Was it round Stathern there was a hill climb around there on sundaySo late last night dr_pink says to me she thinks she will do the Melton Olympic Hilly 18 mile time trial today, damn, I was so looking forward to a long ride in the sun today, oh well. I rode out to the start alone while dr_pink took the exocet in the back of the car. Beautiful morning but only 6C and mist in the valleys
dr_pink about to go
Only 12 competing, 11 men and one woman, so I went up the course to get a picture but the sun was really strong so this didn't come out too
well
So how did it go I ask, rubbish she replies, nothing in my legs today. We go over to look at the results sheet, 6th in 45mins 27 secs and the new womens course record, oh ok, bad day then.
After quite a few of us headed to The Windmill tearooms where cyclists gather from all points of the compass. A great ride there and even better we met up with quite a few ex club mates we hadn't seen in some cases for a couple of years
Let's all hope this weather continues.
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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gavgav
Legendary Member
What a fabulous evening for a ride. Warm (shorts came out of hibernation) hardly a breath of wind and brilliant sunshine. There have been too few days like this in 2015 where it feels a real pleasure to be out on the bike.
Followed the cycle paths up to Heathgates and then joined the old canal path to Uffington. The 1st section of this is always a battle with dogs, walkers and runners, because it is quite narrow. Not normally got a problem with people on it, but today I had yet more annoyance with people wearing headphones who are completely oblivious to the world around them. 1st chap running, with dog, eventually heard me after ringing the bell 4 times and apologised as he moved out of the way (ok will let him off) but chap 2 running was a different matter. Rang the bell 4 times as I followed him patiently for about 30 seconds, then used my voice to say cyclist behind you.....still nothing, and then he eventually glanced behind himself, saw me and continued to block the way!!
Fine, you had your chance, I'm coming through mr arrogant and I squeezed past him, hopefully making my point.
Back out onto the road to Upton Magna and then the climb up East Haugmond where I again saw friend Rob flying down the hill. I always seem to see him when I am climbing up he's hurtling down!
I then took the 1st road to the right, which, in the days when I thought 20 miles was a long ride, I used to use a lot, but nowadays I tend to bypass it because I want longer rides. I'd forgotten how good a lane it is, as I reached 31mph.
I then turned back towards Upton Magna and followed the road to Berwick Wharf and Atcham, where on the straight approaching the T Junction I witnessed a woman get out of her car in the narrow layby and in doing so open her car door into the path of a cyclist coming from behind!
Luckily he was being observant and swerved to avoid it!!
From there I climbed up towards Betton Abbots, and with the sun having set now it was getting quite chilly very quickly.
A very enjoyable 17.7 miles at a swift, for me!, 12.5 mph avg
Followed the cycle paths up to Heathgates and then joined the old canal path to Uffington. The 1st section of this is always a battle with dogs, walkers and runners, because it is quite narrow. Not normally got a problem with people on it, but today I had yet more annoyance with people wearing headphones who are completely oblivious to the world around them. 1st chap running, with dog, eventually heard me after ringing the bell 4 times and apologised as he moved out of the way (ok will let him off) but chap 2 running was a different matter. Rang the bell 4 times as I followed him patiently for about 30 seconds, then used my voice to say cyclist behind you.....still nothing, and then he eventually glanced behind himself, saw me and continued to block the way!!
Fine, you had your chance, I'm coming through mr arrogant and I squeezed past him, hopefully making my point.Back out onto the road to Upton Magna and then the climb up East Haugmond where I again saw friend Rob flying down the hill. I always seem to see him when I am climbing up he's hurtling down!
I then took the 1st road to the right, which, in the days when I thought 20 miles was a long ride, I used to use a lot, but nowadays I tend to bypass it because I want longer rides. I'd forgotten how good a lane it is, as I reached 31mph.
I then turned back towards Upton Magna and followed the road to Berwick Wharf and Atcham, where on the straight approaching the T Junction I witnessed a woman get out of her car in the narrow layby and in doing so open her car door into the path of a cyclist coming from behind!
Luckily he was being observant and swerved to avoid it!!From there I climbed up towards Betton Abbots, and with the sun having set now it was getting quite chilly very quickly.
A very enjoyable 17.7 miles at a swift, for me!, 12.5 mph avg
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totallyfixed
Veteran
- Location
- The only county without a McDonalds
I always enjoy your pictures, reminds me of when we lived in those parts, I believe I have ridden all the roads shown in your post. We always stopped at Risby, the cafe next to the antiques barn there. The cafe you stopped at is new, we contemplated making a slight detour on our way back from Harwich but because of time restrictions we didn't, next time.
Mmm, don't know who was running that one, no, this was Melton to Buckminster and back, very hilly.
derrick
The Glue that binds us together.
- Location
- On the edge of London
Did the London E'tape on Sunday, six of us met up at 5-45am, It was still dark
Rode the 8miles to the start at olympic park, arrived a little early could have had an extra
half an hour in bed, Had a coffee then set off at a nice steady pace, when we got out of London the roads got nicer, getting into the country lanes, A nice route we bypassed the first feed station at Hatfield Heath, There where a couple of accidents along the way but did not involve any of our group, I must say we did encounter a few idiot cyclists along the way, There are a lot of wannabe froomies out there. We had a short stop at the halfway feed station, boiled potato's and a bowl of salt to dip them in, Never seen that before at a sportive. Had a really nice day, got back to the finish did a bit of a loop of the road circuit, Then a photo on the podium followed by a coffee. Then the 9 mile ride back to our local pub for a celebration drink or two, 140 miles, Was the longest ride my other half had done, She did really well considering she has only been back on the bike for a couple of weeks after having a 6 weeks off, Since breaking her collar bone.
https://www.strava.com/activities/401618538
The girl on the right is part of our club but did not ride with us.
Rode the 8miles to the start at olympic park, arrived a little early could have had an extrahalf an hour in bed, Had a coffee then set off at a nice steady pace, when we got out of London the roads got nicer, getting into the country lanes, A nice route we bypassed the first feed station at Hatfield Heath, There where a couple of accidents along the way but did not involve any of our group, I must say we did encounter a few idiot cyclists along the way, There are a lot of wannabe froomies out there.
We had a short stop at the halfway feed station, boiled potato's and a bowl of salt to dip them in, Never seen that before at a sportive. Had a really nice day, got back to the finish did a bit of a loop of the road circuit, Then a photo on the podium followed by a coffee. Then the 9 mile ride back to our local pub for a celebration drink or two, 140 miles, Was the longest ride my other half had done, She did really well considering she has only been back on the bike for a couple of weeks after having a 6 weeks off, Since breaking her collar bone.https://www.strava.com/activities/401618538
The girl on the right is part of our club but did not ride with us.
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NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
Just a local after work spin tonight. The legs felt a bit heavy to start with after yesterdays metric half century, but soon settled down.
It's getting dark earlier and although it was a glorious evening when I set off, the sun was definitely starting to slip over the horizon as I got back. The new front light seems OK though and is starting to show it's worth now.
I've not ridden after dark in over 20 years, so that's a new experience I'll be getting in the next week or so.
A familiar circuit, but i added an extra loop on to bump the mileage up to 7.23 miles in 27m 37s at an average of 15.7mph.
I didn't notice yesterday but I'd clicked past 1,000 miles since I downloaded Map My Ride in April, which put a smile on my face when i realised. Actual mileage across the two bikes is something north of 1,200 and with the road bike (500+ miles) rapidly catching the hybrid (700+ miles). Not bad considering i hardly got out cycling in June due to my dodgy knees...
It's getting dark earlier and although it was a glorious evening when I set off, the sun was definitely starting to slip over the horizon as I got back. The new front light seems OK though and is starting to show it's worth now.
I've not ridden after dark in over 20 years, so that's a new experience I'll be getting in the next week or so.
A familiar circuit, but i added an extra loop on to bump the mileage up to 7.23 miles in 27m 37s at an average of 15.7mph.
I didn't notice yesterday but I'd clicked past 1,000 miles since I downloaded Map My Ride in April, which put a smile on my face when i realised. Actual mileage across the two bikes is something north of 1,200 and with the road bike (500+ miles) rapidly catching the hybrid (700+ miles). Not bad considering i hardly got out cycling in June due to my dodgy knees...
- Location
- Egham
My daily rides continue, and I took the opportunity to get out on the RT58 again over the weekend which was nice for a change. Seem to be getting the clothing right no, basically go out cold and warm up, overheating is really a bad thing for me. Been searching for a new helmet that's well ventilated, but so far struggling to find somewhere local with a decent rage on the shelf. Off to cycle surgery this week to see what they have, if no joy then maybe the Specialised place, think they have a concept store in Kingston?
Anyway, the miles keep ticking on
Anyway, the miles keep ticking on
graham bowers
Guru
- Location
- NW Leicestershire
Nipped in to town for a couple of errands by an offroad route, went the long way round to my allotment for some perpetual spinach for lunch (managed to give away a squash too), biked back home - all in the glorious sunshine. Not a tale of derring do but 12 miles at a relaxed pace and it felt wonderful.
galaxy
Guru
- Location
- Middleton On The Hill
Then we stopped for a brew with Her Majesty
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Crandoggler
Senior Member
Cold start this morning but wanted to try my arm warmers out. Decided that I 100% need a base layer now, as my cotton t shirts just feel heavy after sweat has accumulated. Arm warmers were good, if a little short. Oh, need a skull cap! My head was freezing today.
https://www.strava.com/activities/402587185
https://www.strava.com/activities/402587185
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
It must be the latest thing ... they also did salt and spuds at the feedstations on the Tour de Yorkshire sportive earlier in the year. I had never seen it before either. Did the job, but I would have preferred cheese sandwiches and cake!
Elybazza61
Guru
Very late with this but only put the Strava up yesterday.
Did the L'Etape London on Sunday which on the whole was pretty enjoyable.On my tod so could do my own pace and decided to only stop at the last feed station.Had few problems until after that last stop when my tail-pack came undone and threw my co2 thingy up the road not once but twice!
And on the final run from Epping in to London had a couple or three spasms on my upper thigh but managed to keep going by spinning an easier gear for a bit.Funnily had no hint of it since so must have just tweaked something I suppose.
Finished with an official time of 6:42 with a 5:20 time for the 166km bit out of London so pretty pleased with my pace which official timing put at 27.6 kmh although my Strava has it at 28.3.The strava timing was screwed a bit by me having to faff around after the start as firstly the HRM was giving 200bpm+ readings and then the Garmin itself was playing up;once it had settled down it was fine and I was equally pleased at how little I went into the red although I may have been able to go a tiny bit faster in hindsight.Even had a little bit left for the 'sprint' at the end.
https://www.strava.com/activities/402093102
At the start;
Finished;
Did the L'Etape London on Sunday which on the whole was pretty enjoyable.On my tod so could do my own pace and decided to only stop at the last feed station.Had few problems until after that last stop when my tail-pack came undone and threw my co2 thingy up the road not once but twice!
And on the final run from Epping in to London had a couple or three spasms on my upper thigh but managed to keep going by spinning an easier gear for a bit.Funnily had no hint of it since so must have just tweaked something I suppose.
Finished with an official time of 6:42 with a 5:20 time for the 166km bit out of London so pretty pleased with my pace which official timing put at 27.6 kmh although my Strava has it at 28.3.The strava timing was screwed a bit by me having to faff around after the start as firstly the HRM was giving 200bpm+ readings and then the Garmin itself was playing up;once it had settled down it was fine and I was equally pleased at how little I went into the red although I may have been able to go a tiny bit faster in hindsight.Even had a little bit left for the 'sprint' at the end.
https://www.strava.com/activities/402093102
At the start;
Finished;
Yesterdays ride, as usual..
I was hoping for an earlier start than 11:00, but MrsPete had other ideas. Apparently, the lounge needed all the furniture pulling out to vacuum behind, and it was very important!!
Anyway, after my chores were completed, a couple of mates called round so we could do a few miles in lovely warm sunshine. As I wanted to be back between 14:00 to 14:30, we used one of my regularish routes along the bike paths to the canal banks by Rothersthorpe Locks and past Gayton Marina before getting onto tarmac for a while, into Blisworth.
From there, as we were on CX and MTB, we bounced along a bridleway towards Salcey that cut out a B road that isa bit of a speedy rat-run to Milton Keynes from Northampton. Not a road I like riding, to be honest! Anyway, the fields were fairly dry, so the tracks were easy to ride.
Deciding that coffee and cake were needed, we called into the Cafe at Salcey for 20 minutes or so before riding down through the forest trails in the general direction of home.
Come on chaps... Keep up!
As we were riding into Houghton, Bob had a bit if a mechanical problem.. A quick check revealed the culprit. He'd picked up part of a plastic bag in the jockey wheels. It took a while to pull all the bits out and get 'drive' back.
Meanwhile, in the old stocks..
Back home on 32 miles in lovely sunshine and good company.
https://www.strava.com/activities/402039657
I was hoping for an earlier start than 11:00, but MrsPete had other ideas. Apparently, the lounge needed all the furniture pulling out to vacuum behind, and it was very important!!
Anyway, after my chores were completed, a couple of mates called round so we could do a few miles in lovely warm sunshine. As I wanted to be back between 14:00 to 14:30, we used one of my regularish routes along the bike paths to the canal banks by Rothersthorpe Locks and past Gayton Marina before getting onto tarmac for a while, into Blisworth.
From there, as we were on CX and MTB, we bounced along a bridleway towards Salcey that cut out a B road that isa bit of a speedy rat-run to Milton Keynes from Northampton. Not a road I like riding, to be honest! Anyway, the fields were fairly dry, so the tracks were easy to ride.
Deciding that coffee and cake were needed, we called into the Cafe at Salcey for 20 minutes or so before riding down through the forest trails in the general direction of home.
Come on chaps... Keep up!
As we were riding into Houghton, Bob had a bit if a mechanical problem.. A quick check revealed the culprit. He'd picked up part of a plastic bag in the jockey wheels. It took a while to pull all the bits out and get 'drive' back.
Meanwhile, in the old stocks..
Back home on 32 miles in lovely sunshine and good company.
https://www.strava.com/activities/402039657
Goonerobes
Its okay to be white
- Location
- Wiltshire
Todays midweek sortie into the New Forest was all about the acorns, which are out in abundance this autumn & according to the farmer I spoke to on Sunday are a sign of a bad (cold) winter. You heard it here first!!
Five miles in & the forests oak tree collection starts & its the familiar crunching & pinging sound as I head up towards Furzley, until that is a large pig, who's out feeding on the acorns, decides to wander across my path & bring proceedings to an abrupt halt. With the offending hog photographed I continue my journey in the fine autumn sunshine up through Landford, Hampworth & Lover to Whiteshoot hill where I'm ashamed to say I decided, for a change, to be a strava ar**hole & try to beat my previous time set back in April 2014.
(I did by 23 seconds)
The open roads of Roger Penny Way & Stoney Cross were next as I headed towards Bolderwood & back to the acorns which were now not only under wheel but also still falling as one caught me right on the swede as I headed downhill to Emery Down & back past more feeding pigs at Bartley for home & a very pleasant 36 mile trip.
https://www.strava.com/activities/402733285
The Hampshire breed pig (the black one) which brought todays ride to a halt!
Looking rather stuffed full of acorns these two took to the shade for a breather I think.
Five miles in & the forests oak tree collection starts & its the familiar crunching & pinging sound as I head up towards Furzley, until that is a large pig, who's out feeding on the acorns, decides to wander across my path & bring proceedings to an abrupt halt. With the offending hog photographed I continue my journey in the fine autumn sunshine up through Landford, Hampworth & Lover to Whiteshoot hill where I'm ashamed to say I decided, for a change, to be a strava ar**hole & try to beat my previous time set back in April 2014.
(I did by 23 seconds) The open roads of Roger Penny Way & Stoney Cross were next as I headed towards Bolderwood & back to the acorns which were now not only under wheel but also still falling as one caught me right on the swede as I headed downhill to Emery Down & back past more feeding pigs at Bartley for home & a very pleasant 36 mile trip.
https://www.strava.com/activities/402733285
The Hampshire breed pig (the black one) which brought todays ride to a halt!
Looking rather stuffed full of acorns these two took to the shade for a breather I think.
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biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
a nice 15 mile loop from Irchester taking in Farndish ,Wollaston,Grendon,Easton Maudit,Bozeat,Hinwick ,Farndish and back to Irchester .
Glow worm
Legendary Member
- Location
- Near Newmarket
Work wasn't going well, so only one thing for it - a ride!
First along the bridleway alongside Swaffham Bulbeck Lode. The grass is a bit long and I was thinking I'd be pulling grass out from jockey wheels for ages, but amazingly, they stayed clear.
View from the bridge on the Lodes Way of Swaffham Bulbeck Lode. Looking a bit overgrown. I quite like it like this, as I guess do the fish, but every now and then the Environment Agency turn up with their excavators and trash it.
Another quiet fenland road.
And another Lode ( or waterway). This one, Reach Lode. It was a blue sky but the photo suggests otherwise for some reason.
I call this track the Reach bypass (Reach is the name of the village). Tracks like this won't be passable easily by bike for much longer as they get muddier as winter closes in, so I'm enjoying them while I can.
Just 10.5 miles in an hour or so here today.
First along the bridleway alongside Swaffham Bulbeck Lode. The grass is a bit long and I was thinking I'd be pulling grass out from jockey wheels for ages, but amazingly, they stayed clear.
View from the bridge on the Lodes Way of Swaffham Bulbeck Lode. Looking a bit overgrown. I quite like it like this, as I guess do the fish, but every now and then the Environment Agency turn up with their excavators and trash it.
Another quiet fenland road.
And another Lode ( or waterway). This one, Reach Lode. It was a blue sky but the photo suggests otherwise for some reason.
I call this track the Reach bypass (Reach is the name of the village). Tracks like this won't be passable easily by bike for much longer as they get muddier as winter closes in, so I'm enjoying them while I can.
Just 10.5 miles in an hour or so here today.
