Your ride today....

[Richard A Thackeray]

Not a lot of time today, so only a shortie

Photographs are from my files, not taken today (some are from a 'route album', for the Ackworth Half-Marathon)

I'd already raced at one of my local ParkRuns (Nostell Priory)

Into Ackton, through North Featherstone cross-roads
Alongside Pontefract Golf Course, & past the stables/yard for Pontefract RaceCourse; http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/584021
Into Pontefract, itself
Along the road to Darrington, calling in Carleton, to drop a (belated) Club subs cheque, at the membership secretarys house
Passing the Observatory; http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/264896

Into Darrington itself, passing this house, that had a rather infamous owner; http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/232113
South, along Westfield Lane, that leads over to Wentbridge
Picture is looking north, towards Darrington; http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/233032

Just before the (present A1), it joins the 'old Great North Road', for a descent down the Cutting into Wentbridge (I usually ride up it)
A1, to the right of image


Down the Cutting (post 1840 road) http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2355374

Over the River Went, that is mentioned in Robyn Hode



Turning right, before the south cutting, towards the Barnsdale Bar Road (Pontefract - 'GNR'), & turning right onto it; http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2527909

A fast road, but reasonably lightly trafficked - we ran up here, as well as up Wentbridge (north) cutting, as part of the 'Ackworth Half-Marathon' route

Once East Hardwick was reached, it was off the fast roads, onto Station Road, leading back towards Low Ackworth



Heading back, past HundHill, passing the Rustic Arms; http://www.therusticarms.co.uk/about/

Back into Ackworth, & up Station Road, to join the Barnsley-Pontefract road, by the gorgeously built (1779) Quaker School; http://www.ackworthschool.com/
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3402817


Up to Ackworth Moortop (passing the club-house, that we - as Ackworth Road-Runners - use as a meeting point)
At Moortop, we swap the Barnsley - Pontefract road, for the Wakefield - Doncaster turn-pike
As evidenced by this lovely little marker, & a tollhouse, at Wragby roundabout

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2250225





At the roundabout, a right turn, onto Went Lane, back towards Purston (& Featherstone)
It was at this point, that a rider joined me
Due to the clothing, & dark glasses, I didn't recognise him at first
It was Mark, one of the Ackworth Road-Runners (& Featherstone Road Club, for the bike), who is also a very good triathlete, having placed top-10, in the ITU World Series round in Mexico this year!!!
He took some holding onto, even though, he was undoubtedly 'soft-pedalling', & allowing for a brief halt at the bridge on Went Lane, after passing Owlett Hall
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/244610
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4841540

We parted ways at Purston, he headed up the Wakefield - Pontefract Road
I rode back through Featherstone, & passed through Old Snydale; http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/241078

Home to tea & Fig Rolls...........

 

[Mrs M]

Wee toddle today on the Pashley for just under 2 hours, (all hail padded undershorts )
8 degrees but felt cooler, got the clothing spot on though
Been working every Saturday for a few weeks so being off today was great
Was a bit naughty and cycled listening to my iPod, volume was low though and drowned out at times by other sounds.
Sun was very low and really enjoyed cruising along, listening to my favourite tunes with the sun glistening through the trees, very relaxing
Only took one pic today, often take a wee short cut to avoid the traffic and someone's produced a lovely new sculpture.
My pic doesn't do it justice though

 

[Elybazza61]

Damp day for the club ride and only two other bods for the mods ride.

Still a good ride none the less and good progress was made with very few hold-ups and generally good driving around us, surprisingly quiet roads too.

After a nice Americano and mincemeat at the River tea rooms in St Ives slice it was off in now heavier rain for the ride home; the rain eased off but was back again on the run back from Earth to Haddenham and then to Whitchford.

Warm down back to and through Ely bought up 77kms for the ride.

https://www.strava.com/activities/798512487

 

[hondated]

Just updating on my progress since my fractured shoulder

I have now ditched the sling and willl start physio soon. Have not yet started on the turbo, but can see that before too long.

I had been planning on arranging n+1, have not started on this yet (want a bike fit) .
However I am now driving short distances. Just have to take it easy yet

Bob

Sounds like good progress Bob so pretty sure your be back out on the bike soon.

 

[cosmicbike]

I rode home from work this morning. It was warm, very warm, and I had to stop to remove a layer after a couple of miles.
I also rode into work tonight. It was wet. I didn't remove any layers or I would have been too. Happy to report the BTwin 700 overtrousers keep my legs dry.

 

[mybike]

Which Canal is that, i love Canals

Grand Union between Apsley and Berkhamsted, we've experienced a lot of house building alongside the canal recently.

 

[dim]

I was hoping to do a 100km ride today, but I had too many beers last night (plus a bit of port)

so, I planned a 60km route this morning. Started off well, then somewhere along the route I took a wrong turn. The road that I was travelling on looked interesting, so I continued with that and just rode at random. I ended up going through Audley end, then decided to set the Garmin to route me back home. I ended up only cycling 46km

An interesting route with some steep hills ....
https://www.strava.com/activities/799421034

 

[Dave 123]

Out on the tandem, dressed just right. We had to return home as someone (I won't mention who she is) had forgotten to powder her nose with chamois cream....

Off again and headed toward Bourn, a touch of a headwind. We were spooking up flocks of Redwing. Normally a flock of birds go in roughly the same direction, but Redwing seem to act like pool balls being smashed from pillar to post!

Just coming into The Gransdens I had to stop in a gateway for a moment, and I saw this little fella basking in the sun

Along through Waresley woods and a stop at the garden centre for half a caramel slice and half a shortbread each. The place was busy, Christmas trees flying out the door and fried breakfasts being troughed!

Down to Gamlingay and up the hill back to Little Gransden, my Buff had to come off.

There were plenty of buzzards about in this stretch and then flocks of fieldfare and mistle thrush foraging In the hedges.

A lovely ride, though I'm still feeling the effects of the chest infection I had in November.

26 mild miles.

https://www.strava.com/activities/799505904

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Nice winter's day today and there was a good turnout for the weather delayed Saturday ride. Jose B, Steve E, Rich B and me in the Green with Margaret P-R and John G at Upton. We took to the Castlemorton lanes where Steve picked the wrong lane bizarrely as we do these lanes all the time. I blame all the chatting that was going on. We corrected along the Tewkesbury road for Berrow and took the Redmarley, Bromsberrow Heath and Donnington route to Ledbury. Mrs Muffin was open so Coffee was a guarantee.

Jose told us of some epic bike rides in Spain. My appetite is whetted now so some Googling may have to be done. The group decided that a splinter would occur. Steve and Rich would head straight back over the Wyche while the 4 of us rode over Hollybush for the common to Welland. Margaret headed for home not long after while we three went by Hanley Swan for John to part for Worcester near Clevelode. Jose and I finished off up the Guarlford road having had a super ride in great company. Winter days don't get much better than this. 42 big smiles

 

[13 rider]

Today's target was a 50 miler to complete 2 years of 50km and 50mile rides per month . So latish start out at 10.00 . Decided to head out Market Bosworth way while out working last week I found a nice quite lane just outside Newton Burgoland to Shackerstone station called Derby lane was that's where I'm heading . Up through Newtown Linford ,Markfield ,Botcheston ,Odestone and into Newton Burgoland keeping my eye out for @guitarpete247 of that parish .Turned on to Derby lane steady downhill to start and then a couple of rollers before Shackerstone managed to keep it over 20 mph for the 2 miles lovely bit of road .Shackerstone ,Congerstone and heading to Market Bosworth approaching a junction passed to riders heading the other way a shout of Phil got my attention looked other and it's no other than @Lilliburlero so quick stop turn and have a nice chat with @Lilliburlero and his mate Paul . That's the 2nd time I bumped into them around Bosworth at least this time he knew who I was last time I slightly spooked him as I knew him but not vica versa . Were both about 15 miles from home so what are the chances of being on the same road at the same time twice ? .So back off again headed round the back of Market Bosworth water park .Far Coton caught another rider so chatting away until he turned off I headed up Ambion hill past the visitors centre and the in Sutton Cheney . Headed back to Market Bosworth then Newbold Vernon ,Bascote ,Kirby Mallery ,Desford ,Kirby Muxloe ,Ratby and Groby checking the milage and I was a bit short so plotted to ride out to Thurcaston for some extra miles . While crossing the A50 I caught 3 riders A Dad ,Son about 15 and Daughter about 12 all on road bikes the Dad got a Leicester Forest cycle club Jersey . Got chatting and theyed been on the club social ride and had done 50 miles and had 7 to go and they weren't exactly slowing me up . Apparently the kids and normally cx racing at weekends so they where a pretty good standard the Dad said his Daughter was showing signs of slowing but not to me. He then dropped into the conversation she's the English under 12 cx champion ride with them until I swung to Thurcaston and they went via Cropston went I looped back I passed them going the other way waved as I passed them. Back to Anstey with 52.2 miles in the bag so target achieved 2 years of a 50 km and 50m ride a month . Really nice ride with a nice chance meeting with @Lilliburlero and plenty of chatting with other riders made the miles pass quickly and still mild got the clothing right just a base layer and Jersey and just about right while riding

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Out on the tandem, dressed just right. We had to return home as someone (I won't mention who she is) had forgotten to powder her nose with chamois cream....

Off again and headed toward Bourn, a touch of a headwind. We were spooking up flocks of Redwing. Normally a flock of birds go in roughly the same direction, but Redwing seem to act like pool balls being smashed from pillar to post!

Just coming into The Gransdens I had to stop in a gateway for a moment, and I saw this little fella basking in the sun

View attachment 153985

Along through Waresley woods and a stop at the garden centre for half a caramel slice and half a shortbread each. The place was busy, Christmas trees flying out the door and fried breakfasts being troughed!

Down to Gamlingay and up the hill back to Little Gransden, my Buff had to come off.

There were plenty of buzzards about in this stretch and then flocks of fieldfare and mistle thrush foraging In the hedges.

A lovely ride, though I'm still feeling the effects of the chest infection I had in November.

26 mild miles.

https://www.strava.com/activities/799505904

I recognise a lot of those village names. Steeple Morden was a place I lived in for a while

 

[Dave 123]

I recognise a lot of those village names. Steeple Morden was a place I lived in for a while

Don't think I've cycled there this year.... yet.

 

[galaxy]

You will all be jealous, i have been working all day.

 

[NorthernDave]

Out for my first ride in a week this morning on the Road Comp, and got the layering about right for a change.
Having done "my" Church Fenton circuit quite a bit lately I fancied a change so it was off up Coal Road, then Red Hall Lane, a quick dash up the A58 and left into Whin Moor Lane for the scenic amble through the countryside to Shadwell. It's normally a quiet(ish) Lane but was busy today with walkers, joggers and even other cyclists.
Into Shadwell and gravity took me right down the hill through the village all the way down to Bay Horse Lane and the short climb back up to the A58 where it was straight across onto Carr Lane and the up and down road to Thorner.
Into the village and left again round past the church and onto Milner Lane for the rise, descent and then sharp climb up onto the ridge and the always pleasant ride out to Holme farm Lane and the twists and turns to East Rigton Green.
From there it was right and the slight climb through the mud on the road (reported - it was almost enough to make me wish I was on the hybrid ) to Bramham Lane and one of my favourite quiet lanes between the fields. This too was suffering from a bit too much mud in places, especially around field entrances so it was a steady run out to Jewitt Lane and the climb back onto Thorner Lane, through the dip and up the other side for a quick run down to Bramham. In fact the quick run was so quick that I realised that the "moderate breeze" from the west was actually a good bit more than a breeze!

Anyhow, quick pause for Haribo Tangfastic and a couple of photos:

(Look at all that mud on my tyres!)

Back in the saddle I started back towards Thorner, initially retracing my outbound route but now into the wind. I stayed left at the junction and through the dip at Wothersome and back up the other side which for some reason didn't seem as bad as usual. The steady drag up to the top of Church Hill was a pig in places though with the wind right in my face - 'moderate breeze' my backside!
Down the hill into Thorner and through the village before the obligatory climb up Van Zyl Hill, then onto Skeltons Lane and Coal Road, before local roads down to home.

19.3 miles (31.06km) in 1h 32m at a steady average of 12.6mph and with 1,003ft climbed. I'd like to put the slower than usual average down to the headwind and amount of climbing in the second half of the ride, but I suspect it might also be due to a lack of fitness after too many weeks out of the saddle.

Still, a ride is a ride and it was good to see a decent number of cyclists out today. And I was all ready to wash the bike this afternoon, but the water has been off due to a burst pipe round the corner, so I've had to leave it!

 

[Elybazza61]

Nice little run out with the better half to do some Christmas card deliveries.

Went to Soham via Prickwillow,down the Isleham Road and then turning down the great fen road to Soham.

First long(ish) ride for Val on her Escape and it rode nicely apart from a couple of niggles which should be easy to sort; also bought up her 1,000kms for the year as well.

https://www.strava.com/activities/799444157

Then a quick change of bike for me(XLS to the Trek) and a quick nip into the city for some food shopping;

https://www.strava.com/activities/799639119

224kms for the week and just 345 to do the 12,000.

Day off tomorrow as it's gonna be foggy so train to work instead.