Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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Out delivering tablet to Blantyre today, then a detour to Robroyston and a coffee at the White House on Maryhill road. Great place for cyclists to stop.
The tablet is a fund raiser my wife is doing for Marie Curie.
I volunteered to deliver it anywhere in Glasgow and surrounds. Gets me out.
galaxy
Guru
- Location
- Middleton On The Hill
Saturday, rode into town with the Mrs on the Mountain bikes, mostly on Road, Mr Hedgecutter been busy, hence the MTB. Collected Milk and Bread for a Socially distancing Neighbour, had a nice chat over the fence. Nice ride home and 15 smiles in the Bank.
galaxy
Guru
- Location
- Middleton On The Hill
Love the Bike, paniers look good
Tribansman
Veteran
Got up early as the first couple of hours of the day forecast to be dry with lighter winds. Glad I did as was lucky to catch a beautiful sunrise...
Was a true 'warning' sky as a couple of hours later the rain had arrived so got soaked for the last 45 mins. Dressed for it though, so stayed dry and toasty, despite being quite a chilly morning.
I've got in to the silly habit of thinking it's not worth going out for anything less than 60/70+ mile ride as I've been trying to up my Eddington number. Felt quite nice just to be out for two and a half hours and not have to take any food!
Was a true 'warning' sky as a couple of hours later the rain had arrived so got soaked for the last 45 mins. Dressed for it though, so stayed dry and toasty, despite being quite a chilly morning.
I've got in to the silly habit of thinking it's not worth going out for anything less than 60/70+ mile ride as I've been trying to up my Eddington number. Felt quite nice just to be out for two and a half hours and not have to take any food!
I had read the same forecast as @Tribansman . Plan in the week was an imperial ton but as the forecast worsened that was downgraded to a metric ton . Out the door at 06.15 into the dark . Anstey ,Barrow ,Stanford on Soar ,Sutton Bonnington . Heading into Gotham ( yes the home of Batman) it's starts to rain so I've had 11/4 hours in the dry . Rain jacket on. East Leake ,Wysall were it's starts to rain properly theres a bail out option here and it took a lot of will power to turn away from home. Willoughby and past the halfway mark for some reason I struggled to produce any speed despite not feeling that bad .Headed back up the Wreake valley back to Cossington and realised the route wasn't quite long enough so a slightly strange route home to make the distance . 62.6 miles in the bag so mission accomplished at a slow 14.6mph . My hands were properly cold by the time I got home definitely took the wrong gloves . A coffee in front of the fire to warm up and noticed it has started to chuck it down so may have timed in right and the forecast was correct
chriswoody
Legendary Member
- Location
- Northern Germany
The wonderful Scottish words Dreich and Minging ably describe the conditions outside today. With a temperature of 3 degrees and a liberal dosing of heavy drizzle it really wasn't the most inviting of days. I headed out on the lanes, the pollarded trees looking forlorn and like something out of a Tolkien novel in the low light.
I'd decided to try some new roads into the forest today and after crossing the freight lines I turned North into the forest following a local long distance path that eventually heads up and through the Heide.
The forest here feels older and less managed than the usual section I traverse and the paths under my wheels are rough but not unduly so. I stop for a brief break on a bench at a cross paths and tuck into one of my homemade energy balls. Dark chocolate, dates, peanut butter, oats and Chia seeds, a fantastic snack.
I'm busy following a long distance hiking trail and every so often a painted sign on a tree will confirm I'm heading the right way, it feels like following a breadcrumb trail as a I rely on the signs only to keep me on track.
After a while, i'm back in a more familiar section of forest blasting along on beautiful gravel fire roads, my joy doesn't last long though as the gravel soon gives way to mud that's been really badly churned up by heavy forestry machinery. Suddenly the going gets really tough and forward progress slows. It feels like grinding up a particularly long and vicious hill, the tyres scrabble for grip and too much torque trough the cranks results in wheelspin.
It feels like an age before I finally spring free from the mud and find my way back onto more ridable tracks. It's been a tough but enjoyable workout.The forest stretches on but nw I'm back on gravel and the speed increases and the drizzle get heavier. The forest starts to give way to fields of rape seed, the yellow flowers desperately try to add some light to the gloomy day.
We've not far to go now and it's onto the last of the muddy lanes, it's hard to tell if it's gravel or tarmac under the layer of mud on the ground. To the right of me and old no entry sign bars any entrance to the woods, but my path lies ahead and as I look at the old sign being consumed by the tree I reflect on the temporary nature of all things.
On wards the last kilometres are on tarmac and as the rain starts to seep down my neck I roll over the lanes that will bring me home. Only 26km, but it feels like so much more because of the arduous terrain in the woods, a well deserved coffee and cake await, though first I must hose the bike down.
I'd decided to try some new roads into the forest today and after crossing the freight lines I turned North into the forest following a local long distance path that eventually heads up and through the Heide.
The forest here feels older and less managed than the usual section I traverse and the paths under my wheels are rough but not unduly so. I stop for a brief break on a bench at a cross paths and tuck into one of my homemade energy balls. Dark chocolate, dates, peanut butter, oats and Chia seeds, a fantastic snack.
I'm busy following a long distance hiking trail and every so often a painted sign on a tree will confirm I'm heading the right way, it feels like following a breadcrumb trail as a I rely on the signs only to keep me on track.
After a while, i'm back in a more familiar section of forest blasting along on beautiful gravel fire roads, my joy doesn't last long though as the gravel soon gives way to mud that's been really badly churned up by heavy forestry machinery. Suddenly the going gets really tough and forward progress slows. It feels like grinding up a particularly long and vicious hill, the tyres scrabble for grip and too much torque trough the cranks results in wheelspin.
It feels like an age before I finally spring free from the mud and find my way back onto more ridable tracks. It's been a tough but enjoyable workout.The forest stretches on but nw I'm back on gravel and the speed increases and the drizzle get heavier. The forest starts to give way to fields of rape seed, the yellow flowers desperately try to add some light to the gloomy day.
We've not far to go now and it's onto the last of the muddy lanes, it's hard to tell if it's gravel or tarmac under the layer of mud on the ground. To the right of me and old no entry sign bars any entrance to the woods, but my path lies ahead and as I look at the old sign being consumed by the tree I reflect on the temporary nature of all things.
On wards the last kilometres are on tarmac and as the rain starts to seep down my neck I roll over the lanes that will bring me home. Only 26km, but it feels like so much more because of the arduous terrain in the woods, a well deserved coffee and cake await, though first I must hose the bike down.
Out around 7am into a cold dark morning that was trying to rain but not quite managing it.
A loop near home to get warmed up then up Wellington Hill and on to Wetherby some miles distant. A turn east there and into the wind out towards Rufforth and York. Just after Bickerton I headed south and eventually into Thorpe Arch and then Boston Spa. Under the A1M and south again up West Woods Road to collect the road into Thorner. Bramley Grange and home. Quite nice but not much happened.
Just under 32 miles and about 1500ft of upness.
View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/60228561
A loop near home to get warmed up then up Wellington Hill and on to Wetherby some miles distant. A turn east there and into the wind out towards Rufforth and York. Just after Bickerton I headed south and eventually into Thorpe Arch and then Boston Spa. Under the A1M and south again up West Woods Road to collect the road into Thorner. Bramley Grange and home. Quite nice but not much happened.
Just under 32 miles and about 1500ft of upness.
View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/60228561
AndreaJ
Veteran
The weather forecast here was for rain, more rain and wind- it was correct. Luckily I don’t mind riding in the rain and convinced myself it was the perfect day to test my upgraded winter jacket. Headed off to Loppington the same way as yesterday to find the lane mostly flooded, carried on to Loppington turning by the pub to Nonely, Myddle, where the rain actually stopped took the Lower Road to Merrington and the rain started again, more floods along to Old Woods, Fennemere, Eyton, Baschurch turning to Stanwardine rather than the bail out home turning, more floods to Bagley, Lee, Ellesmere, Welshampton, Lyneal, Northwood and home. 32.35 wet, muddy miles, considering it was a miserable day there were quite a few people out walking/ paddling. Takes my annual mileage to 4842 miles so aiming for 5000 which is probably why I was out on a cold, wet day. The jacket was definitely wind proof and waterproof. Obviously the rain stopped just after I got home!
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Somewhat late: As @gavgav reported the two of us were out on Friday for a loop round the countryside in chilly but much nicer weather than we'd been expecting from the forecasts in the days running up to it.
Gav has done a good write up of the trip so I'll just add a mention of the nice Morris 10 that we saw not far from Uppington and say that by the time I got back my mileage was 46.6 with 11.2 mph average.
A few snapshots taken on the way round:
View to a misty Wrekin from near Upton Magna.
The M54 snakes its way through the rolling countryside as seen from a drink stop near Wrockwardine.
This was a bit random: a decorated tree out in the countryside a good half mile from the nearest house.
CAKE!
Quite a moody shot looking towards Wenlock Edge. I was convinced we were going to run into fog but we didn't.
From the viewpoint between Ruckley and Acton Burnell.
Gav has done a good write up of the trip so I'll just add a mention of the nice Morris 10 that we saw not far from Uppington and say that by the time I got back my mileage was 46.6 with 11.2 mph average.
A few snapshots taken on the way round:
View to a misty Wrekin from near Upton Magna.
The M54 snakes its way through the rolling countryside as seen from a drink stop near Wrockwardine.
This was a bit random: a decorated tree out in the countryside a good half mile from the nearest house.
CAKE!
Quite a moody shot looking towards Wenlock Edge. I was convinced we were going to run into fog but we didn't.
From the viewpoint between Ruckley and Acton Burnell.
Oh ‘eck, blue sky, fluffy white clouds, and just about warm. What to do? Go for a bike ride while I make my mind up. Great idea!
Take the fixed, head to the Armouries and ride the riverside path out of Leeds. This was quiet this morning, and the not long-risen sun was right in my eyes until after Thwaites Mill was passed. And on to Woodlesford, leave the waterways behind and take the A642 to Swillington. The first bit of climbing for the day.
There is a bit more, travelling around the northern edge of Garforth, but once that enormous roundabout over the M1 is reached it is mostly downhill to those gates at Lotherton Hall, and the left turn to Aberford. Pedal all the way through Aberford, roughly north, to Bramham Crossroads and turn left onto the A64. Yup, I knew this would not be enjoyable, but it is only for a mile or so.
Until the Fox and Grapes comes into view. A bit low key, but this is quite a junction. Potterton Lane is definitely kidding, there is a stretch of pavement, with kerb, between the A64 and Potterton Lane. No signage, but easy enough with a bike. Further on, right hand side, is Mangrill Lane, a bridleway. And the other side of the pub is Kiddal Lane. I chose Potterton Lane, to Potterton, oddly enough.
Blink and you miss the place. On to Barwick. It makes a very nice change to approach the maypole there with something left in the legs. The usual lead in is up from the crossing of Cock Beck on the direct road from Aberford. The road out from here to Scholes trends upwards for a while, with wide open spaces in the direction the wind is coming from. So Scholes is a bit relaxing.
Another bit of A64 takes me to Thorner Lane, Skeltons Lane and Red Hall similar. The A58, a subdued twiddle down that hill, did I mention the wind? The clock at Oakwood and more downhill to cross the river again. Home with a smile, thirty two miles makes a good ride. Oh aye, 1552 feet upwards.
Pictures, where I went and the upness . .
Take the fixed, head to the Armouries and ride the riverside path out of Leeds. This was quiet this morning, and the not long-risen sun was right in my eyes until after Thwaites Mill was passed. And on to Woodlesford, leave the waterways behind and take the A642 to Swillington. The first bit of climbing for the day.
There is a bit more, travelling around the northern edge of Garforth, but once that enormous roundabout over the M1 is reached it is mostly downhill to those gates at Lotherton Hall, and the left turn to Aberford. Pedal all the way through Aberford, roughly north, to Bramham Crossroads and turn left onto the A64. Yup, I knew this would not be enjoyable, but it is only for a mile or so.
Until the Fox and Grapes comes into view. A bit low key, but this is quite a junction. Potterton Lane is definitely kidding, there is a stretch of pavement, with kerb, between the A64 and Potterton Lane. No signage, but easy enough with a bike. Further on, right hand side, is Mangrill Lane, a bridleway. And the other side of the pub is Kiddal Lane. I chose Potterton Lane, to Potterton, oddly enough.
Blink and you miss the place. On to Barwick. It makes a very nice change to approach the maypole there with something left in the legs. The usual lead in is up from the crossing of Cock Beck on the direct road from Aberford. The road out from here to Scholes trends upwards for a while, with wide open spaces in the direction the wind is coming from. So Scholes is a bit relaxing.
Another bit of A64 takes me to Thorner Lane, Skeltons Lane and Red Hall similar. The A58, a subdued twiddle down that hill, did I mention the wind? The clock at Oakwood and more downhill to cross the river again. Home with a smile, thirty two miles makes a good ride. Oh aye, 1552 feet upwards.
Pictures, where I went and the upness . .
Spiderweb
Not So Special One
- Location
- North Yorkshire
Tired legs after Yesterday mornings MTB ride so a gentle pootle out to Naburn Marina and back. 27.6 miles with an average of 13.5 mph.
Jon George
Mamil and couldn't care less
- Location
- Suffolk an' Good
Love this sculpture!
Jon George
Mamil and couldn't care less
- Location
- Suffolk an' Good
Yesterday's ride today (if you don't mind.)
I went out on Pasty #2 The CX in what can only be describe as gloomy and damp conditions. Absolutely loved it! However, the Puncture Pixie paid me a visit (a huge thorn that got through heavily treaded 40c tyres), but only presented as a total flat when I wheeled Patsy out back to wash her down. Result!
And I found Rudolph. He was in a churchyard at Barham and had a bicycle rear light for a nose. Would like to tell you which make, but I was laughing too much.
I went out on Pasty #2 The CX in what can only be describe as gloomy and damp conditions. Absolutely loved it! However, the Puncture Pixie paid me a visit (a huge thorn that got through heavily treaded 40c tyres), but only presented as a total flat when I wheeled Patsy out back to wash her down. Result!
And I found Rudolph. He was in a churchyard at Barham and had a bicycle rear light for a nose. Would like to tell you which make, but I was laughing too much.
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
I fancied something a bit different. To start, though, I took in a loop around to Ockeridge and then on to the wonderful Camp Lane. Today the mists interfered with the distant views but the Buzzard riding the air currents wasn't bothered. I dropped into the valley and rode some miles before taking the lane to Hanley William. It's not a lane I use much but it needed my tiny gears. Then it was a bit of a bash to Clifton-on-Teme to drop down the lane to Whitbourne. I usually climb the other way so a nice change. Time was getting on so I cut my plan short to climb from Knightwick. Soon after my lights went on as the sun set in a glorious golden glow. Lovely outing today. 56 smiles
