Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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Landsurfer
Veteran
Misty, overcast, wet and warm ..... lovely..
Redruth in Cornwall at 0700hrs .... Time To Ride.
Redruth in Cornwall at 0700hrs .... Time To Ride.
Spiderweb
Not So Special One
- Location
- North Yorkshire
A 6.7 mile commute this morning with an average of 17 mph followed by an extended ride home, 27.8 miles with an average of 15.5 mph. Beautiful evening and 25°.
gavgav
Legendary Member
A very warm evening and with it looking like monsoons for the rest of the week, I binned off shopping until tomorrow night and went for a ride instead.
I took the clockwise route to dad’s, through Sutton Farm, Betton Abbots, Condover and Gonsal. Didn’t see much evidence that any more of the much needed patching had been done…..
Sat outside with dad for half an hour and then continued on to Annscroft, where we’re back up to 2 sets of temporary traffic lights again, Hook a Gate and through Meole village to home.
15.50 miles at 13.2mph avg and 1 pillock who felt it necessary to shout an obscenity in my direction, at a crossroads, despite me being on the main road and having right of way, turning into the road he was approaching the junction from, to find him with a third of his car on my side of the road. I just laughed at him, as he was clearly completely in the wrong!
I took the clockwise route to dad’s, through Sutton Farm, Betton Abbots, Condover and Gonsal. Didn’t see much evidence that any more of the much needed patching had been done…..
Sat outside with dad for half an hour and then continued on to Annscroft, where we’re back up to 2 sets of temporary traffic lights again, Hook a Gate and through Meole village to home.
15.50 miles at 13.2mph avg and 1 pillock who felt it necessary to shout an obscenity in my direction, at a crossroads, despite me being on the main road and having right of way, turning into the road he was approaching the junction from, to find him with a third of his car on my side of the road. I just laughed at him, as he was clearly completely in the wrong!
DCBassman
Guru
- Location
- The lumpy far South West
Used to live in Portreath, and was stationed at the RAF camp above. It was at times an airfield, biological research testing station (a branch of Porton Down, if you will) and a radar station. No idea what's there now. (Edit: an unmanned radar station).
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Grant Fondo
Guru
- Location
- Cheshire
A misty Puffin Island off Anglesey yesterday 
A cloudy morning, and still warm. A bit of breeze promises things being kept cooler, and I am taking the Spa out on another club ride today. Things may become hilly.
The first few miles to the meeting point are hilly. As usual. This is about as for north as Leeds boundaries reach. The LS postcodes go a lot further, just like we did today. So, head for King Lane and turn right when it is reached. Up the side of Golden Acre Park, left onto Kings Road and into Bramhope. Potential confusion, take Old Lane out of the (old) centre of Bramhope and ride along to Old Bramhope. Keep on, cross the A658, a mile or more later turn left onto Otley Old Road. Ignore the next right turn, but take the next to ride through both East and West Carlton.
And then into Guiseley. Lots of roads to choose from, one of us, at least, knew which was the road we wanted. It took us to Menston and our cafe stop. Away from there and uphill we pedalled. The gradients lessened a bit, we rode past the Hermit at Burley Woodhead. Closed, it was. And then things were steep again. All the way to the Cow and Calf. Pause at the top, we had spread out along the road a bit. Then I got it wrong. Heading downhill is so much fun, and quick too. And I did not know about the stop just down from the crest, so kept on all the way down into Ilkley.
Complications followed. I assumed it was a cafe stop, messaged to say see you later and went on my way. More telephony, I am heading for Askwith, they are at the Lido. I slowly reach Askwith, and wait. And wait. And turn around to ride back. Find one of us, we go to Askwith. And wait. Rain falls, we wait. Decision made, and message sent, we are carrying on. So we did.
Through Weston to Otley, and for the first time in a long while, leave by riding up Leeds Road. Kings Road again, but upwards this time, with a left and right squiggle at the top to go to Eccup. Just about traffic free now, through the village and across the dam then up the track to the A61. Only on that as far as Alwoodley Gates, the meeting point, the two of us took different routes from here.
I was enjoying the downhill, so meandered to the Oakwood Clock, and further descent from there into Leeds centre. There is a bit of uphill after crossing the river, just enough to keep me warm all the way to my front door. Grin in place, one heck of a ride it was. Forty eight miles, 2615 feet of the up stuff and not enough rain to be wet. Brilliant.
The first few miles to the meeting point are hilly. As usual. This is about as for north as Leeds boundaries reach. The LS postcodes go a lot further, just like we did today. So, head for King Lane and turn right when it is reached. Up the side of Golden Acre Park, left onto Kings Road and into Bramhope. Potential confusion, take Old Lane out of the (old) centre of Bramhope and ride along to Old Bramhope. Keep on, cross the A658, a mile or more later turn left onto Otley Old Road. Ignore the next right turn, but take the next to ride through both East and West Carlton.
And then into Guiseley. Lots of roads to choose from, one of us, at least, knew which was the road we wanted. It took us to Menston and our cafe stop. Away from there and uphill we pedalled. The gradients lessened a bit, we rode past the Hermit at Burley Woodhead. Closed, it was. And then things were steep again. All the way to the Cow and Calf. Pause at the top, we had spread out along the road a bit. Then I got it wrong. Heading downhill is so much fun, and quick too. And I did not know about the stop just down from the crest, so kept on all the way down into Ilkley.
Complications followed. I assumed it was a cafe stop, messaged to say see you later and went on my way. More telephony, I am heading for Askwith, they are at the Lido. I slowly reach Askwith, and wait. And wait. And turn around to ride back. Find one of us, we go to Askwith. And wait. Rain falls, we wait. Decision made, and message sent, we are carrying on. So we did.
Through Weston to Otley, and for the first time in a long while, leave by riding up Leeds Road. Kings Road again, but upwards this time, with a left and right squiggle at the top to go to Eccup. Just about traffic free now, through the village and across the dam then up the track to the A61. Only on that as far as Alwoodley Gates, the meeting point, the two of us took different routes from here.
I was enjoying the downhill, so meandered to the Oakwood Clock, and further descent from there into Leeds centre. There is a bit of uphill after crossing the river, just enough to keep me warm all the way to my front door. Grin in place, one heck of a ride it was. Forty eight miles, 2615 feet of the up stuff and not enough rain to be wet. Brilliant.
OP
OP
gbb
Squire
- Location
- Peterborough
17 ebike miles yesterday evening, lovely. Even that pushed me, the need to protect my hips inevitably means the legs arent anywhere near as strong as they used to be.
Signs of mid/late summer already ? Hawthorn blooming with skoe berries, rose hips the same, brambles flowering, fruit will soon show then...and my first sight of a combine harvester this year.
Signs of mid/late summer already ? Hawthorn blooming with skoe berries, rose hips the same, brambles flowering, fruit will soon show then...and my first sight of a combine harvester this year.
Grant Fondo
Guru
- Location
- Cheshire
In addition to the 'Puffin Island' 10 miler yesterday, a few more pics around Penmon Priory ...
Spiderweb
Not So Special One
- Location
- North Yorkshire
2 rides again today. My morning work commute of 6.7 miles with an average of 17.2 mph and then the plan was to extend my ride home. Unfortunately the weather forecast looked to be changing so I left work 1/2 hour early to try and avoid the rain, the first hour or so was fine but the temperature dropped pretty quickly, the wind picked up and I got drenched!😂.
27.9 miles with an average of 15.8 mph.
27.9 miles with an average of 15.8 mph.
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Monday: I just had a short window of opportunity in a busy day so headed out on the Raleigh to do one of my regular rides round the Cross Houses, Harnage, Acton Burnell, Longnor loop.
The A49 wasn't too busy as I left the village but a fire engine went sweeping through on blues and twos so I made sure of letting them go first (didn't find out where they were heading). It was a good run to Condover where the road closure is still in place but has moved up to the next junction, where I wanted to turn off anyway, so I was able to ride through unimpeded. Lyons Lane is usually a good run in this direction and not having much traffic to share with always makes it better.
At Berrington I found more traffic than I'm used to which turned out to be due to the A458 being closed again and people trying to find their way round. For some reason the sign warning of the closure was about halfway between Berrington and Cross Houses so everyone was getting part way and then finding they needed to turn in a field entrance to retrace their steps.
Knowing the area I took a chance on the other lane I often use coming out on a stretch where the road was open. I don't think I've ridden this lane in this direction before - it was a fun gentle descent most of the way to the main road and because I was following a van I could really make the most of it without worrying about oncoming traffic.
I headed for Cound next (flag of the Rifles Regiment flying today) and Harnage as normal. A slight headwind on the long straight to Cound Moor made it a bit of a drag but on reaching the village the false flat that I usually struggle with seemed much easier for once.
Through Acton Burnell and Longnor it was nicely uneventful and on reaching Ryton the road closure signs I'd been expecting to find had already been moved aside indicating that work had finished for the day, so I could head straight back to Condover and up to the A49.
24.7 miles this time and I just managed a 15mph average which was pleasing.
Just the one snapshot from this as I headed out of Berrington trying to avoid the closure.
Today: The forecast for the day didn't look very good with rain expected from about 11am but before that it was dry so the Raleigh was brought out again and I headed off to try and get a decent ride in before the weather closed in.
I thought I'd do a loop clockwise around the north of Shrewsbury so headed round the inner ring road to Shelton, Bicton and Montford Bridge. There were a reasonable number of people out riding and walking on the cycle paths at the start. After slowing for one walker I glanced behind to find a cyclist right up behind me - he may have caught up easily on that descent but I pulled away on the climbs until he turned off.
The main road through Bicton wasn't too busy and the wind started helping on the way to Little Ness so I got along quite well. It was better still after turning towards Baschurch. Through Yeaton I'd turned back towards the wind but it didn't seem to hinder much. I heade through Old Woods and Merrington (undulating), Plex, Hadnall and Astley (fairly flat) then picked up a decent tailwind through Bings Heath and Poynton Grange where 20mph on the flat was a very nice cruising speed. I had to turn back into the strengthening breeze eventually so had to put more of an effort in through Roden, Rodington Heath, Upton Magna and Atcham. Having found no closure warning signs at Atcham I thought they must have finished the work at Cross Houses, however I immediately became suspicious at the amount of traffic using this road. The A458 is still closed so I walked the bike along the pavement this time to get to the lane for Berrington. There was lots of traffic coming towards me on this lane so I assumed the signs must be missing here too but no, they were just ignoring them.
The headwind became even more blustery on the way to Condover and had subtly shifted so that it would only be a crosswind when I wanted it at my back on the run up to the A49. I got along fairly well on this section though and, having got onto the drops with the speed up over 20mph, was feeling quite pleased with myself....... until the guy on a mountain bike passed me as though I was stood still (seriously, he must have been doing about 40.)
The whine of a motor and the lazy pedalling gave away the fact all was not as it seemed. No way was that machine road legal - I wonder if the police will take an interest.
39.8 miles today at 14.9mph average. I may have pushed on a bit hard as my knees are a little achy at the end. It was fun though.
At Yeaton.
The view across Bomere Heath towards the Long Mynd.
A closer view of the Lawley, Caer Caradoc and the Long Mynd from Lyons Lane. With dark clouds gathering I pressed on for home after this.
Edit to add: I should have been out with @gavgav and my brother for a ride this evening. We called it off when the rain radar suggested a band of heavy rain would go through. In the end it was a deluge for only about five minutes then beautiful sunshine afterwards, although very blustery. Typical!
The A49 wasn't too busy as I left the village but a fire engine went sweeping through on blues and twos so I made sure of letting them go first (didn't find out where they were heading). It was a good run to Condover where the road closure is still in place but has moved up to the next junction, where I wanted to turn off anyway, so I was able to ride through unimpeded. Lyons Lane is usually a good run in this direction and not having much traffic to share with always makes it better.
At Berrington I found more traffic than I'm used to which turned out to be due to the A458 being closed again and people trying to find their way round. For some reason the sign warning of the closure was about halfway between Berrington and Cross Houses so everyone was getting part way and then finding they needed to turn in a field entrance to retrace their steps.
Knowing the area I took a chance on the other lane I often use coming out on a stretch where the road was open. I don't think I've ridden this lane in this direction before - it was a fun gentle descent most of the way to the main road and because I was following a van I could really make the most of it without worrying about oncoming traffic.I headed for Cound next (flag of the Rifles Regiment flying today) and Harnage as normal. A slight headwind on the long straight to Cound Moor made it a bit of a drag but on reaching the village the false flat that I usually struggle with seemed much easier for once.
Through Acton Burnell and Longnor it was nicely uneventful and on reaching Ryton the road closure signs I'd been expecting to find had already been moved aside indicating that work had finished for the day, so I could head straight back to Condover and up to the A49.
24.7 miles this time and I just managed a 15mph average which was pleasing.
Just the one snapshot from this as I headed out of Berrington trying to avoid the closure.
Today: The forecast for the day didn't look very good with rain expected from about 11am but before that it was dry so the Raleigh was brought out again and I headed off to try and get a decent ride in before the weather closed in.
I thought I'd do a loop clockwise around the north of Shrewsbury so headed round the inner ring road to Shelton, Bicton and Montford Bridge. There were a reasonable number of people out riding and walking on the cycle paths at the start. After slowing for one walker I glanced behind to find a cyclist right up behind me - he may have caught up easily on that descent but I pulled away on the climbs until he turned off.
The main road through Bicton wasn't too busy and the wind started helping on the way to Little Ness so I got along quite well. It was better still after turning towards Baschurch. Through Yeaton I'd turned back towards the wind but it didn't seem to hinder much. I heade through Old Woods and Merrington (undulating), Plex, Hadnall and Astley (fairly flat) then picked up a decent tailwind through Bings Heath and Poynton Grange where 20mph on the flat was a very nice cruising speed. I had to turn back into the strengthening breeze eventually so had to put more of an effort in through Roden, Rodington Heath, Upton Magna and Atcham. Having found no closure warning signs at Atcham I thought they must have finished the work at Cross Houses, however I immediately became suspicious at the amount of traffic using this road. The A458 is still closed so I walked the bike along the pavement this time to get to the lane for Berrington. There was lots of traffic coming towards me on this lane so I assumed the signs must be missing here too but no, they were just ignoring them.
The headwind became even more blustery on the way to Condover and had subtly shifted so that it would only be a crosswind when I wanted it at my back on the run up to the A49. I got along fairly well on this section though and, having got onto the drops with the speed up over 20mph, was feeling quite pleased with myself....... until the guy on a mountain bike passed me as though I was stood still (seriously, he must have been doing about 40.)
The whine of a motor and the lazy pedalling gave away the fact all was not as it seemed. No way was that machine road legal - I wonder if the police will take an interest.39.8 miles today at 14.9mph average. I may have pushed on a bit hard as my knees are a little achy at the end. It was fun though.
At Yeaton.
The view across Bomere Heath towards the Long Mynd.
A closer view of the Lawley, Caer Caradoc and the Long Mynd from Lyons Lane. With dark clouds gathering I pressed on for home after this.
Edit to add: I should have been out with @gavgav and my brother for a ride this evening. We called it off when the rain radar suggested a band of heavy rain would go through. In the end it was a deluge for only about five minutes then beautiful sunshine afterwards, although very blustery. Typical!
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cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
45 miles today
wasnt feeling it as i had done 2 days back to back of weights and the legs were feeling tired so i just bumbled about , got stuck behind a tractor on a single track lane for a couple of miles so decided to turn around .
Ended up at Curborough hall farm after 27 miles so had a brief cake stop then headed home , was nearly doored by a dozy care worker about 3 miles from home .
Still managed 17.7 avg so all things considered good enough although for some reason i have got a mild saddle sore , not changed anything on the bike so i cant understand why
wasnt feeling it as i had done 2 days back to back of weights and the legs were feeling tired so i just bumbled about , got stuck behind a tractor on a single track lane for a couple of miles so decided to turn around .
Ended up at Curborough hall farm after 27 miles so had a brief cake stop then headed home , was nearly doored by a dozy care worker about 3 miles from home .
Still managed 17.7 avg so all things considered good enough although for some reason i have got a mild saddle sore , not changed anything on the bike so i cant understand why
AndreaJ
Veteran
Bright and breezy this morning which was much better than the monsoon I got caught in yesterday on my way home from work. I had managed to dry my shoes out which I was pleased about considering I needed to tip the water out of them yesterday.
Decided to set off into Whixall, Fenns Wood, Fenns Bank then to Alkington back down the hill to Whixall. Turned off to Hollinswood, Abbeygreen, Edstaston with a loop round Paddolgreen and Creamore to join the Wem Road. Over the railway crossing and past the cricket club to Aston and Barkers Green back to the other side of Wem. Turned off to Tilley, Nonely and to the crossroads in Loppington. There were quite a few dark looking storm clouds starting to appear and the smart decision would have been to turn right and head home, unfortunately I decided to go straight over to Brown Heath and turn to Lyneal. It started to rain followed by hail then monsoon sort of rain complete with thunder. I don’t mind rain too much but I’m not keen on being out in thunder and lightning. Turned past the caravan park to Hampton Bank, Northwood and quickest way home. Ten minutes after I got home the sun was shining again.
32.5 miles.
Decided to set off into Whixall, Fenns Wood, Fenns Bank then to Alkington back down the hill to Whixall. Turned off to Hollinswood, Abbeygreen, Edstaston with a loop round Paddolgreen and Creamore to join the Wem Road. Over the railway crossing and past the cricket club to Aston and Barkers Green back to the other side of Wem. Turned off to Tilley, Nonely and to the crossroads in Loppington. There were quite a few dark looking storm clouds starting to appear and the smart decision would have been to turn right and head home, unfortunately I decided to go straight over to Brown Heath and turn to Lyneal. It started to rain followed by hail then monsoon sort of rain complete with thunder. I don’t mind rain too much but I’m not keen on being out in thunder and lightning. Turned past the caravan park to Hampton Bank, Northwood and quickest way home. Ten minutes after I got home the sun was shining again.
32.5 miles.
Doing taxi service for daughter 2 karate class, so took the bike with me for a spin round Malvern Common, Welland and back to Hanley Castle. Legs weren't quite there for some reason, and though the lanes were mostly dry there was still a shaded 200m by Clive's that were enough to leave the bike filthy. Good fun overall.
Dull and breezy outdoors, easy to guess that showers would be the order of the day. So, rain jacket on, take Bob Jackson out of the shed, it is just me and the bike today.
And a route I last did on this bike at the end of March, this tends to be used more by the fixed, on the river path. Road today, just because. The first five miles, out through Hunslet to John o’ Gaunts, is not exactly scenic, just a change. Wherever I ride these days seems to be cluttered with roadworks, this might make me pedal faster. After John o’ Gaunts the road descends gently, and then a bit steeper to ride through Woodlesford. Turn left, under the railway bridge, Swillington is next after crossing canal and river.
Reach the A63 at Garforth and turn right. Garforth Cliff is this way, the name may be an exaggeration but it is sort of steep. Straight on at the roundabout at Peckfield Bar, and a brisk, wind assisted, ride to the next roundabout. Turn left here for Micklefield. There seemed to be more help from the weather along the rising road to the crossroads with the B1217. No complaints from me, I turned right here and rolled along to turn left by the gates at Lotherton Hall.
To Aberford, with a munch stop along the way. It occurred to me that I should turn the camera on, I have not posted a video in a while, mostly because club rides do not often provide good videos. So, on the crest before the drop to Cock Beck, turn on the camera. Thirty four seconds later I almost have a too close encounter with a pigeon. Oddly, a friend told me last evening that on her ride home from work recently she ran over what she thought was a carrier bag. Only to find feathers in the front wheel when she reached home . . .
Onwards to Barwick, anyway. How does a place so small support two pubs and all those little shops? The village before has only one pub now, and not a shop at all. Ah well. Up out of there to Scholes, onto the A64 for a short while and turn right onto Thorner Lane. And see two clubmates riding towards me. I almost turned around to ride with them, their destination was the Crooked Billet. It might have been too early for beer, so after a natter I rode on my way.
Not much further to home now anyway, into Thorner, out on Carr Lane. The A58 towards Leeds, but not via Oakwood. A ‘Road Closed’ sign persuaded me to stay on Easterly Road, which makes the lights at Harehills Lane a bit easier also. Back across the river and to home. Smile well in place, there has not been much rain in the thirty five miles covered today, just the odd light shower. Two thousand climbed feet, which felt pretty good too.
Almost Yardbirds, Over, Under, Sideways, Down.
And a route I last did on this bike at the end of March, this tends to be used more by the fixed, on the river path. Road today, just because. The first five miles, out through Hunslet to John o’ Gaunts, is not exactly scenic, just a change. Wherever I ride these days seems to be cluttered with roadworks, this might make me pedal faster. After John o’ Gaunts the road descends gently, and then a bit steeper to ride through Woodlesford. Turn left, under the railway bridge, Swillington is next after crossing canal and river.
Reach the A63 at Garforth and turn right. Garforth Cliff is this way, the name may be an exaggeration but it is sort of steep. Straight on at the roundabout at Peckfield Bar, and a brisk, wind assisted, ride to the next roundabout. Turn left here for Micklefield. There seemed to be more help from the weather along the rising road to the crossroads with the B1217. No complaints from me, I turned right here and rolled along to turn left by the gates at Lotherton Hall.
To Aberford, with a munch stop along the way. It occurred to me that I should turn the camera on, I have not posted a video in a while, mostly because club rides do not often provide good videos. So, on the crest before the drop to Cock Beck, turn on the camera. Thirty four seconds later I almost have a too close encounter with a pigeon. Oddly, a friend told me last evening that on her ride home from work recently she ran over what she thought was a carrier bag. Only to find feathers in the front wheel when she reached home . . .
Onwards to Barwick, anyway. How does a place so small support two pubs and all those little shops? The village before has only one pub now, and not a shop at all. Ah well. Up out of there to Scholes, onto the A64 for a short while and turn right onto Thorner Lane. And see two clubmates riding towards me. I almost turned around to ride with them, their destination was the Crooked Billet. It might have been too early for beer, so after a natter I rode on my way.
Not much further to home now anyway, into Thorner, out on Carr Lane. The A58 towards Leeds, but not via Oakwood. A ‘Road Closed’ sign persuaded me to stay on Easterly Road, which makes the lights at Harehills Lane a bit easier also. Back across the river and to home. Smile well in place, there has not been much rain in the thirty five miles covered today, just the odd light shower. Two thousand climbed feet, which felt pretty good too.
Almost Yardbirds, Over, Under, Sideways, Down.
