Your ride today....

[PeteXXX]

Well... I popped out for a ride about half an hour before the clocks went forward to see what would happen!
I was expecting a rift in the time/space continuum at the very least! The time ticked over from 00:59 straight to 02:00!
No flashing lights or ziggy zags of ethereal power flashing across the heavens...
I was a tad disappointed to be honest. Not even the Garmin or Strava seemed to bother

Still, I did have a great night ride, with the few cars that were out giving me loads of space, and slowing down as they passed, probably wondering who was out riding at this time of night.

This is the bird that was after my ice cream a week or so ago! Caught it napping this time

A startled swan..

Not a long ride, but most enjoyable!

18 dark miles, wondering what Strava would make of the time change..

https://www.strava.com/activities/527756176

 

[SteveF]

A ride out to visit mum in Romford, not the most scenic of rides but 53km is 53km and it all adds to the fitness levels!!

Very blustery out there today and quite a few showers, that said, I managed to ride between them and hardly got caught in the rain, it absolutely hammered it down while I was having a cuppa and a digestive at mums, the sky was black and the rain was stinging the windows, so I count myself lucky not to have been out in that shower!

https://www.strava.com/activities/528072661

 

[Donger]

Sunday club ride time again. Knew I was liable to be holding up the peloton on the hills, so didn't take the camera today - which was a shame, as there was a fantastic view of the shining River Severn from the top of Plump Hill near the wonderfully named "The Wilderness". On paper this was a bit of a brutal route. For me, a tad over 45 miles heading out into the wind and up, up and up some more to the top of the Forest of Dean, before looping around, whizzing back downhill and being blown back along the vale towards Gloucester at between 20-25mph for about 7 miles at one point. Exhilarating. Just a shame the last 3 miles were straight into the headwind from hell (actually the early rumblings of Storm Kate).

Stayed dry, despite the doom-laden weather forecast. As I type this, the heaviest hail I can remember for years has just started to batter my living room window, so it was a narrow escape. Great company today, (9 of us in all, including @Frazzle, who was a gent as usual, offering encouragement to those of us at the back and pretending not to want to go any faster anyway). I think @Dark46 must have had alarm clock/British Summer Time issues as there was no sign of him! That was my 60th club ride since joining in the Summer of 2014, and quite possibly my favourite ever. Testing conditions and truly testing hills, but a great time was had by all. Wishing you all the same good luck with the weather, Cheers, Donger.

 

[Old jon]

The weather this morning looked pretty brilliant, compared to the forecast. A bit breezy, I thought. I also thought Otley but without any particular route. The average Holbeck three sides to get to the last but one lock on the Leeds and Liverpool canal and along the towpath to Viaduct Road. The first bit of the video starts there. Cardigan Road is still uphill, I was vaguely surprised to see all the shops shut along North Lane, and a bit of a gathering outside the Methodist chapel at the end. Yup, I remembered what day it was. Anyway, the long climb to Lawnswood school, across the Ring Road and after a hundred yards or so bear right onto Otley Old Road.



The video ends just after the left turn towards Otley, I carried straight on to Bramhope, a left by St Giles' to point towards Otley and a right turn by the Dynely Arms for that wonderful drop down Pool Bank, turning left at the bottom to aim at Otley again. I got there just as the rain arrived, superb timing as ever, found a bit of shelter to vanish a sandwich in comfort and then the weather stopped. No further hint needed, I pedalled off up the Leeds road and except for a detour through Kirkstall took the direct route home to total 30.6 miles for the day. Its persistently raining now, glad I am indoors.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Showers today. So I dodged them. Wind was a struggle out over the common again but it got easier as I turned over the Marsh. The River is back to normal lowish levels and the bluebells are beginning to show along The Rampings. First chiffcaffs of the year I heard today. Not sure it's idyllic Spring weather but they sang happily enough. As I was putting the bike away a heavy downpour hit. So I did really dodge the showers and got some (34) smiles in.

 

[cyberknight]

I just had to make the most of today`s weather given this weekends forecast ....

A nice 50 km ride on the roadie http://www.strava.com/activities/526312819 followed up with a 22 km night ride on the mtb with a pal http://www.strava.com/activities/526662299

Make hay while the sun shines

Did you get out ? Yesterday was a 45 min turbo interval session and today the wind blew our rotary washing line over .

 

[NorthernDave]

The forecast for today wasn't brilliant, promising showers and "breezy" winds, but I had a word with myself and got out on the road bike.

For a bit of variation I headed up Coal Road, then Skeltons Lane and down to Thorner. Through the village and took Milner Lane rather than the obvious route up the hill, looping round onto Thorner Lane where I had a bum clenching moment on discovering a bit of mud in road in the dip when I was powering on. The bike had a bit of a squirm under me but thanks to my excellent bikemanship (or good luck, you choose ) I stayed upright and carried on without incident. Mr Garmin says I hit 33.6 mph through there, so that could have been interesting had it turned out differently...
Anyhow, onwards and down to almsot Bramham, before a left onto West Woods Road and the up and down road to Wattlesyke Roundabout, making good progress still.
Round the roundabout and stayed on the road down to Wetherby, topping out at 37.5 mph, over the bridge and left for the road to Spofforth. Up the hill where I had the only poor pass of the day from a numpty in an Astra with front and rear dashcams...at least he'll be able to look at how close he was when he got home.
Into Spofforth, where I added a quick run up to the Castle for a drink and a photo:

Back on the bike and back through the village, then over the causeway and right for the lane to North Deighton, then right towards Kirk Deighton, where the church bells were ringing and half the village seemed to be out, then down the hill into Wetherby.
It was here than the tailwind that had been assisting really made itself felt as it became a head wind for the first time.
Through the town and left on Horsefair between Morrisons and M&S passing a couple of people who seemed bemused to find the shops shut...
Then out over the A1(M) and past the racecourse - passing mile 20 on the ride my average speed was still over 16 mph giving an idea how windy it was.
Right down to Thorp Arch village with the wind fully in my face on the open sections. As I approached the single lane bridge over the Wharf to Boston Spa a bus caught up with me but fair play to the driver he not only hung back and let me clear the bridge (and climb the other side), but waited to let a group of cyclists heading the other way clear the downhill section. Thumbs up to another excellent driver from Harrogate and District
Left at the top and then a right towards Clifford, before the fast downhill run to Bramham, tempered slightly by the headwind. In Bramham I turned right and looped round the opposite way to usual, before stopping at the bench just before the A1(M) bridge for a drink, some Haribo Tangfastic and a photo:

Looks nice doesn't it? A couple of pensioners were sat on the bench when I stopped, but I made them move so I could take the photo (no, not really...what kind of person do you think I am? )
Anyway, refreshed and back in the saddle it was over the bridge and back to Thorner via the dip at Wothersome, before battling the headwind all the way up the steady climb to the top of Church Hill and the plunge down into Thorner.
A slower than usual run up Main Street, then the long climb out of Thorner where I was at least sheltered from the wind, before a run down Skeltons Lane, onto Coal Road and then local roads to home.

32.63 miles (52.51 km) in 2 hrs 16 m at an average of 14.4 mph with 1879 ft climbed.
A decent Sunday morning ride, especially as I almost didn't go. Glad I did though. I just need to figure out a route where I'm not coming back into a headwind...
With other stuff planned for tomorrow and a busy, busy week at work that's almost certainly my last ride of March - and my last before the Vale Vélo next weekend...

Lots of other cyclists out, including a few tandems and a first for me - a tandem with a tag-along bike on the back .

 

[cosmicbike]

Weather couldn't make it's mind up today, and I set off in the cold. Needless to say the sun came out, and after 5 miles the sleeves were rolled up. Couple of miles later, partway up Callow Hill, I hit the March climbing target of 4,500m which I'm really quite pleased about. Not easy to do locally without repeating the same hills which I'm now bored with. It also started raining at the same point...
Stopped for a photo on the way home which I won't upload as my laptop is having a hissy fit.
12 miles, short and sweet.
Looking forward to a flatter ride tomorrow.

 

[13 rider]

Up early this morning despite losing an hour . Weather forecast was ok ish this morning but getting worst . As I'm getting ready suns out and looks lovely by the time I get out sun gone and grey sky's . Plotted a route out into the headwind to the rolling terrain and hedgerows of northwest Leicestershire and tailwind back .Through Newtown Linford and up the drag that's Markfield lane into a headwind was hard work. Heading out to Thornton reservoir headwind all the way . I always find it demotivating going out into a headwind but battle on down over the dam and climb out the otherside Into Bagworth and out into the open countryside being sheltered by the hedgerows .Into Oddstone and Congerstone into Market Bosworth and turn for home. Typically I as far away from home and it starts to rain thankfully just a few spots . Now a tailwind for 2 miles into Newbold Vernon and I'm flying . Turn to Kirby Mallery to add some distance so back to a headwind into the village and I come across a local running race spend the next two miles dodging hundreds of runners until their finish at Desford . Got accused of cheating a couple of times . Coming out the village I passed 2 club riders on a climb And I thought they going to get me for this . Out of the village a lovely long straight when I was suddenly passed by the 2 riders just managed to grab there wheel and had a nice tow for a mile did do a turn on the front but they were a bit quick for me managed to hang on through Ratby where I turned off and settled back into my pace though Groby and Newtown Linford and Home 34.2 miles done at 15.2mph and 1400 ft of climbing on mainly rolling terrain .Then off to sisters for dinner were we sat in the conservatory in glorious sunshine typical ! . but an hour later it hails like mad so forecast was about right .

 

[Katherine]

https://www.strava.com/activities/527209085

The weather wasn't as bad as predicted, so I took a couple of social riders on a Skyride social today.

It's a route I've been tweaking for a while, from Southampton, down to Romsey, out to Winchester, and back to Southampton. I put in as many little country lanes, hills and general nice scenery as possible. It seemed to work.

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It was quite nice.

looks a lovely route.

 

[Diggs]

The hardest 28 miles I've ever done. Clifcross round Hebden Bridge. Sun, lashing rain, hail, cobbles, soul sapping hills.
Kudos to Emma Osenton for organising

 

[Oldfentiger]

Weather looked better than was forecast, so thought about a ride. Mebbe somewhere I hadn't ridden to before.
I know....... Todmorden.
Fought my way out of our valley, south on the A6068 and onto the Padiham Greenway. What a pain.... Everyone's out with there brats and dogs, and they're all blummin deaf!
On towards Todmorden.
Jeez that was tough! Grinding up the hills, ably hindered by an enthusiastic wind. I was motivated by the fact that the wind would be up my chuff on the way back.
Egg n bacon roll in the Bridge cafe, opposite the market.
Made it back ok, with only a few minor soakings, but I was about done for when I rode back into our drive.
36.5 miles. 3000ft climbed.

https://www.strava.com/activities/528104187

 

[Racing roadkill]

looks a lovely route.

It's a cracker, it goes up out through Braishfield, and into Winchester via the back routes by Sparsholt, and down into Winchester via Chilbolton Avenue, then returns via the back roads out towards Morestead and Owslebury, then the back routes at Upham, and finishes up down by the Victoria country park, Weston, Woolston and finally over the Itchen bridge, which is massively , when you get 60 mph side gusts.

 

[Billy Wizz]

The weather this morning looked pretty brilliant, compared to the forecast. A bit breezy, I thought. I also thought Otley but without any particular route. The average Holbeck three sides to get to the last but one lock on the Leeds and Liverpool canal and along the towpath to Viaduct Road. The first bit of the video starts there. Cardigan Road is still uphill, I was vaguely surprised to see all the shops shut along North Lane, and a bit of a gathering outside the Methodist chapel at the end. Yup, I remembered what day it was. Anyway, the long climb to Lawnswood school, across the Ring Road and after a hundred yards or so bear right onto Otley Old Road.



The video ends just after the left turn towards Otley, I carried straight on to Bramhope, a left by St Giles' to point towards Otley and a right turn by the Dynely Arms for that wonderful drop down Pool Bank, turning left at the bottom to aim at Otley again. I got there just as the rain arrived, superb timing as ever, found a bit of shelter to vanish a sandwich in comfort and then the weather stopped. No further hint needed, I pedalled off up the Leeds road and except for a detour through Kirkstall took the direct route home to total 30.6 miles for the day. Its persistently raining now, glad I am indoors.

In the second shot it sounds like your front mech needs a tweek, my next buy is one of them cameras, any recommendations.

 

[Katherine]

It's a cracker, it goes up out through Braishfield, and into Winchester via the back routes by Sparsholt, and down into Winchester via Chilbolton Avenue, then returns via the back roads out towards Morestead and Owslebury, then the back routes at Upham, and finishes up down by the Victoria country park, Weston, Woolston and finally over the Itchen bridge, which is massively , when you get 60 mph side gusts.

One day..... I'm going to bring my bike down to my parents!