and headed east to Islip rather than continuing north to Hampton Poyle. No big deal though; only a mile or two out of the way. Onward to Bletchingdon, before randomly meeting a mate and his family on the other side of Kirlington.. A suitably distant chat was had with the 3rd and 4th friends I'd actually been in the presence of since the start of lockdown.
Back on my way I eventually reached a point where I had to decide between the last leg on the main A-road or cross-country. I've walked the latter many times and figured it was worth a shot on the bike since it was close to home and would sack off the main road almost completely. I peeled off down the gravelly, max 8-ish percent farm track that was smooth enough as long as you could avoid the potholes; lightly dragging the brakes periodically in preparation for the bend at the bottom as while the tyres' grip under braking has earned my confidence, I'm less eager to explore their limits of lateral adhesion..
On the other side of the bend I climbed to a gate and into a large grassed field with a fair downward slope. The ground was tolerably smooth and the bike rolled well with minimal fuss down to the gate at the bottom. Finally I followed the outskirts of the next field for a few hundred yards, along a thin track lined with deepish grass and nettles; having no choice but to plough through and hope there were not substantial obstacles hidden within.
Finally it was out onto the main road for the final few hundred yards into the village and home, with a palpable sense of achievement and my idealistic convictions of the humble bike as a practical means of transport reinforced. This was aided by the CdF's versatility in making short work of the grass and gravel I'd never have even considered navigating on a more road-focussed bike.
Having ridden for years it still excites me to think / pleases me to experience how this relatively simple, cost-effective mechanical device can so drastically expand the range and speed of the human body when operating under its own power
I have a few things to do today (including hopefully passing on my skip-rescue Scandi town bike on to its new custodian) then it'll be back to Oxford. Perusing my route on the map illustrated to me the proximity of the Oxford canal at many points; so I'm tempted to try this route on the return leg. It's a little longer and I know the surface will be less comfortable, the speeds lower and necessary concentration higher; while I suspect the tow paths might be littered with pedestrians (especially the nearer to the city I get) but I guess I can always bail at one of the bridges along the route and complete the journey by road as necessary
Last edited:
Nice challenging ride today. Up the 20% climbs of Littledale and Jubilee Tower then the lovely village of Abbeystead. Just 53km but 830m of up. Good views across the bay to the Lake District. Stopped for contemplation at the Shepherds Church, Nether Wyresdal. Curious message above the gate meant to be taken spiritually rather than literally I guess.
welsh dragon
Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
I managed a bimble today. Very hot here. Scorchio in fact. Very little traffic on the roads . 1 cyclist, one new mum pushing a pushchair and no one else. It is hard to believe that according to the weather people tomorrow is going to be cold and miserable.
Attachments
Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
Yea! Something actually happened today. I got out earlier to avoid the hordes on a longer than usual ride and ended up catching sight of a really rather good Severn Bore completely unexpectedly. After being held up by a chance (socially distanced) meeting with George from our cycling club, I arrived at the waterfront in Epney just a few minutes before the bore was due. This was obvious by the well-spaced little family groups and individual cyclists waiting along the flood wall.:
These two swans didn't know what was about to hit them. "It's behind you!":
They soon realised. Time to get the flock outta here:
I carried on to Arlingham, where I paused a while for a drink. The Severn was not far from breaching its banks by then. Newnham on Severn (background) was now Newnham on Sea:
As we have cold and apparently very windy weather coming tomorrow, I was determined to clock up a few extra miles today, so I carried on to Frampton, Whitminster and the A38 before returning via Epney and then tagging on an extra 2 or 3 miles at the end, bringing up 32.3 miles this morning. My longest ride since March. By the time I got home, I reckon everyone in Gloucestershire who owns a bike was out on it. Lovely weather for it, but I'm glad I beat the rush.
Enjoy your rides everyone.
Donger.
These two swans didn't know what was about to hit them. "It's behind you!":
They soon realised. Time to get the flock outta here:
I carried on to Arlingham, where I paused a while for a drink. The Severn was not far from breaching its banks by then. Newnham on Severn (background) was now Newnham on Sea:
As we have cold and apparently very windy weather coming tomorrow, I was determined to clock up a few extra miles today, so I carried on to Frampton, Whitminster and the A38 before returning via Epney and then tagging on an extra 2 or 3 miles at the end, bringing up 32.3 miles this morning. My longest ride since March. By the time I got home, I reckon everyone in Gloucestershire who owns a bike was out on it. Lovely weather for it, but I'm glad I beat the rush.
Enjoy your rides everyone.
Donger.
Last edited:
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
A twenty mile ride today with leaden legs. It was lovely out. Plenty of cyclists and horses about.
https://www.strava.com/activities/3422961894
https://www.strava.com/activities/3422961894
More blue sky! There seems to be unlimited amounts of it just lately, and one of my bikes needs a ride. Gears today, just in case I find some hills to ride up. And down, of course.
Headingley first, after the now usual wander through the town centre. And it has just occurred to me, forty one miles later, that it would be as easy to ride past the University (OK Parkinson’s Library) to reach the same place. Just for a change. Anyway, across the Ring Road and take the left fork onto Otley Old Road, all the way up to Cookridge. Then after leaving the houses behind, take the left turn for the climb past the airport to the A658, Bradford to Harrogate Road. Admiring all the parked aeroplanes on the way.
Turn right for the whizzzzz down Pool Bank, maybe I should ride up it at least once this year? Ride to Otley, do not stop for a munch, cross the Wharfe and ride up Billam’s Hill. This leads to the left turn onto Weston Lane which takes me to Weston itself. After the steepest little climb of the ride, or maybe the approach wears the legs out before reaching the hard bit. Next along the valley is Askwith, the views over to Ilkley Moor start to open out and there is more downhill mixed in.
Just before reaching Denton Bridge a rattle started. Why Denton I know not, the village of that name is a mile or so away. Closer on the other side of the river is Wheatley, or Ben Rhydding a bit further up the hill. Anyway, I crossed the bridge and fixed the rattle, the bike was pointing towards Otley so that is the way I rode. Around the bypass and up Leeds Road, admiring the views. Almost at the top a couple on bikes with child on child seat were also admiring the views, stopped. If I ever take a camera, spelt e - x - c - u - s - e, maybe I will stop there too. Certainly not taking a child!
Through Bramhope, changes little, and at the end of the village turn left to climb Kings Road yet again. Turn right at the top and pedal gently through Adel, lots of pedestrians this morning. Then back through Headingley to Kirkstall. Passing Woodrup’s bike shop on the way back, there was an impressive queue outside, and I wanted to buy some new tyre levers, hmmm, next week maybe. The last stretch home made the miles felt, but still I smiled. For all that I looked for hills this morning, I only climbed 233 feet more than the last ride in what I called the flatlands. Maybe my knowledge of the area is lacking?
A stretched out collection of loops, maybe?
Headingley first, after the now usual wander through the town centre. And it has just occurred to me, forty one miles later, that it would be as easy to ride past the University (OK Parkinson’s Library) to reach the same place. Just for a change. Anyway, across the Ring Road and take the left fork onto Otley Old Road, all the way up to Cookridge. Then after leaving the houses behind, take the left turn for the climb past the airport to the A658, Bradford to Harrogate Road. Admiring all the parked aeroplanes on the way.
Turn right for the whizzzzz down Pool Bank, maybe I should ride up it at least once this year? Ride to Otley, do not stop for a munch, cross the Wharfe and ride up Billam’s Hill. This leads to the left turn onto Weston Lane which takes me to Weston itself. After the steepest little climb of the ride, or maybe the approach wears the legs out before reaching the hard bit. Next along the valley is Askwith, the views over to Ilkley Moor start to open out and there is more downhill mixed in.
Just before reaching Denton Bridge a rattle started. Why Denton I know not, the village of that name is a mile or so away. Closer on the other side of the river is Wheatley, or Ben Rhydding a bit further up the hill. Anyway, I crossed the bridge and fixed the rattle, the bike was pointing towards Otley so that is the way I rode. Around the bypass and up Leeds Road, admiring the views. Almost at the top a couple on bikes with child on child seat were also admiring the views, stopped. If I ever take a camera, spelt e - x - c - u - s - e, maybe I will stop there too. Certainly not taking a child!
Through Bramhope, changes little, and at the end of the village turn left to climb Kings Road yet again. Turn right at the top and pedal gently through Adel, lots of pedestrians this morning. Then back through Headingley to Kirkstall. Passing Woodrup’s bike shop on the way back, there was an impressive queue outside, and I wanted to buy some new tyre levers, hmmm, next week maybe. The last stretch home made the miles felt, but still I smiled. For all that I looked for hills this morning, I only climbed 233 feet more than the last ride in what I called the flatlands. Maybe my knowledge of the area is lacking?
A stretched out collection of loops, maybe?
Arjimlad
Tights of Cydonia
- Location
- South Glos
Commons and churches were the themes of my 25 mile exercise ride this morning. Lots of lovely cyclists out enjoying the amazing weather & scenery as well. Wonderful !
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
After a bit of a slow start this morning I wanted to get out and make the most of another lovely warm and sunny morning before the change that's forecast for tomorrow. I could feel the legs a bit after the exertions yesterday so something a little less energetic was called for. I took the knockabout bike and headed over Lyth Hill to meander round the lanes to Stapleton, Castle Pulverbatch, Wrentnall, Oaks, Plealey, Arscott, Annscroft and back over Lyth Hill.
Although the legs were tired, they felt okay as long as I moderated the pace a little. There were quite a few people out walking or cycling and Lyth Hill was popular today. I decided to take an alternative route on the other side of the hill and headed down Green Lane which is what it says and quite rough to ride but enjoyable. It's quite a while since I rode along here and one of the houses seems to have been completey rebuilt.
Down at Exfords Green there were a few cyclists as I'd expected and a bit of motor traffic but from Stapleton I only saw one vehicle and one cyclist the whole way to Church Pulverbatch. The main road through Pulverbatch was surprisingly busy (I'm sure the chap cruising along in his Aston Martin was on an essential journey
) but I didn't stay on this road long, choosing to dive down a little alternative lane to Wrentnall, which as hoped was completely deserted.
The views from Oaks were as good as they could be on such a nice day and I had the road to Plealey to myself. I took to a lane that cuts across to Arscott (also deserted) where there was an impressively large Union Jack at one of the cottages.
Not much traffic at Annscroft and the climb up the hill from this side seemed nice and easy taken slow. After crossing Lyth Hill again I encountered three drivers who didn't think that they should slow for a cyclist even though it was my priority due to parked cars on their side of the road
. Getting quite frustrated by this.
I extended the ride a bit at the end and was sad to get back really as I could have just trundled round like this for hours on such a nice day.
18.7 miles at 10.9 mph average. A rather different pace from yesterday.
Looking in the direction of Pulverbatch from Lyth Hill.
Green Lane.
Taking the quiet way to Wrentnall.
About to start descending from Oaks. It is quite high up here.
Couldn't they have found a bigger one?
On the track across Lyth Hill.
Although the legs were tired, they felt okay as long as I moderated the pace a little. There were quite a few people out walking or cycling and Lyth Hill was popular today. I decided to take an alternative route on the other side of the hill and headed down Green Lane which is what it says and quite rough to ride but enjoyable. It's quite a while since I rode along here and one of the houses seems to have been completey rebuilt.
Down at Exfords Green there were a few cyclists as I'd expected and a bit of motor traffic but from Stapleton I only saw one vehicle and one cyclist the whole way to Church Pulverbatch. The main road through Pulverbatch was surprisingly busy (I'm sure the chap cruising along in his Aston Martin was on an essential journey
) but I didn't stay on this road long, choosing to dive down a little alternative lane to Wrentnall, which as hoped was completely deserted.The views from Oaks were as good as they could be on such a nice day and I had the road to Plealey to myself. I took to a lane that cuts across to Arscott (also deserted) where there was an impressively large Union Jack at one of the cottages.
Not much traffic at Annscroft and the climb up the hill from this side seemed nice and easy taken slow. After crossing Lyth Hill again I encountered three drivers who didn't think that they should slow for a cyclist even though it was my priority due to parked cars on their side of the road
. Getting quite frustrated by this.I extended the ride a bit at the end and was sad to get back really as I could have just trundled round like this for hours on such a nice day.
18.7 miles at 10.9 mph average. A rather different pace from yesterday.
Looking in the direction of Pulverbatch from Lyth Hill.
Green Lane.
Taking the quiet way to Wrentnall.
About to start descending from Oaks. It is quite high up here.
Couldn't they have found a bigger one?
On the track across Lyth Hill.
