Your ride today....

[Cavalol]

Got to London early yesterday and as planned took bike and went for a ride. Last time round, I'd made it to Trafalgar Square, alas running out of time on this trip so just went to Kensington Palace, more by accident than design as I stopped by the road where the diplomat houses are and asked a guard if there was a local land mark.
Anyhow, lovely ride (mostly stuck to cycle paths this time) and was a good thing to blow away the cobwebs of a 3.5-ish drive down there.

Next time I might follow the river (from near Twickenham) to keep well away from the traffic, a fella I spoke to told me it was much longer that way but more pleasant.

 

[bluenotebob]

I slung the road bike in the back of the van at lunch-time and drove into Mauron. I parked up very close to the V3 Voie Verte and headed straight south into a strengthening SW wind (an outrider of Storm Evert, I guess). Down the mostly traffic-free (but unfortunately not idiot-free) cycle path – past Ploërmel and Malestroit, down into the Claie valley, up to Pleucadeuc and then down into the Arz valley – and finally up to the end of the Voie Verte at Bel-Air/Questembert.

The return from Questembert to Mauron was quicker – definitely wind-assisted. 105km in just under 6 hours cycling – my first 100+km ride this year, but hopefully not the last.

I didn’t stop very often today so not many photos.

Here’s a view of the Nantes-to-Brest canal from the Pont de Bagotaie (between Ploërmel and Malestroit). The Eurovelo 1 cycle path runs along the far bank.

Two camera-shy pigeons on the bridge

 

[pjd57]

Left at seven this morning and headed to Balloch, along Loch Lomond on the A82...not great....then to Arrochar . Coffee stop then over the Rest and Be Thankful and on to Dunoon. Timed it nicely, only a few minutes to wait for a passenger only service ( no cars ) so it was much quicker. Got off at Gourock and a Glasgow train was leaving in a few minutes. Decision made , we got the train.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Yesterday's ride: What I was supposed to be doing during the day got called off unexpectedly so I grabbed the chance of a ride after lunch. There was quite a strong westerly wind and my route up to Oaks and Pulverbatch is good in those conditions as the battle into the wind at the start is offset by having it helping later on.

I used the knockabout bike and headed over Lyth Hill then took a meander through Exford's Green including using a bridleway I haven't ridden for a while. The plod into the wind up Long Lane didn't seem too bad and was helped by a lack of traffic this time - that showed up on the climb to Oaks instead.

From Oaks I headed for Wrentnall as usual but instead of the right turn, carried on through the village, across the main road and used the lane to Church Pulverbatch. This lane is one I haven't ridden for a very long time. I remembered it as a bit of an effort but it proved to be even steeper than I recall. From Church Pulverbatch it's a little more climbing into Pulverbatch then back on track for the undulating ride to Wilderley.

Having pressed on hard the previous day I was going to take the shorter route back through Dorrington, however the legs felt better than expected after the climbing so far so I carried on as normal to Smethcott and Leebotwood. The A49 was pretty busy and I had a longish wait for a gap in the traffic. While on this short stretch of main road a van towing a big US style Airstream caravan overtook.

As is usually the case the wind funnels between the hills so I had a good tailwind on the old Roman road then became more of a crosswind after Longnor. The road closed signs were up at Ryton so I went round via Wheathall and Berriewood. By the time I got to Condover the signs at that end of the closure had been removed.

I had a fairly sedate run back to the A49. A car that had overtaken me about a mile previously was still waiting for a gap to get out into traffic when I reached the junction and my arrival coincided with a lull so I hardly had to wait at all this time . Makes up for earlier.

25.2 miles at 11.8 mph average. Apart from the wind (the met office tells me it was gusting over 30mph during the ride) it was quite pleasant to be out. There were a few other cyclists around too so I wasn't the only one to think so.

One of the usual views from the top of Lyth Hill.

The bridleway through Exford's Green.

I liked this cloudscape over the Long Mynd as I made my way to Smethcott.

Also from the road to Smethcott; nature puts a spotlight onto Lyth Hill.

On the descent to Leebotwood.

 

[gavgav]

It’s been a pretty devastating few days, with some health news for my Dad and I desperately needed a ride today for my mental health sake and so despite some drizzle and the Met Office suggesting rain about, I went for it. I took the Genesis, due to the amount of rain that’s fallen this week.

I set off through Betton Abbots and then onto the lanes to Berrington, Eaton Mascott and Cound. Quite a bit of mud, sand and water about on those sections. It was then on towards Evenwood and the hard climb up to Kenley, where I could see rain over Wenlock Edge.

I was riding into the wind to Church Preen, Gretton and Cardington, where I found the rain and for about 10 minutes it was heavy enough to give me a fairly good soaking. After climbing to Enchmarsh, I enjoyed the fast descent down Comley and the rain stopped again. I finally had the wind mostly behind me, as I turned North towards Longnor, where there was more water on the roads, then to Ryton, Gonsal and Stapleton.

I called on Dad for an hour and he was doing ok considering what’s happening. He was doing some pruning when I got there, anything to keep the mind on something else. I then set out back into the wind to Exfords Green and Annscroft, but had it mostly helping me through to Hook a Gate and Meole village.

Fairly quiet roads today, which was nice and other than the 10 minutes, much less rain than was forecast.

31.73 miles at 11.7mph avg. Needed that.

 

[13 rider]

It’s been a pretty devastating few days, with some health news for my Dad and I desperately needed a ride today for my mental health sake and so despite some drizzle and the Met Office suggesting rain about, I went for it. I took the Genesis, due to the amount of rain that’s fallen this week.

I set off through Betton Abbots and then onto the lanes to Berrington, Eaton Mascott and Cound. Quite a bit of mud, sand and water about on those sections. It was then on towards Evenwood and the hard climb up to Kenley, where I could see rain over Wenlock Edge.

I was riding into the wind to Church Preen, Gretton and Cardington, where I found the rain and for about 10 minutes it was heavy enough to give me a fairly good soaking. After climbing to Enchmarsh, I enjoyed the fast descent down Comley and the rain stopped again. I finally had the wind mostly behind me, as I turned North towards Longnor, where there was more water on the roads, then to Ryton, Gonsal and Stapleton.

I called on Dad for an hour and he was doing ok considering what’s happening. He was doing some pruning when I got there, anything to keep the mind on something else. I then set out back into the wind to Exfords Green and Annscroft, but had it mostly helping me through to Hook a Gate and Meole village.

Fairly quiet roads today, which was nice and other than the 10 minutes, much less rain than was forecast.

31.73 miles at 11.7mph avg. Needed that.

Take care of yourself Gav I found cycling a great comfort during my mum's health crisis

 

[cyberknight]

century ride to cafe ventoux today , very steady pace for me but its a no drop group ride not a chain gang so i just enjoyed myself and it meant i was not on my knees at the end 114 miles in the end with only one real rain shower

 

[KnittyNorah]

Haha, ride, what ride?
Trying to regain lost fitness at 70+ is far more difficult than at 50+ ... do all you can to maintain it, folks!

I easily manage 5-ish miles along the canal and around a local large park (whose paths are not absolutely level but not far off), and could keep going much further on the level, just spinning gently - but the really-very-minor, and short, climb on the track up to the hump back bridge over the canal simply defeats my legs. Still, it's early days yet - I've only had the bike a couple of weeks; it took me a few days to adapt to the twitchiness of 20" wheels, and I'm still tweaking its fit and comfort - and there's no shame in getting off and pushing, or just looking at the surroundings. I'm only riding every alternate day at present, but am starting to feel that I could start riding on consecutive days at least sometimes.

When I reached the hump back bridge today, who did I see lounging on the grass and preening lazily, at the end of someone's back garden (which runs down to the canal) - 'the Swanee River Gang' - ma, pa and SIX almost-fully-grown children. Big, sturdy and healthy, all eight of 'em. Ma sitting surrounded by her nearly-adult 'chicks' and Pa sitting off to the side just a little, apparently keeping a wary eye out for anyone who might approach. A poultry feeder attached to a stout fence, and containing some waterfowl feed pellets, was evidence that the swan's 'lodging house keepers' have been, and still are, are both generous and considerate.

 

[cwskas]

Trying to regain lost fitness at 70+ is far more difficult than at 50+ ... do all you can to maintain it, folks!

Yep! Just keep plugging away.

I had not cycled for over 30 years when I started back up 2.5 years ago after a surgery. I was riding 1-3 miles and feeling like I would never get better. A friend took me under his wing and started pushing my limits a little at a time, both distance and climbing ability. Having someone else to ride with was a real boost for me. Now I feel so much better and ride as often as responsibilities allow.

The best decision I have made since retirement.

 

[KnittyNorah]

I was riding 1-3 miles and feeling like I would never get better

Now that's made me feel better!
I have no issues at all on the flat/very slight gradients; doing 5+ miles with ease already, I feel I could easily do considerably more on the flat and maybe I'll do just that as I currently live in what I call 'the flatlands'. Until I feel I've developed more strength in my legs to get a bit of power on minor hills, I'll just enjoy the flatlands I think - and continue to get off and push on the track up to the hump-backed bridge!

 

[Mburton1993]

Rained a little but otherwise quite nice.

 

[13 rider]

Today I had arranged to ride with @Supersuperleeds which used to be a regular event but we have probably riden 4 times together since Jan 1st 2020 !. We have both been though a lot of stuff since then so it would be good to be back together .We had planned a ride to Nice Pie I was out the door early for some extra miles into a drizzle but not enough to put a jacket on . Up Sharply hill and out to St Bernards Abbey had over estimated my route so took the shorter route to Cossington by riding through Shepshed over the motorway junction and on to the new road with lovely smooth tarmac to Loughborough and on to meeting point in Cossington to find @Supersuperleeds waiting after a catch up were on our way ,Sileby ,Seagrave heading to Nice Pie all done in a steady drizzle ,Big Sis and Bil were waiting after a relaxed breakfast stop it was back out into sunshine ,@Supersuperleeds had spent the first part of the ride moaning about his lack of fitness . Anyone who has riden with us may have noticed we are a bit competitive. He then spent the return leg down the Wreake valley smashing me up every hill . Back to Cropston were we parted ways having hopefully put plans in place for future rides . Home to for me with 53 miles in the bag ,but the old @Supersuperleeds is making a come back and went on to complete a metric century to out distance me as well and he did more climbing then me . I like to say to good to have you back I might have to up my game

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Today I had arranged to ride with @Supersuperleeds which used to be a regular event but we have probably riden 4 times together since Jan 1st 2020 !. We have both been though a lot of stuff since then so it would be good to be back together .We had planned a ride to Nice Pie I was out the door early for some extra miles into a drizzle but not enough to put a jacket on . Up Sharply hill and out to St Bernards Abbey had under estimated my route so took the shorter route to Cossington by riding through Shepshed over the motorway junction and on to the new road with lovely smooth tarmac to Loughborough and on to meeting point in Cossington to find @Supersuperleeds waiting after a catch up were on our way ,Sileby ,Seagrave heading to Nice Pie all done in a steady drizzle ,Big Sis and Bil were waiting after a relaxed breakfast stop it was back out into sunshine ,@Supersuperleeds had spent the first part of the ride moaning about his lack of fitness . Anyone who has riden with us may have noticed we are a bit competitive. He then spent the return leg down the Wreake valley smashing me up every hill . Back to Cropston were we parted ways having hopefully put plans in place for future rides . Home to for me with 53 miles in the bag ,but the old @Supersuperleeds is making a come back and went on to complete a metric century to out distance me as well and he did more climbing then me . I like to say to good to have you back I might have to up my game

Really enjoyed it, thanks for getting me out.

 

[Dave 123]

Another Sunday ride!
Only local, as far as Modbury, but some nice hills included.
At one point I saw a shrew tootling down the lane!

https://www.strava.com/activities/5721202453

 

[Spiderweb]

A lovely ride out to Harrogate With friends Martin & David for lunch at Prologue Cycles in Harrogate. I can’t believe some bikes in that shop cost in excess of £12000!
A busy little cafe with lots of cyclists on fancy bikes, I hung up my £126 eBay Tricross next to a Cervelo and a Colnago!
46.35 miles with an average of 15 mph.