GrumpyGregry
Here for rides.
The usual 2.3km interrupted by a large, as in thousands, crowd of stoned and/or drunken Danes, in Vesterbro for Day Two of Distortion, a festival of stone drunken dancing to really, really bad dance music.
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
Other than my commute to work on the boy wonders cyclo cross bike I got another ride in....
Mrs Dave picked me up from work, so bike in car and off to Hinchingbrook hospital for her eye appointment. She was having dilating drops, so I was there to drive her home. But I wasn't sitting in a waiting room...
Out of the hospital and into Hinchingbrook park, past ponds, half term families and buttercups. I had to stop to put my gloves on. It's been crap all week!
I then found myself going under the A14 and popping out at Huntingdon racecourse. I wasn't quite expecting that!
In to Brampton I went, then out the other side, over the A1 bridge. After a few minutes I found myself in Grafham. After a few yards I was onto a nice quiet off road section, past the camp site and a few farms. House Martins and Swallows skimming over the water. A Reed Bunting flew up in front of me, followed by 2 Goldfinch. I had good visibility so kept the speed up, rattling along the bouncy path before a sharpish right turn up into some woods. For the next few miles it gets quite twisty, but you need to watch your speed as there are usually lots of young kids about on foot and on bikes. It was remarkably quiet today.
At the southern end I stopped briefly for a picture...
Sunny eh?
The next section of the ride goes through a couple of car parks for the boat club, then you skirt the road before more off road below the southern dyke.
On the Tarmac area there were 6 lads about 11 years old perfecting or attempting their skids. I heard one say "it doesn't matter what I do, I can't skid..."
I stopped in Grafham cycles to pick up a couple of tubes and then rode the remainder of the track back to Grafham, then back to the hospital a different way.
I got back to find someone wearing 3, yes THREE pairs of dark glasses.
It turns out she's got lazy muscles in each eye. I told her she had plenty in other parts of her body...
A nice 20 mile spin for a Thursday afternoon
http://www.strava.com/activities/596194337/segments/14517347332
^^^ it looks like a unicycle!
Mrs Dave picked me up from work, so bike in car and off to Hinchingbrook hospital for her eye appointment. She was having dilating drops, so I was there to drive her home. But I wasn't sitting in a waiting room...
Out of the hospital and into Hinchingbrook park, past ponds, half term families and buttercups. I had to stop to put my gloves on. It's been crap all week!
I then found myself going under the A14 and popping out at Huntingdon racecourse. I wasn't quite expecting that!
In to Brampton I went, then out the other side, over the A1 bridge. After a few minutes I found myself in Grafham. After a few yards I was onto a nice quiet off road section, past the camp site and a few farms. House Martins and Swallows skimming over the water. A Reed Bunting flew up in front of me, followed by 2 Goldfinch. I had good visibility so kept the speed up, rattling along the bouncy path before a sharpish right turn up into some woods. For the next few miles it gets quite twisty, but you need to watch your speed as there are usually lots of young kids about on foot and on bikes. It was remarkably quiet today.
At the southern end I stopped briefly for a picture...
Sunny eh?
The next section of the ride goes through a couple of car parks for the boat club, then you skirt the road before more off road below the southern dyke.
On the Tarmac area there were 6 lads about 11 years old perfecting or attempting their skids. I heard one say "it doesn't matter what I do, I can't skid..."
I stopped in Grafham cycles to pick up a couple of tubes and then rode the remainder of the track back to Grafham, then back to the hospital a different way.
I got back to find someone wearing 3, yes THREE pairs of dark glasses.
It turns out she's got lazy muscles in each eye. I told her she had plenty in other parts of her body...
A nice 20 mile spin for a Thursday afternoon
http://www.strava.com/activities/596194337/segments/14517347332
^^^ it looks like a unicycle!
redvision95
Proffesional Biskit Eater Upper
- Location
- The Biscuit Tin
Went for a little ride with a group of guys who happen to all have some sort of physical disability, Most on trikes and a few on uprights.
Nice easy 12 miles in total, Sandwell valley and back.
Bitsabike performed nicely. The worst looking bike there
Saw a bond bug on the way back
Im completely nackered, Havent ridden in a LONG time. Need to get back in the saddle more regularly and start getting the miles in
Was a nice few hours out with good company, a lot of banter and plenty of me being overtaken by trikes
Nice easy 12 miles in total, Sandwell valley and back.
Bitsabike performed nicely. The worst looking bike there
Saw a bond bug on the way back
Im completely nackered, Havent ridden in a LONG time. Need to get back in the saddle more regularly and start getting the miles in
Was a nice few hours out with good company, a lot of banter and plenty of me being overtaken by trikes
gavgav
Legendary Member
Cyclechat has awarded me a trophy for being on here 4 years today and so seems apt that I got out for a ride after work in the stunning sunshine.
Quite a breeze from the north and therefore fairly slow going up to Harlescott, through Sundorne and out to Uffington and Upton Magna. Climbed up East Haughmond and then took the 1st right down the fast descent and back round to Upton Magna. With the wind behind me it was much quicker to Atcham, where there was a wedding after party going on at the Mytton & Mermaid Hotel. 2 stunning young ladies were taking a breather from it, on the bridge, which caused me to wobble a bit as I cycled past them in their summer attire
.
Anyway, back to cycling and the climb up to Betton Abbots and back home, where the council have FINALLY re painted the cycle lane on the busy Oteley Rd, which had completely faded, despite them responding to my recent complaint with an e-mail saying they wouldn't do it due to ongoing developments in the area!
View towards Haughmond Hill
18.7 miles at 12.1 mph avg
Quite a breeze from the north and therefore fairly slow going up to Harlescott, through Sundorne and out to Uffington and Upton Magna. Climbed up East Haughmond and then took the 1st right down the fast descent and back round to Upton Magna. With the wind behind me it was much quicker to Atcham, where there was a wedding after party going on at the Mytton & Mermaid Hotel. 2 stunning young ladies were taking a breather from it, on the bridge, which caused me to wobble a bit as I cycled past them in their summer attire
.Anyway, back to cycling and the climb up to Betton Abbots and back home, where the council have FINALLY re painted the cycle lane on the busy Oteley Rd, which had completely faded, despite them responding to my recent complaint with an e-mail saying they wouldn't do it due to ongoing developments in the area!
View towards Haughmond Hill
18.7 miles at 12.1 mph avg
Racing roadkill
Guru
https://www.strava.com/activities/596372160
I took the new bike for a Metric Ton.
Track pump beside the cycle parking at Fareham Halfords, I've not seen that before, very handy.
Feckin eejit.
Lovely view from Portsdown hill.
Mmmmm beer.
New bike.
Nice day, and a Metric ton to boot.
I took the new bike for a Metric Ton.
Track pump beside the cycle parking at Fareham Halfords, I've not seen that before, very handy.
Feckin eejit.
Lovely view from Portsdown hill.
Mmmmm beer.
New bike.
Nice day, and a Metric ton to boot.
- Location
- Egham
Very early morn commute home for me this morning. Nice to find the wind hadn't abated at 0300hrs, and that strong northerly was now pushing me home in the light rain. Nice to ride in the dark again, must get out earlier in the Summer months to do a bit more.
Managed a 5th place overall on Strava, largely unconvinced as it reckons I was doing 40.3mph, on the flat, on a fully loaded commuter Mind you, the first place guy was doing 80mph
Commute in tonight in the van, sitting in traffic with all the other motons, carp...
Managed a 5th place overall on Strava, largely unconvinced as it reckons I was doing 40.3mph, on the flat, on a fully loaded commuter
Mind you, the first place guy was doing 80mphCommute in tonight in the van, sitting in traffic with all the other motons, carp...
Glow worm
Legendary Member
- Location
- Near Newmarket
Looks great. I can't believe that photo was taken today and in the same country as here. Over this way we're beginning to think the sun's gone out of business!
gavgav
Legendary Member
The cloud cleared around lunchtime and it's been a fabulous afternoon. Much better than the initial forecast suggested!
DCLane
Found in the Yorkshire hills ...
- Location
- Dewsbury, West Yorkshire
Not that I'd recommend riding so far only 5 weeks after breaking 6 ribs but I completed the Coast-to-Coast with my 11 year-old son today:
Tuesday - We took the train to Workington and rode 31 miles to Keswick for the evening ( https://www.strava.com/activities/594175528 ). It seemed to make sense as it helped alleviate the long ride to Alston and would make a nice introduction for him. What we hadn't counted on was the Workington route around Whinlatter being shut which meant a long detour and going up Whinlatter itself
. The Youth Hostel at Keswick was fine even if they're not fully open yet after the floods there.
Wednesday - Keswick to Alston - 47 miles. Breakfast at 'Laura in the Lakes' (expensive but nice) in Keswick set us up for a good day's riding. We went up to Castlerigg standing stones due to the usual C2C route not being open. Then through Greystoke (good café!) to Alston. Hartside was cold and misty with a strong headwind but we all made it up, albeit slowly: https://www.strava.com/activities/595081832 Overnight was at Highfields, Alston - decent accommodation, a lovely welcome and brilliant food
Thursday - Alston to Sunderland - 65 miles and my youngest's first metric century. Up Nenthead (cold), with a lovely stop at the Hemmel café in Rookhope. Then slowly up Crawleyside but neither him nor myself stopped. We then took the long route down to Sunderland with a stop by the beach before the train home: https://www.strava.com/activities/596243202
And my injuries? Fine. No major issues but no telling the doctor or she'll be
My youngest's happy. He found some bits tough going but made it through without issue. Next up for him? He's got an Under 12's race in Nottingham on Saturday but we've been talking about riding some audaxes later this year.
Tuesday - We took the train to Workington and rode 31 miles to Keswick for the evening ( https://www.strava.com/activities/594175528 ). It seemed to make sense as it helped alleviate the long ride to Alston and would make a nice introduction for him. What we hadn't counted on was the Workington route around Whinlatter being shut which meant a long detour and going up Whinlatter itself
. The Youth Hostel at Keswick was fine even if they're not fully open yet after the floods there.
Wednesday - Keswick to Alston - 47 miles. Breakfast at 'Laura in the Lakes' (expensive but nice) in Keswick set us up for a good day's riding. We went up to Castlerigg standing stones due to the usual C2C route not being open. Then through Greystoke (good café!) to Alston. Hartside was cold and misty with a strong headwind but we all made it up, albeit slowly: https://www.strava.com/activities/595081832 Overnight was at Highfields, Alston - decent accommodation, a lovely welcome and brilliant food
Thursday - Alston to Sunderland - 65 miles and my youngest's first metric century. Up Nenthead (cold), with a lovely stop at the Hemmel café in Rookhope. Then slowly up Crawleyside but neither him nor myself stopped. We then took the long route down to Sunderland with a stop by the beach before the train home: https://www.strava.com/activities/596243202
And my injuries? Fine. No major issues but no telling the doctor or she'll be
My youngest's happy. He found some bits tough going but made it through without issue. Next up for him? He's got an Under 12's race in Nottingham on Saturday but we've been talking about riding some audaxes later this year.
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
Second ride today. This time with the boys in the Forest. 22 in the peloton this evening. We rode steadily with chat flowing. Unusually we climbed from Murrell's End to descend to Maisemore. On the climb to Woolridge Tim punctured. Nice little break that provided. As we rounded by Tirley the pace was increasing. Ken called an easing of the pace as we climbed the ramp to Upleadon. From Newent the pace was getting pretty hot again. I thought I knew which route we were taking to get back but I was wrong. Pope's Hill was the change and steeply tough it was too. All good in the end with quite a high average pace as I rolled up with Stubbsy at GV HQ.
GrumpyGregry
Here for rides.
Hmmm. Broken glass from beer bottles all the way from Fisketorvet to Det Ny Teater. And lots of bikes left overnight in my usual bike parking place. Distortion has a lot to answer for.
Last edited:
Stonechat
Guru
- Location
- Staines, Middlesex
Being a bit lower than ususal on miles and bike time this week, went out this afternoon.
Mrs S feeling below par this morning, so delayed until this afternoon when she was out
So just blasted around some local familiar roads
13.38 miles at 18.8 mph
Did not go far enough to encounter any hills so only 154 ft climbed
https://www.strava.com/activities/597110164
Still get the blood flowing and feel better for it
Roll on club run on Sunday
Mrs S feeling below par this morning, so delayed until this afternoon when she was out
So just blasted around some local familiar roads
13.38 miles at 18.8 mph
Did not go far enough to encounter any hills so only 154 ft climbed
https://www.strava.com/activities/597110164
Still get the blood flowing and feel better for it
Roll on club run on Sunday
All this evolution humanity has done, but inanimate objects still defeat me. Those of a sensitive cycling disposition should maybe skip the tale of woe in the next paragraph.
So, yesterday I set off on what was intended to be a scenic ride around some of the good bits of West Yorkshire. Intended route stretched as far as Spofforth via a few of the narrower roads in between there and Leeds. About thirty six miles or so. I did eight. Crossed Crown Point Bridge, through the lights, and flat tyre. No problem really, plenty of room by the railway viaduct, fifteen minutes later and I am digging a bit of beer bottle glass out of the back tyre. Spare tube slightly inflated, fitted, tyre bead nicely in place and wheel back in. Set off happily enough and half a mile on, all by itself, the rear changer did exactly that, changed gear. Badly. OK, this last few days it has not been its usual accurate self. By the time I had reached Gledhow Valley Road I had slightly meddled with the thing three or four times and realised it was not going to fix at the side of the road, so home I went, picking up another flat at the end of our street. The gear changing problem turned out to be a severely frayed cable at the lever end, I have had the bike less than a year and it is the first time I’ve looked at it. Replaced both cable and rear tyre. What fun !
End of miserable bit. Today, with some trepidation, off I pedalled again in a similar direction, Oakwood Clock, top of Boot Hill and turn right for Thorner. Take the road out to East Rigton and drop down to Collingham, turn right and right again to ride out along Wattle Syke
and left at the roundabout for Wetherby, where I stopped for a sandwich and decided Spofforth could manage without me today. So back I rode to the A 58 and treated myself to a ‘lets go faster’ howl down Boot Hill. In all, 30.8 miles in less breezy conditions than recent days. No gremlins, but some fine adjustments will be needed on the rear changer, or maybe my right hand?
And the magic map :--
So, yesterday I set off on what was intended to be a scenic ride around some of the good bits of West Yorkshire. Intended route stretched as far as Spofforth via a few of the narrower roads in between there and Leeds. About thirty six miles or so. I did eight. Crossed Crown Point Bridge, through the lights, and flat tyre. No problem really, plenty of room by the railway viaduct, fifteen minutes later and I am digging a bit of beer bottle glass out of the back tyre. Spare tube slightly inflated, fitted, tyre bead nicely in place and wheel back in. Set off happily enough and half a mile on, all by itself, the rear changer did exactly that, changed gear. Badly. OK, this last few days it has not been its usual accurate self. By the time I had reached Gledhow Valley Road I had slightly meddled with the thing three or four times and realised it was not going to fix at the side of the road, so home I went, picking up another flat at the end of our street. The gear changing problem turned out to be a severely frayed cable at the lever end, I have had the bike less than a year and it is the first time I’ve looked at it. Replaced both cable and rear tyre. What fun !
End of miserable bit. Today, with some trepidation, off I pedalled again in a similar direction, Oakwood Clock, top of Boot Hill and turn right for Thorner. Take the road out to East Rigton and drop down to Collingham, turn right and right again to ride out along Wattle Syke
and left at the roundabout for Wetherby, where I stopped for a sandwich and decided Spofforth could manage without me today. So back I rode to the A 58 and treated myself to a ‘lets go faster’ howl down Boot Hill. In all, 30.8 miles in less breezy conditions than recent days. No gremlins, but some fine adjustments will be needed on the rear changer, or maybe my right hand?
And the magic map :--
The sun was shining and the NW winds had reduced slightly from yesterday. A ride down to Chester and back seemed a good idea. There were plenty of cyclists out, making the most of the sunshine and I believe Sunday is going to be even warmer.
View: https://www.strava.com/activities/597018863/embed/2ccf6fd6cbae6a113e03d998f76f2b5836b283a6
Chester canal
The work horse
River Dee cycle path with Ferry Lane Bridge
View: https://www.strava.com/activities/597018863/embed/2ccf6fd6cbae6a113e03d998f76f2b5836b283a6
Chester canal
The work horse
River Dee cycle path with Ferry Lane Bridge
gavgav
Legendary Member
Fantastic! Well done bothNot that I'd recommend riding so far only 5 weeks after breaking 6 ribs but I completed the Coast-to-Coast with my 11 year-old son today:
Tuesday - We took the train to Workington and rode 31 miles to Keswick for the evening ( https://www.strava.com/activities/594175528 ). It seemed to make sense as it helped alleviate the long ride to Alston and would make a nice introduction for him. What we hadn't counted on was the Workington route around Whinlatter being shut which meant a long detour and going up Whinlatter itself
Wednesday - Keswick to Alston - 47 miles. Breakfast at 'Laura in the Lakes' (expensive but nice) in Keswick set us up for a good day's riding. We went up to Castlerigg standing stones due to the usual C2C route not being open. Then through Greystoke (good café!) to Alston. Hartside was cold and misty with a strong headwind but we all made it up, albeit slowly: https://www.strava.com/activities/595081832 Overnight was at Highfields, Alston - decent accommodation, a lovely welcome and brilliant food
Thursday - Alston to Sunderland - 65 miles and my youngest's first metric century. Up Nenthead (cold), with a lovely stop at the Hemmel café in Rookhope. Then slowly up Crawleyside but neither him nor myself stopped. We then took the long route down to Sunderland with a stop by the beach before the train home: https://www.strava.com/activities/596243202
And my injuries? Fine. No major issues but no telling the doctor or she'll be
My youngest's happy. He found some bits tough going but made it through without issue. Next up for him? He's got an Under 12's race in Nottingham on Saturday but we've been talking about riding some audaxes later this year.
