Andy in Germany
Guru
- Location
- Rottenburg am Neckar
I sympathise: I can remember times when I rode in a circle and seemed to get a headwind all the way.
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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I sympathise: I can remember times when I rode in a circle and seemed to get a headwind all the way.
AndreaJ
Veteran
It was very windy today although warm and sunny so after convincing myself that it wasn’t that bad despite the hedges being blown sideways I decided to go on a short ride around Whixall. There’s miles of lanes in Whixall and you can get very lost for a long time! I decided head into Whixall and keep turning whichever way kept the wind either behind me or to the side with as little time as possible going into a headwind. Apart from the occasional gust blowing me across the lane it worked quite well. Went down Goblins Lane to the bowling green, up to Stanley Green, Welsh End, Hollinswood, Alkington,Coton, Edstaston Ryebank, Foxholes, back to Northwood, Horton which felt like I was going backwards before turning past the Moatshed and back home. It was a lovely warm, sunny morning shame about the wind. 21.8 miles.
After much faffing about, I finally set off at about 1030 ish and had a strong head breeze for the first section of my ride through the lanes of Derbyshire & Staffordshire . From Derby lanes to Tutbury and over the river inti Stafforshire . Out of Tutbury to Anslow ,Tatenhill and into Dunstall village .
The road sides on this part of the ride been a delight with parades of daffodils . Dunstall is a lovely small place .
From Dunstall to Hoar Cross and more daffs along the road side
Hoar Cross to Abbots Bromley another Stafforshire gem . Onto Uttoxeter . The Weaver hills could be seen in the distance .
Raided Greggs in Uttoxeter for a late lunch . Returning to Derby via Doveridge, Sudbury ,Boylestone, Church Broughton and Sutton on the Hill.
A grand day out . Just short of 62 miles in spring sunshine
The road sides on this part of the ride been a delight with parades of daffodils . Dunstall is a lovely small place .
From Dunstall to Hoar Cross and more daffs along the road side
Hoar Cross to Abbots Bromley another Stafforshire gem . Onto Uttoxeter . The Weaver hills could be seen in the distance .
Raided Greggs in Uttoxeter for a late lunch . Returning to Derby via Doveridge, Sudbury ,Boylestone, Church Broughton and Sutton on the Hill.
A grand day out . Just short of 62 miles in spring sunshine
Two rides since the last post. The first was last Wednesday morning, early on.
Local loops yet again, and surprisingly I'm beginning to enjoy them. What's more because they consist of a series of hills the constant up and down must be like interval training, judging by the way my heart rate goes up and down through the ride. Intense effort then a leg spinning run down and back up another climb. None it it too exacting but putting an effort in means I get the best out of a limited time riding. The beneficial effects I discovered on today's ride
Wednesday was 19.4 miles and 1550ft of uphill.
View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/64314325
Today I didn't get out until almost 3pm after doing other stuff. Got dressed, left the house, came back in and took off the longs. Why did I put them on??
So today was the first with shorts on this year. After pumping up tyres, etc etc I was out the door rolling on fresh bearings in the wheels and in the pedals. I had no plan as is often the case and after battling school traffic around Oakwood Clock and the park I found Shadwell Lane and made for parts less busy. Out along the ridge to East Keswick and then Linton and through the edge of Wetherby. There I decided to head north on the Deighton Road and connected with the A168 going up towards Walshford and Boroughbridge.
It's an 'A' road but it's almost always free of traffic. The odd car and van but otherwise it's pretty clear. With the wind behind me I made good time, passing other riders out for a spin. After crossing the A1M it was left back up towards Boroughbridge. I thought maybe 25 miles out and 25 back would do the trick seeing as I've been off longer rides for a bit. I passed a few more riders which tbh is quite unusual for me, and I put that down to the helping hand of the wind.
Coming in to Boroughbridge I was just on 25 miles and scooted right around the roundabout and headed back the way I came. I knew the wind would be in my face, and it was. Not so bad I thought I can cope with this. However the further I went the stronger it got and by the time I got back to Wetherby I was almost out of steam. Having nothing to eat with me I took the last 10 miles or so steady, not wanting to actually come to a grinding halt. I took Jewitt Lane partly to have respite from the unrelenting headwind and also because from there back to the Leeds outskirts on the A58 is 6 miles of slow grinding uphill drags, which I didn't fancy.
Still into the wind after the climb of Jewitt Lane but at least the effort of the hill was different. So East Rigton and Thorner then up Sandhills and a turn onto Red Hall Lane at Bramley Grange. At the A58 it was down Wellington Hill which is usually done at a coast. I had to pedal to keep moving.
Almost the last climb was up towards the roundabout with Oakwood Lane and the wind was SO strong I thought I was going to come to a standstill at one point. It isn't even that much of a climb but vague ideas of doing a loop or two to get over 50 miles went right out the window.
I got in and I was well and truly spent. Had I taken a snack with me like I usually do the last 10 would have been so much easier.
After dinner I uploaded all the data from Garmin and noticed I had lots of PB's, lots. On the way north with the wind at my back I could understand. But the same was true on the return leg. I seemed to be battling all the way but nevertheless my times were good , well for me at least, and after all It's me I'm comparing myself against. My average was just under 16mph which again for me is good.
I'll keep on with the local loops I reckon.
47.1 miles and 2200 ft or so of up. Geared bike.
View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/64596220
Local loops yet again, and surprisingly I'm beginning to enjoy them. What's more because they consist of a series of hills the constant up and down must be like interval training, judging by the way my heart rate goes up and down through the ride. Intense effort then a leg spinning run down and back up another climb. None it it too exacting but putting an effort in means I get the best out of a limited time riding. The beneficial effects I discovered on today's ride
Wednesday was 19.4 miles and 1550ft of uphill.
View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/64314325
Today I didn't get out until almost 3pm after doing other stuff. Got dressed, left the house, came back in and took off the longs. Why did I put them on??
So today was the first with shorts on this year. After pumping up tyres, etc etc I was out the door rolling on fresh bearings in the wheels and in the pedals. I had no plan as is often the case and after battling school traffic around Oakwood Clock and the park I found Shadwell Lane and made for parts less busy. Out along the ridge to East Keswick and then Linton and through the edge of Wetherby. There I decided to head north on the Deighton Road and connected with the A168 going up towards Walshford and Boroughbridge.
It's an 'A' road but it's almost always free of traffic. The odd car and van but otherwise it's pretty clear. With the wind behind me I made good time, passing other riders out for a spin. After crossing the A1M it was left back up towards Boroughbridge. I thought maybe 25 miles out and 25 back would do the trick seeing as I've been off longer rides for a bit. I passed a few more riders which tbh is quite unusual for me, and I put that down to the helping hand of the wind.
Coming in to Boroughbridge I was just on 25 miles and scooted right around the roundabout and headed back the way I came. I knew the wind would be in my face, and it was. Not so bad I thought I can cope with this. However the further I went the stronger it got and by the time I got back to Wetherby I was almost out of steam. Having nothing to eat with me I took the last 10 miles or so steady, not wanting to actually come to a grinding halt. I took Jewitt Lane partly to have respite from the unrelenting headwind and also because from there back to the Leeds outskirts on the A58 is 6 miles of slow grinding uphill drags, which I didn't fancy.
Still into the wind after the climb of Jewitt Lane but at least the effort of the hill was different. So East Rigton and Thorner then up Sandhills and a turn onto Red Hall Lane at Bramley Grange. At the A58 it was down Wellington Hill which is usually done at a coast. I had to pedal to keep moving.
Almost the last climb was up towards the roundabout with Oakwood Lane and the wind was SO strong I thought I was going to come to a standstill at one point. It isn't even that much of a climb but vague ideas of doing a loop or two to get over 50 miles went right out the window.
I got in and I was well and truly spent. Had I taken a snack with me like I usually do the last 10 would have been so much easier.
After dinner I uploaded all the data from Garmin and noticed I had lots of PB's, lots. On the way north with the wind at my back I could understand. But the same was true on the return leg. I seemed to be battling all the way but nevertheless my times were good , well for me at least, and after all It's me I'm comparing myself against. My average was just under 16mph which again for me is good.
I'll keep on with the local loops I reckon.
47.1 miles and 2200 ft or so of up. Geared bike.
View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/64596220
Last edited:
Jenkins
Legendary Member
- Location
- Felixstowe
I didn't expect to have time for a ride today as I had to make a trip down to Lakeside to pick up a bookcase and this was folowed by finishing off the gardening from yesterday, but I managed to complete everything earlier than expected so dragged out the best bike for what I expected to be a quick 20 miler.
Shorts & a short sleeved top for the first time this year but, having been working in a garden surrounded by a 6' fence, I didn't realise how strong the breeze was until I turned into it! Just a combination of local roads around Falkenham, Kirton, Newbourne, Kesgrave & Westerfield, and I was having such a nice time that the 20 miler turned into a 50km with a surprisingly high average speed.
Tomorrwow I plan to take advantage of the easing of the lockdown restrictions to have a ride in Norfolk - the first time I've ridden outside Suffolk since before Christmas.
Shorts & a short sleeved top for the first time this year but, having been working in a garden surrounded by a 6' fence, I didn't realise how strong the breeze was until I turned into it! Just a combination of local roads around Falkenham, Kirton, Newbourne, Kesgrave & Westerfield, and I was having such a nice time that the 20 miler turned into a 50km with a surprisingly high average speed.
Tomorrwow I plan to take advantage of the easing of the lockdown restrictions to have a ride in Norfolk - the first time I've ridden outside Suffolk since before Christmas.
ebikeerwidnes
Guru
- Location
- Z’ha’dum
Nice pleasant ride today
Had to take my jumper off and tie it to the rear bag because it was tooo hot
must be getting close to spring or something!!
bad bit - had to stop twice to pump up rear tyre - it had dropped down to 10 psi!!!
tyre is only a few months old - but when I took it off after I got home there was a split in the rubber on the treaded area
FFS
I have just got a Marathon for the front - going for the same on the rear next time
Had to take my jumper off and tie it to the rear bag because it was tooo hot
must be getting close to spring or something!!
bad bit - had to stop twice to pump up rear tyre - it had dropped down to 10 psi!!!
tyre is only a few months old - but when I took it off after I got home there was a split in the rubber on the treaded area
FFS
I have just got a Marathon for the front - going for the same on the rear next time
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
Nice afternoon (yesterday) but rather windy. Out over Acton Green and on for Burley Gate. A turn away from there took me to the under used Ullingswick lane. Lovely views to the surrounding hills. I took the usual run from Withington down to Larport and onto the flanks of the Marcles at Prior's Frome. A pair of Red Kites surfed the thermals above. On through Yarkhill I had to stop just before Stanley Hill. Long story but in Hereford Hospital now. I'll be OK. 👍 37 smiles
Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
Thought I was going to miss out on a ride in this glorious weather as Mrs D was talking about a trip to the garden centre today .... so I got up earlier than usual and went for a FOMO ride. Off out on the road at 08:59. Never let it be said I am not a morning person. As I arrived at the waterfront at Epney, it was clear from the number of little groups of people on the river bank and the line of parked cars and day vans that a bore was due. After checking with one of the waiting spectators, I found I had 10 minutes to spare, so I carried on to the quieter viewing point at the church at Framilode. On arrival, it was clear that others had driven there too to watch the spectacle:
Severn Bores are classified under a 5 star rating system, (5* being pretty much a tsunami and 1* being a slight swell followed by the river going the wrong way) and 2021 is due to be a very poor year, with nothing bigger than today's 3 star bore. It wasn't a particularly impressive one, but any bore attracting a dozen or more surfers, a speed boat and a helicopter is something of an event. This dog, however, was clearly not impressed:
This was my best chance of the year to chase the bore, so I remounted and hot-tailed it back upstream (which was now downstream) to Epney to watch the surfers who I had seen waiting there for a chance to ride the wave:
Only 6 of the dozen or so surfers managed to get on this one. The rest had a disappointingly short experience.
After the fun died down, I remounted and carried on downstream (which was now upstream) and looped around Saul and Fretherne, before returning to Epney and stopping to watch the ever-rising rush of water and remembering to include a bike shot!
Had a great view of a heron flying overhead before I got home, adding another 22 miles to my total. I fell quite a long way below my 250 mile distance targets in January and February, so it was nice to bring up the 300 mile mark in March and start to get back on track. Not bad, these morning rides.
Cheers, Donger.
Severn Bores are classified under a 5 star rating system, (5* being pretty much a tsunami and 1* being a slight swell followed by the river going the wrong way) and 2021 is due to be a very poor year, with nothing bigger than today's 3 star bore. It wasn't a particularly impressive one, but any bore attracting a dozen or more surfers, a speed boat and a helicopter is something of an event. This dog, however, was clearly not impressed:
This was my best chance of the year to chase the bore, so I remounted and hot-tailed it back upstream (which was now downstream) to Epney to watch the surfers who I had seen waiting there for a chance to ride the wave:
Only 6 of the dozen or so surfers managed to get on this one. The rest had a disappointingly short experience.
After the fun died down, I remounted and carried on downstream (which was now upstream) and looped around Saul and Fretherne, before returning to Epney and stopping to watch the ever-rising rush of water and remembering to include a bike shot!
Had a great view of a heron flying overhead before I got home, adding another 22 miles to my total. I fell quite a long way below my 250 mile distance targets in January and February, so it was nice to bring up the 300 mile mark in March and start to get back on track. Not bad, these morning rides.
Cheers, Donger.
Jon George
Mamil and couldn't care less
- Location
- Suffolk an' Good
Out and about on a route I intend to keep adding to until it becomes a fifty miler. 
Great to be out in the sun and got into a race with another chap who politely enquired if I was going to Felixstowe as he didn't feel he had the legs to keep the competition going. I rather threw him when I asked if his name was @Jenkins. 
This at Swilland.
Great to be out in the sun and got into a race with another chap who politely enquired if I was going to Felixstowe as he didn't feel he had the legs to keep the competition going. I rather threw him when I asked if his name was @Jenkins. This at Swilland.
I once did a singletrack loop on the road bike...
I'm right in the middle of the pack on the Strava segment
In fairness, I was only killing time at the end of a Veloviewer tiling ride that had involved two sections on the A31 trunk road.
DCBassman
Guru
- Location
- The lumpy far South West
Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
All the best. Hope you are OK.
OP
OP
gbb
Squire
- Location
- Peterborough
21 glorious miles along B roads and tracks, what a fabulous day to be out there.
T.M.H.N.E.T
Rainbows aren't just for world champions
- Location
- Northern Ireland
First outdoor ride in weeks due to work, bumped into a clubmate on his E-bike.
I can see how they fit into rolly/hillier rides where the speed is mostly within assistance cutoff, he had the better of me (mostly) on the sharper rises but struggled once the speed crept up.
I can see how they fit into rolly/hillier rides where the speed is mostly within assistance cutoff, he had the better of me (mostly) on the sharper rises but struggled once the speed crept up.
