Your ride today....

[chriswoody]

A ride from yesterday and all a bit different from the norm. There's been a gravel bike festival in the Harz mountains this weekend and myself and three friends popped along for the Saturday fun. It was the gravel chase yesterday, whereby on the stroke of 11:00 you are given a map with 10 points marked on it and it's up to you how you travel between them, though they are placed so that 90% of the time you'll be riding on the fantastic gravel roads here. The goal is to not only visit those 10 points and stamp your card all within 4 hours, you also need to do it in the shortest distance possible. Your ride also needs to be recorded on Komoot in order to ensure it can be verified. The weather turned out fantastic yesterday and a great day out ensued riding around the many and varied gravel roads of the Harz. The whole vibe was really relaxed and because you created your own route, you could sometimes be riding alone and others meeting the other competitors. If you met folk at the checkpoints, they would helpfully guide you to where the stamp was hidden.

Overall we managed to visit all of the points with a respectful distance of 41,9 kilometres (832m height gain), sadly though at 5 hours and ten minutes we were slightly over time! We were second in our category though of folk who visited all the points but went over time, so ultimately happy with that and what a great day's riding.

 

[Donger]

What a fantastic day in Gloucestershire today. I decided to head off out through Stroud for a change and throw in a little bit of climbing. For a while I was regretting my decision, as the roads in Stroud are as pot-holed as ever and the traffic was ridiculous. I had to keep asking myself whether it was really Sunday. Once through Stroud and on the way to Chalford the traffic started to die down.

I turned off to the left at the bottom of Chalford Hill at an area known locally as the Old Neighbourhood. A very narrow lane rises and falls at this point, initially through Oakridge, a pretty village of Cotswold stone cottages ....

... before disappearing into the woods. I have long since given up any thought of trying to drive along this lane, but plenty of muppets still try. The first mile or so was slow going, with cars reversing to make way for other cars, or in this instance for a pair of horses:

Most of them were just looking for places to park so they could go for a walk, so after a while the traffic died down and I was able to enjoy a nice quiet climb up through the woods. The road rises and falls (but mostly rises) through a nice quiet valley ....

avoiding the main A419 up Cowcombe Hill, but still managing to climb up to the lovely village of Frampton Mansell:

The Old Crown was my turning point for home, and I set off back towards Stroud along the Cirencester Road, through Minchinhampton Common and Rodborough. The Bear at Rodborough is a really striking looking pub and I always think it would not look out of place in the Black Forest if it had germanic script on it saying "Das Bar von Rodeburg" and had geraniums trailing from window boxes:

Immediately after the pub I turned left and headed off down Bear Hill, which used to be a fairly regular climb on our club rides. I was glad I was descending it this time:

Part of the way down you get a really nice view across the Woodchester Valley to the village of Woodchester. There was a sitcom starring David Mitchell that was filmed around here (possibly called "Back"?) and this was pretty much the view on the opening credits at the start of each episode:

I got a move on after that, switching to the Nailsworth to Stroud cycle track in the valley bottom and then getting back on the main road at Stonehouse to head back to Quedgeley via Standish and Hardwicke. After a not-too-promising start this turned out to be a great morning out on the bike. 38 miles in all, and a few hundred feet of climbing.

 

[geocycle]

Well that was fun! Lovely weather beckoned so I got up early and headed deep into the Dales. Eastward through Wray and a usual route to Austwick just as the pub bakery was opening up. Then the familiar back road through Wharf and turning toward Settle. However, rather than continuing to Settle I decided to cross the Ribble at Stainforth falls and head upward. The road climbs steeply at first then more gradually up the flank of Penyghent. The meadows were coming into flower much to the appreciation of lapwing, curlew and meadow pipit. The road then reveals the top end of Littondale, a favourite ride after first dropping steeply to Halton Gill. There were lots of cyclists out and I had to endure some close passes on the single track road from drivers whose patience was stretched. From Littondale, I turned northward to Kettlewell to the top of Wharfedale where I stopped for a coffee and fruit cake with cheese. It was about here I encountered signs for some sportive and lots of numbered riders. None of this did much for the drivers patience! From Grassington I picked a new route for me to Barden and then the steep climb over Barden Moor. I remembered it from the Tour de Yorkshire. Interesting to see the contrast in the limestone pasture of the west and the gritstone Heather moorland. Finally, I landed in Skipton and fought my way to the station through some classic car rally and onto a Northern train heading westward. 102 km with 1450 m of climbing.

pictures are of bike having first view of Penyghent, same hill framed by buttercup, more pastures in upper Wharfedale, view across from Barden and then the bleak gritty moors of Barden moor.

 

[craigwend]

Recce a ride today - possibly still a bit wet in places...

View attachment 729727

It's getting drier...

 

[wafter]

After the few consecutive 100-mile weeks resulting from the intial "it's not longer winter" high, miles-accrued have slumped in recent weeks.

A utility ride was as good a reason as any to get out in the glorious sun today, even though I wasn't really feeling it.

SPF50 applied to slaphead I was out on the Fuji, encoutering 1.5 car-w*nkers on the way to the shops. Spent £50 in Waitrose having scored surprisingly few reduced items and stopped in the local graveyard to consume my £1.29 chicken and pea puree sarnie. Which was quite nice.

Back towards home, hauling a lot of weight including a glass-clad litre of Olive oil and three litres of gin and tonic in the hope I can be trusted since the beer really isn't doing me any favours. Had a few nice interactions with folk on the way; unfortunately undermined in one of the villages by a chap who saw fit to follow me with his hand on his horn for a sustained period for no descernible reason.

After passing me I could see him frantically pointing towards the side of the road, where a couple of kids were riding their bikes on the narrow but (apparently) shared path. I offered him a choice hand gesture and sped up a little in the hope of catching him; his need to turn off towards his destination shortly aftewards while still within my view being his undoing.

I caught up just in time to see the budget-Rees-Mogg exiting his similarly budget Mercedes. I opened with "excuse me, I think you have a problem with your horn". His response was to launch into his apparant Daily Mail cut-out-and-keep objection to people "who pay no road tax" riding on the road. I laughed, rolled my eyes and told him it was illegal to ride on the pavement. He countered that it was shared use. I responded that it was my right to ride on the road and that he might like to check the Highway Code to confirm.

Until this point he'd been visibly dripping with confidence and thinly-veiled conceit... as I found his smugly-superiour attitude increasingly unpalatable my self control lapsed; demanding to know (with a few fks rescinded) "what is so wrong with your life that you see fit to treat others around you with such utterly needless contempt"; "where is the need to harass people like me, who are doing absolutely nothing wrong, because our presence causes you to wait all of five seconds to pass us...?"

Poundland Mogg paused, apparently thought for a moment and responded with "you're right, I see your point. I apologise". I thanked him, turned my back and left; to the sound of him muttering into his feet in an apparent effort to qualify his apology and gather back in the metaphorical guts of his ego that had been so uncompromisingly spilled. I remain unsure as to whether he had a genuine epiphiny about his behaviour, or just clocked my growing level of agitation and decided that being "right" in his own warped little mind wasn't worth a potential broken nose.

The rest of the ride home was mercifully uneventful; arriving tired and while no doubt feeling better than I would have, missing the usual post-ride high.

As usual it was good to get out however despite comprehensively winning that one petty little battle, it served as a sad reminder of how delusional, closed minded, brainwashed and self-important many are; as well as the warped and irrational views many harbour of those of us who don't fall over themselves to conform to the establishment-ordained groupthink

 

[HLaB]

In a complete change to yesterday (which was grey cold and windy) today was 7 deg warmer, sunny and winds were lighter. My gravel ride wasn’t happening so I joined a local road group which was heading into Rutland,

 

[ExBrit]

130 miles with about 2500' climbing. Last training ride before Grand Tour later this month. 15.8 mph average which is faster than I intended.
Lovely overcast day with moderate wind. Two stops, one with a breakfast burrito and one with goat cheese baked in honey with baguette.

I did something stupid 60 miles into the ride. I decided the nose of my saddle was too high so I thought if I hit it really hard with my hand I could knock it down. The saddle didn't move, but I almost broke my hand. It swelled up so much I could barely get my gloves on.

 

[a.twiddler]

1/6/24
North Calder Heritage Trail
An unexpected visit to Airdrie led to the loan of a “guest bike” and a bit of local knowledge to ride a nearby rail trail. This is part of a trail that links Glasgow and Edinburgh. Most of the route we rode runs alongside an existing railway for added interest. The bike was an all steel dual suspension Apollo Creed of some years’ vintage which was an interesting contrast with the recumbents that I usually ride. It had been rather neglected but was perfectly adequate on this rail trail.
My valiant steed for today's ride.

There were three of us on this ride today, myself and another on a similar bike, and a lad on an up to date high spec full suspension Trek with tubeless tyres. Even my modest steed was overkill for today’s unchallengingly graded tarmacked trail.

So. on this increasingly hot sunny afternoon we set off through Heatheryford Gardens, through various roundabouts, on to Arbuckle Rd, Learigg Rd then Left on to Main St to route 75. After a hundred yards or so, left where route 75 joins the North Calder Water. Although it soon leaves it to curve away to the right it is never far away and rejoins it at intervals. After some mild ups and downs route 75 runs alongside an active railway soon afterwards, and keeps it company for most of the rest of the ride. We stop briefly as our tubeless rider is losing front tyre pressure and needs to pump up. After a hundred yards or so the trail crosses under a railway bridge below the line, before looping back over the line into Main St, Caldercruix. A turn left on to Caldercruix road, then right to return towards the railway with the Hillend Reservoir on the left. Another mile or so sandwiched between the railway and the reservoir shore before a trail marker appears. A bit more pumping as the front tubeless is losing pressure again. We debate about going further as he has no plugs or spare sealant. We decide to carry on a bit further and see if it seals itself.

Only another another 33 miles and we’d be in Edinburgh, according to the marker. If it was all like this...though I’d need to do it on a recumbent. Only a few miles on an upright bike and already I’m beginning to feel the pressure on my hands and some neck discomfort. Still, this trail does link Glasgow and Edinburgh so there’s the germ of a plan if I'm ever up this way again.

We come to the top of the reservoir then after another mile or so stop at a slight summit, some more pumping, and a decision to turn round.

The ride back is into a slight breeze so a little more pleasantly cool than the ride out. Near the end of the return journey the tubeless guy shoots off ahead. Unfortunately the one who knows the way is with me, and we have to turn off. We frantically wave at him in the distance when he stops to wonder where we are. A couple of beefy guys working on a car not too far away see us and wave back. We wonder if they think we're taking the mickey. We have to wave again before he gets the message and comes back. Another stop for inflation, then back to base for a nice cool drink.

No Garmin today.
12.42 miles, ascent 160ft. According to Bikehike.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Friday: I'd only been out on utility rides through the week so it was good to have a chance to get out and ride for myself during the afternoon. I took the Hawk as it was convenient, having already been used in the morning and with just a couple of hours to spare thought that I'd go for one of my regular routes that I hadn't done for a bit - into Shrewsbury, out to Uffington and Upton Magna then back via Atcham, Cross Houses and Condover.

Crossing the A5 the traffic was at a crawl as the trek home after half term was underway. Away from the trunk roads though it was surprisingly quiet, which suited me just fine. I spotted my brother at his work (he was busy so didn't see me) and followed the riverside to the weir and Sydney Avenue. I thought I'd take the old canal path the whole way this time, which was a nice ride through the woods, then rejoined the roads at Uffington and picked up the helping wind I'd been hoping for - this was my main reason for choosing this route as the day had been quite blustery.

The road past the Attingham estate wasn't the rat run that I feared it might be, then I enjoyed a similarly car-light run to Cross Houses and Berrington. On Lyons Lane I was fortunate that the only car I saw came past while I was stopped for a photo.
I haven't been through Allfield for a while so took that lane, which cuts off about a mile compared to my usual route through Condover. The direct route back would have meant turning into the wind and I expected that the A49 wouldn't be as quiet as some of the other roads so I decided to cross Lyth Hill. I was right about the traffic and had to wait a while for a gap to cross over.

21.1 miles at 12.8 mph average. 847 feet of climbing on Strava.

Lots of folk heading home from Wales.

Sabrina passes by Shrewsbury School

Much later on: A very hazy view to the Stretton Hills from Lyons Lane.

A random poppy on the lane through Allfield.

..............................................................................

Saturday: @gavgav came over in the morning and we headed off for his first ride since completing Ride London. He wanted something not too taxing with a cafe stop so the route was a variation of the ones I've done with Doug recently (no Doug on this one as he was working).

The northerly wind helped us along through Condover, Longnor and Hollyhurst so we set a good pace. We managed to overtake one rider twice - he came past us while we were stopped for a slurp of water. When we got to Church Stretton it was nice to see that there was space at The Hollybush cafe and a surprise when Gav's dad strolled across the road to greet us. He joined us for a coffee and a chat while we had an early lunch.

We had a brisk headwind on the restart but made decent progress regardless. Gav agreed to go the way I usually take Doug - a bit more hilly and a little on the rough side for his carbon bike but it brings us out almost opposite The Pound. We met a flock of sheep being moved between fields on the way, which was unexpected.

Pints at The Pound were as good as ever and Gav told me all about how the day went on Ride London. When we moved on again it was a bit cooler than it had been and I needed a stop to put a fleece on. We did make good time to Frodesley and Acton Burnell then at Pitchford Gav's chain came off in the dip so we had a small delay while he refitted it. Now that the new cables have bedded in, the gears could do with setting up again so I offered to do that when we got to his place.

The pace eased a bit in the few miles to Weeping Cross. I reset the gears as promised so it will be good for the next ride he has planned. My last couple of miles or so was with a tailwind which finished the trip off nicely.

30.32 miles by the time I got back with 13.9 mph average. Strava says 1328 feet of climbing.

Just the one snap this time; Gav at The Pound.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Yesterday (Sunday): It was a fabulous day and the hills were calling to me. I thought that I'd take the Raleigh and see how well I got on with it on some proper climbing. The wind was still from the north but it was warm with barely a cloud in the sky. I took a fleece with me in case it was colder up on the Longmynd but it wasn't needed this time.

After a long wait to join the A49 the tailwind gave a good boost and may have encouraged me to push on rather faster than was sensible with a big climb coming up. Strava shows me a lot of new personal bests through Condover, Longnor and down to Leebotwood (another long wait to cross back over the A49) however when I started the climb here I took it more gently. There were lots of cars parked at Woolstaston - not sure if there was something going on or just people parked up to go walking. Further up I needed several stops to allow vehicles to come down the hill, then I reached High Park where the gradient ramps up. The bike felt good, my legs hardly felt fatigued and I wound my way to the cattle grid with two gears still in reserve. The Raleigh is still a good climbing bike with the 165mm cranks.

As I joined the gravel heading towards the summit I passed a mountain biker just getting his steed out of the car. He seemed a little sheepish when I said "hi". There were other riders up on the plateau and plenty of people out walking today. At Pole Bank the place was quite crowded with several groups taking in the views or just settled down with a picnic.

At the start of the ride my plan had been to get to the top and descend the Burway to head home. I'd made such good time though and the weather was so nice that I found myself wanting to just carry on riding so I decided to head for the gliding club and drop down to Hamperley instead. The hill ponies were out on the road looking for suckers to feed them and holding up the traffic - one of them almost had my speedometer for lunch. When I passed the gliding club there were some people sat out with drinks at the club house. I believe they serve non-members so I should have dropped in and had a coffee - another time perhaps.

Dropping down the forestry road to Hamperley was enjoyable but the slick tyres I have on at the moment probably aren't the best choice - they weren't terrible though by any means. I passed a father and son just after the last gate - they were only just starting the climb and the son already seemed to be struggling....... I wonder how far they got.

My legs were starting to feel a bit tired on the climbs as I headed towards Minton, but they have felt much worse on previous rides along this route so I was happy with that. I now had a headwind but got along fairly well through the Strettons and up to my next crossing of the A49.

After Hollyhurst I spotted a rider stopped ahead who seemed to be checking his bike over. I realised it was just after the pothole I mentioned recently. He had hit it at some speed and had gone over the handlebars - lots of cuts and gravel rash all over but he was convinced that he hadn't broken anything and said he was going to try and complete the ride home. The bike has a good ding in the front rim but amazingly the tyre had stayed inflated. I left reluctantly but not before pointing out that it wasn't far to the pub if he felt the need to stop and call for a ride home instead.

The rest of my ride back was uneventful. I set a good pace as far as Condover but the headwind on the exposed section of road north of the village was too much for me and I had to take it easy. I did still manage to overtake two riders on lighter bikes though.

35.8 miles at 12.9 mph average. 2372 feet of climbing on Strava. Enjoyed that but meeting the guy who'd crashed was something of a downer.

On my way up the hill between Woolstaston and High Park.

Up onto the plateau.

Heading across the top. The summit (Pole Bank) is in sight.

Ponies near Pole Cottage.

Using the "Starboard Way", the permissive path which bypasses the ancient Port Way to avoid riders & walkers crossing the gliding club runway.

Glider being winch launched.

Descending through Nut Batch.

A couple of views from Little Stretton.

Church Stretton.

 

[HLaB]

Given it was World Bicycle Day I forgoed the rest day and went out for an hour of light gravel before tea (dinner for those no

)

 

[gavgav]

Yesterday (Sunday): It was a fabulous day and the hills were calling to me. I thought that I'd take the Raleigh and see how well I got on with it on some proper climbing. The wind was still from the north but it was warm with barely a cloud in the sky. I took a fleece with me in case it was colder up on the Longmynd but it wasn't needed this time.

After a long wait to join the A49 the tailwind gave a good boost and may have encouraged me to push on rather faster than was sensible with a big climb coming up. Strava shows me a lot of new personal bests through Condover, Longnor and down to Leebotwood (another long wait to cross back over the A49) however when I started the climb here I took it more gently. There were lots of cars parked at Woolstaston - not sure if there was something going on or just people parked up to go walking. Further up I needed several stops to allow vehicles to come down the hill, then I reached High Park where the gradient ramps up. The bike felt good, my legs hardly felt fatigued and I wound my way to the cattle grid with two gears still in reserve. The Raleigh is still a good climbing bike with the 165mm cranks.

As I joined the gravel heading towards the summit I passed a mountain biker just getting his steed out of the car. He seemed a little sheepish when I said "hi". There were other riders up on the plateau and plenty of people out walking today. At Pole Bank the place was quite crowded with several groups taking in the views or just settled down with a picnic.

At the start of the ride my plan had been to get to the top and descend the Burway to head home. I'd made such good time though and the weather was so nice that I found myself wanting to just carry on riding so I decided to head for the gliding club and drop down to Hamperley instead. The hill ponies were out on the road looking for suckers to feed them and holding up the traffic - one of them almost had my speedometer for lunch. When I passed the gliding club there were some people sat out with drinks at the club house. I believe they serve non-members so I should have dropped in and had a coffee - another time perhaps.

Dropping down the forestry road to Hamperley was enjoyable but the slick tyres I have on at the moment probably aren't the best choice - they weren't terrible though by any means. I passed a father and son just after the last gate - they were only just starting the climb and the son already seemed to be struggling....... I wonder how far they got.

My legs were starting to feel a bit tired on the climbs as I headed towards Minton, but they have felt much worse on previous rides along this route so I was happy with that. I now had a headwind but got along fairly well through the Strettons and up to my next crossing of the A49.

After Hollyhurst I spotted a rider stopped ahead who seemed to be checking his bike over. I realised it was just after the pothole I mentioned recently. He had hit it at some speed and had gone over the handlebars - lots of cuts and gravel rash all over but he was convinced that he hadn't broken anything and said he was going to try and complete the ride home. The bike has a good ding in the front rim but amazingly the tyre had stayed inflated. I left reluctantly but not before pointing out that it wasn't far to the pub if he felt the need to stop and call for a ride home instead.

The rest of my ride back was uneventful. I set a good pace as far as Condover but the headwind on the exposed section of road north of the village was too much for me and I had to take it easy. I did still manage to overtake two riders on lighter bikes though.

35.8 miles at 12.9 mph average. 2372 feet of climbing on Strava. Enjoyed that but meeting the guy who'd crashed was something of a downer.

View attachment 732884
On my way up the hill between Woolstaston and High Park.

View attachment 732885
Up onto the plateau.

View attachment 732886
Heading across the top. The summit (Pole Bank) is in sight.

View attachment 732887 Ponies near Pole Cottage.

View attachment 732888
Using the "Starboard Way", the permissive path which bypasses the ancient Port Way to avoid riders & walkers crossing the gliding club runway.

View attachment 732889
Glider being winch launched.

View attachment 732890
Descending through Nut Batch.

View attachment 732891

View attachment 732892
A couple of views from Little Stretton.

View attachment 732893
Church Stretton.

I’ve reported that pothole again today, to which I got the response that it’s been assessed and is in the list of works, but it’s done by priority…..I seriously hope the chap reports the damage that it’s done to him and perhaps they’ll wake up and fix it.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I’ve reported that pothole again today, to which I got the response that it’s been assessed and is in the list of works, but it’s done by priority…..I seriously hope the chap reports the damage that it’s done to him and perhaps they’ll wake up and fix it.

I believe he has, looking at Fixmystreet. I have also updated my report to mention the incident.

 

[Dave 123]

My mountain bike returned from Dr Max, new spokes, headset bearings and gear cables…. It was only right to go and start wrecking it again!

First port of call was a grass verge at Collaton as I’d spotted a. Orchid while driving by. I think it was a marsh orchid, I’m not 100% sure.

Then it was down to Creacombe and along to Preston and the bridleway. The first half of it was very muddy, I wasn’t expecting that.

Then up to Battisborough and along the road to Teahouse Cross. Then a short spell along the coast path to Revelstoke before coming home via Noss.

Luckily Max was outside his house at Bridgend working on a bike, so he tweaked a few things for me.

Just over 10 miles.

https://www.strava.com/activities/11581070998

 

[iandg]

I rode the 50km Loafeur at Velo Retro last Sunday

https://lukebriggsmedia.co.uk/