Your ride today....

[Ian H]

Usual Wednesday pubrun yesterday evening. It snowed early that morning then rained most of the day. Come the evening I decided I'd go straight to the pub, not via the usual meeting-place in Cranbrook. I set off just after 7, so it was already dark. The rain started again almost immediately. And it was bone-chillingly cold. So it was the shortest route to the Six Bells. Ted was already there. We found a table and Bernd arrived. We hung wet clothing on spare chairs and ordered pints and a bowl of chips. Jamie arrived, and that was it, just four of us.

The bar became less crowded as people filtered through to the skittle alley.

A few more drinks, plenty of random conversation, and the time arrived to brave the weather again. We donned damp clothing and left to good-byes from others, unlocked the bikes and headed back south. I filtered off before the level crossing as the rain got heavier and colder. I took the direct route home, no deviations for hills or even just fun, muscled the fixed up the hill past the traffic lights (it's steep enough to make having to stop for the lights on a fixed-wheel a pain). And home. Shoved the bike in the garage, dripped indoors, and removed as much wet gear as possible to avoid disapproving looks.

Checked the distance and it was just over 23km - shortest ride by about 25km for at least a year. I'm making no excuses.

 

[buzz22]

I've been on annual leave for just over a month and today was my last day. I started with a 1500m swim this morning and thought a nice way to round out my last day of freedom would be a relaxing ride by the water.
Out came my trusty 70's Abeni, well suited to my route.
Down towards the water and a quick stop at Sans Souci for a drink. It was nice watching a few boats pass by, the breeze keeping things cooler.

I followed the path around the Bay, relaxed and enjoying the flat terrain. The old fashioned 27 x 1 1/4 tyres roll so well and the suicide brake levers make it easy to sit up with hands on top of the bars. I can see why this style of bike was popular for so long.
No races would be won on it but perfect for a relaxing cruise.
Along the path heading north towards the City and taking in the view:

A relaxed pace and a new view to take in- there's a new road tunnel being constructed from the South of the City to link up with several other roads, all tollways of course.
Sydney is the most tolled city in the world when it comes to roads, a big dent in the budget for many people.
The previous pathway beside the river is now this:

Once it's all finished it will be a lot nicer, still safer than sharing with cars.
Another few kms and time to head home.
On the way home a quick stop at a cafe in Brighton Le Sands for a smoothie and just to stare at the water:

Homeward bound then, 44km done and ready to head back to work tomorrow.
One thing I noticed when I checked my smart watch at home was the different heart rate zones I've worked in over the last couple of days.
A hilly road ride had me working in the maximum zone mainly, my swim had me working in the anaerobic zone for the bulk of it and todays cruise was mostly in the aerobic zone.
I'll have to consciously mix things up a bit, the balance feels pretty good.

 

[HLaB]

All the weeks snow disappeared yesterday afternoon, the only problem the temperature drop and it all froze. So I gave the 8.30am group ride (which would mean leaving at 8am) a miss and waited a bit for it to warm up a bit and melt. At first I headed to the cafe stop but tbh I didn't expect anyone to be there. Its turns out apart from one bloke who went out on their mtb at 8am no one dared to go out until I posted a picture of the nice sunny cafe.

I had no real plan but it being so nice I ran a low level TrainerRoad workout. I was just about to turn to home when I decided instead I preferred the fresh air and it was a really nice temperature so I started an even lower level TrainerRoad workout.

When I eventually got back to Peterborough the path which was clear this morning was totally flooded.

 

[HLaB]

The bike desperately needs cleaned but I am fooked. Paris-Nice is all the excuse I need to stay sat on the sofa as today's gravel ride was indeed a workout.

We headed out to Brigstock into a strong headwind. A couple of my mates had had enough after that headwind and headed straight to Oundle. We also went to Oundle by Fermyn Woods to Lowick, the wind was just as strong but we were protected by the trees and were motoring. We just missed them at the cafe.

After the cafe we cut back off through the Ashton Estate to Warminton, before going back off road again at Eaglethorpe to Elton. From Elton we came back on road to Peterborough and we finally got the advantage of that wind.

A well balanced workout 🤔

4 days to recover 🤔 I might watch the Tirreno before cleaning the bike.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Got out nice and early, wrapped up warm against last night's sleet and promptly had to take as much off as possible, a lovely mild spring day notwithstanding the (rapidly diminishing) snow lying high up in the Peak.

A morning chasing steep hills and snowdrift picture opportunities ensued, featuring the pavé of Swiss Hill to start, then the climb of Standing Stone in Macc Forest:

Next England's highest village (allegedly), Flash, via the steep back road. Unfortunately, after the last house the road was entirely uncleared, so a bit of a walk through the snow for a few minutes.

Millionaire's shortbread and coffee at Flash Bar was followed by a very rapid descent to Buxton, no shell required in the Spring warmth. Then a very slow ascent of Long Hill into an increasing headwind, and descent to Errwood Reservoir down the still officially closed road:

Took a few extra hills on the back road round Kettleshulme, then home down the Brickworks, the view of Kinder Scout now almost denuded of snow, just the drifts remaining


Close on 50 miles, 1500m climbing. A grand Spring morning.

 

[geocycle]

Another weather window opened, or was at least ajar, 5 degrees warmer than yesterday but a strong WSW wind. Headed inland to Bowland via the trough. Really good bird day, big flocks of starlings and field fares, curlew calling and lapwings displaying. Residual snow patches were melting along the verges and the rivers were swollen once more. Nice lunch at Chipping then up Beacon Fell for a view stop. Then home battling headwinds before the rain arrived. 85 km with 1300 m of climbing.

pictures of Trough of Bowland, the mountain rescue hut and a rare self portrait (Or murder scene).

 

[cyberknight]

1st weekend ride for me for a few weeks as i have been helping mrs ck post op so i havent been able to get out .All the snow had finally cleared leaving lots of muddy puddly lanes with a strong wind chill in the air.Most of the club have gone to spain for a cycling holiday but im not that flush so i went out on my own planning to meet another rider after 15 miles but he wasnt definite and hadnt said he was coming so at the meeting point i carried on only to get a call about 6-7 miles further down the road so we decided i should carry on and we would meet at the cake stop.
Cake today was at canalside greater haywood which was very busy so i had only just got served before he turned up.
We rode back together with a strong tailwind for about another 15 miles together before he turned off for home leaving me to plod on to get the metric century which was hard as i havent done a long ride in a good 3-4 weeks .

 

[chriswoody]

A tale of two rides this weekend. Friday night saw the persistent heavy rain of the last days turn to snow and by Saturday morning there was a healthy covering of snow. I set out into beautiful conditions on the Mountain bike. I headed West along the river bank on trails that had hardly been walked as the sun was steadily warming everything up.

There was large thumps all around as large clumps of wet snow fell from the trees above and landed like a snowball all around, before long I'd received a couple of well aimed snowballs to my exposed neck.

The wet and stormy conditions, followed by the sudden heavy snowfall had bought a lot of tree branches down, and in some cases, entire trees. Whilst many of them could easily be traversed, some entirely blocked the path.

I turn from the main path and head onto a smaller trail, passing a small marsh and up into the forest.

It's truly beautiful riding out here and aside from the every present slumpf of the snowfall, entirely silent. The sun is playing hide and seek with the clouds and when it emerges it bathes everything in the most amazing light.

I cross the river at the hydro electric plant and take a moment to enjoy a flapjack and drink whilst admiring the view of the river almost in spate.

I then swing back towards home on more firmier trails that still have a fair sprinkling of snow, the sky overhead is clear but the air is alive with swirling snow falling from the trees all around, I'm covered in snow and happy as can be.

I swing back into the garden after only 24 kilometres, but it's been sublime as well as heavy going. Winter is still not giving up and it couldn't be a more beautiful day.

Today in contrast dawned grey and overcast, the temperatures may only be 2 degrees, but the snow is in full melt, then as I set out into the forest, the heavens open. I head north first of all and the first section of forest is a real mess, between the forestry work and the weather the forest floor is really churned up.

Though to be fair, it was great fun, ploughing through the deep puddles and wondering if I would get through. I stop for a short break out of the rain in a shelter and sit contentedly eating a snack. I decided to head West and head off into the gloom. I ride a variety of trails, weaving this way and that, joining various trails all linked by a common theme of mud and water. The rain momentarily turns to heavy sleet before changing its mind and turning back to rain.

Whilst I'm soaked and covered in mud, I'm in a really contended place. The conditions are making progress slow but I don't turn away from the forest to seek out firmer tarmac, I'm happy here away from others and in contented solitude. As I return towards the river, I see it's burst its banks and the adjacent fields are flooded, an indication of how much precipitation we've had these last days. I don't stop often in the foul conditions but continue spinning the cranks until after 30km I arrive home. Soaked through and covered in mud. I hose the bike down and head in for a coffee after a wonderful weekend of riding. Hopefully Spring won't be long now, but this last weekend of true winter had it all.

 

[Jameshow]

Short 20mile ride over to mates in Leeds who was out! Dropped of RD for his commuter bike. Ride back and found a lovely little cut through I hadn't been on before from Leeds airport to guiseley....

Lists of snow melt surface water but a nice potter anyway!!

Ignore the seaham...

 

[C R]

Temperatures were forecast to be higher than during the week, so no prospect of frost, and on top the rain stopped some time during the night to give way to clear skies. Perfect.

Out of the door about quarter past six, and it was almost daylight, first time this year. My target today was 45 miles or so, with a little more climbing to start improving my fitness. The general idea was to go Welland way and then down to Tewkesbury via the Ledbury Rd.

Set off via St Peters to cross the Severn at Diglis, and then on to Powick via the new cycle/pedestrian bridge. It is nicer than gambling your life through a high speed roundabout, but going Malvern way there's no provision to easily rejoin the road, as the bridge exit is on the wrong side, a bit of a half arssd job tbh.

After Powick headed for Callow End and then Jennet Tree Ln to Newland. The sun was out and I was a bit overdressed, lucky I didn't wear my big gloves or the thermal trousers. Through Newland then to Guarlford and then a right for Barnards Green. This stretch is a bit of a false flat, though not particularly steep, I had to work hard on it, my climbing legs, if I ever had them, are not back yet.

After Barnards Green I headed for the top of the Common, taking my time, and stopped at the junction to have a cereal bar and admire the view. There was still a little bit of snow left on the hills

hardly noticeable in the photo, though. It was nice in the sunshine, and I wasn't cooling down too quickly for the first time in ages.

Next destination was Welland, mostly downhill from here, so a chance for the legs to rest a bit, and then the ups and downs through Castlemorton Common to Rye Cross, where I turn left for Tewkesbury.

Some clouds were now covering the sun on and off, giving the view of the Cotswolds in the distance an eerie quality that my phone camera couldn't quite capture

Next stop was the Mythe Bridge were I stopped for another snack before crossing back to the good side of the Severn. Going into Tewkesbury I had a close pass from some impatient twonk with a posh looking carbon road bike on their roof rack, you would have thought the would know how it feels .

No further incidents through Bredon or on the way to Eckington, with the sun shining again, and my legs feeling strangely responsive and getting a good average on this stretch. Final snack stop at the Eckington Bridge picnic area. The Avon is quite full, almost at the level of the bank

and moving quite fast.

The final stretch took me through Pershore, and over the Walcot Ln ford to Drakes Broughton. The ford is very full too, and has been finally closed to motor traffic

The last few miles were quite uneventful, and got home tired, but having enjoyed the outing.

The map

 

[gavgav]

I awoke to a dramatic change in weather, moving from Winter to Spring in 12 hours, with sunshine and mild temperatures, that even bordered on warm for a while. It became immediately evident that there was a strong wind blowing, initially from the west/south westerly direction, though.

I set out through Meole Brace, crossing the Reabrook, which was deep in flood down the underpass, making that very impassable, unless you fancied wading to about chest height. Snow melt already having an effect and indeed the River Severn is forecast to hit flood height in the next couple of days again.

I then battled the wind to Gains Park and joined the main road at Bicton, down to Montford Bridge and turned South West towards Shrawardine, into the now strengthening wind. The lane between there and the Pentre turn was flooded in 2 places, but short enough to free wheel through.

I continued battling the headwind to Pentre, where a prat towing a trailer with hay on it, decided to pass me and turn left across my front. Luckily I was also turning left, otherwise I would have likely t-boned them 🤷‍♂️

A chap passed me on a bike towards Melverley, remarking about how stiff the headwind was, which I heartedly agreed with. Shortly followed by an old couple in a micra who felt the need to hoot at me, for having the temerity to be on the road, so gave them a 🤷‍♂️ gesture. They then did the same to the chap who’d just overtaken me and they got a less polite gesture off him.

Approaching Melverley I found the pillock with the trailer pulled up, talking to a chap on a horse. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’d caused them some problems as well, with it not seeming a particularly amenable conversation.

At Melverley I paused and had some lunch, before crossing the bridge into Wales, to Crew Green. I turned North from there and finally had a tailwind along the main road to Coedway and Princes Oak, where I turned off and began the long drag up the hill. What was completely bizarre here, with me travelling south east/east was that I had a vicious headwind again! How?!

At Halfway House I managed to get straight across the A458 and on into the wind still, to Westbury. I then climbed up again, along Hinwood Road, through Brixton’s Wood and down to Asterley. This was highest point of the ride and boy the wind was strong, gusting from the side now and making it a job to keep the bike upright at times.

I could see the hills still had snow on them from here.

I then turned onto the wet and mucky lane to Farley and Edge, but at least had a tailwind again for a while. Pontesbury hills still had some snow on as well

I dropped down to Hinton and Lea Cross, where as usual I timed the nasty junction all wrong, with streams of traffic from both directions, so dived into the bus lay-by before crossing once the traffic had dispersed.

The climb up to Arscott was a tough pull on tired legs and that wind had gone cooler again, so the warmth was no longer there. I could also see a curtain of rain over the Stretton Hills.

The flag at Annscroft was showing a south westerly wind, veering south and south east though, which confirmed my impression that it wasn’t always the tailwind it should have been!

I pressed on to Exfords Green and Stapleton, pausing for an hour at Dad’s, before setting back out to Condover and finally a tailwind again, then along Lyons Lane, to Betton Abbots and home.

The legs felt better than Tuesday, but still not fully recovered from the Lakes exertions and the wind didn’t help.

40.53 miles at 11.7mph avg.

 

[All uphill]

A late start today from a friend's house in South Somerset. A breezy day as we made our way into deepest Dorset.

My friend had planned the route and led, so I could take it easy and follow his back wheel, or ride alongside chatting. Dorset drivers seemed very cooperative and tolerant of cyclists being blown around. Lots of villages and then a pub lunch in Sherborne.

Back homewards working hard into the wind. Lovely!

About 25 miles, took all day.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Direct commute today. The river is pretty high after last nights storm; judging by the tide line it was even higher during the night.

 

[Mike_P]

Day off work and after dragging a heavy load of shopping in from the car the realisation that I had fogot the £1.50 Nectar priced kilo bag of apples from Sainsburys. Um..its sunny ... ebike out of the shed and back to Sainsburys the scenic way.

One dog well held by its lead (do dogs read the Daily Mail?) and at Sainsburys the bike stands had two trolleys abandoned in them. Returning with the apples and a jar of jam straining the rucksack a further trolley had been abandoned at right angles to the kerb of the roadway

At least twice on the return I had to put the assist on levelish stretches as the winds strength was bringing me almost to a standstill, I was expecting that as outbound on a long levelish straight without any assistance from the motor 17.5mph was quickly reached.

9.91 miles with 771ft of elevation.

 

[C R]

Lunchtime loop round Wadborough, Croome and Hatfield. Bit of a headwind on the way back but getting closer to the speeds I was getting last year.