Wednesday evening: I've done some modifications to Gav's carbon bike to lower the gearing and make climbing a bit easier. He came over to pick it up and I took the Raleigh along on a test ride to make sure everything went smoothly. It was a fairly convoluted route taking in Meole Brace and Radbrook which was quite rolling thus allowing the new gears to be tried out. Traffic was quite busy due to the time of day but didn't cause us any issues. A faster cyclist managed to overtake us twice.
No tweaks needed and Gav seems pleased with the new setup.
9.5 miles at 11.5 mph average.
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Yesterday: The weather was dry enough for a ride but it was pretty breezy. I decided to grab the Hawk and go for my route to Plealey, Oaks, Pulverbatch, Smethcott, Dudgeley and back via Condover again as this seems to work for me in windy conditions.
Setting out by climbing up Lyth Hill I was really slow against that blustery wind then got quite buffeted on the descent the other side. After crossing Longden Road a couple of overhead lines were clashing and making a pew-pew sound like sound effects from Star Wars. The climb to Oaks started off with a brisk headwind but becomes sheltered with the high hedges further up. My legs started to ache near the top and I realised that my saddle was sagging due to the laces that tension the sides having broken - raising it by about 5mm seemed to compensate for that and I'm not sure I'll replace the laces.
The wind was swirling round quite a bit as I passed through Pulverbatch, Wilderley and Smethcott, which made it a bit interesting at times. I almost decided to shorten the ride at Leebotwood but stuck with it to Dudgeley. The A49 crossing was quite busy then I picked up the tailwind I'd been hoping for which swept me along at a good rate of knots along the old Roman road. I may have got a bit too enthusiastic and soaked my legs up to the knees going through the fords at 20+mph
Reaching Condover I had thought about taking the short way back (still a tailwind) but decided to go via Little Lyth as I wasn't sure how busy the A49 would be - it wasn't quite as busy as earlier so probably would have been alright.
Great to get out but it was hard going in places. A fraction over 28 miles at 11.7 average. 2022 feet of climbing.
The usual view from the top of Lyth Hill.
Descending through Lyth Bank.
Looking back towards Lyth Hill from the top of the Broom Hill climb.
The view to the Wrekin on the way to Pulverbatch.
Looking towards The Lawley after my first crossing of the A49.
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Today: Gav had planned a 50 miler but with Storm Kathleen due to arrive bringing possible 50 mph gusts that didn't seem the most fun idea. The backup plan was to start early and to try and get 30 miles in before the wind got too bad. I grabbed the Hawk again and we met shortly after 8 as arranged.
We headed away from town through Meole Brace and Hook-a-Gate which was into the wind but it wasn't too bad at this point, which was just as well as my legs were aching a bit from the last ride. Just after Annscroft Gav had a moment when a car overtook and immediately came to a complete stop in front of him - bad planning rather than being malicious but it still made Gav shout.
Thankfully the roads were quieter and we could go at a sociable pace to Stapleton then Ryton. The wind started picking up which made it more of an effort to Longnor, then picked up further along the old Roman road so we weren't at all quick - in contrast a rider coming the other way absolutely flew past.
The climb to Folly Bank was mostly quite sheltered, which was good but we got blown about a bit by the crosswind on the way to Cardington and afterwards as far as Longville.
Picking up the tailwind coincided with a stretch of road where there are some nice flowing downhill sections - great riding which we both really enjoyed. There are a couple of short climbs before and after Kenley but these weren't too much of a bother today, even with tired legs. After Acton Burnell we had another flowing section and once again got along pretty well. Our fastest speed of the trip was into the dip at Cantlop Bridge where I saw 32 mph come up.
At Weeping Cross a broken down Jaguar was causing a blockage at the island. Thankfully easy to pass on bicycles.
After parting from Gav I had the wind in my face for the remaining couple of miles or so and it was uphill. I was slow, but not as slow as the rider who I briefly got stuck behind who seemed determined to plod along in their second from top gear.
34.3 miles at 11.5 mph average and 2018 feet of climbing. I might rest the legs tomorrow.
Photos were a little bit of an afterthought this time but I'll include them anyway:
A couple of shots taken after Cardington.
Looking towards Wenlock Edge down the Hughley road.
