Your ride today....

[postman]

Getting better,44 miles Knareborough,the long way round.Good riding,none of that empty feeling.It was just warm enough to wear top and shorts.I really enjoyed it.I actually felt that i had something left energy wise.Good day out.

 

[Archeress]

I feel a bit short changed today, I decided to port the bike in one of dem petrol powered thingmabobs and ride a route from my Collins Cycling in Somerset and Wilts. The guidebook said 30 miles but the cycle computer only reported 24. Mioshare is sulking at the moment and doesn't want to talk to Strava so no ride to post, but I can show the route from my Memory Map plan. Only one navigational problem, the guidebook is so old that the pub it mentions to turn right at has now been renamed. I noticed almost straight away and did not go very far out of my way.

I started out at Lydiard Park, just on the outskirts of Swindon and rode along Hook Street and into Hook before heading North to Purton. Here I headed west and then north west through Minety before arriving at the Cotswold Water Park. Despite all the lakes marked on the map, I didn't manage to see a single one lol.

I skirted Ashton Keynes before having my lunch in the picnic site at Waterhay. After lunch I headed back towards Swindon and then to Lydiard Park to complete the loop. 23.84 easy miles at an average of 13.26mph.

I met this amiable but quiet fellow

Lunch time

I managed to get a shot of this colourful insect using 48x zoom and bracing the camera against my bikes frame

Hugs
Archeress x

 

[gavgav]

Ride 2 of my holiday in the Lake District.

We ramped up both the distance (33.7 miles) and climbing (2860 ft) today with a route that was aiming for Lakeside and Newby Bridge.

We had a delayed start though, as the dreaded P Fairy had broken into the shed overnight and @Rickshaw Phil's rear tyre was as flat as a pancake! Wheel removed and checks done, couldn't find any sign of a hole and it seemed to be holding its air and so it was pumped up and put back on, only for his rear brake to seize up and need some TLC!

We finally set off and descended into Coniston, before beginning the hellish climb up Hawkshead Hill. Ground our way up to the sign and the obligatory photo stop (chance to breathe and drink!!)

Next destination was Hawkshead and the lovely scenic roads along Esthwaite Water and a climb into Near Sawrey, passing Hilltop (for the Beatrix Potter fans amongst you) complete with the usual gaggle of Japanese tourists in the middle of the road taking pictures.

We then turned towards Lake Windermere and Cunsey, after which there is a very steep climb up to the main road at Graythwaite, where we passed a couple struggling up the hill, with the lady walking and not looking as though she was enjoying herself!!

Once on the main road is is a nice descent into Lakeside, where we stopped at the boat/train station for some lunch.

We had an interested Gull baying at as for food and after we ignored him, he decided to do what can only be described as "ballet" by standing on one leg at a time and performing for us . Still didn't get any food off us though!

We continued onwards to Newby Bridge, before heading into gradient arrow country!! The initial climbing was into the Rusland Valley, where I was given a compliment about my knees by an elderly lady and we disturbed a stork in the undergrowth that took off and honked at us. Next we climbed up to Oxen Park, before it really ramped up to Bandrake and Bessy Bank, which was a killer of a climb and I had to stop a couple of times. Lovely views though.

Thankfully we had a steep descent to Lowick Bridge and then we followed the route back along the Eastern Shore of Coniston Lake and back to the house.

Hard work and my most challenging entry into the Half Century a Month challenge so far.

@Rickshaw Phil had lost some air from his tyre on the route and so had a proper go at finding the hole, which turned out to be a tiny one, but enough to let some air out over time.

 

[Saluki]

Quick 5 miler. What Hubster calls the H2H ride (Home to Hospital). We are hoping for a nice 30 miler tomorrow and exploring a new (to us) cyclepath on the wrong side of the river.
Gorgeous day.

 

[Dave 123]

This week at work the students get drunk and ruin all my hard work. This usually peeves me a bit so I've decamped to Mallorca for the week.
The bike shop wasn't open til 4, so after a quick snooze I've just had a nice 20 odd miles around Pollensa and Cala San Vincenc.
The sun is out after the rain this afternoon and I saw a booted eagle

https://www.strava.com/activities/326019473

 

[Levo-Lon]

I feel a bit short changed today, I decided to port the bike in one of dem petrol powered thingmabobs and ride a route from my Collins Cycling in Somerset and Wilts. The guidebook said 30 miles but the cycle computer only reported 24. Mioshare is sulking at the moment and doesn't want to talk to Strava so no ride to post, but I can show the route from my Memory Map plan. Only one navigational problem, the guidebook is so old that the pub it mentions to turn right at has now been renamed. I noticed almost straight away and did not go very far out of my way.
View attachment 92022


I started out at Lydiard Park, just on the outskirts of Swindon and rode along Hook Street and into Hook before heading North to Purton. Here I headed west and then north west through Minety before arriving at the Cotswold Water Park. Despite all the lakes marked on the map, I didn't manage to see a single one lol.

I skirted Ashton Keynes before having my lunch in the picnic site at Waterhay. After lunch I headed back towards Swindon and then to Lydiard Park to complete the loop. 23.84 easy miles at an average of 13.26mph.

I met this amiable but quiet fellow
View attachment 92017

Lunch time
View attachment 92018

I managed to get a shot of this colourful insect using 48x zoom and bracing the camera against my bikes frame
View attachment 92019

Hugs
Archeress x

nice to see them shoes are seeing new sites @Archeress

 

[BSRU]

Managed to squeeze a quick(for me) ride in on Saturday(47km with 540m of going up). First time I have ridden on a Saturday evening.
Then today a good hard 100km with almost 1200m of going up( with the mid section of 25km with almost 500m of going up).

From the overcast and humid Saturday ride.

Then from today's sunnier and warmer ride.

Post ride recovery included some(i.e. more than one) chocolate éclairs.

 

[cosmicbike]

A quick 16 miles for me tonight, nice to get out and enjoy the warm evenings.

 

[Archeress]

nice to see them shoes are seeing new sites @Archeress

They have seen plenty of miles now. They are working very well for me.

Thanks & hugs
Archeress x

 

[cyclebum]

I'll apologise in advance as I am about to partake in some blatant willy waving. If you don't want to witness this then I suggest you look away now.....

Just got back from doing the Evans Cycles Cheshire Ride-It long route. 82.55 miles covered in a moving time of 04:23:54 This gives an average speed of 18.75mph. I am proud to say I was only passed twice on the road.

Really enjoyed it actually and even did the optional Swiss Hill cobbled climb. The ride organisers warned not to attempt it if it was wet but you know me, can't resist a challenge. It did get pretty steep in places but the surface, while damp, wasn't a problem. The hardest part was grinding up with a 34T compact and 25T large sprocket at the rear. I crested the hill puffing like a steam train to find a group of riders having a rest. They turned and laughed when I commented that it could have been worse and then pointed up the rest of hill as it turned left and continued, I made it to the top anyway but not what I would call fun

I met my first, bona-fide Sportive Nobber!
It all started in the queue for the start line. Some guy behind me was talking at max volume, telling his mates about how they were going to monster this ride in X.Xhrs and then bragging about a crazy downhill he did sat on the cross bar like Cancellara, totally out of control, could've died but did 52mph (wow ).
When we passed the water barrel I asked him if he would hold my bike while I topped up one of my bottles and he took my bike from me like I was handing him a steaming dog turd. When I came back he pointed out that I shouldn't be wearing earphones as they were unsafe and a danger to other riders! I just said let's not have that conversation and really wanted to add why would I take advice from someone wearing yellow cycle shoes and bright pink knee length socks
At the start I let him and his mates go as I didn't want to challenge his awesomeness but within a few miles I was being held up by his group so passed and pulled away. A couple of junctions later I stopped to check the road was clear and was suddenly surrounded by him and his mates as they rode past me, into the road shouting 'clear'. How they could know it was clear I don't know because you did need to stop to check!
I then didn't see them again for a while and it was at around the 20 mile mark where 3 of them passed me again and proceeded to chain gang furiously to stay ahead. Nobber in the pink socks had passed me within inches. It had taken 3 of them chainganging for 15 miles to catch me and they had blown up trying, FAIL I passed them easily again and then saw them briefly at a feed stop where they ran up to the food table, filled their pockets then ran back to their bikes
I passed them again before reaching Alderley Edge and was just backing off and changing gears ready to climb Swiss Hill when they passed me again Thankfully this was the last time I saw him/them.

F'in Nobber, how is running across blind junctions and passing other cyclists within inches not a danger to other riders

Anyway, I did spot a cyclechat shirt and spoke to the owner, a lapsed member by the name of @cyclebum and we had a chat at a feed stop and in the carpark at the end. Unfortunately she had struggled and cut short the ride due to a few long days of work and stuff making her feel unwell

Otherwise a good ride

 

[cyclebum]

I'll apologise in advance as I am about to partake in some blatant willy waving. If you don't want to witness this then I suggest you look away now.....

Just got back from doing the Evans Cycles Cheshire Ride-It long route. 82.55 miles covered in a moving time of 04:23:54 This gives an average speed of 18.75mph. I am proud to say I was only passed twice on the road.

Really enjoyed it actually and even did the optional Swiss Hill cobbled climb. The ride organisers warned not to attempt it if it was wet but you know me, can't resist a challenge. It did get pretty steep in places but the surface, while damp, wasn't a problem. The hardest part was grinding up with a 34T compact and 25T large sprocket at the rear. I crested the hill puffing like a steam train to find a group of riders having a rest. They turned and laughed when I commented that it could have been worse and then pointed up the rest of hill as it turned left and continued, I made it to the top anyway but not what I would call fun

I met my first, bona-fide Sportive Nobber!
It all started in the queue for the start line. Some guy behind me was talking at max volume, telling his mates about how they were going to monster this ride in X.Xhrs and then bragging about a crazy downhill he did sat on the cross bar like Cancellara, totally out of control, could've died but did 52mph (wow ).
When we passed the water barrel I asked him if he would hold my bike while I topped up one of my bottles and he took my bike from me like I was handing him a steaming dog turd. When I came back he pointed out that I shouldn't be wearing earphones as they were unsafe and a danger to other riders! I just said let's not have that conversation and really wanted to add why would I take advice from someone wearing yellow cycle shoes and bright pink knee length socks
At the start I let him and his mates go as I didn't want to challenge his awesomeness but within a few miles I was being held up by his group so passed and pulled away. A couple of junctions later I stopped to check the road was clear and was suddenly surrounded by him and his mates as they rode past me, into the road shouting 'clear'. How they could know it was clear I don't know because you did need to stop to check!
I then didn't see them again for a while and it was at around the 20 mile mark where 3 of them passed me again and proceeded to chain gang furiously to stay ahead. Nobber in the pink socks had passed me within inches. It had taken 3 of them chainganging for 15 miles to catch me and they had blown up trying, FAIL I passed them easily again and then saw them briefly at a feed stop where they ran up to the food table, filled their pockets then ran back to their bikes
I passed them again before reaching Alderley Edge and was just backing off and changing gears ready to climb Swiss Hill when they passed me again Thankfully this was the last time I saw him/them.

F'in Nobber, how is running across blind junctions and passing other cyclists within inches not a danger to other riders

Anyway, I did spot a cyclechat shirt and spoke to the owner, a lapsed member by the name of @cyclebum and we had a chat at a feed stop and in the carpark at the end. Unfortunately she had struggled and cut short the ride due to a few long days of work and stuff making her feel unwell

Otherwise a good ride

Hi Skol, glad to hear you had a good ride unlike me! Just had to come back and look you up. I've had that jacket for about 8 years but this is the first time I've been approached by another Cyclechatter.
I felt so frustrated that I had had to abort the ride, we were doing the 58 miles but we still did 44! The distance should have been no problem, I've done further many times, but we were looking at trying to get a good time for ourselves. The first half had been such a good ride and when I got home and checked my strava we had actually kept our average above 15mph (good for us!). We got lost coming in to Alderley Edge when my friend who was in front followed some guys who had joined us at the junction, but turned out they were not doing the Evans ride (last time I leave her to navigate!!!!!!!). It was as we were finding our way back on to the route I started to feel a bit off colour and just the other side of Mottram that I had to stop for a while. A 19 hour hard day on Saturday and only 5 hours sleep were to blame having hired a van and driven 3 hours each way to collect our daughter from university where she had not finished packing and her flat needed cleaning! Thankfully yesterday I was feeling much better and was back out on my bike and feeling even more frustrated as I've never had this before. My next ride is the Great Manchester ride in a few weeks time so hopefully this will go better.

 

[jnrmczip]

So a day late although had to share. In total yesterday I completed 40.3 miles. I started with my usual commute to work and was the surprised by the opera unity of a half day needless to say I jumped at the chance I then cycled home. Next on the agenda I painted the little ones room and headed back out on the bike to my first GRCM meet up group ride where I completed a further 30 miles. The group was very diverse and full of very friendly people very glad I went what a difference riding in a group as opposed to on my own I will definetly be going out at least once a week with the group from now on. They are very well organised and friendly and made me feel very welcome.

 

[Dave 123]

I was up at first light this morning as there was a storm due in Mallorca. Off I went into the grey, cool morning heading out of Pollenca. After 2 miles I was shivering so I stopped to put my waterproof on, this had me warm in a minute or 2. The road rises slowly and almost without letting on to you you're ever so slightly going up for about 8 miles and then the fun starts.
There is nothing ferocious about this climb, more a steady plod up a series of switchbacks with messages spray painted on the road (mostly in Russian). After a wee while the sun started to make itself known...

The waterproof had been off for a while now as it had warmed up nicely. I crested the Col de Femenia and stopped to take a rubbish

pic of the rubbish sign...

There are a few downs from here to the monastery at Lluc which were fun. It was here that a Pine Marten crossed the road 50 yards in front of me! The monastery was shut at this early hour so I ate my apple and left.
Which way back...? I could have made a loop by going via Campanet but I didn't know when this storm was going to hit and I chickened out as I didn't fancy a soaking, so I came back down the lovely, smooth, swooping decent.
I carried on to Alcudia old town and stopped for tea. I asked the barman for a croissant and he gave me the wifi code...

Back along the bay to Porto Pollensa and I had an Osprey fly over my head! I also saw 2 Purple Herons.
Upon return I went for a walk up the Boquer valley, this was the view from it....

There's been a bit of thunder and lightning..... But I think I'd have done the loop and stayed dry. Never mind.
http://www.strava.com/activities/326423486

 

[PeteXXX]

Yesterdays ride, as usual..
Just a pleasant bimble over to a mates house on the other side of town to have a chat, drink tea and eat muffins..

Banana and choc chip .. Tasty!

After about an hour, I had to start heading homewards as I was picking granddaughter up from school. As I was on the CX, I could ride through Harleston Firs across the golf course bridleway and up the Brampton Valley Way to Merry Tom crossing to get to Pitsford Res.

In The Firs, I spotted the biggest ant hill I've ever seen.. The can is there to give the pic some sort of scale.. There are lots of similar nests there, but not as big as this one.... On some trails, they look like a 'take off' ramp. Heck of a shock if you tried it though

Any of you Londoners applying for or querying your Oyster Card, the building on the horizon, behind the flat roof barn is where you're calling... This is the view from the dam wall and overflow system from the reservoir.

I was home a bit before 16:00, just in time to wipe the dust off the bike, have a shower and get to the school gates by 16:30.

A really enjoyable 27 miles.

https://www.strava.com/activities/325971423

 

[Gravity Aided]

Get away,quick, @PeteXXX ! Have you not seen the movie Them?!