Your ride today....

[C R]

Sunday is ride day.

Up at my usual 5:30 and on the road by 6:10, it would have been full daylight if the clocks hadn't changed, but it wasn't completely dark either.

The plan was going out to Evesham via Pershore and then up to the Stratford Rd and back via Inkberrow and Broughton Hackett.

It felt a bit chilly, and I was thinking I should have at least worn the thicker gloves, but by the time I reached Stonehall Common I had warmed up and felt like my clothing choices were right.

Past High Green, then Croome and follow Rebecca Rd to Pershore. I thought I was the only cyclist silly enough to be out at this hour, but as I passed the Crabbe Ln turn there was another cyclist coming from the Pershore side.

The great thing about riding this early is how quiet the roads are, I didn't have any car overtake me until after Pershore.

As I was getting to Evesham it felt like some rain drops were starting to come down, which was annoying, as there was no rain forecast.

Stopped by the Avon at Evesham for a breather and a snack, and the weather seemed to be looking ugly in the direction I was going.

Nevermind, I was already almost half way through my ride, so might as well carry on. Now I was riding into the wind following the road towards Cookhill, and after Norton a heavy drizzle started, which meant that I definitely should have worn the winter gloves, as my spring ones get soaked in no time, and I could hardly feel my fingers.

Luckily the drizzle stopped once I turned towards Worcester, and now I was making reasonably quick progress, even managing a 19mph 5mile segment, which I think is a record for me.

The final stretch through the Worcester Woods is always leisurely, but by this time my back was starting to complain from riding on the drops, so I just took it easy till I got home.

Lovely ride, it would have been perfect if it wasn't for the cold wind and rain.

The map

 

[Dave 123]

I put my bike in the van and went up to Princetown today.

I went around the south side of North Hessary Tor and on by Foggintor Quarry.

At the base of King Tor there is a boggy area and stream. I threw my bike across the first bit of stream, then threw it in the second bit! Garmin submerged and all.

Then I sank in the bog!

At the top of Great Mis Tor I stripped my feet off and sat behind a rock in the sun. The view down over the sea is magnificent!

I then rode to Two Bridges where the local white geese were rioting with each other.

Back to Princetown seeing if I could spy any baddies at the prison!

https://www.strava.com/activities/8818964286

 

[Jameshow]

Approx 20 miles from grassington to kettlewell via arncliffe.
Love day for it taking it really steady and stopping for coffee and cake at kettlewell.
Nice to get back on the bike and feel almost normal!

 

[Donger]

A gentle 23.4 mile Severnside ride with my friend and ex colleague Simon today. Pan flat with a cafe stop! Took a few detours up dead end side roads to explore parts of the river bank we rarely visit. A nice timeless ride. Cloudy at the beginning but ending under a sky straight from the opening credits of the Simpsons. Saw a couple of hares, a red kite and a flock of six screaming buzzards. Nice.

 

[Mike_P]

A north easterly wind cooling an initially sunny ride on the Defy. East to Knaresborough which was chaotic with standing traffic up the hill from High Bridge and pavements lined in expectation of what I do not know. A big loop around the town taken as a consequence to regain the northerly route to Farnham and then north-east to Staveley where I paused for a snack. Beyond on the way to Minskip the Army were marching – not quite sure where from or two.

Through Boroughbridge and Brafferton to reach Raskelf for a bike by the sign photo. Hoped to find somewhere to make a snack break but ended up pausing to the east of the village before joining the A19. Over the lump at Thomanby before heading west under overcast skys with diminishing sunlight for more bike by signs photos at Sessay and Topcliffe.

Onto Rainton where a further snack break was eventually achieved after finding a bench that was not covered in moss.
South towards Dishforth then west under the A1 and up the climb beyond; presumed I had done it before but Strava says not. Copt Hewick, Bridge Hewick, the B6265 over the River Ure and pass Ripon Racecouse, across the Ripon Canal and south through Littlethorpe to Bishop Monkton where instead of pausing for a snack by the stream in the village I headed west up Moor Road pausing at the top for a snack. Then south on the A61 – the cloudy skys becoming a touch broken. The sole faster cyclist of the day encountered shot pass on the climb into Killinghall then home via the B6161 and a 30mph downhill on the A59.

All the fives – 55.55 miles, 2231ft climbed 13.9 mph avg

 

[Cavalol]

We’re up at our caravan in North Wales, for the first visit of the new season and what better place to get my April half century challenge done on the 1st day of the month.

It was fairly mild, but mostly cloudy and light winds as I set off to Talybont and then down the main road to Barmouth. Traffic not too bad considering it’s the school holidays.

I then dropped down to the promenade and dodged the various debris on my way down the seafront. A couple of weeks ago a very high tide destroyed lots of the inner wall and dumped rocks and sand all over the road, with locals saying it’s one of the worst they’ve seen.

I then climbed out of the town and crossed Barmouth bridge, which was also very quiet. The holiday makers hadn’t yet arrived.
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Some metal barriers have been erected at the start of the Mawddach Trail, to try and stop the motorbikes using the bridge illegally. I’m not sure they will do the job as they seemed too far apart to me.

I then joined the trail, which was very wet and quite muddy, indeed there were lots of flooded sections and it’s probably the wettest I’ve ever seen it, in 8 years of going up there. There were a few cyclists and walkers about, but not many.
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I splashed my way up to Penmaenpool, pausing for a comfort stop and the finally refurbished toilets, which have taken about 18 months! They are a world away from the previous smelly offering though.

The sun has now come out, as I reached Dolgellau and sat having my lunch by the cricket pitch, it felt really pleasant and Spring has finally arrived. I passed through the town and then began the long steep climb up towards Cregennan Lakes. It didn’t feel too bad though and I think I’m feeling the benefits of stronger legs from the Lake District miles last month.

I paused by the main lake, for a chocolate bar and a few minutes taking in the breathtaking scenery.
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The descent down the hairpins to Arthog is exhilarating. I timed it right to have the gate half way down opened for me by a cyclist climbing up the hard way. Just after I found what I assume was his wife, walking the bike up. They weren’t even at the steepest hairpins section yet and so that didn’t bode well. She didn’t look happy!

I joined the main road down to Morfa Mawddach, where I retraced my steps back across the bridge and into Barmouth, which was busier now, but still not what I expected at the start of the Easter holidays.

What had also arrived was a much stronger northerly wind and of course I was heading into it for the rest of the ride. It was a job to get any speed up at all along the promenade, but the view was great. Bizarrely there was a whole chilli on the ground at the end of the sea wall, where I took this photo from!
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The journey back along the main road to Talybont was not much fun, really hard into the constant buffeting wind and busy with holiday traffic arriving, so I was glad to get back to the caravan.

Great to be up here again and always one of my favourite cycle rides.

33.16 miles at 10.2mph avg and 1497 feet of climbing, 800 of which are the 4 miles of climbing to Cregennan.

Great photos. Oddly enough, was talking to a mate about Barmouth bridge yesterday, used to drive close by years ago and fancy going for a ride on my scooter there soon. I take it from your description it's now no longer open to motorised traffic? Cheers.

 

[All uphill]

Monday seems to have become my day out on the bike recently.

Today I decided to get K in the ABC of Saints challenge. I'd found out that there is St Katherine's Priory in Exeter, so that was my target. The wind from the east made it an opportunity to cycle west from home to Exeter and get the train back. I have cycled from Exeter to home many times, but never in the other direction.

The ride starts off with a 300m climb up onto the Blackdown Hills. I stopped a couple of times to take photos. Honest.

Once on top I took a less familiar route bypassing Hemyock. Lots of friendly dog walkers were out enjoying the sun.

I passed an old building in Culmstock

and noticed it had been a mill. I had missed this cycling in the other direction in the past.

Onwards and the views were great. Even the mud and puddles looked good.

All good things have to end, and on this ride they ended at Broadclyst. Nothing terrible, but inadequate shared paths next to a busy road in to the city.
St Katherine's found and photo taken, then a joyless sprint to the station for a train home.

35 miles, no coffee or cake, 650m of climbing.

 

[Datum2]

Yesterday's ride, 2nd April
This bike ride was to visit villages to the south west of Northampton. We actually started in Towcester at the Tove long stay free car park. A useful launch point for bike rides in the Towcester area. As usual I have Pound and Pinfold sites to look out for, although I knew this ride would yield nothing I still log what I see for the Pounds and Pinfolds web site.
It was just on the cusp of being warm enough without wearing gloves but they were on and off all the way round.
In no particular order we passed through Shutlanger, Rothersthorpe, Kislingbury, Stoke Bruene, Ashton, Roade, Blisworth, Bugbrooke, Litchborough, Grimscote, Pattishall and Tiffield. Finishing with a leap of faith crossing the A43 just before the Watling Street roundabout back to Towcester.
If I take the van to a new start point, I like to finish off with a photo like this. Usually sit and chill and reflect on the ride with something to eat, grapes are the current favourite although it could equally be Tunnocks wafers!

https://www.strava.com/activities/8818988690

 

[Elybazza61]

Yesterday rode with the London Rapha CC on their annual Fens ride; two options were available 120km and an 85km,decided on the 85 in the end due to knee issues(hopefully sorted now) and general lack of fitness.

Set off from the Cathedral on a meandering route north of Ely and then back down via Denver and the Welney wildfowl centre.

Pretty stiff head and side winds made progress hard work but nice rotation helped ease the pain (HR was getting high though!),weather was grey to start but blue skies and the sun appeared later.

Great company plus cake with beer, chips and pizza at the end while watching the end of the Tour of Flanders made for a good day.

Waiting for the briefing;

On the road;

Grimace or smile? I can't remember (bike sin't that small! weird scale on the pic)

Bikes at Welney;

Cake!

The gang back home;

Beer and chips (very Flandrian) and the local Old Brown Mouse from the the Three Blind Mouse brewery was excellent!

Checking for pb's with the improvised pizza plate on the table.

https://www.strava.com/activities/8819376280

 

[Spiderweb]

Just a very steady ride from work today. I haven’t been riding my bike and feel so sluggish, my cycling fitness has disappeared ☹️
23.29 miles with an average of 14 mph.

 

[gavgav]

Great photos. Oddly enough, was talking to a mate about Barmouth bridge yesterday, used to drive close by years ago and fancy going for a ride on my scooter there soon. I take it from your description it's now no longer open to motorised traffic? Cheers.

To be honest I don’t have a definitive answer and have seen conflicting reports. Personally I can’t for one minute see how it’s safe, in any way, to mix with the pedestrians, often who are families with kids. It can be a bit fraught on a bicycle and I take it very slowly with plentiful use of the bell. Indeed at the Barmouth end it is so narrow that it’s difficult to pass a pedestrian on a bike. The wooden toll bridge at Penmaenpool is a much better option, designed for motor traffic and then down the estuary to Barmouth.

 

[Cavalol]

To be honest I don’t have a definitive answer and have seen conflicting reports. Personally I can’t for one minute see how it’s safe, in any way, to mix with the pedestrians, often who are families with kids. It can be a bit fraught on a bicycle and I take it very slowly with plentiful use of the bell. Indeed at the Barmouth end it is so narrow that it’s difficult to pass a pedestrian on a bike. The wooden toll bridge at Penmaenpool is a much better option, designed for motor traffic and then down the estuary to Barmouth.

Thank you. I'll Google the Penmaenpool one, as it's possibly the one I used to see years ago.

 

[Donger]

Got my half century-a-month ride in early this month with a 53km (33 mile) ride out to Slimbridge and back. Bright sunny weather and a gentle breeze made this a shorts and short sleeves ride. Glorious. Headed out via the riverbank at Stonebench:

Before doing a few miles along the surprisingly quiet A38 to Whitminster. There I headed off for Westend, intending to cross a large, busy roundabout. Turned out the new housing estate had spread so much recently that I could avoid the main road and ride all the way to Stonehouse on quiet estate roads before finding a cycle path to Eastington via the towpath of the Stroudwater Canal:

I couldn't go much further in the Frocester direction because of a road closure, but that at least gave me half a mile of having the road to myself before turning in to the Eastington Farm Shop Cafe. It turns out they do a fantastic orange, honey and almond cake, which was washed down by a decent cup of coffee:

I headed back through Eastington and took in another stretch of A38 before turning right onto the lanes around Slimbridge.There I came across a couple of swans preparing for new arrivals:

I had forgotten about the school holidays, and didn't enjoy the unusually heavy traffic in Slimbridge, so I diverted onto other little lanes and looped my way around the village before heading for home. At that point I was nearly unseated by a dog that got spooked by a close pass from a bin lorry. After a sudden big swerve, I only just managed to regain control and avoid falling sideways into a huge dollop of horse splat. After narrowly avoiding a matinee performance of a Stan De Wulf tribute act (*) I made my way uneventfully to Frampton, where I sat admiring the sunny scene on the village green:

.... before doing my usual return home via the Severnside villages. Had a great wildlife moment when riding parallel to an enormous brown hare for a few seconds before he hit the afterburners and disappeared at warp speed. What a great ride.
*NB: For anyone who doesn't know who Stan De Wulf is, here is a link:

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http...eatMfn1CXScfmQNB80c0PRYjCd9hvKhmWopUh-tc1zR_c

It is safe to say he is currently my favourite pro cyclist!

 

[Alba Zeus]

Took the new Canonndale topstone 2 it's first spin. Love it

 

[Saluki]

Today is new bike day, so finishing at 5pm, I was all excited to go for a ride. Only 5pm came and went and the customer on the phone was still moaning on and on and I still had the dogs to walk.
I managed, after a right old faff, to get the fi’zi:c of the seat stem. Bloody uncomfortable thing, took me right back to remembering that Yellow Pages advert and I am still in pain after the test ride 12 days ago. I plonked on my beloved Selle Italia ‘Gonzo’ saddle. Swapped the MTB flats for SPDs, put on lights, added a bottle cage. All the usual nonsense and finally got out of the door.

I just rode to Sheringham, from mine - not quite a mile but I had to go past the circus and had to look away from it in case a clown came out. Clowns, as everyone knows, are evil and I have a real phobia. I turned up the Holt Road and through Upper Sheringham and up Lodge Hill (turned motor on to Eco for most of it, then Tour for the top bit as hip pain happened). Over the big, main road and off to West Beckham and past The Wheatsheaf. If anyone is passing there, they do lovely meals. Along to Gresham and then looped left to Aylmerton. Straight back over the big main road and down past the Roman Camp area, through the woods with a lovely descend down to West Runton and left at the bottom of the hill and a short ride home.
It was only 10.6 miles in 48 minutes but I don’t hurt. I could ride tomorrow, and probably will.
After that first, big hill, I used ECO again on a long hill, the moment that I felt the pain arrive. The vast majority of the ride with the motor off.
The bike shop chap says it’s fine to ride ’off’ as it’s a frictionless motor and to just use when I need it. Right now, I have a happy hip and happy knees. Horses do you no good and I have broken my pelvis twice in bad falls. Once 25 years ago and once 30 years ago and now seem to be starting to pay for them, after all these years. I’ve had a good run.
I will do more exploring on Sunday, which is my only day off over the weekend.