Your ride today....

[Polite]

In Brighton there's a hill, Bear Road, that was used in the Tour of England race a couple of years ago, so today I stayed local and rode approximately 23 miles including Bear Rd. It was mainly to see how unfit I am and the answer is; reasonably so, given the effort to get up there compared to the last time I did it. More of the same over the next few weeks, I think. Nice view from the top when I got there.

.

 

[ianrauk]

Another month and another 100+ miler for the Imperial Century a Month Challenge. 6 months in already. Half the year done and dusted.Time flies when you are having fun.

So, I met @martint235 at 7.30am on a nondescript roundabout in Orpington. We were off to Herne Bay on the north Kent coast for a nice big, fat, gut busting, calorie laden English Brekkie. The weather was overcast but nice and mild for the time of morning. I got Martin grumpy nice and early in the ride by suggesting we go via Stonehouse Lane, a 12%er to get the blood flowing.

The pretty village of Aylesford.

The first half of the ride out is quite undulating as it follows the Pilgrim's Way on the North Downs. So plenty more ups and ups for Martin to Grumble about. The biggest grumble however was saved for the beast that is Hollingbourne Hill. A tough, long and quite steep climb up the Downs. It starts off pretty easy and just get's steeper and harder the higher you climb.

Martin cresting the beast.

From Hollingbourne it's a really nice 20 mile dowhnhill ramble through country lanes and villages all the way to Faversham. Passing many other cyclists and cycle clubs making the most of the warm weather.

We usually stop for lunch at Whitstable at the regular FNR haunt of the Seafront. An awesome, cyclist friendly cafe/bar with fantastic views over the sea. It's a bit hidden from the main Whitstable drag so it's never usually too busy, even on a lovely day like today.

However, Long martin had never been to Herne Bay or along the sea wall/promenade so as I'm not one to disappoint, that's what we would do today. 5 miles of bumpity bumpy bumpity bump. Paris Roubaix's cobbles has nothing on the sea wall. But it's worth it just for cycling along with the sea waves crashing next to you.

Just after Whitstable, after another climb, before hitting the sea wall to Herne Bay

Herne Bay in the distance

Long M trying to look happy at being at the seaside.

So once we got the bumpity bumpy bumps out of the way, we were in Herne Bay and it was time to visit Makcari's Ice Cream Parlour, bar and cafe. £5.99 for a full English Brekkie.. it was well deserved and didn't even touch the side. It was so impressive that I scoffed it all before remembering to take a pic.

Nevermind... no we didn't partake this time.

The return was a much different ride altogether. A wind assisted tailwind made for quick cycling and it was getting sunnier and much warmer.
Leaving Herne Bay.

We got back to Whitstable, once again using the Bumpity Bumoy Bump sea wall, and it was a case of following the classic FNR route back home. Not the nicest of routes but a pretty quick one. Only stopping at Upchurch for a water top up and a fab ice lolly for me.

So... a lovey ride, lovely weather, lovely tailwind and great company.. a few hills to test the legs and some nice furious downhills. Brilliant.

So Junes Century challenge ride is done.
120 of your imperial miles for the day.
Century # 14 for the year
Century # 180 over all.
And a fair few Eddington's added to the pot.

 

[Tin Pot]

2.25hrs 62km, max speed 65kph!

Bike, run, swim (cramp!), run, collapse, lemonade.

 

[TheDoctor]

A somewhat inadequate 12 miles or so here, via Gosmore and Preston in order to retrieve the car from Hitchin. The climb to Preston is a little character - building on the Brommie.

 

[gavgav]

Not being renowned for either riding over 75-80 miles or for hill climbing it was with some trepidation that I embarked on todays ride, the Medio Fondo Dragon Ride in Wales, 95 miles & more than a few hills to boot!

I went in with a plan just to take it easy & enjoy the day, which given the rather warm weather was certainly the correct decision. The first 6 miles or so were flat but the next 13 were going up including the first hill of the day, Bwich which I believe @Donger is planning on doing later in the year. This was a cracking climb, nice & consistent on a reasonable road surface offering some stunning views....
View attachment 130891
The down hill was fast & a nice rest-bite after an hour or so of going up & then it was on the the second hill, Rhigos mountain which was equally pleasant to go up & down & again offering superb views...
View attachment 130892
View attachment 130893
A welcome feed station on 36 miles allowed the water bottles to be filled & some tasty salty potatoes filled a gap before it was across some sheepy moorland & onto the final signature climb, The Devils Elbow, 1.1 miles at a 10% gradient. The warm weather was taking its toll now & more than a few walked it but I stuck it in the lowest gear & hauled myself up much to my delight. However, my joy was short lived as 3 miles further on cramp struck in my calf's quads & hamstrings despite me having already consumed over 3 litres of water & I had none left. Dumping the bike by the roadside I tried to stretch it out & as a last resort I took the one & only gel I was carrying & hey presto, success & I made it the next feed 4 miles down the road.

A litre was consumed there & then & both bottles refilled before the remaining 40 miles & a cat 3 & cat 4 climb to take us the finish & a much deserved medal!
View attachment 130900

95 miles, over 7,000 feet of climbing & a scorching hot day with over 6 litres of liquid taken on but it was fun & I may even do it again sometime!

https://www.strava.com/activities/599633296

Well done!

 

[mybike]

I have finally done 15 miles non stop. I know compared to most that is like little dawdle but to me it is huge! It was glorious. My average speed is coming up too. All round a good evening!

View attachment 130877 View attachment 130878 View attachment 130879

It's a good feeling.

 

[ianrauk]

I have finally done 15 miles non stop. I know compared to most that is like little dawdle but to me it is huge! It was glorious. My average speed is coming up too. All round a good evening!

View attachment 130877 View attachment 130878 View attachment 130879

Very well done.
We all had to start somewhere. When I got back into cycling 10 years or so back.. I used to do a loop of 10 miles and it damn near killed me the first few months.

 

[Goonerobes]

Well done! Sounds like an epic day. I'm only planning on a forty miler myself, doing the Bwlch and the Rhigos. I certainly recognise your second photo ... from the Bwlch looking towards Treorchy and the Rhondda Valley. That's the exact view that inspired me to do it. Off to the Alps again in September, and climbs like that one look like perfect training for it.

Thank you. Those climbs were the best part of the day & I'm sure you'll enjoy them if the weathers nice like today.

 

[EltonFrog]

Four Boris Bike rides today and a five mile run around Hyde Park.

You can hire a BB £2 for 24 hours in 30 minutes increments otherwise you get charge £2 for every 30 minutes. Confusing but it works.

Ride one was from Cromwell road to Green Park via the cycle lanes of Hyde Park, where we docked the bike after 25 mins and went for Lunch at Fortnum & Mason, lovely Welsh rarebit, Earl Grey tea and the an amazing Knickerbocker Glory, then back on a BB to The Royal Albert Hall for a matinee of Swan Lake. The docking station is outside the hall so after the show back on a bike down to Cromwell Road to collect our bags from the hotel, then another bike back to Kensington High Street, Hyde Park and to the last docking station at Queensway. Then the tube out of London. We had a smashing time. About 8 miles in all plus the running.

Hyde Park and round pond.

Waiting for the fragrant MrsP at Kensington High Street.

The rear of the Albert Memorial.

One of the docking stations.

Knickerbocker Glory & a Chocoholic Sundae.

Inside the Royal Albert hall.

 

[Stonechat]

Club ride today
Two destinations had been given, Farncombe and Compton, and Compton won out on the basis of the better tea/coffee room

Smaller numbers and we kept to a reasonable pace passing twice the club slower group that seems to have risen up (not that we are fast!!)

We went there via a cicuitous but familiar route via Chobham, Pribright, Seale, and Shackleford

Refreshments were had at the Watts Gallery Tea rooms and it was pleasant to be able to sit outside

We returned a more direct route via Guildford and it Chertsey arrived the same time as the slower group who had been elsewhere.

Garmin Vector looks as though it needs a new battery, the light should show d it not bright enough to see!
Also need to check battery in Cadence sensor

Anyway arrived back having 57.20 miles @ 15.8 mph
1955 feet climbed so a hilly route

https://www.strava.com/activities/599254520

 

[PeteXXX]

After totally insufficient sleep last night, a mate was calling to collect me and the Defy 2 at 04:00 to be in Norwich for our start time for the BHF Norwich 100 ride.

As it was, with an 07.05 start time, we were away, with the first bunch of riders at 06:45.
The first 40/45 miles were into a chilly northerly headwind. Nothing drastically bad, but enough for me to be glad I decided to keep my jacket on and wear a cap under my helmet.

At 40 miles, we topped up the water bottles at Holkham Hall. As we rode eastwards across the North Norfolk coast from there, it was a tad easier. We were planning on eating some chips in Sherringham, as we'd done in previous years, but they were all closed until midday! (we were there earlier this year apparently)

Never mind, we had an ice cream to keep the chill factor going. As luck would have it, as we chatted to the ice cream vendor, and mentioning our charity ride status, he didn't charge us for them! How good is that? He said the owner of the company was a keen cyclist and thought he'd be glad to help
There are some lovely people around

The rest of the ride was still in grey and breezy weather, but nothing like the incessant rain and wind of last years ride (Jeez, but that was miserable!) until we got within half a mile of the finish line. Obviously, the sun came out!

Raising a (free) glass (plastic) of Adnams Ghost Ship to toast the 100 miles.
As I was only on 99 and a bit miles as we got to the finish line, I just had to pop around the block to make it a Century, obviously!

Once we'd rode back to where we'd parked the car, we were on 102 miles. Quite happy with that for the day.

https://www.strava.com/activities/599544091



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The only caveat to the day was to see an ambulance attending an injured cyclist on about mile 99 on the way back into the city. It didn't look good
Back at the finish, I went to the organisers tent and had a conversation about what had happened, and I said that, at the exact same spot last year, the same thing had happened. As you ride from light into shade, on a downhill road, there are speed humps that are barely visible.
I will be contacting the organisers to make sure my message gets though!
Let's hope it doesn't happen again next year

 

[Diggs]

Where did that weekend go?
Missed the LBS ride after meeting a couple of old friends on Friday, went up to that London for the Nocturne (cracking racing, great atmosphere), so in a belated attempt to get our legs turning before the Orchid next week, and between our various domestic requirements , squeezed a quick cobweb blowing ride with my old school friend Dave

 

[Trickedem]

I had a great ride in Iceland this weekend. This was my June Century ride https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/the-imperial-century-a-month-challenge-chatzone.5611/post-4310326

 

[Gravity Aided]

7 miles again today, much the same as yesterday, a bit cooler and windier.
79F
27C
Winds NW21 G29(!)
Relative humidity 40%
Barometer 2978 and steady
Partly cloudy or mostly sunny, depending on how you look at it.

 

[Alex H]

Did come across a spoon....really not quite sure why !

Bob Budd’s ‘Eat for England’ - http://theculturetrip.com/europe/un...england-s-hidden-sculptures-you-need-to-find/