Your ride today....

[Rickshaw Phil]

As is often the case with me, some catching up to do.
Boxing Day: A misty morning turned into a foggy afternoon but I wanted to get out and do my traditional ride regardless, especially as I hadn't managed to get on the bike at all for the previous week and a half. I thought that a bit of altitude might get me above the fog so opted for the route to Oaks and Pulverbatch.

I really needed my lights to start with as I headed up Lyth Hill. I was disappointed to find it was as foggy here as anywhere else (walking the dog in the morning I'd been above the cloud). I dropped down to Exford's Green and as I went along the sun was trying to break through in places. Reaching Plealey I just rode out of the fog and it was nice sunshine that was to last for the bulk of the ride.

The climb to Oaks was the same as ever but I did find the lane busier than I'm used to. There was more traffic about on a few of the other lanes too. The views were great heading over the Broom Hill climb which encouraged me along to Pulverbatch, Wilderley and Smethcott.

By Leebotwood the legs were complaining a little bit so I decided not to extend to Dudgeley as I normally might but to head back via the old Roman road. I took it at an easy pace, enjoying the sunshine while it lasted as I could see the bank of fog was still hanging round the Shrewsbury area and I'd have to ride back into it at some point. That point was right at the edge of Bayston Hill. I'd opted to take the flatter main road way back, hoping that the traffic wouldn't be too bad. There wasn't a lot of traffic but the one driver gave a fast and close pass which felt quite deliberate as everyone else gave me loads of room.

24.3 miles at 11.1 mph average. A pretty good ride apart from that one moment. The lanes were pretty muddy so the bike will want a good clean soon.

No views from Lyth Hill this time.

By Plealey though, it could be a different day.

From Oaks you can see where the fog still lingers.

En route to Wilderley.

View to The Lawley as I drop down towards Leebotwood.

The Pound at Leebotwood, which became something of a favourite over the summer.

At Ryton, looking back to the Stretton Hills.

From the same location you can see that I'm going to be riding back into the fog.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Yesterday: After the last few days it was good to have a chance to start and finish in the sunshine. It was rather windy though so I thought that a variation of my Acton Burnell route would work with the wind direction. I started off over Lyth Hill again and headed through Exford's Green to Stapleton and Gonsal before joining the regular route at Ryton. It was a lot quieter on the lanes and on some sections I barely saw a car at all.

The bits into the wind on the way to Longnor hadn't seemed too taxing but here I picked up a good tailwind which swept me along very nicely through Frodesley. Cresting the hill here at 14 mph isn't something I do often on the knockabout bike. Apart from meeting a horse & rider, the good run continued through Acton Burnell and on towards Cound Moor, although it was more of a crosswind for the long straight here so no records were in danger.

At Cound the flag flying was a festive one wishing everyone a Happy New Year. Reaching Cound Stank I decided to risk the A458, which was relatively quiet in the direction I was going so I stuck with it into Cross Houses before turning off to Berrington. Another change of mind had me riding to Weeping Cross then Meole just to make a change.

It was just me and a couple of lads on mountain bikes using the crossing by the retail park at Meole Brace. as we turned our separate ways I overheard:
"I think that's cheating."
"What is?"
"It's an electric bike."

I'm pretty sure they were talking about me.

26.2 miles for this one at 12.5 mph average. It was nice to have the wind working well for me for once.

A good sunny view from Lyth Hill.

Acton Burnell.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Today: The weather forecast wasn't idea but I was fairly keen to finish off with one last ride of 2024. The morning looked dry but blustery so I risked it and aimed to do my Atcham and Upton Magna route.

No extra distance this time - I risked using the A49 to head to Condover and it wasn't too bad. I was into the wind initially and it did slow me down a fair bit but when I reached the village and turned onto Lyons Lane the whole feel of the ride changed as I now got swept along by the strong tailwind. I headed through Berrington to Cross Houses then Atcham on reasonably quiet roads. I hadn't planned to go through the Attingham estate but decided to anyway, which was nice but loads of people were turning up to visit, making the driveway quite busy.

The helping wind resumed through Berwick Wharf and on to Upton Magna where the cafe already had a couple of customers. The road to Downton and Uffington had a cross wind that wasn't too bad to ride in, then I joined the old canal path which was busy with walkers. this allowed me to catch up with another cyclist who didn't hang about once the path cleared a bit.

Reaching Sydney Avenue I had the headwind I'd been expecting to run into which slowed things right down. I was just managing 10mph on the flat and that made me decide not to do the extra loop round the town centre that I'd had in mind. Instead I stayed on the towpath, making slow progress past all the walkers and crossed the river at Greyfriars Bridge. At the end of Greyfriars Road a couple of cyclists swung into the junction at speed just as I was approaching the line - the one went so wide they came past me completely on the wrong side and the other shouted something incomprehensible at me. Charming folk it's just as well I wasn't in the car.

From there it was a plod against that wind through Sutton and along the cycle paths to home. The forecast rain didn't arrive until well after it was expected to, which suits me just fine.

20.6 miles at 12.4 mph average. Happy with that.

I quite like how the hills loom over the road as I head south on the A49.

Attingham Park.

Upton Magna.

 

[Marchrider]

Finally back on the road after a 13 day lay-off (thats my the record since 2015)

yesterdays heavy rain and heavy frost overnight made the minor roads treacherous

then disaster - a puncture, and its below freezing, and then my front wheel valve hole is for a shrader and I use Presta - galvanic corrosion has welded the adaptor to valve of the punctured tube - even when I get home using a vice and mole grips, I still can't get the adaptor off.

But never mind I used the spare tube without an adaptor and it seemed happy - do we need these adaptors?

back on the road and what a day to be out

that saddles not straight is it !

anyway 1st ride of the year 36.9 miles

year to date 36.9 miles / day 2 * 365 = 6,734 / target 6500 so 3.6% ahead

 

[geocycle]

I spotted a weather window for the first ride of the year. Sandwiched between the winds and flooding of New Year, the ice of yesterday and snow forecast for the weekend, there was time for a 50 km ride up the valley to Kirby Lonsdale. I waited for the rain to stop and the worst of the ice to melt before gingerly heading out. The air temperature was a balmy 5 degrees but ice was evident beneath the north facing walls and along the roadsides. I chose a route through Arkholme and Whittington, which carries plenty of traffic without being busy, and has great views toward Ingleborough. I enjoyed a bakery stop in Kirby Lonsdale while admiring Ruskin’s View from a slippy pathway. Ruskin wouldn’t have been wearing spd shoes and would probably have had a better base for making his observations, whereas I was struggling to eat a flapjack and stay upright. I pulled out of the hilly return route and instead retraced my tracks. Great to be out again. 54 km with 557 m of climbing.

 

[Marchrider]

another cracking day to be out, seemed to have acclimatised a bit and more confident that yesterday on the ice

don't think it got above zero but it was warm in the sun

busy at the border crossing today, and getting back onto the left as I enter england

Otter corner but non to be seen today, haven't seen any for months

crossing the river back into Scotland

just love weather like this

32 mile for the day

YTD 69 / day 3 * 365 = 8395 / 6500 target = 29% ahead (that feels good)

 

[Marchrider]

don't worry I won't be posting every ride I do, just getting my year started, and if I nail my 6500 mile challenge onto every mast - I may be more likely to do it

Anyway, this was a cold cold raw day to be out, probably a little warmer than the last two, but it felt very raw, felt so much colder, may be a dampness in the air

Sun was very milky and had zero warmth

but mile after mile of roads like this - just a joy to cycle on

32 mile
YTD 102 / day 4 * 365 = 9307 / 6500 = 43% ahead

 

[Ian H]

I dragged myself out of the house yesterday morning to join the Saturday club run. This week they were headed in my direction, so I followed the route in reverse until they appeared near the top of a long hill (so at least I'd warmed up). Pretty soon we were off bus routes and on to ungritted lanes. Most of the ice was at the edge of the road, but there was the occasional surprise in frost hollows where a sludge of ice and slush covered the whole surface.

There were a few regroupings, waiting for slower riders. Then we were back on main roads heading to the city, some traffic-dicing and those of us who hadn't peeled off for home finished at the quay. The icing (ha ha!) on the cake was cafe owner Lutzy bringing us small glasses of port in appreciation of her 'favourite cyclists'.

I took a fairly direct route home, and beat the rain, which was another bonus.

No pics.

https://www.strava.com/activities/13264583993

 

[iandg]

3 laps of a short loop in the local (Comlongon) castle woods, just over 12km.

 

[All uphill]

It was ridiculously warm in Taunton this morning. 14 degrees C while much of the country freezes.

I popped out on the do-it-all Marin at around 11 when the rain eased and ventured out through Bradford on Tone to the Willowbrook Cafe where I'd arranged to meet Ms AU and our son.

On the way I came across a long stretch of flooded road and behaved as idiotically as those drivers you see on YouTube. The water was above the hubs and I obviously had to keep pedalling. Very wet feet and legs, but fortunately I don't suffer from cold feet.

At the cafe/ Garden Centre I bought socks and dried off a bit. The return journey along the bottom of the Blackdown Hills was less wet.

The soaking has prompted me to strip this bike. I built it in 2019 so it's due a full rebuild, regrease, and deep clean. I may put a Rapid Rise derailleur on, because I'm enjoying the one on my Temple (and it will annoy some people).

 

[HLaB]

Lol, I finally got the mojo for a ride before dusk. Telling my self I'd have to be back in an hour so I won't have time to numb up. The cycle way along near the house Road seemed ice free except for the bit at the old petrol garage. However, it was covered in glass there and a mile along the road my rear tyre was flat. Came back and topped up the sealant, went back out and p'tured again. I suspect I never gave the sealant long enough and the p'ture reopened. Came back again and pumped the tyre up above the pressure I would normally use, spun it and near 6 hours and a half later its still solid. A total of 3.6miles. I was tempted to go out again a few times but I didn't fancy icy cycleways in the dark!

 

[bluenotebob]

Straight down the V3 Voie Verte from Mauron to Questembert on Katie-Mae (my gravel bike). A chilly start and heading into the wind .. but that would help me on the return leg. A tree had blocked the cycle path north of Questembert .. I can only assume it came down last night or this morning as the maintenance guys are usually very quick to clear the path. I decided to avoid the tree on the way back so I looped around S of Molac, over the Arz at the Pont de Favre and up a very steep hill to la Muterne. Back on the V3 south of Pleucadeuc, over the Oust at Bagotais (where it started to rain) and back to the van just as night was falling.

106km in 6 hours 40 mins.

First time Katie-Mae had done a metric century and all was well. I also trialled my new sacoche (saddle bag) – it turned out to be a bit thinner than I’d expected but I got everything I needed into it and so wasn’t faced with back- and shoulder-ache from carrying a day bag on my back for 5 or 6 hours.

I did have my camera with me – although I think I’d have been better off carrying more food instead.

The turning-point at Questembert/Bel Air

All the rivers I passed or crossed today – the Doueff, Yvel, Ninian, Oust, Claie and Arz – were all flooded. Here’s the Oust at Bagotais .. Eurovelo#1 is still just about passable (that’s the towpath on the far bank) but I’m not sure for how much longer with lots more rain to come this week

 

[Marchrider]

Straight down the V3 Voie Verte from Mauron to Questembert on Katie-Mae (my gravel bike). A chilly start and heading into the wind .. but that would help me on the return leg. A tree had blocked the cycle path north of Questembert .. I can only assume it came down last night or this morning as the maintenance guys are usually very quick to clear the path. I decided to avoid the tree on the way back so I looped around S of Molac, over the Arz at the Pont de Favre and up a very steep hill to la Muterne. Back on the V3 south of Pleucadeuc, over the Oust at Bagotais (where it started to rain) and back to the van just as night was falling.

106km in 6 hours 40 mins.

First time Katie-Mae had done a metric century and all was well. I also trialled my new sacoche (saddle bag) – it turned out to be a bit thinner than I’d expected but I got everything I needed into it and so wasn’t faced with back- and shoulder-ache from carrying a day bag on my back for 5 or 6 hours.

I did have my camera with me – although I think I’d have been better off carrying more food instead.

The turning-point at Questembert/Bel Air

View attachment 758196

All the rivers I passed or crossed today – the Doueff, Yvel, Ninian, Oust, Claie and Arz – were all flooded. Here’s the Oust at Bagotais .. Eurovelo#1 is still just about passable (that’s the towpath on the far bank) but I’m not sure for how much longer with lots more rain to come this week

View attachment 758197

No front mudguard and only a partial rear ? in January

 

[bluenotebob]

No front mudguard and only a partial rear ? in January

Yes - well spotted. They will be sorted out next week.

The mudguards are too thin for the gravel bike and will be swapped onto the road bike. New, wider mudguards are on order - due Wed/Thurs next week.

 

[Marchrider]

Yes - well spotted. They will be sorted out next week.

The mudguards are too thin for the gravel bike and will be swapped onto the road bike. New, wider mudguards are on order - due Wed/Thurs next week.

I went for years without a rear mudgaurd as nothing would fit because of too large a tyre in a narrow frame, I used to just put up with getting wet and a filthy bike that took ages to clean - couple years back I made my own and it just transformed winter riding