Your ride today....

[wafter]

Some impressive distances covered in recent posts - nice work folks


My contribution is nothing particularly interesting, but in terms of miles covered at least it's been a good week:

Tue: Very pleasant 20ish mile pre-pub waft around Oxford on the Routier

Wed: Desperate, angry thrash around the local lanes on the Genesis, extending to about 20 miles on various B-roads IIRC

Thu: Another 15-ish mile post-work ride on the Router as I'd binged on crap all day and was in no hurry to join the traffic or go home

Fri: Couple of miles to the bottle bank and back on the Fuji; planned to go further but had to get back

Sat: 3ish miles to the farm shop and back for eggs on the fuji, then later a 23-ish mile round trip to a mate's BBQ in the local town... great to again use the bike instead of the car, was good to see people and a fantastic night to be out. I also got to try out my new head torch on the way home; with very satisfying results

Today: Pretty knackered and miserable after a day of seemingly cocking everything up, I forced myself out to the bottle bank on the Fuji as it would have been a crime not to have got out given the weather. Ironically ended up doing the longest ride for a while at about 28 miles in a big, very slow loop..


So... around 110 miles in six days on three different bikes; certainly a recent high but to an extent bourne out of desparation and it doesn't feel like I'm getting the usual post-ride endorphin hit. I suspect this might be because I've overcooked it a bit with the riding amonst other issues..

Might give myself a day off the bike tomorrow, although it always seems like a wasted opportunity when the weather's so good.

 

[ianrauk]

Another day, another bike ride. A bit shorter then yesterday's ride. Met up with @rb58 to ride to East Peckham to my partners work to join her for a cuppa and a slice of cake.
The weather was a strange one, not as warm as yesterday, in fact it was close to being cold. The wind had also picked up proving to be a bit of a bind, making riding harder then it should be.
So, 50 miles for the day, making 200 over 2 days.
Back on the cycle commute tomorrow.

 

[Mike_P]

Following last Mondays evenings visit to Sainsburys the ebike had two outings on Tuesday and both came to unexpected halts. On the return ride, from Lidl in the am peak, which necessitated a bit more back street use than normal, the Elemnt Bolt spun off its mount on the decent of Humps and a HillThen in the evening having climbed up Worlds Full Climb of Cornwall Road and Harlow Moor Road

the battery detached en route to a M&S Simply Food😠
Wednesday saw it limited to a short am peak journey to Aldi with a 152ft/mile return while on Thursday a day in the office saw an exceptionally rare non stop journey in the am peak; a clear right turn onto the main estate road, the queue from the traffic lights just short enough to readily access the avoiding cycle path and the subsequent shared pedestrian crossing of the A61 arrived at as northbound traffic cleared and the southbound stationary. Overtook very slow or stationary cars on the upper part climb of Humps and a Hill and beyond navigated a tight gap between vehicles with a foot on the floor but fundamentally the wheels did not stop turning

Friday saw another evening visit to Sainburys, same route as Mondays outbound via the climb at the Golf Course and pass the Royal Pump Room, and in hindsight a second pannier would have been appropriate as the single one was heavily filled but nevertheless no balancing issues on the return.

Back there on Sunday, taking a longer route via Worlds Full Climb without any battery disconnecting issues, to exchange an incorrectly bought item. That route goes along Fulwith Mill Lane, claimed to be most expensive street in Yorkshire with an average house price of over £3m and needless to say nearly all are securely gated along with at least one having evident building works being undertaken to it . A bridleway leads off it east to the showground and I was slowed by youngsters with a chaperone, the youngest not always readily taking up instructions to change gear.

Thence to Morrisons, en route something that had been flying got to my throat🤢 Return via the Starbeck Branch which did make it the only return bar the Aldi visit not to descend Humps and a Hill but it did include a not that obviously low tree branch which the helmet took a bit of a thud😬

Inc Monday cumulatively 52.5 miles with 3735ft of elevation gain

 

[Jameshow]

Final day if tour de Yorkshire, teeside and Cumbria...

Later start at 9am as didn't sleep to well. What a view for breakfast.

Last minute route change to seburgh to give me another 80 miler.

The road to seburgh is epic not in the the climb or the mountains but just it's it's natural beauty. Definitely one of my favourite roads!

Welcome to Cumbria well I had to didn't I!!

The to Jedburgh for coffee and Belgian bun and then into Kirby Stephen where the traveller world we're heading to Appleby horse fair...

 

[Jameshow]

Part too.
On to Austwicj where I stopped got the fai including the classic car fair (see thread) and the fell eun which I would have run had I footwear Pete Bland was thankfully absent!

Then onto settle via the dales bridleway which was just about rideable with 28mm tyres. There were cobbled speed jump that I needed to slow for and a few couples but a nice change to the A65!

Then to settle for a coop lunch just a sarnie instead of the beer and chips of yesterday!

Then up High hill lane which dosent disappoint! With views of Pendle hill.

 

[Jameshow]

Finallt into the canal at gargrave to avoid the A65 again and to Sus the section out for my canoe.

All in all a good ride the bottom bracket is on 8 lives and needs urgent replacement.

No incidents (my mate wasn't with me!🤣🤣) Apart from not having a towel (which was his fault too as he brought 2 last time!!!) And a chain mark to my leg!! Well lubed you could say.

Everything went well lessons learnt
1) Don't buy cheap pasta it takes ages to cook(use hot water to start with and soak it whilst you shower!
2) find a way to secure the beanie bag better despite double sided tape it slips!
3) Fix the BB.
Don't choose the first place for lunch or tea better options may be round the corner.

 

[cyberknight]

58 miles in total this morning
I didnt have a set destination in mind so set off but around lichfield there are diversions for hs2 so i get well and truely lost so after 35 miles i set the gps to take me home but it kept trying to take me down cut throughs and trails as well as directing me to the A 38 so i spent a good hour riding in circles around the Curborough area.
As i got near home Catton hall was hosting Bearded theory concert so the roads were heaving with traffic lights and by that time i was low on energy as i had only planned for 45-50 miles with a cake stop so i only took one bottle and a small cereal bar , with a block headwind as well i was starting to get to the end of my ready energy so my average dropped from 18.5 to just under 17 mph by the time i got home.
Tried an old narrow flat saddle but im thinking of going back to the fabric scoop as the narrow one is a bit hard for my liking .
Knee didnt hurt at all which is good and means i just need to retire

 

[Donger]

I'd been in two minds as to whether to go and watch the cheese rolling today or go out for a ride. Then my mate Simon phoned and suggested a "cyclocrawl" ride (pub crawl by bike!). So off out on our bikes we went. Out to the Kings Arms in Newent, via Hartpury Agricultural college and back via a similar route, calling in at the Royal Exchange in Hartpury. On the way back we took in a horrible little climb over the Woolridge. This is followed by a nice long steady descent down a very quiet little lane, and I rode it like I was chasing a cheese. Woohoo! Stuck another mile on the end to turn it into a metric half century ride. Good company, good cider and great weather. A nice ride.

 

[Dave 123]

I did 8 hours work today, so once home I got changed and went out on my bike. Just 10 miles around the Battisborough loop.

I knew the lanes would be busy with tourists being lost and going to beaches, and I was right!

The farmers were out too!

https://www.strava.com/activities/9163995031

 

[gbb]

A proxy post for my grandaughter (17).
She's intimated she'd like to get a roadbike, given she is working and saving for next year's college and lodgings, she couldn't afford much with all the problems that brings, I suggested she try mine, see if she likes roadbiking.

Saddle lowered, she took it out into the start of my old route and did 12.5 miles....and loved it apparently.
I stole a look at the computer later,12.5 miles, top speed 23 mph, 12. Something mph average.
I can't use it anymore...she doesn't realise it but its going to be hers if she wants it

 

[Spiderweb]

I finished work a bit earlier today so out on the Specialized Crux at 4.30pm for an extended ride home.
The weather had warmed up a little but it was pretty breezy. I’ve been feeling really sluggish of late but managed 43.7 miles with an average of 13.8 mph. Lovely ride but I’m knackered, zero energy.

 

[cyberknight]

I did 8 hours work today, so once home I got changed and went out on my bike. Just 10 miles around the Battisborough loop.

I knew the lanes would be busy with tourists being lost and going to beaches, and I was right!

The farmers were out too!

https://www.strava.com/activities/9163995031

View attachment 692116

View attachment 692117

View attachment 692118

8 hours ? short shift

 

[gavgav]

My ride on Bank Holiday Monday. My mate Paul wanted a 70k ride to act as his biggest ride before the London to Brighton, that he’s doing in June, so I devised a route that had some new territory for me and loads of it for Paul.

I set off up to Paul’s and the weather was much cooler than at the weekend, despite the sun, which meant a jacket was needed, but I did brave shorts. A very keen North Easterly wind was blowing as well. Upon arriving at Paul’s he was heading out without a jacket on, so I suggested he might want one and he was glad I did!

We then meandered out of Shrewsbury and followed Shepherds Lane, which is the first piece of new territory for me, as I’ve always taken Calcott Lane before, to get to Montford Bridge.

We then repeated our route to Ruyton XI Towns, from last week, but this time turned West and climbed up Park Bank, past the private school on more new territory, which was a surprisingly steep climb up to Wykey.

We then turned off and went through the middle of the old airfield at Rednal, pausing to watch some go karting and then by the paint balling centre for a photo of the helicopter

We then turned South and onto the lanes through Grimpo, into West Felton, crossing the A5 and on to Woolston. We joined the main road for a short distance and Paul was in front, so I shouted next right needed, which he acknowledged and then proceeded to ride straight past the turn 🤣. He doubled back and we joined Whip Lane, through Osbaston. I thought this was new territory for me, but Strava tells me I cycled it in 2017 with Rickshaw Phil, which id forgotten!

Things had warmed up a bit and so we risked taking our jackets off…pressing on to Maesbrook and the main road again, to then take another lane not used before, via Dyffrydd. We turned North East there and into the strengthening wind for the first time, immediately stopping to put our jackets back on as it was cold! We had to squeeze past a farm machine that was trying to lift a very large fallen branch out of the road, which we just about did and then were back on more familiar lanes, for me at least, to Crosslanes and Melverley. Paul was intrigued by the signs for the church there and I explained it was a very quirky one, suggesting we stop for an early lunch there, on the bench that gives a view towards Rodney’s Pillar. We did just that and had a very pleasant peaceful sit and eat.

Just as we left, another friendly couple on bikes arrived and they asked where we’d been and were going to. They were on a loop from the Oswestry area.

We set back out and crossed the bridge into Wales, at Crew Green and then joined the busy main road to Princes Oak, headwind all the way wasn’t fun. I’d warned Paul about the climb from there to Halfway House and he seemed to take it as a challenge to attack it at speed!! He left me behind, on his much lighter bike than my Genesis, so he’s definitely getting much readier for his big ride in June.

I remarked that the A458 was likely to be heaving with holiday traffic, but remarkably we timed it just right to not even have to wait to cross it, before continuing to Westbury. From there it was back onto another very busy main road and a headwind again, through Yockleton, to Nox, negotiating the temporary traffic lights ok, before turning and climbing up to Lea Cross. I detest having to get across the A488 there, as it’s a left and then short section to a right turn on a nasty bend. Today showed exactly why, as the one absolute tosser of the ride was encountered. He decided it was ok to overtake both of us, across a double white line, into the path of oncoming traffic, at speed, despite us both signalling right. Brainless.

The climb up to Arscott was a tough one for both of us on tired legs and then we arrived at Annscroft, to find the flag blowing directly from the way we were heading, so a battle into it through Hook a Gate was hard going.

I said to Paul to pull in at the Nobold turn, so we could say our goodbyes and again he rode straight past it! 🤦‍♂️ He again doubled back and we did part accordingly, with both of us having thoroughly enjoyed the ride together, despite the wind.

I finished off going through Meole village and home with 48.41 miles on the clock at 11.8mph avg speed.

My legs were already tired and stiff from cricket on Sunday, as I’d somehow scored 56 not out, which is rare as a bowler and not used to running between the wickets with pads on, so I was pretty zonked when I got back.

The front brake is also sticking on the Genesis, which started to squeak more as the ride went on. Did try to sort that when I got back, but it’s a 2 man job I think and so hoping that, along with the gears and chain issue on the Carbon, can be sorted with help on Friday 🙏

 

[cyberknight]

No ride the last 2 days
took mini ck 2 to a and e and she had puss like discharge from ear yesterday , bad ear infection and today looking after her as well as my mri
tomorrow is mink ck1 16th so day out planned so thats another day gone
this is my week off to go cycling

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

My ride today was on a hire bike from Castlebay out round the island of Barra.

Some incredible views and beaches. If only they were guaranteed the weather we are enjoying here this week.