Your ride today....

[ColinJ]

The last picture is the result of getting twatted into a hedge, by some dumb pikey, who doesn't understand 'give way to the right'.

I was once almost knocked into the Rochdale canal when walking along the towpath. A mountain biker suddenly came hurtling up behind me and screamed "On yer right!", leaving me about 5 milliseconds to respond. Not a brilliant idea!

Much better to slow down, pull out and say "Coming past" which should avoid startling the person being overtaken and encourage them to stay where they are, pull over, or at least look to see what you are doing.

 

[Mike_P]

31 .1 miles today back in the Pennine foothills with 2379ft of climbing.

Broke for a bite around the 11 mile mark just before the peak followed a long descent, that was assuming the locals were friendly

Afraid the following climb did not go to plan as it was direct into a very strong westerly and for the first time in yonks it was a case of wheeling the bike upwards (excluding the muddy horse muck episode earlier in the week)
The scenic highlight was Almscliffe Crag, although it does draw too many cars onto a narrow lane.

Meanwhile more confusion in Harrogate, NYCC have gone around the town putting up cycle direction signs, many of which are poorly sited and having headed as directed down a pretty steep hill I then approached this junction thinking which way now, I actually knew It was to the right but where was the sign for someone who did not

Transpired the sign was about 2m to the right of the post box, I only saw it after I had made the turning!

 

[coffeejo]

79 miles for me today with 3,500(ish) feet of climbing and a headwind that haunted me whichever way I pointed the bike and ruined the only decent descent on the whole ride! I headed up over the Quantocks and managed to find a stretch of road that I've not ridden before, which always makes me happy.

The Quantock Hills

• coffeejo
• 19 Jun 2015

19 June 2015

From there I went through Bridgwater and then rejoined the peace of the country lanes on the Levels and Moors, cycling through Chedzoy, Stawell and north to Mark where I stopped for lunch at a new-to-me coffee stop. I wasn't that impressed, especially as I passed another six cafes between there and home, five of which are definitely better than this stop.

Hills!

• coffeejo
• 19 Jun 2015

If you squint, you can see the church tower in the top right of the photo. That's where the road...

After lunch, I looped round to Wedmore, home to one of the cafes that had a sign up claiming to be hosting James May's rocket! Perhaps I made the right call about where to stop after all?! Back on familiar turf, I headed south to High Ham (a nice climb to keep the legs honest after all that time on the flat!) and then home via Langport.

On the Levels

• coffeejo
• 19 Jun 2015

Near Langport

19 June 2015

(Apologies to everyone who has already seen these photos in the photo challenge thread.)

 

[IDMark2]

Nice little ride out today, glorious sun but a good 10-12mph South Westerly making it's presence felt at the beginning, so did a few rude little climbs.
Went down to Topsham via the rough back lanes for 20k and then on to the Exe Estuary path. I took a while watching the birdies from a few different viewing points around the RSPB reserve there, not much about because of the tides.

After heading down to Exmouth on the dedicated path I tried the new bike on the bit of rough old railway track between Exmouth and Budleigh, the big 35 section tyres doing a good job of smoothing the ride out (but will be changing the stock ones soon though, these are too knobbly and slow rolling for this old roadie).

I headed back north eastwards towards home from Otterton and was getting some help from the breeze for this leg, good job too, despite eating the energy dense flapjack Mrs ID made me pack, this third ride in three days was me being probably a bit too keen, knowing that my weekend will be taken up with travelling up to Wales and doing some of Father In Law's gardening for him.

About 62k and 835 meters, beautiful sights and sounds and that great feeling of tiredness earned.

A cloud interrupts

The Exe Estuary path follows the railway line along the edge of the river from Exeter

In this weather, that's a good job.

This entirely wild display made me thankful for being a cyclist and being able to stop when I see these things rather than passing
by in a car, probably ignorant of it all.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Nice seeing the poppies..Mark

 

[PeteXXX]

Similar to the post in Women's Tour..
A mate and I have been trying to make a plan to meet up to view the Women's Tour , Stage 3 for several days.
Unfortunately, I got food poisoning earlier in the week and really wasn't up to anything whatsoever, let alone riding a bike! Several altered plans later, and after a 7 mile test ride yesterday I reckoned a 35/40 miler would be manageable. I didn't want to kill myself as the L2B is on Sunday (plus the ride back to London on Monday)
I waffle on.. Eventually we planned to meet in Brigstock and ride from there to Oundle for the start at 09:45. Plenty of time to grab a coffee but tge queues were out of the door and not moving so I gave up after a while! We each looked after the bikes while t'other of us went for a wander around the 'pits' to see how the Pro's ready themselves for a pedal... Great experience if you've not done it before.
I got hold of a few Aviva Women's Tour caps, one of which my granddaughter is proudly wearing

The start of the ride around the town before the race..

We had to move to a new viewing spot as the riders didn't pass this point again. Never mind, we still had a great view as the flew round the first corner.

Once the ladies had sped off into the distance, we rode off towards the finish line, even though we stopped for a cuppa on the way, we still managed to best them the the finish! No commitment I reckon..

In Kettering I got hold of quite a few free nutrition bars and gels from the etixx tent. That'll keep me going for a few days!!

In the town, I met a couple of people I know and stopped for a chat for a while before finding a good vantage point for the sprint finish.

Christine Majerus on her way to cross the line first.

Once they'd all finished, we had to ride back to Brigstock where I'd parked my car.

Great day out, but chilly for June when standing around. Pleasant riding weather though, though a tad breezy.

Back on 40 miles.
https://www.strava.com/activities/328617548

 

[ColinJ]

I'm just watching that stage so I won't read that last post yet!

 

[PeteXXX]

I'm just watching that stage so I won't read that last post yet!

Shall I edit it?

 

[ColinJ]

Shall I edit it?

It's up to you, but you could try something like this?

Spoiler: Photos from race

Photos here ...

 

[PeteXXX]

I will next year

 

[Glow worm]

Just back from a lovely evening ride here. The mission: to see the first glow worms of the season, out on the fen.

To get there is a lane that is clearly Tarmac just pasted over concrete blocks. Every 12 yards or so you get a massive spoke threatening jolt. Luckily I know the road well and which of the worst bits to avoid.

Further along, most of the Tarmac disappears altogether save for a little strip down the middle. At least It's wider than most UK cycle paths I suppose.

It's been a really gloomy day here and a pretty $hite summer here so far, so I wasn't expecting much on the glow worm or wildlife front.

By the time I got to this old bridge near Upware it was almost 10pm and I was really pleased to still hear a couple of cuckoos. Further along a woodcock and several grasshopper warblers reeling away, and a couple of barn owls. By now it was getting pretty dark and then at last, I spotted my favourite creature of all.

There she was ( only the females glow). Spotted 9 in total, on a grim evening too, so I really hope it will be a good year for them.

Very exciting for a glow worm anorak like me.

Back by midnight, before mrs G returned from a Kylie minogue concert at Newmarket racecourse! i dodged a bullet there, luckily there werent enough tickets for me!

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Just back from a lovely evening ride here. The mission: to see the first glow worms of the season, out on the fen.

View attachment 92600

To get there is a lane that is clearly Tarmac just pasted over concrete blocks. Every 12 yards or so you get a massive spoke threatening jolt. Luckily I know the road well and which of the worst bits to avoid.

View attachment 92602

Further along, most of the Tarmac disappears altogether save for a little strip down the middle. At least It's wider than most UK cycle paths I suppose.

It's been a really gloomy day here and a pretty $hite summer here so far, so I wasn't expecting much on the glow worm or wildlife front.

View attachment 92603


By the time I got to this old bridge near Upware it was almost 10pm and I was really pleased to still hear a couple of cuckoos. Further along a woodcock and several grasshopper warblers reeling away, and a couple of barn owls. By now it was getting pretty dark and then at last, I spotted my favourite creature of all.

View attachment 92607

There she was ( only the females glow). Spotted 9 in total, on a grim evening too, so I really hope it will be a good year for them.

View attachment 92610

View attachment 92618

Saw nine in total. Very exciting for a glow worm anorak like me.

Back by midnight, before mrs G returned from a Kylie minogue concert at Newmarket racecourse! i dodged a bullet there, luckily there werent enough tickets for me!

That is fantastic to see so many when you were not expecting any at all. I used to get them when I lived in my old place as well... they are so great to see.

 

[Glow worm]

That is fantastic to see so many when you were not expecting any at all. I used to get them when I lived in my old place as well... they are so great to see.

It's always a joy to see them. I wasn't expecting much on such a cool evening. No moon though - that often helps. That reminds me, I don't think I've seen the moon for months- has it gone out of business or something?!

 

[Racing roadkill]

I was once almost knocked into the Rochdale canal when walking along the towpath. A mountain biker suddenly came hurtling up behind me and screamed "On yer right!", leaving me about 5 milliseconds to respond. Not a brilliant idea!

Much better to slow down, pull out and say "Coming past" which should avoid startling the person being overtaken and encourage them to stay where they are, pull over, or at least look to see what you are doing.

I always make sure the person I'm approaching knows I'm there in plenty of time. If they still cause me a cessation of un natural timing, I let them know, by shouting an abbreviation of said event

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

It's always a joy to see them. I wasn't expecting much on such a cool evening. No moon though - that often helps. That reminds me, I don't think I've seen the moon for months- has it gone out of business or something?!

nope, I saw it a couple of days ago, though it must have been during the daylight hours