lol - just re-read and edited that for clarity before I saw your post. Don't want to unintentionally incur the wrath of our northern members!North Oxfordshire or the North in general?
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
31 hilly miles to Gara Bridge. Cloudy skies but warm enough!
https://www.strava.com/activities/3587336314
https://www.strava.com/activities/3587336314
EltonFrog
Legendary Member
Quite a few folks from Oxfordshire on the site, I’ve only met one, he seemed quite normal, well, to me at least.Thanks - not sure how we should both feel about the latter bit though - internet and reality becoming dangerously inter-twined?
Lovely part of the world though - love south Oxfordshire; the North of the county's a bit grim by comparison
ianbarton
Veteran
Looks like the weather is going to deteriorate later in the week, so I took advantage of the good weather to do my 48km circle through Ightfield, Ash, Whitchurch, Aston and Wrenbury. There was a great display of scarecrows in Ash. Several of the local villages now have annual scarecrow competitions. A good idea to help uplift people's spirits!
I guess it's all relative
MntnMan62
Über Member
- Location
- Northern NJ
19.75 miles with 1,314 ft of elevation gain. 90 degrees F. Avg mph dropped to 10.8. I was feeling tired from Saturday’s 30 mile ride. I won’t ride tomorrow but will do a core workout and will ride again on Friday. Thursday they are calling for thunderstorms. If the sun comes out I’ll get on the bike Thursday.
Well there was no wind of note nor any rain but was it dull and somehow the Defy did not seem that attractive this evening. However with a pannier on along with the rucksack the ebike made a trip to Lidl an attractive proposition. Described by @Pale Rider as a sofa the Dutch Roadster has to date been a bit disappointing performance wise, maybe its just too comfortable and even more so since I swopped its saddle for the highly padded one that was on the hybrid. The Yahama motor does however have a reputation for being good on hills and proved it with three KOMs on Strava ebike segments, although two are on the same climb; the A59 westbound from Knaresborough. Seems everyone has a legal ebike as my KOM speed was 14.5mph and that was on the return with the pannier and rucksack full; the latter with the important stuff - milk, chicken and a single malt
Couple of TTLs caught me outbound but on the return nicely stayed on green. 12.81 miles and 953ft of usefully using up a battery that has been stuck on full or nearly full too long, along with putting the lights on for the return - the front does produce a nice beam onto the road surface in front.
Couple of TTLs caught me outbound but on the return nicely stayed on green. 12.81 miles and 953ft of usefully using up a battery that has been stuck on full or nearly full too long, along with putting the lights on for the return - the front does produce a nice beam onto the road surface in front.
philtalksbx
Über Member
- Location
- Oxford
A quick evening tour around the villages south east of Oxford.
It was a chance to get the Orbea out and have another go with the new SPD-SL setup. On the first attempt last week I found I hadn't tightened the cleats up enough so they got sloppy and made the whole affair a bit soggy. Much tighter this time and much better all round. Feels like they are almost worth another gear on the climbs over the previous SPDs. Much better connected but not as easy to clip in - I guess that improves with practice.
The route went from Cowley, up to Garsington, climbing again to Cuddesdon and down to the farmhouse by the bridges over the Thame (note no "s" in this case).
Then onward to Great Milton...
...and back through Wheatley before going uphill through Littleworth and down again to Horspath to pick up the ring road path and home.
Just over 26km and 290 m of climbing. The Orbea is a delight on these runs and I'm getting used to the new pedal setup so all good on a cool but mercifully dry Tuesday evening.
It was a chance to get the Orbea out and have another go with the new SPD-SL setup. On the first attempt last week I found I hadn't tightened the cleats up enough so they got sloppy and made the whole affair a bit soggy. Much tighter this time and much better all round. Feels like they are almost worth another gear on the climbs over the previous SPDs. Much better connected but not as easy to clip in - I guess that improves with practice.
The route went from Cowley, up to Garsington, climbing again to Cuddesdon and down to the farmhouse by the bridges over the Thame (note no "s" in this case).
Then onward to Great Milton...
...and back through Wheatley before going uphill through Littleworth and down again to Horspath to pick up the ring road path and home.
Just over 26km and 290 m of climbing. The Orbea is a delight on these runs and I'm getting used to the new pedal setup so all good on a cool but mercifully dry Tuesday evening.
Jenkins
Legendary Member
- Location
- Felixstowe
Having completed the metric 100 challenge yesterday, I had another go at the 50 mile challenge ride today. Yet another ride planned by looking at Google maps and guestimating the mileage and yet another one underestimated.
This time I decided to go to Stowmarket and headed into Ipswich through Nacton and then out to Bramford and the indirect countryside route through Little Blakenham, Somersham, Willisham to Nedham Market.
Then the 'B' road into Stowmarket itself before heading back towards Nedham Market on the back road the other side of the River Gipping before crossing under the A14 onto the old Norwich Road into Claydon. Normally I'd carry on up the old road, but for a change I took Church Lane up to the Henley road bringing me out in Westerfield from the 'wrong' side to normal, from where it was the regular run home through Rushmere St. Andrew & Bucklesham. This time 54 miles instead of the 50 I was aiming at and completion of the three Cycle Chat monthly challenge rides for June.
This time I decided to go to Stowmarket and headed into Ipswich through Nacton and then out to Bramford and the indirect countryside route through Little Blakenham, Somersham, Willisham to Nedham Market.
Then the 'B' road into Stowmarket itself before heading back towards Nedham Market on the back road the other side of the River Gipping before crossing under the A14 onto the old Norwich Road into Claydon. Normally I'd carry on up the old road, but for a change I took Church Lane up to the Henley road bringing me out in Westerfield from the 'wrong' side to normal, from where it was the regular run home through Rushmere St. Andrew & Bucklesham. This time 54 miles instead of the 50 I was aiming at and completion of the three Cycle Chat monthly challenge rides for June.
Archie_tect
De Skieven Architek... aka Penfold + Horace
- Location
- Northumberland
Wasn't going out in the rain today but as it got to 5o'clock and it eased off I went anyway!
Bit wet but found a new path to explore through a woodland trail... ended up doing a bit of cyclocross to get back to tarmac so bike had to be cleaned and mickled 'properly' when I got home.
I did 16 miles on an 11 mile loop!
Shower and rhubarb crumble for tea...
That's just over 53 miles this week so far and 94 last week- the most time I've been able to spend cycling in years- this winding down to retirement suits me sir!
They've closed the old road through Brunton and made it into a dedicated cycle track... great use of existing infrastructure for cyclists!
Bit wet but found a new path to explore through a woodland trail... ended up doing a bit of cyclocross to get back to tarmac so bike had to be cleaned and mickled 'properly' when I got home.
I did 16 miles on an 11 mile loop!
Shower and rhubarb crumble for tea...
That's just over 53 miles this week so far and 94 last week- the most time I've been able to spend cycling in years- this winding down to retirement suits me sir!
They've closed the old road through Brunton and made it into a dedicated cycle track... great use of existing infrastructure for cyclists!
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EltonFrog
Legendary Member
Another trip to The Ridgeway today on the mountain bike.
Another loop but the other way round and using a couple of tracks I rarely use. I rode up the Lynchway to Chilton, then along the farm tracks near the A34 into the Harwell Campus, out along the Icknield way to the edge of East Hendred, then across to the Ginge then up the long and steep track to The Ridgeway. Once up there I rode the five or six miles in the direction of of Compton stopping briefly at Scutchamer Knob, an Iron Age burial ground and later an ancient market.
After six miles I dropped down off the hills into Blewbury then home via Savages for cabbages farm shop for some carrots.
A smidge over 16 miles. Slightly damp but no real rain.
Another loop but the other way round and using a couple of tracks I rarely use. I rode up the Lynchway to Chilton, then along the farm tracks near the A34 into the Harwell Campus, out along the Icknield way to the edge of East Hendred, then across to the Ginge then up the long and steep track to The Ridgeway. Once up there I rode the five or six miles in the direction of of Compton stopping briefly at Scutchamer Knob, an Iron Age burial ground and later an ancient market.
After six miles I dropped down off the hills into Blewbury then home via Savages for cabbages farm shop for some carrots.
A smidge over 16 miles. Slightly damp but no real rain.
Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
Two rides. Yesterday I had the pleasure of @Dark46 's company, as we did a routine, flattish 23.4 mile loop through Haresfield and Whitminster and back to Quedgeley. Being less than 24 hours since I gave blood, the whole ride felt like it was slightly uphill all the way. Felt like I was about 10% down on energy or riding through treacle. Great company though, and an enjoyable chat and ride. Nice to get to ride with people again.
This evening, I went out again. This time with @KingswayRider . Another great social ride, planning routes and putting the world to rights as we headed off towards Stroud. Just before Stonehouse, we hung a left and started a beast of a climb up Horsemarling Lane up to Westrip. @KingswayRider made it to the top with annoying ease, past a hairpin and up a rutted, potholed track through the woods to the summit, where there were great views of the distant Severn. I may have overtaken a group of teenagers on mountain bikes on the climb, and made it 3/4 of the way up, but my lungs gave out and I had to walk the last quarter. After a steep descent from Westrip to Cashes Green, we made our way home via Leonard Stanley, Frocester and Frampton, finishing on 27.8 miles, and feeling a whole lot fitter than I did yesterday.
After more than 50 miles in my first two days since my donor session, I think I'll stay off the bike for a few days now. I have a big ride with @KingswayRider planned for Sunday, and I reckon I'd better start building up my energy and red blood cell levels for the weekend. Liver for dinner tomorrow, and I'm starting on the iron pills.
Enjoy your rides everyone. Cheers, Donger.
This evening, I went out again. This time with @KingswayRider . Another great social ride, planning routes and putting the world to rights as we headed off towards Stroud. Just before Stonehouse, we hung a left and started a beast of a climb up Horsemarling Lane up to Westrip. @KingswayRider made it to the top with annoying ease, past a hairpin and up a rutted, potholed track through the woods to the summit, where there were great views of the distant Severn. I may have overtaken a group of teenagers on mountain bikes on the climb, and made it 3/4 of the way up, but my lungs gave out and I had to walk the last quarter. After a steep descent from Westrip to Cashes Green, we made our way home via Leonard Stanley, Frocester and Frampton, finishing on 27.8 miles, and feeling a whole lot fitter than I did yesterday.
After more than 50 miles in my first two days since my donor session, I think I'll stay off the bike for a few days now. I have a big ride with @KingswayRider planned for Sunday, and I reckon I'd better start building up my energy and red blood cell levels for the weekend. Liver for dinner tomorrow, and I'm starting on the iron pills.
Enjoy your rides everyone. Cheers, Donger.
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Wookee
Well-Known Member
- Location
- East Herts
So, today I had a couple of site meetings in London to go to before having to be home for a Zoom meet. I'm getting paid so I might as well ride to them, although I probably really should have checked a couple of basics like distance and weather before leaving home!
I was on a towpath for most of it and the road bike just doesn't cut it on there so it was on the hybrid. Down the River Lea from Waltham Abbey all the way to Bow. The north side of the A406 is particularly rough and why the hybrid is needed, but south of the A406 is mainly paved. There were a few bikes out but nothing like what I expected, maybe the light drizzle kept them at home? After Bow I had a little bit of road before linking up with the Regent's Canal all the way down to Limehouse Basin and to my first meeting. This picture shows what I was there to see and do a bit of head scratching about.
After that problem....err.... Wasn't solved it was off to Leyton to look at a road junction (my job is very sexy) via the canal again, a bit of road and then the Olympic Park where I became directionally challenged and will be writing a stern letter to them regarding their signage :-).
Then it was off home via the towpath in the steady drizzle that turned into a minor deluge nearer home. The kind that highlights bits of waterproof kit that aren't.
40 miles in all and I was very happy to sit down in the dry for the Zoom meeting, that just happened to be about a proposed low traffic neighbourhood in an area I'd just ridden through!
I was on a towpath for most of it and the road bike just doesn't cut it on there so it was on the hybrid. Down the River Lea from Waltham Abbey all the way to Bow. The north side of the A406 is particularly rough and why the hybrid is needed, but south of the A406 is mainly paved. There were a few bikes out but nothing like what I expected, maybe the light drizzle kept them at home? After Bow I had a little bit of road before linking up with the Regent's Canal all the way down to Limehouse Basin and to my first meeting. This picture shows what I was there to see and do a bit of head scratching about.
After that problem....err.... Wasn't solved it was off to Leyton to look at a road junction (my job is very sexy) via the canal again, a bit of road and then the Olympic Park where I became directionally challenged and will be writing a stern letter to them regarding their signage :-).
Then it was off home via the towpath in the steady drizzle that turned into a minor deluge nearer home. The kind that highlights bits of waterproof kit that aren't.
40 miles in all and I was very happy to sit down in the dry for the Zoom meeting, that just happened to be about a proposed low traffic neighbourhood in an area I'd just ridden through!
Wash it down with a nice Chianti Clarice 🤫 🐑
Jenkins
Legendary Member
- Location
- Felixstowe
Just a quick 12 miler on the Spa round Falkenham, Kirton & Bucklesham to confirm what was causing the noises I was hearing on Monday's longer ride. It's fitted with M324 pedals and there was a mixture of clicks & creaks (squelches?) when ridden with SPDs, so I rode in trainers on the flat side today. There were no creaks so the cleats need replacing on the other shoes and only the clicks remain so the bottom bracket needs replacing.
