Your ride today....

[JPBoothy]

A glorious day here but was somewhat overshadowed by the vast number of cars all hell bent on getting to Barmouth. They had no chance as the car park was full to overflowing.

13.5 miles for me on the hottest day of the year so far.

My usual route. B44004, to Llanwrin , onto the back road to cemmaes, along the main A489 then back onto the A470 and home.

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I can't believe that they all think they will be the only ones there when they arrive! There has been a definite increase in traffic this past week or two though hasn't there? Without meaning to sound patronising, I fear the worst for the large number of people who have only taken to cycling during the lockdown period as they have been used to deserted roads and now may be in for a scare with the lunatics let loose again

 

[LeetleGreyCells]

Finally getting around to reporting on Thursday's much-needed ride.

With free time to spend cycling solo (aka "You're doing my head in, you're going out on your bike in the morning for as long as you want"), I followed an old version of an Audax route which has a little more climbing than the new version. I need to do as much training as I can as I've submitted my DIY by GPS Audax route (200 km) to do in about a week and a half. It'd also give me a chance to iron out any niggles with my bike set up (turned out my saddle to too far back on the horizontal).

I'd never ridden this route before and, because I decided on riding it at the very last minute, never checked on which roads I would be cycling. I joined the route at the nearest point to me so only added about 2km to the beginning and followed the anticlockwise loop. The roads for about two thirds of the route were fantastic, little country lanes with little traffic passing through quiet and picturesque villages. Inevitably linking the country lanes were main roads and in one case at what first appeared to be a dual carriageway (it wasn't, it was a main road with a crawler lane until the top of the hill where it merged into one lane). The main roads weren't particularly fun, but I only had one lorry come a little too close. All other motorists acquitted themselves well, recognising the superiority of the bicycle and rider, and giving me plenty of room, bless them...

I'd taken a rain jacket as the forecast suggested I might need it, but fortunately I kept ahead of the rain for the whole ride only feeling a few drops when I stopped in a lovely village I've forgotten the name of. Riding on solved the rain issue.

Part of the purpose of the ride was to test out my fuelling and rest plan. I learnt I need to stop a little sooner than 50 km in (probably at 35-40 km) and repeat at the same distance throughout. Food was OK for this ride of 6.5 hours (took Soreen, Rice Crispy Bar, Go Ahead, a couple of chocolate bars, and an SIS isotonic gel to try). I'll definitely need to take some sandwiches or similar for the 12-13 hour ride to sit well in my stomach. I'm not too concerned about weight as my DIY only has 590 m of elevation over the whole 200 km route. Having enough of the right type of fuel to complete the route is more of a priority.

I enjoyed the ride and learned what I wanted to know.

114.38 km with 983 m of elevation in 5h 28m (moving time).

 

[Old jon]

After the swelter of yesterday the cool air of 7:30 a.m. was very welcome, so me and my geared bike rode away to Starbeck. Yup, a new bike looks likely for me in about six weeks. Wider tyres, with tread pattern. Fun!

Last Tuesday a few of us rode out to Knaresborough, next door to Starbeck. Oh well, do roughly the same route again I suppose. Very roughly. Start at Office Lock to reach the bottom of the climb to Headingley. Once across the Ring Road turn right onto Church Lane. Pass Adel dam and continue to Five Lane Ends, Eccup and the New Inn and shortly past that enjoy the descent to and through Weardley as much as the terrible surface allows . . .

Turn right, then left onto the A61 to ride across Harewood Bridge and the River Wharfe. Keep pedalling towards Harrogate until reaching the right turn to Kirkby Overblow. Turn left again, reach the A658 and this one here turned off one junction early. Unplanned diversion via Pannal, one extra hill added. Back on track, cross the railway line and go visit the shop.

Leave there with a big grin on my mug, and pedal away to Knaresborough, cross the River Nidd and turn right along the riverside road, quiet this morning. Reach the B6164 and turn right to recross the Nidd. This road leads to Wetherby and is still a heck of a lot of fun to ride.



Out of Wetherby and ride up to Wattle Syke, decide that West Woods Road to Bramham looks good. The more usual, and shorter way home from here was very appealing now, so Thorner was left via Sandhills. The two lanes to the A58 and the very welcome descent of Boot Hill were good, more downhill to the town centre and home again. Plenty to smile about after 49 miles and 2700 feet of the local uphill bits. Marvellous!

Squiggles

And more

 

[13 rider]

With my run of consecutive days continuing and having done 175 miles from Monday to Friday to pass 1000 miles for the month it was not much of a surprise to wake with aching legs this morning . So after the early food shop I decided to head out just for an hour as I have an imperial century planned for tomorrow . Out the door by 0930 . Decided to door my standard 14 mile Polly Boots loop . When I ride for just an hour I like to throw is some efforts to spice the ride up . Most of the ride was fairly relaxed except the efforts . On to the climb of Polly Botts and effort number 1 this would be high gear low cadence effort up the climb ,managed in the big ring and kept a cadence of 50 so a bit of a grind !! . After a recovery period period around the back of Markfield it's time for effort number 2 .This was to be high cadence effort over an 8 minute Strava segment . So spinning at 95rpm I managed a pr and 6th place overall . That pr surprised me as my previous best was set with a tailwind unlike today . Home in 51 mins 13.9 miles done at 16.3 mph with 1025ft of upness .Off to put my feet up

 

[Spiderweb]

Far too many Drinks last night so was feeling a little jaded for our ride in the Yorkshire Dales. Lovely day, some hills and good chat with friends. Just over 30 miles riding in Coverdale and Wensleydale, fab ride.

 

[gavgav]

Thankfully 13c cooler than yesterday’s 33c heat, but still pleasantly warm, if a bit windy yet again, for this afternoon’s ride. I’d arranged to cycle over to Paul’s house and then head in the direction of Baschurch.

I cycled to Radbrook, got to Paul’s house, rang the doorbell and his son answered. “Is Paul in?” no he’s gone out! His son phoned him and he’s completely forgotten about the ride. Quick word with him, on the phone, told him he owes me a pint next time and headed off on my own, instead.

Out of town via Calcott Lane and on to Montford Bridge, with ridiculous close pass from a Taxi, then along the lanes to Little Ness. The lane to Prescott had clearly melted in yesterday’s heat, with a smell of tar and tyre tracks all along it. Prat in a flatbed lorry tried to overtake me, around a blind bend, to be met with a car coming towards him. I expected to hear a bang, but they must have stopped in time. Left them to negotiate passing each other and the lorry never caught me up, so with a bit of luck he got stuck!!

The main road through Prescott and Baschurch was very quiet, then I turned onto new territory, past the secondary school and along the very quiet lane through Eyton. Not particularly scenic, but nice flat lanes and with the wind now behind me, I got decent speed up.

Short section on the main road to Myddle, was quiet, but the scenic Lower Rd, past the Rockhouses was marred by a lot of traffic, which I assume most were heading to a party at one of the houses, which seemed to be starting up.

Crossed the A528, at Harmer Hill and then had a nice fast wind assisted descent along Shotton Lane and Plex Rd, to Hadnall. Crossed the A49 and on to Astley, climbed up Ebury Hill and East Haughmond, before the very fast descent to Upton Magna, where it was good to see The Haughmond pub has now re-opened.

Continued on to Atcham, where the Mytton and Mermaid has also now re-opened and was doing a very good trade in the garden. Crossed the old bridge and then up the lane to Chilton, down to Betton Abbots and home.

34.41 miles, with 1433ft of climbing, at an avg of 13.1mph and August Half Century Challenge Ride bagged

 

[Mike_P]

The rattle on the Defy turned out to be due to a loose fixing bolt to the cable guide fixed to the bottom bracket. It was back on the Keyboard Challenge this afternoon. IO and P were next but Ilkley Otley and Pool seemed a touch too easy, so instead north on the normal route to Fountains where light rain was falling. It had started before How Hill, during which on the climb up I passed two road bikers struggling; in normal times a chat about what cassettes they using would have been on the cards, but in these strange times I just offered a greeting from a distance and carried on. Maybe because of the rain I gathered a number of PRs continuing onto Aldfield where no sooner the cover of a bus shelter was sought than it stopped.

Through Aldfield

and Low Grantley as a less steep although still steep enough route to reach Kirkby Malzeard. I caught up with a tractor just before the village and seeing the road going upgrade ahead decided against overtaking – big mistake as it went even slower and then stopped to let traffic coming the other way by. Church Bank remains closed and the on the diversion I realised the sportcam battery needed changing.

North to Grewelthorpe where I turned south west pass a dead end sign. That was because the ascending tarmac road very quickly after it turned north west became a gravel track, thankfully largely with a well compressed section somewhere across the track. It did mean a bit too close pass with a jogger heading downgrade. Speed fell to around 5mph and when the tarmac surface reappeared its upward gradient had the added bonus of speed humps. Joined a more major minor road to head north noting the sheer visibility from the elevation even if it did include Teesside’s industrial installations. Turned west to the ‘I’ of Ilton where the village name is also found on a bus shelter parish council noticeboard; the main use of the shelter as no bus has ventured to these parts for many decades

Retraced my route initially to descend back to Grewelthorpe on a fully tarmac road and stopped for a snack by the village duck pond – a fair number of ducks were sat around the bench but I resisted their stares and kept the baked oat bar to myself.

Noted the sportcam was dead but then discovered the battery was full – no recording since I had changed the battery. South east to Ripon, Bishop Monkton and Farnham for another all too common slog against the wind, which had now gathered strength, west to Ripley and the cross wind beyond Killinghall. 48.6 miles with 3327ft climbed @ 13.2mph avg. Weather was overcast for nearly the whole ride – the sun broke through briefly nicely on one of the long descents.

 

[AndreaJ]

Much cooler today and an afternoon ride was planned. Just as I was leaving it started to rain, hoping it was just a passing shower I carried on and started off towards Wolverley, turning to Loppington, Nonely, across to the road to Myddle where it stopped raining and the roads were dry, through the village to Myddlewood, turned to Fennemere, Eyton, Baschurch, Weston Lullingfields, back to Marton, Burlton, English Frankton where I was following the rain showers along wet lanes, onto Colemere, Newton, Welshampton, Northwood and back home. I had mostly dried out by then but muddy again. 27.48 miles @15.5mph.

 

[derrick]

Had a hard ride today. Kings Lynn and back in a day. 200 miles. Lovely route following a few rivers. Am ready for my bed.😁
Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/XMAyRb6EB8

 

[cyberknight]

Usual sunday club ride , 3 up over 66 miles in total with me hanging on the back ! , cake stop at spring slade lodge cannock

 

[JPBoothy]

Had a hard ride today. Kings Lynn and back in a day. 200 miles. Lovely route following a few rivers. Am ready for my bed.😁
Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/XMAyRb6EB8
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Blimey, I would be tired driving that far in my car. Well done Sir, you have my utmost respect

 

[Gunk]

Did my usual 12 mile circular route this morning, just enough to stretch my legs as it was a busy family today and a lot to cram in.

First ride on the Ti Rep since I swapped the Challenge Criterions Tubular for Vittoria Corsa clinchers, at around 100 psi the ride was much more comfortable, the new Exustar PM86 Dual Sided pedals were excellent, even with SPD shoes they slot into the non cleated side perfectly making them ideal for town work.

I stopped at a lovely coffee shop in Jerico.

Then through Walton Manor and up the Woodstock Road, through Wolvercote and Godstow where I stopped for a "gate" photo opportunity.

The bike is nicely set up now, the little tweaks have just personalised it to my tastes. I love the Campag groupset, even the bottom end 10 speed Veloce is a joy to use, its so quiet and the shifting has a lovely old school precision feel to it. I've been using Shimano 105 for the last 10 years so it's nice to be back using Campy again.

For a moment with my head down and flat out, I felt it was 1980 and I was Joop Zoetemelk!

 

[Mike_P]

Checked the cable guide bolt on the Defy this morning and it turned, and turned… So took it off and coated it with threadlock and eventually got it threaded back on and left for the threadlock to cure.

With the wind seeming to be stronger than yesterday, the ebike had another shopping trip to Sainsburys with a difference – assist stayed off due to the low level of the battery except for three climbs on the return; the first one of which was sufficient to see the battery level drop from two bars to one. This meant the largest cogs actually found themselves being used for once.

Progress was a touch slow, also due to keeping to cycle lanes that I usually avoid, with an average of 10.8mph outbound and 10.3mph on the return, although the descent outbound down showground hill did reach 25.7mph by just letting the weight of the ebike gather momentum. 9.4miles with 610ft up.

 

[KingswayRider]

Another 100k to add to the collection - I blame @Donger (who was absent today) for persuading me to join the monthly 100k challenge. Early start to get in a loop before the club ride, so 7.30am start to head out through Upton St Leonards, up Green St - chain dropped just as I was starting the climb frustratingly, on from there to do a loop of Great Witcombe, back in to the A46 via Green Lane & Church Lane & then through Brockworth into Hucclecote & down another Green Lane (spotting a pattern yet?). Through the gate at the end on foot & then a zig zag of roads & cycle paths - with some missed turnings despite GPS to cut across Abbeymead & continued my meander back to Kingsway. I managed to just catch the club ride setting off...cutting it close after missed turns & traffic light stops hurt both time & average speed. Small group on the club ride & we kept to quieter roads to head out to Cam & took a tiny lane up to the top of the hill, rather than the main road up Cam Pitch. On through Stinchcombe & Breadstone through to the Black Shed at Slimbridge (must have a mask & takeaway only, but at least the tea is Yorkshire Tea). Zipped along towards home with a nice tailwind, so even though this was only a social group ride, I still rounded off my 65 miles & 700m ascent with a 15.6mph average. Certainly not inters group pace, but not bad for a sociable potter chatting all the way round.

 

[gavgav]

Much cooler today and an afternoon ride was planned. Just as I was leaving it started to rain, hoping it was just a passing shower I carried on and started off towards Wolverley, turning to Loppington, Nonely, across to the road to Myddle where it stopped raining and the roads were dry, through the village to Myddlewood, turned to Fennemere, Eyton, Baschurch, Weston Lullingfields, back to Marton, Burlton, English Frankton where I was following the rain showers along wet lanes, onto Colemere, Newton, Welshampton, Northwood and back home. I had mostly dried out by then but muddy again. 27.48 miles @15.5mph.

We must have been very close to seeing each other, or maybe even did! I said hello to a few ladies out on bikes.