Your ride today....

[Jon George]

Étape Sept of Le Tour De Cochon was held yesterday. My school teacher friend Dan and I headed out at 11 o'clock and fought the wind to get to Great Wenham (West of Ipswich) and The Queen's Head. A number of excellent ales were consumed and we had an enjoyable chat with the locals - a conversation that included their thoughts about the Lycra-clad cyclists they often see. (We were dressed in Civvies.)

A pic showing the inviting front door.

We then took a detour around Shelly. This over The River Brett.

Into East Bergholt for stops at The Hare and Hounds and The King's Head, up to East End Lane for glass of ale at The Royal George, and finally at Tattingstone for more excellent beer at The Wheatsheaf and The White Horse. It was here that the rain finally started, but we were on our way home with stars in our eyes and the wind on our backs. About 37 miles in total.

Oh, it appears no stage of this year's event would be complete without me coming off. I duly obliged on some wet cobbles, less than a mile from home. Only an insignificant bruise - I'm learning to bounce better.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Took advantage of the better weather for a last pre Christmas ride not too long but pushed it a bit, some fresh wind but not too strong

Went over Chertsey Bridge, headed up Holloway hill, bearing left through Stonehill, and to Chobham, taking then familiar back roads towards Valley end, turning right at the end towards Chobham COmmon, some nice downhill and downwind sections there, then turned off through Lyne and Thorpe Back over Staines Bridge and home

24.50 miles at 17.2 mph, 781 feet climbed, quite pleased with that speed.

https://www.strava.com/activities/454978560

@Stonechat

Yes - you do whizz along quite nicely. You should be dead chuffed.

Even if I drop as much hilly stuff as I can (to around 30- 40' / mile) I only get into the low 15's.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Étape Sept of Le Tour De Cochon was held yesterday. My school teacher friend Dan and I headed out at 11 o'clock and fought the wind to get to Great Wenham (West of Ipswich) and The Queen's Head. A number of excellent ales were consumed and we had an enjoyable chat with the locals - a conversation that included their thoughts about the Lycra-clad cyclists they often see. (We were dressed in Civvies.)

A pic showing the inviting front door.

View attachment 113696

We then took a detour around Shelly. This over The River Brett.

View attachment 113697

Into East Bergholt for stops at The Hare and Hounds and The King's Head, up to East End Lane for glass of ale at The Royal George, and finally at Tattingstone for more excellent beer at The Wheatsheaf and The White Horse. It was here that the rain finally started, but we were on our way home with stars in our eyes and the wind on our backs. About 37 miles in total.

View attachment 113698

Oh, it appears no stage of this year's event would be complete without me coming off. I duly obliged on some wet cobbles, less than a mile from home. Only an insignificant bruise - I'm learning to bounce better.

Surprised you can remember coming off after drinking that lot.

 

[SpokeyDokey]

This morning I was part of a funeral cortege for the funeral of Des Robinson, 1952 Olympic cyclist:

And yes, this bike was there (Isle of Man TT winner in 1949)

@DCLane

Sounds like he had a good long life.

 

[Katherine]

Rain forecast for tomorrow, so out late afternoon to deliver the last few Chistmas cards, lovely seeing everyone's lights and decorations. Started my ride into a lovely sunset and finished with a nearly full moon in front all the way home. Lots of people out today in the dry weather. An enjoyable 23 miles.

 

[Gravity Aided]

7.1 miles my ride today, temperate weather, as thunderstorms were just ending as I left the house. They began again as I returned, so I count myself lucky to have gotten out today. The wind was something else. Schwinn Impact held the road well.
56F
13C
Winds S26 G36
96% relative humidity
29.25 barometer
Cloudy/lgt rain

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Lovely Wife working as she has some important stuff to batten down before Xmas.

I'm in the middle of quite a long seasonal break (I gave myself 6 weeks this year for good behaviour).

So, was in Morrisons super early this morning - that worked well and now I am cleaning the house as I promised and therefore can't have a sneaky ride between breaks in the rain.

Next ride: Boxing Day if weather permits.

Have a nice day tomorrow everyone.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

tlh looked on, scepticism turning to awe, as the Big Dummy swallowed 6 rammed packed bag-for-life carrier bags of Christmas holiday food, and came back for more. I then twiddled off through the pouring rain to unload, eggs, as always, unbroken.

 

[Stonechat]

@Stonechat

Yes - you do whizz along quite nicely. You should be dead chuffed.

Even if I drop as much hilly stuff as I can (to around 30- 40' / mile) I only get into the low 15's.

Well I have done 1 hour at 18 mph, and can keep speed up to 16 over 35-40 miles and 15.5 over 50 if there are no major hills.
Also did a 50 mile club run at 18 mph - but was drafting a lot.

BUT (big but) major hills do slow me down a lot.
I was stuck on slower speeds last year, and really dropped over winter, but managed to pull it up again,

However on a tough sportive I lose all that speed!
HOwever did manage an 89 mile ride at about 15.5

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Yesterday's ride was a wee outing with Miss 26 #2 (home for Xmas) and a couple of pals. We took advantage of sunshine and blue skies but had a bit of a challenge from the wind on the way out. The river is well up not not to the flooding level so no worries down through the school or along the Hams. Wickridge Street is underused as both pals couldn't remember riding it even tho' one had done so in my company only 10 days ago. Cafe stop is always a good if a tad expensive one but who's counting? We took the hilly way back with a nice tail wind. With a clagged up front mech I first managed 26.5 mph on the middle (36 ring) and my tiniest 14 tooth sprocket. Later I did get the chain onto my massive 46 toother. That allowed 32 mph. Both only achieved for a very short time I can assure you. All good fun with pals. Mostly it was a pooter at 13 mph in lovely lanes.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Day off work suns out so out with the bike .Off through Newtown Linford where I became aware of a lorry behind me nowhere to overtake so he stuck behind He get a chance and starts to overtake nice and wide approaching a chicane just as another car comes the other way and he starts pulling in brakes on next thing I am right next to the curb in an ever decrease gap the rear of the bin lorry passed me and it actually hit my shoulder but lucky I stayed upright if I hadnt braked I dread go think what would have happened . Well I was incensed and started chasing the lorry ,when he turned into the pub car park just ahead I followed got the reg and company number email sent . The driver took the safe option and stayed in his cab while I ranted and raved until I got bored .I not sure what would have happen if he got out as I had lost the plot . It takes a lot for me to lose it but being nearly squashed was enough. So on with the ride trying to calm down but not enjoying it I so nearly turned back but decided to carry on. On up Ulverscoft lane and up my favourite climb of Polly Botts lane and carried on at the top up Whitcroft lane then out to Oaks in Charnwood pass St Bernard's Abbey and into Whitwick along a road called the dumps and if anyone knows Whitwick its an apt name . Along the road to Shepshed with traffic calming and priority flows approaching a pinch point where I have right of way two cars decide to dive through which was just about OK but then the HGV behind them decided he was coming through making me stop . I stopped in a nice awkward stop for him to struggle to get by .He starts gesticulating at me at which point I suggest to gets out and we discuss the highway code in a civalised way thankfully he decided to proceed on his way .So now I'm wound up again .On with the ride out to Belton ,Shepshed then turned for home along Charley rd got passed by three riders so I tagged along for a bit of a break form the wind and a bit of chat they were headed the same way as me so I had a bit of company for a couple of miles .but I got the feeling I wasn't entirely welcome so as I took a turn on the front and I don't think I upped the pace I became aware I was dropped them are well I just rode at my pace and was on my own again. Up Beacon hill the easy way then the fast descent into Quorn topped 40mph on the downhill . Into Quorn ,Mountsorrel, Rothley ,Cropston and Home .35.1 miles done in lovely conditions but I did not enjoy that ride I was still wound up when I got home over the hgvs but a coffee calmed me down
That's it till after xmas so merry Xmas everyone stay safe and hope Santa bring you everything you wish for.

I pressed like but I'm not sure I "liked" your stress.

 

[tallliman]

Day off work suns out so out with the bike .Off through Newtown Linford where I became aware of a lorry behind me nowhere to overtake so he stuck behind He get a chance and starts to overtake nice and wide approaching a chicane just as another car comes the other way and he starts pulling in brakes on next thing I am right next to the curb in an ever decrease gap the rear of the bin lorry passed me and it actually hit my shoulder but lucky I stayed upright if I hadnt braked I dread go think what would have happened . Well I was incensed and started chasing the lorry ,when he turned into the pub car park just ahead I followed got the reg and company number email sent . The driver took the safe option and stayed in his cab while I ranted and raved until I got bored .I not sure what would have happen if he got out as I had lost the plot . It takes a lot for me to lose it but being nearly squashed was enough. So on with the ride trying to calm down but not enjoying it I so nearly turned back but decided to carry on. On up Ulverscoft lane and up my favourite climb of Polly Botts lane and carried on at the top up Whitcroft lane then out to Oaks in Charnwood pass St Bernard's Abbey and into Whitwick along a road called the dumps and if anyone knows Whitwick its an apt name . Along the road to Shepshed with traffic calming and priority flows approaching a pinch point where I have right of way two cars decide to dive through which was just about OK but then the HGV behind them decided he was coming through making me stop . I stopped in a nice awkward stop for him to struggle to get by .He starts gesticulating at me at which point I suggest to gets out and we discuss the highway code in a civalised way thankfully he decided to proceed on his way .So now I'm wound up again .On with the ride out to Belton ,Shepshed then turned for home along Charley rd got passed by three riders so I tagged along for a bit of a break form the wind and a bit of chat they were headed the same way as me so I had a bit of company for a couple of miles .but I got the feeling I wasn't entirely welcome so as I took a turn on the front and I don't think I upped the pace I became aware I was dropped them are well I just rode at my pace and was on my own again. Up Beacon hill the easy way then the fast descent into Quorn topped 40mph on the downhill . Into Quorn ,Mountsorrel, Rothley ,Cropston and Home .35.1 miles done in lovely conditions but I did not enjoy that ride I was still wound up when I got home over the hgvs but a coffee calmed me down
That's it till after xmas so merry Xmas everyone stay safe and hope Santa bring you everything you wish for.

I've often encountered some iffy driving down that way especially on Joe Moores lane!

Good 44 miles for me yesterday. Mainly around the flattish lands north of loughborough with a spin up Castle Donnington hill into the headwind toward the end. 92 miles of my holiday aim of 200 complete.

 

[Dave 123]

The boy wonder and myself have been the culinary dream team this morning, a harvest in' an a cookin'. So after I picked up Mrs Dave from work he and I went out for a quick 10 mile spin around the Bourn loop.
Blinding sunlight and strong winds made most of the ride feel somewhat unpleasant in parts, but I feel so much better for doing it!

https://www.strava.com/activities/455578026

 

[arranandy]

Cheeky wee 32 miles this morning. Pretty windy and then the rain came on about 7 miles from home. Luckily I had a tailwind at this point. Planning a pre Christmas dinner ride tomorrow as well

 

[Old jon]

It was raining this morning when I set off for a ride. Not heavily raining but enough for wet weather gear on. I had a vague idea of heading towards Otley, odd how a more or less repeat route does not bore me, I reckon I enjoy the exercise. I removed jacket and cap when I reached Viaduct Road, the weather the wind was going to bring was dry as far as I could see. But I have been fooled before.

When I crossed the Ring Road I did not fancy the rest of the slog up to the back of the airport, the wind was to my left front, sod it, stick to the main road. As I approached the Dyneley Arms the bike wanted to turn right :-



So I did. Along to Otley and a most welcome munch by the riverside

The wind was extremely cold, so shortly after taking a pic or two off I rode home. Twenty nine miles happily ridden.